Aligning the purchase of green logistics practices between shippers and logistics service providers

This paper explores shippers’ (i.e. logistics buyers) and logistics service providers’ (LSPs) perceptions of green concerns under diverse contractual settings during the key phases of the logistics purchasing process: request for proposal, negotiations, contracting and execution. Accordingly, it derives recommendations that could increase the actors’ inter- and- intra-organisational alignment on green targets throughout these phases. Empirical data are obtained from eight individual cases of three shippers and five LSPs, representing the buyer/seller roles within logistics arrangements. Contrary to previous literature holding the view that setting more green demands by shippers would guarantee green outcomes, the findings show that shippers’ green demands may hinder green logistics applications due to impediments to LSPs’ asset-sharing strategies. Also, a deadlock situation is revealed in the negotiations phase, where both actors await each other to introduce additional demands/offers—calling for further regulatory intervention to release this deadlock. Moreover, this paper shows how a mismatch of interests in contractual periods between shippers and LSPs can obstruct green investments—signalling that the green criterion is not the decisive factor in shaping shippers’ outsourcing strategies. The findings also stress a lack of follow-up efforts by shippers on green measures that were specified pre-contract, attributing this to contrasting intra-organisational objectives within shippers’ firms. This paper contributes to the green logistics purchasing literature by revealing how different contractual settings play an important role in shaping shippers’/LSPs’ perceptions of green concerns during the logistics purchasing process. Further, it is one of the first studies to provide phase-specific recommendations to increase the actors’ alignment on green targets.     

基于运输质量和运输能力的高速铁路长大坡道设置研究

针对我国西部地区高速铁路建设出现的长大坡道,从上坡对运输质量影响和下坡对运输能力影响两方面研究高速铁路的长大坡道设置问题。通过列车模拟牵引计算,研究250 km/h动车和350 km/h动车在15‰～30‰上坡道的运输质量下降情况,提出在困难艰险山区,长大坡道坡长设置可考虑动车组在大坡道上的运行速度不低于设计速度的70%。从最制约运输能力的列车到达间隔出发,分析长大坡道设置对列车到达间隔的影响,采用CRH380BK+CTCS3-300T车型车载,以250,300 km/h为制动初速,分别测算-15‰,-20‰,-25‰,-30‰理论连续坡道下的列车到达间隔。计算结果表明,若要满足5min的追踪间隔时间,或采取限速措施,或对大坡道的长度加以限制,基于CRH380BK+CTCS3-300T监控制动距离数据,给出列车运行限速和大坡道坡长设置的建议。研究表明,对于设计速度300 km/h及以上的高铁线路,大坡道长度设置建议维持原设计规范标准;对于设计速度250 km/h的高铁线路,30‰坡道长度建议不宜大于4 km,25‰坡道建议不宜大于5 km,20‰坡度建议不宜大于8 km。     

Gendered patterns of IMT adoption and use: Learning from action research

This paper illustrates the value of using an action research methodology to improve understanding of gendered patterns of adoption and non-adoption of Intermediate Means of Transport (IMTs) and similar gender-related transport issues. It presents results from a novel action research project undertaken in five farming villages in southern Ghana, a region where IMT usage is currently low. The participatory action research study not only revealed important issues around differences between stated preferences and actual gendered patterns of adoption and non-adoption in the particular context of southern Ghana, but offers a methodology which may have value in many other gender and transport contexts across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.     

天津水运工程科学研究院2001～2010年发表论文统计分析

对天津水运工程科学研究院2001～2010年发表学术论文的年际分布、刊载期刊、作者情况等进行了统计分析,并对今后论文产出情况进行了初步预测。     

Reducing CO2 emissions of conventional fuel cars by vehicle photovoltaic roofs

The European Union has adopted a range of policies aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, including setting binding targets for tailpipe CO₂ emissions for new light-duty fleets. The legislative framework for implementing such targets allows taking into account the CO₂ savings from innovative technologies that cannot be adequately quantified by the standard test cycle CO₂ measurement. This paper presents a methodology to define the average productivity of vehicle-mounted photovoltaic roofs and to quantify the resulting CO₂ benefits for conventional combustion engine-powered passenger cars in the European Union. The method relies on the analysis of a large dataset of vehicles activity data, i.e. urban driving patterns acquired with GPS systems, combined with an assessment of the shading effect from physical obstacles and indoor parking. The results show that on average the vehicle photovoltaic roof receives 58% of the available solar radiation in real-world conditions, making it possible to reduce CO₂ emissions from passenger cars in a range from 1% to 3%, assuming a storage capacity of 20% of the 12 V battery dedicated to solar energy. This methodology can be applied to other vehicles types, such as light and heavy-duty, as well as to different powertrain configurations, such as hybrid and full electric.     

Accuracy of the Gothenburg congestion charges forecast

This paper explores the accuracy of the transport model forecast of the Gothenburg congestion charges, implemented in 2013. The design of the charging system implies that the path disutility cannot be computed as a sum of link attributes. The route choice model is therefore implemented as a hierarchical algorithm, applying a continuous value of travel time (VTT) distribution. The VTT distribution was estimated from stated choice (SC) data. However, based on experience of impact forecasting with a similar model and of impact outcome of congestion charges in Stockholm, the estimated VTT distribution had to be stretched to the right. We find that the forecast traffic reductions across the cordon and travel time gains were close to those observed in the peak. However, the reduction in traffic across the cordon was underpredicted off-peak. The necessity to make the adjustment indicates that the VTT inferred from SC data does not reveal the travellers’ preferences, or that there are factors determining route choice other than those included in the model: travel distance, travel time and congestion charge.     

The effect of non-recreational transport cycling on use of other transport modes: A cross-sectional on-line survey

Accurate modelling of the health and environmental benefits of non-recreational transport cycling requires information about its effects on the use of other transport modes. Relevant research has not focussed on cycling for transport in a general context (as opposed to bikeshare), nor allowed for multi-modal trips. The influence of trip- and personal-characteristics on whether cycling replaces car-driving have yet to be considered. The present study aimed to address these research gaps. An on-line cross-sectional survey was completed by 1525 Australians who cycle for transport at least once per week. For the most recent trip completed (at least partly) by bicycle participants provided trip distance, and percentage travelled by car, public transport (PT), and walking. They also provided the percentage travelled by each mode for the same trip before taking up transport cycling; and a hypothetical future trip when riding is not possible. Compared to the same trip before, fifty percent of recent trips reduced car use, and around 1/3 eliminated a 100%-car trip. Reduced car use was significantly less likely for trips under 7.5 km, commuting, females, respondents under 55, and regular cyclists. Reduced car use was less likely for respondents who started riding because it is flexible, and more likely for those who started riding to avoid parking. Car-use was reduced by an average of 6.2 km per trip, and each bicycle-km cycled replaced 0.5 car-km. Participants report that since taking up cycling, even when they cannot use their bike, they use cars less and use PT more compared to before they took up cycling. Results suggest that previous studies underestimated the extent to which transport cycling replaces car travel, and highlights trip types and population groups to target with cycling promotion strategies. Information about the per-trip and per-bicycle-km replacement of car, PT and walking may be used for more accurate estimation of the benefits of transport cycling than has hitherto been possible.     

长荆线扩能改造方案研究

随着地方经济发展带来客货运量的较快增长,长荆线作为一条单线电气化铁路,技术标准偏低,运输能力将无法满足未来运量需要,亟需扩能改造。阐述长荆线现状,分析主要限制区间,结合长荆线近、远期客货运量特点及线路存在的薄弱环节,从提高牵引质量、改变区间行车闭塞方式、增设会让站、增建二线多个角度出发,提出提高牵引质量至5000 t方案、提高牵引质量至10000 t方案等6种可能的扩能改造方案,经综合比选,推荐提高牵引质量至5000 t并增开所有缓开站方案为长荆线扩能改造最优方案,为我国单线铁路扩能改造提供借鉴。     

Behavioural economics,travel behaviour and environmental-transport policy

The transport sector creates much environmental pressure. Many current policies aimed at reducing this pressure are not fully effective because the behavioural aspects of travellers are insufficiently recognised. Insights from behavioural economics can contribute to a better understanding of travel behaviour and choices, and the impact of these on policies. Nevertheless, few studies have examined this issue. We review these and provide a broader, more encompassing perspective on environmental policy focused on transport, and taking into account bounded rationality as well as social preferences.     

A model for exploring the relationship between payment structures,fatigue, crash risk,and regulatory response in a heavy-vehicle transport system

Investigations of heavy vehicle crashes have predominantly taken a reductionist view of accident causation. However, there is growing recognition that broader economic factors play a significant role in producing conditions that exacerbate crash risk, especially in the area of fatigue. The aim of this study was to determine whether agent-based modelling (ABM) may be usefully applied to explore the effect of driver payment methods on driver fatigue, crash-risk, and the response of enforcement agencies to major heavy-vehicle crashes. Simulation results showed that manipulation of payment methods within agent-based models can produce similar patterns of behaviour among simulated drivers as that observed in real world studies. Simulated drivers operating under ‘per-km’ and ‘per-trip’ piece rate incentive systems were significantly more likely to drive while fatigued and subsequently incur all associated issues (loss of license, increased crash risk, increased fines) than those paid under ‘flat-rate’ wage conditions. Further, the pattern of enforcement response required under ‘per-km’ and ‘per-trip’ systems was significantly higher in response to greater numbers of major crashes than in flat-rate regimes. With further refinement and collaborative design, ABMs may prove useful in studying the potential effects of economic policy settings within freight or other transport systems ahead of time.