The following are summaries of papers published in other parts of ICE Proceedings during 2005 that readers of Municipal Engineer may find of interest. You can get copies of individual papers emailed or posted to you for £5 or faxed to you for £2 per page from the ICE library (telephone +44 (0)20 7665 2251; fax +44 (0)20 7976 7610; e-mail library@ice.org.uk). In all cases you need to complete a copy request form which can be downloaded from the ICE website at www.ice.org.uk/library/icepdqrq.html. Summaries of all papers in ICE journals are also freely available and fully searchable at the ‘journals online’ section of the ICE website at www.ice.org.uk/journals.
A risk-based decision-support system for bridge management
K. D. Flaig and R. J. Lark
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Bridge Engineering, 158, No. 3, September, 101–106
Based on a study of those actively involved in bridge management this paper presents a novel framework for an advanced bridge management system. The framework has a modular format and includes components for dealing with inspection, data collection and storage, deterioration modelling, structural assessment, economic appraisal of maintenance, repair and rehabilitation (MR&R) actions through whole-life costing, work programme optimisation methodologies and a number of reporting facilities. Of primary importance to the bridge management process is the assessment of structural adequacy. If assessments are unduly conservative, structures will be unnecessarily restricted or strengthened, whereas if the rules are lax, some structures may be left in service without having an appropriate margin of safety against failure. To address this issue a procedure for a reliability-based assessment approach is presented and it is shown how such an approach, when part of the above system, can provide bridge managers with an innovative, rational, risk-based, decision-support tool.
Models for evaluating the costs of bridge failure
S. M. Wong, C. J. Onof and R. E. Hobbs
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Bridge Engineering, 158, No. 3, September, 117–128
One of the key factors in evaluating the risk level of a structure such as a bridge should be an examination of the failure consequences, considering that the risk equals the probability of failure times the consequences of failure. In the present study, possible failure consequences of bridge element and system failures have been identified, and a cost-evaluation method has been adopted. The major costs involved are the rebuilding costs, traffic delay costs, access and traffic management costs, casualty costs, repair costs and some other indirect costs. However, there has been a lack of information in evaluating the casualty costs. The paper focuses on the casualty costs and presents some simple models that can be used to evaluate such costs. In addition, several case studies have been performed using the cost models, and the results are presented. Based on the case studies, empirical costs models are proposed for evaluating the total costs of element and system failures.
Battling birds: new ways to cut maintenance costs
D. Mendes
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, No. 1, February, 7
Roosting birds can cause extensive and costly damage to urban infrastructure.
Metronet civils maintenance asset manager Danny Mendes reports on some of the innovative strategies being used to keep pigeons out of London Underground, ranging from repellent gel to hawks.
Responding to civil emergencies—the engineer's role
S. Wearne
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, No. 3, August, 103
The differing roles of civil and military engineers in civil emergencies were discussed at a joint ICE and Institution of Royal Engineers meeting earlier this year. Stephen Wearne of Manchester's Centre for Research in the Management of Projects was one of the presenters.
Congestion charging: selling the concept
S. Ison
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, Special Issue 1—Integrated transport challenges and solutions, May, 19–25
The surge in urban traffic worldwide is leading to increasing problems of congestion and environmental degradation.
Congestion charging is coming to be seen as one of the more effective policy options—particularly since the introduction of the central London scheme in 2003—but it remains highly controversial. This paper describes the issues of public and political acceptance and the economic arguments for congestion pricing. It also looks at the issues that need to be addressed by authorities contemplating the introduction of a charge, including use of revenue, accuracy and reliability of the monitoring technology, availability of alternatives to cars, promotion, and the importance of positive political will and leadership.
Information: the key to more intelligent use of transport infrastructure
S. Nielsen and P. Speroni
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, Special Issue 1—Integrated transport challenges and solutions, May, 26–30
The provision of quality travel information to the travelling public and transport network managers is a key component in managing and ultimately reducing traffic congestion. It requires real-time information to be effective, but this is only the beginning as journeys take place over time and space—and conditions in a particular part of the network can change rapidly. To inform the travelling public and network managers more fully, real-time traffic models with self-learning capabilities able to provide short-term forecasts need to be developed. This paper discusses recent developments in real-time travel information and identifies ways in which it can be taken to new levels, resulting in more intelligent and effective use of existing transport infrastructure.
Guided bus—an attractive public transport alternative?
T. Cuthbert
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, Special Issue 1—Integrated transport challenges and solutions, May, 32–37
Light rail public transport schemes are well-liked by the public, who find their efficiency and reliability levels and general ‘high tech’ image far superior to buses. However, light rail schemes are also proving increasingly expensive to build and operate and the UK Government has recently withdrawn support for a number of future schemes. This paper suggests that public transport schemes incorporating guided busways—of which there are already six schemes operating in the UK—could be a viable alternative for busy urban areas, potentially combining the efficiency and reliability benefits of light rail with the traditional flexibility of bus operations.
Improving traffic behaviour and safety through urban design
B. Hamilton-Baillie and P. Jones
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, Special Issue 1—Integrated transport challenges and solutions, May, 39–47
Recent experiments in mainland Europe and more recently the UK have found that removing the traditional separation between traffic and people in urban areas can make streets safer and less congested. Removing standard kerbs, barriers, highway signs and road markings forces motorists to use eye contact with other road users and pedestrians, for which they need to be travelling at less than around 30 km/h. As this paper reports, the result is slower, more careful traffic, increased safety for cyclists and pedestrians and a more attractive urban environment overall—in which local architecture and culture prevails over standard traffic infrastructure.
Economic growth in a historic city—the transport challenge
G. Hughes
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Civil Engineering, 158, Special Issue 1—Integrated transport challenges and solutions, May, 48–53
The university city of Cambridge in eastern England has long been a popular place to live—even more so now it has become the UK's equivalent of Silicon Valley. But as with many other historic cities in Europe enjoying an economic boom, balancing increased transport demands with the need to maintain an attractive urban environment is a continual problem. This paper reports on the pioneering yet practical initiatives undertaken in and around Cambridge with varying degrees of success over the past 35 years, culminating in virtual daytime closure of the city centre to car traffic. It involves an innovative scheme of rising bollards for buses and taxis and one of the most advanced park-and-ride schemes in the world.
Sustaining livelihoods by improving urban public transport
M. Sohail
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 1, March, 9–15
This paper reports on application of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the wider impacts of urban public transport on the lives of the urban poor in developing countries. In applying the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the research data, transport is considered as an asset within the Sustainable Livelihoods framework. It draws upon findings of case studies undertaken between 2001 and 2003 in Colombo (Sri Lanka), Faisalabad (Pakistan) and Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania). Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, the study looks at price, affordability, accessibility and quality of public transport services.
Energy and material flow of waste-processing operations
P. Dacombe, V. Krivtsov, C. J. Banks and S. Heaven
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 1, March, 17–23
Although waste continues to be produced in large quantities—the rate of increase in waste production being more or less in line with the rate of growth in the economy—society is still grappling with the problem of sustainable waste management. One of the best ways to assess sustainability is in terms of mass and energy balance. A project at the University of Southampton looked at the ‘energy footprint’ for waste management. The project brought together data from existing work on waste quantities, materials flow and mass balance studies for a range of materials including paper, glass, plastics, metals and organics. These data have been combined with information on the energy requirements for different types of collection and processing systems for reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal of such materials. Taking into account energy benefits from any of these options, the information has been used to produce an energy and materials balance, and the results show the energy footprint and materials output of the current waste management practices in Southampton. This work allows exploration of alternative methods and highlights areas where insufficient information is available, or where improvements in collection or processing technologies could have a significant impact on the final energy and material balance. The greater Southampton area was used as a case study, but the methods developed could be applied to other areas by modifying the input data.
Integrated assessment of urban sustainability
J. S. Walton, M. El-Haram, N. H. Castillo, R. M. W. Horner, A. D. F. Price and C. Hardcastle
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 2, June, 57–65
Urban areas are recognised as having a major influence in the drive towards making development more sustainable. Consequently, robust and comprehensive methodologies for the assessment of sustainability in the urban context are essential for urban decision makers such as planners, architects, engineers and managers. This paper describes the method and main findings of a scoping study undertaken by the ‘Metrics, Models and Toolkits for Whole Life Sustainable Urban Development’ consortium of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's Sustainable Environment Programme in the UK (Sue-MoT) to determine gaps and needs in current urban sustainability assessment tools. The paper also introduces a main programme of research which will address key priorities identified. During the study, 675 tools applicable to the assessment of sustainability in regard to urban developments were identified with 165 of these undergoing evaluations against a series of criteria identified as important for the integrated assessment of urban sustainability. Additionally, stakeholders, including urban decision makers and tool developers, were canvassed on the strengths and weaknesses of current assessment tools and on future user requirements. The results of the work confirmed that there is no tool currently capable of simultaneously covering all assessment criteria but demonstrated the need not for a new tool but for a framework that integrates those that already exist. Consequently, the consortium proposes the development of an integrated sustainability assessment toolkit (ISAT).
Barriers to sustainable infrastructure in urban regeneration
D. V. L. Hunt and C. D. F. Rogers
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 2, June, 67–81
The £6 billion regeneration of the area immediately to the east of Birmingham's city centre is currently one of the largest redevelopment schemes being undertaken in the UK. The ten-year redevelopment of this 130 ha site is based upon a vision of Eastside as a sustainable exemplar of city centre regeneration. Turning this vision into reality requires both a sustainable policy to be embraced willingly, rather than reluctantly, and best practice to be adopted. This paper describes sustainable options that are essential to a good quality of life (i.e. supply of water and energy) and yet that will help Eastside on the road towards exemplary status. Some of these options are relatively well understood and practically proven (e.g. greywater recycling, rainfall harvesting, borehole abstraction and combined heat and power systems), and indeed have been adopted elsewhere in the UK, while others are closer to ‘blue skies’ concepts (e.g. fuel cells and multi-utility tunnels) and will require step changes in both attitudes and technology prior to their introduction. When assessing the feasibility of implementing these sustainable technologies within a commercial redevelopment scheme there are necessarily many barriers to be overcome. This paper highlights these barriers, some of which are specific to Eastside while others are generic to any redevelopment scheme, and aims to show how many subtle and complex arguments are involved in overcoming them. In so doing, it recommends enablers that should be considered for adoption.
Urban biodiversity and sustainable development
R. G. Donovan, J. P. Sadler and J. R. Bryson
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 2, June, 105–114
The development process often fails to address adequately the needs of resident wildlife populations. This tends to destroy valuable habitat and results in the death or displacement of resident species. The habitat lost is often replaced, post-development, with landscaped areas that are less suitable for supporting local biodiversity. This paper uses Birmingham Eastside, UK, as a case study to highlight the problems associated with urban biodiversity and development providing ecologically informed principles for sustainable development. A biodiversity audit of the area is used to demonstrate the ecological function of different open-space types showing that highly designed and heavily managed open spaces are less effective than derelict land for enhancing biodiversity. Achieving ecologically successful sustainable development requires strategic management of land at the area scale using habitat replication techniques to allow continuity of habitat during the development process. Management practices that allow natural processes, such as succession, to operate can be used to maximise biodiversity effectively. Moreover, the built environment can be engineered to accommodate habitat structures thus avoiding valuable land-take at ground level, although further work is required to refine the efficacy of existing techniques and to develop new ways in which habitat can be incorporated into built spaces.
Sustainability and the urban design process
C. T. Boyko, R. Cooper and C. Davey
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 3, September, 119–125
The urban design process must be transformed and improved if various stakeholders wish to create sustainable urban environments. Although the UK Government and other influential bodies have written many reports recently about the intimate relationship between urban design and sustainability, much more needs to be done to demonstrate how, when and where sustainability is embedded in the urban design process. There is also a need to understand who the decision makers are within this process and what influences their decisions. A clear picture of how the urban design decision-making process works from start to finish, and how sustainability is embedded within this process, can help to achieve the goals and objectives of urban sustainability in the 24-hour city. This paper begins by defining urban design and describing the urban design process, highlighting the major stages and the general tasks involved at each stage. Sustainability and urban sustainable development are briefly discussed next. The final section indicates, through case study research comprising the VivaCity2020 project, where sustainability may be embedded within the urban design process.
Decision-support tools for sustainable urban development
Z. Kapelan, D. A. Savic and G. A. Walters
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 3, September, 135–142
The focus of this paper is on the complex, integrated decision-support tools (DSTs) for sustainable urban development. The main goal is to identify the principal strengths and weaknesses of these tools while considering the broader issue of how an integrated urban decision-support system can be developed (or existing tools improved) that will integrate a wide range of criteria including socio-economic and environmental aspects, plus stakeholder participation, into the decision-making process. To achieve this goal, a relatively large number of various DSTs were first identified. These tools were then analysed using a set of criteria developed specifically for that purpose. For each criterion, a description of a perceived ideal DST is provided and then used when analysing existing DSTs. Finally, it is concluded that modern integrated DSTs for sustainable urban development, despite increased complexity and flexibility, still need to be improved to provide better support in the associated decision-making processes. The recommended areas for future improvements include higher levels of DST integration, introduction of the systematic risk and uncertainty modelling, wider use of the ranking and optimisation methodologies, further development of the detailed impact assessment models, wider and better use of advanced visualisation techniques, improved support for group decision making and communication and more systematic calibration and validation of the models.
Assessing barriers to sustainable UK urban transport solutions
A. D. Hull and R. C. Tricker
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 3, September, 171–180
Local authorities in the UK play an active role in ensuring the smooth design and implementation of sustainable transport policy. This paper summarises the findings of a questionnaire survey carried out in 16 local transport authorities, covering the organisational, technical and external challenges faced in the delivery of local transport strategies and schemes. It prioritises the key barriers in the use of decision support tools (i.e. indicators, option generation tools, appraisal techniques, and modelling) and discusses some of the funding challenges which affect the delivery of transport strategies and schemes. The outputs of this research will directly influence the development, practice and use of tools aimed at overcoming these barriers in selected urban transport authorities. This will also strengthen the research evidence base for the implementation of transport policy at a local level in the UK.
Guides to sustainable built-environment development
H. V. Bartlett and P. M. Guthrie
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 4, December, 185–195
This paper presents the findings of a comparative analysis of documents addressing sustainable development in relation to the built environment. The analysis has identified commonality in interpretations of sustainability for the built environment and enabled the collation of a set of principles or guidelines that represent current thinking on how the objectives of sustainable development could be interpreted for the built environment.
Organised recycling in Gaborone, Botswana
B. Bolaane and M. Ali
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Engineering Sustainability, 158, No. 4, December, 223–234
Solid waste reduction through recycling is widely viewed as a viable strategy. This has been promoted in many countries by government policies and legislation with more drive towards organised recycling. Organised recycling refers to the programmes where municipalities require waste generators to set aside certain materials so that they do not enter the mixed waste stream but can be collected and delivered for recycling. In developing countries, its promotion is often not preceded by an objective assessment of practical conditions on the ground in terms of potential constraints and opportunities. This paper discusses the existing state of recycling in Gaborone and highlights the potential constraints and opportunities of such an approach. A field investigation was carried out to examine possible constraints and opportunities to recycling. The investigation involved characterisation of household and commercial waste, a survey of secondary materials markets, key informant interviews and physical observations. It was found that some of the constraints to organised recycling are lack of specific incentives to promote recycling, limited municipal implementation capacity and lack of reform of the municipal waste management departments. Fragmentation of the recycling industry, sourcing materials free of charge and municipal officials' attitudes that favour the status quo are also possible constraints. However, there are also some opportunities for the enhancement of recycling, such as policy and legislative support and high recovery for some selected materials by the private sector that operates relatively unaided. The paper concludes that on the basis of the identified constraints and opportunities, adopting organised recycling may not be a viable option. The emphasis of a recycling strategy for Gaborone and other cities with similar characteristics should be on supporting private sector initiatives through appropriate incentives.
Effect of trenchless technologies on existing iron pipelines
A. Hunter
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Geotechnical Engineering, 158, No. 3, July, 159–167
Impact moles and directional drilling units form tunnels of up to approximately 300 mm in diameter at a depth of 1–2 m. They are typically used for the installation of electricity cables or small-diameter pipelines. This type of tunnelling differs from conventional tunnelling owing to the lack of soil excavation. The tunnel is formed by dynamically expelling soil outwards in a predominantly radial direction. This creates a stress and displacement field that has the potential to damage existing services and buildings. To reduce the risk of damage to existing structures installation guidelines detailing acceptable proximity distances need to be provided. This paper details a methodology that has been used to calculate acceptable proximity distances to existing grey iron pipelines that have a transverse geometric configuration to the new pipeline. The study utilises finite difference techniques in conjunction with analytical cavity expansion solutions to determine the stress–strain field induced by tunnelling operations in idealised cohesive and frictional soils. Results from the finite difference study have been used in conjunction with a knowledge of acceptable pipeline strain and joint rotation levels to form acceptable proximity guidelines for this type of tunnelling operation.
Management implications of coastal change in Suffolk, UK
N. I. Pontee
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Maritime Engineering, 158, No. 2, June, 69–83
Rising sea levels throughout the Holocene have contributed to a predominance of erosion around many parts of the UK coastline. This paper considers three sites on the Suffolk coast where human activities have been affected by both erosion and accretion. A simple conceptual model is presented in which the erosion and alongshore transport of material leads to the partial or complete blockage of coastal inlets down-drift. This model places meso-scale changes within a macro-scale setting and integrates historical trends with contemporary beach responses and a knowledge of coastal dynamics, in order to make an assessment of future evolutionary trends. At some sites future coastal changes are likely to represent a continuation of past trends; however, at others there may be a shift to new system domains in the future. The likely impacts of these future changes for coastal settlements are compared with those that have been accommodated by coastal communities in the past. It is suggested that in the future coastal management on this stretch of coast needs to embrace natural processes, rather than working against them. However, the successful implementation of such a policy is likely to be dependent on increasing public awareness in terms of the impacts of both past and future coastal changes.
A new analysis of the Slapton barrier beach system, UK
A. J. Chadwick, H. Karunarathna, R. Gehrels, A. C. Massey, D. O'Brien and D. Dales
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Maritime Engineering, 158, No. 4, December, 147–161
This paper presents the findings of a new coastal processes study at Slapton Sands, south Devon, UK. This work was commissioned as part of a major new study to assess the likely future barrier beach stability. The study followed a major beach erosion event in January 2001, which caused a collapse of the main road that runs along the top of the shingle barrier beach. This barrier beach has been the subject of many previous studies, which are concisely summarised in the literature review section. The paper then presents new data and analyses of the coastal processes over both geological and contemporary time-scales. The paper concludes that the cause of the 2001 erosion event was a combination of prolonged storm attack and differential long-shore transport, causing cut-back of both the cross-shore profile and the mean shoreline position. It was further found that overtopping is likely to occur about once in five years but that a major breach event is unlikely to occur within the next 30 to 50 years. Thereafter, with no intervention measures and expected rates of sea level rise, it is anticipated that the barrier beach will eventually be breached, forming tidal inlets.
Analysing explosive damage in an urban environment
B. M. Luccioni, R. D. Ambrosini and R. F. Danesi
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Structures and Buildings, 158, No. 1, February, 1–12
This paper describes the determination of the mass of explosive and the location of the source of the explosion in a terrorist attack in a congested urban environment. A computational dynamic analysis was carried out for a real congested urban environment that corresponds to opposite rows of blocks of buildings in the same street. Many combinations corresponding to different locations and explosive masses were simulated, and the corresponding distributions of pressure and impulse on the building facades were obtained. Additionally, conclusions about the applicability of empirical expressions for evaluating incident and reflected pressure and associated impulses in a congested urban environment arise from a comparison with the numerical results, and are discussed in the paper. The structural damage produced by an explosion can be assessed with the use of isodamage curves, which approximately relate pressures and impulses to the damage produced in different types of building and parts of them. In general, isodamage curves have been obtained from a vast compilation of damage produced in masonry houses and other buildings and structural members, in both experimental and actual explosions. Damage contours were defined and used in order to compare the real damage with that obtained by the numerical simulation over a wide zone around the origin of the explosion. Additionally, conclusions that lead to the ability to discard many combinations of mass of explosive and location of the source of the explosion arise from the comparison of real and simulated damages, and are discussed in the paper.
The Hong Kong second parking demand study
W. W. T. Lau, P. S. T. Poon, C. O. Tong and S. C. Wong
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Transport, 158, No. 1, February, 53–59
This paper describes the background, objectives, surveys, models, findings and recommendations of the Hong Kong second parking demand study. This study aims to give strategic directions to guide the planning and management of parking facilities in Hong Kong. It comprises extensive surveys to determine the parking inventory, parking characteristics and driver behaviour. Demand models were developed to predict the future night-time and daytime parking demand over a planning horizon of 15 years. All types of vehicle, including private cars, taxis, motorcycles, coaches and goods vehicles, were included in the analysis. The recommendations of a previous parking demand study have been reviewed, and new recommendations are given.
Enhancing pavement management systems using GIS
M. Parida, S. Aggarwal and S. S. Jain
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Transport, 158, No. 2, May, 107–113
Pavement management systems (PMS) are useful tools for highway agencies in quantifying the overall maintenance needs of pavements and presenting the alternative maintenance strategies under budget constraints. The most important aspect of development of a PMS is to collect, manage and analyse the pavement condition data in a considerably detailed format. Since geographical information systems (GIS), with their spatial analysis capabilities, match the geographical nature of the road networks, they are considered to be the most appropriate tools to enhance pavement management operations, with features such as graphical display of pavement condition. An attempt has been made in this paper to enhance the PMS process with GIS for an identified highway network. The PMS is based on internationally recognised Highway Development and Management System (HDM-4). The ‘programme analysis’ application of HDM-4 has been used for data analysis and the graphical presentation of the analysis results has been made using commercially available ArcView GIS software.
Setting road maintenance standards by multicriteria analysis
J. J. Ortiz García, M. S. Snaith and S. B. Costello
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Transport, 158, No. 3, August, 157–165
This paper discusses the evolution of highway maintenance standards determination, from purely engineering judgement through the application of scientific research to the inclusion of economic assessment in the process. It then proceeds to discuss more recent initiatives that have identified the need to include not only engineering and economics in the determination of maintenance standards but also social and political factors, together with environmental aspects where appropriate. Finally, multicriteria analysis (MCA) is suggested as an appropriate decision-making tool capable of taking proper account of the dominant social, political and environmental issues in an all-embracing and logical process. The suitability of four candidate MCA methodologies was studied: the utility theory approach, the goals programming approach, methods based on the outranking concept and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The research has concluded that the AHP is the most appropriate to use, at least initially, owing to its operational advantages. An example of its use in the determination of highway maintenance standards is provided.
The rise and fall of Edinburgh's congestion charging plans
J. Saunders
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Transport, 158, No. 4, November, 193–201
A referendum in February 2005 saw Edinburgh citizens reject a transport strategy for the city, including a proposed congestion charging scheme. The aims of the strategy were to tackle road congestion and to provide a public transport system to match the best in Europe. Congestion charging was seen by the Council as a key tool both to reduce demand for road space and to provide a revenue stream for transport investment. This paper focuses on the context for the development of the proposals, the hurdles involved in taking them forward, and the apparent contradiction between initial high levels of support for a ‘radical’ transport policy and eventual rejection of the proposed means of achieving those objectives. The paper postulates a number of reasons why this rejection may have occurred, based on the author's experience in the development of the scheme.
Stochastic model for strategic assessment of road maintenance
S. B. Costello, M. S. Snaith, H. G. R. Keralil, L. V. Tachtsi and J. J. Ortíz Garcia
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Transport, 158, No. 4, November, 203–211
This paper describes the development of a stochastic model for the strategic assessment of road maintenance funding and policy decisions. The algorithms used for simulating pavement deterioration utilise Markov processes, resulting in a transition probability matrix that defines defect progression as opposed to the more familiar regression-type model popular with engineers. The model is designed to be used by road maintenance managers and senior administrators for planning medium- to long-term maintenance investment requirements for local and national road networks. Finally, the application of the model is demonstrated with a case study from central Europe.
Socially sensitive regulation for water services
J. S. Bateman, M. Sohail and C. Njiru
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Water Management, 158, No. 4, December, 177–181
The provision of essential services such as water and sanitation may be considered a first step towards social inclusion. The overall sustainability of water and sanitation services also depends on social considerations. This paper explores the relationship between the regulator and the utility in the context of service provision for low-income users. It presents a general background to regulation in the water sector, along with some of the challenges faced by governments and regulators when implementing private sector involvement. Drawing upon the authors' experience of water services management including regulation and private sector participation (PSP) in the water sector, the paper is based on a review of the literature, discussion with relevant professionals and an examination of a number of projects. The authors detail the role of the regulator and identify recurring themes relating to regulation and the poor. The shortcomings of specific projects are highlighted not as criticisms, but in the interest of sharing of knowledge and improving services to the poor in the long run. The paper includes suggestions on how regulation of water services could be undertaken in a low-income environment. The authors conclude that if water utilities are to perform in a socially sensitive manner, appropriate regulatory regimes are necessary.
