Investigation on transformation process of trip mode choice for planned special events

This paper aims to provide a decision-making method for the transportation management strategies in guiding the transformation of trip mode choice during planned special events. The Expo 2010 Shanghai is taken as an example, and a structural equation model is employed to analyze the dynamic mechanism of trip mode choice behavior and the effectiveness of the transportation management measures at different stages. Based on the difference between the objective-oriented stated preference （SP） survey results and the objectives, together with the feedback from the previous stage survey, some adjustments on the transportation management measures are made in the next stage of the planning process until the objectives are eventually achieved. The results indicate that the adjustments on transportation management measures at different stages can effectively raise the transit share to 88.6%. Nonlocal visitors are inclined to choose nonstop modes of transportation and the companion attributes have the most significant effects on the trip mode choices of visitors. The research method is proved to be an effective way to support the decision making process of transportation management measures during planned special events in the future.

Influence range of emergency under special events based on CTM

To determine the dynamic influence range of emergencies under special events, the spacial and temporal characteristics of the traffic flow are studied by simulation based on the cell transmission model （CTM）. Based on the traffic management measures used under special events, a semi-dynamic assignment algorithm is proposed, which is combined with an algorithm for logit multi-path traffic assignment and the CTM. In a simple calculation network, the spacial and temporal characteristics of traffic flows which vary with different traffic management schemes are studied, and a method to obtain the influence range of emergency is proposed by computing the jam time of the intersections. By contrasting the average delay of each vehicle, the dissipation effect is studied under two different traffic management schemes. The example shows that the spatial and temporal variety of the traffic flow can be easily simulated and the influence range of emergency can be confirmed by the method based on the CTM. The proposed method provides a new idea for decision-making on traffic management under emergency under special events.

Technology as Spectacle： Understanding the Burgeoning Role of Social Media in Special Events

This paper investigates how social media can be used as a communication tool throughout the event management process, how online social networking interfaces can allow consumers to become more engaged with special events, and how social media can be used to help gauge the social and cultural impact of special events. By synthesizing prominent literature that is peripherally related, this paper establishes both a base of knowledge for this new realm of inquiry, as well as identifying a platform for further research. The paper also adds to the knowledge based by creating a theoretical framework which brings together practice theory with situationist theory to present a new lens through which to examine this issue. From a theoretical standpoint, technology is said to be a reflection of society. If technology can be linked to society and society in turn can be equated with the spectacle then it is a natural progression to examine technology as spectacle. Therefore, using the two theories in tandem provides a very suitable lens to frame an investigation of technology as spectacle, and the viability of social media as a communication tool for special events.

Ngawang Norbu’s Diary——a Record of a Special Mountaineering Event

Editor's Notes: On May 8^(th),the Beijing Olympic torch relay team successfully reached the summit of Mt.Qomolangma. About 9:11a.m,at a spot 30 meters from the peak, Lozang Dradul ignited the first torch that had been named"Auspicious Clouds"and was held by the female Tibetan mountaineer Jiji.Then,the torch was relayed to Wang Yongfeng,Nyima Tsering,Huang Chungui。

Public Transport Service Provisions and Policy Implications for Columbarium Trips

Grave-sweeping is one of the popular special events in Asian cities,especiallyin Chinese societies,in which families express filial piety to their ancestors during two traditional grave-sweeping festivalsin a year.The extraordinary high travel demandis often attracted to columbaria within a relative short period around the festivals,and induces severe impacts to the local traffic.It is challenging for the government and private operators to formulatea public transport service setting to satisfactorily cater all the visitors'travel demand.This paper aims to proposean optimization frameworkto identifythe optimalprovisions of public transport services for columbarium trips to achieve consumer surplus or profit maximization.Numerical studies are carried out usingthe travel demand data collected from a selected columbarium,to examine the effects of different public transport service settings to the policyobjectivesin variouscases.The modelresults showthat the current situation is neither consumer surplus nor profit optimum.Improvement schemes are suggested in relation to allow various fares during different visit periods and provide multiple public transport feeder services to serve the visitors during the high travel demand period.