Estimating road network accessibility during a hurricane evacuation: A case study of hurricane Irma in Florida

Understanding the spatio-temporal road network accessibility during a hurricane evacuation—the level of ease of residents in an area in reaching evacuation destination sites through the road network—is a critical component of emergency management. While many studies have attempted to measure road accessibility (either in the scope of evacuation or beyond), few have considered both dynamic evacuation demand and characteristics of a hurricane. This study proposes a methodological framework to achieve this goal. In an interval of every six hours, the method first estimates the evacuation demand in terms of number of vehicles per household in each county subdivision (sub-county) by considering the hurricane’s wind radius and track. The closest facility analysis is then employed to model evacuees’ route choices towards the predefined evacuation destinations. The potential crowdedness index (PCI), a metric capturing the level of crowdedness of each road segment, is then computed by coupling the estimated evacuation demand and route choices. Finally, the road accessibility of each sub-county is measured by calculating the reciprocal of the sum of PCI values of corresponding roads connecting evacuees from the sub-county to the designated destinations. The method is applied to the entire state of Florida during Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Results show that I-75 and I-95 northbound have a high level of congestion, and sub-counties along the northbound I-95 suffer from the worst road accessibility. In addition, this research performs a sensitivity analysis for examining the impacts of different choices of behavioral response curves on accessibility results.     

A comparative analysis of transportation-based accessibility to mental health services

The demand for mental health services has been growing stronger over the last couple of decades. This indicates the need to study and assess the access to these mental health services especially with a focus on the vulnerable populations having the greatest need. As such, this paper presents a Geographical Information Systems (GIS)-based analysis in order to study and evaluate the accessibility of mental health facilities using the information on the spatial distributions of population and facilities, and regional traffic characteristics. For this purpose, different age group segments are utilized including the total population as well as those aged between 18 and 21, 22 and 49, 50 and 64, and those aged over 65 and 85. Focusing on the State of Florida, spatially detailed accessibility metrics are calculated with regard to healthcare facilities using travel times between population block groups and these critical mental health facilities. These estimates are used to calculate the weighted county accessibility scores for each county. Findings clearly delineate those counties that lack access to mental facilities, especially those in Northwest Florida, a demographically diverse and substantially rural region. This type of analysis can help planners and policy makers develop better strategies in order to provide adequate mental health care options needed in targeted locations.     

基于停车行为调查的商业区停车空间组织研究

以广州市为例,对以北京路商业区为代表的传统商业区和以天河商业区为代表的现代商业区的4个停车场进行停车目的、停车步行距离、停车场类型、停车场安全、可接受停车费用5种停车特性的停车行为调查。调查结果显示：停车便利是停车者对商业停车空间组织最主要的要求,可以通过合理的诱导,提高停车空间的利用率,进而增强商场停车的便利性;应该利用合适的商场停车优惠政策,适时实施停车吸引或停车阻碍措施,更好地进行商场停车空间组织。最后借助模糊综合评价,对4个商业停车场的吸引能力进行排序,指出停车承受能力的高低将严重影响商场的竞争能力。     

关于加强农村公路养护工作的思考

针对农村公路发展迅速,但养护跟不上的现状,提出了解决问题的方法。     

A multi-objective analysis of a rural road network problem in the hilly regions of Nepal

This paper considers the rural road network upgrading problem, using a multi-objective optimization model, to support decision-makers in the choice of roads to upgrade in the hilly regions of Nepal. The model considers two objectives: minimization of user operation costs and maximization of population covered. The problem was solved for a real-world rural road network in the Gorkha district of Nepal. For this case, all non-dominated solutions were obtained and the ones providing more interesting trade-offs were analysed. The model was found suitable for the case under study, and possibly, easily extendable to rural areas of other developing countries.     

县乡公路管理体制改革的思考

介绍了目前县乡公路管理体制的作用,并对县公路管理体制的改革进行了探讨.     

基于可达性指标的轨道交通外部性价值分析

城市轨道交通具有显著正外部效益,研究由此带来的价值,将有利于制定合理的城市轨道交通发展规划与融资模式。以大连市为例,基于可达性指标,建立特征价格模型,计算轨道交通外部性价值。模型结果得出城市轨道交通可达性指标提高,将使其正外部性效益增强,且合理的城市规划将极大提高城市轨道交通的外部性价值。     

Lateral dynamics of motorcycles towing single-wheeled trailers

A motorcycle towing a single-wheel trailer may provide useful transport for light cargo on narrow tracks and off-road use, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Four designs of such trailers are described. Linear models are derived for the lateral dynamics of an off-road motorcycle towing this type of trailer straight ahead at constant speed. The trailers were tested behind an instrumented motorcycle. Linear autoregressive models were fitted to the experimental data using system identification techniques. Analytical and experimentally derived models largely agreed on frequency, damping and shape of the weave, wobble and trailer sway normal modes. The trailers made the motorcycle’s steering heavier but the analytical models did not predict this. The location of the articulation axes between the motorcycle and the trailer were found to be critical for stability. The best trailer design handled well with loads up to 200 kg and speeds up to 70 km/h.     

Evaluating accessibility to Bangkok Metro Systems using multi-dimensional criteria across user groups

Metro systems act as fast and efficient transport systems for many modern metropolises; however, enhancing higher usage of such systems often conflicts with providing suitable accessibility options. The traditional approach of metro accessibility studies seems to be an ineffective measure to gage sustainable access in which the equal rights of all users are taken into account. Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) transportation has increasingly relied on the role of two mass rapid transport systems publicly called “BTS Skytrain” and “MRT Subway”, due to limited availability of land and massive road congestion; however, access to such transit arguably treats some vulnerable groups, especially women, the elderly and disabled people unfairly. This study constructs a multi-dimensional assessment of accessibility considerations to scrutinize how user groups access metro services based on BMR empirical case. 600 individual passengers at various stations were asked to rate the questionnaire that simultaneously considers accessibility aspects of spatial, feeder connectivity, temporal, comfort/safety, psychosocial and other dimensions. It was interestingly found by user disaggregated accessibility model that the lower the accessibility perceptions—related uncomfortable and unsafe environment conditions, the greater the equitable access to services, as illustrated by MRT — Hua Lumphong and MRT — Petchaburi stations. The study suggests that, to balance the access priorities of groups on services, policy actions should emphasize acceptably safe access for individuals, cost efficient feeder services connecting the metro lines, socioeconomic influences and time allocation. Insightful discussions on integrated approach balancing different dimensions of accessibility and recommendations would contribute to accessibility-based knowledge and potential propensity to use the public transits towards transport sustainability.     

边境城市跨境可达性对口岸经济的影响机理

为获取“一带一路”战略影响下我国边境城市交通可达性和口岸经济时空演化及两者的影响机理,构建跨境交通可达性评估模型及口岸经济发展水平分析模型,采用引力模型刻画可达性对口岸经济发展的影响机理.结果表明：我国边境城市的跨境交通可达性与口岸经济均表现出显著的“东强西弱”空间特征,在“一带一路”战略推动下,两者均呈现逐年上升的趋势,西部地区的提升效果较为显著,东北地区的优势地位逐年下降;边境城市可达性对口岸经济发展具有显著的正向影响作用,随着可达性水平的提高,其促进作用逐渐减弱;国际贸易便利指数也是影响口岸经济发展水平的重要因素,其影响作用呈逐年增强的趋势.