<div> <p>Public transportation is vital for many people who do not have the means to use other forms of transportation. In small communities, transit service is often limited, due to funding constraints of the transit agency. In order to maximize the use of available funding resources, agencies strive to provide effective and efficient service that meets the needs of as many people as possible. To do this, effective service planning is critical.</p> <p> </p> <p>Unlike traditional road-based transportation projects, transit service modifications can be implemented over the span of just a few weeks. In planning for these short-term changes, the traditional four-step transportation planning process is often inadequate. Yet, the characteristics of small communities and the resources available to them limit the applicability of existing transit demand models, which are generally intended for larger cities.</p> <p> </p> <p>This research proposes a methodology for using population and demographic data from the Census Bureau, combined with stop-level ridership data from the transit agency, to develop models for forecasting transit ridership generated by a given geographic area with known population and socioeconomic characteristics. The product of this research is a methodology that can be applied to develop ridership models for transit agencies in small cities. To demonstrate the methodology, the thesis built ridership models using data from Lafayette, Indiana.</p> <p> </p> <p>A total of four (4) ridership models are developed, giving a transit agency the choice to select a model, based on available data and desired predictive power. More complex models are expected to provide greater predictive power, but also require more time and data to implement. Simpler models may be adequate where data availability is a challenge. Finally, examples are provided to aid in applying the models to various situations. Aggregation levels of the American Community Survey (ACS) data provided some challenge in developing accurate models, however, the developed models are still expected to provide useful information, particularly in situations where local knowledge is limited, or where additional information is unavailable.</p> </div> <br>

Este trabalho trata do problema de configuração de redes logísticas, em que são consideradas como principais decisões a quantidade e a localização de instalações logísticas e a definição da alocação de clientes às instalações. Mais especificamente, o trabalho considera um processo típico de configuração de redes logísticas que se vale de modelos discretos de otimização e a tomada de decisão com base nos resultados. O objetivo da tese é propor modelos e métodos capazes de dar suporte às etapas fundamentais deste tipo de estudo. Inicialmente são propostos métodos para a seleção de locais candidatos considerados nos modelos de localização. Os métodos se valem de informações sobre a distribuição dos pontos de demanda ao longo da rede para a obtenção dos candidatos a instalação e são avaliados por meio de sua aplicação a dois conjuntos de instâncias da literatura científica e comparação de tempos de resolução e de valores da função objetivo. Os resultados mostram que o tempo de resolução foi reduzido, na média, em 57% e os gaps das funções objetivo resultantes vale menos que 0,16% em comparação com os modelos que consideram todos os pontos de demanda como candidatos. Adicionalmente, também foram propostos métodos capazes de obter soluções alternativas de qualidade para problemas de localização que podem ser comparadas a fim de fornecer mais subsídio para a tomada de decisão. Os métodos são capazes de obter as K melhores soluções de problemas de localização e são avaliados por meio de sua aplicação a 215 instâncias da literatura científica. Além disso, a abordagem proposta permitiu a análise de resultados nunca antes obtidos para um problema muito estudado: as K melhores soluções do problema de localização de instalações capacitadas com custo fixo. Duas características principais foram identificadas: a quantidade de instalações é estável - em 99% das instâncias testadas o desvio padrão da quantidade de instalações nas 20 melhores soluções de cada instância é menor que um - e grande parte das instalações que fazem parte da solução ótima de cada instância também faz parte da maior parte das 20 melhores soluções. A partir de tais conclusões, o trabalho investiga algumas propriedades gerais de problemas de localização e apresenta uma análise topológica das 215 instâncias utilizadas, com base em indicadores propostos. Por fim, três tipos de modelos de redes neurais capazes de identificar relações entre os valores dos indicadores das instâncias e os valores das variáveis resposta associadas às melhores soluções são aplicados e avaliados. A abordagem consiste em comparar o tempo de resolução e o valor da função objetivo de modelos cujos espaços de soluções viáveis são reduzidos com base nos resultados obtidos pelas redes neurais. Os resultados mostram que é possível utilizar tal abordagem para melhorar o processo de configuração de redes logísticas, seja na etapa de construção dos modelos seja proporcionando mais subsídios para a tomada de decisão. / This thesis deals with the supply chain network design problem (SCND) that aims to find the optimal location of facilities and the allocation of customers to each facility. The work considers a typical process of SCND in which discrete optimization models are run and its results are used in the decision making. The goal of the thesis is to propose models and methods to support the stages of this type of planning process. Initially, methods for the selection of candidates considered in the localization models are proposed. The methods consider the distribution of the demand points throughout the network to obtain the candidates and are evaluated by their application to two sets of scientific literature instances and comparison of computational times and objective function values. The results show that the average computational time has been reduced by 57% and the resulting objective function gaps are less than 0,16% compared to the solutions obtained by the models that consider all the demand points as candidates. In addition, the thesis present methods capable of obtaining high-quality alternative solutions to location problems that can be compared in order to provide better support for decision making. The methods obtain the K-best solutions of location problems and are evaluated by their application to 215 instances of the scientific literature. In addition, the proposed approach allowed the analysis of results never before obtained for a well-studied problem: the best solutions of the capacitated fixed cost facility location problem. Two main insights were identified: the number of facilities is stable - in 99% of the tested instances the standard deviation of the number of facilities in the 20 best solutions of each instance is less than one - and most of the selected facilities in the optimal solution of each instance is selected in most of the 20 best solutions as well. Based on these conclusions, the work investigates some general properties of localization problems and presents a topological analysis of the 215 instances, based on proposed indicators. Finally, three types of neural network models capable of identifying relations between the instances indicators and the values of the variables of the best solutions are applied and evaluated. The approach consists in comparing the computational time and the objective function value of models whose feasible solution spaces are reduced based on the results obtained by the neural networks. The results show that it is possible to use such approach to improve the SCND process, either at the construction stage of the models or by providing more information for the decision making.

In the field of city planning, a growing need exists for the integration of spatial development with transportation planning instruments. This study identifies issues related to the definition, evaluation and implementation of the integration of sustainable development and sustainable transportation within three types of municipalities. Significant issues that are explored include the various definitions of integration; the range of issues considered under notions of integration; the diverse perspectives on, and criticism of development and transportation integration analysis, as well as approaches to evaluating integration and transportation impacts on development. Furthermore, the study reports on the goals of each municipality, specifically with reference to sustainable public transportation decision-making; approaches to sustainable transportation, automobile dependency; land use; and finally, on sustainable transportation and development integration solutions. Approaches to spatial development used to focus on the organisation of land use issues, but this field is increasingly defined more broadly to include economic and social welfare, quality of human health/life and environmental integrity. From a sustainability perspective, a narrow definition of sustainable transportation tends to favour individual technological solutions, while a broader definition tends to favour more integrated solutions, including improved travel choices, economic incentives, institutional reforms, land use changes as well as technological innovation. Integration focuses on the teamwork required between the relevant departments as well as between levels or spheres of government, and often entails the implementation of nodal-corridor approaches. Sustainability planning may require changing the way people think about solutions to transportation problems in the future. The literature survey (Chapter 2) addresses a number of salient concepts, namely transportation and spatial development integration, public transportation and its orientated development, nodal-corridor development, as well as environmental and development relationships. Furthermore, an investigation into the legislative frameworks and policies is presented with emphasis on spatial development, transportation plans and node-and-corridors development (Chapter 3). This is followed in Chapter 4 by a report on an investigation into, and interviews held with representatives from the three municipalities (Hermanus local municipality, Cape Town metropolitan municipality and Eden district municipality) with reference to the integrated transportation plans (ITP) and spatial development frameworks (SDF) of these municipalities. This section reflects the opinions of relevant role-players regarding the central aspects of this study. Chapter 5 presents a summary of the study as well as a number of conclusions. In this chapter, planning recommendations are provided with the aim of advising municipalities on possibilities for the integration of sustainable transportation plans and spatial planning / development instruments. / Thesis (M.Art. et Scien. (Urban and Regional planning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Este trabalho trata do problema de configuração de redes logísticas, em que são consideradas como principais decisões a quantidade e a localização de instalações logísticas e a definição da alocação de clientes às instalações. Mais especificamente, o trabalho considera um processo típico de configuração de redes logísticas que se vale de modelos discretos de otimização e a tomada de decisão com base nos resultados. O objetivo da tese é propor modelos e métodos capazes de dar suporte às etapas fundamentais deste tipo de estudo. Inicialmente são propostos métodos para a seleção de locais candidatos considerados nos modelos de localização. Os métodos se valem de informações sobre a distribuição dos pontos de demanda ao longo da rede para a obtenção dos candidatos a instalação e são avaliados por meio de sua aplicação a dois conjuntos de instâncias da literatura científica e comparação de tempos de resolução e de valores da função objetivo. Os resultados mostram que o tempo de resolução foi reduzido, na média, em 57% e os gaps das funções objetivo resultantes vale menos que 0,16% em comparação com os modelos que consideram todos os pontos de demanda como candidatos. Adicionalmente, também foram propostos métodos capazes de obter soluções alternativas de qualidade para problemas de localização que podem ser comparadas a fim de fornecer mais subsídio para a tomada de decisão. Os métodos são capazes de obter as K melhores soluções de problemas de localização e são avaliados por meio de sua aplicação a 215 instâncias da literatura científica. Além disso, a abordagem proposta permitiu a análise de resultados nunca antes obtidos para um problema muito estudado: as K melhores soluções do problema de localização de instalações capacitadas com custo fixo. Duas características principais foram identificadas: a quantidade de instalações é estável - em 99% das instâncias testadas o desvio padrão da quantidade de instalações nas 20 melhores soluções de cada instância é menor que um - e grande parte das instalações que fazem parte da solução ótima de cada instância também faz parte da maior parte das 20 melhores soluções. A partir de tais conclusões, o trabalho investiga algumas propriedades gerais de problemas de localização e apresenta uma análise topológica das 215 instâncias utilizadas, com base em indicadores propostos. Por fim, três tipos de modelos de redes neurais capazes de identificar relações entre os valores dos indicadores das instâncias e os valores das variáveis resposta associadas às melhores soluções são aplicados e avaliados. A abordagem consiste em comparar o tempo de resolução e o valor da função objetivo de modelos cujos espaços de soluções viáveis são reduzidos com base nos resultados obtidos pelas redes neurais. Os resultados mostram que é possível utilizar tal abordagem para melhorar o processo de configuração de redes logísticas, seja na etapa de construção dos modelos seja proporcionando mais subsídios para a tomada de decisão. / This thesis deals with the supply chain network design problem (SCND) that aims to find the optimal location of facilities and the allocation of customers to each facility. The work considers a typical process of SCND in which discrete optimization models are run and its results are used in the decision making. The goal of the thesis is to propose models and methods to support the stages of this type of planning process. Initially, methods for the selection of candidates considered in the localization models are proposed. The methods consider the distribution of the demand points throughout the network to obtain the candidates and are evaluated by their application to two sets of scientific literature instances and comparison of computational times and objective function values. The results show that the average computational time has been reduced by 57% and the resulting objective function gaps are less than 0,16% compared to the solutions obtained by the models that consider all the demand points as candidates. In addition, the thesis present methods capable of obtaining high-quality alternative solutions to location problems that can be compared in order to provide better support for decision making. The methods obtain the K-best solutions of location problems and are evaluated by their application to 215 instances of the scientific literature. In addition, the proposed approach allowed the analysis of results never before obtained for a well-studied problem: the best solutions of the capacitated fixed cost facility location problem. Two main insights were identified: the number of facilities is stable - in 99% of the tested instances the standard deviation of the number of facilities in the 20 best solutions of each instance is less than one - and most of the selected facilities in the optimal solution of each instance is selected in most of the 20 best solutions as well. Based on these conclusions, the work investigates some general properties of localization problems and presents a topological analysis of the 215 instances, based on proposed indicators. Finally, three types of neural network models capable of identifying relations between the instances indicators and the values of the variables of the best solutions are applied and evaluated. The approach consists in comparing the computational time and the objective function value of models whose feasible solution spaces are reduced based on the results obtained by the neural networks. The results show that it is possible to use such approach to improve the SCND process, either at the construction stage of the models or by providing more information for the decision making.

Road transport is most commonly used out of other modes in terms of freight and passenger transportation on local and regional levels. For European citizens it is a primary mean of their access to services, social activities and employment. The scope of road infrastructure differs in some regions. The major disparity appears when the East of Europe is compared with the West. Actions to link periphery with the core of Europe are being continuously performed, what in this case represents itself in constructing Pan-European Transport Corridors, which will contribute to the connection of the whole territory of Europe. The Via Baltica, chosen as a case for this thesis, is a route to connect Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Kaunas, Budzisko and Warsaw. It is the common initiative of Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. In addition, it is to be an express road and part of the I Pan-European Transport Corridor, which is going to connect Baltic countries with the West and South part of Europe. We focus on presenting how the Via Baltica is introduced in official documents and compare it with the process in practice. Our final goal is to assess the planning process of the Via Baltica route in Poland according to top down planning approaches and sustainability criteria. We are trying to find out what are the advantages and disadvantages of the ongoing process. After introducing results of the analysis made for the Via Baltica by Polish experts, we present how stakeholders and local authorities try to reinforce the process, regardless of environmental issues, to achieve economic and social profits. As the result we try find out how are the dimensions of sustainable development handled in the Via Baltica case in Poland. The conclusions are based on our findings concerning several conflicts which appeared during the planning process. They are also based on one-dimension as well as multi-criteria analyses. / angelikakowalczyk@o2.pl monika.m.kustra@gmail.com

The aim of this diploma thesis is to present DHL as a lead logistics provider for the automotive company Jaguar Land Rover. It is focused on the activities of transport plannning and vendor management. At the beginning, there is an analysis of the logistics contract and its content. The next part is focused on the specifics of international transport planning and the role of vendor management. It also describes the company information systems used for transport planning. The practical part of this thesis identifies the main problems and proposes possible solutions. Finally, there is an assessment of DHL as a logistics provider for Jaguar Land Rover

Economic analysis is often employed for the purpose of efficient decision-making and allocation of societies’ resources and has been utilized in the Swedish national infrastructure planning since the 1960’s. The topic of this report is the utilisation of CBA in investigating the benefits and costs of transport investments in Sweden and its consequent role as a decision basis. It is the study of various actors’ perspectives on CBA itself, and not least its role within Swedish transport-planning. On the one hand the study concerns the actors interpretation of the current practice, on the other; their perspectives of how CBA ideally should be utilized. The purpose of the study is to be able to, by combining existing ideas, insights and competences in ways which can bridge the diverse perspectives, increase awareness concerning the utilisation and role of CBA in Swedish transport planning. The goal is not to argue against the use of CBA as a method or decision basis, nor to study the technicalities of the method, but rather, it is an attempt to make sense of CBA through the interpretation of various actors’ perspectives from commission to decision. Two main research questions are put forth to lead towards this purpose: First, how does the understanding of CBA vary among actors? And secondly, how can CBA be utilised to its full potential in transport planning? / Ekonomisk analys används ofta för att uppnå ett effektivt beslutsfattande och fördelning av samhällets resurser, i den svenska nationella infrastrukturplaneringen har de nyttjats sedan 1960-talet. Ämnet för denna rapport är användningen av CBA för att utreda nyttor och kostnader av transportinvesteringar i Sverige och dess åtföljande roll som beslutsunderlag. Det är en studie av olika aktörers perspektiv på samhällsekonomisk analys (CBA), och inte minst dess roll inom svenskt transportplanering. Å ena sidan gäller studien olika aktörers tolkning av nuvarande praxis, å andra sidan deras perspektiv på hur CBA helst bör användas. Syftet med studien är att, genom en kombination av befintliga idéer, insikter och kompetenser på ett sätt som kan överbrygga olika perspektiv, öka medvetenheten om användningen och betydelsen av CBA i svensk transportplanering. Målet är inte att argumentera mot användningen av CBA som metod eller beslutsunderlag, inte heller att studera de tekniska aspekterna av metoden, studien syftar snarare att försöka skapa förståelse för CBA genom tolkning av olika aktörers perspektiv från beställning till beslut. Två huvudsakliga forskningsfrågor lyfts fram för att leda mot detta syfte: För det första, hur varierar förståelsen av CBA mellan aktörerna? Och för det andra, hur kan CBA utnyttjas till sin fulla potential i transportplaneringen?

In recent years, the development considerations within transport planning have started to examine needs from a more comprehensive perspective in order to shift the focus of planning away from favoring automobile travel. New approaches are emerging around the world to face the challenges we are confronted with, such as urbanization, dispersion of community structures, change in population structure, aging, climate change, and tightening budgets. Therefore, this thesis is aiming to gain more insight on new approaches in transport planning by comparing emerging systems in Sweden and in Finland. The comparison is focused on the renewed procedures at the early stages of transport planning; the methods to conduct multi-modal studies through collaborative decision-making processes in both countries. Thus, in this thesis the renewed preliminary transport planning in Finland and the Swedish method of Strategic Choice of Measures are compared based on implications from practice. The main purpose is to learn from practice and therefore, the data for comparison is based on conducted test cases that aim to develop the emerging planning processes in both countries. In Sweden, the preliminary version of the new planning method, developed by the Swedish Transport Administration, was tested with six cases during 2011. KTH was commissioned to conduct a study to examine the collaborative planning of involved actors in each of these cases, and the cases together. Thus, in the Swedish context, the data for comparison will be collected from the earlier study conducted by a KTH researcher John Odhage. In the Finnish context, a case study will be carried out for the data collection. The chosen case consists of a pilot study initiated in Finland in 2012 for the purpose of collecting ideas for the development of a renewed preliminary planning process. In general, both countries approaches aim at creating efficient procedures that would contribute to cost-efficiency and sustainable development as well as fulfilling other aims of the transport policy of each country.  The focus of the comparison is on the critical aspects of multi-modal studies and three features of a collaborative process; the choice of actors, the problem formulation, and the process management. The comparison is carried out based on theoretical implications and the experiences from practice are scrutinized against the ideal approach of each country. It has become apparent that three clearly distinctive differences between the approaches can be pointed out: the role of the transport administration, the creation of a steering committee, and creation of a concept for process guidance. In addition, the four-step principle is the multi-modal tool used in both countries approaches to generate alternative measures to transport related issues. The basic idea of the principle is in the first place to influence land use, transport demand, and choice of travel mode, and secondly to examine if the use of existing transport system can be optimized prior to construction. However, based on the experiences from practice, it seems that in both countries processes the focus of generating alternative measures is leaning more against minor or large new investments. Thus, the search for complementary measures to achieve considerable cost-savings and more importantly, sustainable development, is perceived challenging.

Denna studie har undersökt spårvägsprojektet i Lund utifrån fokuset platsmarknadsföring, tillgänglighet, tillväxt och hållbar utveckling. Den har även fokuserat på motiven bakom spårvägen. Studien gör detta genom en kvalitativ forskningsmetod, där en textanalys har utförts av Lunds kommuns planeringsdokument. Resultaten av textanalysen identifierar de ovan nämnda perspektiven och deras relation till spårvägen.  Studien drar slutsatsen att medan spårvägen främst agerar som ett transportmedel, används den även som ett verktyg för platsmarknadsföring och varumärkesbyggande för att skapa en attraktiv stadsmiljö. Den attraktiva stadsmiljön eftersträvas eftersom den attraherar människor och investeringar. Införandet av spårvägen innebär dock både positiva och negativa effekter. Även ifall spårvägen uppmuntrar markvärdeshöjningar och ekonomisk tillväxt, kan det även leda till försämrade sociala förutsättningar där bostäder blir mindre överkomliga. Den tidigare forskningen förtydligar att det finns avvägande intressen mellan ekonomiska vinster och allmännyttan. Därutöver föreställs perspektiven om tillgänglighet och platsmarknadsföring, med ett fokus på att förstärka varumärket snarare än att tillgodose invånarnas behov. Samtidigt är spårvägens potential att förbättra tillgänglighet och miljökvalitet erkänd, men farhågor kring social rättvisa lyfts fram. Studien bygger på begränsad information, det föreslås därför att alternativa metoder och perspektiv på Lunds spårväg används för att vidare bidra till en mer holistisk bild av ämnesområdet. För att återge en sammanfattande syn så belyser studien vikten av att planeringen av spårvägar balanserar ekonomiska, sociala och miljömässiga effekter. / From the vantage points of place marketing, accessibility, growth, and sustainable development, this study looked at the Lund tram project. It has also concentrated on the tramway's goals. The study used a qualitative research methodology, and planning documents from the municipality of Lund were subjected to text analysis. The text analysis's findings reveal the perspectives mentioned above and how they relate to the tramway.   According to the study's findings, the tram serves primarily as a mode of transportation but is also employed as a tool for place marketing and branding to create a pleasing urban environment. A desirable urban environment appeals to both people and investments. However, the tramway's embodiment calls for both favourable and unfavourable outcomes. The tramway promotes economic growth and increases in real estate values, but it can also exacerbate social conditions by making houses more expensive. There are trade-offs between economic advantages and the public interest, according to earlier studies. In addition, rather than emphasizing resident requirements, the perspectives of accessibility and location marketing are envisioned as strengthening the brand. While acknowledging the tramway's potential to increase accessibility and environmental quality, social justice problems are also brought up. Since the study is based on limited data, it is advised that different approaches and viewpoints on Lund's tramway be taken to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. The study emphasizes the significance of balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects in the planning of tramways in order to present a summarized view.

The integration of public transport planning and spatial planning has become an internationally well-known phenomenon and is seen by planners as a fundamental prerequisite for getting more people to travel sustainably, and thus reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from the transport sector. The aim is to design the built environment in such a way that sustainable travel is promoted. Through semi-structured interviews, a document analysis, and a small field observation, this thesis examines how the municipality of Norrköping and the regional public transport company Östgötatrafiken collaborate to achieve successful integration. The aim has been to investigate how the process of this integration unfolds in the municipality of Norrköping in Sweden in order to contribute with more in-depth research in a Scandinavian context. This has been analyzed from a theoretical framework of TOD, Institutional theory and Collaborative planning.  The findings shows that both Norrköping municipality and Östgötatrafiken are working towards goals of increasing the share of trips with public transport, but when the purposes behind these differ, goal conflicts arise. This leads to different strategic considerations where Östgötatrafiken wants the built environment to promote time-efficient public transportation, while the municipality of Norrköping want the built environment to promote all sustainable means of transport. As a result, there are differences regarding public transport's mission, resources and priorities. As this study also shows that collaboration is the key to success, I argue that collaboration should take place as early as possible in the process, and already at the formulation of political and strategic goals.