Analysis of the economic and social parameters of the Three-Wheeler Taxi service in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has an extensive Three-Wheeler Taxi service comprised of around 300,000 vehicles. These vehicles, which first made an entry to Sri Lanka’s roads in the early 1980s, account for around 15% of the active motor vehicle fleet at present. Three-Wheelers Taxis also account for around 6% of the passenger kilometres. These vehicles are mostly individually operated with some owned by the operator and others hired on a monthly or daily basis. The industry is unregulated with vehicle registration and driving licenses being the only instruments of regulation. Fares are unregulated. However, most operators belong to associations which are loose collections of operators found in a given locality. These associations impose a degree of self regulation with respect to fares. They also tend to demonstrate oligapolistic behaviour.The paper is based on a survey of 200 operators and 100 passengers from a Divisional Secretariat area in Colombo District. The survey covered a number of details pertaining to ownership, management and fare structures, as well as opinions on the service attributes by users. The survey also covered perceptions of operators to determine the social, economic and transport implications of the services provided. Details were also obtained on the profiles of the operators and their expectations.The paper provides the results of the analysis of this data and draws a number of conclusions on the economics of the industry as well as the social aspects associated with it. It also discusses the characteristics of the users of these three wheelers as well as their typical use. The analysis also investigates complementarily of service provision between three wheelers as an access mode to buses and railways. This analysis has been used to develop an understanding of the manner in which the industry has grown over the last two decades and how it is being operated today. It also identifies areas wherein the industry has become inefficient and assesses the degree of over pricing that exists due to this. The data also helps to determine the relationship between unemployment and provision of self-employed transport services.The paper concludes with a synopsis of the profile of the industry and its role within the wider transport sector and with respect to ownership. It also discusses the positive and negative impacts of the lack of regulation on the industry.     

Financial and environmental impacts of hypothetical Finnish dry port structure

One main theme of European Union’s in transport policy statements has been the increased role of railways in the reducing environmental impacts and costs of transport activity. One option to increase the modal share of rail transport is to utilize the dry port concept, particularly applicable to general cargo. At the Port of Gothenburg (Sweden) use of this concept in combination with rail transport has led to a reduction of CO₂ emissions, and lower transport energy costs. The main objective and motivation of this research work are to examine through analytical models, how this same dry port concept could be implemented in the Finnish transportation network, with estimates of the benefits being gained.The research method of this study is macro gravitational models of distribution. Main input data for the models are distances and population in the area. The approach aims to research, how relative transport costs behave by increasing the number of dry port distribution locations. For the actual computation work the authors apply linear integer programming. Based on the results, the authors argue that relative transport costs can decrease considerably by increasing the number of dry ports, up to the level of six locations. This is considerably less than what is the current situation in Sweden. The found solution also differs from Sweden as the fragmented Finnish seaport system enables using numerous seaports instead of one, which further decreases inland transportation distances and volumes considerably. At the same time forthcoming sulphur emission reduction regulation (for sea transports) might impact the transportation network structure by decreasing sea transport and the number of seaports used. This might lead to a further increase in land-based hinterland transport.     

基于小波消噪的ARIMA与SVM组合交通流预测

针对实际交通系统时变复杂和变化的不确定性所带来的交通流量非线性和强干扰性的特征,首先应用小波分析方法,对原始交通数据进行了消噪处理,使消噪后的数据更能反映交通流的本质及变化规律;然后采用自回归求和滑动平均(ARIMA)和支持向量机(SVM)的结合预测模型对交通流进行了预测,最后用实测交通数据进行了验证分析,得到了两个结论:一是组合预测模型比单个预测模型的预测精度高;二是小波分析消噪后的组合预测模型比没有消噪的组合预测模型预测精度高.结果表明消噪后的组合预测模型具有较高的预测精度,可用于交通流的实时动态预测.     

枢纽机场衔接公路网优化理论与方法研究

公路方式是我国枢纽机场与城市衔接的主要交通方式。枢纽机场衔接公路网的优化,能维持该区域客运交通运输网络高效运转,是综合运输体系中的关键技术。我国面临枢纽机场衔接公路网优化理论不完善和经验缺乏的问题。从系统工程角度,分析国内外大型机场地面交通衔接的现状和发展趋势,阐述枢纽机场地面交通衔接集聚特征及集疏运机理,探讨枢纽机场衔接影响因素（制约性、结构性、比例性）和衔接公路网优化准则,提出枢纽机场衔接公路网优化的核心问题和研究方向。     

Examining the Political and Practical Reality of Bus-based Real Time Passenger Information

Abstract

Enhancing the bus experience through improved information provision is a key element of UK Government transport policy. Real time passenger information (RTPI) is perceived to reassure waiting passengers, to benefit the bus operator through increased revenue and the local authority, by promoting social inclusion and achieving a modal shift. RTPI also provides an important tool for operators by allowing them to monitor services and refine their schedules.

The aim of this paper is to understand the reasons for implementing RTPI in the bus sector, and to determine the key issues impacting on the likely success of such a policy. A case study approach investigates the experiences of two provincial towns in the UK. The paper suggests that, whilst it is unclear whether RTPI has resulted in an increase in bus patronage, it is considered to be most effective when combined as part of a package of measures. It is intended that the findings from the two case studies will reveal lessons of relevance to authorities contemplating the introduction of RTPI.     

内河集装箱班轮优先过闸管理模式探讨

文章结合2013年最新出台的《广西壮族自治区船闸管理办法》,以及近期国家关于行政审批制度改革的相关精神和要求,对集装箱班轮优先过闸条款进行探索和研究,分析了集装箱班轮优先过闸面临的主要问题,提出了一套新的市场管理模式,即主要采取企业公开"承诺制",加上"定期、定港、定线、不定船"的管理模式,通过实施"宽进严管",以期在简政放权的同时,能够充分发挥市场作用,促进企业自律,推动内河集装箱班轮运输市场的健康发展。     

The development of a policy for road tax in Turkey, using a genetic algorithm approach for demand estimation

This study deals, first, with estimation of transport demand based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach, and then deals with the evaluation of the road tax system in Turkey. It proposes an alternative road tax policy. The total transport demand is estimated based on population, Gross Domestic Product per Capita (GDPPC), and vehicle-number. Three forms of the Genetic Algorithm Transport Demand Estimation for Tax Revenues (GATDETR) are developed, of which one is linear, and the second and third are exponential forms of the mathematical expressions. The best-fit GATDETR model in terms of total minimum relative average errors between observed and estimated values are selected for future demand estimation. The evaluation of the road tax system and policy proposal is made based on estimated demand. The Distance-Based-Taxation (DBT) system is proposed in order to control highway transport. With the DBT system, some road users may wish to use railway. Thus, we re-organize the railways in order to meet the demand, but this requires new fund. The DBT system may help to create to this fund. It may also help to develop fair-taxation for the road users. Results show that the GA can be used to model transport demand and hence income tax in future transports planning. This study also suggests that planning the taxation in highway transport may help to ease funding problem of railway system.     

公交服务质量指标的选取与量化

有多重运意义。本文介绍了公交服务质量及其8项量化指标,通过对8项指标的对比分析后得出结论,运送速度具营属性,占有较大权重,该指标的选取无论对公交企业而言,还是对乘客而言,均具有重要的现实     

一种多模式下考虑排放的交通分配模型及其算法研究

讨论了一类考虑排放的、非可加路径费用下的交通分配问题.在Venigalla等人研究的基础上,进一步完善了考虑不同发动机启动模式下考虑排放的交通分配模型,并采用一种基于路径的、非集计的单纯分解算法求解,然后应用到一个网络实例中进行了数值验证.数值计算结果表明,在求最优解的迭代过程中,基于非集计的单纯分解算法比基于F-W算法的收敛速度快,适用于求解非可加路径费用的大规模交通分配问题.     

铁路保价运输理赔工作现状及对策

从理赔时效性、一线事故处理人员素质、贷主提赔率、保价赔付率方面,分析铁路保价运输理赔工作现状,针对赔偿处理工作中存在法律规章不一致、事故处理有关规定不够明确、保价费率灵活性不够、保价政策宣传不到位的问题,提出改善理赔工作的对策措施：明确理赔规定,便于现场操作;建立全路理赔网络,方便受理;提高保价费率灵活性,吸引货主足额投保;拓展保价代办业务,培养保价营销宣传队伍,以促进铁路保价运输业不断发展．．