bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of cell cycle genes among the residents of settlements along the Techa River exposed to ionizing radiation in utero
Authors: Nikiforov Vladislav S. , Blinova Evgeniya A. , Akleyev Alexander V.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: The period of intrauterine development is highly susceptible to the effects of ionizing radiation. While the consequences of radiation exposure during pregnancy are not yet fully understood, it is believed that individuals exposed to ionizing radiation in utero are at a greater risk of long-term health consequences.
AIM: To analyze the expression of mRNA of cell cycle genes (TP53, MDM2, CDKN1A, ATM) in individuals exposed during intrauterine development to chronic radiation exposure after the Techa River accident.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted over 60–70 years after the onset of chronic radiation exposure in a group of 170 individuals. Among them, 54 individuals were exposed to radiation during both prenatal and postnatal periods of development, while 80 individuals were exposed to chronic radiation after birth. The comparison group consisted of 36 individuals living in similar socio-economic conditions, with a lifetime cumulative dose of red bone marrow radiation not exceeding 70 mGy.
RESULTS: Individuals residing in coastal villages along the Techa River, who were exposed to radiation during both the prenatal and postnatal stages of development, experience a reduction in the relative mRNA content of the MDM2 and CDKN1A genes compared to the control group and individuals who were exposed to chronic radiation after birth. The results of the correlation analysis indicate that there is no association between changes in mRNA expression of the studied genes and the accumulated absorbed dose of intrauterine and postnatal exposure of red bone marrow.
CONCLUSION: The reduced transcriptional activity of the MDM2 and CDKN1A genes in individuals exposed to chronic radiation in utero may play a role in the development of long-term effects of radiation exposure in humans.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus in combination with COVID-19: clinical and metabolic characteristics of patients and prediction of mortality risk
Authors: Demicheva Tatyana P.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, patients with diabetes are a special risk group. Diabetes mellitus aggravates the disease course. The characterization of comorbidities and the search for available mortality predictors is an urgent problem.
AIM: To assess the clinical and metabolic parameters of comorbidities and determine prognostically significant risk factors for the development of unfavorable outcomes.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 169 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19. The patients were divided into two groups: the group 1 included patients who were discharged from the hospital (survivors; n=82), and the group 2 included those who died from COVID-19 (n=87). A comparative assessment of baseline clinical and metabolic parameters in patients of both groups was conducted, and their mortality risk factors were determined.
RESULTS: For several indicators, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of age, total cholesterol, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen. Peculiarities were revealed for other indicators, such as the volume of lung tissue damage, level of oxygen saturation, fasting glycemia, leukocytes, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, procalcitonin, ferritin, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and lymphocytes. Factors that can rapidly predict the risk of death from COVID-19 in patients with type 2 diabetes included saturation 90.12%, area of lung damage 45.8%, and fasting glycemia 7 mmol/L.
CONCLUSION: The results obtained make it possible to assess the condition of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19, and the identified risk factors of mortality allow the attending physician to form risk groups for patients, conduct constant monitoring, and provide individualized therapeutic measures.
Syncopes in adolescents in sport
Authors: Shablinova Tatyana S. , Shirmankina Marina V. , Tyurina Anastasia S. , Pigacheva Olga Yu. , Naumenko Elena I. , Ivyanskiy Stanislav A. , Balykova Larisa A.
Published: November 2023

The study analyzes current data on syncope in children and adolescents. The study presents the classification of syncope and briefly describes the clinical manifestations of neurally mediated syncope and the main methods of its diagnosis and treatment. Syncopes associated with organic cardiac pathologies and primary cardiac arrhythmias are caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies, primary long QT syndrome, WolffParkinsonWhite syndrome, and bradyarrhythmias. The diagnostic features of syncope in children and young athletes and modern approaches to treatment and prevention are discussed.
Although most syncopes in athletes are not associated with physical activity and have a neurotransmitter genesis, a thorough medical examination is needed. Factors that induce the development of syncopes in athletes must be identified. A prerequisite for admission to sports is the exclusion of the cardiac and arrhythmogenic reasons of syncopes. The decision to expand the sports regime should be made only after a thorough collection of medical history, including family history, and a comprehensive examination. In addition, the degree of risk in view of injuries, provocation, or fatal events following the loss of consciousness during sports must be estimated. This is extremely relevant for sports such as swimming, complex coordination sports (gymnastics and acrobatics), auto and motor sports, and alpine skiing.
Although syncopes are common problems in pediatric practice, with only a few cases with cardiac causes based on structural or primary electrical myocardial diseases, they pose the greatest danger in sports medicine. Thus, such conditions must be excluded in young athletes because sports load can aggravate cardiac pathologies, which cause syncopes, due to untimely diagnosis before the start of a sports career.
The flavonoids fisetin, apigenin, kaempferol, naringenin, naringin regulate respiratory activity and membrane potential of rat liver mitochondria and inhibit oxidative processes in erythrocytes
Authors: Savko A.I. , Ilyich T.V. , Veiko A.G. , Kovalenia T.A. , Lapshina E.A. , Zavodnik I.B.
Published: November 2023

Flavonoids, secondary plant metabolites, represent the most abundant heterogeneous group of phytochemicals. The aim of this study to compare antioxidant activity and regulatory properties of several representatives of different classes of flavonoids, fisetin, apigenin, kaempferol, naringenin, naringin, using liver mitochondria and erythrocytes as research objects. In the concentration range of 2.5–25 μM fisetin, apigenin, kaempferol, naringenin, and naringin dose-dependently prevented oxidative damage of erythrocytes induced by 700 μM tert-butyl hydroperoxide: accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products and oxidation of glutathione GSH. The IC50 values corresponding to the flavonoid concentration inhibiting the LPO process in erythrocyte membranes by 50%, were 3.9±0.8 μM in the case of fisetin, 6.5±1.6 μM in the case of kaempferol, 8.1±2.1 μM in the case of apigenin, 37.8±4.4 μM in the case of naringenin, and 64.7±8.6 μM in the case of naringin. The antioxidant effect of flavonoids was significantly higher in the membrane structures compared to the cytoplasm of cells. All flavonoids studied (10–50 μM) effectively inhibited the respiratory activity of isolated rat liver mitochondria and, with the exception of kaempferol, stimulated Ca2+-induced dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Cyclosporine A and ruthenium red inhibited flavonoid-stimulated Ca2+-dependent membrane depolarization, thus indicating that the mitochondrial calcium uniporter and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening were involved in the flavonoid effects. Flavonoids, as the redox-active compounds with antioxidant properties, are able to regulate mitochondrial potential and respiratory activity, and prevent mitochondrial oxidative stress. They can be considered as effective pharmacological agents or nutraceuticals.
Neuroprotective effects of isatin and afobazole in rats with rotenone-induced Parkinsonism are accompanied by increased brain levels of Triton X-100 soluble alpha-synuclein
Authors: Buneeva O.A. , Kapitsa I.G. , Zgoda V.G. , Medvedev A.E.
Published: November 2023

Effects of the endogenous neuroprotector isatin and the pharmacological drug afobazole (exhibiting neuroprotective properties) on behavioral reactions and quantitative changes in the brain proteomic profile have been investigated in rats with experimental rotenone Parkinsonism. A single dose of isatin (100 mg/kg subcutaneously on the last day of a 7-day course of rotenone administration) improved the motor activity of rats with rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in the open field test (horizontal movements) and the rotating rod test. Afobazole (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally, daily during the 7-day course of rotenone administration) reduced the manifestations of rigidity and postural instability. Proteomic analysis, performed using brain samples obtained the day after the last administration of rotenone and neuroprotectors, revealed similar quantitative changes in the brain of rats with rotenone Parkinsonism. An increase in the relative content of 65 proteins and a decrease in the relative content of 21 proteins were detected. The most pronounced changes — an almost ninety-fold increase in the alpha-synuclein content — were found in the brains of rats treated with isatin. In animals of the experimental groups treated with “Rotenone + Isatin”, as well as “Rotenone + Afobazole”, the increase in the relative content of this protein in the brain was almost 60 and 50 times higher than the control values. Taking into consideration the known data on the physiological role of alpha-synuclein, an increase in the content of this protein in the brain upon administration of neuroprotectors to animals with rotenone Parkinsonism may represent a compensatory reaction, at least in the early stages of this disease and the beginning of its treatment.
Contribution of the gasotransmitter nitric oxide to the structural and functional organization of erythrocytes under conditions of hypoxia/reoxygenation
Authors: Akulich N.V. , Zinchuk V.V.
Published: November 2023

Hypoxia is accompanied by changes in metabolism and cell functioning. Erythrocyte hemoglobin can be involved in adaptation to hypoxia by acting as an oxygen sensor, providing a link between oxygen content and blood circulation. The mechanisms providing this function have not been completely established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the gasotransmitter nitric oxide on the structural and functional organization of erythrocytes under conditions of hypoxia/reoxygenation. NO participated in adaptive reactions under hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions by changing hemoglobin conformation, followed by changes in hemoprotein spectral characteristics and hemoglobin affinity to oxygen together with increasing anisocytosis, volume and cell surface. The increase in intracellular NO concentrations under hypoxic conditions was provided by extracellular fluid nitrites. Molsidomine (a NO donor) induced a higher NO increase without involvement of the nitrite reductase mechanism, it caused an increase in the average erythrocyte volume, anisocytosis, and an increase in the cell surface.
PROPOSTA DE METODOLOGIA PARA A MENSURAÇÃO DO RISCO CLIMÁTICO – UMA APLICAÇÃO AO SETOR DE TURISMO DE SALVADOR
Authors: Tridello Valentina , Spinola Carolina de Andrade , Pinheiro Tiago Cisalpino , Eucker Dennis
Published: November 2023

As mudanças climáticas afetam os diversos sistemas naturais e humanos, com graus de intensidade variados, sendo o turismo uma das atividades econômicas mais sensíveis. Este artigo propõe uma metodologia de mensuração do risco climático e do efeito redutor que, sobre ele, podem ter, eventuais medidas de adaptação, partindo-se da construção de cadeias de impacto. O método utilizado se baseia nas diretrizes para a avaliação do risco propostas pela Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) e foi originalmente aplicado pelos autores no estudo “Análise e mensuração econômica dos riscos associados a? mudança do clima para o setor de turismo e identificação de medidas de adaptação em Salvador – BA”. Partindo do aproveitamento da estrutura causal das cadeias de impacto, a abordagem propõe estratégias que possibilitam o cálculo do risco climático através de uma abordagem multivariada e participativa, que possibilita a simulação de cenários e busca compensar a insuficiência de dados técnicos por parte das administrações municipais. Através da cadeia de impacto, foi possível compreender as dinâmicas que provocam o risco climático, o peso relacionado a cada fator e o nível de risco ao qual cada segmento do setor de turismo de Salvador está exposto.
FLOWS FROM THE ORIGINS OF CYCLISTS TO URBAN PARKS
Authors: Domeneghini Jennifer , Borges Yonegura Valéria , Lopes da Silveira André Luiz
Published: November 2023

Components such as bicycle infrastructure should be valued more highly in the current context of Brazilian cities dominated by motorized traffic, which is why researches in the subject are so important. Because there have been no studies linking cyclists' origins to urban parks, the current study aims to identify cyclists' origins (neighborhoods and cities) and destinations (urban parks) in three urban parks at Porto Alegre/RS, as well as the modes of transportation they use to get there, in contrast to the estimated distance from their origin. A quantitative study was undertaken for this, with data gathered from surveys about cyclists' origins in each of the three urban parks, as well as information about the locations received from Google Maps, largely using data analysis software like QGIS and Excel. This technique shows that cyclists come from all regions of the city and surrounding cities, covering an average distance of 2,977 km, and that riding one's own bicycle is the most common way of transportation, meaning that green space is important. It is also necessary for cyclists, and the closer it is to the cyclist the urban park, the more frequently it is used.
Prebreeding studies of leaf rust resistant Triticum aestivum/T. timopheevii line L624
Authors: Sibikeev S. N. , Adonina I. G. , Druzhin A. E. , Baranova O. A.
Published: November 2023

Triticum timopheevii Zhuk. attracts the attention of bread wheat breeders with its high immunity to the leaf rust pathogen. However, introgressions from this species in Triticum aestivum L. are little used in practical breeding. In the presented study, the agronomic value of T. aestivum/T. timopheevii line L624 was studied in comparison with the parent cultivars Saratovskaya 68, Dobrynya and the standard cultivar Favorit during 2017–2022. Introgressions from T. timopheevii in L624 were detected by the FISH method with probes pSc119.2, pAs1 and Spelt1, as well as micro satellite markers Xgwm312, Xgpw4480 and Xksum73. Translocations of 2AS.2AL-2AtL and on 2DL were detected as well. Line L624 is highly resistant to Puccinia triticina both under the background of natural epiphytotics and under laboratory conditions. PCR analysis with the DNA marker of the LrTt1 gene (Xgwm312) revealed that it is not identical to the Lr gene(s) in L624. According to a five-year study, the grain yield of L624 was, on average, higher than that of Favorit and Dobrynya, but lower than that of Saratovskaya 68. Line L624 had a lower weight of 1000 grains than the recipients, and was at the same level with the standard cultivar Favorit. Introgressions from T. timopheevii in L624 increased the grain protein content by comparison with Saratovskaya 68 and Favorit, but it was at the same level as in Dobrynya. As for parameters of flour and bread, L624 was not inferior to the recipient cultivars, but by volume and porosity of bread, it surpassed Saratovskaya 68. Moreover, L624 surpassed Favorit by the elasticity of the dough, the ratio of the elas ticity of the dough to the extensibility and the strength of the flour. Thus, the results obtained suggest that introgressions in chromosomes 2A and 2D in L624 do not impair baking properties.
Car Ownership and Status
Authors: Verhoef Erik T. , Van Wee Bert
Published: November 2023

Research on ‘happiness’ suggests that once an average per capita income of around US$ 10,000 is achieved in a country, further increases in income will not lead to a significant increase in happiness. Additional income will probably often be spent on the satisfaction of mainly ‘relative’ needs, of which ‘status goods’ would be one example. From that perspective, an overall shift to more fuel-efficient cars (i.e. smaller cars with less power) would not necessarily, or only to a limited extent, result in less happiness. From a welfare economic perspective, the satisfaction of the relative needs pertaining to consumption can be considered as a form of consumption externalities. This creates a welfare economic basis for government intervention. A model in which these consumption externalities are studied is presented here. Government intervention would include stimulating consumption of lowerstatus goods and discouraging consumption of higher-status ones. We speculate, however, that to achieve a significant increase in the fuel efficiency of a country’s car fleet through pricing policies, huge price increases may often be needed. As acceptance of price increases as a policy instrument is often low, ‘fee-bates’ and tradeable permits may be more preferable instruments.
The Impact of Alternative Access Modes on Urban Public Transport Network Design
Authors: Van Nes Rob
Published: November 2023

Public transport network design determines the quality for travellers as well as operational costs. Network design is therefore crucial for the cost effectiveness of urban public transport. In urban public transport network design it is commonly assumed that all travellers walk to the stops. This might be true for short access distances, but if stop and line spacing increase other modes such as bicycles might become interesting as an alternative access mode. An analytical model is presented that determines optimal network characteristics, i.e. stop spacing, line spacing, and frequency, and that explicitly accounts for alternative access modes. The objective used is maximising social welfare. Results show that, if cycling is considered as an alternative access mode, all three network characteristics mentioned above should be increased, offering benefits for the traveller, the operator as well as the society. However, if there is a large sub-population of travellers who are not able to use the alternative mode, or if there are barriers for using an alternative mode to access the urban public transport system, it is better to assume that walking is the only access mode available. In the case of cycling as an access mode there are possibilities for positive benefits, at least in countries such as Denmark or the Netherlands. It is expected that for other access modes, such as peoplemovers and demand responsive public transport systems, the barriers are too high to have an impact on urban public transport network design.
Life cycle cost analysis for managing rail infrastructure
Authors: Zoeteman Arjen
Published: November 2023

In the last decade managing railway infrastructure in Europe has changed compared to the century preceding it. Due to the restructuring of railways, which has resulted in separate Infrastructure Management and increasing performance demands from governments and Transport Operating Companies, infrastructure performance has become an important issue. Reliability requirements, budget limits, and operational conditions, such as the time available for maintenance, are becoming increasingly strict. As a response Infrastructure Managers (IMs) have started to develop computer-based tools for a quantitative analysis of the (long-term) impacts of design and maintenance decisions. These tools should enable IMs to systematically optimise and underpin their budget needs, minimise the total costs for a required performance level, and guarantee the infrastructure quality in the long run. Although progress has been made over the last years, these tools are still in an early phase of development, and have not yet been successfully implemented in the design and maintenance management processes. In this paper an approach based on Life Cycle Costing has been developed, which is able to support decision-making on design and maintenance quantitatively, even in absence of sophisticated maintenance planning tools, using expert judgement beside empirical data. Key to the approach is a decision support system (DSS) for analysing the long-term impacts of design and maintenance decisions on reliability, availability and cost of ownership. The DSS combines data from different management areas, such as construction, maintenance, financing and transport operations, in order to make estimates of the life cycle costs. Infrastructure availability and reliability are included in the analysis of life cycle costs, as they have an impact on the costs and revenues of transport operations. The DSS concept and its application during the tender for the Dutch High-Speed Line are presented. Both results and obstacles are discussed. Especially in a design phase a lot of uncertainty is involved in the analysis. The DSS proves to be a valuable tool for testing the robustness of design and maintenance decisions and for focusing the discussion on the important cost-driving factors.
Book Review
Authors: Givoni Moshe
Published: November 2023

Transport and Environment is a collection of papers that aim at “bringing together contributions from various disciplines to the study of the broad field of ‘Transport and Environment’” (p: xiii). The focus of the book is “the search for practical solutions that can advance the sustainability notions” (p: 5), and the emphasis of the book is on “technology measures and spatial (or planning) policies” (p: 9). All this sets the context in which this book should be judged against.
Conditional Choice Modelling of Time Allocation Among Spouses in Transport Settings
Authors: Borgers Aloys , Hofman Frank , Timmermans Harry
Published: November 2023

As part of a wider rule-based model of activity behaviour, this paper explores the possibility to build a suite of linked conditional choice models to predict the amount of time spouses in a household spend on a set of activities together and alone. First, a choice model is used to predict the probability and hence the amount of time the spouses spend together and alone. Conditional on the outcome of this choice model, a second model predicts the amount of time that is spent by each spouse separately on a set of activities, as a function of sociodemographics, car availability and work status. The model is estimated using a small sample in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht in the Netherlands. The results indicate the model to have face validity. Rho-square values are also high.
Choice of Frequency and Vehicle Size in Rail Transport
Authors: Rietveld Piet , Dekkers Jasper , Van Woudenberg Stefan
Published: November 2023

Frequency of services and vehicle size are important policy instruments of railway companies. Extending Mohring’s basic ‘square root model’ for frequencies, we arrive at more general formulations for frequency, vehicle size and price under alternative regimes of welfare and profit optimisation. It appears that in the more refined models the frequency response of railway companies with respect to changes in passenger volumes is not far removed from the standard square root result. Analysis of empirical data for the Netherlands shows that the responsiveness of the Dutch railway company in terms of frequency and train size to an increase in demand is low. It is estimated that an increase in the number of passengers of 1% leads to an increase in the supply of capacity of about 0.5 % (a frequency increase of about 0.35 to 0.40% and an increase of vehicle size of about 0.10%). This has important implications for the environmental costs of the railway company. An additional passenger does not lead to a proportional increase in capacity so that the marginal costs are lower than the average costs. It is further demonstrated that policies of keeping frequency and train size constant during the peak and off-peak have adverse effects on the environmental performance of railways.
Social Costs of Direct and Indirect Land Use by Transport Infrastructure
Authors: Bruinsma Frank , Mark Koetse Mark , Rietveld Piet , Vreeker Ron
Published: November 2023

In this paper the social costs of land use for transport infrastructure are investigated for the Netherlands. We pay attention to the acquisition costs of land for infrastructure and the indirect costs of land use caused by transport. The paper gives an overview of the problems associated with measuring land related costs of transport infrastructure. Estimates are given of land use (in m2) for various types of transport infrastructure. In addition some of the land related cost categories are estimated. These costs are allocated to the various transport modes (cars and trucks of various types, barges, rail, and aircraft) on the basis of their relative transport kilometres and their passenger car equivalents. We find that direct and indirect land use equals respectively 7.2% and 1.6% of the total area of the Netherlands. Indirect land use appears to be especially important for aviation. The importance of indirect land use is shown by the value of land involved. The economic valuation of the indirect land use is about 16% of the total land related costs of transport infrastructure.
Book Review
Authors: Van Der Hoorn A.I.J.M
Published: November 2023

his is the third edition of a well-known textbook. Since the success of the first edition, the number of changes has been kept relatively small. It is a very useful book, both for educational purposes and as a reference. There is a good balance between mathematical rigour and practical recommendations. Models are useless without good data and extensive preliminary descriptive analyses and all these three strands are dealt with extensively. Not only "nice" mathematical models, but also "ugly" brute-force models are treated, the latter well-established with (too?) down-to-earth practitioners, The intricate mathematical detail of every model is avoided to concentrate instead on the basic principles and the identification of each model's strengths and limitations. Finally, there are numerous "philosophical" observations and views on the role of transport in contemporary society by two long -term experienced and wise practitioners. Does anything remain to be desired? Of course. The original version of the book contained quite a number of errors and mistakes, probably to the desperation of beginning scholars. Furthermore, at the end of each chapter a small number of useful exercises is included, but these are definitely not paper - and - pencil exercises, and it is not always clear beforehand which instruments are needed to solve them. Finally, what I would like to see is a more complete description of public transport assignment, because this is not only useful for public transport, but also for wider application as in airline transport and airport choice.
Evaluation of Externalities in Transport Projects
Authors: Shiftan Yoram , Ben-Akiva Moshe , De Jong Gerard , Hakkert Shalom , Simmonds David
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the variety of issues and methods used to treat different types of externalities in transportation projects and to ask how these different approaches and values can affect project evaluation and ranking. Of special interest is the question whether the elimination of externalities and different procedures favor one type of transportation investment over the other, and specifically rail projects versus highway projects. To this point the paper mostly poses the questions with a focus on issues where bias can result. The paper is based on a study conducted for the Ministry of National Infrastructure in Israel to improve the evaluation procedure of transportation projects in order to better account for externalities. This paper focuses on two main issues. First, we recommend approaches and methods of evaluation for different transport externalities, including the value of time savings. These evaluations are based on the international literature on these topics. Second, we suggest a methodology to better include externalities in the evaluation of transport projects, including a quantitative and qualitative multicriteria analysis (MCA). The paper also discusses the implications of different methods and values for project evaluation.
Preferences for Modes, Residential Location and Travel Behaviour
Authors: Van Wee Bert , Holwerda Hans , Van Baren Rick
Published: November 2023

Nowadays almost all researchers focusing on the impact of land use on travel behaviour examine personal and household variables such as income, age and household type. Still, within ‘homogeneous’ groups there may be preferences for travel modes (especially car or public transport), and these may have an impact on the influence of land use on travel behaviour − a subject for which available literature is scarce. This paper represents then an endeavour to relay results of empirical research on this matter and also attempts to answer the following questions: 1. Are there preferences for modes? 2. Is there a relationship between preferences and neighbourhood characteristics? 3. Have preferences for modes played a role in residential choices of households? 4. Do preferences for modes add explanatory power to models for travel behaviour that include personal and household characteristics, and land-use variables? Results obtained reveal positive answers to all four questions; but this then confronts us with the following question: Do land-use policies then make no sense? Yes, in our opinion, these policies certainly do make sense, in the least because they allow people who prefer certain modes to live in an area that meets their preferences. However, this does not mean that land-use alternatives leading to the lowest car use levels should always be recommended. Rather, what is needed is a broad evaluation of all the pros and cons of these alternatives.
A Comparative	Assessment of Driving Behaviours at Three Sites
Authors: Marsden G. R. , McDonald M. , Brackstone M.
Published: November 2023

Many Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) that are now under intensive investigation have been designed or assessed with a particular target consumer group in mind. In order for these (and many other) systems to be successfully used around the globe however, some appreciation will be necessary of how behaviours, and hence uses and impacts, may change between different sites and between different countries. This article reports on an instrumented vehicle study designed to assess differences in Motorway driving behaviour between three sites, one in the U.K., one in France and one in Germany. Substantial differences were found between typical car-following headways and time to collisions observed at the sites. The experiment also confirmed that many people drive well below the current recommended safe following distances. It has not been possible through this study to determine why the differences exist between the sites, nor whether they are country specific. However, the findings are important in establishing that significant differences do exist. These differences could impact on the effectiveness of roadside telematics systems as well as for the design of in-vehicle Advanced Vehicle Control and Safety Systems.
Special issue: Land Use and Sustainable Mobility
Authors: Meurs Henk
Published: November 2023

Concerns about the sustainability of current land use and transportation practices are increasingly issues of policy concern in most countries of the world. There is a call for better coordination between land use and transport. A number of factors motivate such attention (Gorham, 1998) Firstly, growth in car ownership and use show no signs of abating. Secondly, technology seems unable to fully solve the environmental and other problems associated with motorized transport. Problems have remained with respect to CO2, noise and the nonemissions related impacts of vehicles. Thirdly, the building costs of new infrastructure have increased, whereas the benefits provided by such infrastructure, are increasingly questioned (Cervero, 2003). In cases where new road infrastructure is provided primarily to relieve congestion, these roads tend to provide at best only temporary relief. The increased capacity tends to induce new traffic in the relatively short run through spatial, temporal, and modal changes in travel patterns and, in the longer run, through land-use changes caused by changes in overall accessibility levels (Downs 1992; Goodwin, 1996). These insights have increased the attention for measures other than infrastructure construction (Banister, 2002). Fourthly, just one strategy, e.g. completely based on technology or pricing, cannot solve the problems alone. For example, price signals, clearly being a necessary part of any strategy to restrain the growth of car use, cannot be relied upon as the sole element of this strategy. Substantial increases in the cost of car use would be required for having a meaningful change in travel behavior, technology acquisition, or a restructuring of social activities. This appears to have insufficient public and political support
A Differential Game Modeling Approach to Dynamic Traffic Assignment and Signal Control
Authors: Li Zhenlong , Shi Songquan
Published: November 2023

This paper addresses a theoretical issue related to combined dynamic traffic assignment and signal control under conditions of congestion through a brief review of previous research and the discussion on interaction between dynamic traffic assignment and signal control. The dynamic characteristics of the interaction are approached using a differential game modeling approach here to formulate the decision-making process for solving the problem inherent in this combination. Specifically, the combined dynamic traffic assignment and signal control problem is formulated as a leader−follower differential game, where a leader and multiple followers engage interactively to finding optimal strategies under the assumption of an openloop information structure. Discretization in time is used to find a numerical solution for the proposed game model, and a simulated annealing algorithm is applied to obtain optimal strategies. Finally, a simulation study is conducted on a simple traffic network in which numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Urban Transport Sustainability
Authors: Hayashi Yoshitsugu , Doi Kenji , Yagishita Masaharu , Kuwata Masako
Published: November 2023

The paper describes the possible direction of Asian EST, starting with an overview of recent trends and problems in transport systems within Asia, policy practices are also introduced. It was found that although the current situation and trend of transport in the Asian region presents a diverse picture stemming from geographical differences and levels of economic development, most Asian countries share similar concerns about transport-related problems, namely severe congestion, air and noise pollution,. Common patterns can be identified behind these problems, which include: a)large increases in traffic demand, resulting from rapid economic growth, urbanization, and motorisation, b)poor control of vehicle emissions and the absence of effective inspection and maintenance systems, c)lack of adequate and appropriate infrastructures, and d)poor coordination of transport and land-use policies. In the current situation, insufficient understanding of environmental deterioration mechanisms delay the implementation of necessary policy measures in many Asian countries. Each country should find the best way to achieve EST as fast as possible by learning from others’ experiences. Existing good examples within the region, such as intermediate public transport systems and electric road pricing, can provide a strong foundation for this purpose.
Assessment of UK Land-Use and Transport Strategies Using Land-Use/Transport Interaction Modelling
Authors: Simmonds David
Published: November 2023

This paper considers the contributions to economic assessment that have been achieved in a series of UK studies which have used applications of the DELTA package as the landuse/ economic component of a dynamic land-use/transport interaction model. There are three main sections to the paper. The first examines the use of these models as ways of integrating knowledge about spatial and social change for the purpose of examining alternative land-use and transport strategies. The second reviews some of the results obtained from recent projects in relation to current debates about the impacts of transport change. The third considers progress and outstanding issues in relation to the formal appraisal of the costs and benefits arising from transport interventions. The concluding section comments on some of the remaining issues to be dealt with in using these modelling and appraisal methods in relation to questions of sustainability.
LUTI modelling in the Netherlands
Authors: Schoemakers Arnout , van der Hoorn Toon
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the use of the Dutch LUTI model TIGRIS in the planning process. TIGRIS is a long-term, incremental, time-based interaction and allocation model for land use, mobility, congestion and accessibility. In TIGRIS accessibility is described as a location factor for land-use that generates mobility. This increased mobility leads to congestion and changes in accessibility, and afterwards to new changes in land use. The model is used for regional and national forecasting, and follows a learning-by-doing approach.

In this paper four applications of TIGRIS are described with a focus on assessing impacts and the role in the planning process.

Because TIGRIS was originally developed as a sketch planning model with limited detail and the calibration on the basis of empirical data was rather limited, a new version, TIGRIS XL, is currently being developed.
Evaluation of the Waiting-Time effect on Critical Gaps at Roundabouts by a Logit Model
Authors: Polus Abishai , Shiftan Yoram , Shmueli-Lazar Sitvanit
Published: November 2023

Several studies have suggested that the entry capacity of roundabouts depends on the critical
gap. Accordingly, the assumption in calculating the capacity is that all drivers are homogeneous and consistent; i.e., their behavior does not change over time. This paper examines the accuracy of this assumption; in particular, it evaluates the effect of waiting times on drivers’ critical gaps.
AVL based Bus Priority at Traffic Signals
Authors: Hounsell N.B. , Shrestha B.P.
Published: November 2023

Recent developments in technologies such as Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and advanced control systems have stimulated new interest in bus priority facilities using traffic signals. The use of AVL systems has generated opportunities for implementing flexible busspecific priority strategies according to performance. The extent of the opportunities available depends very much on the architecture of a bus priority system, including the location(s) of intelligence determining the priority level and its implementation, and the method of priority request to the traffic signal. These aspects are important from the point of view of bus priority performance, communication requirements and the cost of the system.

This paper draws together and compares the various architectures currently being used for AVL-based bus priority, providing an overall review to supplement other papers which are usually concerned with individual systems. The paper reviews current bus priority systems used across Europe under five different architecture categories. The present bus priority architecture in London is then analysed in more detail as a case study. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues for this application, given the continuing advances in locations and communication technologies, and issues for the future.
Table of Content
Authors: _ -
Published: November 2023

Table of Contents
Shopping Facilities and Mobility Behaviour in East Germany
Authors: Achen Matthias
Published: November 2023

After the collapse of the socialist system, far-reaching structural changes took place in East Germany, with particular rapidity in two specific areas: in retailing with the trend towards large-scale outlets in peripheral locations, and in passenger transport with the trend towards longer journeys made by car. As far as attractive local retail facilities are concerned, it is important to establish what potential they have in this specific context with regards to both supply and demand. A closely linked issue is that of the significance of distance as a deter- mining factor in the choice of store for grocery shopping.
Investigation of user needs for driver assistance
Authors: van Driel Cornelie , van Arem Bart
Published: November 2023

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) aim at supporting the driver with the driving task and are expected to lead to a safer, cleaner and more efficient and comfortable transport system. This paper presents the results of an Internet questionnaire among more than 1000 Dutch car drivers. Respondents indicated their needs for driver assistance with certain driving tasks and situations. It appeared that warnings for downstream traffic conditions and traffic in blind spots were favoured. Apparently, the needs for warnings for downstream traffic conditions on motorways significantly differed from the needs for other driver support functions. Moreover, drivers preferred the ideal system to help them with critical situations (i.e. imminent crash and reduced visibility) and car following on motorways to other driving tasks and situations. Characteristics of the driver, system and traffic scene affected the needs for driver support. Besides, these needs indicated consequences for the integration of driver assistance. Driver support functions should exchange information to extend their individual fields of activity, for example by inter-vehicle communication (e.g. warning for downstream traffic conditions) or sensor data fusion (e.g. warning for an imminent crash).
Institutions, regulations and sustainable transport, a review
Authors: Rietveld Piet , Stough Roger
Published: November 2023

This policy research document examines institutional and regulatory aspects of sustainable transport from a cross- national perspective. While institutions appear to play an important role in the economic success of many countries, it is not so clear that they also support sustainable development. In fact, institutions are probably both supporting and constraining depending on the situation and it remains unclear what the net balance is. A number of examples of the role of institutions in transport are discussed. A research agenda is formulated with special attention to among others success and failure factors for regulatory reform, private versus public roles in transport, border effects and issues of fiscal
competition.
Book review Christian von Hirschhausen, Torsten Beckers and Kay Mitusch (eds.) Trends in Infrastructure Regulation and Financing. International Experience and Case Studies from Germany. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar
Authors: Voorde Eddy Van De
Published: November 2023

Quite a number of international publishers are aware of the fact that international conferences can be linked to excellent books. So does Edward Elgar Publishing Limited. The publisher presented this book, the result of the international conference on applied infrastructure research held at the Berlin University of Technology in October 2002. It provides an overview of international trends in infrastructure regulation and financing. It also discusses the role of the state and the private sector in infrastructure provision. The editors state that infrastructure provision is increasingly considered to be a key to structural change and economic growth of both developed and emerging economies. At the same time, however, there is still a lot of discussion on the appropriate theoretical framework and policy recommendations to achieve objectives such as efficiency, fairness, and sustainable development.
Environmental rating of vehicles with different fuels and drive trains: a univocal and applicable methodology
Authors: Timmermans Jean-Marc , Matheys Julien , Mierlo Joeri Van , Lataire Philippe
Published: November 2023

A new and applicable environmental rating tool for use as a policy tool, called EcoScore, was developed and allows evaluating the environmental impact of road vehicles with different drive trains or using different fuels. A single environmental indicator integrates different aspects of the environmental impact of the vehicles such as global warming, air quality depletion and noise pollution. To integrate these different aspects, the Ecoscore methodology includes different damage categories like: global warming, human health impairing effects and harmful effects on ecosystems. The contribution of the different normalised damages to the single value, called Ecoscore, is based upon a weighting system. The methodology can also be used for the ranking of heavy duty vehicles and two-wheelers. However, in this paper, the methodology will be explained using passenger vehicles and light-duty vehicles as an illustration. The methodology will be implemented by the Flemish government as a policy tool for the promotion of cleaner vehicles. An extensive database including vehicle records and their related emission data was used to develop, to validate and to analyse the environmental rating system. A sensitivity analysis was carried out which allowed the evaluation of the robustness of the methodology.
Book Review: Handbook of Transport Geography and Spatial Systems (D. Hensher, K. Button, K. Haynes and P. Sopher (eds.))
Authors: Meurs Henk
Published: November 2023

This is the fifth volume in the series ‘Handbooks in Transport’. The series is developed to be a reference work for researchers, practitioners and students within transport and logistics. In almost 700 pages this volume provides an overview of many geographical aspects of transportation. The editors aim at providing a useful manual or guidebook, especially for those who are unfamiliar within this area of work. In their introduction, the editors introduce some of their focal points within the book. They point at new technological changes, such as GIS, GPS and ITS which do have impacts on spatial systems, but which also can be of value in research (data collection and analysis). They point at the importance of institutional factors yielding the traditional disconnection between land use and transportation planning and hope that GIS may be an integrating factor. And they seem to be surprised that many urban areas still have no formal land use modelling capability.