Research Methods in Modern Urban Transportation Systems and Networks


Book Description

This book presents many valuable research methods useful in conducting research in modern urban transportation systems and networks. The knowledge base in practical examples, as well as the decision support methods described in this book, is of interest to people who face the challenge of searching for solutions to the problems of contemporary transport networks and systems on a daily basis. The book is therefore addressed to local authorities related to the planning and development of strategies for selected areas with regard to transport (both in the urban and regional dimensions) and to representatives of business and industry, as people directly involved in the implementation of urban transportation systems and networks solutions. The methods contained in individual chapters of the book allow to look at a given problem in an advanced way and facilitate the selection of the appropriate strategy (e.g., in relation to the air quality in considering the impact of the atmospheric emission from the urban road traffic, the role of incentive programs in promoting the purchase of electric cars, life-cycle costing decision-making methodology and urban intersection design, but also in assessing the impact of the socio-financial conditions on the bike-sharing system operation and its implementation in medium-sized cities, etc.). In turn, due to the new approach to theoretical models (including comparison methods of driving errors in a single-lane and multi-lane roundabouts, methods of parking measurements, methods of ensuring the technical readiness of transport companies fleet due to the region's capabilities as well as speed-related surrogate measures of road safety based on floating car data), the book is also of interest to scientists and researchers carrying out research in this area.










Dynamic Urban Transportation Network Models


Book Description

Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems are providing a welcome stimulus to research on dynamic urban transportation network models. This book presents a new generation of models for solving dynamic travel choice problems including traveler's destination choice, mode choice, departure/arrival time choice and route choice. These models are expected to function as off-line travel forecasting and evaluation tools, and eventually as on-line prediction and control models in advanced traveler information and traffic management systems. In addition to a rich set of new formulations and solution algorithms, the book provides a summary of the necessary mathematical background and concludes with a discussion of the requirements for model implementation.




Alternate Route


Book Description

Urban transportation problems abound across America, including jammed highways during rush-hours, deteriorating bus service, and strong pressures to build new rail systems. Most solutions attempt either to increase transportation capacity (by building more roads and expanding mass transit) or to manage existing capacity (through HOV restrictions, exclusive bus lanes, and employer-based policies such as flexible work hours). This book develops an alternative solution to urban transportation problems based on economic analysis, but well aware of the political constraints on policymakers. The authors estimate that efficient pricing and service policies could save more than $10 billion in annual net benefits over current practices, but argue that powerful, entrenched political and institutional forces will continue to thwart efficient economic solutions to improve urban transportation. They believe, however, that some form of privatization would likely improve social welfare more than an efficient public sector system. Facing fewer operating restrictions, greater economic incentives, and stronger competitive pressures, private suppliers could substantially improve the efficiency of urban operations and offer services that are more responsive to the needs of all types of travelers. The authors conclude that policymakers have bestowed huge benefits on the public by allowing the private sector to play a leading and unencumbered role in the provision of intercity transportation. Public officials should take the next step and allow the private sector to play a leading role in the provision of urban transportation.