A coupled multi-agent microsimulation of social interactions and transportation behavior

Choice set formation, location and mode preferences, coordinated scheduling, alternative utility valuations, and shared mobility resources are among the many activity-travel issues hypothesized to be significantly influenced by traveler interdependencies. Empirical evidence lags theory, particularly about the geography of social networks. A simulation tool is presented to let the experimenter construct and test hypothetical interdependencies between geography, socially-linked travelers, and activity-travel choices. The exploratory tool is integrated in the Multi-Agent Transportation Simulation Toolbox (MatSim-T). Initially, any social network can be constructed and embedded in geography. It can remain static, or be adapted to the travel patterns of the agents. The interactions and exchanges between agents influencing socializing and/or travel behavior can be defined in substance and in time/space. The reward for socializing or being socially linked can be varied. Finally, the co-dependence of social factors and travel behavior can be studied. This paper introduces the model and presents verification results which illustrate the coupling of extremely simplified socializing assumptions and travel behavior.     

The effect of social comparisons on commute well-being

We study the effect of social comparisons on travel happiness and behavior. Social comparisons arise from exchanges of information among individuals. We postulate that the social gap resulting from comparisons is a determinant of “comparative happiness” (i.e. happiness arising from comparisons), which in turn affects subsequent behavior. We develop a modeling framework based on the Hybrid Choice Model that captures the indirect effect of social comparisons on travel choices through its effect on comparative happiness.We present an empirical analysis of one component of this framework. Specifically, we study how perceived differences between experienced commute attributes and those communicated by others affect comparative happiness and consequently overall commute satisfaction. We find that greater comparative happiness arising from favorable comparisons of one’s commute to that of others (e.g. shorter commute time than others, same mode as others for car commuters, and different mode than others for non-motorized commuters) increases overall commute satisfaction or utility.The empirical model develops only the link between social comparisons and happiness in the comparisons-happiness-behavior chain. It is anticipated that the theoretical framework that considers the entire chain will enhance the behavioral realism of “black box” models that do not account for happiness in the link between comparisons and behavior.     

Work and home location: Possible role of social networks

This research explores to what extent people’s work locations are similar to that of those who live around them. Using the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics data set and the 2000 decennial census, we investigate the home and work locations of different census block residents in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) metropolitan area. Our aim is to investigate if people who share a residence neighborhood also share work locations to a degree beyond what would be explained by distanhe observed patterns is the role neighborhood level and work place social networks play in locating jobs and residences respectively.     

基于教育的人力资本投资对经济增长贡献的研究

随着教育水平的提高,基于教育的人力资本投资越来越受到人们的关注.建立模型,将教育投资与物资资本投资对经济增长的作用进行比较研究,可对结论给出政策模拟.     

非赢利组织的激励问题研究——以高校人才资本产权为例

文章在探讨高校人才资本的定义、特征的基础上,研究了产权概念、产权界定的原则和方法,提出了基于委托代理理论的高校人才资本产权的分析框架。采用静态分析的方法,建立了高校人才资本产权(收益权)模型。指出加入高校人才资本产权变量后,委托代理理论中的激励问题可以转化为对高校人才资本产权的界定和安排问题。     

浅谈新3824法在动力总成产品质量问题解决的应用

文章综合考虑动力总成技术、复杂度等因素,首次将新3824法应用到动力总成产品质量问题解决过程,并详述了各过程中工具的应用,研究了解决过程与工具使用的对应关系,总结了新3824法在动力总成产品质量问题解决过程的价值与意义.