An exploration of the relationships between socioeconomics,land use and daily trip chain pattern among low-income residents

Daily trip chain complexity and type choices of low-income residents are examined based on activity travel diary survey data in Nanjing, China. Statistical tests reveal that non-work trip chain complexity is distinctly distinct between low-income residents and non-low-income residents. Low-income residents are inclined to make simple non-work chains. Two types of econometric models, a stereotype logit model and mixed logit model, are then developed to investigate the possible explanatory variables affecting their trip pattern. The number of stops within a chain and chain types are considered as dependent variables, while independent variables include household and personal characteristics as well as land use variables. Results show that once convenient and flexible conditions are supplied, low-income residents are more likely to make multiple activities in a trip chain. Areas with high population and employment densities are associated with complex work trip chains and more non-work activity involvement.     

A virtual environment for the formulation of policy packages

The interdependence and complexity of socio-technical systems and availability of a wide variety of policy measures to address policy problems make the process of policy formulation difficult. In order to formulate sustainable and efficient transport policies, development of new tools and techniques is necessary. One of the approaches gaining ground is policy packaging, which shifts focus from implementation of individual policy measures to implementation of combinations of measures with the aim of increasing efficiency and effectiveness of policy interventions by increasing synergies and reducing potential contradictions among policy measures. In this paper, we describe the development of a virtual environment for the exploration and analysis of different configurations of policy measures in order to build policy packages. By developing systematic approaches it is possible to examine more alternatives at a greater depth, decrease the time required for the overall analysis, provide real-time assessment and feedback on the effect of changes in the configurations, and ultimately form more effective policies. The results from this research demonstrate the usefulness of computational approaches in addressing the complexity inherent in the formulation of policy packages. This new approach has been applied to the formulation of policies to advance sustainable transportation.     

Economic value of natural Coastal wetlands: A critique

Recent estimates by J. Gosselink, E. Odum, and R. Pope of the economic value of natural wetlands have had considerable impact on analyses and discussions of public policies concerning natural wetlands management. However, these economic value estimates are neither conceptually nor empirically correct. First, these workers failed to recognize the nature of the process by which economic values are determined and made an illegitimate marriage of the principles of systems ecology and economic theory. Second, where Gosselink et al. attempted to apply proper economic principles, their calculations resulted in economic value estimates that are most likely in error.     

Hysteresis in travel demand

This paper presents evidence that there is a hysteresis effect in the demand for transport usage with respect to price. Consequently the neoclassical concept of a smooth continuous demand curve is questioned. The author presents a hysteresis model whereby changes in demand and of demand are embraced in a single theory related to generalized cost.     

Minimum acceptable time for turning off idling engines: Evidence from Taiwan

This paper examines the influence of different factors on motorist willingness to comply with idling stop regulations, as determined using stated preference analysis. Motorists were surveyed at urban roadsides in Taiwan, and the results obtained were analyzed using a partially adaptive model. The analysis showed that the standing time and turnoff idling engine while parking are both significant variables, and arise from risk aversion behavior. Environmental perceptions and convenience of use are the most influential factors, according to elasticity analysis. The study also verifies that a partially adaptive model is an appropriate model to consider censored data in a Triple-Bounded Dichotomous Choice analysis. These results will be useful as a reference for improving implementation of idling reduction regulations.     

Dedication to Peter Douglas (August 22, 1942–April 1, 2012)

Ecosystem management has been deemed a promising approach to environmental management in many settings. The ecosystem approach promises improved use of scientific information, better management coordination, and more meaningful public participation in environmental decision making. Yet, there is little evidence for how well ecosystem management efforts actually achieve their goals. This article presents an in‐depth analysis of one ecosystem management effort, the Albemarle‐Pamlico Estuarine Study (APES), which was part of the National Estuary Program. The APES failed to meet the objectives of ecosystem management in several visible ways. However, this case study reveals that the APES also had many positive results that were less visible to participants and observers. The performance of the APES is explained with reference to seven paradoxes inherent in the concept of ecosystem management. These findings have implications for appropriate expectations and evaluation of other ecosystem management efforts.     

面对税收政策差异如何进行跨地区施工纳税管理与策划

建筑企业为了寻求企业发展,都在不断地进行跨地区作业,各地税收政策直接影响了施工企业的纳税成本。为此,建筑企业应加强内部税务管理、进行税收策划、降低纳税成本、规避税务风险、增强企业竞争能力。本文主要是以企业价值最大化为目标,根据施工企业的特点,利用施工地点税收征管差异,合理、合法避税,以达到降低企业税务风险目的。     

区域性道路运输服务体系构建的初步思考

区域性道路运输服务体系的建设对于区域经济的发展有重要的意义。文章探索了构建区域道路服务体系的必要性、战略思考、措施以及政府应发挥的作用。     

我国汽车产业重组政策分析与思考

产业组织合理化一直是困扰中国汽车工业发展的主要问题，而产业重组则是解决这一问题的主要途径。文章介绍了中国汽车产业重组政策的发展历程，并对不同政策出台的背景和目的进行了比较，通过分析得出目前有4方面因素阻碍了中国汽车产业重组活动的发展。结合产业发展趋势，文章指出未来我国将出台包括产业整合规划、激励性政策和约束性政策等一揽子政策措施推动汽车产业重组。