Engineering Commons^™

Evaluating Participatory Modeling: Developing A Framework For Cross-Case Analysis. Socio-Economics And The Environment In Discussion (Seed), Natalie A. Jones, Pascal Perez, Thomas G. Measham, Gail J. Kelly, Patrick D'Aquino, Katherine Daniell, Anne Dray, Nils Ferrand

Professor Pascal Perez

Participatory modeling is increasingly recognised as an effective way to assist collective decision-making processes in the domain of natural resource management. This paper introduces a framework for evaluating projects that have adopted a participatory modeling approach. This framework – known as the ‘Protocol of Canberra’ – was developed through a collaboration between French and Australian researchers engaged in participatory modeling and evaluation research. The framework seeks to assess the extent to which different participatory modeling practices reinforce or divert from the theoretical assumptions they are built upon. The paper discusses the application of the framework in three case-studies, two from …

Economics Of Pc Recycling, Jacqueline A. Isaacs, Surendra M. Gupta, Boon E. Jane

Jacqueline Isaacs

As the use of personal computers (PCs) increases, their short life cycle and the fact that they contain many hazardous materials means that their retirement and disposal represents a significant environmental concern. Many communities are mandating the recycling of these PCs, to recover parts and materials, and to minimize the amount of waste landfilled or incinerated. An industry to recycle these PCs is evolving to take advantage of this stream of materials. At present, PC recycling is not profitable. This paper investigates the factors that most influence the net cost to recycle PCs so that PC manufacturers, recyclers and legislators …

Quantifying Benefits Of Traffic Signal Retiming, Christopher Day, Thomas Brennan, Hiromel Premachandra, Alexander Hainen, Stephen Remias, James Sturdevant, Greg Richards, Jason Wasson, Darcy Bullock

Darcy M Bullock

Improvements in the quality of service on a signalized intersection or arterial can be interpreted as a reduction in the user cost of service, which is expected to induce demand based on economic theory. This report presents a methodology for measuring and interpreting changes to user costs, and determining whether demand was induced. High-resolution signal event data and Bluetooth device MAC address matching are demonstrated in three case studies with the purpose of quantifying the impacts of changes in signal timing plans. In the first case study, 21 months of vehicle volume data are used to test whether demand was …

Economics Of Residue Harvest: Regional Partnership Evaluation, David W. Archer, David J. Muth Jr., Jacob J. Jacobson, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen