Designing and Operating Safe and Secure Transit Systems: Assessing Current Practices in the United States and Abroad, MTI Report 04-05

Public transit systems around the world have for decades served as a principal venue for terrorist acts. Today, transit security is widely viewed as an important public policy issue and is a high priority at most large transit systems and at smaller systems operating in large metropolitan areas. Research on transit security in the United States has mushroomed since 9/11; this study is part of that new wave of research. This study contributes to our understanding of transit security by (1) reviewing and synthesizing nearly all previously published research on transit terrorism; (2) conducting detailed case studies of transit systems in London, Madrid, New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C.; (3) interviewing federal officials here in the United States responsible for overseeing transit security and transit industry representatives both here and abroad to learn about efforts to coordinate and finance transit security planning; and (4) surveying 113 of the largest transit operators in the United States. Our major findings include: (1) the threat of transit terrorism is probably not universal—most major attacks in the developed world have been on the largest systems in the largest cities; (2) this asymmetry of risk does not square with fiscal politics that seek to spread security funding among many jurisdictions; (3) transit managers are struggling to balance the costs and (uncertain) benefits of increased security against the costs and (certain) benefits of attracting passengers; (4) coordination and cooperation between security and transit agencies is improving, but far from complete; (5) enlisting passengers in surveillance has benefits, but fearful passengers may stop using public transit; (6) the role of crime prevention through environmental design in security planning is waxing; and (7) given the uncertain effectiveness of antitransit terrorism efforts, the most tangible benefits of increased attention to and spending on transit security may be a reduction in transit-related person and property crimes

Rail Privatisation: The Practice – An Analysis of Seven Case Studies

After a brief description of the proposals for rail privatisation in Great Britain, this paper contrasts these with the proposals and experience in other countries around the world. The proposals and experience in other countries contain some elements of the British proposals, however, the 'open access' element that features strongly in the British proposals has never been experienced on any significant scale elsewhere. In conclusion, experience elsewhere may shed light on the likely outcome of some aspects of the British proposals, but other aspects such as 'open access' and vertical separation are still unknowns

International Urban Design Competition - Urban Redevelopment Project at Tainan Main Station Area - 2012

Description of the project realized by Lorena Alessio for the two Phases 'International Urban Design Competition - Urban Redevelopment Project at Tainan Main Station Area', 2012. Lorena Alessio was selected among the first five groups to enter the Second Phase and then she received the Honorable Mention. The project was published in Taiwan Archtiect No. 454-Oct. 2012. InArch Selected the project for the publication "Architecture: Energy for Made in Italy

Changing mobilities in Asian cities

International audienceAsian countries have experienced tremendous changes in their mobility patterns in recent years. As economic development has allowed a rise in the standards of living of a god part of the population, the rate of motorzation has increased very quickly. At the sametime, cities populations continue to grow at a fast pace, and the spread of the urbanized area requires more and more to be able to travel on distances too long for walking or even bicycling. Given the high density of many central cities, and the concentration of economic activity, this had led to major problems of urban congestion and pollution. National and local governments have tried to solve some of the problems by investing heavily in major public transportation projects such as subways, elevated light-rail or monorail. A less costly approach has been the development of Bus Rapid Transit inspired by South American successful experiences. A the sam time, the automobile, and in some places the motorbike, have relegated the oncedominant bicycle into secondary streets, and the fabric of the city is now largely shaped bythe needs of the automobile. However, little attention has been given to the informal sector, often considered as a nuisance hindering more modern forms of transit throught he city, even if its provides many jobs for lesser-skilled workers and cheap transport for the poorer populations

Infrastructure Design, Signalling and Security in Railway

Railway transportation has become one of the main technological advances of our society. Since the first railway used to carry coal from a mine in Shropshire (England, 1600), a lot of efforts have been made to improve this transportation concept. One of its milestones was the invention and development of the steam locomotive, but commercial rail travels became practical two hundred years later. From these first attempts, railway infrastructures, signalling and security have evolved and become more complex than those performed in its earlier stages. This book will provide readers a comprehensive technical guide, covering these topics and presenting a brief overview of selected railway systems in the world. The objective of the book is to serve as a valuable reference for students, educators, scientists, faculty members, researchers, and engineers

Analyzing the United States Department of Transportation’s implementation strategy for high speed rail: Three case studies

High-speed rail (HSR) has become a major contributor to the transportation sector with a strong push by the Obama Administration and the Department of Transportation to implement high-speed rail in the United States. High-speed rail is a costly transportation alternative that has the potential displace some car and airport travel while increase energy security and environmental sustainability. This thesis will examine the United States high-speed rail implementation strategy by comparing it to the implementation strategies of France, Japan, and Germany in a multiple case study under four main criteria of success: economic profitability, reliability, safety, and ridership. Analysis will conclude with lessons to be taken away from the case studies and applied to the United States strategy. It is important to understand that this project has not been established to create a comprehensive implementation plan for high-speed rail in the United States; rather, this project is intended to observe the depth and quality of the current United States implementation strategy and make additional recommendations by comparing it with France, Japan, and Germany

Island cities: a restriction or an opportunity?

In literature islands are seen as mythical symbols of distance and solitude. Since cities are certainly physical things, the cities on islands can provide fine examples to consider the real versus the unreal. The paper is an attempt to discuss the cities localized and built on islands. It tries to pinpoint their specificity and provides introductory classification in order to help distinguish the island cities in terms of their position within surrounding waters (sea, river, lake); size (area and population), urban form (organic, gridded, mixed). The statistical data and estimate figures are used. The historic and geographic scope is not limited. The examples from different continents and various historic periods have been taken into account to provide a wide range of possible tracks of development. Apart from Venice, which is an obvious choice, the selected and discussed cases are Mont Saint-Michel, Nesebar, Flores, Kazimierz (in Krakow), Manhattan (in New York), Singapore. The discussion begins with the genesis of a particular example and follows with its further transformations and present situation. The localization of the city on the island seems to influence the urban form in a specific way as compared to the non-island localization. The main features of that phenomenon are: increased defensiveness, higher stability, and the focus on careful use of limited land resources. The city’s localization on the island can be perceived nowadays as a means of restriction against its further development. However, it often offers a chance for their future existence, providing the settlement with stability and self-assurance. It is specially noticeable in the historic island cities, due to their unique urban form and image which have resulted in the recognition of their values and appropriate heritage protection

Dalian Port's Container Logistics System: Strategy Study

경제의 글로벌화에 따라 전세계 컨테이너 물동량은 지속적으로 증가하고 있다. 특히, 중국은 WTO 에 가입하면서 컨테이너 물동량이 급증하였다. 이에 따라, 중국은 증가하는 수요를 충족시키기 위하여 컨테이너 터미널 개발에 박차를 가하고 있다. 이는 이미 항만이 지역사회에 미치는 경제적인 영향이 크다는 것을 내포하고 있다. 이 논문은 북중국의 대표적인 항만인 대련항의 배후지와 이와 관련된 경제적 발전을 다루고 있다. 먼저, 대련항의 현황을 살펴보고 비교분석을 통하여 장단점을 분석한다. 또한, 대련항의 컨테이너 복합운송시스템의 하드웨어 및 소프트웨어 측면을 바탕으로, 2010 년까지 대련항의 컨테이너 물동량을 예측하였다. 이예측치를 기준으로, 2010 년 대련항의 컨테이너 하역 능력을 검토하였다. 마지막으로 이러한 분석을 통해 대련항의 물류시스템 발전을 위한 목표 설정 및 미래 전략을 계획하고 대응책 및 시사점을 제시하였다.The container transportation of China will have great development, due to the growth of the Chinese economy, globalization process, and joining the WTO. With the increase of handling capacity of container terminal，it puts forward some new demand for container delivery system. As a main port in North China，Dalian port becomes to play a great role in the national economy and social development. This thesis analyses the hinterland range of Dalian port and its economic development. On the base of the hardware and software of container transport system of Dalian port, this thesis aims to forecast scientifically the container handling capacity of Dalian port up to 2010. It refers to the planning of container transportation of Dalian port at 2010. Moreover，it discusses both advantages and problems of Dalian port，assumes the future strategy and overall target, and puts forward some useful countermeasures and suggestions for logistics development of Dalian port.Chapter 1 Introduction = 1 11 Background and Objective = 1 12 Method and Structure = 3 Chapter 2 The Condition and Problem of Dalian Port ‘s Container Transport Systems = 4 21 The Position of Dalian Port among Chinese Ports = 4 211 The Position of Dalian Port = 4 212 Dalian Port Facilities = 6 22 The Problem of Dalian Port Container Inland Transport System = 7 221 Economic Limitations = 7 222 The Furious Competition of Peripheral Ports = 8 223 Under Development of the Modern Logistics = 8 224 Limitations at Hinterland Distribute Systems = 9 Chapter 3 Analysis of Dalian Port’s Competition = 10 31 Current Condition of Foreign Major Ports = 10 311 Pusan Port = 10 312 Kwangyang Port = 11 313 Tokyo Port = 11 314 Yokohama Port = 12 315 Kobe Port = 12 32 Survey of the Main Domestic Competition = 14 321 Tianjin Port = 14 322 Qingdao Port = 14 323 Analysis of Dalian, Qingdao and Tianjin Port = 15 33 Competitors’ Comparison Result = 17 Chapter 4 The Forecast of Dalian Port Container Throughput = 20 41 Qualitative Analysis of Dalian Port’s Container Cargo Volume = 20 411 Dalian Port’s Foreign Trade Container Volume = 20 412 Dalian Port’s DomesticTrade Container Quantity = 21 413 The Prospect of Dalian Container Volume = 22 42 The Forecast of Dalian Port’s Container Throughput = 22 421 MGM(1,n) Mode = l22 422 Prediction of Dalian Port’s Container Throughput = 30 423 Analysis of the Forecasting Data = 31 Chapter 5 The Strategic Plan of Dalian Port = 32 51 The Determination of Strategic Target = 32 52 Strategic Points = 33 521 Strongly Develop Container Handling Capability = 34 522 Speed Up the Deep-water Port Berth Construction = 34 523 Speed Up the Harbor Layout Adjustment and Functional Transformation = 35 524 Enlarge the Intensity of Management Innovation = 35 525 Push System Reform Actively = 36 53 Strategic Development Stage = 36 Chapter 6 Conclusion = 38 61 The Key Problem Encountered in Dalian Port’s Development = 38 62 The Measures for Dalian Port Future Development = 39 63 Some Policies for Dalian = 41 References = 4