Assessing asymmetric response effect of behavioral intention to service quality in an integrated psychological decision-making process model of intercity bus passengers: a case of Taiwan

This study introduces the concept of loss aversion to consumer behavioral intention at the personal psychological level to develop an integrative structural equation model for analyzing traveler psychological decision making. In this model, the relationship between behavioral intention and service quality is a non-smooth function based on the theory of loss aversion. The expectation service quality in the SERVQUAL model proposed by Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry (PZB) serves as a reference point. This model can be applied to analyze the effect of non-smooth response of behavioral intention to service quality in a traveler psychological decision-making process model. Intercity travel among cities in Taiwan is used as an empirical example. Data were gathered in cities in Taiwan via a questionnaire survey, and the model was tested using path analysis performed by LISREL. The empirical result shows that all causal relationships are statistically significant. Service quality loss influences repurchase intention more than does Service quality gain. Finally, this study concludes by discussing managerial implications and suggesting directions for future research.

Emergence of cooperation in congested road networks using ICT and future and emerging technologies: A game-based review

Information and communications technologies (ICT) and future and emerging technologies (FET) are expected to revolutionize transportation in the next generation. Travelers’ behavioral adaptation is a key to their success. We discuss the notion of managing traffic congestion by enhancing cooperation in road networks enabled with ICT and FET. Cooperation is an emergent social state related to the dynamics and complexity of road traffic and reinforced learning. Game theory and research in behavioral economics show that cooperation can be leveraged to efficiently solve social dilemmas similar to traffic congestion. We review the applicability of behavioral economics and game theory concepts to route, mode and departure time choice problems. Beyond advancing theory, research on cooperation in the context of transportation is still in its infancy. We discuss state-of-the-art methodologies and their weaknesses and review the unexplored opportunities inherent in game-based methodologies. A behavioral-technological research agenda for FET is also discussed.     

The problem of cold starts: A closer look at mobile source emissions levels

While the phenomenon of excess vehicle emissions from cold-start conditions is well known, the magnitude and duration of this phenomenon is often unclear due to the complex chemical processes involved and uncertainty in the literature on this subject. This paper synthesizes key findings regarding the influence of ambient and engine temperatures on light-duty vehicle (LDV) emissions. Existing literature, as well as analytical tools like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES), indicate that while total vehicle emissions have dropped significantly in recent years, those associated with cold starts can still constitute up to 80% for some pollutant species. Starting emissions are consistently found to make up a high proportion of total transportation-related methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). After 3–4 min of vehicle operation, both the engine coolant and the catalytic converter have generally warmed, and emissions are significantly lower. This effect lasts roughly 45 min after the engine is shut off, though the cooling rate depends greatly on the emission species and ambient temperature. Electrically (pre-)heated catalysts, using the bigger batteries available on hybrid drivetrains and plug-in vehicles, may be the most cost-effective technology to bring down a sizable share of mobile source emissions. Trip chaining (to keep engines warm) and shifting to non-motorized modes for shorter trips, where the cold start can dominate emissions, are also valuable tactics.     

Factors influencing support for local transportation sales tax measures

Sales tax measures passed at the local level and dedicated to transportation projects have become increasingly popular in the United States. While revenues from fuel taxes stagnate, growth of local transportation sales taxes (LTSTs), most approved in local elections, has led to a gradual shift of the financial base for transportation projects away from user fees and toward broader-based taxes. In this study, the relationship between voter support and the social, political, and geographic characteristics of the voters is explored. Using precinct-level voting data and census demographic data for three local transportation sales tax elections in Sonoma County, in the San Francisco Metropolitan area of California, regression models were constructed to analyze this relationship. In addition, the relationship between the outcomes of the three measures was explored to better understand which transportation projects might have garnered more support for the successful measure. It was found that the closer voters lived to the transportation projects to be funded, the greater their support. Higher incomes were also positively related to support, controlling for other variables. Political leanings were found to affect support, with the direction of the effect dependent upon the project list in each measure’s expenditure plan. Finally, it appears that the latest measure, which passed successfully, benefited greatly from its multi-modal expenditure plan.     

横滩整治措施与效果分析

文章介绍了横滩整治工程的措施与效果,分析该滩获得成功整治的关键技术与经验,为类似工程提供参考。     

贝雷架钢桥的静动力荷载试验研究

文章结合工程实例,通过对贝雷梁桥梁静动力荷载试验,指出贝雷架钢桥连接部分存在联系不够紧密、桥梁横向分配性较差、桥面的振动感觉明显及钢梁易锈蚀等问题。提出了改善贝雷架钢桥结构的力学性能和使用状况,加强结构的定期检查及监测等相关建议。     

浅谈箱形拱桥的维修与加固

文章针对目前钢筋混凝土悬链线箱形拱桥普遍存在的问题,介绍了采用粘贴钢板加固、改变结构受力体系、桥面补强层等3种方法,能有效地解决目前桥梁的维修和加固存在的问题。     

寒冷地区沥青混合料弯拉特性分析

文章针对寒冷地区气侯的特殊性,运用沥青混合料弯曲试验方法,分析了温度、公称最大粒径、油石比、沥青种类等因素对寒冷地区沥青混合料弯拉特性的影响及作用规律。研究结果表明：混合料油石比在6.0%～7.0%范围内取值较适宜;SBR改性沥青混合料低温性能优势显著;多年冻土地区路面设计应该重视-10℃下沥青混合料的弯曲特性,提高沥青混合料的低温性能。     

攀爬植物在高速公路中分带绿化中的应用

文章以南友高速公路中分带绿化改造工程为依托,介绍了西番莲和炮仗花两种藤本植物的生态学特征,阐述了搭设网架种植攀爬植物的具体施工技术,并对比分析了搭设网架种植攀爬植物的新型绿化模式的效果及优势,为高速公路中分带绿化提供参考。     

高寒隧道保温设计研究及热工计算方法初探

目前国内高寒隧道研究成果还不能完全满足隧道设计要求,文章借鉴我国建设部房建行业和日本国铁的研究成果,提出了适用于季节性冻土隧道洞口保温段长度、衬砌保温及水沟保温的设计计算方法。