Big data analytics:Computational intelligence techniques and application areas

Big Data has significant impact in developing functional smart cities and supporting modern societies. In this paper, we investigate the importance of Big Data in modern life and economy, and discuss challenges arising from Big Data utilization. Different computational intelligence techniques have been considered as tools for Big Data analytics. We also explore the powerful combination of Big Data and Computational Intelligence (CI) and identify a number of areas, where novel applications in real world smart city problems can be developed by utilizing these powerful tools and techniques. We present a case study for intelligent transportation in the context of a smart city, and a novel data modelling methodology based on a biologically inspired universal generative modelling approach called Hierarchical Spatial-Temporal State Machine (HSTSM). We further discuss various implications of policy, protection, valuation and commercialization related to Big Data, its applications and deployment

Westwood Multimodal Transportation Plan

Westwood is experiencing an industrial regeneration that will change the way the area is utilized by the surrounding communities. To be proactive, Henrico County is planning for the future by creating an overlay zoning district and striving for a multimodal environment to ensure the area grows in a sustainable manner. This plan evaluates the study area, retrieves community engagement, and makes recommendations on streetscape design and public transit improvements to create a multimodal Westwood. Study area observations provided evidence that the streets in Westwood need to be redesigned to accommodate more for pedestrians and cyclists. Community outreach in the form of a survey was conducted to gather input on how the streetscape should be designed and what elements of the study area need the most attention. Results of the surveys and observations were analyzed and used to build the recommendations made for Westwood. Various types of funding options are presented to implement this plan. Sustainable, connected, and integrated transportation is essential to success and livability of the fast-growing study area. The plan aims to supply the knowledge needed to create a livable and thriving Westwood

FLORIDA\u27S DOWNTOWNS: THE KEY TO SMART GROWTH, URBAN REVITALIZATION, AND GREEN SPACE PRESERVATION

This article reviews Florida\u27s growth management system, which has spurred suburban development, and its negative impact on Florida\u27s cities. As Florida\u27s governor and legislature have turned their focus to this issue, this article evaluates policy recommendations to limit Florida\u27s suburban sprawl and invigorate its urban centers

Influence of Transportation on Agricultural Productivity in Yakurr L.G.A

Transportation is very crucial to the economic development of all agricultural sector including other sectors. Transport is an artery for easy movement of goods from the areas of production to areas of consumption. The study employed questionnaire survey to elicit data from the respondents in the study. The questionnaire include information on nature of farming, means of transportation, means of transport to the market, influence of transport to the market among others. The result indicated that farming constitute the highest employment in the study area and farming is on commercial basis as shown by 50.0% respondents. The dominant mode of transportation in the area include motor cycles as shown by 50.0% of respondents followed by motor cars (32.5%). Transport also impose high cost on the farmer to transport their goods to the market indicated by 52.8% response. The data also indicate that this indicates high cost of goods taken to the market. Most of the goods are sold in the market as shown by 37.5% and 32.5% on Road side. Thus, the nature/types of road transport modes in Yakurr is actually affecting the marketing and production of agricultural produce. Hence recommended that Government should give priority to construction of accessible road from homes to the farm and from the farm to the market. Keywords: Transportation, Accessibility, Agriculture, Produce, cost of goods, marke

Improving Pathways to Transit for Persons with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities can achieve a greater degree of freedom when they have full access to a variety of transit modes, but this can only be achieved when the pathways to transit – the infrastructure and conditions in the built environment – allow full access to transit stops, stations, and vehicles. Since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, many transit agencies and governmental jurisdictions have made significant progress in this area. Policy initiatives, incremental enhancements, modifications, and other measures undertaken by transit agencies and their partners have significantly improved access to transit for persons with disabilities, others who rely on public transportation, and individuals who chose to utilize these services. This research study explores, through case study work, efforts that have been effective in improving pathways to transit. Interviews and site visits were conducted with five transit agencies, along with their partners, that are actively engaged in improving pathways to connect transit consumers – particularly people with disabilities – with transit stations and stops. These agencies are: Broward County Transit (Broward County, FL), Memphis Area Transit Authority (Memphis, TN), NJ TRANSIT (Newark and New Brunswick, NJ), Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Portland, OR), and Link Transit (Wenatchee, WA). Promising practices and/or lessons were identified through the case study analysis; these should be considered by any transit agency seeking to create improved access to its services for persons with disabilities

Islamic environmental ethics and green technology practices for park design: potential of the adaptation in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

Current global environmental problems such as global warming, urban heat island impact, water contamination and deforestation lead towards a great challenge to present and future generation in providing its solution. The role of design intervention in minimizing and mitigating such problems seems to be vital. Therefore, developing an environmental friendly park in an urban setting is highly needed to mitigate the environmental degradation, improve quality of life and connect man and the environment through the patches of green space. Park as the public space may provide a vital outdoor space which brings comfort to the people. Hence, the demand for good and practical park design has been increasing. As a Muslim, our life is should be based on the Islamic principles as referred to the Al-Quran and Sunnah Hence, good design guidelines should also be derived from the Islamic principles as Islam provides a comprehensive way of life. In studying the Islamic ethics, these three prior relationships are explored; man and God, man and the environment and man and man, followed by special focus on sustainability in Islam in an attempt of a holistic approach. Therefore, green technology practices in park design are important in sustaining the environment. This research is an attempt in deriving a park design guideline which is based from the Islamic principles and ethics, with further observation on the application and potential application of green technology at a case study site which is Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. The main techniques adopted are content analysis and observation. The content analysis is applied on several surah in Al-Quran and the al-hadith that mentioned on the environment, as well as the park design guideline from Jabatan Landskap Negara (JLN) and Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa (JPBD). The output from the content analysis is translated as a guide to observe design elements such as; spaces, forms and activities at the site. The results suggested that the Islamic environmental principles and ethics could be integrated and applied into the park design guideline and associated with the arrangement of spaces and the interaction of people. This paper also suggested that the green technology application is in-line with the Islamic principles and ethics on the environment and could be instilled together with the design elements such as at the gathering points and pathway, on the land as well as in the water bodies. Therefore, the design recommended for the adaptation of green technology that addresses Islamic environmental principles and ethics are suggested at one location only at the case study site because the overall site is quite large to be covered by researchers. Keywords: Islamic environmental ethics, green technology, park design guideline

Problems for Vulnerable Road Users in Great Britain

INTRODUCTION In Britain pedal cycle and, in particular, pedestrian travel are important transport modes for the population. However, given the vulnerable nature of these modes of transport, the number of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists is high, and in particular the number of killed and seriously injured victims is high. Technical measures to improve safety and efficiency focus almost exclusively on motorized traffic, disregarding the needs of non-motorized traffic participants. In order to determine how technical measures, such as Road Traffic Informatics (RTI) applications, can be used to increase the safety and mobility of pedestrians and cyclists, more information is needed about the causes of accidents to these groups. This report aims to look at a number of the attributes of accidents which involve vulnerable road users and at the characteristics of their travel, in order to identify areas where safety and mobility improvements may be obtained. It is intended to serve as a tool in subsequent stages of this project, and thus is not a general survey of safety and mobility problems for vulnerable road users, but rather a review of those issues that are related to the RTI measures envisaged by the project. The project is aimed at improving VRU safety and mobility both directly, through the enhancement of signalized junctions and pedestrian crossings, and indirectly, through the creation of a model of the traffic system incorporating vulnerable road users. It is intended that this model will permit the routing and guidance of motorized vehicles in such a way as to enhance VRU safety and reduce VRU annoyance and delay from trfic. Both the direct and the indirect measures envisaged will only be relevant to VRU safety and mobility on main roads in urban areas; they are unlikely to be applicable to residential streets or minor roads unless these have substantial VRU flows. The report therefore concentrates (in so far as existing information permits) on VRU safety and mobility on main roads and on VRU use of facilities that are intended to be upgraded through the planned RTI measures. The report is split into two main sections; the first of which will examine safety and mobility problems for vulnerable road users on a national level, and the second will examine safety and mobility problems for vulnerable road users at a more local level, specifically for Bradford in West Yorkshire. Parallel reports are being produced for Sweden and The Netherlands, which will examine the situations regarding the safety and mobility of vulnerable roads users in those countries as a whole, and in one urban area from each (namely the town of Vaxjo in Sweden and the City of Groningen in The Netherlands)

Rejuvenate: North Church Street Corridor Plan

The city of Burlington is facing a waning issue to stimulate economic growth in neighborhoods in its eastern portion. The Rejuvenate: North Church Street Corridor Plan strives to use equitable development and smart growth strategies to uplift the economic prosperity of the North Church Street corridor. This plan recommends improving pedestrian infrastructure, fostering sustainable development growth patterns, beautifying streetscapes, and increasing social and civic capital. The recommendations proposed collectively work towards re-imagining the American suburban landscape into walkable mixed-use communities