This study explores compositional abstraction in architecture. The act of squinting adopts propositions from Christopher Alexander and structuralist Marcel Mauss. An analytical method based upon element density and regularity is tested through residential facade studies. Observed limitations prompt the introduction of a third axis of exceptionality. Generative possibilities are investigated through a series of facade games. Focus turns to the facades of parking garages as a neutral background for the examination of compositional qualities. Notable garages are examined, and local design guidelines are critiqued. Finally, a garage in Halifax, Nova Scotia is redesigned. Compositional ambiguities inherent in the existing confi guration prompt the introduction of an alternative, associatively rich diaphragm system based upon the compositional and structural logic of trees. A review of the associative method notes its value as an explicit decision-making tool, but suggests that key formal moves remain beyond the generative scope of organizational modelling.

The mobile parking system is designed in this project. This system have to make the mobile parking payment easier, to save drivers dear time and money, to reduce traffics and pollution in the centre of the city. Implementing our mobile parking system we will avoid all these problems. Our clients will be all users who has cars and terminal ware (personal computer with connection to the internet, mobile phone which has WAP or GPRS function, laptop). Payment will be very simple, if the place is reserved for you, from that moment the money is begin to count from your account. If it is possible, you will received full information how to drive to your reserved place.

The mobile parking system is designed in this project. This system have to make the mobile parking payment easier, to save drivers dear time and money, to reduce traffics and pollution in the centre of the city. Implementing our mobile parking system we will avoid all these problems. Our clients will be all users who has cars and terminal ware (personal computer with connection to the internet, mobile phone which has WAP or GPRS function, laptop). Payment will be very simple, if the place is reserved for you, from that moment the money is begin to count from your account. If it is possible, you will received full information how to drive to your reserved place.

Despite September 11th 2001, many international airports are operating close to capacity, a problem that is likely to become more acute given the projected long-term growth in air traffic. This growth is likely to have major implications on runway, terminal and surface access capacity, infrastructure which is already experiencing constraints. The area of surface access is as much, if not more an issue in terms of employees accessing the airport as it is for passengers. Typically, one third of access traffic can be attributed to employees. Employees represent a particular problem for airports in terms of surface access due to the frequent, peak hour nature of trips made and their higher usage rates of the car compared to passengers. A range of initiatives exist to encourage the use of modes other than the private car by employees but overall these measures tend to be ‘soft' in nature and one generally has to look to the non-airport sector to see examples of more innovative ‘harder' initiatives such as financial incentive and disincentive car parking measures direct to employees. This thesis utilises a series of carefully selected interviews and focus groups at Heathrow Airport and three best practice non-airport organisations, underpinned by a process grounded in the concept and methodology of best practice benchmarking, to suggest areas where BAA, and potentially airport authorities around the world, could learn from other organisations in the area of employee surface access and specifically car parking . It is concluded that there are four key areas airports should focus on to explore the issues surrounding the implementation of a car parking charge or car parking cash out direct to employees, namely: the use of a package approach; a requirement for top management support; gaining acceptance from employees, and; the issues surrounding the process of implementation. The thesis contributes to knowledge in a number of areas, predominantly the use of benchmarking in the area of car parking and the airport sector, an industry which has thus far not adopted the technique to any great extent.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2007. / "Graduate Program in Planning and Public Policy." Includes bibliographical references (p. 140-151).

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007.

For over a decade UK legislation has existed which grants powers to English Local Authorities to implement a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). Despite positive experiences in Australia of utilising area wide parking space levies to pay for public transport improvements, only one UK local authority to date (2017), Nottingham City Council, has chosen to implement a WPL. The Nottingham WPL scheme is intended to act as a transport demand management measure as well as a core funding mechanism for transport improvements including two new tram lines. Acceptance by the public and the business community is a key barrier to implementing a WPL. The two major criticisms of the Nottingham scheme prior to its implementation were that a WPL would discourage business investment and thus damage the economy while its intended impact on traffic congestion would be minimal. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of the Nottingham WPL scheme s performance is essential in order to facilitate transferability of this approach to other UK and European Cities. This thesis contributes to the wider WPL evaluation project by evaluating to what extent the Nottingham WPL has met three key objectives identified for the scheme which address the impact on congestion, transport mode share and inward investment. This research utilises a theoretical evaluation approach, a Theory of Change approach strengthened by elements of Realistic Evaluation . This approach provides an appropriate framework for evaluating progress towards the three key objectives by identifying a plausible model for change and expected impacts for the Nottingham WPL and the transport improvements which it part funds. This model or Theory of Change , is then tested to understand if the scheme is achieving the desired impacts by analysing appropriate indicators to measure and attribute change to causal factors. Methods used to facilitate this research include, benchmarking indicators against similar UK Cities, questionnaire surveys to assess the reasons for mode switch, time series modelling of the impact on congestion and a consideration of the reasoning behind investment and de-investment decisions made by businesses in Nottingham. It is concluded that while the WPL and its associated transport improvements are resulting in congestion constraint and mode shift away from commuting by car, these impacts are being reduced by the presence of exogenous change notably, economic and population growth, short term disruption to the road network resulting from roadworks associated with the construction of transport improvements and suppressed demand for commuting by car. Additionally, this research shows that there is a body of evidence which demonstrates that the WPL has not negatively impacted on levels of inward investment and that there is some evidence to date that suggests the improved transport system facilitated by the WPL is attractive to potential business investors.

Failure of a parked unattended vehicle to remain stationary, otherwise known as vehicle rollaway, can result in property damage, injury or even fatality. Although the incidence of vehicle rollaway may be under reported, around 8% of drivers and 13% of Approved Driving Instructors surveyed indicated they had experienced a vehicle rollaway event. Unlike previous studies which focused only on the mechanical factors that may contribute to this phenomenon, the research presented in this thesis employed a more comprehensive, systems approach to explore additional factors related to the driver s interaction with the parking brake system at various interface levels. A mixed methods strategy collated data through two online surveys and three observational studies to explore the organisational, mechanical and driver related factors identified in a fault tree framework. The results indicated that current driver practice and interaction with the parking brake system may be contrary to legislative requirements and manufacturer s instruction. The findings suggested that a past experience of vehicle rollaway or parking brake system failure, had a statistically significant influence on whether the driver complied with the recommended practice. Driver interaction and the holding capability of the parking brake system were observed in 53 vehicles parked on three test gradients. The observations indicated that drivers were able to apply sufficient force to the parking brake lever to hold the vehicle stationary and that an additional degree of confidence in the system was provided by parking in gear. But, after driving a short commuting route, when the vehicle was parked with the parking brake lever applied to the lowest position to hold the vehicle and a gear was not selected, 63% of vehicles fitted with disc brakes rolled as the temperature returned to ambient. Discussion relates to the organisational, driver related and mechanical components of the parking brake system and in reference to Reason s Swiss Cheese model, considers how latent failures within the defensive layers of the system can contribute to rollaway. The research findings contributed to a change in UK driving standards and since 2015, drivers are recommended to park in gear at all times to reduce the risk of rollaway. This recommendation is likely to require a change in practice for up to 80% of Approved Driving Instructors who would not normally instruct new drivers in this way. Although this research focused on the manually operated parking brake system, the studies have uncovered results that can contribute to knowledge and are applicable to interaction with electronic parking brake systems. As parking brake systems develop, the Human Factors systems approach can be applied retrospectively and proactively to explore that interaction and prevent passenger vehicle rollaway.

High mobile penetration statistics in the world suggests that citizen services are more applicable via mobile technologies. Vehicle parking is such a service which is being deployed in Örebro municipality. We conduct interviews on municipality employees who are involved in the parking administration process and the mobile based parking system in order to evaluate the system regarding functionality, performance, acceptance and effects. These factors are evaluated by the affect they have on the municipality. What the study shows is that whilst the system is successful as an alternative payment option for the motorist, it does not have a positive effect on the process or the workload of municipality. It can be seen that to acquire a better quality service for both citizen and the government, better and thorough investigations into requirements should be carried out via improving the communication between them.