Optimizing Transportation Systems with Information Provision, Personalized Incentives and Driver Cooperation

Poor performance of the transportation systems has many detrimental effects such as higher travel times, increased travel costs, higher energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, etc. This thesis optimizes the transportation systems by addressing the traffic congestion problem and climate change impact resulting from the inefficient operation of these systems. I first focus on the key player of the transportation systems e.g., human being/traveler, and model travelers\u27 route choice behavior with real-time information. In this study, I define looking-ahead behavior in route choice as a traveler\u27s taking into account future diversion possibilities enabled by real-time information in a network with random travel times. Subjects participated in route-choice experiments in a driving simulator as well a PC-based environment. Three types of maps in increasing levels of complexity and information availability are used. Aggregate data analysis shows that network complexity negatively affects subjects\u27 ratio of choosing the risky route given an experiment environment. Higher cognitive load in the driving simulator results in a higher level of risk aversion than in the PC-based environment for the simplest map. I specify and estimate a mixed logit model with two latent classes, looking-ahead and myopic, taking into account the panel effect. The estimated latent class membership function suggests that some subjects can look ahead while others are myopic in making their route choices, and drivers learn to look ahead over time. The experiment environment plays a role in the risk attitude of myopic subjects. A bias against information is found for subjects who look ahead, however, is not significant among myopic subjects. I then shift my focus to influencing the travel patterns of individual travelers to reduce the energy and environmental impacts of the transportation sector. I present the system optimization (SO) framework of Tripod, an integrated bi-level transportation management system aimed at maximizing energy savings of the multi-modal transportation systems. From the user\u27s perspective, Tripod is a smartphone app, accessed before performing trips. The app proposes a series of alternatives each with an amount of tokens which the user can later redeem for goods or services. The role of SO is to compute the optimized set of tokens associated to the available alternatives, in order to minimize the system-wide energy consumption, under a limited token budget. I present a method to solve this complex optimization problem and describe the system architecture, the multimodal simulation-based optimization model and the heuristic method for the on-line computation of the optimized token allocation. I then present the framework with the simulation results. Finally, I optimize the systems travel time by addressing the equity issue of congestion pricing. I propose an alternative approach to an equitable and Pareto-improving transportation systems based on cooperation among travelers assisted by defector penalty. Theoretical analysis shows the existence condition of the cooperative scheme for heterogeneous value of time (VOT) of travelers. I formulate a mathematical programming problem for the optimal cooperative scheme problem in a general network with Pareto-improving constraints and practical considerations on the length the cooperation cycle. I then conduct computational tests on a simple network and evaluate the solutions in terms of efficiency improvement (total system travel time) and equitability (Gini index)

A review of the behavioural change challenges facing a proposed solar and battery electric cooking concept

This paper evaluates the behaviour change aspects likely to affect the uptake of a proposed electric cooking concept, which consists of a simple battery and 500W electric hob. The battery storage enables households with unreliable electricity supplies to cook at a time that is convenient to them. The specific focus is on the potential uptake of the eCook concept within the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) context, although where appropriate the paper draws upon relevant examples from other parts of the Global South (and beyond) and also makes some commentary upon the potential prospects for electric cooking within these contexts. The paper is organised into two main sections. The first comprises a literature review focusing on a range of related energy transitions, with the aim of drawing out the key lessons learned and highlighting their relevance to the assumptions underlying the proposed eCook concept. The second section draws on the review of experiences presented in the first section to make recommendations for how the eCook concept might be taken forward in ways that make transition more likely. The main findings of this study indicate that the eCook concept offers significant potential for a transition towards emission free cooking, with time/money saving for adopters and broader environmental benefits from reductions in fuelwood collection/purchase of charcoal/wood. The high upfront cost is predicted to be the most significant barrier that will affect household uptake, however recent developments in micro-loans and fee-for-service business models (particularly when combined with mobile phones) have the potential to overcome this. In contrast to other technologies such as solar cookers, where the adaptation of cooking practices has been a substantial barrier, the behaviour change required to use an electric hob is relatively minimal. The paper considers where this transition is likely to take place first, how it can be supported and what further research needs to be conducted

A More Perfect Union: A National Citizenship Plan

A More Perfect Union: A National Citizenship Plan sets forth the resources, activities, and partnerships that would be required to naturalize as many eligible immigrants as possible. It calls for a national mobilization in support of citizenship, identifying the roles of government, immigrant service agencies, and other sectors of society in a coordinated plan. It describes a program that could serve as a linchpin of an emerging U.S. immigrant integration strategy.Access the complete report via the download link below. An executive summary and individual chapters may be downloaded at http://www.cliniclegal.org/DNP/citzplan.html

Integrated decision-support framework for sustainable fleet implementation

Issues regarding fossil fuel depletion, climate change and air pollution associated with motorised urban transportation have motivated intensive research to find cleaner, greener, and energy-efficient alternative fuels. Alternative fuel vehicles have a pivotal role in moving towards a sustainable future, with many already deployed as public transport fleet. Unlike private vehicles, the process of evaluating and selecting the appropriate fuel technology for the taxi fleet, for instance, can be demanding due to the involvement of stakeholders with different, often conflicting objectives. While many life cycle models have been developed as decision-support tools for evaluating vehicle technologies and fuel pathways based on multiple criteria, the different perspectives of fleet operators, policymakers and vehicle manufacturers may create a barrier towards the adoption of eco-friendly low carbon fleet. At present, the search for one optimal solution that performs the best in all aspects is difficult to achieve in practice. Therefore, there is a need for an integrated tool that can align the different priorities of economic, environmental and social perspectives of decision makers. This research aims to develop a computer-based framework that can be used as a shared justification tool to support multi-stakeholder decision making. The main contribution is the implementation and applicability testing of the framework via a probabilistic life cycle analysis with satisficing model. The model was initially tested and evaluated by representative third-party users from the transport industry. When demonstrated in an illustrative taxi case study, results from the life cycle analysis show constant compensation and trade-offs between the criteria. Subsequently, this thesis provides an example of how the satisficing choice model seeks a satisfactory solution that adequately meets the multiple objectives of decision makers. Also, the research provides insights for other research and industry efforts in developing tools to support decision making towards sustainable development practices

The Effects of Using Natural Gas in Light-Duty Vehicle Fleet of the United States on Its Energy Dependency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Shale boom has changed the track of discussions on the future of the U.S. energy politics. A new opportunity emerged to meet domestic demand of the U.S. by using secure sources. Transportation accounts for a quarter of energy consumption in the U.S. Increasing the share of natural gas in the transport sector bolsters the U.S. energy security because of shifting from insecure sources (imported oil) to secure sources (shale gas reserves). Using natural gas instead of oil in light-duty vehicles (LDVs) contributes to the efforts of decreasing dependence on insecure sources and also decreases anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by this segment of the transport sector. Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) have the conversion advantage compared to other alternative fuel vehicles; current LDVs can be converted to natural gas-fueled vehicles. Different than the other alternative fuel vehicle types, there is no need to wait to renew the current LDV fleet. This aspect of NGVs makes it possible for natural gas to provide a solution in the short to middle term. This study examines the extent to which using the abundant shale gas reserves of the U.S. as a fuel for the U.S. LDV fleet can contribute towards decreasing both its energy dependency and anthropogenic GHG emissions by using a system dynamics model and simulating it under four different scenarios

Pay-As-You-Go Driving: Examining Possible Road-User Charge Rate Structures for California

This report lays out principles to help California policymakers identify an optimal rate structure for a road-user charge (RUC). The rate structure is different from the rate itself. The rate is the price a driver pays, while the structure is the set of principles that govern how that price is set. We drew on existing research on rate setting in transportation, public utilities, and behavioral economics to develop a set of conceptual principles that can be used to evaluate rate structures, and then applied these principles to a set of mileage fee rate structure options. Key findings include that transportation system users already pay for driving using a wide array of rate structures, including some that charge rate structured based on vehicle characteristics, user characteristics, and time or location of driving. We also conclude that the principal advantage of RUCs is not their ability to raise revenue but rather to variably allocate charges among various types of users and travelers. To obtain those benefits, policymakers need to proactively design rate structures to advance important state policy goals and/or improve administrative and political feasibility

Clearing the Waters: A Focus on Water Quality Solutions

Water quality is as important as water quantity for satisfying basic human and environmental needs, yet it has received far less investment, scientific support, and public attention in recent decades than water quantity, even though the two issues are closely linked. As part of the effort to improve water quality, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is supporting educational efforts around the world to call attention to water quality challenges and solutions. This summary assessment is part of those efforts and synthesizes existing data from many public databases and published reports

Tactical Urbanism in Italy: From Grassroots to Institutional Tool—Assessing Value of Public Space Experiments

none3The paper aims to evaluate the value that the experimentation of tactical urban planning activities can assume for the city, through the critical account of some practices in three Italian cities of large (Milan), medium-large (Bari), and medium size (Taranto), which in recent years, in some cases unknowingly, have experienced its effects, also forced by the thrust offered by the need to respond to the consequences of the pandemic. The authors reflect on how short-term interventions started by tactical urbanism movement are inspiring planning institutions to implement short-term place-making initiatives. The contribution moves within the context of new generation urban regeneration in which the transformation of existing spaces is a process of community reconstruction through the redevelopment of public spaces increasingly open to multiple and temporary uses. First through a process of rereading the state of the art of the project of public spaces in Italy and its transformation caused by the pandemic, then through a comparative look between the three case studies, conclusions are drawn on the urban value of the experiments conducted and, on their ability, to identify a new reference point for the sustainable urban regeneration of public spaces.openCariello Alessandro, Ferorelli Rossella, Rotondo, FrancescoCariello, Alessandro; Ferorelli, Rossella; Rotondo, Francesc