Aeronautical revenues optimisation model (AROM) for regional airports via airside operations stochastic baseline matrix analysis / Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed

Maximising revenues is one of the greatest challenges of regional airports especially after the introduction of deregulation and privatisation of airports with the increase of aggressive competition in the markets. The calculation of aeronautical revenues generation has always been considered as a straightforward method and airport managers generally overlooked on the importance of daily operational factors such as the different flight services offered at the airports, the type of aircraft airlines utilised, time of the day the flight arrives or departs, and the number of passengers the airlines ferry in and out of their airport, types of destination and how these factors influence the generation of aeronautical revenues for their airport. The first objective of this research is to measure the airside operation factors that influence the generation of aeronautical revenues deterministically. The influential variables were determined through literature reviews and case studies of regional airports in the Netherlands and Malaysia, and were validated with regression analysis. Preliminary model was developed based on the determinants and the model was analysed using Bayesian Network theory. Thus, the research is also geared towards developing a baseline matrix using stochastic approach to analyse the effect of airside operation factors on aeronautical revenues generation as the second objective. The next objective concerns with the formulation of mathematical optimisation algorithm known as Aeronautical Revenue Optimisation Model (AROM) to generate maximum aeronautical revenues for regional airport in line with the objectives of the airport. Finally, the research embarks on developing a graphical user interface (GUI) tool based on the model to estimate the possible potential aeronautical revenues that could be generated which will be useful for airport managers in their decision making. The GUI for AROM is a user friendly tool which allows airport managers to key-in the main input parameters such as mode of operations (arrival or departure), traffic types (Schedule, Business, Charter, etc.), flights details (day or night, weekday or weekend, number of passengers, international or domestic), fleet types (aircraft weight and engine type) and type of flights (domestic or international) in order to determine the composition offlight operations that produces optimum aeronautical revenues that could be achieved. Results obtained show that the maximum revenue achieved is based on flights composition, which is more focused towards certain types of traffic types with higher frequency for each of them in contrast to the current practise of offering small number of all sorts of traffic types. The model developed in this research is flexible; it allows decision makers to set the upper bound of flight constraints. The model can also be extended to include bigger sets of flight details, for example, to have day, evening and night flight instead of just day and night. Aside from that, the parameter can also be generalised such as to consider all international flights instead of domestic and international. The traffic types can also be adjusted to include shorter or longer list of traffic types to suit the airport's services

Evaluation of Controller Strategies in Air Traffic Management for KLFIR Oceanic Sector / Mohamad Fuad Sidik ...[et al.]

Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a service provided by ground to control movement of all aircraft within a controlled airspace. This is done by using either Radar Control or Procedural Control depending on the availability of radar system in the area. In Peninsular Malaysia, these controlled areas are known as Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region (KLFIR). These areas are divided into 6 Sectors that was assigned to a different team of controllers. As this research is aimed at examining the strategies used by Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) during Procedural Control, Lumpur Oceanic Sector or Lumpur Sector 4 was chosen as the participating controlled airspace. To gather insights on controller strategies, participants from Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) have volunteered to participate in Static Conflict Detection Exercise (SCDE). Based on the results, the most prominent issue that can be highlighted was on delays, where it is seen as unavoidable in regulating air traffic. However, it is also gathered that some minimum differences between Requested Cruising Altitude (FPL) and Assigned Cruising Altitude (XFL) can be achieved by pre-planning the traffic prior to Estimated Time of Departure (ETD). Also, by doing so, the controller workload may be reduced by 45% in average, as reported by the participants. As there are several control strategies that can be used, regards to the airlines operation cost is important in selecting the best strategy that may benefit both controller and airlines. Additionally managing traffic would be more manageable as available cruising altitude will be known at any given time as a result from the pre-planning exercise

Factor and Influential Variables Affecting Maintenance Cost of Urban Rail Rolling Stock

It is a known fact that the cost of maintaining rolling stock is huge due to its higher acquisition cost and maintenance activity. This research paper aims to analyse, evaluate, and rank the influential variables contributing towards rolling stock maintenance cost. A quantitative approach was adopted for data collection and factual data from Malaysia's rolling stock practitioners was collected using a survey. The research first identified the influential variables associated with rolling stock maintenance cost through literature review. A questionnaire survey was conducted among five Trains Operating Companies in Malaysia. These were performed using importance index to accomplish ranking analysis. The research has discovered five groups of predictor factors that affect rolling stock maintenance cost and 14 influential variables to execute the maintenance activity. This study has highlighted the possibility of future major studies in cost structure implied by group of predictors to predictive cost model for rolling stock maintenance

Long Bus Vehicle Rear Swing Out Impact Assessment Using On-Board Video Camera

The current maximum allowable overall length of bus for Malaysia is only 12.2 m. However, the government had gazetted the United Nations Regulation (UNR) 107 and due to be implemented in July 2017. The implementation of UNR107 among others will allow the use of bus for overall length more than 12.2 m.This study investigates the manoeuvrability of single rigid, 15-metre bus based on its rear swing out impact. The rear swing out impact assessment of longer bus (15-metre) was made by recording a video from a video camera mounted on the rear, pointing rearward of a single rigid, 12-metre bus during manoeuvre. The video camera view angle was set to represent the excessive 3 m of longer bus and any infrastructures that appeared in the view were identified as the possible impact. From the video recording, it was found that longer bus will have a minimal manoeuvrability issues on the road. However, modification may be needed specifically at tight intersection or small roundabout to allow a smooth manoeuvrability of longer bus

Factor and Influential Variables Affecting Maintenance Cost of Urban Rail Rolling Stock

It is a known fact that the cost of maintaining rolling stock is huge due to its higher acquisition cost and maintenance activity. This research paper aims to analyse, evaluate, and rank the influential variables contributing towards rolling stock maintenance cost. A quantitative approach was adopted for data collection and factual data from Malaysia's rolling stock practitioners was collected using a survey. The research first identified the influential variables associated with rolling stock maintenance cost through literature review. A questionnaire survey was conducted among five Trains Operating Companies in Malaysia. These were performed using importance index to accomplish ranking analysis. The research has discovered five groups of predictor factors that affect rolling stock maintenance cost and 14 influential variables to execute the maintenance activity. This study has highlighted the possibility of future major studies in cost structure implied by group of predictors to predictive cost model for rolling stock maintenance

Nephrotoxicopathology properties of gold and iron oxide nanoparticles with Perchloric Acid & SiPEG as radiographic contrast media

Introduction: Exponential research and development of nanotechnology has lead to its implementation in medical line such as radiographic imaging. In current practice, iodine is clinically used as a contrast media in radiographic analyses. However, contraindication of iodine to kidney in clinical practice warrants for a better contrast enhancer with lower toxicity. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and Iron Oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been proposed as potential iodine’s substitute due to their novel biocompatibility. Methods: In accordance with technology-driven toxicity impact, an animal modeling study has been conducted to assess the nephrotoxicopathology of GNPs and IONPs with Perchloric Acid and SiPEG by biochemical study, in-depth tissue examination by histopathology, apoptosis, and ultrastructural observation, and molecular analysis by Comet Assay. Results: Renal function test (RFT) revealed significant alteration in iodine group compared to nanoparticles and negative control group (p<0.05). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels demonstrated significant reduction in both nanoparticles’ groups compared to iodine (p<0.05), suggesting for lower oxidative stress induction. Morphological aberration demonstrated by histology and ultrastructural evaluation (TEM) showed a distortion in kidney tissues and nucleus’ structure of iodine-administered group as compared to control and nanoparticles’ group. Apoptosis detection by TUNEL assay for GNPs and IONPs group also revealed a significant reduction in apoptotic cells compared to iodine group. Comet assay revealed significant reduction in DNA damaging effect of GNPs and IONPs group compared to iodine group. Conclusion: The present study may postulate that GNPs and IONPs show better contrast enhancer properties with lesser toxic properties than iodine

MEASURING CUSTOMER PERCEPTION TOWARDS ROAD TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BRANCHES BASED ON CONTENT ANALYSIS

Customer perception is an important element for all service providers including government office. The road transport enforcer, Road Transport Department (RTD) Malaysia always ensures that the customers are satisfied with their services especially at their service counters throughout the country. Customer perception is shaped by multiple variables including direct and indirect interaction offered by government office like RTD. In this study, customers’ perception towards RTD Perak state is explored. This includes all six branches within Perak state which are UTC Ipoh branch, Taiping Branch, Manjung Branch, Tapah Branch and Teluk Intan Branch, based on google maps review star rating. Details analysis on the comments left by the customers is done using content analysis and correlation analysis. Result shows the positive impact for the RTD especially and all public servant agencies generally

Internal audit attributes and external audit\u27s reliance on internal audit : implications for audit fees

This study aims to examine two aspects of internal audit quality, namely internal audit competency and internal audit contribution to financial statement audits. Consistent with the substitution view, this study predicts a negative relationship between the competency aspects of internal audit (the tenure of the existence of internal audit in the organization, internal audit staff expertise in IT and computer skills, training hours, internal audit staff professional certifications in accounting and auditing, and internal audit staff experience in auditing) and audit fees. Second, this study tests whether the contribution of internal auditors to financial statement audit reduces audit fees. The data analysis is based on a cross-sectional regression model with observations of 73 public-listed firms in Malaysia, which include publicly available data matched with survey responses from their internal and external auditors. The results of the study suggest that the competency of internal audit, namely the tenure of the existence of internal audit in the organization, training, internal audit staff prior experience in auditing and accounting, and certifications are associated with lower audit fees. Our findings for both aspects of internal audit quality (competency and internal audit contribution) lend support to the substitution view for explaining the links between internal audit quality and audit fees

Shari'ah Compliant Matrix for Humanizing Productivity - Category 1: Spirituality and Values

This training slide is part of the Shari'ah-compliant appraisal matrix that focuses on Spirituality and Values elements. As a core element of higher learning institutions, Spirituality and Values covers the necessary facilities and Islamic ambience required for the preservation of Islamic religion and values in Islamic higher education institutions