Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Slides: Transforming And Disrupting: Shale Gas And Oil In U.S. Energy Supply, Richard Nehring

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: Richard Nehring, Nehring Associates, Colorado Springs, CO

15 slides

Sustainability Makes Dollars And Sense, John R. Bartle, Gerard Wellman

Faculty Books and Monographs

Environment Omaha has suggested many changes in the metropolitan Omaha area in the hopes of improving Omaha’s environment. We all want a better environment, but is it practical? What will it cost and what improvements can we expect? This document provides answers to these questions focusing on each of the five content areas of Environment Omaha’s study: the natural environment, urban form and transportation, building construction, resource conservation, and community health.

Understanding Commuter Patterns And Behavior: An Analysis To Recommend Policies Aimed At Reducing Vehicle Use, Mary Ellen Mallia, Catherine Lawson, Chris Franklin, Benjamin Fischer, David Hogenkamp, Matt Ryan

Publications

This study focused on the use of single occupancy vehicles by employee and student commuters at the University at Albany. The team conducted a review of the existing options for alternative transportation, developed GIS maps of commuting patterns, investigated the on-time performance of mass transit and created a survey to examine perceptions and barriers to using alternative transportation. The report includes a handbook for conducting a similar analysis at other institutions.

Developing Brokered Community Transportation For Seniors And People With Disabilities, Jerry D. Marx, Christie Davis, Caitlyn Miftari, Anne Salamone, Wendy Weise

Social Work

Communities are exploring ways to increase transportation coordination to improve access for seniors. One such effort is a brokered transportation system in which one agency serves as the central point of contact for ride information or actually arranging transportation for clients of multiple programs by use of a combination of transportation services. A team of social work faculty and students from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Social Work Outreach Center, a center that provides service learning opportunities to students, collaborated with a local coalition to investigate the specific transportation needs of the region's senior citizens. A total of 641 …

How To Shift Into High Gear: An Analysis Of The Implementation Of London’S Bicycle Master Plan, Kenneth Man

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the impediments to the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) in London, Ontario. Interviews with key BMP stakeholders, a literature review, archival research, and participant observations were conducted. The findings reveal that various political and structural and administrative obstacles have impeded the progress of the construction of on-road bicycling facilities in the city, including pressures to maintain the transportation policy status quo, a general lack of advocacy for bicycling-related issues, the problematic assignment of key implementation officials, low levels of data collection, and the absence of a formalized public consultation process.

Hot Topic: Regulating So-Called Jake Brakes (2010), Ron Darden

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

Tennessee cities may regulate, but not prohibit, the use of engine compression braking devices by ordinance; includes sample ordinance.

If Ethanol Is The Answer, What Is The Question, Peter Z. Grossman

Peter Z. Grossman

Since 2005, in the face of rising oil and gasoline prices, many Americans have looked to plant-based fuels, particularly ethanol, as the "answer" to our energy dilemmas. Section III examines the issues connected specifically to ethanol, how market forces as well as government subsidies have worked to make corn-based ethanol economically viable at times, why that viability has been lost in recent months even with subsidies, and further, why ethanol from corn on the scale the legislation demands is impractical. Clearly it would be technically possible to produce the mandated 15 billion gallons of ethanol, and distilling capacity will nearly …

The New Freedom Initiative Transportation Program, Tom Seekins Ph.D., Alexandra Enders, Grace Silvia, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

Rural advocates frequently cite the lack of public transportation as one of the most significant problems faced by rural Americans with disabilities (Gonzales, Stombaugh, Seekins & Kasnitz, 2006). Transportation is often critical both to accessing health care, and to becoming and staying employed (Johnson & Shaw, 2001). Section 5317, the New Freedom Initiative for Transportation, a program created by the 2005 federal transportation act (SAFETEA-LU, P.L. 109-59), is designed to “go beyond the ADA” and find new ways to provide transportation for people with disabilities. In each state, local providers compete for funding from the program. Funding may not be …

The Evolution Of The Theoretical Foundations Of Punctuated Equilibrium Theory In Public Policy, Michael S. Givel

Michael S. Givel

Punctuated equilibrium theory in public policy replicated from biological punctuated equilibrium theory has concluded that public policies alternate between stasis and punctuation. However, recent research on Pacific Northwest forest policy, U.S. state tobacco policy, and U.S federal auto efficiency policy have found no punctuations despite an attempt to do so. What is the efficacy of using biological punctuated equilibrium theory to also explain punctuated equilibrium in public policy? Significant differences exist between biological and public policy punctuated equilibrium theory including time frames for change, what constitutes outside disturbances of equilibrium, venues of punctuated equilibrium, levels of analysis for change, and …

Combinations Of Instruments To Achieve Low-Carbon Vehicle-Miles, Don Fullerton, Daniel H. Karney

Daniel H Karney

In cases where the first-best carbon tax and a reasonable second-best gasoline tax are unavailable, this paper demonstrates how alternative combinations of instruments can form economically-sound, environmentally-motivated policies for substantial reductions in vehicle carbon emissions. In order to implement alternative approaches successfully, our point is that policymakers may need to take a holistic approach when designing policy. This holistic approach would recognise that policies to reduce carbon emissions must be politically feasible, and that all sectors of the economy generate carbon emissions. A holistic approach would not focus just on one method of abatement, like encouraging low-carbon vehicle technologies, but …

Urban Form In Europe And America, Pietro S. Nivola

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

Why do America's cities sprawl whereas European cities remain comparatively compact, and what difference do the patterns of urban development make? Pietro Nivola, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, addresses these questions. Nivola examines two kinds of determinants of urban form: (1) market forces, including those influenced by geography, demographics, and technological change, and (2) public policies shaping national transportation systems, tax policy, educational institutions, and more. He also discusses the implications of the different cityscapes for energy consumption.

Route Choice Behavior In Risky Networks With Real-Time Information, Michael D. Razo

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

This research investigates route choice behavior in networks with risky travel times and real-time information. A stated preference survey is conducted in which subjects use a PC-based interactive maps to choose routes link-by-link in various scenarios. The scenarios include two types of maps: the first presenting a choice between one stochastic route and one deterministic route, and the second with real-time information and an available detour. The first type measures the basic risk attitude of the subject. The second type allows for strategic planning, and measures the effect of this opportunity on subjects' choice behavior.

Results from each subject are …

How Subways And High Speed Railways Have Changed Taiwan: Transportation Technology, Urban Culture, And Social Life, Anru Lee

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Walk With Me: A Telepresence Study Of Mediated Tours, Erika K. Gress

ETD Archive

The subsequent study examines variations of self-guided tour mediums in relation to telepresence, transportation, and satisfaction. Three conditions were used to explore the relationships. Those conditions were audio only, audio and visual, and map self-guided tours of a portion of Euclid Avenue adjacent to The audio condition yielded the highest mean scores of the three conditions on all analyses. Condition was found to significantly impact the report of 'worthwhile', a subscale of satisfaction. No other hypotheses resulted in significant findings. Significant differences were seen between the conditions participants report of 'worthwhile'. The practical and theoretical impacts are discussed in the …

Atlas Of The Land Entry Ports On The Canada-Us Border, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson, Bryant Hammond, Kathlleen Mintz

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This atlas identifies the names and locations of all legal land crossing points along the Canada – U.S. border. We omit portsof-entry that are considered “land” ports by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and/or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) but that are actually served by boat (e.g., the ferry landing at Anacortes, WA). Each depicted point is one at which a vehicle can directly travel by road (or railroad) from U.S. to Canadian soil. There are 146 in all, of which 26 are rail lines and 120 are roadways (19 bridges, 1 tunnel, and 100 roads). Two of …

Proceedings: Seminar On Canada-Us Border Management Policy Issues April 12, 2010, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Much has been said and written in recent years about the need to develop effective border policies that integrate trade and security. Though the problem of expediting cross border commerce and travel pre-dates 9/11, it has taken on a new urgency because of concerns that a more robust North American security paradigm increases the costs of trade and therefore imperils North American competitiveness. These concerns have become especially prominent in the aftermath of the 2008 recession.

Whti, The Recession, And Cross-Border Travel, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

A year has passed since final implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI, the so-called passport law), and almost two years have passed since the economic “meltdown” of late 2008. Each of these events would be expected to have an impact on cross-border travel. This article looks at recent cross-border travel trends, seeking to understand the impacts attributable to the two events. While our usual focus is the Canada – US border, trends at the Mexico – US border are also examined here, as the two borders have exhibited differing patterns in recent years, and the differences are instructive.

Atlas Of Land Entry Ports On The Us-Mexico Border, Austin Rose, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This atlas shows the names and locations of all legal land crossing points along the U.S. – Mexico border. Each depicted point is one at which a vehicle can travel by road (or railroad) from U.S. to Mexican soil. There are 52 in all, of which 8 are rail lines, 43 are roadways (24 bridges, 2 dams, and 17 roads), and 1 is a ferry. For record-keeping purposes, USCBP groups the 52 crossings into 26 ports-of-entry (POEs), with data from a set of neighboring crossings aggregated under the name of a “master” POE.

An Update On Congestion Pricing Options For Southbound Freight At The Pacific Highway Crossing, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

As discussed in detail in Roelofs and Springer (2007), “congestion pricing” involves charging users a variable price for the use of transportation facilities: increased congestion leads to a higher price, while the price of the facilities declines when overall usage decreases. In the broadest sense, the rationale behind such an approach is to best allocate the scarce resource of transportation capacity. Congestion pricing therefore treats transportation capacity as simply another type of “good” to be purchased by the individual. As with oranges or lumber, an increase in demand or a decrease in supply results in rising prices, while a decrease …

2009 International Mobility & Trade Corridor Project (Imtc) Commercial Vehicle Operations Survey: Final Report, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The 2009 International Mobility & Trade Corridor Project (IMTC) Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO) Survey took place in June, 2009. This project was identified by IMTC participants in order to periodically evaluate CVO at the Cascade Gateway's three ports-of-entry as a priority for informing regional investment strategies, and to analyze the impacts of changes to road and inspeciton systems.

Border Barometer 2010, Border Policy Research Institute, University Of Buffalo Regional Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Developed through a partnership of the Border Policy Research Institute of Western Washington University and University at Buffalo Regional Institute, the Border Barometer is a tool that provides a U.S. perspective on northern border performance. It seeks to provide researchers, policymakers and other interested parties with a better understanding of economic conditions and trends along the entire border and at individual ports of entry.

Modeling Decision Making Related To Incident Delays During Hurricane Evacuations, Robert Michael Robinson

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Successful evacuations from metropolitan areas require optimizing the transportation network, monitoring conditions, and adapting to changes. Evacuation plans seek to maximize the city's ability to evacuate traffic to flee the endangered region, but once an evacuation begins, real time events degrade even the best plans.

To better understand behavioral responses made during a hurricane evacuation, a survey of potential evacuees obtained data on demographics, driving characteristics, and the traffic information considered prior to and during an evacuation. Analysis showed significant levels of correlation between demographic factors (e.g., gender, age, social class, etc.) and self-assessed driver characteristics, but limited correlation with …

The Case For The Development Of Public Transit In An Urban Boundary Rural Area, Sarmistha Majumdar

Sarmistha R Majumdar

Individuals’ preferences for automobiles are often taken for granted in our auto centric society. This study attempts to determine if commuters in a city located beyond the fringe of a metropolitan area are willing to use public transit if it is developed and what are the socioeconomic and attitudinal factors that influence individuals’ decision to use such a service. Analyses of survey data reveal that preferences exist for public transit service, which can be partly attributed to individuals’ concerns regarding rising gasoline prices and air pollution, and is particularly noticeable among those who are educated and/or belong to a younger …

Combinations Of Instruments To Achieve Low-Carbon Vehicle-Miles, Don Fullerton, Daniel Karney

Don Fullerton

In cases where the first-best carbon tax and a reasonable second-best gasoline tax are unavailable, this paper demonstrates how alternative combinations of instruments can form economically-sound, environmentally-motivated policies for substantial reductions in vehicle carbon emissions. In order to implement alternative approaches successfully, our point is that policymakers may need to take a holistic approach when designing policy. This holistic approach would recognise that policies to reduce carbon emissions must be politically feasible, and that all sectors of the economy generate carbon emissions. A holistic approach would not focus just on one method of abatement, like encouraging low-carbon vehicle technologies, but …