1,720,997 research outputs found
Using multiple correspondence analysis to improve safety in interaction between road transit and public spaces
No full textMultiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) is a statistical technique used to present the relative closeness of the categorical variables from any dataset by analyzing data in the form of numerical frequencies and represent them graphically. Since pedestrian accidents data can be represented as transactions of multiple categorical variables, MCA can be a considered a good methodology to analyze the relationship among such variables. This paper is the study of application of MCA to analyze safety in the interaction among urban road transit and pedestrians. MCA is applied to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line in the city of Catania, operating since 2013; during those years there were no accidents, but a series of traffic conflicts have happened; that’s the reason why authors proceed with the application of the methodology taking into account the occurrence of the so called “near misses”
The impact of a bus rapid transit line on spatial accessibility and transport equity: The case of catania
No full textAccessibility is a key issue to address spatial equity when planning for sustainable mobility. Accessibility indicators can be used to measure the performance of public transport as basic strategy to cause modal shift from private transport and reduce car dependence and urban sprawl. The purpose of this paper is to verify if the realization of a set of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines with high level of service can provide an equitable access of residents to workplaces, when compared with a light improvement of the commercial speed of conventional bus lines with low level of service but high spatial coverage. To this aim we use a relative accessibility measure between private and public transport, weighted by socio-economic data of population. A high spatial resolution spatial analysis is used to capture the relevance of different stop density for walking access impedance, through a GIS transport modeling software. The methodology is tested for the city of Catania (Italy)
A sustainable framework for the analysis of port systems
No full textThe commercial and industrial growth of the urban areas with consequent specialization of the maritime and land traffic deeply modified in the last centuries the spatial and functional relationship between port and city. Ports became a complex of functions and interactions with the city sharing its commercial, recreational, tourist, cultural, urban spaces and places for leisure. In addition to goods heavy traffic, the new port configuration also attracts important flows of people linked to the cruise sector, passenger traffic and tourism. This mix of activities, while inducing a great potential for transformation and strong changes on the urban economy, generates several externalities on the urban mobility system, such as congestion, accessibility, security and safety issues. The objective of this paper is to propose a framework for actions and measures to foster sustainability in ports. International best practices for passenger and freight port transport have been analysed with a focus on advantages and disadvantages of already implemented procedures, both in the short and in the long term. Most performing measures have been included in the framework, which classify them according to the three pillars of sustainability and the Avoid-Shift-Improve approach. The paper clearly defines the key elements needed to be taken into account when demonstrating efficiency of port systems. The methodology can be considered suitable in order to support decision making processes of port management entities and local policy makers regarding the assessment of different alternatives in the short and in the long period
Fostering Ports Synergies by Centrality Measures: An Approach Based on Automated Identification Systems
No full textIn recent decades, maritime transport is facing a continuous growth generating a rapid development of port infrastructures but also the need to adopt synergy policies between neighbouring ports in order to optimize spaces and resources. In this respect, the knowledge of the main maritime routes and traffic volumes for freight and passenger in each port is essential to establish hierarchies, intervention priorities and to evaluate infrastructure specializations in a planning perspective. In this study an approach based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) is used to build a mathematical model with trajectories vessels between ports, ships classification and traffic volumes, in order to frame a regional network of maritime trades. Network centrality indices are calculated to assess the spatial-temporal characteristics and structure of regional ports’ network. The method is applied to the case study of ports located in Sicily, an Italian region characterized by the peculiarity of being an island with more than 1000 km of coasts and a strategic location in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea; both of these characteristics make it a breeding ground for port infrastructure development and terminal specialization
Framework for the evaluation of the quality of pedestrian routes for the sustainability of port–city shared areas
No full textIn recent years, there have been several changes that deeply affected the port-city relationship, due to the evolution of maritime transports, traffic volumes and port infrastructures. Thanks to the expansion of the cruise and yachting sectors and the redevelopment of waterfront and port spaces, shared areas have assumed mixed functions and activities that are attractive for passengers/tourists but potentially also for other users, such as citizens. Often, the unplanned distribution of these heterogeneous functions and activities results in overlapping and intersecting flows of freights/passengers, with the generation of criticalities for vulnerable users. Commonly, each passenger/tourist, and generally more pedestrians, are independent decision-making units, and their route choices depend not only on their trip destination but also on the on the attractiveness of the existing activities, on the geometric characteristics of the path and, generally, on its Level of Service (LOS) and quality, contrary to freight routes, which are generally based on minimum generalized cost values. Thus, having a good non-motorized accessibility is a determining factor for port-city sustainable development. This paper focuses its attention on pedestrian flows in port-city areas and the construction of a methodological framework to evaluate nonmotorized accessibility. The framework analyses the quality of pedestrian displacements, both through the LOS and a utility measure, by taking advantage of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The methodology has been tested on the case study of Catania, a medium-sized city located in the south of Italy, whose port is located in an area that has a strategic role due to its proximity to the historic centre. The proposed framework can contribute to providing a guide to transport and urban planners, local and port authorities and decision-makers in port-city planning, identifying criticalities and solutions to enhance the non-motorized accessibility and sustainability of the port systems and urban areas
Sustainability of Freight Transport through an Integrated Approach: The Case of the Eastern Sicily Port System
No full textPort systems, especially if close to the city centre, are affected by significant traffic flows from and towards the port area causing congestion issues, security and several externalities on the mobility system. In fact, the main problems affecting port cities are generated by the mismatch between different vehicle flows (of goods, citizens, cruises, passengers, private cars and heavy vehicles) and the consequent creation of bottlenecks, greatly affecting the functionality of both the port and the city. The objective of this paper is to apply a framework of actions and measures to foster the three pillars of sustainability in the case study of the Eastern Sicily port system, involving the ports of the cities of Catania and Augusta. Data concerning freight traffic and flows have been acquired from the port authority and from the main terminal and logistic operators, while; data on terminal operation efficiency have been acquired from previous studies. The study shows advantages and disadvantages of already implemented measures and new planning scenarios for the two ports that are part of the system. The paper clearly defines the key elements needed to be taken into account when demonstrating efficiency of a ports' system. The methodology can be considered suitable in order to support administrations in the assessment of different alternatives in the short and in the long period
Comparison between bus rapid transit and light-rail transit systems: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach
No full textThe construction choice between two different transport systems in urban areas, as in the case of Light-Rail Transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) solutions, is often performed on the basis of cost-benefit analysis and geometrical constraints due to the available space for the infrastructure. Classical economic analysis techniques are often unable to take into account some of the non-monetary parameters which have a huge impact on the final result of the choice, since they often include social acceptance and sustainability aspects. The application of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques can aid decision makers in the selection process, with the possibility to compare non-homogeneous criteria, both qualitative and quantitative, and allowing the generation of an objective ranking of the different alternatives. The coupling of MCDA and Geographic Information System (GIS) environments also permits an easier and faster analysis of spatial parameters, and a clearer representation of indicator comparisons. Based on these assumptions, a LRT and BRT system will be analysed according to their own transportation, economic, social and environmental impacts as a hypothetical exercise; moreover, through the use of MCDA techniques a global score for both systems will be determined, in order to allow for a fully comprehensive comparison
Mapping with stakeholders: An overview of public participatory GIS and VGI in transport decision-making
No full textTransport decision-making problems are typically spatially based and involve a set of feasible alternatives with multiple evaluation criteria. Besides, transport decisions affect citizens’ quality of life, as well as specific interests of general stakeholders (e.g., transport companies), thus needing a participatory approach to decision-making. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have the ability to visualize spatial data and represent the impact of location based transport alternatives, thus helping experts to conduct robust assessments. Moreover, with the recent diffusion of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) and development of Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) platforms, the process can be enhanced thanks to the collection of a large amount of updated spatial data and the achievement of an active community participation. In this study, we provide an overview based on a structured literature review of the use of VGI and PPGIS in transport studies, exploring the fields of application, role played by GIS, level of public involvement and decision stage at which they are applied. From the overview’s results, we propose a general framework for the evaluation of transport alternatives using GIS from a multiple stakeholder point of view; the main conclusion is the usefulness of the integration between Public Participation, GIS and quantitative evaluation methods, in particular Multi Criteria Decision Analysis, in order to foster technically sound and shared decisions
Regional Air Transport in Europe: The Potential Role of the Civil Tiltrotor in Reducing Airside Congestion
Full text linkThe volume of air traffic worldwide is still in constant growth despite unfair events that sometimes occur. The demand for regional air transport is also increasing, thanks in part to the use of new vehicles purposely designed for short range flights which make this means of transport more attractive than in the past. This paper studies the possibility of using aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff or landing (V/STOL), in particular the tiltrotor, in the regional air transport market and the impact on airport capacity that the use of this craft would have. With this in mind the advantages and disadvantages of using this vehicle are identified, as well as the changes to be made to the air transport system in order to exploit its full potential
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