1,720,991 research outputs found
Building Castles in the (Dutch) Air: Understanding the Policy Deadlock of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 1989 - 2009
No full textEver since the 1950s, the Dutch national government has struggled intensely with the trade-off between the economic significance and environmental impact of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the largest airport of the Netherlands. By 2005, the ambition to combine the growth of ‘Mainport’ Schiphol with comprehensive environmental measures has resulted in a firm policy deadlock – a situation in which policy makers no longer recognise the nature of the problem, and are thus unable to generate effective solutions. This thesis provides a detailed account of the emergence and enduring persistence of the Schiphol policy deadlock, covering the period 1989 - 2009. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s genealogical approach to widely accepted discourses, we will describe, assess, and explain how the policy debate around the development of Schiphol sank into the gripping reproduction of specific ways of thinking, talking and acting. By exposing the mechanisms involved, and by reflecting on the daily practices that have hitherto been considered self-evident, the thesis aims to create the opportunity to find the strategies necessary for breaking out of the impasse.Transport Policy & LogisticsTechnology, Policy and Managemen
Human Response to Aircraft Noise
No full textHow can it be that one person is extremely annoyed by the sounds of aircrafts, while his neighbour claims not to be bothered at all? The present thesis attempts to explain this observation by applying a range of quantitative methods to field data gathered among residents living near large airports. Whereas previous explanatory models of aircraft noise annoyance generally lacked theoretical foundations, the developed models are explicitly informed by theories of noise annoyance and, in effect, shed new light on the human experience of aircraft noise.Transport and LogisticsTechnology, Policy and Managemen
Bicycle Commuting
No full textCycling is cheaper, healthier and in urban environments often faster than other transport modes. Nevertheless, even at short distances, many individuals do not cycle. This thesis aims to explain why commuters vary in their decision to bicycle. Results indicate that the individual (day-to-day) choice to commute by bicycle is affected by personal attitudes towards cycling to work, social norms, work situation, weather conditions and trip characteristics. Additionally, this thesis provides evidence that different groups of bicycle commuters exist: non-cyclists, part-time cyclists and full-time cyclists. The mode choice of individuals within these groups (partly) depends on a number of different factors. Non-cyclists seem not to cycle because they consider it impossible, either due to the distance involved, their need to transport goods, the need for a car during office hours, or a negative subjective norm. The decision to cycle among part-time or full-time cyclists is also affected by these factors, but additional factors can be identified. Finally, the day-to-day choice to cycle is based on work characteristics, weather conditions and trip characteristics. Part-time cyclists who cycle only occasionally are encouraged by pleasant weather conditions, while frequent cyclists are found to be discouraged by more practical barriers, such as where they need to work on that day.Urban and regional PLanningOTB Research Institute for the Built Environmen
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Practice
No full textIn most western countries Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is used to inform decision makers about positive and negative effects for society of transport policy options. However, the way CBA is perceived by different key individuals that use, carry out or study CBAs has received scant attention in the literature. This thesis aims to fill four knowledge gaps at the interface of CBA and practice.Transport and LogisticsTechnology, Policy and Managemen
Theory and practice of the assessment and valuation of noise from roads and railroads in Europe
No full textThis thesis took the policy-analysis framework of Marchau and Walker (2005) as a starting point for assessment and valuation of road and railroad noise impacts and its consequences for noise policy. Four research questions were answered. To what extent can international data on noise, often produced by using different national calculation methods, be compared? And what will it mean for (inter)national noise policy? The literature review shows first that noise calculations in different countries may differ up to 15 dB(A), depending on the situation. This is due to (i) different national calculation methods, (ii) different implementation of those methods in software packages and (iii) different interpretations of the acoustical situation by the experts.. Secondly, the review showed that different noise indices are in use in the different Member States, usually for no other than historical reasons. Many of the differences are essentially cosmetic, but some are potentially significant in complex situations. The harmonisation of noise indices as initiated by the European Commission is another necessary step in being able to compare noise exposure in different European countries. Thirdly, even if noise calculation methods and noise indices are eventually harmonised throughout Europe, noise standards remain a matter of subsidiarity. All of this makes it hard to assess to what extent citizens in different European Member States are protected against noise. What is the price of noise in various European countries? Are differences in price (partly) due to artefacts, like differences in the noise impacts considered or the monetisation methods used? Is there a gap between the theoretical valuation approaches and the practical application of those approaches? This study shows firstly that guidelines for monetisation of traffic noise exist predominantly in the central and north-western part of Europe. Monetisation of road traffic noise is more common than monetisation of railroad noise. Secondly, the study shows that not all noise effects are dealt with. Thirdly, prices differ. The different prices being attached to noise in various countries are mainly due to different unit values applied to the same impacts. Fourthly, the experience in the Netherlands shows that in spite of there being guidelines on monetisation, noise is often not monetised at all. So the application of these guidelines to noise falls short. There is a gap between theory and practice, at least in the Netherlands. When applying monetising methods, what are the costs and benefits of (possible) noise abatement measures in the Netherlands? What does the ex ante evaluation show to Dutch policy and what are methodological weaknesses? A cost-benefit analysis of a number of (possible) noise abatement measures in the Netherlands has been carried out. These measure were all so-called source measures for road and railroad traffic (silent tyres, pavements, trains and railroad tracks). Benefits are calculated according to consumer's preferences for dwellings, and values applied were derived from two different methodologies (hedonic pricing and contingent valuation). Costs were estimated between 1.4 and 2.0 billion euros (Net present value 2002) and benefits at between 4.4 and 11.6 billion euros, depending on methods and assumptions chosen. Costs are therefore clearly surpassed by benefits. Yet, further research on the most effective mix of measures is recommended, as some hot spots remain, even after implementation of the source measures. A major obstacle for implementing the noise abatement measures is the problem that in the current context costs will be carried by groups in society (e.g. railroad companies) different from those who will eventually be the beneficiaries (e.g. people living along railroad tracks). The solution for this will be far more a political challenge than a scientific one. Noise policy is often based on acoustic and economic considerations only. Yet, from the literature it is known that non-acoustical factors like noise sensitivity may play an important role in causing annoyance. Is sensitivity to road traffic noise a major factor in the process of moving and settling down. Does it lead to self-selection? And if so, what does it mean for noise policy?. The noise-sensitive people think more often about moving elsewhere. Our research suggests that noise sensitivity is not a major factor in the process of moving and settling down, at least not where road traffic is the major noise source. Other factors related to the dwelling or the neighbourhood probably play a more important role. The question therefore remaining is why people who are noise-sensitive deliberately move into high exposure areas. One explanation might be that people are not aware of being noise-sensitive.This is supported by the weak individual correlation between the 1-item and the 10-item test. More information on residential noise levels and one's own noise sensitivity might thus prevent future disappointment. However, due to the limited sample size, external validity is limited.Trai
The practice of forward-looking transport Ppolicy assessment studies
No full textNew railways? Extra roads? Pricing policies to reduce environmental harmful transport emissions? Politicians face tough choices. What are the costs of these proposals? Will the plan result in the expected impacts? What are the risks of a plan? Who wins, who loses? This thesis is about the Dutch practice of helping public decision-making by answering these kinds of questions. Four cases of policy-related ex ante evaluations are evaluated. Ex ante evaluation refers to forward-looking assessment of the likely future effects of new policies of proposals. The four cases in this thesis show the importance of being clear about choices, assumptions and uncertainties. Without clarity, ex ante evaluations will become unused "black boxes", or they may lead to wrong policy decisions. The cases show a different approach of dealing with future uncertainty. The Dutch government has stated the importance of testing policies and investment plans in different possible futures. Testing evaluates the future robustness of the impacts of a plan, giving policy-makers insight into the uncertainty related to ex ante estimates, instead of giving a false feeling of certainty as may have happened in two of the four cases, in which only one future was used.Trai
Residential self-selection and travel: The relationship between travel-related attitudes, built environment characteristics and travel behaviour
No full textMost Western national governments aim to influence individual travel patterns – at least to some degree – through spatial planning in residential areas. Nevertheless, the extent to which the characteristics of the built environment influence travel behaviour remains the subject of some debate among travel behaviour researchers. This thesis addresses the role of residential-self-selection, an important issue within this debate. Households may not only adjust their travel behaviour to the built environment where they live, but they may also choose a residential location that corresponds to their travel-related attitudes. The empirical analysis in this thesis is based on data collected through an internet survey and a GPS-based survey, both of which were conducted among homeowners in three municipalities in the central Netherlands. The study showed that residential self-selection has some limited effect on the relationship between distances to activity locations and travel mode use and daily kilometres travelled. The results also indicate that the inclusion of attitudes can help to detecting residential self-selection, provided that studies comply with several preconditions, such as the inclusion of the ‘reversed’ influence of behaviour on attitudes.Urban and Regional DevelopmentOTB Research Institut
Development and Early Adoption of Electric Vehicles: Understanding the tempest
No full textElectric vehicles are one innovation that could help reduce CO2 emissions from the transportation sector and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. However, substantial roadblocks to their adoption exist including high purchase cost, lack of charging infrastructure, and long charging time. This thesis explores factors from consumers, government policy and the auto industry which influence electric vehicle development and early adoption. It identifies that although the automotive industry has pursued a strategy of exploring EV opportunities, firms have generally stayed connected to their relative experience bases and business models. This reflects a gradual and measured approach to EV development instead of a more aggressive attitude that would be favoured by startup firms which only produce electric automobiles. Based on the above findings the primary conclusion of this thesis is that a transition to EVs will be slow if it happens at all.Transport and LogisticsTechnology, Policy and Managemen
Road pricing policy process: The interplay between policy actors, the media and public
No full textAlthough road pricing policies are generally seen as an effective measure to deal with transport related problems (e.g. congestion), the number of implemented road pricing schemes is relatively limited. The thesis aims to gain insights into complex interplay between policy actors, media and public in road pricing policy processes to understand the success or failure of the introduction of road pricing policies.Transport and LogisticsTechnology, Policy and Managemen
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