Mak Wing Lun Vivien. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 1996-97, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1. --- THE SPINE OF HONG KONG / Chapter 1.2. --- CLIENTS AND USERS / Chapter 1.3. --- CONTEXT AND SITES / Chapter 2. --- PROJECT ANALYSIS / Chapter 2.1. --- CLIENT PROFILE / Chapter 2.2. --- BRIEF FORMATION / Chapter 2.2.1. --- The Spine / Chapter 2.2.2. --- The First Node - Kennedy Town / Chapter 2.3. --- SITE CONDITIONS / Chapter 2.3.1. --- The Tramway / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Kennedy Town / Chapter 2.3.3. --- The Site / Chapter 2.4. --- DESIGN CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES / Chapter 2.4.1. --- Vision of the Spine / Chapter 2.4.2. --- The Node in Kennedy Town / Chapter 2.4.3. --- The Tram Museum / Chapter 3. --- PROCESS / Chapter 3.1. --- ESSENTIAL OBJECTIVES / Chapter 3.2. --- THE SPINE AND ITS NODES / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Exploratory Concepts / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Design Story / Chapter 3.3. --- URBAN DESIGN ISSUES AND GOALS / Chapter 3.4. --- BUILDING DESIGN ISSUES AND GOALS / Chapter 3.5. --- EVOLUTION OF THE BUILDING / Chapter 4. --- FINAL PROJECT / Chapter 4.1. --- THE SPINE / Chapter 4.2. --- KENNEDY TOWN TERMINAL PLAZA AND TRAM MUSEUM / Chapter 4.2.1. --- The Node / Chapter 4.2.2. --- The Museum / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Schedule of accommodation / Chapter 4.3. --- LIST OF DRAWING FILES / Chapter 5. --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 6. --- APPENDICES / Chapter 6.1. --- Urban Intervention Strategy - Hypothesis / Chapter 6.2. --- Issue Analysis - Study Area One - The Tramway / Chapter 6.3. --- Issue Analysis - Study Area Two - Urban Centres / Chapter 6.4. --- Issue Analysis - Study Area Three - The Tram System / Chapter 6.5. --- Precedent Studies / Chapter 6.6. --- Bibliography

Chen, Yanyan. / "Septembet 2011." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-148). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research Problem and Objective --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research Significance --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Methodology --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of Thesis --- p.14 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- State Rescaling and Regional Planning: Concepts and Issues in the Western Countries and China --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2 --- The Reworking of State Power --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Rescaling Concept --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- "The State Rescaling Concept, Regional Development and Rescaling Process in Regions" --- p.24 / Chapter 2.5 --- The Regional Scale of Politics: Expressions of State Rescaling --- p.29 / Chapter 2.6 --- The State Restructuring and the Rise of Regions in China: A Review --- p.32 / Chapter 2.7 --- Summary --- p.36 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Conceptualizing Spatial Planning as a Process of State rescaling: towards an Analytical Framework --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1 --- Conceptualizing the Spatial Planning as a Process of State Rescaling --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- Regional Planning in China --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3 --- Towards a Theoretical Framework --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4 --- Summary --- p.58 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- The State in Transition: A Need for Planning Coordination in Cross-boundary Railways --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1 --- Changing Political Economy --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Institutional Structure in Planning Regional Railways --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3 --- Pearl River Delta: the Railway Planning Context --- p.82 / Chapter 4.4 --- General Propositions on Planning Coordination of Regional Railways in China --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Planning the Pearl River Delta Intercity Railway: Institutional Form and the Planning Mechanisms --- p.90 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2 --- Planning the PRD Intercity Railway: an Introduction of Three Planning Phases --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3 --- The Planning Process of the PRD Intercity Railway: Interaction among Multiple Jurisdictions --- p.96 / Chapter 5.4 --- The Scalar Changes of Central-provincial-local State: State Rescaling Process --- p.122 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.128 / Chapter 6.1 --- Major Findings --- p.128 / Chapter 6.2 --- Suggestions for Further Studies --- p.133

Operational testing of railroad trainmen on federal government safety rules is a daily occurrence on every railroad in the United States. This constant testing and resulting discipline distracts trainmen from the task at hand, causing a loss of focus which could lead to injury or accidents. Using the social construction framework, this research sought to gain an understanding of trainmen's perception on how operational testing impacts their workplace safety, as well as how they perceive the U.S. federal government influences regulation and discipline. This phenomenological study investigated a segment of railroad employees, the trainmen, because they are operationally tested more than other employees. A representative sample of trainmen (n = 20), managers (n = 7), retirees (n = 4), and U.S. federal government officials (n = 4) who oversee railroad safety, were interviewed using a semistructured interview protocol. The transcribed interviews were analyzed for patterns and trends of safety and testing outcomes. The software analysis provided frequencies of qualitative features in the participants' responses such as stressor words and fear of discipline. Government reports regarding incident rates across U.S. railroads demonstrated that private rail companies are about equal in their incident rates. Considering incidents occur equally, the interviewees indicated that some companies test more frequently than others. This study concluded that excessive operational testing does not positively impact safety nor reduce incidents, but creates a potential for distraction among trainmen. By taking the opinion of employees into consideration, railway managers can create a safer work environment, as well as a more coherent and less stressful workplace for their employees.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019. / This study focussed on the evaluation of quality management at one of the selected South African freight rail construction projects. Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) was selected for its high rate of accidents and injuries that happen on daily basis which affect the company’s operations and profits. The study’s approach was to obtain as much as possible opinions from local and international experts on quality management in construction projects. The opinions were gathered through a number of official journals on the best practices for quality management, comparing all of these practices to that of TFR in order to conclude whether the need for improvement or the change in practicing quality is required. The mixed − method approach was employed, to gather more and accurate data. The strengths of qualitative research approach can make up for the weaknesses of the quantitative research approach, this was the reason why mixed − method was chosen. The targeted population of this study included the internal stakeholders such as quality assurance officers, project managers, project coordinators and project team members. This targeted population was able to provide the accurate information as they are directly involved in the execution of the projects in terms of quality management of the project. A questionnaire was developed and employed as a tool to gather data to satisfy the research questions. This study was a case study because it only focused on TFR Iron Ore line projects. The focus was that, within TFR Iron Ore line, only those who are affected directly by the above mentioned projects were interviewed. The study has revealed that the Total Quality Assurance measures are being ignored at TFR, such as unscheduled quality tours, quality audits, quality control routines, random sampling of errors and record seen defects, and quality monitoring throughout the project life cycle.

No description available.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

The material properties of the candidate fiber-reinforced composite materials and different fabrication methods for fiber composites were discussed. The improvement of the hand lay-up process for polyurethane impregnated Kevlar was investigated. Testing samples for lab and prototype tests were fabricated by hand lay-up process. The study showed that fiber composites fabricated by the hand lay-up process can achieve good properties, and advanced fabrication methods could be applied In industrial manufacturing processes to improve the fiber composite properties. A nonlinear static analysis was discussed. The ANSYS finite element analysis computer program was used to build stress analysis models, simulate the loading conditions, and perform the nonlinear static analysis. The tensile strength proof test was designed and done by using a microcomputer controlled Instron 4505. It showed that the different types of fiber composites can meet the strength requirements for the application. Polyurethane impregnated Kevlar showed the best strength properties among the different types of fiber composites, which were fabricated and tested. The wear and abrasion properties of the different types of fiber composites were discussed and relevant tests were introduced. An ultraviolet light exposure test and the Oregon Department of Transportation road-cover test were conducted. Moisture and acid resistance and cost analysis were also discussed. Based on the results of the study, a prediction of the optimal fiber-reinforced composite materials was made. Also, various conclusions and recommendations for future research work were made. / Graduation date: 2000

This thesis includes two parts. The first part reviews the history and fundamentals of surface science and tribology. The second part presents the major research outcomes and contributions. This research explores the aspects of friction, wear, and surface modification for tribological augmentation of surfaces. An effort has been made to study these aspects through gaining insights by fundamental studies leading to specific practical applications in railroads. The basic idea was to surface engineer metals for enhanced surface properties. A micro- and nano- scale experimental approach has been used to achieve these objectives. Novel principles of nano technology are incorporated into the experiments. Friction has the potential to generate sufficient energy to cause surface reactions through high flash temperatures at the interface of two materials moving in relative motion. This allows surface modifications which can be tailored to be tribologically beneficial through a controlled process. The present work developed a novel methodology to generate a functional tribofilm that has combined properties of high hardness and high wear resistance. A novel methodology was implemented to distinguish sliding/rolling contact modes during experiments. Using this method, a super hard high-performance functional tribofilm with “regenerative” properties was formed. The main instrument used in this research for laboratory experiments is a tribometer, using which friction, wear and phase transformation characteristics of railroad tribo-pairs have been experimentally studied. A variety of material characterization techniques have been used to study these characteristics at both micro and nano scale. Various characterization tools used include profilometer, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope, X-ray diffractometer, nanoindenter, and X-ray photon spectroscope. The regenerative tribofilms promise exciting applications in areas like gas turbines, automotive industry, compressors, and heavy industrial equipment. The outcome of this technology will be an economical and more productive utilization of resources, and a higher end performance.

Aquesta tesi explora el creixement regional desigual, el desenvolupament de la xarxa urbana i l'evolució dels ferrocarrils Als Balcans, una de les regions més diverses i turbulentes d'Europa. Els Estats inclosos en l'estudi són Albània, Bòsnia i Hercegovina, Bulgària, Croàcia, Grècia, Macedònia, Montenegro, Romania, Sèrbia, Eslovènia i Kosovo. Durant els segles XIX i XX, els Estats dels Balcans es van sotmetre a diverses transformacions polítiques radicals que van alterar profundament el seu desenvolupament socioeconòmic. La hipòtesi de l'estudi és que aquests canvis també van afectar a la geografia econòmica i la distribució espacial de la població a la regió. Per això, endinsar-se en la història moderna dels Estats dels Balcans és una oportunitat valuosa per estudiar els principals determinants dels desequilibris en el creixement regional. Les correlacions entre els esdeveniments polítics i el desenvolupament territorial il·lustren i s'analitzen a través de la base de dades especialment creada per a aquest estudi. La base inclou informació històrica i geogràfica de transport: com la modificació de les fronteres nacionals i regionals, i el desenvolupament de la xarxa ferroviària, i dades socioeconòmiques com ara: l'evolució de les taxes d'urbanització i la densitat a nivell regional i el creixement de les ciutats. La creació de la base de dades permet l'establiment d'una visió integrada, a llarg termini sobre el desenvolupament espacial de la regió i facilita l'anàlisi dels canvis regionals i ajustaments espacials a finals del segle XIX i XX. L'anàlisi ofereix observacions importants sobre el mecanisme de formació de la geografia econòmica dels estats en construcció o en transició. La tesi s'estructura en cinc capítols escrits en forma d'articles. Els tres primers capítols ofereixen estudis nacionals sobre el desenvolupament regional i urbà de Bulgària, Romania i l'ex-Iugoslàvia i els seus estats successors en els últims 100-130 anys. Es van posar de manifest les notables similituds en la formació espacial de les noves economies nacionals després de la dissolució de l'Imperi Austro-hongarès i l'Imperi Otomà. El quart capítol analitza l'evolució espacial de tota la península durant el segle XX. I l'últim capítol es centra en la transformació estructural de l'economia de Bulgària. En general, l'experiència dels Balcans il.lustra com, en els Estats de recent creació o en procés de formació amb una economia preindustrial, les institucions polítiques juguen un paper important en la determinació del desenvolupament i les tendències de la desigualtat regional. En general, en els estats balcànics subdesenvolupats i majoritàriament centralitzats, la iniciativa privada ha jugat un paper secundari. Les fronteres polítiques i el marc institucional han estat els principals determinants sobre les desigualtats en el creixement regional. Aquesta conclusió es veu confirmada per les dades sobre els sectors d'ocupació de Bulgària. Els governs van ser capaços d'influir de manera significativa en el desenvolupament regional, mitjançant inversions relativament petites en la infraestructura del transport que van tenir importants efectes a llarg termini a causa de l'efecte dels rendiments creixents. Els petits avantatges durant el període pre-industrial, en forma d'importància política i administrativa o accés ferroviari, van tenir efectes duradors sobre la geografia econòmica. Més tard, les transformacions econòmiques i polítiques van tenir menor efecte sobre la geografia econòmica de les nacions balcàniques perquè els beneficiaris del creixement econòmic van ser principalment les ciutats i les regions ja desenvolupades. . / Esta tesis explora el crecimiento desigual regional, el desarrollo de la red urbana y la evolución de los ferrocarriles en los Balcanes, una de las regiones más diversas y turbulentas de Europa. Los países incluidos en el estudio son Albania, Bosnia y Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croacia, Grecia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Rumania, Serbia, Eslovenia y Kosovo. Durante los siglos XIX y XX, estos estados se sometieron a varias transformaciones políticas radicales que alteraron profundamente su desarrollo socioeconómico. La hipótesis del estudio es que estos cambios también afectaron a la geografía económica y la distribución espacial de la población en la región. Por ello, historia moderna de los Estados de los Balcanes es una oportunidad valiosa para estudiar los principales determinantes de los desequilibrios en el crecimiento regional. Las correlaciones entre los acontecimientos políticos y de desarrollo territorial se ilustran y analizan a través de lo creado especialmente para este estudio base de datos. La base incluye información histórica y geográfica de transporte: como la modificación de las fronteras nacionales y regionales, y el desarrollo de la red ferroviaria, y datos socio-económicos tales como: la evolución de las tasas de urbanización y la densidad a nivel regional y el crecimiento de las ciudades. La creación de la base de datos permite el establecimiento de una visión integrada, a largo plazo sobre el desarrollo espacial de la región y facilita el análisis de los cambios regionales y ajustes espaciales a finales del siglo XIX y XX. El análisis ofrece observaciones importantes sobre el mecanismo de formación de la geografía económica de los estados en construcción o en transición. La tesis se estructura en cinco capítulos escritos en forma de artículos. Los tres primeros capítulos ofrecen estudios nacionales sobre el desarrollo regional y urbano de Bulgaria, Rumania y la ex Yugoslavia. Se puso de manifiesto las notables similitudes en la formación espacial de las nuevas economías nacionales después de la disolución del Imperio Austro-Hungría y el Imperio Otomano. El cuarto capítulo analiza la evolución espacial de toda la península durante el siglo XX. Y el último capítulo se centra en la transformación estructural de la economía de Bulgaria. La experiencia de los Balcanes ilustra cómo, en los estados de reciente creación o en proceso de formación con una economía preindustrial, las instituciones políticas juegan un papel importante en la determinación del desarrollo y las tendencias de la desigualdad regional. En general, en los estados balcánicos subdesarrollados y mayoritariamente centralizados, la iniciativa privada ha jugado un papel secundario. Las fronteras políticas y el marco institucional han sido los principales determinantes sobre las desigualdades en el crecimiento regional. Esta conclusión se ve confirmada por los datos sobre los sectores de ocupación de Bulgaria. Los gobiernos fueron capaces de influir de manera significativa en el desarrollo regional, mediante inversiones relativamente pequeñas en la infraestructura del transporte que tuvieron importantes efectos a largo plazo debido al efecto de los rendimientos crecientes. Las pequeñas ventajas iniciales durante el período pre-industrial, en la forma de importancia política y administrativa o acceso ferroviario, tuvieron efectos duraderos sobre la geografía económica. Más tarde, las transformaciones económicas y políticas tuvieron menor efecto sobre la geografía económica de las naciones balcánicas porque los beneficiarios del crecimiento económico fueron principalmente las ciudades y las regiones ya desarrolladas. / This thesis explores the uneven regional growth, the development of the urban network and the evolution of the railroads in the Balkans- one of the most diverse and turbulent regions of Europe. The states included in the study are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo. During the 19th and 20th centuries, these states underwent several radical political transformations that altered profoundly their socioeconomic development. The hypothesis of the current study is that these changes also affected the economic geography and the spatial distribution of the population in the region, and therefore the modern history of the Balkans provides a valuable opportunity to study the main determinants for the uneven regional growth. The correlations between political events and spatial development are illustrated and analyzed with the use of the created for the purposes of the study database. It includes historical geographical and transport information: like the changes to the national and regional borders, and the development of the railway network, and socioeconomic data: such as the evolution of urbanization and density rates at regional level, and the growth of the cities. The final result is a database with internationally comparable historical and geographical information covering the entire Balkan Peninsula, which therefore permits, for the first time, the establishment of an integrated, long run vision over the spatial development of the states in the peninsula. The thesis is organized into five chapters written in the form of articles. The first three chapters present national studies of the regional and urban development of Bulgaria, Romania and former Yugoslavia during the last 100-130 years. The results revealed remarkable similarities in the spatial formation of the new national economies after the dissolutions of Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The fourth chapter explores the spatial trends of the entire peninsula during the 20th century. The last chapter focuses on the structural transformation of the Bulgarian economy. Overall, the experience of the Balkans illustrates how, in newly established pre-industrial states or in those in the process of formation, political institutions can play a major role in determining the trends of the spatial inequality. By and large, in the underdeveloped and predominantly centralized Balkans, private initiative has played lesser role and political borders and the institutional framework have been the main determinants for the uneven regional growth. The governments were able to influence significantly the regional development; by making relatively small investments in transport infrastructure which had significant effects in long run due to the self-enforcing nature of increasing returns. The small initial advantages during the preindustrial period, in the form of political and administrative importance or railway access, had a lasting effect over the economic geography. Later economic and political transformations were followed by a visible increase of the regional and spatial disparities; however they had lesser effect on the economic geography of the Balkan nations, as the principal benefiters of the economic growth were the already developed cities and regions.

This thesis includes two parts. The first part reviews the history and fundamentals of surface science and tribology. The second part presents the major research outcomes and contributions. This research explores the aspects of friction, wear, and surface modification for tribological augmentation of surfaces. An effort has been made to study these aspects through gaining insights by fundamental studies leading to specific practical applications in railroads. The basic idea was to surface engineer metals for enhanced surface properties. A micro- and nano- scale experimental approach has been used to achieve these objectives. Novel principles of nano technology are incorporated into the experiments. Friction has the potential to generate sufficient energy to cause surface reactions through high flash temperatures at the interface of two materials moving in relative motion. This allows surface modifications which can be tailored to be tribologically beneficial through a controlled process. The present work developed a novel methodology to generate a functional tribofilm that has combined properties of high hardness and high wear resistance. A novel methodology was implemented to distinguish sliding/rolling contact modes during experiments. Using this method, a super hard high-performance functional tribofilm with “regenerative” properties was formed. The main instrument used in this research for laboratory experiments is a tribometer, using which friction, wear and phase transformation characteristics of railroad tribo-pairs have been experimentally studied. A variety of material characterization techniques have been used to study these characteristics at both micro and nano scale. Various characterization tools used include profilometer, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope, X-ray diffractometer, nanoindenter, and X-ray photon spectroscope. The regenerative tribofilms promise exciting applications in areas like gas turbines, automotive industry, compressors, and heavy industrial equipment. The outcome of this technology will be an economical and more productive utilization of resources, and a higher end performance.