Public regulation and passengers importance in port infrastructure costs

Because ports are conceived and designed mainly to be the transfer point of various types of freight, passengers tend to be forgotten in the analysis of port costs. In this paper first we investigate the importance of passengers in port infrastructure costs by means of a multi-output cost function estimated from 20 annual observations (1986-2005) for 26 Spanish Port Authorities. Results show that, although a passenger weights on average less than one tenth of a ton, he or she represents as much as two tons of solid bulk and about three tons of containerized general cargo in terms of marginal costs. Secondly, we compare the marginal costs of different cargoes with their price caps established by law. Results suggest that some type of second best pricing is induced by present regulation.     

Effects of new bus and rail rapid transit systems – an international review

Cities worldwide are implementing modern transit systems to improve mobility in the increasingly congested metropolitan areas. Despite much research on the effects of such systems, a comparison of effects across transit modes and countries has not been studied comprehensively. This paper fills this gap in the literature by reviewing and comparing the effects obtained by 86 transit systems around the world, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), metro and heavy rail transit systems. The analysis is twofold by analysing (i) the direct operational effects related to travel time, ridership and modal shifts, and (ii) the indirect strategic effects in terms of effects on property values and urban development. The review confirms the existing literature suggesting that BRT can attract many passengers if travel time reductions are significantly high. This leads to attractive areas surrounding the transit line with increasing property values. Such effects are traditionally associated with attractive rail-based public transport systems. However, a statistical comparison of 41 systems did not show significant deviations between effects on property values resulting from BRT, LRT and metro systems, respectively. Hence, this paper indicates that large strategic effects can be obtained by implementing BRT systems at a much lower cost.     

Shifting urban freight deliveries to the off-peak hours: a review of theory and practice

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on off-peak hour deliveries (OPHD). The review identifies different approaches and policy levers used in the past, such as the laissez-faire approach, a road pricing approach, an incentives approach, and a regulatory approach. The paper also identifies different delivery reception schemes discussed in the literature. The authors complement the theory with a synthesis of pilot tests and the analysis of a set of interviews with practitioners (from the public sector and other organisations) in charge of OPHD programmes. The results from this review show the potential benefits that these programmes could bring about, the challenges faced in the early stages – along with potential solutions – and the significant progress that has been made in this domain in the last decade. According to the review, the results from the pilot tests tend to be positive, suggesting the importance of these programmes to reach more efficient and sustainable transportation systems.     

CANDY statement of methods

This paper presents a detailed overview of CANDY, a catenary–pantograph dynamic interaction software. Authors describe the main key points of the formulation, focusing on its time-integration scheme, the pantograph and contact models as well as the solution of the initial equilibrium problem. Nonetheless one of the most important features of CANDY is its moving finite element mesh, which enables accurate results without excessive computational cost. The validation of the model against the European Standard EN 50318 and some conclusions and comments about the results of the benchmark are also included.     

Stochastic Monte Carlo simulations of the pantograph–catenary dynamic interaction to allow for uncertainties introduced during catenary installation

The simulation of the pantograph–catenary dynamic interaction is at present mainly based on deterministic approaches. However, any errors made during the catenary stringing process are sources of variability that can affect the dynamic performance of the system. In this paper, we analyse the influence of dropper length, dropper spacing and support height errors on the current collection quality by applying a classic Monte Carlo method to obtain the probability density functions of several output quantities. The effects of installation errors are also studied for a range of train speeds. Finally, the pre-sag that, on average, produces the best behaviour of the system is identified, allowing for the uncertainty in the catenary installation. The results obtained show the convenience to consider variability in pantograph–catenary dynamic simulations.     

Gravity model estimation with proxy variables and the impact of endogeneity on transportation planning

This study presents an alternative method for estimating gravity models by multiple linear regression that is based on proxy variables, thus circumventing the endogeneity problems arising when least-squares estimators are used. The proxy variable approach generates consistent estimators for a gravity model without endogeneity bias. The presence of endogeneity is tested for using statistical tests developed specifically for our application.We conclude that proxy variables eliminate the endogeneity and produce consistent estimators in gravity models estimated using least squares. We also find, however, that endogeneity bias has no significant impact either on gravity model prediction or on urban transportation system planning processes based on such models.     

Heavy metals in edible seaweeds commercialised for human consumption

Though seaweed consumption is growing steadily across Europe, relatively few studies have reported on the quantities of heavy metals they contain and/or their potential effects on the population's health. This study focuses on the first topic and analyses the concentrations of six typical heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, total As and inorganic As) in 52 samples from 11 algae-based products commercialised in Spain for direct human consumption (Gelidium spp.; Eisenia bicyclis; Himanthalia elongata; Hizikia fusiforme; Laminaria spp.; Ulva rigida; Chondrus crispus; Porphyra umbilicales and Undaria pinnatifida).Samples were ground, homogenised and quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry (Cu and Zn by flame AAS; Cd, Pb and total As by electrothermal AAS; total mercury by the cold vapour technique; and inorganic As by flame-hydride generation). Accuracy was assessed by participation in periodic QUASIMEME (Quality Assurance of Information in Marine Environmental Monitoring in Europe) and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) intercalibration exercises. To detect any objective differences existing between the seaweeds' metal concentrations, univariate and multivariate studies (principal component analysis, cluster analysis and linear discriminant analysis) were performed. It is concluded that the Hizikia fusiforme samples contained the highest values of total and inorganic As and that most Cd concentrations exceeded the French Legislation. The two harvesting areas (Atlantic and Pacific oceans) were differentiated using both univariate studies (for Cu, total As, Hg and Zn) and a multivariate discriminant function (which includes Zn, Cu and Pb).     

Measurement uncertainty determination and curve-fitting algorithms for development of accurate digital maps for advanced driver assistance systems

Digital maps can provide support for numerous advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) aimed at improving road safety. These new uses require more highly detailed and precise maps. The use of a datalog vehicle to collect roadway geometry data can fulfil these specifications. This paper presents fast, accurate measurement with an on-board inertial system together with a method to evaluate measurement uncertainty, particularly for any variables obtained indirectly. It also presents an algorithm for segmentation and fitting geometric curves to the experimental points, following current highway design standards. The algorithms have been applied to real road measurements. Segmentation has been done in straight alignments, circular curves and transition curves whose characteristic parameters are calculated. It has been seen that with a very small data set it is possible to reconstruct the measured geometry with few discrepancies regarding the experimental points.