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The management of any road network can be improved by gathering information about the different road segments that form it. Geographic information systems (GISs) can be used to map and manipulate the large amount of information collected. This helps managers in their analysis of the network and in the decision-making processes. This article explains the development and practical use of the latest mapping carried out on the local roads in the region of Cantabria in northern Spain. The aim of the current study was to perform a thorough analysis of the characteristics of each segment of the road network to update and restructure the existing mapping. A geographic information system (GIS) was used for consulting and analyzing the data obtained now and over previous years. Moreover, the ways this information could be used in the decision-making process were improved for a regional road network which has, in general, a low volume of traffic. Key words: geographic information system (GIS), local roads, mapping, management. La gestion de tout reseau routier peut etre amelioree en colligeant de l'information sur les differentes sections de routes le composant. Les systemes d'information geographique (SIG) peuvent etre utilises pour cartographier et manipuler la grande quantite d'information colligee. Cela aide les gestionnaires dans leur analyse des reseaux et dans leur prise de decisions. Cet article explique le developpement et l'utilisation d'ordre pratique des plus recentes cartes des routes locales de la region de Cantabrie, dans le nord de l'Espagne. Le but de la presente etude etait d'effectuer une analyse approfondie des caracteristiques de chaque section du reseau routier afin de mettre a jour et de restructurer les cartes existantes. Un SIG a ete utilise pour consulter et analyser les donnees obtenues actuellement et anterieurement. De plus, les facons dont cette information pourrait etre utilisee dans la prise de decisions ont ete ameliorees pour les reseaux routiers regionaux qui ont, en general, un faible debit de circulation. Mots-cles : systeme d'information geographique (SIG), routes locales, cartographie, gestion. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction In the 1980s, in accordance with the Spanish Constitution of 1978, the responsibility for local roads started to be transferred from the national government to the regional authorities. Before [...]

Signal plan transition is the process of changing from one timing plan to another. It begins when the first intersection starts adjusting signal timing plans and ends when the last intersection completes adjusting signal timing plans. The transition between signal timing plans is required because traffic patterns change during the day. Therefore, it is necessary to modify signal timing parameters offset, phase split, and cycle length for different expectations of traffic volume. This paper presents an alternative and new mathematical model to enhance the performance of traffic signals coordination at intersections during the transition phase. This model is oriented to describe the transition regarding coordination parameters in all intersections of an arterial road for minimizing the social cost during the transition phase expressed in function of costs due to delays, fuel consumption, and air emissions. An ant colony algorithm was designed, coded, and simulated to find the optimal transition parameters using available data. The model was evaluated based on its ability to minimize social costs during the transition period. Results showed that the proposed method performs better than traditional ones., 1. Introduction The rapid increase in urban traffic demand because of a growing population and economic development has led to an increase in the effects of traffic congestion and the [...]

Although the need for more environmentally friendly vehicles was recognized some decades ago, this new market has not yet established itself. Consumer behavior needs to be studied to ascertain when people will decide to purchase hybrid or electric vehicles rather than conventional ones. An in-depth review of the state-of-the-art has identified existing deficiencies and these are addressed in this paper, proposing a new approach that is applied to the case of Santander in Spain. Emphasis is placed on the role of citizens in researching the local market and their requirements with respect to such vehicles; our model assumes variability in user preferences, an utmost requirement as concluded from the literature review. Results suggest that the highest demand for cleaner vehicles would be achieved in two ways: firstly, by penalizing conventional vehicles in terms of costs/km; secondly, by providing incentives directed at lowering the purchasing price of hybrid and electric vehicles. Finally, as demand becomes more elastic, the preferred strategy should initially focus on hybrid vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a methodology using a Geographical Information System (GIS) to evaluate the best location to stop a high speed passenger train when faced with an undesired event. The proposed method is based on multicriteria decision-making where different stretches of line which could be chosen as the stopping point are ranked depending on the characteristics of the line, the surrounding area and its accessibility for equipment. The method was integrated into the GIS to develop an expert support system for decision makers faced with different kinds of undesired events. It has been applied to a case study on the high speed line between Valladolid and Madrid (Spain). The proposed method is new and has not previously been applied to high speed railway networks and could be adapted to other case studies. The speed of the algorithm provides an almost instantaneous reply within seconds of an emergency situation occurring. The method can therefore be part of an overall support system for decision making in undesired rail events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the characteristics of urban freight transport in Rome, Barcelona, and Santander and the logistics measures being implemented in the three cities. The analysis is based on three similar surveys carried out in recent years involving interviews with retailers and transport operators. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the similarities and differences in terms of spatial patterns, current regulations, socioeconomic characteristics, commercial structures, freight demand characteristics, and current distribution patterns followed by different transport and logistics operators. The study shows that there are some different patterns of urban distribution that need to be taken into account when implementing city logistics measures in order to meet desired sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the annual average daily traffic in inter-urban networks determining the best correlation (affinity) between the short period traffic counts and permanent traffic counters. A bi-level optimisation problem is proposed in which an agent in an upper level prefixes the affinities between short period traffic counts and permanent traffic counters stations and looks to minimise the annual average daily traffic calculation error while, in a lower level, an origin-destination (O-D) trip matrix estimation problem from traffic counts is solved. The proposed model is tested over the well-known Sioux-Falls network and applied to a real case of Cantabria (Spain) regional road network. The importance of determining appropriate affinity and the effect of localisation of permanent traffic counters stations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To begin with, his article studies the user's preferences when faced with the introduction of two completely different public transport systems: the bus and the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Also, it examines how the modal distribution varies between the private car and each of the new systems, in particular. In addition, the most important variables for users when travelling in a congested corridor are individualized and a study is made on how these variables influence on the modal distribution. The results of the stated preferences of surveys are modelled using mixed logit models. Values are estimated for user's time and the demand elasticity is determined with respect to the relevant variables. Different situations are created to analyse how user's behaviour changes with the changes in the most important variables. Furthermore, this article quantifies the effects of the more relevant variables and shows that the LRT can attract more demand than a bus service, but it must guarantee a regular and frequent service, at the same time as charging competitive fares. It is also shown that for the introduction to be more successful any taken action should be accompanied by policies that chastise the use of the private car such as increased parking charges or higher fuel taxes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Optimization models for calculating the best size for passenger carrying vehicles in urban areas were popular during the 1980s. These studies were abandoned in the '90s concluding that it was more efficient to use smaller buses at higher frequencies. This article returns to this controversial question, starting from the point of view that any calculation of bus size can only be made after considering the demand for each of the routes on the system. Therefore, an optimization model for sizing the buses and setting frequencies on each route in the system is proposed in accordance with the premises detailed below. The proposed model is a bi-level optimization model with constraints on bus capacity. The model allows buses of different sizes to be assigned to public transport routes optimizing the headways on each route in accordance with observed levels of demand. At the upper level the model considers the optimization of the system's social and operating costs, these are understood to be the sum of the user's and operator's costs. At the lower level there is an assignment model for public transport with constraints on vehicle capacity which balances the flows for bus sizes and headways at each iteration. By graphically representing the results of the model applied to a real case, a series of useful conclusions are reached for the management and planning of a fleet of public transport vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a hierarchical trip distribution gravity model that can accommodate various spatial correlation structures. It is formulated on the basis of the solution to an equivalent optimization problem, and its parameters are estimated using a sequential maximum likelihood procedure. We conclude that accounting for spatial correlation through a hierarchical structure incorporated into gravity-type trip distribution models significantly increases their explanatory and predictive powers and improves the results they generate for use in transportation system planning processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the profitability of building a leisure area combined with an underground car park. The particular case studied shows the doubt surrounding the profitability of the work due to the high construction costs of the car park and the uncertainty surrounding the area's future usage. A cost-benefit analysis is therefore performed considering four alternative projects: a car park of one or two floors built using sheet piling and a car park of one or two floors built using concrete screens. Applying the corresponding sensitivity analysis shows that, depending on the tariff charged, one building method may be more profitable than another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes an experiment which introduced random ranges into the variables used for the design of a stated preference survey and its effects on willingness to pay for parking. User behaviour at the time of parking was modelled to determine their willingness to pay in order to get to their final destination more quickly. Calculating willingness to pay is fundamental during the social and economic assessment of projects. It is important to correctly model how car parks and their users interact in order to get values which represent reality as closely as possible. Willingness to pay is calculated using a stated preference survey and by calibrating multinomial logit models, taking variable tastes into account. It is shown that a value with a low variability can be obtained for willingness to pay by correctly establishing the context of the choice and randomly changing the variables around an average value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many university campuses are suffering from serious mobility problems resulting from excessive use of the private car by students, teachers and administrative staff. This article proposes a methodology based on a revealed and stated preferences survey aimed at estimating the importance of different variables on users mobility choices in order to simulate their reaction to policies such as the introduction of new modes of transport or charging for on campus parking. This estimation was based on a Mixed Logit model considering the possible presence of heterogeneity in user preferences. The introduction of these results into an optimization model has also allowed us to calculate the optimal parking fare that should be charged which would minimize the number of free spaces on campus or maximize the income received. This methodology has been applied to a case study at the campus of the University of Cantabria (Spain). The elasticities calculated using a Mixed Logit model confirm that setting a fare for parking on campus would be a serious disincentive against private car use in favor of more sustainable transport modes. Furthermore, the optimization model allowed us to calculate the fare that would maximize the income obtained from the parking spaces, an income that could then be used to strengthen the campus sustainable mobility policies. • The aim is to propose a methodology to promote sustainable mobility in campus. • The data was collected using a revealed and stated preferences survey. • Mixed logit and optimization models were estimated. • Results showed a fare for parking would disincentive private car use. • The optimization allowed us to calculate the optimal parking fare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]