Ecological Networks: connecting environmental, economic and social systems?

Ecological networks for different spatial scales (international to sub-regional) are being defined and realized throughout Europe. Historically they have been focused on nature conservation, but they may offer a mechanism whereby a holistic, integrated and long-term approach to regional and sub-regional sustainable development can be promoted. Economic, social and environmental factors operate at different spatial and temporal scales, presenting challenges to those wishing to develop an ecological network. A case study based on the development of an ecological network for Cheshire, a sub-region of the European Region-North West (UK), demonstrates how environmental issues might be integrated with social and economic drivers of change. A framework for an ecological network is proposed by combining an outline model of the socio-ecological system within Cheshire with a checklist that can be used to assess the sustainable management of a landscape.     

Ecological Networks: Connecting environmental,economic and social systems?

Ecological networks for different spatial scales (international to sub-regional) are being defined and realized throughout Europe. Historically they have been focused on nature conservation, but they may offer a mechanism whereby a holistic, integrated and long-term approach to regional and sub-regional sustainable development can be promoted. Economic, social and environmental factors operate at different spatial and temporal scales, presenting challenges to those wishing to develop an ecological network. A case study based on the development of an ecological network for Cheshire, a sub-region of the European Region-North West (UK), demonstrates how environmental issues might be integrated with social and economic drivers of change. A framework for an ecological network is proposed by combining an outline model of the socio-ecological system within Cheshire with a checklist that can be used to assess the sustainable management of a landscape.     

The water supply is fine: decision‐maker perceptions of water quantity and supply‐side management

Years of research have called for more science to be integrated into water management decisions and for a shift from supply‐side to demand‐side management; yet, there remains a strong emphasis on supply‐side approaches and in many areas limited attention to hydrological data. A survey and interviews with decision‐makers in western North Carolina reveal that there is only low‐level concern about water quantity, and this drives a continued emphasis on supply‐side management and no perceived need for hydrological data. The historical realities of low demand and abundant water have generated a perception of ‘water supply’ as disconnected from physical, hydrological systems and allowed for ad hoc decision‐making processes to prevail. The lack of well‐established processes may, ironically, provide significant opportunities for employing collaboration among researchers and decision‐makers to develop policies and processes that integrate data into making water management decisions and thus prompt increased attention to water demand.     

Postdisaster image‐based damage detection and repair cost estimation of reinforced concrete buildings using dual convolutional neural networks

Reinforced concrete (RC) buildings are commonly used around the world. With recent earthquakes worldwide, rapid structural damage inspection and repair cost evaluation are crucial for building owners and policy makers to make informed risk management decisions. To improve the efficiency of such inspection, advanced computer vision techniques based on convolutional neural networks have been adopted in recent research to rapidly quantify the damage state (DS) of structures. In this article, an advanced object detection neural network, named YOLOv2, is implemented, which achieves 98.2% and 84.5% average precision in training and testing, respectively. The proposed YOLOv2 is used in combination with the classification neural network, which improves the identification accuracy for critical DS of RC structures by 7.5%. The improved classification procedures allow engineers to rapidly and more accurately quantify the DSs of the structure, and also localize the critical damage features. The identified DS can then be integrated with the state‐of‐the‐art performance evaluation framework to quantify the financial losses of critical RC buildings. The results can be used by the building owners and decision makers to make informed risk management decisions immediately after the strong earthquake shaking. Hence, resources can be allocated rapidly to improve the resiliency of the community.     

A competency‐based performance model for construction project managers

The role of competency‐based performance management is growing in significance in many industries and sectors. Unlike functional competences, which measure performance against predetermined minimum occupational standards, competency‐based systems are founded on the key behavioural competencies that underlie superior levels of performance. In order to identify the key behaviours leading to performance excellence amongst construction project managers, in‐depth behavioural event interviews were used in which managers were asked to recount critical management incidents, decisions and actions from which their behavioural competencies could be identified. By delineating the sample according to their performance against a range of role‐based criteria, the competencies defining superior management performance were determined. Statistical techniques were then used to develop a model that can be used to predict likely employee performance, which was subsequently validated on a second criterion sample. The research identifies 12 core behavioural competencies that underpin effective project management performance, of which two – ‘composure’ and ‘team leadership’ – were the most predictive. The paper explores the potential role and application of the framework in the drive for performance excellence within the industry, such as in selection, management development, succession planning, performance management and team deployment. It is argued that it offers an innovative alternative to normative micro‐competence‐based approaches that do little to engender performance excellence amongst the industry's key managers and professionals.     

基于BIM 的建设项目文档管理系统设计

建筑信息模型（BIM）在建设工程领域的作用愈来愈凸显,基于BIM 的信息集成管理将极大提高项目管理的效率。充分分析了传统建设项目文档管理系统在信息检索、知识重用方面的不足,同时对BIM 以及IFC 标准进行了详尽的阐述。在此基础上提出在BIM 环境下集成建设项目文档管理系统,并分别分析了系统的实施必要性及技术可行性,提出了系统框架。最后对文本信息集成方法进行了改进,提出适用于中文文本的BIM 环境下建设项目文档管理的实现框架及其支撑技术。研究为可以基于BIM 的建设项目文档管理提供参考。     

Dynamic demand risk assessment for toll road projects

To bridge the gap between supply of and increasing demand for roads, public–private partnership (PPP) concession contracts in which the investment cost is recovered via payments from the end users have been established. Although this mechanism has been seen as an efficient way for road projects to be completed on time and within budget, the demand risk faced during the operation stage has considerably limited this efficiency. Demand depends on a range of interrelated and dynamic factors such as the demographic and economic conditions. In addition, uncertainty is an inherent aspect of most demand-underlying factors which always make demand estimation inaccurate. However, this uncertainty is largely ignored by modellers where a single demand estimate is often used when evaluating the facility. The aim is to develop a system dynamics model to assess demand risk in road projects. The model captures the factors affecting demand and their relationships and simulates their change over time. By employing Monte Carlo simulation, the model assesses the likelihood and potential effect of an event on the outcome and provides a full picture of the various effects of potential risk. The model can help public, private, and financial stakeholders of PPP facilities make more informed decisions.     

A LOCATIONAL MODEL FOR THE SITE SELECTION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION CONSTRAINTS

The management of an integrated solid waste system has significantly changed with increasing environmental concerns. Conventional location/allocation models for solid waste management usually incorporate mass balance, capacity limitation, operating, and financial constraints. But the siting of important facilities, such as landfills, incinerators, and transfer stations, in a growing metropolitan region still encounters an explicit limitation: a traffic congestion constraint. The transfer station is the most critical one due to the various loading of different types of incoming and outgoing trucks during the peak hours in the metropolitan region. A mixed integer programming model with the framework of dynamic optimization still can be used efficiently for site selection over time once the traffic congestion constraint is included. The practical implementation of such a model is assessed by a case study of the Kaohsiung solid waste management system in Taiwan. It shows that the incorporation of the traffic congestion constraint does influence the optimal flow pattern in the soldity waste management network.     

Management framework for technology clusters implementation

Much of the construction industry improvement agenda has been focused on achieving integration of the design and construction processes. However, the current approaches do not create an organizational framework to deal with the full integration of the supply chains for component based construction. The real construction supply chain of clients, designers, specialist designers, specialist manufacturers, constructors and assemblers is not integrated into one group with a common purpose. A major and ongoing challenge is to manage the essential grouping of contributors and participants, many of whom are involved for varying times on a relatively short‐term basis. Grouping, by using technology clusters, addresses many of these challenges as it creates a commonly shared sub‐organization and culture that aids the removal of barriers to efficient and quality production. A technology cluster approach is a management philosophy and its principles can be applied whatever the procurement approach, although managed forms of procurement provide a better framework. Our studies of projects that have adopted a clustering approach have provided an understanding of the implementation issues of technology clusters and established the consequent changes in organizational design and management necessary to achieve full integration of the supply chain.     

The significance of Swedish rental policy: Cost renting: Command economy versus the social market in comparative perspective

Recent literature on the Swedish rental system has missed the central significance of the Swedish system for international comparative purposes by neglecting the rent‐setting system and by unwittingly adopting an Anglo‐Saxon perspective. In this paper I attempt to rectify this by developing a comparative conceptual framework for the analysis of rental systems. I outline the post‐war history of the Swedish rent‐setting system, and argue that this constitutes an example of a unitary social rental market in the making, whereby public and private renting are integrated and public renting expands to become market leader for rent‐setting purposes. According to this model, public renting is allowed to compete with private renting such that its cost structure increasingly determines the rent levels on the rental market as a whole. This ‘market strategy’ constrasts to the Anglo‐Saxon model in which public renting is segregated from private renting, its growth suppressed (or even reversed through discounted sales) to prevent public renting competing with private renting and owner occupation. The ‘command policy’ uses the principles of the command economy to achieve the goal of sheltering both owner occupation and private renting from competition from a non‐profit form of rental housing. Other countries where a market policy has been adopted, such as Germany and the Netherlands, are also discussed.     

EXPLORATION OF AQUIFER MANAGEMENT OPTIONS USING A GROUNDWATER MODEL

A methodology is described for harnessing the predictive capacity of a groundwater model to underpin aquifer management decisions for changing abstraction within a licensing regulatory framework. The use of a 'baseline predictive simulation' is advocated from both aquifer management and scientific perspectives, and an example of groundwater modelling predictive work on the Nottingham-Doncaster Sherwood Sandstone aquifer system is used to illustrate the methodology. Differences between the baseline predictive simulation and a predictive simulation are processed to extract quantitative information (spatially and temporally) on the response to changes in aquifer stresses. An explanation is given on the use of this information to aid aquifer management decisions for achieving environmental targets. The importance of the aquifer diffusivity with respect to a predictive simulation exercise is highlighted.     

Performance management of small water treatment plant operations: a decision support system

A decision support system (DSS) is developed to optimise the performance of different operations of small water treatment systems to improve day‐to‐day decisions. The support system includes a data management system, knowledge‐based system, performance assessment of different unit processes, fault tree analyses, preventive and corrective actions and event tree analysis (ETA). Performance assessment identifies the critical events (failures) and fault tree analysis identifies the interrelationships between the critical events and the root causes. Fault trees are developed based on the information obtained from events of waterborne outbreaks, responses to questionnaires by the participating smaller utilities, state‐of‐the‐art literature review and personal communication with the operators. ETA is used to identify the potential health outcomes which are further integrated with the quantitative microbial risk assessment. The developed DSS is advanced to an automated user friendly program that can be used by treatment plant operators to assess system performance.     

Developing a production management modelling approach for precast concrete building products

Production management in this research is concerned with three key decisions: demand forecast, production scheduling and stock forecast. These three decisions are very much interrelated and cannot be made in isolation. Previous studies of precast concrete industry activities concluded that production management is fragmented. For example, production planning is done in isolation from demand forecasting and from stock forecasting. This has contributed to poor production management performance in terms of resource utilization and over-stocking. This paper goes beyond traditional production management theories and practices and develops a model to integrate all aspects of production management. The main objective is to develop an integrated production management model for the make-to-stock sector of precast concrete building products, in order to help production managers make better planning decisions and explore alternative options. The model is a factory simulator which examines and evaluates the effect of several managerial strategies on production planning and stock forecasting before actual production commences. It uses different measures of performance which facilitate the choice of planning strategies under various demands and factory conditions.     

Business transformation: Leadership,integration and innovation – A case study

The Cornerstone Program represented a significant business transformation for Hydro One. Just as a cornerstone helps determine the position of an entire structure; the Cornerstone Program has helped shape the future strategic position of Hydro One. This strategy and vision includes supporting the business infrastructure through improvements to rapidly respond to business needs, enabling rapid access to information for strategic decisions, and streamlined business operations enabling the organization to deal with growing requirements. This case study introduces a conceptual framework that draws from theoretical change models but is also grounded in the reality of the change environment at this organization. Realizing major organizational change is a complex process influenced by the characteristics of an organization, the integrated project and change management framework, and the importance of key leadership roles throughout the change process. Results from this study suggest that effective change implementation was enabled by leadership, program management, and change ownership, integrated with project implementation.     

End‐to‐End Deep Learning Methodology for Real‐Time Traffic Network Management

This article presents a novel real‐time traffic network management system using an end‐to‐end deep learning (E2EDL) methodology. A computational learning model is trained, which allows the system to identify the time‐varying traffic congestion pattern in the network, and recommend integrated traffic management schemes to reduce this congestion. The proposed model structure captures the temporal and spatial congestion pattern correlations exhibited in the network, and associates these patterns with efficient traffic management schemes. The E2EDL traffic management system is trained using a laboratory‐generated data set consisting of pairings of prevailing traffic network conditions and efficient traffic management schemes designed to cope with these conditions. The system is applied for the US‐75 corridor in Dallas, Texas. Several experiments are conducted to examine the system performance under different traffic operational conditions. The results show that the E2EDL system achieves travel time savings comparable to those recorded for an optimization‐based traffic management system.     

Experimental investigation on dynamic characterization and seismic control performance of a TLPD system

The tuned liquid damper (TLD) and particle damper (PD) have been used as effective passive vibration absorbers to suppress undesirable structural vibrations induced by dynamic loads such as earthquake and strong winds. In this paper, through an integrated use of the TLD and PD, a new damper system named the tuned liquid particle damper (TLPD) was developed. The dynamic characteristics of TLPD in terms of tuning conditions and transfer functions were investigated through a series of shaking table tests. Nonlinear behaviors of TLPD in the frequency domain were discussed, and a preliminary framework was applied in the design of a five‐story steel frame building model using shaking table tests. Testing results confirmed the workability of the preliminary design framework as the primary structure is subjected to earthquake loadings. Performances of different TLPD‐structure systems were summarized from these testing programs. One of observations is that the TLPD system worked as a modified TLD in this study. The testing programs provide proof‐of‐concept results for this proposed vibration absorber.     

Welfare economics and environmental problems

This paper sets out to place the subject matter of environmental management in a context wider than that traditionally used by economists. This traditional context is defined by the use of “neoclassical” welfare economics which, in its modern form, has been revived in the form of cost‐benefit analysis. The authors establish that this framework neglects the overall functions of the ecosystem as a life‐support system and argue that the partial nature of welfare economics assessments of environmental programmes will cause a neglect of the “ ecodimension” effects. They propose a model in which ecological impacts are integrated into the standard economic model, securing results which differ considerably from those of the latter approach. In particular, they show that consideration of ecological effects dictates much stricter environmental standards than would otherwise be the case.     

Computational platform for the integrated life-cycle management of highway bridges

Throughout their service life, highway bridges are subject to progressive deterioration in performance; an issue that may render the use of these facilities unsafe at some point in time. Over the last few decades, there has been successful research towards developing procedures for establishing the various vital elements required in the life-cycle management of civil infrastructure. It is noted, however, that frameworks for integrating these elements together are lacking. The objective of this paper is to present an integrated framework for the life-cycle management of highway bridges in the form of a detailed computational platform. The elements integrated into the framework include the advanced assessment of life-cycle performance, analysis of system and component performance interaction, advanced maintenance optimization, and updating the life-cycle performance by information obtained from structural health monitoring and controlled testing.