working paper

Trucking Industry Demand for Urban Shared Use Freight Terminals

Publication Date

March 1, 2003

Author(s)

Amelia Regan, Thomas Golob

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain

View working paper

Abstract

The issue of shared use urban freight facilities first received attention during the 1970’s when it was observed that, while inter-urban freight movements were becoming increasingly efficient, there were significant diseconomies in the movement of freight via truck within urban areas. Early research suggested that shared urban freight facilities should be constructed so that trucking companies could consolidate smaller shipments into larger ones. In the past few years, the concept of “Urban Ports” has gained increasing attention, not just for carriers who need to load and unload freight, but to provide a place near the urban center for truckers to wait out peak traffic periods. In this paper, using recently developed survey data, we examine trucking company interest in such facilities by examining the results of an ordered probit demand model.

published journal article

Telecommuting and Travel during COVID-19: An Exploratory Analysis across Different Population Geographies in the U.S.A.

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Publication Date

April 1, 2023

Associated Project

Teleworking, Travel, and Quality of Life Before, During, and After the Pandemic Across Different Population Groups in the U.S.

Author(s)

Rezwana Rafiq, Michael McNally, Yusuf Sarwar Uddin

Areas of Expertise

Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

View published journal article

Abstract

This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telecommuting (working from home) and travel during the first year of the pandemic in the U.S.A. (from March 2020 to March 2021), with a particular focus on examining the variation in impact across different U.S. geographies. We divided 50 U.S. states into several clusters based on their geographic and telecommuting characteristics. Using K-means clustering, we identified four clusters comprising 6 small urban states, 8 large urban states, 18 urban–rural mixed states, and 17 rural states. Combining data from multiple sources, we observed that nearly one-third of the U.S. workforce worked from home during the pandemic, which was six times higher than the pre-pandemic period, and that these fractions varied across the clusters. More people worked from home in urban states compared with rural states. As well as telecommuting, we examined several activity travel trends across these clusters: reduction in the number of activity visits; changes in the number of trips and vehicle-miles traveled; and mode usage. Our analysis showed there was a greater reduction in the number of workplace and nonworkplace visits in urban states compared with rural states. The number of trips in all distance categories decreased except for long-distance trips, which increased during the summer and fall of 2020. The changes in overall mode usage frequency were similar across urban and rural states with a large drop in ride-hailing and transit use. This comprehensive study can provide a better understanding of the regional variation in the impact of the pandemic on telecommuting and travel, which can facilitate informed decision-making.

Suggested Citation

Rezwana Rafiq, Michael G. McNally and Md Yusuf Sarwar Uddin (2023) “Telecommuting and Travel during COVID-19: An Exploratory Analysis across Different Population Geographies in the U.S.A.”, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2677(4), pp. 562–582. Available at: 10.1177/03611981221109182.

Related Publications

policy brief | Jun 2026

Understanding the Impacts of Telecommuting on Travel Behavior Before, During, and After the Pandemic

book/book chapter

Urban and industrial environments

Publication Date

December 1, 2012

Author(s)

Joseph Dimento, Cliff Ellis

Abstract

This book presents a history of the United States freeway system especially as it relates to cities and urban planning. The roles played by transportation professionals and others, such as government officials, are explored. The impacts of changes in legislation, funding, and environmental policy are outlined. Three case studies of freeway development are included: Syracuse, New York; Los Angeles, California; and Memphis, Tennessee. Chapter topics include: America’s changing cities; The 1930s; National policy, 1939-1945; Postwar urban freeways; and Changing visions and regulations.

Suggested Citation

Joseph F.C. DiMento and Cliff Ellis (2012) Urban and industrial environments. MIT Press.

published journal article

Discrete choice with an oddball alternative

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological

Publication Date

June 1, 1995

Author(s)

Will Recker

View published journal article

Abstract

A discrete choice model is presented that explicitly recognizes differences in the error structure associated with a single `’oddball” alternative within the choice set that has properties not common to the other alternatives. The model purportedly resolves questions related to the use of alternative-specific variables in transportation choice models to capture the effects of attributes unique to a single travel alternative, such as `’schedule frequency” in the case of modal choice between personal auto and public transit. The model, which shares the general error structure of multinomial legit, is shown to be a modification of a multinomial legit subchoice by terms involving the exponential integral. The model is shown to yield different results from those produced by an equivalent multinomial legit specification. Comparisons to multinomial probit and nested legit formulations are also made.

Suggested Citation

W.W. Recker (1995) “Discrete choice with an oddball alternative”, Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 29(3), pp. 201–211. Available at: 10.1016/0191-2615(95)00002-u.

published journal article

Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Increased Emergency Room Visits for Skin Diseases in Beijing, China

Toxics

Publication Date

May 1, 2021

Author(s)

Wanzhou Wang, Wenlou Zhang, Jingjing Zhao, Hongyu Li, Jun Wu, Furong Deng, Qingbian Ma, Xinbiao Guo

View published journal article

Abstract

Skin diseases have become a global concern. This study aims to evaluate the associations between ambient air pollution and emergency room visits for skin diseases under the background of improving air quality in China. Based on 45,094 cases from a general hospital and fixed-site monitoring environmental data from 2014–2019 in Beijing, China, this study used generalized additive models with quasi-Poisson regression to estimate the exposure–health associations at lag 0–1 to lag 0–7. PM2.5 and NO2 exposure were associated with increased emergency room visits for total skin diseases (ICD10: L00-L99). Positive associations of PM2.5, PM10, O3 and NO2 with dermatitis/eczema (ICD-10: L20–30), as well as SO2 and NO2 with urticaria (ICD-10: L50) visits were also found. For instance, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with increases of 0.7% (95%CI: 0.2%, 1.2%) in total skin diseases visits at lag 0–5 and 1.1% (95%CI: 0.6%, 1.7%) in dermatitis/eczema visits at lag 0–1, respectively. For PM2.5, PM10 and CO, stronger annual associations were typically observed in the high-pollution (2014) and low-pollution (2018/2019) years. For instance, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at lag 0–5 was associated with increases of 1.8% (95%CI: 1.0%, 2.6%) and 2.3% (95%CI: 0.4%, 4.3%) in total skin disease visits in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Our study emphasizes the necessity of controlling the potential health hazard of air pollutants on skin, although significant achievements in air quality control have been made in China.

Suggested Citation

Wanzhou Wang, Wenlou Zhang, Jingjing Zhao, Hongyu Li, Jun Wu, Furong Deng, Qingbian Ma and Xinbiao Guo (2021) “Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Increased Emergency Room Visits for Skin Diseases in Beijing, China”, Toxics, 9(5), p. 108. Available at: 10.3390/toxics9050108.

conference paper

High coverage point-to-point transit: Local vehicle routing problem with genetic algorithms

2011 14th international IEEE conference on intelligent transportation systems (ITSC)

Publication Date

October 1, 2011

Author(s)

Jae Young Jung, R. (Jay) Jayakrishnan, Doohee Nam

View conference paper

Suggested Citation

Jaeyoung Jung, R. Jayakrishnan and Doohee Nam (2011) “High coverage point-to-point transit: Local vehicle routing problem with genetic algorithms”, in 2011 14th international IEEE conference on intelligent transportation systems (ITSC). IEEE. Available at: 10.1109/itsc.2011.6082818.

published journal article

Performance Based Funding Allocation guidelines for Transit Operations in Los Angeles County

Transportation Research Record

Publication Date

January 1, 1982

Author(s)

Gordon (Pete) Fielding, Subhash R Mundle, Joe Misner

View published journal article

Abstract

During the last five years, transit performance indicators have been widely used in the transit industry. California and New York have used performance indicators to determine eligibility for funding. In Pennsylvania, transit performance measures have been used to provide incentive payments for superior performance, and in Michigan a detailed analysis of transit operations provides the basis for state managerial assistance. In Los Angeles County, nine transit operators, including Southern California Rapid Transit District, provide fixedroute transit service. Between 1977 and 1980, operating cost per vehicle hour increased from $28.52 to $38.76, a rate higher than the consumer price index for the Los Angeles area. In response to state legislation designed to maximize utilization of public subsidies for transit, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission undertook the development of performance-based guidelines for allocating transit subsidies. The performance guidelines developed in cooperation with the local transit operators are presented here. In this program, service is classified into local and express categories. Seven indicators were chosen to monitor transit performance on a periodic basis. Three indicators were selected to establish standards to be achieved by all fixed-route service operators in Los Angeles County. Compliance with these standards will determine eligibility for discretionary funds (representing 5 percent of operating assistance) in the future. The methodology for quantifying loss of subsidy funds if an operator falls below the established standards is also described. The performance guidelines merit consideration for two reasons. First, they represent an attempt by a large metropolitan area to control transit costs, and second they initiate performance-based funding allocation rather than funding based on demographic characteristics or operating deficits. Both reasons are substantial advancements in the theory and application of performance-based guidelines to transit-financing issues.

Suggested Citation

Gordon J Fielding, Subhash R Mundle and Joe Misner (1982) “Performance Based Funding Allocation guidelines for Transit Operations in Los Angeles County”, Transportation Research Record, (857), pp. 14--18. Available at: https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1982/857/857-003.pdf.

policy brief

Can California Power Electric Construction Equipment at Scale?

Publication Date

June 1, 2026

Author(s)

Shakib Kafashan, Jean-Daniel Saphores

View policy brief

Abstract

California’s climate policies are accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles, but the construction sector faces a major barrier: access to reliable power at job sites. While electric excavators and loaders are entering the market, many construction sites—often temporary and in remote or constrained locations—lack the electrical infrastructure needed to support them. Grid connections are often too costly and take too long to install for construction projects, and existing grid infrastructure was not designed to handle the power demand of heavy machinery. Without practical charging solutions, electrifying the construction sector may lag behind state goals. Meanwhile, construction equipment is contributing 1% to 2% of California’s total greenhouse gas emissions. To better understand these challenges, the research team reviewed existing research, assessed available charging technologies, and spoke with utilities and energy providers across California. The research focuses on identifying key barriers and practical pathways to support construction electrification.

conference paper

On Data Fabrication in Collaborative Vehicular Perception: Attacks and Countermeasures

33rd USENIX Security Symposium (USENIX Security 24)

Publication Date

January 1, 2024

Author(s)

Qingzhao Zhang, Shuowei Jin, Ruiyang Zhu, Zhe (Jared) Sun, Xumiao Zhang, Qi Alfred Chen, Z. Morley Mao

View conference paper

Suggested Citation

Qingzhao Zhang, Shuowei Jin, Ruiyang Zhu, Jiachen Sun, Xumiao Zhang, Qi Alfred Chen and Z. Morley Mao (2024) “On Data Fabrication in Collaborative Vehicular Perception: Attacks and Countermeasures”. 33rd USENIX Security Symposium (USENIX Security 24), pp. 6309–6326. Available at: https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenixsecurity24/presentation/zhang-qingzhao (Accessed: September 13, 2024).

MS Thesis

Essays in environmental economics and policy

Publication Date

January 1, 2008

Author(s)

Dhawal Nagpal

View MS Thesis

Abstract

This dissertation comprises two essays that study normative environmental policy and the purported side effects of (already enacted) environmental policies. In the first essay, we analyze the management of a stock pollutant in a simplified economy using optimal control. The level of stock pollutant affects utility negatively and it may trigger a catastrophic event when it hits a predetermined threshold, which results in a sudden drop in utility. A numerical illustration for the case of global climate change shows that decision maker can delay the onset of a catastrophe by increasing abatement (by investing into green capital); and by improving the environmental performance of production technology. This delaying effect can be amplified by using both policy instruments in tandem. We also observe that the time to catastrophe slightly increases with a decrease in discounting factor; an increase in the amount of catastrophic damage and a decrease in post-catastrophe capital prices. The time period from 1979 to 2003 saw the emergence of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, fluctuating and then stabilizing gasoline prices, and an increased share of light trucks. In the second essay, we analyze the alleged causality of this increased share by the introduction of fuel economy standards. We estimate the market demand for fuel economy of domestic cars and light trucks using a polynomial lag model. The main result of this essay is that the rising share of light trucks in the new domestic vehicle sales can be attributed to the increase in personal incomes during the 25 years considered, aided by the provision of laxer fuel economy standards for light trucks. Moreover, the fuel economy standards did increase the fuel efficiency of domestic vehicles.

Suggested Citation

Dhawal Nagpal (2008) Essays in environmental economics and policy. PhD Dissertation. UC Irvine. Available at: https://uci.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CDL_IRV_INST/u4evf/cdi_proquest_journals_304650227.