Can ports increase traffic while reducing inputs? Technical efficiency of Spanish Port Authorities using a directional distance function approach

The focus of this paper is on the productive efficiency of ports. We estimate a directional technology distance function using parametric techniques to analyze the production technology and technical efficiency of a set of Spanish Port Authorities observed over the period 1993–2012. Technical inefficiency is conceived as the ability of ports to simultaneously expand a given output and contract variable inputs while maintaining quasi-fixed inputs and other outputs constant. Thus, for containerized cargo we address the following question: Given the amount of quasi-fixed inputs used by the firm and given the volume of the other outputs (liquids, solids, non-containerized cargo and passenger traffic), could ports increase their containerized merchandise while simultaneously reducing their variable inputs? Similar questions are asked for solid bulk and non-containerized general cargo. Our results show evidence of technical inefficiency among the ports in our sample. In particular, if the ports operated efficiently, we find that containerized cargo could be expanded by an average of over 6.4%, with an equivalent reduction in variable inputs. Solid bulk cargo and general non-containerized cargo could be increased by 4.1% and 6.1% respectively, with corresponding reductions in variable inputs. An implication of our results is that there is ample scope for specialization on the part of ports with no increase in infrastructure costs. Given that large investments in infrastructure have been made in Spanish port over the last decade, this opens the possibility of moving towards a management model based on taking advantage of existing capacity rather than new investments.     

A new approach for improving the performance of freight train timetabling of a single-track railway system

A new approach for improving the performance of freight train timetabling for single-track railways is proposed. Using the idea of a fixed-block signaling system, we develop a matrix representation to express the occupation of inter- and intra-station tracks by trains illustrating the train blocking time diagram in its entirety. Train departure times, dwell times, and unnecessary stopping are adjusted to reduce average train travel time and single train travel time. Conflicts between successive stations and within stations are identified and solved. A fuzzy logic system is further used to adjust the range of train departure times and checks are made to determine whether dwell times and time intervals can be adjusted for passenger and freight trains at congested stations to minimize train waiting times. By combining manual scheduling expertise with the fuzzy inference method, timetable efficiency is significantly improved and becomes more flexible.     

广西道路货物运输安全管理对策研究

文章介绍了当前广西道路货物运输行业的基本情况,阐述了广西道路货物运输安全生产存在的主要问题,并从行政管理和企业管理的角度,提出了切合广西道路货物运输行业实际的安全管理措施。     

铁路隧道使用凿岩台车与风钻钻爆的比较研究

为进一步分析研究高铁隧道凿岩台车与风钻钻爆的优劣及适用性问题,以郑万高铁小三峡隧道工程为依托,介绍风钻钻爆 的施工应用情况及凿岩台车钻爆在施工应用方面的制约因素,并从施工工效、人员配置、安全性、超欠挖控制、成本投入等方面对比 分析。 主要研究结论如下: 1)采用凿岩台车钻爆,在硬岩条件下钻爆速度较快,Ⅲ、Ⅳ级围岩可通过工法调整来提高凿岩台车的施 工效率,遇软弱围岩时应慎重选用; 2)凿岩台车钻爆与风钻钻爆相比,劳动强度低、节省劳动力、安全风险小等方面具有突出成效; 3)理论分析凿岩台车钻爆较风钻钻爆平均线性超挖小,但实际施工过程中却反之,可通过加强管理来缩小与人工钻爆之间的超挖 差距; 4)凿岩台车对风钻钻爆的优势显而易见,随着隧道施工机械化进程不断地发展,将来一段时间凿岩台车钻爆替代风钻钻爆 施工是未来地下工程开挖的发展方向之一。     

Railway reforms: do they influence operating efficiency?

This paper considers railway operations in 23 European countries during 1995–2001, where a series of reform initiatives were launched by the European Commission, and analyses whether these reform initiatives improved the efficiency of the railway systems. Efficiency is measured using Multi-directional Efficiency Analysis, which enables investigation of how railway reforms affect the inefficiencies of specific cost drivers. The main findings are that the reform initiatives generally improve technical efficiency but potentially differently for different cost drivers. Specifically, the paper provides empirical evidence that accounting separation is important for improving the efficiency in the use of both material and staff costs, whereas other reforms only influenced one of these factors.

发射型钹式换能器的研究

为分析低频钹式换能器的发射电压响应、辐射声功率、发射效率等性能参数,通过ANSYS有限元软件建立了发射换能器的轴对称模型,设计了不同结构参数的共振频率为2kHz左右发射型钹式换能器,从结构阻尼入手,通过仿真分析计算,得到换能器的带宽、品质因数等,比较了不同结构参数的换能器的各项性能,绘制了不同结构参数的发射电压响应曲线,为分析设计钹式换能器提供了理论依据。     

海洋核动力平台智能化能效管理研究

中国正在进行的海洋核动力平台必将朝着智能化能效管理方向发展,本文研究了海洋核动力平台的智能化能效管理系统的基本功能、系统结构、能效评估与能效管理决策等内容,分析了实现智能化能效管理的关键技术,指出了仍需要解决的重大问题。     

超大型原油船平行中体建造优化研究

超大型原油船是海运业中的一种重要船型,其载油量为20～30万吨,单船运量大,是原油的理想运输工具。平行中体结构占全船70%左右,是其主要载货空间,在整个船体建造过程中占据重要地位。论文通过分析某型载重量为29.7万吨的VLCC建造过程中的控制工艺及其优劣性,对改进设计工艺工法,提高生产效率有着重要意义和作用。     

基于层次分析法与模糊综合评价法的公交线路运行效率研究

运用层次分析法与模糊综合评价法相结合的方法对长沙市公交线路运行效率进行评价,为交通监管部门的决策提供依据。     

深圳港区跨海货运通道方案比选研究

深圳市妈湾跨海通道蛇口—赤湾连接线工程是深圳港区跨海货运通道的一部分,建设条件复杂,为此开展多线位、多工法方案综合比选,以确定兼顾各方需求的优化方案。对工程的功能定位、港区货运需求、沿线用地情况及规划等因素进行了详细分析,对跨海货运快速路通道从选线、工法、设计方案逐层递进,进行多方案比选。综合考虑了地下空间充分利用、减少对港区用地占用,降低施工对疏港交通影响等因素,确定了项目的选线方案以及双管单层15 m盾构的工法和设计方案。成果为深圳市等港区货运通道的选线及设计方案提供借鉴。