Digital Commons Network^™

The Future Of Transit, Adam Cohen

Mineta Transportation Institute

Public transit agencies are adapting to a post-pandemic operating environment characterized by hybrid work, more dispersed travel demand, workforce constraints, and persistent fiscal pressures. This perspective paper examines how transit agencies, such as the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), can strengthen ridership while improving the financial sustainability and long-term resilience of its transit system. The analysis synthesizes peer-reviewed research, government and industry reports, publicly available data, transit agency case studies, and expert interviews with thought leaders. The findings indicate that reliability, travel time, frequency, and customer experience remain fundamental drivers of transit use, but that traditional peak-oriented service planning …

Spartan Daily, September 17, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 12

Spartan Daily, September 16, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 11

Spartan Daily, September 15, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 10

Martinelli, Kathleen A (1956-2024), San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

Stanford University, Communication Theory & Research, Special Area–Political Science, 1993 Ph.D.

Ball State University, Public Relations, Economics concentration, 1985 M.A.

Ball State University, Journalism (Public Relations Sequence) & English (double major), 1979 B.S.

Identification Of At-Risk Rail Network Segments And Development Of Fragility-Based Resilience Metrics, Haizhong Wang, Brian M. Staes, Benyamin Ghoreishi

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report presents a multi-hazard risk and resilience assessment of the U.S. rail network. The research identifies at-risk rail segments exposed to flash flooding, riverine flooding, extreme heat, and landslides using historical hazard records, federal accident and incident data, and meteorological datasets spanning 2000–2024. Flood exposure is mapped nationally by linking storm records to rail alignments and estimating the frequency and intensity of events at the segment level. For extreme heat, a fragility analysis of 153 documented thermal buckling derailments reveals that a significant share of failures occurred under relatively mild environmental conditions, pointing to infrastructure and maintenance factors rather …

Back And Forth: The Status Of Ict Resources And Facilities For Opac Use In University Libraries In Nigeria, Perpetua O. Ukwueze, Jacintha U. Eze Prof, Docas Nnedinso Ugwu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examined the status of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources and facilities supporting Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) utilization in university libraries in Nigeria. The paper specifically investigated the availability of ICT resources that facilitate OPAC utilization and identified the challenges preventing effective use of OPAC among library patrons in university libraries. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of the study was 28,897 registered library users. The sample size for the study was three hundred and ninety five (395) respondents who were selected using Yamen’s formula. These respondents comprises both undergraduate and postgraduate library users. Data …

College Library Websites In West Bengal: Analysis Of Information Visibility And Digital Infrastructure Through A Content Analysis Approach, Niti Mollah, Debabrata Barman, Samim Haidar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In an era of digital boom and growing internet connectivity, college websites have become vital platforms for disseminating information and establishing communication among students, faculty members, researchers, and the general public who intend to use the library. The present paper aims to study the library web pages of various degree colleges in West Bengal by examining their structure, content, user accessibility, and interactability.  It explores and evaluates the contents of 465 college websites based on certain key parameters such as availability, visibility, comprehensiveness, navigability, design, and user experience (users’ ease). The research finds a significant disparity in the quality of …

Multimodal Solutions For The Detection Of Safety-Related Railroad Objects Under Adverse Weather: Architectures, Proof-Of-Concepts, And Performance Results, Hayder Radha

Mineta Transportation Institute

The emergence of high-resolution automotive grade lidar sensor technologies and the development of advanced deep- learning frameworks open the door for accurate and real-time perception of the surroundings of mobile trains for improved safety and operational efficiency. Under this project, we developed key components and proof-of-concepts of lidar-based multimodal solutions that rely on advanced deep- learning methods and utilize object detection approaches to demonstrate the feasibility of real-time detection of objects and events that could represent major safety issues for moving trains. The detected objects could be vehicles or people trespassing a railroad track, or they could be hazardous objects …

Trends, Challenges And Strategic Paths Towards Navigating Remote Library Services In The 4ir Era: The Nigerian Academic Library Perspective, Ayodele O. Akinola, Rasak Ojo Alliyu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper adopts a comprehensive and conceptual approach to review the emerging trends and aiding issues in provision of remote library services in Nigerian academic libraries. The COVID-19 pandemic and the mounting requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) have changed the nature of digital library services, prompting the study. The current global trends are characterized by the progressive adoption of ICT, virtual support and innovative models of blended librarianship, while in Nigeria academic libraries show some level of adoption but are limited by critical ICT infrastructure and internet penetration, unreliable power supply and frequent funding problems. Additionally, organizational preparedness …

Spartan Daily, September 9, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 08

Studying Extreme Weather Event Impacts For Transit-Reliant Unhoused Populations, Costanza Rampini, Serena Alexander, Jeff Wootton, Amruta Ashish Gandhi

Mineta Transportation Institute

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily, September 3, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 07

Spartan Daily, September 2, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 06

An Enduring Mission, Expanding Responsibilities: Reexamining Educating Students To Think Forty Years Later, Victoria Therriault

Learning Hub

This article reexamines the role of school librarians forty years after the publication of Educating Students to Think. It argues that the central mission of school librarianship, helping students locate, evaluate, synthesize, and use information thoughtfully, has remained consistent while librarians’ responsibilities have expanded. The article connects this mission to contemporary practices including inquiry learning, instructional collaboration, digital and media literacy, AI literacy, digital citizenship, equitable access, and instructional leadership. It also presents an updated framework and practical strategies for applying these responsibilities in modern school library programs.

Dynamic Flood Risk Assessment For Transportation Infrastructure In Fresno, Ca, Yushin Ahn, Fayzul Pasha

Mineta Transportation Institute

Urban roadway flooding in flat metropolitan environments often shows up as small areas of standing water rather than large, flowing floods. In low-gradient urban environments, subtle micro-topographic features—such as pavement crowns, curbs, and localized depressions—often control where surface water accumulates following rainfall. Accurately identifying these localized ponding areas is important for roadway flood screening and infrastructure management. This study develops a LiDAR-based depression mapping framework to identify roadway segments susceptible to surface ponding in flat urban environments. High-resolution airborne LiDAR datasets were used to generate detailed elevation maps (down to less than a foot in resolution) from ground-classified point clouds …

Spartan Daily, August 27, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 04

Spartan Daily, August, 26, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 03

Advancing Clean Mobility: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus Workforce Development For Transit Agencies, Manideep Tummalapudi, Shantanu Kumar, Jaskaran Singh

Mineta Transportation Institute

Hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) are rapidly transforming public transportation in the United States. However, while transit agencies are investing heavily in new zero-emission vehicles and fueling infrastructure, far less attention has been paid to the workforce needed to operate and maintain them. As agencies accelerate toward ambitious climate and fleet transition goals, they are also confronting a critical challenge: preparing workers for an entirely new set of technologies, safety requirements, and operational demands. This study addresses that gap by systematically identifying the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for FCEB vehicle operators and maintenance technicians, assessing current training …

Spartan Daily, August 25, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 02

Unlocking Multiple Intelligence Skills Among Medical Library Professionals: An Analysis Of Nigeria And Pakistan, Mariym Muhammad Ismail, Naweed-E-Sehar, 3. Kamaluddeen Isa El-Kalash

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Multiple Intelligence (MI) plays a crucial role in comprehending extensive intellectual abilities and aptitudes among individuals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the Multiple Intelligences in medical library professionals in Pakistan and Nigeria by incorporating Howard Gardener's Theory. Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences provided the foundation for the research method implemented in this study. The current study is explanatory in nature. The research employs a quantitative approach and survey as a research method, which involves collecting and analyzing numerical data. A questionnaire with five-point Likert scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), was adopted to …

Access And Use Of Agricultural Information Services For Sustainable Irish Potato Production And Socioeconomic Development Among Farmers In Plateau State, Nigeria, Olunusi Patience Abosede Mrs, Fwenshimwa Goyol Yarima Mrs, Oyetunde Adeduntan Olajumoke Adedokun, Olusola Funmilayo Babalola, Segilola Victoria Omowumi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Spartan Daily, August 19, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 01

Promoting Digital Inclusion Through Mobile Learning In West African Educational Systems, Joshua Olaoluwa Jegede, Temitope Michael Jegede

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Mobile learning is the use of small and portable devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, for educational purposes. It influences where, how, what, and why students learn, as well as from whom they learn in the digital age. While the adoption of technology in education has brought a remarkable shift from traditional to digital learning, a global digital divide distinguishes developed and developing regions. However, mobile learning leverages the affordability and ubiquity of mobile devices to provide access to educational resources, bridging the digital divide in regions with limited educational infrastructure. This study is a systematic review of mobile …

Construction, Curation, And Customization Of Digital Collection For Lis Journals With Greenstone, Partha Sarathi Mandal, Sukumar Mandal

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The digital age has not just revolutionized but transformed academic publishing, fundamentally altering how information is stored, accessed, and shared. This seismic shift, far from leaving professional librarians uncertain, presents an urgent and exciting opportunity to redefine the operations and procedures required for proper functioning. This paper aims to provide step-by-step guidance for constructing digital libraries, including software installation processes. Library data becomes visible on the World Wide Web by using a combination of Apache, PERL, and GSDL software. Through Dublin Core Metadata, users can describe their resources for discovery within distributed systems. Combining these methods allows libraries to create …

Pushed To The Edges? Electivity Patterns Of Urban Stream Homeless Encampments In Environmentally Burdened Areas, Serena Alexander, Bennett Williamson, Jeff Wootton, Costanza Rampini, Gregory Brian Pasternack, Yufang Jin, Rune Storesund, Igor Lacan

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Urban stream corridors in the San Francisco Bay Area have increasingly become locations for homeless encampments, yet little is known about the environmental conditions of these spaces. This study uses a geospatial electivity index to examine whether urban stream encampments in Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties are disproportionately located in census tracts with high pollution burdens, as measured by CalEnviroScreen 4.0. Findings show a statistically significant overrepresentation of encampments in census tracts in the top 25% of pollution and vulnerability scores, and a significant underrepresentation in lower-pollution areas. These results suggest that homeless individuals are being pushed toward environmentally …

Information Resources Utilization, Organisational Culture And Motivation As Determinants Of Quality Service Delivery Of Researchers In Nigerian Institute For Trypanosomiasis Research, Kaduna State, Nigeria., Alegbeleye Gabriel Olubunmi, Ibrahim Awodi, Yemisi Tomilola Babalola

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigated the combined influence of information resources utilization, organizational culture, and motivation on quality service delivery in the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna State. The population comprised 206 researchers across the six research departments of NITR, and a total enumeration technique was employed to include all the researchers. Using a structured questionnaire, 172 valid responses were obtained representing an 83.5% response rate. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression statistics. Anchored on Uses and Gratification Theory of Information behavior, the Denison Organizational Culture Model, and Self-Determination Theory, the findings revealed that the independent variables jointly …

When Everyone Is A Librarian: Examining Job Titles And Responsibilities In California School Libraries, Mary Ann Harlan, Jeffrey Mattison, Jodi Hwang

Learning Hub

School libraries in California are staffed by a wide range of personnel, including credentialed Teacher Librarians (TLs) and paraprofessional staff working under a variety of job titles. Analysis of responses from the California School Library Survey revealed substantial variation in self-reported library staff titles, raising questions about the relationship between job titles, job descriptions, and professional responsibilities. This study examined the titles used by individuals working in California school libraries as paraprofessionals and analyzed corresponding job descriptions to determine whether distinctions exist between professional standards and descriptions and paraprofessional duties. Using survey data from the 2022–2023 California School Library Survey, …

Wildfire Risk & Preparedness For Urban Rail Operators Supporting Large Stadium Events, Karl Kim, Eric Yamashita, Daniele Spirandeli, David Rother

Mineta Transportation Institute

The project team, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, developed a four-hour training course designed to build a foundational understanding of how wildfire hazards affect rail systems infrastructure operations and how this knowledge can help equip urban rail operators with tools and best practices for proactive risk management. Led by the University of Hawaiʻi and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, in partnership with Haley & Aldrich, Inc., this technical report presents an overview of the four modules and scenario planning exercise that together make up the four-hour Wildfire Risk & Preparedness for Urban Rail Operators Supporting Large Stadium Events …

Enhancing Wildfire Resilience In The Rail Industry: Developing A Community Resilience Extreme Events Portal (Creep), Karl Kim, Eric Yamashita, Daniele Spirandeli, David Rother, Chris Chiesa, Greg Hampe, Michele Toner

Mineta Transportation Institute

The Community Resilience Extreme Events Portal (CREEP) provides a centralized platform for accessing wildfire danger indices, critical asset locations, and vulnerability scores for rail segments. The project team developed a data-driven, indicator-based vulnerability assessment framework that defines vulnerability as a function of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. To build this framework, the team selected publicly available datasets, prioritizing national datasets whenever possible to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and scalability. The portal allows users to analyze and visualize vulnerability across 1-kilometer segments of Class I freight and passenger rail lines in California, supporting planning and mitigation prioritization to help reduce rail-related fatalities, …