Maritime language: quest for simplicity

This brief paper examines some of the problems of interpretation of documents and procedures given in English faced by non-English seafarers, and suggests the use of 'controlled' English to simplify these problems.

' Speak English ', said the Eaglet, ' I don't know the meaning of half those long words, and what's more, I don't believe you do either. '

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll     

Shift-share analysis and port geography: a New England example

This paper demonstrates the validity of relative shift technique toward aiding the port geographer/planner in decision-making. The technique can be applied with a minimal of effort and yield diagnostic information concerning port commodity flows. A broad overview of New England's port facilities is presented, and the technique is then applied to an individual port, Boston.     

Competition among selected eastern Canadian ports for foreign cargoes

This paper examines the competitiveness of selected eastern Canadian ports for the handling of foreign cargoes in terms of macroeconomic and geographic factors.     

Techniques of land use/transportation planning in Australian cities

With the publication of the Sydney Area Transportation Study, land-use/transportation studies now have been conducted in all capital cities as well as in the majority of other urban areas with populations in excess of 40.000. A review of these studies is made and a qualitative assessment is attempted of the technical phases —land-use planning, trip-generation, trip-distribution, modal-split, traffic assignment and evaluation. Full summary results of this comparative survey are presented in tabular form, although themes developed in the text are illustrated with specific examples from individual studies. The methodology of land-use/transportation studies has been attacked by some Australian writers. An attempt is made to assess the relevance of these criticisms when applied to the practical planning process in Australia.     

Non-Contact Suspension and Propulsion Technology

As a result of extensive research and development in several countries, the technologies of magnetic suspension and linear electric drives are becoming available for transportation applications. The successful demonstration and operation of prototype vehicles has established the technical viability of these systems. Several urban transit or shuttle services, with magnetic suspension and/or linear motor propulsion are likely to be operational within 3-4 years. After the final stages ofdevelopment and rigorous testing, high speed systems are likely to be an option for intercity implementation by the end of the decade. This paper presents a report on the worldwide status of R&D and test programs of non-contact suspension and propulsion technology for guided ground transport.     

Labour relations and the transfer of the Panama Canal[1]

The international maritime community is concerned about Panama's preparedness to undertake the responsibility of what many consider to be the world's greatest maritime asset, the Panama Canal. In accordance with treaty provisions, the longer within the dominion of the U.S. government and its attendant regulatory framework and policies. To a great extent, Panama's efforts to prepare for the transfer thus far have been driven by its objective of a seamless transfer, whereby the status quo (meaning the Canal's existing institutional and organizational framework and attendant policies and procedures) would be preserved as much as possible. This would assure the maritime community that it can expect the same service and cost standards traditionally enjoyed under the Panama Canal Commission's stewardship. Still of great concern, however, is the continued reliability and productivity of the Canal's labour force; the Canal's reliability and efficient performance in the past is often attributed to its history of harmonious labour management relations. This article addresses some of the critical labour relations issues that will need to be considered even if Panama's status quo objective for the transfer is achieved.     

Optimal Design of Running Gears Part I. Theory

A survey is given of the theory developed by author during recent years for an optimal design of railway vehicle running gears. It enables the designer to build a running gear which at the same time has good curving properties and is stable up to a high vehicle speed.