Transportation Security Framework for a Medium-Sized City

This is the published version. As early as in 2005, EJTIR was the first journal in transportation to adopt an open-access, internet-only publication format, and it is currently the only open-access e-journal in transportation with an ISI impact factor.Terrorist attacks have made security preparedness unquestionably necessary in all cities. While major metropolitan areas have long recognized that their global visibility has required strong security operations, many medium-sized cities, specifically those of the U.S. and European Union, now face the need to establish transportation security frameworks for the first time. This paper assesses the resources available to help medium-sized cities begin the task of creating such systems. This assessment presents infrastructure risk assessment tools, identifies infrastructure and funding resources, and creates a process for developing a security framework to connect agencies responsible for transportation security in these metropolitan areas. Descriptions of transportation security framework practices at the national level had led to the preparation of a transportation security framework for Greenville, South Carolina, USA, to serve as a prototype that other medium-sized cities can emulate. This security framework can serve as either a checklist to ensure security coverage in existing asset management systems and intelligent transportation systems architectures such as those frequently used in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, or it can provide baseline structure for developing a new transportation security framework for cities in developing countries

Transportation Security Framework for a Medium-Sized City

Terrorist attacks have made security preparedness unquestionably necessary in all cities. While major metropolitan areas have long recognized that their global visibility has required strong security operations, many medium-sized cities, specifically those of the U.S. and European Union, now face the need to establish transportation security frameworks for the first time. This paper assesses the resources available to help medium-sized cities begin the task of creating such systems. This assessment presents infrastructure risk assessment tools, identifies infrastructure and funding resources, and creates a process for developing a security framework to connect agencies responsible for transportation security in these metropolitan areas. Descriptions of transportation security framework practices at the national level had led to the preparation of a transportation security framework for Greenville, South Carolina, USA, to serve as a prototype that other medium-sized cities can emulate. This security framework can serve as either a checklist to ensure security coverage in existing asset management systems and intelligent transportation systems architectures such as those frequently used in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, or it can provide baseline structure for developing a new transportation security framework for cities in developing countries.&nbsp

Transportation Security Framework for a Medium-Sized City

Terrorist attacks have made security preparedness unquestionably necessary in all cities. While major metropolitan areas have long recognized that their global visibility has required strong security operations, many medium-sized cities, specifically those of the U.S. and European Union, now face the need to establish transportation security frameworks for the first time. This paper assesses the resources available to help medium-sized cities begin the task of creating such systems. This assessment presents infrastructure risk assessment tools, identifies infrastructure and funding resources, and creates a process for developing a security framework to connect agencies responsible for transportation security in these metropolitan areas. Descriptions of transportation security framework practices at the national level had led to the preparation of a transportation security framework for Greenville, South Carolina, USA, to serve as a prototype that other medium-sized cities can emulate. This security framework can serve as either a checklist to ensure security coverage in existing asset management systems and intelligent transportation systems architectures such as those frequently used in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, or it can provide baseline structure for developing a new transportation security framework for cities in developing countries

University Traveler Value of Potential Real-Time Transit Information

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) have become common in public transit systems, particularly providing real-time transit information. For new implementations, it remains difficult to predict and quantify system and user benefits of technology implementation. Although previous studies have quantified the operational benefits of real-time transit traveler information systems, a gap in knowledge exists around passenger benefits of such systems. The objective of this research was to create a refined method for evaluating transit rider benefits from real-time traveler information and predict changes in traveler behavior. The study was conducted on a rural university campus, isolating the impacts of the system from the multiple influences that often affect transportation in larger metropolitan areas. This study uniquely integrated transit system performance, pedestrian travel times, and traffic simulation to determine travel times and predict mode split. Findings indicated that reducing passenger waiting anxiety was the most significant measure of traveler benefit from such a system. While the benefits found were specific to the study site, the methodology can be used for other transit systems evaluating real-time transit technology investments in rural or urban environments

Planning Transportation for Recreational Areas

Population growth and increased accessibility of formerly remote destinations have created new needs for planning mobility to and within recreational areas. Transportation planners studying recreational travel face unusual travel-demand peaks, travelers who are often unfamiliar with their surroundings, and a uniquely important need for traveler and community communication. Planners must consider what characteristics of an individual area make it attractive to visitors, as well as local goals for the special resources of the area. This presentation will characterize unique facets of mobility in recreational areas, and pose approaches to planning transportation systems to serve them.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/trec_seminar/1096/thumbnail.jp

Transit System Evaluation Process: From Planning to Realization

Many frameworks exist to help transit agencies plan, operate, and monitor the performance of transit in rural and urban communities. No framework integrates these three critical business practices into one coherent and flexible framework useful to rural and small-sized cities. The primary objective of this research was to integrate planning, operations, and performance measurement activities into a framework designed to evaluate transit in the context of overall mobility. By combining planning, evaluation, and performance monitoring processes, a succinct framework useful to transit agencies and planners was created. In addition to city entities, colleges and universities operating or contracting transit systems also benefit from such a framework by creating a process that can be tailored to their needs as well. The framework outlines the activities necessary to complete a fixed route transit evaluation through an examination of the entire transportation system. Specific methodologies for each activity were not included in the framework because they must be customized to fit the needs and resources available to the evaluating entity but several example methods are presented in a case-study application of the proposed framework itself. The framework was tailored for use by rural and small cities and small- and medium-sized universities; however, it can be customized to meet the needs of any agencies or department regardless of the location. A case study of Clemson University’s on-campus transit route, operated by Clemson Area Transit, in Clemson, South Carolina revealed that the proposed framework worked well in bringing stakeholders together and achieving the intended objectives

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 modulates OA-related pain, cartilage and bone pathology

Objective Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) deficiency protects against cartilage degradation in experimental osteoarthritis (OA). The wider impact of this pathway upon OA-associated pathologies such as osteophyte formation and pain is unknown. Herein, we investigated early temporal bone and cartilage changes in experimental OA in order to further elucidate the role of PAR2 in OA pathogenesis. Methods OA was induced in wild-type (WT) and PAR2-deficient (PAR2−/−) mice by destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM). Inflammation, cartilage degradation and bone changes were monitored using histology and microCT. In gene rescue experiments, PAR2−/− mice were intra-articularly injected with human PAR2 (hPAR2)-expressing adenovirus. Dynamic weight bearing was used as a surrogate of OA-related pain. Results Osteophytes formed within 7 days post-DMM in WT mice but osteosclerosis was only evident from 14 days post induction. Importantly, PAR2 was expressed in the proliferative/hypertrophic chondrocytes present within osteophytes. In PAR2−/− mice, osteophytes developed significantly less frequently but, when present, were smaller and of greater density; no osteosclerosis was observed in these mice up to day 28. The pattern of weight bearing was altered in PAR2−/− mice, suggesting reduced pain perception. The expression of hPAR2 in PAR2−/− mice recapitulated osteophyte formation and cartilage damage similar to that observed in WT mice. However, osteosclerosis was absent, consistent with lack of hPAR2 expression in subchondral bone. Conclusions This study clearly demonstrates PAR2 plays a critical role, via chondrocytes, in osteophyte development and subchondral bone changes, which occur prior to PAR2-mediated cartilage damage. The latter likely occurs independently of OA-related bone changes

Vildagliptin therapy reduces postprandial intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles in patients with type 2 diabetes

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Learning transitions-a descriptive study of nurses\u27 experiences during advanced level nursing education

BACKGROUND: Building capacity in a changing health care system is a challenge for advanced nursing education programs. Master-level nursing education is increasingly becoming the required education level for specialist nurses, and additional studies are needed to learn more about students\u27 experiences and learning transitions while undertaking such education. This study aimed to explore nursing students\u27 experience of their learning transitions while undertaking advanced nursing education and to describe how they translated the new knowledge and competence they gained into clinical practice. METHODS: We used a qualitative research design with narrative self-reported reflections. 34 nurses (95 % women) from both urban and rural areas working with children, with adults in outpatient and inpatient endocrinology clinics in hospitals or with adults, including older people, attending primary health care services participated in the study. We collected data at two time points 15 months apart. Time one was the first week of the advanced nursing education, and time two was the completion of the education program. We used Malterud\u27s modification of Giorgi\u27s phenomenological analysis, otherwise known as systematic text condensation, to analyze the data. RESULTS: Two core themes captured the participants\u27 experiences. The first theme was "assessing the situation of people with diabetes from a different perspective", with the subthemes "an expanded perspective of practice and higher level of reflection", "applying critical thinking in practice" and "changing patient-nurse relationships in diabetes care". The second core theme was "a change in participants\u27 perception of their professional position", with the subthemes "a greater knowledge base enhancing professional confidence" and "a more equal position within the professional team". CONCLUSIONS: The study provides in-depth information about transition into advanced nursing education and can inform curriculum developers, nurse educators, policy-makers and nursing managers about how nursing education broadened participants\u27 perspectives of nursing and enhanced their confidence and professional position