Significant loss of life and damage to properties, ecosystems and marine facilities occur due to various natural hazards such as cyclones and tsunamis. Royal HaskoningDHV has developed regional hydrodynamic and wave m...Significant loss of life and damage to properties, ecosystems and marine facilities occur due to various natural hazards such as cyclones and tsunamis. Royal HaskoningDHV has developed regional hydrodynamic and wave models covering the Northern Arabian Sea to address these issues. Cyclone modelling was carried out on 11 major cyclones since 1945 and the tsunami modelling on an earthquake along the Makran Fault Line in 1945. Sample results from these modelling studies are presented in this paper. The methodology described in this article for modelling cyclones and tsunamis in the Arabian Sea could be applied to simulate these natural hazards at other sites around the world.展开更多
Absence of wastewater and solid waste facilities impacts the quality of life of many people in developing countries. Implementation of these facilities will benefit public health, water quality, livelihoods and proper...Absence of wastewater and solid waste facilities impacts the quality of life of many people in developing countries. Implementation of these facilities will benefit public health, water quality, livelihoods and property value. Additional benefits may result from the potential recovery of valuable resources from wastewater and solid waste, such as compost, energy, phosphorus, plastics and paper. Improving water quality through implementation of wastewater and solid waste interventions requires, among others, an analysis of i) sources of pollution, ii) mitigating measures and resource recovery potentials and their effect on water quality and health, and iii) benefits and costs of interventions. We present an integrated approach to evaluate costs and benefits of domestic and industrial wastewater and solid waste interventions. To support a policy maker in formulating a cost and environmentally effective approach, we quantified the impact of these interventions on 1) water quality improvement, 2) resource recovery potential, and 3) monetized benefits versus costs. The integration of technical, hydrological, agronomical and socio-economic elements to derive these three tangible outputs in a joint approach is a novelty. The approach is demonstrated using the heavily polluted Indonesian Upper Citarum River in the Bandung region. Domestic interventions, applying simple (anaerobic filter) technologies, were economically most attractive with a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 3.2, but could not reach target water quality standards. To approach the target water quality, both advanced domestic (nutrient removal systems) and industrial wastewater treatment interventions were required, leading to a BCR of 2. We showed that benefits from selling recovered resources represent here an additional driver for improving water quality and outweigh the additional costs for resource recovery facilities. While included benefits captured some of the major items, these may have been undervalued. Based on these findings, water quality interventions justify their costs and are socially and economically beneficial.展开更多
Public governance and civil society play an important role in the preservation of the environmental and cultural values of the specific region of Tusheti. This area is an interesting study object also due to its uniqu...Public governance and civil society play an important role in the preservation of the environmental and cultural values of the specific region of Tusheti. This area is an interesting study object also due to its unique governing model and different management issues including the historical background of the region and the current growth of tourism. In the region, where there is a significant number of initiatives supported by donors, a management plan for the protected landscape was prepared and put into practice and selected measures were implemented. Our evaluation of the activities was focused on relevance, efficiency, effectiveness,impacts and sustainability of outcomes. On the basis of the formulated conclusions, a few recommendations related to process and system nature, implementation and replicability of approaches are suggested. The results show an increase in tourism in the region,which leads to an improvement in the quality of life of the local population. On the other hand, it represents a threat to natural and cultural values, historical identity and uniqueness. The Management Plan is an excellent platform for stakeholder cooperation and implementation of specific measures to protect this exceptional territory.展开更多
Dolerite is one of the most widely used road pavement construction materials in South Africa and is classified as a basic crystalline rock. The variable performance of road pavements constructed with such rocks in Sou...Dolerite is one of the most widely used road pavement construction materials in South Africa and is classified as a basic crystalline rock. The variable performance of road pavements constructed with such rocks in South Africa has frequently been linked to the durability of the freshly crushed dolerite which can undergo rapid deterioration in service. This poor durability affects the life cycle of the road as they can fail prematurely. The prevailing conditions under which rapid deterioration of dolerite occurred on the road are somewhat contradictory. The objective of this study was to provide insight into what influences rapid deterioration in dolerite when used in the base course of road pavements. The evaluation was completed by conducting surveys, field investigations and laboratory experiments comprising mineralogical analyses and engineering tests. Surveys were done to identify the investigation sites. Field investigations comprise visual condition assessment of road pavement surface and pavement structure using test pits. Field investigations were followed by a sampling of material from the identified investigation sites for laboratory material testing. Laboratory testing included standard engineering soil tests and specialised techniques for mineralogical analysis. Two approaches for durability investigations were followed. For each approach, two samples were used (control sample and investigated sample), and the results of the sample investigated were compared with the control sample results. Findings from both approaches were compared. An interesting finding was that, contrary to conventional wisdom, not all of the dolerites investigated contained discernible smectite contents.展开更多
Cyclone Mekunu developed in the Arabian Sea on 22 May 2018 and made landfall near the Port of Salalah(Oman)on 25 May.Wide spread damages to properties and coastal facilities and human casualties were reported in Yemen...Cyclone Mekunu developed in the Arabian Sea on 22 May 2018 and made landfall near the Port of Salalah(Oman)on 25 May.Wide spread damages to properties and coastal facilities and human casualties were reported in Yemen and Oman.Less information on numerical modelling of waves and surge is publicly available on this cyclone.Therefore,numerical modelling of Cyclone Mekunu was carried out in the present study to derive waves and storm surge.The MIKE21 Spectral Wave Model and the Flow Model were used in coupled mode to simulate the waves and surge from the cyclone.Model results of waves and surge are presented in this paper for illustration purposes.The methodology of the present study can be used to simulate any cyclone around the world.展开更多
According to changed views on driver training and driverintroduced in the Netherlands. The exam consists of two parts： （l）instructor preparation, a competence-based instructor exam wasmultimedia theory tests; （2）...According to changed views on driver training and driverintroduced in the Netherlands. The exam consists of two parts： （l）instructor preparation, a competence-based instructor exam wasmultimedia theory tests; （2） a performance lesson for drivinginstruction and coaching. An implicit idea behind the innovated exam is that it can have a positive backwash effect on the quality ofdriver instructor preparation programs. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and fairness of the theoretical tests, whichappear in different versions for successive groups of PDIs （prospective driving instructors）. Data of 4,741 PDIs, enrolled during theperiod between January 2010 and October 2012, were used for analysis. The results of psychometric analyses show that the theory testsyielded reliable and fair decisions about instructor certification. The predictive validity of the theory tests for the final performanceassessment was low. Implications for the design and on-the-fly maintenance of exam item banks are discussed. Follow-up studies willfocus on the question, whether the improved instructor exam produces safer drivers in the end.展开更多
In line with European developments, a Dutch second phase coaching program, referred to as the DX- （Driver Xperience） program, was developed for young novice drivers to counteract their high accident risk. More speci...In line with European developments, a Dutch second phase coaching program, referred to as the DX- （Driver Xperience） program, was developed for young novice drivers to counteract their high accident risk. More specifically, the aim of the DX-program was to enable young drivers to make responsible decisions and develop positive attitudes regarding four levels of the driving task： combining life style and driving, planning and navigation, participating in different traffic situations and handling the vehicle. In this paper, the design principles of the program are described. The empirical study focused on the entry characteristics of the participating young drivers （n = 3,117） as compared to a reference group of young drivers （n = 345）. Results show that the DX-program attracted young drivers that, in some respects, showed a more risky profile than average young drivers in terms of speed violations, anger and the number of fines. In addition, four groups of participants with sharply differing driving styles could be distinguished. Implications for educational design and follow-up research are discussed within the theoretical framework of self-regulated learning.展开更多
文摘Significant loss of life and damage to properties, ecosystems and marine facilities occur due to various natural hazards such as cyclones and tsunamis. Royal HaskoningDHV has developed regional hydrodynamic and wave models covering the Northern Arabian Sea to address these issues. Cyclone modelling was carried out on 11 major cyclones since 1945 and the tsunami modelling on an earthquake along the Makran Fault Line in 1945. Sample results from these modelling studies are presented in this paper. The methodology described in this article for modelling cyclones and tsunamis in the Arabian Sea could be applied to simulate these natural hazards at other sites around the world.
文摘Absence of wastewater and solid waste facilities impacts the quality of life of many people in developing countries. Implementation of these facilities will benefit public health, water quality, livelihoods and property value. Additional benefits may result from the potential recovery of valuable resources from wastewater and solid waste, such as compost, energy, phosphorus, plastics and paper. Improving water quality through implementation of wastewater and solid waste interventions requires, among others, an analysis of i) sources of pollution, ii) mitigating measures and resource recovery potentials and their effect on water quality and health, and iii) benefits and costs of interventions. We present an integrated approach to evaluate costs and benefits of domestic and industrial wastewater and solid waste interventions. To support a policy maker in formulating a cost and environmentally effective approach, we quantified the impact of these interventions on 1) water quality improvement, 2) resource recovery potential, and 3) monetized benefits versus costs. The integration of technical, hydrological, agronomical and socio-economic elements to derive these three tangible outputs in a joint approach is a novelty. The approach is demonstrated using the heavily polluted Indonesian Upper Citarum River in the Bandung region. Domestic interventions, applying simple (anaerobic filter) technologies, were economically most attractive with a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 3.2, but could not reach target water quality standards. To approach the target water quality, both advanced domestic (nutrient removal systems) and industrial wastewater treatment interventions were required, leading to a BCR of 2. We showed that benefits from selling recovered resources represent here an additional driver for improving water quality and outweigh the additional costs for resource recovery facilities. While included benefits captured some of the major items, these may have been undervalued. Based on these findings, water quality interventions justify their costs and are socially and economically beneficial.
基金This study was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia.
文摘Public governance and civil society play an important role in the preservation of the environmental and cultural values of the specific region of Tusheti. This area is an interesting study object also due to its unique governing model and different management issues including the historical background of the region and the current growth of tourism. In the region, where there is a significant number of initiatives supported by donors, a management plan for the protected landscape was prepared and put into practice and selected measures were implemented. Our evaluation of the activities was focused on relevance, efficiency, effectiveness,impacts and sustainability of outcomes. On the basis of the formulated conclusions, a few recommendations related to process and system nature, implementation and replicability of approaches are suggested. The results show an increase in tourism in the region,which leads to an improvement in the quality of life of the local population. On the other hand, it represents a threat to natural and cultural values, historical identity and uniqueness. The Management Plan is an excellent platform for stakeholder cooperation and implementation of specific measures to protect this exceptional territory.
文摘Dolerite is one of the most widely used road pavement construction materials in South Africa and is classified as a basic crystalline rock. The variable performance of road pavements constructed with such rocks in South Africa has frequently been linked to the durability of the freshly crushed dolerite which can undergo rapid deterioration in service. This poor durability affects the life cycle of the road as they can fail prematurely. The prevailing conditions under which rapid deterioration of dolerite occurred on the road are somewhat contradictory. The objective of this study was to provide insight into what influences rapid deterioration in dolerite when used in the base course of road pavements. The evaluation was completed by conducting surveys, field investigations and laboratory experiments comprising mineralogical analyses and engineering tests. Surveys were done to identify the investigation sites. Field investigations comprise visual condition assessment of road pavement surface and pavement structure using test pits. Field investigations were followed by a sampling of material from the identified investigation sites for laboratory material testing. Laboratory testing included standard engineering soil tests and specialised techniques for mineralogical analysis. Two approaches for durability investigations were followed. For each approach, two samples were used (control sample and investigated sample), and the results of the sample investigated were compared with the control sample results. Findings from both approaches were compared. An interesting finding was that, contrary to conventional wisdom, not all of the dolerites investigated contained discernible smectite contents.
文摘Cyclone Mekunu developed in the Arabian Sea on 22 May 2018 and made landfall near the Port of Salalah(Oman)on 25 May.Wide spread damages to properties and coastal facilities and human casualties were reported in Yemen and Oman.Less information on numerical modelling of waves and surge is publicly available on this cyclone.Therefore,numerical modelling of Cyclone Mekunu was carried out in the present study to derive waves and storm surge.The MIKE21 Spectral Wave Model and the Flow Model were used in coupled mode to simulate the waves and surge from the cyclone.Model results of waves and surge are presented in this paper for illustration purposes.The methodology of the present study can be used to simulate any cyclone around the world.
文摘According to changed views on driver training and driverintroduced in the Netherlands. The exam consists of two parts： （l）instructor preparation, a competence-based instructor exam wasmultimedia theory tests; （2） a performance lesson for drivinginstruction and coaching. An implicit idea behind the innovated exam is that it can have a positive backwash effect on the quality ofdriver instructor preparation programs. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and fairness of the theoretical tests, whichappear in different versions for successive groups of PDIs （prospective driving instructors）. Data of 4,741 PDIs, enrolled during theperiod between January 2010 and October 2012, were used for analysis. The results of psychometric analyses show that the theory testsyielded reliable and fair decisions about instructor certification. The predictive validity of the theory tests for the final performanceassessment was low. Implications for the design and on-the-fly maintenance of exam item banks are discussed. Follow-up studies willfocus on the question, whether the improved instructor exam produces safer drivers in the end.
文摘In line with European developments, a Dutch second phase coaching program, referred to as the DX- （Driver Xperience） program, was developed for young novice drivers to counteract their high accident risk. More specifically, the aim of the DX-program was to enable young drivers to make responsible decisions and develop positive attitudes regarding four levels of the driving task： combining life style and driving, planning and navigation, participating in different traffic situations and handling the vehicle. In this paper, the design principles of the program are described. The empirical study focused on the entry characteristics of the participating young drivers （n = 3,117） as compared to a reference group of young drivers （n = 345）. Results show that the DX-program attracted young drivers that, in some respects, showed a more risky profile than average young drivers in terms of speed violations, anger and the number of fines. In addition, four groups of participants with sharply differing driving styles could be distinguished. Implications for educational design and follow-up research are discussed within the theoretical framework of self-regulated learning.
