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.










The Geography of Transport Systems


Book Description

Mobility is fundamental to economic and social activities such as commuting, manufacturing, or supplying energy. Each movement has an origin, a potential set of intermediate locations, a destination, and a nature which is linked with geographical attributes. Transport systems composed of infrastructures, modes and terminals are so embedded in the socio-economic life of individuals, institutions and corporations that they are often invisible to the consumer. This is paradoxical as the perceived invisibility of transportation is derived from its efficiency. Understanding how mobility is linked with geography is main the purpose of this book. The third edition of The Geography of Transport Systems has been revised and updated to provide an overview of the spatial aspects of transportation. This text provides greater discussion of security, energy, green logistics, as well as new and updated case studies, a revised content structure, and new figures. Each chapter covers a specific conceptual dimension including networks, modes, terminals, freight transportation, urban transportation and environmental impacts. A final chapter contains core methodologies linked with transport geography such as accessibility, spatial interactions, graph theory and Geographic Information Systems for transportation (GIS-T). This book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field, with a broad overview of its concepts, methods, and areas of application. The accompanying website for this text contains a useful additional material, including digital maps, PowerPoint slides, databases, and links to further reading and websites. The website can be accessed at: http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans This text is an essential resource for undergraduates studying transport geography, as well as those interest in economic and urban geography, transport planning and engineering.




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.