Optimal fares regulation for Britain’s railways

This paper reports the findings of an economic evaluation of fares regulation options for Britain’s railways. The evaluation is based on the development of an econometric demand model based on a large scale survey of passenger preferences. The model was applied to comprehensive case study analysis of candidate fares regulation options based on the notion of a ‘fares basket’ and it was found that for any given price cap, any specific objective of revenue generation will be attained with lower welfare penalty if the basket is defined widely rather than narrowly.     

Best buy: what does it mean in corporate travel?

Corporate travel departments manage travel costs prescribing best buy decisions. With reference to flights, the crucial choice concerns the fare. As the difference in price can be great, it might seem convenient to always purchase the cheapest ticket, neglecting that the more expensive a fare, the lower the cost of change or cancellation. We define “best buy” minimizing the expected global cost of flights, whence estimating the probability distribution of travellers’ behaviour is necessary. Variables useful to this aim are detected. This statistical approach can improve the efficiency of corporate policies, leading to diversified purchasing strategies.     

Price premiums and low cost carrier competition

This study presents a time series examination of price premiums in the US airline industry. Price premiums are defined as price markups due to domination and concentration at the airport and route market levels. The differential effect of these price premium drivers is empirically investigated, and it is shown that the largest components of price premiums are those from airport market share and airport concentration. The effect of low cost carrier competition on the level and composition of price premiums is of particular interest in this study. The results indicate that low cost carriers do not charge price premiums, and that high cost carriers’ price premiums tend to be lower when there is competition by low cost carriers. While the absolute values of price premiums have been fairly constant over the 1992–2002 time frame, the proportion of US passengers subject to price premiums has decreased due to the increasing share of low cost carrier traffic.     

Impacts of LCC growth on domestic traffic and fares at largest US airports

This paper examines the evolution of domestic origin-destination air traffic and fares at the top 200 airports in the US between 1990 and 2008, with a focus on the impacts of low-cost carrier entry and growth. By 2008, 95 of the airports had an aggregate low-cost carrier market share of domestic traffic greater than 20%, up from 27 airports in 1990. Their entry or substantial growth at US airports has had significant impacts on lowering average fares and stimulating passenger volumes. This market stimulation effect has, however, diminished in recent years, as the difference in average fares between carrier types has narrowed and as the number of additional US domestic origin-destination markets able to support their entry has dwindled.     

Mapping causalities of airline dynamics in long-haul air transport markets

The introduction of low-cost air transport services to short-haul routes has significantly shaped the structure of this market segment. Recent research investigates and discusses the transferability of the low-cost carrier business model to long-haul routes and identifies respective challenges such as lower cost advantages over the competing full-service network business model. Our paper complements the existing research with a review of airline dynamics in long-haul air transport markets and the subsequent development of a causal loop diagram of the transatlantic air transport market using systems thinking. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of specific characteristics regarding airline operations in the transatlantic air transport market to investigate the market potential of long-haul low-cost carriers competing with full-service network carriers in this market. We implement these characteristics in a causal loop diagram which comprises the most important elements of and causalities within the long-haul air transport market that affect the development of these elements. These include the generation of transatlantic air transport demand, passenger choice, and airline ticket price and fleet development. The causal loop diagram serves as a framework for qualitative investigation of the market potential of long-haul low-cost services. The paper proves systems thinking to be a feasible approach to map causalities based on knowledge from scientific literature.     

The pain persists: Exploring the spatiotemporal trends in air fares and itinerary pricing in the United States, 2002–2013

In the United States, the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 prompted higher levels of service frequency between large and/or popular markets, lowering associated fares, on average. However, deregulation also increased financial instability within the commercial air transport industry, reduced quality of service, increased passenger fees and accelerated changes in the operational configurations of networks through hubbing, dehubbing, mergers and acquisitions. Over time, these market forces have squeezed service to/from smaller communities through schedule reductions and higher fares, creating “pockets of pain” in the air transport landscape. The purpose of this paper is to explore the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of air fares, by airports and associated flight segments, examining both symmetries and asymmetries in fare patterns over time and across space. Results suggest that several significant pockets of pain still exist within the U.S., and that asymmetries in air fares creates a lopsided fare structure for many smaller markets, further aggravating the fare imbalances spawned by deregulation.     

铁路客运服务质量评价体系研究

从旅客需求的角度出发,以定量分析为基础,建立一个较全面的,有针对性和易操作的铁路客运服务质量评价体系。在论述体系构建的目的和原则的基础上,对评价体系的指标构建路线、指标权重的确定、满意度的调查分析等方面进行了分析探讨,并通过举例说明铁路客运服务质量评价体系的应用。     

天津西站特殊高大空间室内热环境模拟分析

天津西站高架候车室采用大面积玻璃穹顶,太阳辐射通过玻璃直射到人体上,会大幅增加人体的热感觉,这给室内热环境控制提出了新的要求。从空调系统的设置、气流组织模拟及人体热舒适性分析等三个方面模拟分析候车室内热环境,以期得到满足人体热舒适性要求的玻璃遮阳系数、温湿度、风速参数及地板辐射供冷参数等内容,为同类项目设计提供参考。     

An overview of current research and developments in urban air mobility – Setting the scene for UAM introduction

Recent technological advances provide the means for potentially realizing urban air mobility (UAM) as a passenger transport mode for intra- and inter-urban transport. However, questions regarding regulations, infrastructure requirements, and economic constraints remain to be answered. Therefore, this review aims at giving an overview on different research areas in the emerging topic of UAM. To this end, findings from several fields within the UAM research community were gathered and are presented here to provide a landscape of relevant questions surrounding the implementation of UAM. This overview considers vehicle-related aspects, such as aircraft requirements and aircraft classification for intra- and inter-city passenger transport, and discusses potential hurdles to their introduction. The exploration of challenges includes questions on certification and policy, as well as challenges in the area of traffic management and ground infrastructure requirements. Besides that, literature on operational concepts, possible market structures and the interaction with existing transport systems will be reviewed. The discussion of hurdles will conclude with a summary of current literature on public acceptance of UAM. An overview of methods for modelling and simulation of UAM will wrap up the prior discussion and provide insights on first modelling results.     

铁路路用燃油配送模型研究与算法实现

通过建立具有一定普遍性的铁路路用燃油配送数学模型,探讨目前铁路燃油配送的运行模式和经济效益,并提出一个简化的求解方法,从而提高计算效率,优化铁路路用燃油的配送与储存。     

The cost of abatement options to reduce carbon emissions from Australian international flights

In 2012, a total of 13.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted by 14 airlines while transporting 72 per cent of international passengers into and out of Australia in 2012. With passenger and cargo traffic growing at between five to six per cent annually from 2013 to 2033, acquiring more fuel efficient aircraft to both renew the existing fleet and to service growth has the greatest potential in reducing emissions over the next 20 years. Our analysis shows that implementing carbon dioxide emissions abatement options such as installing light weight seats, iPad electronic flight bags, winglets, washing aircraft engines and reducing the number of engines used during taxiing, all offer net financial savings when considered over 20 years. Acquiring new fuel efficient aircraft has the biggest impact on emissions reduction. Low interest loans and longer loan repayment periods may incentivise airlines to acquire more fuel efficient aircraft to service traffic growth but other complimentary incentives and penalties are required to influence airlines to replace their current fleet with more fuel efficient aircraft.     

Providing packages of relevant ATM information: An ontology-based approach

ATM information providers publish reports and notifications of different types using standardized information exchange models. For a typical information user, e.g., an aircraft pilot, only a fraction of the published information is relevant for a particular task. Filtering out irrelevant information from different information sources is in itself a challenging task, yet it is only a first step in providing relevant information, the challenges concerning maintenance, auditability, availability, integration, comprehensibility, and traceability. This paper presents the Semantic Container approach, which employs ontology-based faceted information filtering and allows for the packaging of filtered information and associated metadata in semantic containers, thus facilitating reuse of filtered information at different levels. The paper formally defines an abstract model of ontology-based information filtering and the structure of semantic containers, their composition, versioning, discovery, and replicated physical allocation. The paper further discusses different usage scenarios, the role of semantic containers in SWIM, an architecture for a semantic container management system, as well as a proof-of-concept prototype. Finally the paper discusses a blockchain-based notary service to realize tamper-proof version histories for semantic containers.     

A prediction model of Consumer's willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis

As companies begin to consider new alternatives to urban transportation and urban air mobility, one method under investigation is autonomous air taxis. Literature indicates that people, in general, have positive attitudes towards innovation and new technology. However, complex factors determine their willingness and speed in acceptance. The objective of this study was to examine which factors significantly forecast consumer willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis. A quantitative methodology and non-experimental design were accomplished using 510 participants to develop the regression equation and assess model fit. Six significant predictors of consumer willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis were found: familiarity, value, fun factor, wariness of new technology, fear and happiness. Three additional analyses were assessed using an independent sample of participants, revealing strong model fit. Few previous studies have provided a quantitative assessment of which factors significantly predict consumer willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying six significant factors which account for over 76% of the variance. These findings may help the industry, manufacturers and regulators identify the types of individuals most willing to try this new form of transportation and provide more information on the type of consumer most likely to buy in to this new form of transportation.     

Four applications of the TIGRIS model in the Netherlands

This paper presents the land-use transportation interaction model TIGRIS for the Netherlands. Four studies have been conducted in the past few years using increasingly sophisticated versions of the model. The paper places the model applications in their geographical context, provides an overview of the main interactions in the model, and discusses its validation (a particular problem in land-use transportation interaction models). Finally the four applications are presented, one of which (the proposed Randstadrail light-rail system) is dealt with at length.     

情报引导与绩效管理的双重警务机濑——美国纽约市警察局CompStat模式评述

CompStat模式自从在美国第一大警察局——纽约市警察局诞生以来，便以其在情报引导与绩效管理方面的显著作用而引人注目。拟就这两个层面，对这一模式产生之初的情况与现在的发展状况进行梳理，并对该模式将来的发展方向进行探讨。     

Structural equation modelling and regression analysis in tourism research

This paper explores the concept of structural equation modelling (SEM) and discusses the steps which researchers should follow when using this technique. This involves the development of a theoretical model, testing of a confirmatory measurement model, and evaluating the structural model with hypothesised path relations. For the benefit of readers, the discussion is supported by an illustration of a theoretical model predicting residents’ support for tourism, developed on the premise of the social exchange theory. The paper emphasises that the proper application of SEM depends largely on theory, where every step in the analysis is based on theoretical reasoning. The advantages of SEM over regression analysis are discussed and these are grouped in four categories: (1) modelling of measurement errors and unexplained variances, (2) simultaneous testing of relationships, (3) ability to link micro- and macro-perspectives, and (4) best-fitting model and theory development. The limitations of SEM over regression analysis are: (1) difficulty in choosing and using SEM software packages; (2) complexity and ambiguity; (3) limited use in exploratory research; and (4) inability to model ‘truly’ categorical variables. The paper concludes that although SEM has considerable advantages over regression analysis, it does not replace it.     

The Role of Online Social Network Travel Websites in Creating Social Interaction for Gen Y Travelers

This paper aims to evaluate Generation Y users' social interaction with online social networks (OSNs) by testing a theoretical model, which consists of antecedents and consequences of social interactions in an OSN travel context. An online self‐administered questionnaire was sent to a systematic random sample of 12 000 college students at six US universities, and 513 respondents in total participated in the study. Study results suggest that innovativeness, perceived utility, and information sharing are effective for developing online social interaction. The paper discusses theoretical and practical implications of study results and provides suggestions for future research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The fixed charge facility location problem with coverage restrictions

This paper develops a fixed charge facility location model with coverage restrictions, minimizing cost while maintaining an appropriate level of service, in identifying facility locations. Further, it discusses the insights that can be gained using the model. Two Lagrangian relaxation based heuristics are presented and tested. Both heuristics use a greedy adding algorithm to calculate upper bounds and subgradient optimization to calculate lower bounds. While both procedures are capable of generating good solutions, one is computationally superior.     

Risks,resilience, and pathways to sustainable aviation: A COVID-19 perspective

This paper discusses the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to reconsider the foundations of the global aviation system. There is much evidence that air transport creates opportunities as well as risks. While the former accrue to businesses and individuals, risks are imposed on society. Pandemics, in which aviation has a role as a vector of pathogen distribution, as well as the sector's contribution to climate change are examples of long-standing negative externalities that continue to be ignored in assessments of aviation's economic performance and societal importance. As commercial aviation has shown limited economic resilience throughout its history, this short paper questions whether a return to business-as-usual, supported by very significant State aid payments, is desirable. The volume growth model championed by industry and aviation proponents may have to be replaced with an alternative model of a slimmed air transport system that is economically less vulnerable and accounting for its environmental impacts.     

基于多重图的物流链选择决策模型及算法研究

为了解决由物流链结构特性确定的最优物流链的选择问题,提出了基于多重图的物流链选择决策模型。通过讨论物流链的结构特性,在物流节点和物流路径均有费用出现的情况下,建立了同一位置有多个物流节点和物流路径可供选择的,以多重图作为拓扑形式的物流链选择决策模型。针对Dijkstra算法不能解决多重图中节点具有权值的问题,对算法进行改进,通过虚拟的方式将多重图转化为简单图,并将原节点的权值分解到简单图中相应的边上,使原问题转换为简单图的最短路径问题进行求解。最后,用一个算例进行了分析,算例表明,该算法对规模不大的物流链网络选择决策问题求解是可行的。