Assessment of large transport infrastructure projects: The CBA-DK model

This paper presents a newly developed decision support model to assess transport infrastructure projects: CBA-DK. The model combines use of conventional cost–benefit analysis to produce aggregated single point estimates, with quantitative risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulation to produce interval results. The embedded uncertainties within traditional CBA such as ex-ante based investment costs and travel time savings are of particular concern. The paper investigates these two impacts in terms of the Optimism Bias principle which is used to take account of the underestimation of construction costs and the overestimation of travel time savings. The CBA-DK methodological approach has been used to apply suitable probability distribution functions on the uncertain parameters, thus resulting in feasibility risk assessment moving from point to interval results. The proposed assessment model makes use of both deterministic and stochastic based information. Decision support as illustrated in this paper aims to provide assistance in the development and ultimately the choice of action, while accounting for the uncertainties surrounding transport appraisal schemes. The modelling framework is illustrated by the use of a case study appraising airport and runway alternatives in the capital of Greenland – Nuuk. The case study has been conducted in cooperation with the Home Rule Authorities of Greenland.     

高速铁路调度指挥风险耦合分析

为分析不同风险在高速铁路调度指挥系统内的耦合情况,将风险按照风险来源和事故处理所需工种进行分类,采用N-K模型定量分析风险之间的耦合机理。结合929起历史事故记录,分别计算单因素、双因素和三因素风险发生的概率,以及双因素、三因素耦合风险值。结果表明:参与耦合的风险种类越多,耦合风险值越大;车体设备故障、供电类设备故障在耦合风险事故记录中出现较多。相关部门在风险管控中应着重注意车体设备、供电类设备运用情况,及时发现风险和采取措施,避免风险之间发生耦合。     

Predictive analyses of the integrity of corroded pipelines based on concepts of structural reliability and Bayesian inference

In this paper, structural reliability concepts are used in conjunction with limit state functions proposed in the Recommended Practice DNV-RP-F101 (2010) to evaluate the probability of failure of corroded pipelines during their lifetimes. The model takes into account the natural spread of material properties, geometric and operational parameters, and the uncertainties associated with the sizing of eventual corrosion defects. Bayesian reliability concepts are used to estimate the evolution of a pre-defined distribution of defects obtained, for instance, from an inspection campaign. By comparing the predicted probability of failure with the reliability acceptance criteria, the operator can schedule defect repairs and establish inspection intervals with more confidence. This proposed methodology can provide the basis to develop a risk based maintenance strategy of pipeline systems.     

蒙华铁路黄土滑坡风险评价研究

为了降低滑坡等不良地质在铁路建设和安全运营过程中产生的危害,在选线过程中需对区域内不良地质发生的风险进行评估。以蒙西至华中煤运通道工程黄土高原区为研究对象,基于遥感与GIS技术开展区内黄土滑坡风险评价研究,通过GIS技术分析滑坡与环境要素的内在联系,确定18个滑坡影响因子并进行定量研究;根据区内滑坡遥感解译成果和影响因子数据建立加权叠加模型,实现滑坡风险等级区域划分,并提出一种新的因子权重计算方法:通过建立滑坡因子变异系数在滑坡处与研究区的数学关系确定因子权重,具有客观可靠性;基于黄土滑坡风险评价结果,对拟选线位进行方案比选,提出最优线位通过方案。研究成果可应用于铁路工程选线设计和防灾减灾等工作。     

内转塔单点系泊系统风险评估与设计维护建议

内转塔系泊系统广泛应用于海洋石油FPSO或液化天然气FLNG中。在我国南海海域油田开发中,内转塔系泊系统发挥了重要作用,并已逐渐成为主要的FPSO系泊方式。本文对"海洋石油111"FPSO内转塔系泊系统的失效模式、主要风险因素等进行了分析。通过风险评估确认了主要风险点,对该系统的设计和维护提出了相应的建议。     

Methodological aspects for modeling the environmental risk of transporting hazardous materials by road

The main objective of this paper is to establish the procedures necessary to the development of a model for the environmental risk assessment of accidents involving Transporting Hazardous Materials by Road (THMR). Quantifying the environmental risk is useful in identifying areas with a high risk of accidents, which can be later discarded as main routes; orienting efficient emergency response operations; and assessing policies aimed at reducing these risks. Taking this into consideration, this study endeavors to identify the methodological aspects make possible the assessment of the impacts that arise from accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials by road and to implement such methodological aspects in a Geographic Information System (GIS).     

Efficient contracting and incentive agreements between regulators and bus operators: The influence of risk preferences of contracting agents on contract choice

Contracts that govern transactions between regulators and operators are an important feature of service delivery in public transport. This paper reviews the literature on efficient contracting in general and its application to public transport contracts and found little empirical evidence on the influence of risk preferences of contracting agents on contract choice, a fundamental premise of classical contracting theory. Departing from the existing literature, this paper develops a choice experiment to study public transport operators’ preferences for different contractual forms. People involved in the public transport industry across Australia are invited to do the survey but the respondents are mainly bus operators in New South Wales. The respondents are offered two hypothetical contracts with different risk profiles and incentives and asked to indicate their preferences as well as their acceptance to provide the services under the contract they prefer. A non-linear scaled multinomial logit model is estimated to establish the role of risk allocation on contract preference of bus operators and the optimal amount of risks and incentives, conditioned on the operators’ attitude towards risk. The results help authorities design performance-based contracts to obtain their objectives while maintaining the operators’ level of satisfaction.     

Cycling near misses: Their frequency,impact, and prevention

This paper explores cyclists’ experiences of non-injury incidents, arguing that these are important for cycling experience and uptake as well as for injury prevention. It discusses different types of non-injury incident collected in a recent survey of UK cyclists. These are everyday occurrences that in some cases have a substantially negative impact on cycling experiences. This article explores the impact of different incident types on people cycling both immediately and in the future. It analyses what near misses tell us about cyclists’ experience of problems related to road user behaviour and culture, and infrastructural conditions for cycling. The paper explores what cyclists experiencing near misses think might have prevented them. Based on this and on a comparison with common types of injury incidents, summary recommendations are made for policy and future research.     

An integrated risk assessment model: A case of sustainable freight transportation systems

The major challenge in the development of sustainable freight transportation systems (SFTSs) is due to the involvement of numerous dynamic uncertainties and intrinsic sustainability risks. Sustainability risks are potential threats that can have undesirable impacts on the sustainability of a system. The main objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the sustainability risks associated with freight transportation systems (FTSs). Accordingly, a risk analysis approach is developed by innovatively integrating the intuitionistic fuzzy set theory and D-number theory to quantitatively model the sustainability risks. Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers can examine both the membership and non-membership degrees of an element while the D-number theory increases the objectivity of assessments by fusing multiple expert judgments. The proposed risk assessment model facilitates the managers in the development of SFTSs by ensuring visibility, predictability and measurability in freight operations. Unlike the conventional perception, the findings indicate that most of the high priority sustainability risks in FTSs are socially induced rather than financially driven and consciousness in people’s conduct is must to attain the positive results. The analysis alerts the freight managers toward the high priority sustainability risks and guides in pro-active strategy formulation and optimum allocation of mitigation resources to minimize disruptions in SFTSs.     

公共项目决策的财务指标及风险修正研究

随着国民经济的发展，公共项目投资再采用传统财务指标进行决策，已不能满足公共项目投资的实际需求。为此，此文在阐述公共项目传统财务指标的基础上，针对传统财务决策指标存在的假设条件与实际情况不符、缺乏对项目变更权利的考虑、选取折现率忽略了项目的不确定性缺陷进行分析与研究，提出风险修正的财务决策指标，即风险大小的度量、对折现率的风险修正及风险修正的NPV计算。并通过实例验证采用风险修正的财务决策指标对公共项目投资进行决策更加有效。