Transportation is considered as one of the major components of the logistics process which refers to managing the movement of goods by using different modes and routes to provide the required level of service quality in a cost-effective way. Decisions regarding the choice of particular modes or routes and the processes involved include many different criteria to be considered by the buyers of these services. Although previous literature focused heavily on the carrier and mode selection processes, a detailed analysis of the decision-making in terms of the main stages and relevant factors in multimodal transport from a marketing perspective has been limited. This thesis explores the decision-making and buying process related to multimodal transportation by considering multimodal transport as an overall service and investigating the buying processes of freight forwarders as one of the important intermediaries in the transportation channel. Turkey has been selected as a specific case study. The research aims to examine the perceptions regarding multimodal transport according to some determined criteria by considering the factors related to the business environment and the buying process on the part of the participants. A triangulation method is used to analyse the buying process of freight forwarders in multimodal transport. Firstly, exploratory semi-structured interviews were carried out; secondly, a Delphi study was conducted to obtain an insight into the multimodal transport applications in Turkey by focusing on the main drawbacks, the decision-making processes and the related criteria. The findings of the semi-structured interviews and Delphi study provided a basis for the survey design as the next stage of the thesis. Thirdly, a survey questionnaire was conducted with the participation of freight forwarding companies; it aimed to explore the buying process in multimodal transport by focusing on the mode choice perspective. Factors related to the business environment and the perceptionso f the respondentsw ith regardst o multimodal transport were analysed. Lastly, a specific case study which focused on the different route and mode combinations between Turkey and United Kingdom was conducted. The case study used a specific cost model to analyse the possible routeing options and mode combinations between the two countriesb y consideringt he perceptionso f the participantsa bout the options presented. Since Turkey is still developing in terms of multimodal transport operations, an in-depth analysis regarding the perceptions about this specific transport operation according to some determined criteria and the investigation of buying process by integrating the logistics and marketing management concepts has been an important contribution of the study.

With greater policy emphasis on encouraging sustainable transport modes, this research probes into issues associated with the governance and delivery of sustainable transport policies for the management of car dependency. The research uses a multi-method case study based approach in three UK city-regions, namely Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester. Both qualitative (focus groups and in-depth interviews) and quantitative (Q-methodology) methods are used to explore the perceptions of four categories of transport actors, including (1) transport experts, users and interest groups (2) officials ,,..,, from public bodies (3) public transport operators and (4) politiCians. The experiences of these actors are discussed with regard to the inefficiencies of the existing governance and the barriers to effective policy implementation. The use of Q-methodology indicates the perceptions of key players in terms of the similarities and differences in viewpoints. . The key findings of this research illustrates that respondents are supportive of the sustainable transport system; however, the opinions show that the implementation of policies is neither effective, nor a priority for the authorities who implement them. The reliability and quality of public transport services, integration between transport and land-use activities, better funding and effective parking enforcement are the required interventions to influence existing travel patterns, which are dominated by private cars across three city-regions. The results suggest that the effectiveness of a deregulated bus policy, competition between private bus operators, a lack of political will, coordination between transport actors, parking policy, accountability and the level of stakeholders' participation in the policy processes are controversial issues amongst the transport actors. The Q-methodology results clearly indicate a need for the effective implementation of transport policies to manage car dependency in Belfast. The findings strongly suggest that participatory policy style would improve transport governance in Northern Ireland. The major problem of transport governance in both Glasgow and Manchester is the limited decision-making capacity of city-region governments in local rail, highway and transport funding. A particular emphasis on the needs of real competition between operators along with a smart card ticketing system is the way to promote affordable, IX integrated and reliable public transport system. From a policy implementation perspective, it is crucial to address the split between the policy objectives and funding priorities. Finally, the findings of this research can be used to inform policy-makers as well as implementers in order to facilitate positive outcomes for sustainable transport policies. x

This thesis investigates the ability of Bus Quality Partnerships, to achieve Government transport policy's objective of traffic decongestion, through modal shift from car to bus. It explores how current transport patterns are unsustainable, and how transport policy aims to overcome this.

Past and recent events have proved that critical infrastructure are vulnerable to natural catastrophes, unintentional accidents and terrorist attacks. Protecting these systems is critical to avoid loss of life and to guard against economical upheaval. A systematic approach to plan security investments is paramount to guarantee that limited protection resources are utilized in the most effcient manner. This thesis provides a detailed review of the optimization models that have been introduced in the past to identify vulnerabilities and protection plans for critical infrastructure. The main objective of this thesis is to study new and more realistic models to protect transportation infrastructure such as railway and road systems against man made and natural disruptions. Solution algorithms are devised to effciently solve the complex formulations proposed. Finally, several illustrative case studies are analysed to demonstrate how solving these models can be used to support effcient protection decisions.

The Nigerian transport system has been facing challenges due to the imbalance in the transport system. Goods and passenger movements in Nigeria are performed mainly by road, with the railway and inland waterways playing significant, but less important roles. The dominance of road transport in Nigeria has placed obstacles in the way of economic development and has reduced the quality of life for citizens as the large number of vehicles required to meet demand causes congestion and parking issues and, in the main, citizens suffer with high levels of local associated pollution and low levels of security and safety. Decision-makers need support to make the right decisions. Precise and relevant information are required to give a clear overall view of the issues at stake and to monitor the benefits of implementing efficient public transport systems. This research has identified the need to develop an organized, effective and efficient transport system in Nigeria. Key Performance indicators were identified and developed for the Nigerian transport sector, which were used for the survey. A transport users’ survey was carried out in four cities (Lagos, Warri, Ughelli and Benin) in Nigeria, with 474 participants in total comprising both male and female between the age ranges of 20-70, the results of the survey was analysed and Lagos RII values were the lowest among the four cities falling below 0.60. However there is a similar case of low RII values between the four Cities, which was Security during evening/night and Accessibility during evening/night. The UK survey results was also analysed and the RII values were above 0.80 indicating a very high performance of the UK transport system. Data on highway robbery incidents in Nigeria was also collected and analysed and it was found out that there will be a continuous increase in highway robbery incidents in Nigeria if adequate security measures are not put in place. A Strategic Benchmarking was done between Nigeria and United Kingdom because the United Kingdom is a developed country with a more organized transport system compared to Nigeria hence it was seen as a best practice. Also the spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was done between the United Kingdom and Nigeria survey results and there was a perfect positive correlation (rs =1) for Motor parks/Bus stops/Stations and very strong positive correlation (rs = 0.9) for Vehicles. In other words Nigeria can adopt the United Kingdom public transport strategy into its transport system because it will have a very positive impact on the development of the Nigerian transport sector. Therefore, having identified the challenges of the Nigerian transport sector and possible solutions, a Strategic Action Plan has been proposed for the Nigerian transport sector to: assist policy makers in making decisions, assist security personnel in taking proactive measures against transport insecurity, enhance the overall performance of the transport system.

The study investigates the extent of distributional impacts of labour-intensive road projects using a geographical approach. The aim is to evaluate infrastructural effectiveness. The central premise is that the interface between road investment and economic development has broad implications that are beyond transportation’s basic purpose of providing access and mobility. Communities are motivated by the outcomes and impacts of road infrastructure development in improving the productiveness of the economy, in line with socio-economic development and other multiplying effects. The objective was to describe the nature and delivery mechanisms of labourintensive road projects, evaluate the impact thereof on the project participants and their communities and explore the constraints and challenges experienced by these initiatives. The impact of the Gundo Lashu programme was measured, based on an assessment of programme outputs, outcomes and impacts, to determine whether the project had the desired effects on individual participants and their households. A matched control case study design, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The study found that the Gundo Lashu programme had achieved the expected outputs in terms of the total number of jobs created, total road length constructed and maintained. However, the communities’ socioeconomic outcomes and the impacts of the programme on poverty and sustainable livelihoods were mixed. These conclusions re-affirm the notion that the development of rural road infrastructure alone by labour-intensive construction methods, is not sufficient in tackling poverty. While government is focusing on addressing unemployment and skills development through labourintensive road construction programmes, there is a need to ensure proper integration of government services to make a significant impact. Huge deficiencies exist in the inter-linkages between the programme planning process and the municipal planning system and that there are a number of management and planning, structural and functional, human resources and funding barriers to proper planning, implementation and monitoring of projects within the Gundo Lashu programme. Various challenges and barriers emanates from lack of coordination, political interferences and lack of strategic direction. Key recommendations include comprehensive road planning, better project targeting mechanisms, development of guidelines for future maintenance, skills training and capacity development, and resultsbased monitoring. / Geography / D. Phil. (Geography)

The study investigates the extent of distributional impacts of labour-intensive road projects using a geographical approach. The aim is to evaluate infrastructural effectiveness. The central premise is that the interface between road investment and economic development has broad implications that are beyond transportation’s basic purpose of providing access and mobility. Communities are motivated by the outcomes and impacts of road infrastructure development in improving the productiveness of the economy, in line with socio-economic development and other multiplying effects. The objective was to describe the nature and delivery mechanisms of labourintensive road projects, evaluate the impact thereof on the project participants and their communities and explore the constraints and challenges experienced by these initiatives. The impact of the Gundo Lashu programme was measured, based on an assessment of programme outputs, outcomes and impacts, to determine whether the project had the desired effects on individual participants and their households. A matched control case study design, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The study found that the Gundo Lashu programme had achieved the expected outputs in terms of the total number of jobs created, total road length constructed and maintained. However, the communities’ socioeconomic outcomes and the impacts of the programme on poverty and sustainable livelihoods were mixed. These conclusions re-affirm the notion that the development of rural road infrastructure alone by labour-intensive construction methods, is not sufficient in tackling poverty. While government is focusing on addressing unemployment and skills development through labourintensive road construction programmes, there is a need to ensure proper integration of government services to make a significant impact. Huge deficiencies exist in the inter-linkages between the programme planning process and the municipal planning system and that there are a number of management and planning, structural and functional, human resources and funding barriers to proper planning, implementation and monitoring of projects within the Gundo Lashu programme. Various challenges and barriers emanates from lack of coordination, political interferences and lack of strategic direction. Key recommendations include comprehensive road planning, better project targeting mechanisms, development of guidelines for future maintenance, skills training and capacity development, and resultsbased monitoring. / Geography / D. Phil. (Geography)