Day in the Life of the MBTA (as seen from outerspace)

A video respresentation in time and space of one weekday of transit vehicle movement in greater Boston, based on the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data made available by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Its worth two minutes if you're interested in public transport, particularly Boston's 

Click here to see video

Updated Inventory of North American Self Propelled Rail Cars

TRB committee AP070(1) inventory of the 107 Self Powered Rail Cars and related trailer cars in current operation or under construction for North American urban transport networks has been updated through 2015.   

Click here for inventory. 

A fun, but effective, railway safety video from Melbourne Australia

Click Here to see the Video

Student Debate | Free Transit | Thursday Nov 15, 2012

Debate Proposition

Paris should eliminate all fares on the RATP Metro and Bus networks, the RER and the Transilien rail services to promote social equality, human welfare and environmental goals.  

For the Affirmative Roland, Nordine, and Mockhorty

For the Negative Sylvain, Romain, Alexandra, and Antonio

Background

A number of transit networks predominately in small cities in France, Czech Republic and the United States charge no fare for customers to use their services. 

Advantages

Operational benefits

Faster boarding and shorter dwell times

Shorter trip times

Fewer disputes with aggressive

Commercial benefits

Some services are funded by private businesses (such as the merchants in a shopping district). Employers often operate free shuttles as a benefit to their employees

Community benefits

Zero-fare transport can make the system more accessible and fair for low-income residents

Decreased road congestion

Faster average road speeds

Fewer traffic accidents,

Less demand for parking

Reduced wear and tear on roads

Decreased air pollution and noise pollution from road traffic

Global benefits

Zero-fare public transport could mitigate the problems of global warming and oil depletion.

Disadvantages

Several large North American municipalities have attempted zero-fare systems, but many of these implementations have been unsuccessful.

A 2002 Department of Transport report suggests that, while transit ridership does tend to increase, there are also some serious disadvantages to converting to fare-free operation:

Vandalism and hooliganism

Transit vehicles become de facto homeless shelters

Loss of revenue

A significant increase in driver complaints and staff turnover, (even though farebox-related arguments are all but eliminated)

Slower service overall due to crowding

Declines in schedule adherence

Increased costs in security and vehicle-maintenance

US DOT reports that while ridership does increase overall, the ultimate goal of reducing emissions by enticing drivers to take transit instead is rarely met.

The fare-free systems tend to attract large numbers of hooligans, vagrants and other "problem riders", zero-fare systems often have the effect of frightening potential riders back into their cars—the exact opposite of the desired effect.

For more information see:  Jennifer S. Perone, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FARE-FREETRANSIT POLICY, NCTR Report Number: NCTR-473-133, BC137-38  Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida October 2002

Le séance de travail organisée par l’Association ADAPES, MOBILETTRE et le CNAM

Le séance de travail organisée par l’Association ADAPES, MOBILETTRE et le CNAM avec la participation de l’Association « Avenir Transports » et de l’ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). 

Le mardi 13 Novembre 2012 de 14h00 à 18h00 Lieu : Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers: Amphithéâtre Abbé Grégoire 292 Rue Saint-Martin 75003 PARIS 

Click Here for More Details
Click Here for a copy of Mr. Nelson's presentation slides

Kari Watkins: Guest Lecture Monday 12 November 2012

Kari Watkins: Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology will address the class on on Monday November 12 2012 concerning Real Time Transit Information. 

Dr. Watkins hold a PhD from the University of Washington. 
Click here for a copy of the lecture notes for the class. 

Doctor Kari Watkins at CNAM

Student Debate: Paris Congestion Zone: Monday 12 November 2012

Central London's Congestion Charge Zone

Since 2003 the City of London has had a novel program to reduce automobile congestion in the center of the city. 

London congestion charge is a fee charged on most motor vehicles operating in central London between 07:00 and 18:00 (Monday-Friday only).  The zone is the largest congestion zones in the world

• Standard charge is £10 per day
• Reduced rates for many classes of travelers
• Penalty of £60 to £187 levied for non-payment.
• Enforced with automatic number plate recognition

London Impacts

• Traffic - The number vehicles in Central London reduced by 30% (primarily cars) with increases in the numbers of taxis, buses, and especially bicycles. (2007)
• Traffic Speeds - Up 30% (2007)
• Road Safety - 40 to 70 fewer automobile injuries per year
• Air Quality - No measureable impact. “It is difficult to identify significant air quality improvements from a specific program—especially one targeted at a small area within a large city—against broader regional pollution and weather changes.“
• Click here for more information

Debate Proposition

In order to reduce traffic congestion, improve quality of life, encourage more sustainable transport and improve safety,  the City of Paris should implement a Congestion Charge Zone covering Arrondissenments 1 through 8.

For the affirmative:

Romain, Slyvain, Alexandra, Antonio

For the negative

Nordine, Roland, Mockhorty

Student Debate: Tuesday 30 October 2012 1:15 pm

Proposition:

The priority of every government is the overall economic well-being of the nation.  Matters relating to the environment, social equity and quality of life are secondary.

For the Negative 

Fortun, Roland, Mockhorty, Antonio

For the Affirmative

Sylvain, Nardine, Alex

Syllabus for Autumn 2012 (Updated November 14 2012)

Class	Topic(s)	Readings and Assignment
1 Oct 16 am	Review, Renewal and Update APTA Rail Dallas Honolulu Rail Transit South Florida	Every student will make a 3 to 5 minute presentation describing up to three highlights the life during the period covering June, July, August, and September 2012. Did you make any trips? Did you have a job? Did anything interesting change in your life?
2 Oct 16 pm	Fighting Climate Change: Financing Transport Investments with Carbon Credits	The Use of Carbon Credit Mechanisms to Finance Transportation Improvements in the Developing World Nels O. Nelson, Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia David O. Nelson, Jacobs Engineering Group Boston Massachusetts USA Eline Bakker Kruijne, Independent Researcher, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia For presentation at CODATU XV: “The Role of Urban Mobility in (Re)Shaping Cities”  African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  Tuesday 24 October 2012
3 & 4 Oct 19	Microeconomics for Transportation Managers Opportunity Costs  Supply and Demand	View http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT7VDPrQwIc&feature=related
5 Oct 29 pm	Transport Challenges of Less Developed Nations	Highlights from CODATU XV View http://www.codatu.org/english/
6 Oct 30 am	Microeconomics for Transportation Managers The Market System	None
7 Oct 30 pm	Transfers: Scheduling for Connections	David O. Nelson and Tara Blakey “Regional Rail: Scheduling for Connections” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies Washington DC Volume 2112 pp: 77-85 Year 2009 Student Debate: Proposition: The priority of every government is the overall economic well-being of the nation.  Matters relating to the environment, social equity and quality of life are secondary.
8 Nov 6 Am	Microeconomics for Transportation Managers Elasticity	None
9 Nov 6 pm	Travel Demand Analysis	Chapter 1 of “Introduction to Urban Travel Demand Forecasting”   available at: http://www.transnow.org/files/final-reports/TNW2001-01.pdf
10  Nov 9 am 11  Nov 9  pm	Microeconomics for Transportation Managers Consumer Choice Florida East Coast Transit Workshop	None View http://www.sfeccstudy.com/
12 Nov 12 am	"Guest Lecture" on "Real Time Travel Information"  Professor Kari Watkins Georgia Institute of Technology.	Student Debate In order to reduce traffic congestion, improve quality of life, encourage more sustainable transport and improve safety,  the City of Paris should implement a Congestion Charge Zone covering Arrondissenments 1 through 8. For the affirmative: Romain, Nordine, Alexandra, For the negative Sylvain, Roland, Antonio, Mockhorty
13 Nov 15 am	Technological Innovation, Costs and Production, Profit Maximization and Student Debate	Student Debate Paris should eliminate all fares on the RATP Metro and Bus networks, the RER and the Transilien rail services to promote social equality, human welfare and environmental goals.   For the Affirmative Roland, Nordine, Mockhorty For the Negative Sylvain, Romain, Alexandra, and Antonio For background review Jennifer S. Perone, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FARE-FREETRANSIT POLICY,  NCTR Report Number: NCTR-473-133, BC137-38  Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida October 2002

2012 Fall Schedule of Classes

Transport Management and Operations: English Conversation will be returning to Paris 16 October 2012 for 13 classes.  Click Here for Schedule Details

The Use of Carbon Credit Mechanisms to Finance Transportation Improvements in the Developing World

The United Nation’s Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.  It recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. 

After 10 years of operation the program lists 4,372 active projects and claims 11 billion tonnes of current and future carbon emission reductions (ERs), making it the world’s largest generator of carbon offset credits.   A wide range of projects qualify through more than 150 methodologies approved to quantify the carbon reductions.  Of the 4,372 registered projects, 16 projects are identified in the transport sector, generating 49 million total current and future tonnes of carbon credits and an estimated 403 million euros of funding for the project development.

This paper by David Nelson, Nels Nelson and Eline Bakker to presented at CODATU XV: “The Role of Urban Mobility in (Re)Shaping Cities”  (African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  Tuesday 24 October 2012) provides some background on the CDM program, then reviews the 19 approved methodologies and 16 accredited transport projects that comprise the program.  Registered projects include Bus Rapid Transit investments, Metros, freight initiatives and an alternative fuels project.  The paper focuses on the quantified emissions impacts to demonstrate the range of outcomes that have been, and can be, financed with carbon credits.  The authors then discuss factors that may be contributing to the relatively thin participation of the transport sector in CDM finance and suggest strategies to possibly enhance transport participation in the program. 

Click Here for more information. 

Very interesting and detailed maps of urban passenger railways in France and other nations.

My Parisian friends may spend hours perusing these maps.
Click Here to get started. 

Bon Courage: Itip 2013

The final meeting of the spring semester for Topics in Transport Operations and Management: English Conversation was held today at CNAM.  Thanks to all the students for their support and attention through the semester.  I’d like to congratulate Sylvain, Romaine, Roland, Mock Horty and Antonio for spectacular final presentations.  I hope to see you all again next fall.  Until then Bon Courage!

Final Student Assignment: Transportation Terminal Report:

Due Wednesday Morning 23 May 2012:  9:30 am

Student performs internet or physical research to develop a short spoken presentation on a transportation terminal (airport, train station, bus terminal, marine port, cruise terminal)

• Terminal name and city
• Terminal type
• What services use the terminal?
• What the typical daily, weekly or annual volumes of vehicle movements, passengers, tons or containers of freight?
• How gates, berths or platforms?
• Describe the areas for holding passengers or goods in transit
• How is local distribution handled?  Passengers walk?  Passengers use local buses?  Bicycles?  Local trains?  Automobiles?  Freight is carried to the hinterland in trucks, trains, inland waterways?
• Who are the principal users of the terminal?  What do they use if for?
• Other information: 
• History, recent problems, plans, other? 

Analyze This!!

American Public Transportation Association Annual Rail Conference:  Dallas, Texas | Monday June 4, 2012 10:30 am

SAFETY & SECURITY: a 90 minute session focused on tools and tracking methods for ongoing safety improvement for the entire transit operation.  

Moderator

David O. Nelson: Jacobs Engineering and Conservatoire National Des Arts et Métier

The key to setting targets for safety lies in your capability to monitor and analyze hazards that exist in your operating and workplace environments as well as trends for accidents and “near-misses”. Considering all phases from design to revenue operations, how effective are we in truly analyzing and mitigating hazards and developing internal processes that lead to reductions in accidents?  If you are committed to improving safety and are searching for answers, the panelists in this session represent a variety of perspectives, and will share practices, tools and techniques that you can adapt at your agency.

Presentations

Transit System Hazard Analysis – A Post Mortem:  Mr. David Allen Anderson, CH2M HILL

Transit systems require a safety case to operate; this is true for both greenfield and brownfield systems.  These safety cases should be based upon, or supported by, a properly executed hazard analysis.  Hazard analysis, however, is not a single activity but a series of analyses each of which fulfill a specific role in the overall safety process.  These analyses need to address design, operations and occupational health and safety issues.  Common problems with hazard analyses relate to unclear hazard definition, poor integration, incomplete mitigations/controls and a lack of associated verifications.   This is further complicated by the frequent misapplication of the various types of analyses and unclear expectations as to what information the hazard analysis should contain.  As a minimum, the hazard analyses should identify the hazard, its cause, its effect, recommended controls, verification of controls and an estimate of its associated risk.   Properly performed, the analyses provide not only an understanding of the hazards associated with the system’s design and operation, but they also identify the controls necessary to ensure safety is maintained.  This paper presents a post mortem of recent hazard analyses for a North American transit system and provides examples of common issues that should be avoided.  A simple framework for conducting a hazard analysis shall be provided and explanation of the process in a transit setting shall be presented.

Life Safety and Light Rail: Luke Chisenhall,  Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

An overview of DART commitment for high quality, cost effective, and safe Light Rail Transit (LRT) service and its success for hazard identification and mitigation during design, construction, testing, pre-revenue and revenue phase.  This presentation will also provide examples of coordination with the various member cities Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and-well-as compliance with various codes and standards (examples: NFPA 101 & 130, Fire Codes, Building Codes, DART Design Criteria, etc.)

The Safety Case as a Living Document to Manage the System Safety Program:  Sue Cox , Delcan Corp

Hazards may be introduced to a program in various ways; most people immediately associate hazards with hardware failures, software faults or human interactions.  Hazards may also be introduced systematically through failures or omissions of the system safety program itself.   When executing a system safety program, it is important to address the safety management, the quality management, and the functional and technical safety aspects in full measure.  This broad perspective is encouraged in Europe as embodied in the CENELEC standard for railway applications, EN 50129, which documents the evidence for all three aspects into a safety case for safety acceptance and approval.

Experience has taught two important lessons; that the safety case does not have to be voluminous, nor should it be deferred until the end of a project.  The safety case can be drafted at the beginning of a project and used as a living document to manage the system safety program.  The living safety case records progress, deviations and issues in a concise format that facilitates the identification of project risks which supports project management and helps achieve schedule milestones and manage budget.  Based on the author’s CENELEC experience, this paper/presentation will expound upon the application of a living safety case to manage a system safety program based on MIL-STD-882 to address hazards that may be introduced systematically, by technological fault or failure, or by human interactions.

Click Here for Conference Information andRegistration

Sixth Student Assignment: Urban Bicycling Report

Due Thursday 3 May 2012


Each student reports on Vélib' Bike trip that they make


- Date and Time

–Where did you get your bike?

–How did you pay?

–Where did you ride?

–Did you feel safe?

–Where did you return you bike?

–Were there any problems

Fifth Student Assignment: What is the best freight transport mode?

• Truck?
• Rail?
• Air?
• Water (Barge or Ship)?

Due Friday April 13, 2012

The class is divided into four teams each advocating for a mode

Each team makes a 3-5 minute presentation followed by discussion

Consider
Cost of infrastructure, cost of vehicles, cost to operate, cost to use
Convenience,
Loss, Damage and Safety
Speed
Reliability
Capacity
Environment (Air, Noise, Congestion)
Energy Impacts