Perceived Implications Of Privatization For Canadian Coast Guard Services, Principally Arctic Icebreaking

Climate change, with the possibility of an ice free Arctic ocean by 2015, has generated a renewed interest in the Arctic. This interest is being driven by the possibility of easier access to the abundant supply of resources such as oil, gas, minerals, and fisheries. Interest in Arctic tourism is also growing. Retreating sea ice will provide opportunities to avail of shorter routes for maritime traffic to and from Asia, North America, and Asia via the Arctic Ocean and Northwest Passage. In addition, the rate of population growth of local inhabitants in the Canadian Arctic is the fastest in Canada and one of the fastest in the world. A growing population will increase the demand for sealift resupply to Canada's northern communities. This work presents the first attempt to examine the role of privatization of icebreaking services in light of the present and projected shortages of infrastructure to support development in the Arctic. A unique combination of multiple methods within marine transportation, comprising of Delphi, grounded theory, and quantitative survey, is applied to investigate the potential for private involvement in the delivery of icebreaking services in the Canadian Arctic. This includes a novel application of Strauss and Corbin's Grounded Theory approach to develop hypotheses and relationships grounded in expert opinion. Although the Arctic Ocean may be ice free during the summers, there is still the issue of winter freezing and the threat of lingering multi-year ice which will impede marine transportation especially during periods of darkness and fog. The research shows that the future growth and development of the Canadian Arctic will undoubtedly require the use of designated icebreakers and ice strengthened vessels. However, Canada's fleet of Arctic icebreakers is ageing and considered unsuitable for future demands. While Canada has earmarked CAD $750M for the construction of one new icebreaker scheduled for delivery in 2017, the research shows that Icebreakers can be built outside of Canada for considerably less money and in less time. Also, the management and operation of the Canadian Coast Guard is under considerable security by the Auditor General of Canada. The research shows that not unlike others Arctic nations, there is potential for the creation of private-public partnerships in the delivery of Canadian Coast Guard services, principally icebreaking, in the Arctic

Regulating privatized rail transport

Traditionally, transport regulation has been viewed as an exercise in second-best optimization, acknowledging the existence of huge information problems. Then the rail industry was deeply restructured worldwide to halt erosion of the sector's share of transportation markets. Restructuring took different forms in different countries, ranging from simple reorganization measures to extreme restructuring -with the private sector increasingly participating in the sector and with the provision of infrastructure separated from the provision of services. The authors argue that regulation of the rail industry cannot remain unaffected by these changes. New regulatory scenarios and issues have emerged. For example, contracts have to be defined for private participation and quality surveillance instruments must be defined. Traditional price controls have to be adapted to, and mechanisms designed to manage and plan infrastructure investments in, the new environment. Restructuring has brought new problems, too. Where licenses have been used, for example, several concessionaires have been unable to meet the objectives spelled out in the concession contract. Contracts should be flexible enough to take account of novel situations that may affect company performance. And yet, for the system to be credible, there cannot be systematic, unjustified deviations from the franchise objectives. Regulation of the sector should be simple and flexible, with license contracts designed to include the private sector and with industry organization adapted to local circumstances. Regulation should be governed by principles that foster competition and market mechanisms, wherever possible. At the same time, it should provide a stable legal and institutional framework for economic activity. Otherwise, regulators should refrain from intervening in the market-unless the goal of economic efficiency (subject to the socially demanded levelof equity) is in jeopardy.Municipal Financial Management,Banks&Banking Reform,Decentralization,Enterprise Development&Reform,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Railways Transport,Banks&Banking Reform,Municipal Financial Management,Water and Industry,Public Sector Economics&Finance

Techno-economic and environmental comparison between battery and fuel cell electric vehicles

This research presents a techno-economic and environmental comparison between battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles that automakers can consider when defining business strategies. The results indicate that there are some limiting factors that might hinder the market penetration of these technologies due to material resources scarcity and limited power generation capacity. Newer business models are expected to change the automotive market. Mobility as a service and connected autonomous vehicles are likely to change the value proposition offered by automakers and it will make more difficult to deliver differentiating factors. Reliability of both technologies is excellent but faster refuelling time of FCEV offers a differentiation factor that could be most appreciated by commercial fleets’ operators. Average BEV cost double than FCEV but the cost differential is narrowing down fast. Range anxiety is one of the main concerns for BEV customers; however, with current 60 kWh batteries, range is enough for most users most of times. The way of financing the procurement of electric vehicles can make a difference in the selection of the technology. Automakers, must combine financing approaches, strategies of differentiation and specific value propositions depending on whether the vehicles are sold to private or corporative clients

Vehicle availability, efficiency and quality in fleet management: a case study of eThekwini Municipality.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The purpose of this study is to investigate and make recommendations on how to maintain a balance between vehicle availability, efficiency and quality. The objectives of the study were achieved by conducting a literature review on fleet management and acquiring primary data by interviewing eight participants of the fleet management unit of the EThekwini Municipality. The demand for transport is determined by the transportation requirements and needs of transport for the organisation. This demand then informs what type of vehicles, size and capacity that an organisation should acquire. Then the organisation needs to manage and balance this demand by ensuring that there is always sufficient supply or vehicle availability in order to meet the transport requirements or the demand. The critical factors that affect vehicle availability, efficiency and quality in the municipality were identified as, technical skills deficit, shortage of staff, age of fleet, workshop scheduling, fleet size and overall management of workshops. The limitations that were encountered was availability of staff for interviews, as these were in depth interviews the interviewing takes time from the participants’ hours of work. The recommendations made to the management of the unit are: To develop an intensive on the job and formal training program for addressing skills deficit and staff shortage that were determined as the critical factors that are affecting vehicle availability, efficiency and quality; Review fleet replacement programme in order to reduce older vehicles that are in the fleet; Review the maintenance and vehicle service program and scheduling of vehicles, in order to regulate the workload that goes through the workshops and Strengthen relationships with the SCM Unit with regards to procurement of spares and Contract Management

Fleet transition from combustion to electric vehicles: a case study in a portuguese business campus

This paper aims to contribute to the urgent reflection as a society about environmental protection, in the ultimate challenge that is the sustainable use of energy resources. Since Portugal is at an early stage of market development internally, governmental and local stimulation policies play a central role and are a key element in the successful diffusion of Electric Mobility. The study will focus on the transition of a company car fleet, which currently consists of combustion vehicles, to electric vehicles. With this change it becomes necessary to understand how the electrical installation will be affected due to the installation of charging stations, allowing the company to have some autonomy from the public grid. The various changes resulting from the installation consumption profile will be studied and compared. The state of the art, the level of maturity and where the development of electric mobility in Portugal is heading will also be appreciated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Study of Historic Development of San Antonio\u27s River Walk

A draft version of a study of the historical development of the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. Harrison Price Company (HPC) isolated factors which appear to have contributed to the success of the River Walk as well as factors that delayed success. HPC conducted a search of historical literature on key development events relating to the San Antonio River Walk. The 30-year period covered was 1962 through 1994. Profiled the hotel industry in downtown San Antonio from 1965 through 1994: chronicling the number of rooms available, occupied rooms, and average daily room rate. Developed a time line for developments along the River Walk, including hotels, restaurants and retail outlets. Prepared a profile of all the businesses along the River Walk. Interviewed key participants in the development of the River Walk to gain insights as to how decisions were made regarding land use and transportation. Reviewed the operating history of the water taxi services. Determined the degree to which public participation contributed to the development of River Walk amenities. Investigated how the River Walk is managed, policed and maintained. Quantified certain economic indicators for the San Antonio downtown market including office building occupancies, retail sales, and convention attendance. Prepared a comprehensive time line correlating various economic factors with key events in the development of the River Walk

Equipment Procurement in Canada and the Civil-Military Relationship: Past and Present

The procurement of military weapons and equipment in Canada has historically been controlled by partisan political considerations rather than by a clear desire to increase the capability of the military.  Civilian leaders have typically given actual combat strength a low priority, thus Canada has often failed to effectively design, produce, or even to purchase the weapons and equipment its military needs to carry out the priorities of the civil power.  Distributing regional economical benefits equally among the provinces instead of acquiring equipment in the most efficient manner possible resulted in numerous contract scandals and exceedingly long procurement timelines.To secure even the most modest materiel, officials within the Department of National Defence (DND) have had to comply with a succession of rules that can only be described as illogical from a standpoint of military performance.  Rather than designing a more efficient method, the DND's internal process has continually evolved into an amorphous mass of bureaucracy involving myriad committees requiring endless analysis, re-evalauations, and approvals, thus compounding the problem.  This research demonstrates the ahistorical nature of military acquisitions in Canada and how few lessons have been learned from a long list of project failures.  This results largely from the political midsirection of the procurement process and the weakness of the civil-military relationship in Canada