The dynamics around managing urban infrastructure are changing dramatically. Today???s infrastructure management challenges ??? in the wake of shrinking coffers and stricter stakeholders??? requirements ??? include finding better condition assessment tools and prediction models, and effective and intelligent use of hard-earn data to ensure the sustainability of urban infrastructure systems. Wastewater collection networks ??? an important and critical component of urban infrastructure ??? have been neglected, and as a result, municipalities in North America and other parts of the world have accrued significant liabilities and infrastructure deficits. To reduce cost of ownership, to cope with heighten accountability, and to provide reliable and sustainable service, these systems need to be managed in an effective and intelligent manner. The overall objective of this research is to present a new strategic management framework and related tools to support multi-perspective maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement (M, R&R) planning for wastewater collection networks. The principal objectives of this research include: (1) Developing a comprehensive wastewater collection network asset database consisting of high quality condition assessment data to support the work presented in this thesis, as well as, the future research in this area. (2) Proposing a framework and related system to aggregate heterogeneous data from municipal wastewater collection networks to develop better understanding of their historical and future performance. (3) Developing statistical models to understand the deterioration of wastewater pipelines. (4) To investigate how strategic management principles and theories can be applied to effectively manage wastewater collection networks, and propose a new management framework and related system. (5) Demonstrating the application of strategic management framework and economic principles along with the proposed deterioration model to develop long-term financial sustainability plans for wastewater collection networks. A relational database application, WatBAMS (Waterloo Buried Asset Management System), consisting of high quality data from the City of Niagara Falls wastewater collection system is developed. The wastewater pipelines??? inspections were completed using a relatively new Side Scanner and Evaluation Technology camera that has advantages over the traditional Closed Circuit Television cameras. Appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures were developed and adopted to capture, store and analyze the condition assessment data. To aggregate heterogeneous data from municipal wastewater collection systems, a data integration framework based on data warehousing approach is proposed. A prototype application, BAMS (Buried Asset Management System), based on XML technologies and specifications shows implementation of the proposed framework. Using wastewater pipelines condition assessment data from the City of Niagara Falls wastewater collection network, the limitations of ordinary and binary logistic regression methodologies for deterioration modeling of wastewater pipelines are demonstrated. Two new empirical models based on ordinal regression modeling technique are proposed. A new multi-perspective ??? that is, operational/technical, social/political, regulatory, and finance ??? strategic management framework based on modified balanced-scorecard model is developed. The proposed framework is based on the findings of the first Canadian National Asset Management workshop held in Hamilton, Ontario in 2007. The application of balanced-scorecard model along with additional management tools, such as strategy maps, dashboard reports and business intelligence applications, is presented using data from the City of Niagara Falls. Using economic principles and example management scenarios, application of Monte Carlo simulation technique along with the proposed deterioration model is presented to forecast financial requirements for long-term M, R&R plans for wastewater collection networks. A myriad of asset management systems and frameworks were found for transportation infrastructure. However, to date few efforts have been concentrated on understanding the performance behaviour of wastewater collection systems, and developing effective and intelligent M, R&R strategies. Incomplete inventories, and scarcity and poor quality of existing datasets on wastewater collection systems were found to be critical and limiting issues in conducting research in this field. It was found that the existing deterioration models either violated model assumptions or assumptions could not be verified due to limited and questionable quality data. The degradation of Reinforced Concrete pipes was found to be affected by age, whereas, for Vitrified Clay pipes, the degradation was not age dependent. The results of financial simulation model show that the City of Niagara Falls can save millions of dollars, in the long-term, by following a pro-active M, R&R strategy. The work presented in this thesis provides an insight into how an effective and intelligent management system can be developed for wastewater collection networks. The proposed framework and related system will lead to the sustainability of wastewater collection networks and assist municipal public works departments to proactively manage their wastewater collection networks.

本研究主要是應用二元分量迴歸BQR（Binary Quantile Regression）模型的方法估計銀行對中小企業授信之信用評等，以期提早偵測出可能會有違約還款的企業，達到授信時的預警效果。信用評等目的為協助金融機構在貸放前更明確的瞭解企業的信用風險，並具以衡量是否核准貸款的重要依據。在過去的研究中最廣為應用的計量方法主要為有母數（parametric）區別迴歸模型，包括Logit Model和Probit Model等區別迴歸模型，這二種模型在正確的條件設定之下，模型的預測結果可以說相當的好，但若是估計資料的分配並未符合所設定的條件，或者是資料具有無法觀察到的異質變異（heteroskedastic），則估計結果會有顯著的偏誤。傳統區別模型的一般設定如下，假設發生違約的機率給定為： ，此處 表示實際上是否真的發生違約逾期還款的情形。 為了在估計時更能控制風險，最近許多有關信用評等的研究方法傾向使用半無母數（semiparametric）單一指數模型以及無母數（nonparametric）的估計方法，如類神經網路與歸納樹（classification trees）分析方法。 而本文主要是將半無母數的分量迴歸區別模型和過去以有母數為主的Probit及Logit區別迴歸模型做比較。Koenker和Bassett（1978）提出分量迴歸估計方法（Quantile Regression Methods），分量迴歸可以更完整的反應出共變異效果對被解釋變數的影響，除此之外，分量迴歸模式提供使用上較多的彈性，在估計時無需對母體的分配做假設，另外，和傳統的最小平方（OLS）估計法不同在於OLS給予估計參數的分量為50%，因此OLS估計出的迴歸線只有一條，因此分析解釋變數對被解釋變數的影響是平均效果；分量迴歸區別模型則給予估計參數不同百分比的分量，從而可在相同樣本下得到不同的分量迴歸線，觀察解釋變數對於被解釋變數影響程度的變化，因此藉由不同分量估計出不同的迴歸係數 ，可以更加瞭解整體分配的全貌。

Embora haja um consenso sobre a importância do valor da marca, um modelo de estimação único e uniformemente aceito ainda não surgiu, nem na perspectiva baseada no cliente ou consumidor nem na perspectiva da firma ou financeira. Assim, os profissionais de marketing ainda são desafiados a estimar o valor da marca. Além disso, é importante para a construção de um modelo de estimativa de valor da marca detectar as percepções dos consumidores e também apresentar uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca, satisfazendo às exigências de financistas, contabilistas e acionistas empresariais. A maioria dos modelos de valor da marca baseado no consumidor existentes não oferece uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca e muitos modelos de valor da marca baseado na firma não observam as percepções dos consumidores. A maioria deles não avalia o desempenho das marcas em futuros períodos de tempo. Esta pesquisa desenvolveu um modelo que permite estimar o valor da marca observando as probabilidades de escolha (manutenção ou troca) de marca pelos consumidores, com a aplicação da Matriz de Troca Markov. A matriz de troca de marca foi estimada por um estudo transversal, utilizando um modelo de escolha logit, analisando todas as marcas competidoras no mercado. Esta pesquisa também investigou o valor monetário da marca, utilizando o mecanismo de fluxo de caixa descontado. O modelo permite o cálculo do valor da marca de um produto, em particular, bem como o cálculo do valor da marca da empresa. Além disso, o modelo possibilita o estabelecimento da relação entre o mindset do cliente e a avaliação do desempenho de marca no mercado, comparando a marca de seus concorrentes. A integração entre valor da marca baseado no consumidor e valor da marca baseado na firma permite estimar o retorno financeiro das ações de marketing, verificando a contribuição de cada um dos condutores (consciência de marca, qualidade percebida, lealdade à marca, valor percebido, personalidade da marca e associações organizacionais) ao valor marca. / Although there is a consensus about brand equity importance, a single, uniformly accepted estimation model has not yet emerged, neither from consumer-based brand equity or firm or financial-based brand equity perspectives. Hence, marketing professionals are still challenged to estimate the value of the brand. Furthermore, it is important to build a brand equity estimation model, which detects the consumers’ perceptions and also presents a monetary estimation of brand equity, satisfying shareholders’ requirements. Most of the existent consumer-based brand equity models do not offer a monetary estimation of brand equity and many firm-based brand equity models do not observe consumers’ perceptions. Most of them do not evaluate the brands’ performance in future periods of time. This research developed a model that permits estimation of brand equity observing the consumers’ brand choices probabilities (purchase maintenance and brand-switching), by applying the Markov Matrix. The brand-switching matrix was estimated by a cross-sectional survey, using a logit choice model, analyzing all competing brand. This research also investigated the monetary value of the brand, using the discounted cash flow mechanism. Our model allows the calculation of the value of the brand of a product, in particular, as well as the calculation of the company's brand. Our model enables the establishment of the link between customer mindset and evaluating the performance of brand in market, comparing the brand to its competitors. The integration between consumer-based brand equity and firm or financial-based brand equity allows the estimation of the financial return of marketing actions, checking the contribution of each of the drivers (brand awareness, perceived quality, brand loyalty, perceived value, brand personality and organizational associations) in brand equity.

Embora haja um consenso sobre a importância do valor da marca, um modelo de estimação único e uniformemente aceito ainda não surgiu, nem na perspectiva baseada no cliente ou consumidor nem na perspectiva da firma ou financeira. Assim, os profissionais de marketing ainda são desafiados a estimar o valor da marca. Além disso, é importante para a construção de um modelo de estimativa de valor da marca detectar as percepções dos consumidores e também apresentar uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca, satisfazendo às exigências de financistas, contabilistas e acionistas empresariais. A maioria dos modelos de valor da marca baseado no consumidor existentes não oferece uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca e muitos modelos de valor da marca baseado na firma não observam as percepções dos consumidores. A maioria deles não avalia o desempenho das marcas em futuros períodos de tempo. Esta pesquisa desenvolveu um modelo que permite estimar o valor da marca observando as probabilidades de escolha (manutenção ou troca) de marca pelos consumidores, com a aplicação da Matriz de Troca Markov. A matriz de troca de marca foi estimada por um estudo transversal, utilizando um modelo de escolha logit, analisando todas as marcas competidoras no mercado. Esta pesquisa também investigou o valor monetário da marca, utilizando o mecanismo de fluxo de caixa descontado. O modelo permite o cálculo do valor da marca de um produto, em particular, bem como o cálculo do valor da marca da empresa. Além disso, o modelo possibilita o estabelecimento da relação entre o mindset do cliente e a avaliação do desempenho de marca no mercado, comparando a marca de seus concorrentes. A integração entre valor da marca baseado no consumidor e valor da marca baseado na firma permite estimar o retorno financeiro das ações de marketing, verificando a contribuição de cada um dos condutores (consciência de marca, qualidade percebida, lealdade à marca, valor percebido, personalidade da marca e associações organizacionais) ao valor marca. / Although there is a consensus about brand equity importance, a single, uniformly accepted estimation model has not yet emerged, neither from consumer-based brand equity or firm or financial-based brand equity perspectives. Hence, marketing professionals are still challenged to estimate the value of the brand. Furthermore, it is important to build a brand equity estimation model, which detects the consumers’ perceptions and also presents a monetary estimation of brand equity, satisfying shareholders’ requirements. Most of the existent consumer-based brand equity models do not offer a monetary estimation of brand equity and many firm-based brand equity models do not observe consumers’ perceptions. Most of them do not evaluate the brands’ performance in future periods of time. This research developed a model that permits estimation of brand equity observing the consumers’ brand choices probabilities (purchase maintenance and brand-switching), by applying the Markov Matrix. The brand-switching matrix was estimated by a cross-sectional survey, using a logit choice model, analyzing all competing brand. This research also investigated the monetary value of the brand, using the discounted cash flow mechanism. Our model allows the calculation of the value of the brand of a product, in particular, as well as the calculation of the company's brand. Our model enables the establishment of the link between customer mindset and evaluating the performance of brand in market, comparing the brand to its competitors. The integration between consumer-based brand equity and firm or financial-based brand equity allows the estimation of the financial return of marketing actions, checking the contribution of each of the drivers (brand awareness, perceived quality, brand loyalty, perceived value, brand personality and organizational associations) in brand equity.

Les crises monétaires sont les premières crises financières de l'histoire économique. Elles se traduisent par l'élimination ou la substitution des monnaies nationales. L'objectif de cette thèse est de poser les fondements théoriques et empiriques des crises monétaires, mais également de proposer un cadre de prévention de ce type de crise qui sévit en zone euro depuis 2008. Les débats économiques et politiques actuels autour des questions de désintégration monétaire témoignent de la persistance et de l'ampleur de la crise, où la légitimité et la souveraineté de la monnaie unique est menacée à moyen long terme. Les divers plans de sauvetage et les politiques d'austérité dans les pays-membres en difficulté ne sont que les conséquences et les coûts directs d'une telle crise. Ces derniers doivent interpeller les autorités de supervision à une plus grande vigilance, ainsi qu'à une politique de prévention plus avisée. L'objectif de cette thèse est double : dans une première partie, nous analysons le concept, les fondements historiques et théoriques des crises monétaires, puis dressons une typologie de celles-ci. Dans une seconde partie, nous apportons une contribution empirique relative aux déterminants des crises monétaires en zone euro et proposons un outil de prévention des crises monétaires, grâce à la mise en place d'un système d'alerte avancée (Early Warning System), par l'approche économétrique de type logit multinomial. Pour ce faire, la détection et la mesure des mésalignements des taux de change réels à l'intérieur de la zone euro est cruciale, puisqu'il constitue l'indicateur premier des crises monétaires. L'estimation des taux de change d'équilibre permettent ainsi d'apprécier la sur ou sous-évaluation des monnaies, indispensable à la mise en place d'un système d'alerte avancée, à des fins de prévention des crises monétaires. / Monetary crises are the first financial crises in economic history, which result in the elimination or substitution of national currencies. The aim of this thesis is to study the theoretical and empirical foundations of monetary crises. Furthermore, a framework for the prevention of such crises, raging in the Euro zone since 2008, is provided. The current economic and political debates about this issue reflect the persistence and the extent of this crisis, in which the Euro's legitimacy and sovereignty is threatened in the medium term. The various rescue plans and austerity policies in troubled member states are direct consequences and costs of this crisis. Consequently, supervisory authorities need to be more vigilant in strengthening their prevention policy. The purpose of this thesis is twofold: in the first part, we analyze the concept, the historical and theoretical foundations of monetary crises, and then develop a typology of them. In the second part, we provide an empirical contribution on the determinants of monetary crises in the euro area and propose a tool for preventing currency crises by setting up an Early Warning System, through the econometric approach of the multinomial logit model. As the primary indicator of monetary crises, the detection and measurement of real exchange rate misalignments within the euro area is decisive. The equilibrium exchange rates estimation allows the assessment of currency over- or undervaluation, which is essential for the implementation of an early warning system

Embora haja um consenso sobre a importância do valor da marca, um modelo de estimação único e uniformemente aceito ainda não surgiu, nem na perspectiva baseada no cliente ou consumidor nem na perspectiva da firma ou financeira. Assim, os profissionais de marketing ainda são desafiados a estimar o valor da marca. Além disso, é importante para a construção de um modelo de estimativa de valor da marca detectar as percepções dos consumidores e também apresentar uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca, satisfazendo às exigências de financistas, contabilistas e acionistas empresariais. A maioria dos modelos de valor da marca baseado no consumidor existentes não oferece uma estimativa monetária do valor da marca e muitos modelos de valor da marca baseado na firma não observam as percepções dos consumidores. A maioria deles não avalia o desempenho das marcas em futuros períodos de tempo. Esta pesquisa desenvolveu um modelo que permite estimar o valor da marca observando as probabilidades de escolha (manutenção ou troca) de marca pelos consumidores, com a aplicação da Matriz de Troca Markov. A matriz de troca de marca foi estimada por um estudo transversal, utilizando um modelo de escolha logit, analisando todas as marcas competidoras no mercado. Esta pesquisa também investigou o valor monetário da marca, utilizando o mecanismo de fluxo de caixa descontado. O modelo permite o cálculo do valor da marca de um produto, em particular, bem como o cálculo do valor da marca da empresa. Além disso, o modelo possibilita o estabelecimento da relação entre o mindset do cliente e a avaliação do desempenho de marca no mercado, comparando a marca de seus concorrentes. A integração entre valor da marca baseado no consumidor e valor da marca baseado na firma permite estimar o retorno financeiro das ações de marketing, verificando a contribuição de cada um dos condutores (consciência de marca, qualidade percebida, lealdade à marca, valor percebido, personalidade da marca e associações organizacionais) ao valor marca. / Although there is a consensus about brand equity importance, a single, uniformly accepted estimation model has not yet emerged, neither from consumer-based brand equity or firm or financial-based brand equity perspectives. Hence, marketing professionals are still challenged to estimate the value of the brand. Furthermore, it is important to build a brand equity estimation model, which detects the consumers’ perceptions and also presents a monetary estimation of brand equity, satisfying shareholders’ requirements. Most of the existent consumer-based brand equity models do not offer a monetary estimation of brand equity and many firm-based brand equity models do not observe consumers’ perceptions. Most of them do not evaluate the brands’ performance in future periods of time. This research developed a model that permits estimation of brand equity observing the consumers’ brand choices probabilities (purchase maintenance and brand-switching), by applying the Markov Matrix. The brand-switching matrix was estimated by a cross-sectional survey, using a logit choice model, analyzing all competing brand. This research also investigated the monetary value of the brand, using the discounted cash flow mechanism. Our model allows the calculation of the value of the brand of a product, in particular, as well as the calculation of the company's brand. Our model enables the establishment of the link between customer mindset and evaluating the performance of brand in market, comparing the brand to its competitors. The integration between consumer-based brand equity and firm or financial-based brand equity allows the estimation of the financial return of marketing actions, checking the contribution of each of the drivers (brand awareness, perceived quality, brand loyalty, perceived value, brand personality and organizational associations) in brand equity.

Submitted by Lúcia Brandão (lucia.elaine@live.com) on 2015-07-20T18:28:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Lucivaldo Breves da Silva.pdf: 1282060 bytes, checksum: 57d59b56ab76e5492f4ea3221fed507f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-22T13:34:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Lucivaldo Breves da Silva.pdf: 1282060 bytes, checksum: 57d59b56ab76e5492f4ea3221fed507f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-22T13:38:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Lucivaldo Breves da Silva.pdf: 1282060 bytes, checksum: 57d59b56ab76e5492f4ea3221fed507f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T13:38:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Lucivaldo Breves da Silva.pdf: 1282060 bytes, checksum: 57d59b56ab76e5492f4ea3221fed507f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-05-28 / Não informada / This research deals with the economic valuation of environmental assets derived from reforestation of the city of Manaus. Was drawn from the following guiding problematic: the urban population of the city of Manaus-AM realizes the value associated with environmental assets derived from reforestation of public thoroughfares of the city? The study was structured based on the following general objective: to show whether people realize the economic value associated with environmental assets arising from urban trees in Manaus. As an outcome, were outlined specific objectives of the work: check if there willingness to pay on the part of the respondents with regard to urban areas of Manaus; determine the value of willingness to pay for the environmental benefits of urban trees in Manaus; relate cause effect of socioeconomic variable in relation to the value of willingness to pay estimated. Was taken as a starting point two hypotheses: H0: the population of Manaus did not realize the economic value of environmental assets derived from reforestation of the city of Manaus (WTP = 0); H1: the population of Manaus realize the economic value of environmental assets derived from reforestation of the city of Manaus (WTP ≠ 0). To estimate the DAP questionnaires to a group of 270 respondents, applied the six administrative districts of the city of Manaus-AM, involving selected aged above 18 years were applied. The WTP values suggested were estimated based on a pre-test in which the respondent stipulated the monetary value that would be willing to pay. The estimate of DAP was made from the use of linear models probability (MPL), and logistical probit (model Iogit), as well as logit model. As for the results, it was found that the population perceives the economic value associated with environmental assets arising from urban trees in Manaus, with a median value of willingness to pay for the environmental benefits of urban trees of R $ 39.53 monthly, for interviewee. The findings also showed that among all variables considered, only age was introduced as a determinant for the willingness of respondents to accept the DAP. / Esta pesquisa trata da valoração econômica de ativos ambientais provenientes da arborização da cidade de Manaus, AM. Foi elaborada a partir da seguinte problemática norteadora: a população urbana da cidade de Manaus-AM percebe o valor associado aos ativos ambientais proveniente da arborização dos logradouros público da cidade? O estudo foi estruturado com base no seguinte objetivo geral: evidenciar se a população percebe o valor econômico associado aos ativos ambientais decorrentes da arborização urbana da cidade de Manaus. Como desdobramento, foram delineados como objetivos específicos do trabalho: verificar se existia disposição a pagar, por parte dos entrevistados no que diz respeito à arborização urbana da cidade de Manaus; determinar o valor da disposição a pagar pelos benefícios ambientais da arborização urbana na cidade de Manaus; relacionar a causa efeito da variável socioeconômica em relação ao valor de disposição a pagar estimado. Tomou-se como ponto de partida duas hipóteses: H0: a população de Manaus não percebe valor econômico dos ativos ambientais provenientes da arborização da cidade de Manaus (disposição a pagar = 0); H1: a população de Manaus percebe valor econômico dos ativos ambientais provenientes da arborização da cidade de Manaus (disposição a pagar ≠0). Para estimar o DAP foram aplicados questionários a um grupo de 270 entrevistados, aplicados nas seis zonas administrativas da cidade de Manaus-AM, envolvendo pessoas selecionadas na faixa etária acima de 18 anos. Os valores de DAP sugeridos foram estimados com base num pré-teste, no qual o entrevistado estipulou o valor monetário que estaria disposto a pagar. A estimativa de DAP foi feita a partir do emprego dos modelos de probabilidade linear (MPL), probit e logístico (Iogit model), bem como o modelo LOGIT. Quanto aos resultados, constatou-se que a população percebe o valor econômico associado aos ativos ambientais decorrentes da arborização urbana da cidade de Manaus, sendo o valor mediano da disposição a pagar pelos benefícios ambientais da arborização urbana de R$ 39,53 mensal, por entrevistado. Os achados também evidenciaram que dentre todas as variáveis consideradas, somente a idade apresentou-se como determinante para a disposição dos pesquisados em aceitar a DAP.

The overall goal of this study was to analyse the welfare effect of improved wastewater treatment with the view of making policy recommendations for sustainable urban and peri-urban irrigation agriculture in Kenya. This goal was achieved by investigating three specific objectives. The first objective was to assess the farmers’ awareness of health risks in urban and peri-urban wastewater irrigation. Second objective was to analyse the factors that affect the choice of low-risk adaptations in reuse of untreated wastewater for irrigation. The third objective was to estimate the value that urban and peri-urban farmers who practice wastewater irrigation impute to improvements in specific characteristics of the wastewater input in agriculture. In order to achieve the first objective, an ordered probit model was used to identify the factors that influence farmers’ awareness of health risks in untreated wastewater irrigation. The model was fitted to data collected from a cross-sectional survey of 317 urban farm households in the Kibera informal settlement of Kenya. Results of this study show that gender of household head, household size, education level of household head, farm size, ownership of the farm, membership to farmers’ group, and market access for the fresh produce significantly affect awareness of farmers about health risks in wastewater irrigation. Therefore, there is need for awareness programs to promote public education through regular training and local workshops on wastewater reuse in order to improve the human capital of the urban and peri-urban farmers. To achieve the second objective, the study used a multinomial logit model to analyse the farmers’ choice of low-risk adaptations in untreated wastewater irrigation. A survey of 317 urban and peri-urban farmers was conducted and measures for risk-reduction in wastewater reuse were analysed. The urban and peri-urban farmers were found to have adopted low-risk wastewater irrigation techniques such as cessation of irrigation before harvesting, crop restriction and safer application methods. Results of the study show that adoption of risk-reduction measures is significantly influenced by the following factors: household size, age of the household head, education of household head, access to extension, access to media, access to credit, farmers’ group membership, and risk awareness. Also, marginal analysis of the coefficients confirmed the socio-economic characteristics are key determinants in adoption of low-risk measures in wastewater reuse. The study recommends that policies in support of low-risk urban and peri-urban irrigation agriculture should disaggregate farmers according to their socio-economic and institutional characteristics in order to achieve their intended objectives. To achieve the third objective, the study employed the discrete choice experiment approach to estimate the benefits farmers impute to improvements in attributes of the wastewater irrigation input, whose aim is to reduce the health risks associated with untreated wastewater irrigation. Urban and peri-urban farmers who practice wastewater irrigation drawn from Motoine-Ngong River in Nairobi were randomly selected for the study. A total of 241 farmers completed the presented choice cards for the choice model estimation. A random parameter logit model was used to estimate the individual level willingness to pay for wastewater treatment. The results show that urban and peri-urban farmers are willing to pay significant monthly municipality taxes for treatment of wastewater. Conclusion of this study was that, quality of treated wastewater, quantity of treated wastewater and the riverine ecosystem restoration are significant factors of preference over policy alternative designs in wastewater treatment and reuse. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Due to enormous growth rates during the last couple of years CarSharing has become an interesting field of research. This Master Thesis focuses on the analysis of CarSharing users. For this purpose more than 37.000 participants of the "Große SrV-Vergleichsstädte"-Survey were taken into account. After a short literature review and some general information about the statistical methods, the thesis tries to work out some major characteristics of the typical CarSharing user. It will be shown, that a high income and a young age are of central importance. Also when analysing other variables different user quotas are observed, but can mostly be explained with different age or income levels. At the end a binary logit model is sugested to differ between users and non users, by using the previous analysed observed characteristics as input.:Inhalt Tabellenverzeichnis iii Abbildungsverzeichnis v 1 Einleitung 1 2 Literaturüberblick 3 3 Methodische Grundlagen 7 3.1 Korrigierter Kontingenzkoeffizient nach Karl Pearson 7 3.2 Kolmogorov-Smirnov-Test 8 3.3 Logistische Regression 9 4 Vorbetrachtungen 12 4.1 Datenaufbereitung 12 4.2 Vergleich von tatsächlichen Nutzern und angemeldeten Personen 13 5 Der Typische CarSharing-Nutzer 17 5.1 Alter 17 5.2 Einkommen 22 5.3 Haushaltsgröße 27 5.4 PKW-Verfügbarkeit 36 5.6 Höchste Berufsausbildung 42 5.7 Zusammenfassung 45 6 Logistische Regression 46 7 Fazit 53 Anhang I Literaturverzeichnis III Ehrenwörtliche Erklärung V

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) manages and maintains a complex state-wide network of highways. Recent incidents such as the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Min- neapolis, Minnesota, and the I-85/Piedmont Road fire and subsequent bridge collapse in Atlanta, Georgia, have brought identification of transportation network vulnerabilities to the forefront of UDOT’s planning efforts. Traditional estimates of transportation network impacts have focused on increases to user travel time or the volume of affected traffic, but studies of these disasters have revealed that when facing a degraded transportation network, people adjust their trip making in terms of destination, mode, and route choice. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the relative systemic criticality of highway links on Utah’s highway network using a logit-based model sensitive to changes in destination choice, mode choice, and route path. The current Utah Statewide Travel Model (USTM) does not incorporate user mode or destination choice, making it unsuitable for this task in its present condition. Consequently, this thesis develops a logit-based model structure that evaluates the cost of impaired destination choices and mode choices for home-based and non-home-based personal trips resulting from a damaged highway network. The choice model logsums capture the total value of user choices and can be readily converted to monetary values, making them ideal for this purpose. The logit-based model is then applied to 40 highway links located at strategic locations on Utah’s network. When compared with a more traditional travel time increase estimation, the logsum and travel time models provide categorically different cost estimates, where the logsum results are typically lower than travel time estimates, with implications for policy making and UDOT’s planning strategy. The results further suggest that freight trips are likely more important considerations than passenger trips, and should be considered in future research.