At present, Richmond, Virginia only has bus transit services provided by the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) and primarily concentrated within the boundary of Richmond City. GRTC is impacted by both supply-side and demand-side factors, notably socioeconomic characteristics of bus riders, bus ridership is unevenly distributed across different bus stops. This thesis will conduct statistical and geographical analysis on the impacts of socioeconomic characteristics on bus-stop daily boarding in Richmond City. The statistical analysis includes both correlation analysis and regression analysis, assuming one dependent variable (bus-stop daily boarding) and fourteen independent variables (most of which describe socioeconomic characteristics of bus riders) at aggregated census block group levels. The research concentrates on local bus routes and the block groups with local bus stops in Richmond. This empirical study aims to identify the significant factors impacting bus ridership and assess the bus service situation for affected block groups (under-served or over-served). The study outcomes, such as the number of bus lines as the most important factor impacting ridership, will have important implications for Richmond’s local transit planning and decision-making.

Rural communities face a range of challenges associated with accessibility and connectivity. Though real-time passenger information systems (RTPIS) have been long heralded as offering the potential to mitigate some of these challenges their deployment in rural areas has been very limited. The lack of real-time passenger information has been identified as a contributing factor to a multitude of issues, such as high car usage, low public transport use and travel uncertainty. There is considerable potential for appropriate technologies to contribute to the alleviation of these issues, as evidence exists that they can influence travel behaviour, and cultivate positive attitudes towards the service and the operator. This thesis investigated the interplay between rural passenger experience and real-time information provision. Overall, this work aims to provide an initial stepping point on to understanding the interplay between passenger behaviour, disruptions, passenger experience, and real-time information. In order to explore the aforementioned, first, a series of interviews and focus groups with rural public transport passengers, rural transport operators, government agencies and members of academia have been carried out to study the rural passengers' responses to planned and unplanned travel disruption. Based on these i) a conceptual model that aims to describe the passenger recovery phases to disruption and the associated passenger information requirements, ii) and a framework that highlights characteristics of transport behaviour, and aligns them with drivers of transport behaviour adaptation have been created. Next, through a series of co-designed sessions in various rural areas throughout the UK a mobile technology probe, which provides public transport real time information to the passengers has been developed. Then using the technology probe a two-week before-and-after intervention study with 15 participants has been carried out. The results indicate that real-time information provided through the technology probe adjusted the travel behaviour of the participants. Namely, it improved the utilisation of waiting time of the participants, improved the efficiency of their travelling, and enabled them to find alternatives when needed. Further, to get a better picture of the effect of real-time information on rural travellers, during the intervention study 6 of the participants in their everyday travels for 7 days have been actively observed by the author. The outcomes from this supplemented the data from the study and illustrated how the rural public transport travellers used the system in their day-to-day travels. Finally, all our findings have been combined to co-create a system design with rural public transport passengers that aims to improve their experience during disruption. The final design mainly concentrated on providing information regarding pre-trip, on-trip and on boarding point, journey planning, supporting the rural passenger experience through social media, and disruption. In order to evaluate the applicability and suitability of the design, and explore how it relates to the needs of the rural passengers, two focus groups have been conducted. The results of the evaluation activity illustrate that the mobile RTPI system design was perceived as highly useful and relevant to the needs of the rural passenger.

M.Com. (Business Economics) / The luxury motor-coach industry in South Africa is presently finding it difficult to function on a sound financial basis. International tourists are the main supporters of the industry and this means that financial success is dependent on the flow of these tourists. Effective marketing, however, is lacking and little information about the industry is available. In view of the foregoing, the primary goal of this study is the development of a marketing planning model for the luxury motor-coach industry. In order to attain this goal, it was necessary to collect and analise primary, and, where possible, secondary marketing information about the industry. An important step in effective marketing is the acceptance of the marketing concept in terms of consumer orientation, integrated marketing and profitability. The study not only indicates that this concept is applicable to all marketing variables in the macro-marketing environment, the market environment and the micro-marketing environment but also measures the degree to which it is applied by the industry. Only the critical marketing variables in each of the aforementioned environments ~ere investigated. Since national as well as international tourists go on luxury motor-coach tours in South Africa, the investigation was also undertaken from that point of view. The investigation revealed, firstly, that competition, technology, the economy, social and cultural structures and government actions are critical variables in the macro-marketing environment that are uncontrollable. A proper analysis of these variables from a marketing point of view can lead to the identification of opportunities and/or threats to tour operators. It was also found that tour operators can, through proactive environmental management, endeavour to create favourable situations in the macro-marketing environment...

The formulation and implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit Network system (BRT) or Rea Vaya in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) was met with different views from the Johannesburg general public. Some sections of the public accepted the BRT, while others rejected it. The reason for the initial rejection was the lack of public consultation, while those with a positive view conceded that the BRT was a good concept in transforming the public transport system of Johannesburg. This study investigated how the public participated in the BRT. The study was conducted through the qualitative research methodological approach. Primary in-depth interviews and documentary analysis were undertaken to answer the research question. The findings of the study indicate that public participation in the BRT was orchestrated haphazardly because of the lack of a proper governance system on public participation. The CoJ’s only concern appeared to be meeting the deadline to provide efficient transport services during the Confederations and World Cup Soccer tournaments of 2009 and 2010 respectively. The study concludes that the processes of engaging the public to participate in BRT formulation and implementation were flawed. The study finally recommends that the CoJ should develop governance systems on public participation.The systems should include a tailor-made public participation policy and institutional mechanisms to support critical engagement with the public.

Tem como objetivo estudar e otimizar o desempenho de frenagem do ônibus biarticulado que trafega nas grandes cidades brasileiras. Apresenta-se um estudo do sistema de freios do veículo e propõe-se um modelo matemático para o cálculo de todas as forças que agem no sistema de freio e nas rodas. O programa computacional calcula as forças de frenagem que atuam nos eixos, as forças verticais nos eixos, as forças de inércia, o coeficiente de adesão utilizado por eixo, a desaceleração do veículo, o espaço de parada e a eficiência do sistema de freio. Os resultados são confrontados com a norma internacional ECE-R13 a fim de verificar se o veículo obedece aos requisitos estabelecidos pela mesma. / This work is concerned with the study optimization the breaking system of a biaticulated bus, which circulates in many Brazilian cities. The vehicle brake system is studied and a mathematical model is proposed in order to calculate all forces in the brake systems and in the wheels. Based on a computational program the brake force in the axles, the vertical forces in the axles, the inertia forces, the adhesion coefficient requested by each axles, the vehicle deceleration, the brake distance and the brake system efficiency are calculated. The results are compared with the international standard ECE-R13 to verify whether the bus satisfies the regulation.

by Vincent Sau Yan Yiu. / "April 2000." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 126-131). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Os motoristas de ônibus apresentam problemas de saúde física e psicológica decorrentes da exposição a fatores relacionados com a organização do trabalho e com a própria configuração do ônibus, mais especificamente da cabine, onde realizam suas atividades. Os projetos das cabines dos ônibus e do seu cockpit, interface através da qual o motorista envia comandos para o ônibus, normalmente desconsideram a opinião do motorista e a relação entre produto/usuário/contexto de uso real, fundamental para garantir um projeto de interface adequado, segundo os conceitos de ergonomia e design. Assim, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo estudar e determinar as demandas dos motoristas de transporte rodoviário e urbano de passageiros com relação aos cockpits de ônibus, a fim de propor melhorias considerando as características da tarefa e a opinião dos motoristas com relação ao seu conforto e desempenho. Participaram do estudo duas empresas de transporte de passageiros, uma rodoviária e outra urbana. A metodologia foi estruturada em três fases. A primeira (Pré-análise) teve como objetivo conhecer os cockpits dos ônibus, entender os requisitos considerados na compra de novos veículos e evidenciar as condições do cockpit que atuam na dirigibilidade do veículo. A segunda fase (Análise) consistiu em investigar a percepção dos motoristas com relação aos cockpits dos ônibus, realizado observação in loco, filmagens, entrevistas, questionário e dinâmica do protótipo de papel Na terceira fase (Pós-análise) foi realizada a triangulação dos dados para identificar os fatores de conforto mais relevantes e a comparação dos resultados dos dois grupos de motoristas. Os resultados da dinâmica convergiram com aqueles das entrevistas e questionários evidenciando que, em geral, os motoristas tendem a manter os comandos nos locais em que se acostumaram, modificando somente o posicionamento daqueles que não atendem suas necessidades de forma satisfatória. A principal demanda dos motoristas de transporte rodoviário está vinculada ao posicionamento do comando do ar-condicionado no cockpit e às condições de conforto térmico na cabine. Os motoristas de transporte urbano de passageiros, por outro lado, desejam o reposicionamento do comando do itinerário para um local de fácil alcance e visibilidade quando em sedestação. Esses também relataram desconforto térmico relacionando com a inexistência do dispositivo da ventarola, uma vez que a maioria dos veículos da frota não dispõe de ar-condicionado. Os dois grupos de motoristas indicaram a necessidade de melhorar a visibilidade do painel de instrumentos que, por vezes, é dificultado pelo mau posicionamento do volante. Além disso, os dois grupos de motoristas consideraram o espaço interno da cabine, o ruído, bem como o conforto do banco, características a serem melhoradas. / Bus drivers have physical and psychological health problems due to exposure to factors related to work organization and the configuration of the bus, specifically the cabin, where they carry out their activities. The bus cabins and their cockpit‟s designs, the interface through which the driver sends commands to the bus, usually disregard the driver's opinion and the relationship between product/ user/ context of actual use, primal to ensure a proper interface design, according to the concepts of ergonomics and design. Thus, this research aims to study and determine the demands of road and urban passenger transport drivers in relation to bus cockpits, in order to propose improvements considering the characteristics of the task and the opinion of the drivers regarding their comfort and performance. The study included an urban and a road passenger transport companie. The methodology was structured in three phases. The first one (Preanalysis) had as objective to know the cockpits of the buses, to understand the requirements considered in the purchase of new vehicles and to understand the conditions of the cockpit that act in the dirigibility of the vehicle. The second phase (Analysis) was to investigate the drivers' perception regarding the cockpits of the buses through in loco observation, filming, interviews, questionnaire and paper prototype dynamics In the third phase (Post-analysis) the triangulation of the data was performed to identify the most relevant comfort factors and the results of the two groups of drivers were compared. The results of the dynamics converged with those of the interviews and questionnaires showing that, in general, drivers tend to keep the controls in the places they have become used to, modifying only the positioning of those who do not meet their needs. The main demand of road transport drivers is linked to the positioning of the air conditioning control in the cockpit and the conditions of thermal comfort in the cabin. Passenger urban transport drivers, on the other hand, want the itinerary Command relocate to a location within easy reach and visibility when in the sitting position. They also reported thermal discomfort relating to the absence of ventarola device, since most vehicle do not have air conditioning. The two groups of drivers indicated the need to improve the visibility of the instrument panel which is sometimes hampered by poor steering positioning. In addition, the two groups of drivers considered the interior space of the cabin, the noise as well as the comfort of the seat, features to be improved.

O presente trabalho analisa a viabilidade técnica e ambiental da mistura álcool/ diesel/ aditivo AEP-102 (MADA), proposta para ser usada como combustível nas frotas de ônibus urbanos n cidade e Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, como uma alternativa para reduzir o consumo de óleo diesel, as importações de petróleo e diesel e as emissões de poluentes atmosféricos. De início é feita uma breve revisão bibliográfica das principais fontes alternativas, destacando os pontos positivos e as suas dificuldades em relação ao uso convencional. Aborda-se a criação do programa nacional do álcool, situação atual e perspectiva para o futuro do programa com a entrada de novas tecnologias, o perfil de consumo de derivados e a estrutura de refino no Brasil. Analisa-se parte do relatório de tese que menciona a formação de mistura álcool/ diesel/ aditivo, características do aditivo, resultados laboratoriais: físico-químicos (emissões, desgaste do sistema de injeção), testes de bancada com o MADA, monitoramento dos ônibus utilizados nos testes de campo, baseado apenas na utilização MADA 11,2 (motor, emissões e sistema de injeção). Verifica-se que o uso da MADA pode contribuir para redução de emissões de poluentes, principalmente o material particulado; se ampliado em grande escala, pelo aspecto energético, pode haver uma redução nas importações de petróleo e derivados. Apresenta-se as questões de difícil solução atribuídas ao uso do combustível como o desgaste prematuro nos componentes do sistema de injeção, provocado pela baixa lubricidade do combustível, e a instabilidade da MADA nas condições de estocagem, bem como os aspectos a serem analisados em futuros trabalhos. / This work analyses the technical and environmental feasibility of the alcohol/ diesel/ additive AEP-102 (MAD) mixture, proposal to be used as fuel for the buses fleets of Curitiba City and its nearby region, as an alternative to reduce diesel consumption, petroleum and diesel importation, and gas emission to the atmosphere. The thesis starts with a brief bibliographic review of the main alternative source, pointing out positive aspects and their difficulties with relations to the conventional use. The text discusses the creation of the creation of the alcohol national program, its actual and future perspectives with the migration of new technology, the consumption profile of petroleum related products and the refining structure in Brazil. It analyzes part of the testing report which mentions the creation of alcohol/ diesel/ additive mixture, the additive characteristics, and laboratories results: physical-chemical, emissions, fuel injection system wear, bench tests with MADA, and monitoring the buses used on field tests, based only on MADA 11,2 usage (motor, emissions and injection system). One can see that the use of MADA can contribute to emission reduction, mainly particles. On a macro view, by means of energy aspects, there could be a crude and petroleum based products importation reduction. The document brings up hard solving questions imputed by the use of this fuel, as the premature wear off of the injection system components, caused by the low lubricity of the fuel, and MADA instability at storage condition, as well topics to be studied in future works.

Cheung Cheuk Lun. / Thesis submitted in: July 2004. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.1 / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1 --- Differentiation from existing products --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Problems --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Assumption --- p.9 / Chapter 2 --- Study of bulk transfer --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- Simple wireless solution --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Problems of the simple wireless solution --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Low performance due to header overhead --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Low performance due to unnecessary packets --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Model derivation --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Performance study --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- Packed wireless solution --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Example --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Solved problems --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Model derivation --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Performance study --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Performance study on the effect of the value of n --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4 --- Controllable packed wireless solution --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Problem --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Analysis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Solution --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Model derivation --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Performance study --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Performance study on the effect of the sliding window size --- p.36 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary of performance study --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Comparison of the throughput between four cases --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Study of how the throughput-varies with the processing time --- p.44 / Chapter 2.6 --- Simulation --- p.47 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Measuring the packet loss rate and the throughput --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Studying the throughput against the distance --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Studying the throughput against the packet loss rate --- p.53 / Chapter 2.7 --- Conclusion --- p.54 / Chapter 3 --- Study of interrupt transfer --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1 --- Problem --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2 --- Solution --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Remote polling --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3 --- Feasibility of the solution --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4 --- The problem of Distributed Coordination Function collision --- p.60 / Chapter 3.5 --- Collision avoidance --- p.60 / Chapter 3.6 --- Model derivation --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Wired case --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Wireless solution (remote polling) --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7 --- Maximum allowed request generation frequency --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- More than one interrupt transfer --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- More than one bulk transfer --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- Maximum allowed request generation frequency --- p.65 / Chapter 3.8 --- Conclusion --- p.65 / Chapter 4 --- System architecture issues --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1 --- USB network --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Problems --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Solution --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Conclusion --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2 --- Security --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Suggested solution --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Conclusion --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3 --- Cost --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4 --- Power supply --- p.73 / Chapter 5 --- Conclusion --- p.75 / Appendix --- p.77 / Chapter A. --- Wireless USB (WUSB) --- p.77 / Chapter B. --- Introduction of USB --- p.83 / Chapter C. --- Framing details of 802.11 --- p.99 / Chapter D. --- A case study of a USB device --- p.102 / Chapter E. --- Reference of notations used in figures --- p.106 / Chapter F. --- Values of all symbols --- p.107 / Reference i --- p.109

This Master's thesis analyses the tramcar transport in Olomouc with a focus on a construction of a new tram line in the district Nové Sady. The main objective is to compare the operating costs of buses and trams driven in the direction of new tram line.The theoretical part introduces the basic characterics of public transport. The future and the possible development of tram transport in Olomouc is mentioned at the end.