Using spatial network analysis to recover England’s and Wales’ lost footpaths and rights of way

Political action in contemporary society is often fuelled by a combination of large dataset analysis (big data) in conjunction with efforts to mobilize armies of volunteers (VGI - Volunteered Geographic Information). Those seeking to influence landscape decisions, which are inherently political in nature must also find new ways to combine insights gained from big data mining with technologies of social engagement. This research outline gives an overview of the pilot phase of a data analysis project intended to inform efforts by volunteers to recover 'lost' rights of way in England's footpath network in the face of a pending policy change in 2025. The research explores the feasibility of several methods of analysing the properties of spatial networks to find inconsistencies in how England's footpath network may have been recorded. By highlighting problem areas in the network, the efforts of volunteers tasked with much more time intensive methods of confirming and reaffirming lost rights of way may be better directed. Finally, the study seeks to give recommendations on how the network can be maintained and improved for future generations of walkers, especially in those parts of England characterized by high levels of economic deprivation or where regular walking is not an established pastime and fitness activity. The results of this first phase of research are intended to inform a broader research proposal covering all of England's footpaths

Maine Privateers during the Revolutionary War

Historians have neglected the history of naval exploits during the American Revolution. Unimpeded by the American privateer vessels and the Continental and state navies, Britain would have achieved a strangle-hold on the colonies and the Americans would not have obtained their independence. There are no records in the Maine State Archives at Augusta regarding the privateersmen of the American Revolution; the researcher must examine those at the Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point, Boston. This author, after researching several books, has been able to locate fifty-two privateer vessels and/or naval officers from Maine, which are listed here

Decision document for function 4.2.4 dispose waste

This report formally documents the planning assumptions for Function 4.2.4, Dispose Waste, to provide a basis for lower level Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Disposal Program decisions and analyses. The TWRS Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS 1996) and a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for closure of operable units will provide the ultimate Records of Decision for the TWRS strategy at this level. However, in the interim, this decision document provides a formal basis for the TWRS Dispose Waste planning assumptions. Function 4.2.4 addresses the disposition of immobilized high-level waste (IHLW), the disposition of immobilized low-activity waste (ILAW), and closure of the tank farm operable units

Performance requirements for the double-shell tank system: Phase 1

This document establishes performance requirements for the double-shell tank system. These requirements, in turn, will be incorporated in the System Specification for the Double-Shell Tank System (Grenard and Claghorn 1998). This version of the document establishes requirements that are applicable to the first phase (Phase 1) of the Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) mission described in the TWRS Mission Analysis Report (Acree 1998). It does not specify requirements for either the Phase 2 mission or the double-shell tank system closure period

Estimated dose to in-tank equipment: Phase 1 waste feed delivery

This analysis estimates the radiation dose to the equipment that will be submerged in double-shell tank waste. The results of this analysis are intended to be the basis for specifications for in-tank equipment. The scope of this analysis is limited to the new equipment required for the delivery of waste feed to Phase 1 private contractors. Phase 1 refers to the first of a two-phase plan to privatize the remediation of Hanford`s tank waste. The focus of this analysis is on waste feed delivery because of the extraordinarily high cost of any failure that would lead to the interruption of a steady flow of feed to the private contractors

Alternatives generation and analysis for the Phase I intermediate waste feed staging system design requirements

This alternatives generation and analysis (AGA) addresses the question: What is the design basis for the facilities required to stage low-level waste (LLW) feed to the Phase I private contractors? Alternative designs for the intermediate waste feed staging system were developed, analyzed, and compared. Based on these analyses, this document recommends installing mixer pumps in the central pump pit of double-shell tanks 241-AP-102 and 241-AP-104. Also recommended is installing decant/transfer pumps at these tanks. These recommendations have clear advantages in that they provide a low shedule impact/risk and the highest operability of all the alternatives investigated. This revision incorporates comments from the decision board

Decision document for the final disposition of cesium and strontium capsules

This report was prepared to document decisions regarding the disposition of cesium and strontium capsules. A Decision Support Board was established to consider the multiple drivers for decisions regarding disposition of cesium and strontium capsules and make decisions that form the near-term guidance for the project. The decision process included several Decision Board meetings, documented in this report, in which technical and programmatic information was presented by Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) technical staff and considered by the Decision Board. The process also included preparation of the decision documentation, which is presented in this report