Sustainable Transport and Transport Planning Assignment

Sustainable Transport and Transport Planning - Assignment Example These ever increasing numbers have raised a major concern in many local transport development offices and especially the one in Nottingham. The current innovation and construction of the Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two is something to marvel at but a question still remains, will it solve the current traffic issues? Trams have been offering reliable transportation for quite a while now and they will remain a tool of choice for the ordinary commuter. However, the dream to own a car always lingers in each commuter owing to the fact that everyone would like to be picked from their houses and taken to their destinations at their own will. The construction of the transit lines is guaranteed to reduce traffic congestion within the main city center but it does not necessarily mean that people will stop buying cars. The fact that people will always buy cars means that the local civil engineers will have to accommodate this factor while designing and implementing the construction of the t ransit lines. This means that apart from creating enough room for the trams, the engineers will also have to create enough room for the personal cars as well as commercial vehicles. ... Among the three, the problem of road maintenance takes the top spot due to the huge number of road accidents witnessed every year. Sustainable development in this sector requires the promotion of cooperation between social progress, environmental protection and economic efficiency. Recent technologies have shown us that it is however, very possible to drive around on cleaner energy such as the one used in modern electric cars all in an effort to protect the environment. Most people will agree that over-reliance on automobile is related to unsustainable urban environments. The use of vehicles is indeed one of the largest sources of pollution globally and if not controlled stands to destroy the environment that we live in (CEE, 2011). However, there exists quite a number of alternatives to automobile transport that are much safer and more reliable in terms of sustaining the environment. The use of water transport and trains is deemed to reduce the use of cars and guaranteed to provide a much faster way of moving from one point to another especially in inter-city transportation. This can also prove to be a great way to control the traffic situation in big cities apart from offering cheap and reliable transport for both small and large cargo. In as much as the construction of additional tram transit lines will bring the sought after relief, there will still be need to outsource additional means of transport to curb the rising automobile use within Nottingham. The local authorities can implement the following alternatives among others: Use of Bicycles: this is among one of the best sustainable alternatives that can actually save the city a lot of money in terms of maintenance costs and fuel prices as well as promoting green energy (Bourne, 2003). Carpooling

Methods of Risk Analysis and Management

Methods of Risk Analysis and Management RISK ANALYSIS METHODS Risk management can be divided into four steps: risk identification, risk assessment, risk control, and risk records. In recent years, studies have mostly focused on the risk assessment. Risk assessment is to analyze and measure the size of risks in order to provide information to risk control. Four steps are included in the risk assessment. According to the results of risk identification and build an appropriate mathematical model. through expert surveys, historical records, extrapolation, etc. to obtain the necessary, basic information or data available, and then choose the appropriate mathematical methods to quantify the information. Choose proper models and analysis methods to deal with the data and adjust the models according to the specific circumstances. Determine the size of risks according to certain criteria. In the risk assessment extrapolation, subjective estimation, probability distribution analysis and other methods are used to obtain some basic data or information. Further data analysis often use following basic theory and methods: layer analysis method, mode cangue logical analysis method, Monte Carlo simulation, the gray system theory, artificial neural network method, fault tree analysis, Bayesian theory, an influence diagram method and Markov process theory. We can divide the methods into qualitative analysis and Quantitative Analysis. Qualitative analysis: 1. Fault Tree Analysis Fault Tree Analysis Fault Tree Analysis (Fault Tree Analysis, FTA) can be used for qualitative analysis of risk and can also be used for quantitative analysis. It is mainly used for large-scale complicated system reliability and safety analysis. It is also an effective method to Unification reliability and safety analysis, through hardware, software, environment, human factors.FTA is drawing a variety of possibilities of failure in system failure analysis, from whole to part, according to the tree structure. Fault tree analysis using tree form, the system The failure of components and composition of the fault system are connected. We are always using fault tree in qualitative or quantitative risk analysis. The difference in them is that the quantitative fault tree is good in structure and it requires use of the same rigorous logic as the formal fault tree, but qualitative fault tree is not. Fault tree analysis system is based on the target which event is not hoped to happen (called the top event), one level down from the top event analysis of the direct cause of their own events (call low event), according to the logical relationship between the upper and lower case, the analysis results are obtained. 2. Event Tree Analysis Event tree analysis (event tree analysis, ETA) also known as decision tree analysis, is another important method of risk analysis. It is the events of a given system, the analysis of the events may cause a series of results, and thus evaluates the possibility of the system. Event tree is given an initial event all possible ways and means of development, every aspect of the event tree events (except the top incidents) are the implementation of certain functions of measures to prevent accidents, and all have binary outcomes (success or failure). While the event tree illustrates the various incidents causes of the accident sequence group. Through various intermediate steps in the accident sequence group can organize the complexity of the relationship between the initial incident and the probability of systemic risk reduction measurement, and identify the accident sequence group. So we can calculate the probability of each of the key sequence of events occurred. 3. Cause-Consequence Analysis Cause and consequence analysis is a combination of fault tree analysis and event tree analysis. It uses the cause analysis (fault tree analysis) and the result analysis (event tree analysis), CCA aims to identify the chain of events leading to unexpected consequences, according to the probability of occurrence of different events from CCA diagram to calculate the probability of different results, then the risk level of the system can be determined. 4. Preliminary Risk Analysis Preliminary risk analysis or hazard analysis is a qualitative technique which involves a disciplined analysis of the event sequences which could transform a potential hazard into an accident. In this technique, the possible undesirable events are identified first and then analyzed separately. 2 For each undesirable events or hazards, possible improvements, or preventive measures are then formulated. This method provides a basis for determining hazard categories and which analysis methods are most suitable. It is proved valuable in the working surrounding to which activities lacking safety measures can be readily identified. 5. Hazard and Operability studies (HAZOP) The HAZOP technique was origined in the early 1970s by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. HAZOP is firstly defined as the application of a formal systematic critical examination of the process and engineering intentions of new or existing facilities to assess the hazard potential that arise from deviation in design specifications and the consequential effects on the facilities as a whole.2 This technique is usually performed using a set of guidewords: NO/NOT, MORE OR/LESS OF, AS WELL AS, PART OF REVERSE, AND OTHER THAN. These guidewords, a scenario that may result in a hazard or an operational problem is identified. Consider the possible flow problems in a process line, the guide word MORE OF will correspond to high flow rate, while that for LESS THAN, low flow rate. The consequences of the hazard and measures to reduce the frequency with which the hazard will occur are then discussed. This technique is accepted widely in the process industries. It is mostly regarded as an effective tool for plant safety and operability improvements. Detailed procedures on how to perform the technique are available in some relevant literatures. Quantitative Analysis: Fault Tree Analysis It is explained in the Qualitative analysis. Expected value Expected value is the possible outcome times the probability of its occurrence. An expected value shows the percentage of yielding a target in a business. Sensitivity analysis In sensitivity analysis shows how the outcome changes in response of a particular variable change. One can get result from optimistic, most likely and pessimistic values. An example of inputs for sensitivity analysis is the material and labor cost that can be much fluctuated.

Causes of the French Revolution :: essays research papers

Causes of the French Revolution The statement citing the essential cause of the French Revolution as the "collision between a powerful, rising bourgeoisie and an entrenched aristocracy defending it's privileges" has great pertinence in summarizing the conflict of 1789. The causes of the French Revolution, being provoked by this collision of powers, was the Financial debt of the government and the long-standing political differences in the government. Over the course of twenty-five years after the Seven Years' War, the government of France--the Bourgeoisie royalty, could not manage it's finances on a sound basis. This was worsened when France aided the American Revolution against Great Britain. The Government had reached great financial debt. The problem lied and continued because of the government's inability to tap the wealth of the French nation by taxation. There was a great paradox in France being a rich nation with a government in poverty. The deteriorating finances of the government is what triggered the prolonged differences between the Bourgeoisie and the aristocracy. The political differences between the monarchy and the nobles came about after the Seven Years' war also. The increasing debt of the government escalated the hope for the monarchy to resume a "absolute power" status as it did with Louis XIV. However this could not be accomplished because of the doubt that the public had towards the present kings Louis XV and Louis XVI, and the public could not be swayed to help. The only result of the attempts for absolutism by the monarchy were a series of new and increase taxes on the nobles. The aristocracy immediately reacted to these taxes as declaring them unfair and would not accept them. Louis XV began with a series of Financial advisors chancellors which all had the intention of saving the monarchy from financial ruin. They made many attempts at taxation, such as a land tax, but each of these were defeated by the nobles -- the Parlements were even destroyed for a brief time, but were later restored by Louis XVI in attempt to gain public support. The government continued to become poorer and poorer and it seemed the only successful taxation was done towards the peasants, whom had the least money. The monarchy eventually fell and caused great unrest

Current Event Summary and Reaction – Honors Government – “North Carolina Getting a State Religion? No.”

North Carolina getting a state religion? No. | By: Eric Marrapodi  and  John Blake, CNN A group of representatives in North Carolina have recently been pushing the idea of uniting their government with an established religion. Two Republican representatives in particular filed a resolution that would potentially permit the state to declare Christianity as its official practice of worship. In this case, the North Carolina would reject all federal law and ruling concerning separation of church and state.Although these representatives argue this would protect the county’s commissioners in their freedom of speech, critics say the resolution violates the Constitution’s first amendment. Those in favor of an established religion continue to fall back on the nullification theory, but many agree that because the theory has repeatedly been ruled as incorrect, courts won’t buy it. Personally, I don’t think the courts will buy it either. Putting the specifics and details aside, the concept of separation of church and state is ultimately already decided upon.The way things are now is the way they should be; everyone is free to practice their own religion, including those who are pushing the resolution. I don’t know why one would want to force others to be a member of their religion if they don’t want to be. There is no way to force someone to be devoted to or believe in something. In the article, critics called the argument for a combined church and state â€Å"phony,† and I agree. If most â€Å"Christians† are not truly Christians, Christianity will quickly become a joke, as well as a lie for some.If the state did adopt a conformed religion, what would regulations consist of? I doubt one would be punished for practicing another religion; therefore, there is really no point. If anything, I think those in favor of the resolution should be less concerned about spending time on a pointless argument and be more concern ed about practicing their religion themselves. http://religion. blogs. cnn. com/2013/04/04/north-carolina-getting-a-state-religion-no/

Sociology: Midterm Exam, Explain the Effects of Sociology

Each human is born into differing sets of cultural and sociological circumstances that make each individual differ from one another in various ways. Culture would be classified as the moral standards, knowledge, beliefs, customs, and whatever other habits man can and will create in a society. This â€Å"Culture† affects each individual passively, or unintentionally, but yet very effectively. Corresponding to this would be the society that an individual is born into. Differing cultures create Societies; societies are made up of cultural relations with others of the same and agreeing culture. Cultures are separated out into â€Å"social classes† naturally because of major differences in cultural habits, beliefs, customs, etc. Social classes are differing cultures: cultures that cannot easily coincide. A person might be born into the American culture, usually referred to as â€Å"western culture†, and thus he would be immediately different from those of an â€Å"eastern culture†, say those of Iraq or Iran. The differing cultures are obviously based on the differing base of beliefs, the different customs, habits, moral standards, and much, much more! Then there are sociological differences that we refer to as social class. While there is much of the western culture throughout the world, there are even widely differing cultures within the culture itself. These are what form society and social classes. While there is one culture on the east coast of the United States, you will find that the culture on the west coast is completely separate and distinct. One of the more distinct examples that can be given is of those from the south versus those from elsewhere in the United States. Feature Article –  Sociology Test Because of the culture that children are born into, they are immediately immersed in a society that would demand respect and modesty in everyday living. It can be noted that the cultural standard in the southern United States is made up of higher moral standards than other states. Morals are one of the factors that make a culture differ from another. Just by sheer consequence, this culture creates a society that is considerably higher than those surrounding. In history it can be noted that men from the south tended to be more upper class citizens having those of a differing culture under them as working class individuals. African Americans are from a differing culture, which in turn makes the society that they create clash with the society of other cultures. You will find many different social classes that are together in one culture. For instance, Bill Gates would be part of a social class that some farmer from Iowa would not be able to relate to. Generally there are 4 major social classes. These would be the Upper Class (a small percentage), the Middle Class, the Working Class (constituting of most people), and the Lower Class. As well as any average person from the rural town life would not be of the same social class as the president of the United States. A person can be born into a certain social class, but they can also work to attain a higher social class from the point in which they have begun. For the ease of consideration we will chose someone from rural farm country in either Illinois or Iowa; These people are born to their parents into the working class and or lower class that they are part of. There have been people that have risen from the Lower Class up to the position of President, like our current president Mr. Barak Obama. Through natural means, and providential circumstances he was able to get an education and work his way up through the classes, and after many years of work, sits as the current President. Education is a part of each individual’s social class. One of the major factors that separate the Working Class from the Middle Class is their education. People that have taken the time, money and energy to get an education and secure a degree or certificate in some specific area, are of a higher class and social status than those that are just working to provide for themselves in a workforce where no degree is needed. Culture is similar to Social class in that each individual is born into them without any choice, and that they are passively trained to be part of that class. But, a culture is the influence of certain standards, morals, habits, and such that will influence the person, whereas a society is only made up of relationships and certain goals and objectives. By joining together into a social class, the society can achieve what they would not be able to on an individual basis. The same is true for a culture, but to a lesser degree because there are many more cultures than there are social classes. Another term that can be used to describe culture would be: learned behavior patterns. In conclusion, there are many cultures and many social standards throughout the world that affect every person either in a negative or a positive way. Every individual has the influence of their culture and social class on them, to the point that they make distinctions about whom they will associate with and who they are able to have deep or shallow relationships. These are some of the factors that will limit the amount of people that a person is â€Å"able† to marry. The person under consideration must be of a certain culture, in most cases, as well as be of an equal or greater social class. In my opinion, it is the wide distances between these social classes and foreign cultures that cause the many clashes in civilization, causing war and riots among lower people. If people were able to over-come these Sociological differences, then all men would be able to live more peaceably together.