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Please follow the links to view the publication.Railway certification & regulation approach for the Emirate of Dubai
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0258
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of the Emirate of Dubai is responsible under law to regulate all surface transport (Road, Rail, Marine and Public Transport) within the Emirate of Dubai. In 2008 / 2009, the RTA was faced with a new challenge in that it had to regulate the first railway lines to be established in the Emirate of Dubai, namely the Palm Jumeirah Transit System (PJTS or Monorail) and the Dubai Metro Red Line. To respond to this issue, the RTA conducted an extensive consultation exercise including, amongst others, the UK's Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), former Chief Inspector of Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI), Independent Safety Organisations / Consultants, Legal Consultants, etc. This consultation process reached a conclusion that a Dubai Safety Regulatory Authority (SRA) should be established. This paper provides a summary and insight into the development of the SRA. This includes the development of legislation, roles and responsibilities within the SRA and powers. The paper will also demonstrate the application of the developed legislation in respect to the certification cycle of the PJTS and Dubai Metro Red Line Project. The paper provides insight in the pioneering approach to railway certification within the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). (4 pages)Integrated land use and transport in China: problems and prospects
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.1370
This paper examines the problems, their causes and solutions to disintegration in land use and transport in China, benchmarked in an international context. Data are collected from in-depth key informant interviews that involve various stakeholders in policy-making, planning, and management associated with land use and transport at four levels: inter-city, intra-city (rural-urban), city proper and project. The findings reveal that land use and transport disintegration widely occur at all levels as a result of poor coordination and planning. Main causes for the latter are institutional deficiencies, such as poor division of responsibilities, strong sectoral silos, outdated policies and planning standards, and the vaguely defined road right. A current institutional reform has been introduced by the central government to tackle some of the causes, but a broader range of change need to be considered in order to integrate land use and transport. These findings contribute to the emerging research on the institutional dimension that is critical to integration of land use and transport.Passenger transport CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission and mitigation policies in developing mega-city: a case study of Shanghai
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.1413
Economic growth and rising demand of mobility in developing mega-city are leading to the increase of car ownership, and consequent emission increases. Reliable methodology is needed to estimate CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission in passenger transport sector, and integrated policies framework should also be built. In this study, CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission of Shanghai's passenger transport from 2002 to 2008 is estimated. The total CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission increases constantly from 2002 to 2008, and the increase is mainly attributed to the increase of private car transport; but the passenger transport emission intensity (emission divided by GDP) decreases from 2002 to 2008. To achieve low-carbon transport in mega-cities, an integrated policy framework is introduced. Analysis shows that, integrated policies are needed to achieve this goal.The management and assessment of environmental noise of urban rail transit system
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.1405
It is explored in this article the relationship between noise exposure level and noise annoyance. According to survey and analyze, noise annoyance has positive correlation with LAE (Sound Exposure Level). When it reaches 74dB, it arises slight annoyance. However, if it surpasses 79dB, it may bring up serious annoyance. In order to avoid interrupting noise from urban trail transit system, 79dB is suggested as the limit value and the threshold of taking actions for noise of urban rail transit system.A theoretical study of the interactions between the components of resilience in critical urban infrastructures
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0309
In recent years, critical infrastructures have become increasingly susceptible to disturbances of various kinds, which could affect the functionality of the system, temporarily or permanently. These disruptions can seriously affect the health and safety of citizens and their economic well-being. Many studies on risk management (including planning and forecasting) have been carried out in order to deal with these impacts. However, sometimes they must face major disturbances, and this has led to the creation of the resilience concept, as a way designed to identify risks, and implement the actions necessary to restore the system to a determined and acceptable level after degradation, with tolerable cost. The aim of this paper is to present the interactions between the different components of resilience. In the first part, we present a state of the art in terms of the different approaches to the components of resilience that can be found in the available literature. The second part of the paper is devoted to the study of the relationship between the components of resilience presented in the R4 approach. This study opens new perspectives for the construction of a model for analyzing the resiliency of urban systems in times of crisis. (6 pages)Sustainability in global cities: the technical and social compromise to face climate change in Paris
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0313
The sustainability is a major concern in all global cities but the economic attractiveness is always the major considered element in public policy. The social and environmental concerns might provoke the collapse of this economic concern. The sustainability has to be the approach to conciliate these three pillars. In this paper, we present two major issues; the first one is related to the infrastructure management and resilience considerations and the second one concerns the implementation of high rise buildings in the context of Greater Paris. These two examples allow to present our approach to integrate innovation in built environment issues to consider the specific issues of sustainability in global cities. (5 pages)Deriving value from PFI & PPP through effective asset valuation and management in the public sector
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0548
There is an immediate and on-going need to fill the infrastructure gap in the UK. Transport and public assets in particular are fundamental to economic growth. There are several options for procuring infrastructure. However, with limited public resources and austerity measures implemented, it is clear that PFI and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) remain an important role in maintaining and building the UK's infrastructure. Albeit against a backdrop of negative perception of the value of PFIs given recent reports of overspend and misspend. The objective of this paper is to identify how asset management can be employed to provide tougher efficiency challenges, provide acceptable service levels and, critically, ensure there is long-term net benefit for the taxpayer. (6 pages)Tractor and semi-trailer transportation's effect on the reduction of CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission in China
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.1410
Tractor and semi-trailer (T&St) transportation is helpful to promote productivity of freight transportation and to reduce CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> (carbon dioxide) emission according to different countries' experience. The supervisors of China have released certain policies to encourage the development of T&St transportation, while logistics enterprises and academia haven't adapted timely to practice. It is analyzed in this paper some basic characters of T&St transportation. The practice periods of T&St transportation in China have been reviewed and the most necessary issues of T&St transportation are brought forward. A descriptive model has been set up to analyze the relationship between economic profits and CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission of T&St transportation. It is found out that T&St transportation could generate considerable economic benefits and effects on CO<sub xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">2</sub> emission reduction.Assessment of the behavioural component of competency to substantiate practitioner competency claims
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0270
The competency of Safety Practitioners has given rise to a number of competency frameworks of varying levels of complexity, (HSE/IET/BCS, 2007, Rail Safety & Standards Board, AEA Technology, 2003). To date the focus has been on the content and structure of these frameworks, with respect to the criteria that must be satisfied to substantiate competency claims. Here we do not attempt to provide a competency framework or identify specific criteria for safety practitioners. Instead we focus on the question of how to assess an individual against any given framework. Existing schemes frequently attempt to assess against competency as a whole and employ a single assessment method that does not take account of a competency's multi-faceted structure. This can be overcome by assessing competency at the sub component level. We propose an approach to assess one sub component of competency, namely practitioner behaviour and provide evidence of the effectiveness of the approach. (6 pages)Transportation infrastructure, industrial spillover effect and economic growth
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.1100
This paper establishes a two-sector model for analyzing the interrelation between transportation infrastructure expansions and remaining industry production growth in terms of the idea of Feder (1983). Transportation infrastructure sector is supposed to generate a spillover effect on the other sectors. The equation is estimated for 30 provinces in China from 1990 to 2007. This paper finds that the spillover effect would drive the economy to grow approximately 0.45 percent when given the 10 percent growth of transportation infrastructure sector. Besides, the spillover effect on the non-transportation infrastructure sector ranges from 0.441 to 0.931, which is comparatively large. Conclusion can be made that the spillover effect on the remaining sectors is very significant and the economy is influenced by the effect to some extent. It is a great issue to make full use of this spillover effect to help economic development. After the 4 trillion infrastructure investment plan of Chinese government, an important issue regarding transportation infrastructure is how efficiently the government manages the existing capital stocks.A sustainability value system principle for a global supply chain
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0453
Sustainability is becoming a key strategic and business issue for companies. The growing social pressure, new environmental legislation, and increasing customer demand for green products is forcing companies to address all sustainability challenges related to increased operational profit, the environment, social impacts, and legislation in a holistic and proactive way. Companies are looking for solutions on how to minimise environmental impacts and risks caused by the global supply chain from farm to consumer while improving supply chain value and performance. Sustainability is being perceived as a cost instead of adding value to the company. Addressing all sustainability challenges requires an integrated systematic approach beyond and above the current disparity of silo systems in the supply chain. This paper proposes an integrated Sustainability Value System that enables companies to transform the value chain of green initiatives from strictly a compliance and cost issue into means of generating value, growth and competitive advantage.Administrative policies and regulations for motor vehicles recovery in china: on the principle of extend producer responsibility
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0468
Today, China has become one of the largest counties of automobile production and consumption. The automobile recovery issues will be a challenge and an opportunity for Chinese automotive industry in the near future. The EU's environmental directives on products have a profound influence on Chinese manufacturing industry in considering extended producer responsibility (EPR) and sustainable manufacturing. This paper will introduce the development of administrative policies and regulations for automobile recovery in China on the context of EPR principle. The concepts of EPR in China will be reviewed, as well.Global knowledge exchange and the low carbon economy
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0463
The well documented pace of social and economic change in China brings with a series of infrastructural, technological and environmental challenges that test not only China's policymakers but those of collaborating western governments who seek to engage with China's developing internal markets. It also brings spectacular demand for materials, commodities and technology. UoN's China portfolio includes the demonstrable success of the first sino-foreign University to be established within PRC with more than 4000 students likely to register in September 2009. It also incorporates prestige offers on UoN's UK campuses the respected China Policy Institute within a young and dynamic School of Contemporary Chinese studies. This review examines the broader portfolio of links with China and concentrates on the 3 of the key challenges facing China the transition to a low carbon economy, water security and population health.Recycling attitudes & behaviours: a study of plastics recycling supply chains in Pakistan
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0410
This paper compares recycling attitudes and behaviours of key participants in Pakistan's plastics recycling supply chains. It involved mainly cross sectional surveys of 360 households and 51 scrap dealers, and multiple case studies with 26 plastics pre-processors and 28 plastics recyclers (moulders/converters) at seven cities in Pakistan. Guided by the model of consumer recycling behaviour proposed by Thøgersen (International Journal of Research in Marketing, 1994, 11, pp. 145-163) this paper found a mix of different attitudes and behaviours. It appears that households lacked awareness of the process involved after plastics recyclables are collected and they lacked opportunity to participate; furthermore their recycling behaviour was largely motivated by financial benefits. Material recovery facilities provided by the government appeared to be inadequate. For other private-sector participants (scrap dealers, re-processor and moulders), they lacked investment in equipments for sorting and storage of plastics waste. We further explain the roles of social norms, ability to recycle, opportunity to recycle and motivation (awareness or monetary) and extend Thøgersen's model to include not just households but also scrap dealers, re-processors and moulders. The developed measurement instrument is useful to study other recycling supply chains.Integrated design approach - urban design for sustainability
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0441
This paper proposes new quantitative research methods with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for a sustainable urban design project. This research study is sponsored by Research Councils UK (RCUK) China office. This project is part of the Caofeidian International Eco-town development in North-Eastern China. The research programme addresses the main aspects of good practice in terms of eco-design and sustainability. These aspects include wind flow analysis around buildings, pollutant dispersion in water systems and noise control on urban highways. This programme aims to explore a range of research methods in order to enhance the performance of integrated design with a comprehensive planning stage. The pros and cons, alongside other deficiencies in current forms of comprehensive plan are to be explored further. This project evaluates the Chinese Planning System and introduces new ways of achieving sustainable urban design. The integration in assessment and evaluation across professions and subject boundaries is emphasised to identify the key gaps between sustainability and design.Value-oriented human relationship influence spectrum
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0581
Human relationship is an influence connection. People always live together with interactions in order to get values. This paper first discusses the contents of a general value system with measures for positive and negative values. A framework of value-oriented human relationship then is proposed. Interchange can produce relationship among participants. In such, this paper proposes a human relationship influence spectrum to describe the features of connection influence. Seven influence phases, including uninfluenced phase, solvability phase, affect phase, confirmation phase, registration phase, exaggeration phase, and extreme phase, then be discussed in detail with positive and negative influence directions. This human relationship influence spectrum can provide some insights of human relationships.Evaluating community accessibility for sustainable urban regeneration: a conceptual framework
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0470
Transport has a major impact on sustainability in urban areas. Urban planners and decision makers are facing an increasing challenge to develop interpretable measures to evaluate community accessibility in order to support sustainable urban regeneration. Accessibility is the ease with which an individual can access services and facilities that he or she needs or desires. Accessibility, as an indicator representing the complicated interactions between transport and land use systems, can be measured at a variety of spatial scales, ranging from nation, region, city down to neighbourhood levels, and can be used by different groups of people for varied purposes. Community accessibility at urban neighbourhood level is very much related to the residents' daily activities (e.g. school, shopping, and leisure) within a neighbourhood. To support sustainable urban regeneration, there is a need to define the concept of community accessibility and properly measure the indicators from the perspective of sustainability at community level. This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework for evaluating community accessibility from a sustainable perspective. The following questions will be clarified and answered in this paper through extensive critical literature review: what components of transport and land use systems and what other spatial and temporal components (e.g. competition and time constraints) should be included into the definition of the concept? what data sets (e.g. spatial and temporal data) should be collected, processed and integrated? what data analysis should be developed and applied? how can the accessibility indicator be appropriately quantified? And how can the indicators be effectively interpreted and delivered to users? The proposed conceptual framework will provide guidelines for the future development in the area.How different personality types are related to perception of professional ethics
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0568
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between different personality types of vocational high school students and their perception of professional ethics. The result shows that vocational high school students' perception of professional ethics was not different according to their genders, grades, majors, and school locations. However, their performance was rather good in the aspect of responsibility, while it is rather bad in the aspect of honesty. And students' perception of professional ethics was significantly related to the agreeableness and conscientiousness in their personalities.ALARP and CBA implications for SIL determination
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2009.0214
The article consists of a set of powerpoint slides covering the following topics: risk assessment process; cost benefit analysis; ALARP; SIL determination; tolerability; chemical sector incidents; societal risk; and human harm. (21 pages)Development strategy of rail freight transportation under financial crisis
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2009.1579
The American subprime mortgage crisis began to appear in 2007. As the crisis broke out, China has been affected. Chinese Railway has been among the industries to be influenced most by the spreading subprime mortgage crisis. Facing the financial crisis, Chinese government released expanding domestic demand policy which put strengthening the railway construction in the first place. Thus, railway transportation will be faced up to opportunities and challenges. Under the circumstances, the paper analyzes the present situation of railway freight transport. The SWOT analysis has been adopted to analyze the developing trend of the railway freight transport. Based on the result, freight transport development strategy has been made about railway line capacity, freight facilities, freight operating layout, freight process optimization and freight transport dispatching. A case study of Chengdu Railway Bureau has been analyzed.Circular-economy-oriented EPR: the status quo & countermeasures in China
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2009.1453
For enterprises, extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a new strategy for environmental management, a micro-mehcanism of Circular Economy. It requires producers to bear responsibility for the product recovery. Many countries have legislated and implemented a series of EPR policies and regulations. It also forms two kinds of EPR implementation mechanisms. In this context, China must cope with the trend. (5 pages)Effective Team Leadership for Engineers
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/books/mt/pbmt025e
<p xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">An essential guide for engineers who are new to the role of leading a team. Packed with practical information, advice and case studies, this book not only presents you with the insights to get your team rapidly up to speed and working to their full potential, but also shows how to problem solve, and keep the team on track through turbulent times.</p>Low carbon buildings: theory and practice
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2008.0737
This presentation looks at the challenge for the UK: How to deploy appropriate technology to 24 million dwellings within a complex socio-economic system to reduce carbon emissions by 60 to 80% and the difference between the theory and reality of completing such a task. (34 pages)Energy production for zero carbon buildings
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2008.0740
This presentation looks on energy production for zero carbon buildings. It presents drivers in the built environment, energy sectors and zero carbon energy options. The built environment includes national incentives and regulations for sustainable homes, planning and energy bill act and 'green consumers'. For the energy sectors, the existing drivers include renewable target for 2010, energy suppliers, energy users and energy producers. The rest of the presentation presents renewable energy strategies and policies for sustainable development for low carbon buildings. (26 pages)Case study - 1. Channel Tunnel law, engineering and safety. 2. Channel Tunnel law and engineering: safety regulatory rigour to be applied to modifications to safety systems
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20080602
The first part of the presentation will include an introduction of the channel tunnel including the physical layout and key safety features together with an overview of the safety regulatory framework covering the role of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority (CTSA). The current and future EU legislative arrangements will be considered together with their impact and interpretation in the context of the channel tunnel environment. The second part of the presentation will provide details of new modification arrangements which are currently being piloted relating to the degree of regulatory control over modifications to the safety critical systems in the tunnel. It is understood that the particular approach developed for the channel tunnel environment is being considered by the European Rail Agency (ERA) in connection with its work on common safety methods. (51 pages)The Czech Republic as a case study: a review of technologies applied in the past and those required for the future
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2008.0709
The following topics are discussed: background to the erection of the Czech truck tolling system; system design and architecture; results from the first two years of operation, financial and political; charging policy development; and integration of new technology and solutions into the existing operating system including the TDP trials. (35 pages)Impact of Europe and recent legislation on the GB rail industry - a national safety authority perspective
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20080596
Since the coming into force of the Railway Safety Directive in 2004 the European Union has taken an increasing role in the development of safety regulation in EU railways. The European Railway Agency, established by the EU to develop the measures set out in the directive, has been fully operational since 2006 and is beginning to have a significant influence on the way railway health and safety is regulated. Their work increasingly influences the way ORR, as the national safety authority, carries out its work and hence will have an impact on the industry. This presentation will provide a summary of ORR's involvement with ERA and the European Commission, and impression of the most significant effects on the rail industry. (15 pages)GAME HTM project in Kosovo and future plans elsewhere
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20080584
After four years of previous collaboration and activities, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Kosovo created a framework for Health Technology (HT) Policy and Strategy in May 2007, with the assistance of the World Health Organization (WHO/TFP/HDS) and the USA-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Global Assistance for Medical Equipment (GAME). This framework addresses many of the health technology management (HTM) challenges identified in Kosovo's public healthcare delivery system. GAME is a coalition of volunteer global medical equipment professionals who either come on-site and or assist via electronic means. GAME and WHO will focus this HTM improvement model next in East Africa. (7 pages)Home truths: combining low carbon & equity
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2008.0735
Consists of a set of presentation slides covering aspects of strategies to reduce UK housing emissions by 80% by 2050 using low-carbon methods. The objectives of the strategy are: reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050; eradicate fuel poverty - a legal obligation; low-carbon homes for low-income households; a radical new approach by Government; and getting people taking action. (12 pages)The Art of Successful Business Communication
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/books/mt/pbmt024e
<p xmlns="http://pub2web.metastore.ingenta.com/ns/">Sets out proven, practical guidelines to ensure you can and deliver messages in a clear, succinct, precise, descriptive, informative and impressive way. Aimed at anyone wishing to improve their business communication skills.</p>Explosion protection: risk assessment & hazard management in manufacturing
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20080713
With increasing pressures from an array of legislation and regulations, manufacturing organisations must today make a proactive effort in the development of health and safety policies and procedures. This paper explores a selection of issues encountered in modern system safety, with particular reference to explosion protection. Since 1974, when the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act was introduced, employers have been held responsible for the health, safety and welfare of their employees. 1988 saw the introduction of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, and since then there has been a great deal of focus on dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres, giving rise first to the ATEX Regulations in Europe in 1996 and then the DSEAR Regulations in Britain in 2002. This paper gives a brief overview of a selection of current legislation before demonstrating the application of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) in a modern manufacturing facility. (6 pages)Risk based asset management - a success story
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20080032
The industry best practice guideline PAS 55-1 advocates risk based asset management to be a key success factor for asset-heavy systems. Risk based approach does not mean taking on more risk, but use risk to balance cost, performance, safety, customer service, investment and social responsibilities. Within the MTR corporation, asset management is a controllable factor of business through understanding asset and value criticalities and taking a forward view. Expenditure on assets is rationalized using risk based asset management supplemented by a value based system. Expenditure balance is struck to optimize total costs to the railway operator while at the same time performance is improved and safety assurance strengthened.The Dutch view on level crossing safety
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20070527
The paper discusses about the level crossing safety policy of the Dutch government. It deals about the role of the government with respect to rail transport traffic safety. The paper presents some proposals to improve safety measures on the level crossing. It also discusses about the traffic campaign which triggers a lot of study and profoundly influences road infrastructure design and traffic regulation equipment.Road pricing in the UK - systems and operation
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20070800
The Eddington study published in December 2005 showed that congestion is set to get worse over the next decade, and will have major costs for businesses and society. The government is currently exploring how road pricing could help to tackle congestion, and is working with 10 local authority areas who are developing packages of measures, and are expected to bid for transport innovation fund money in the summer. The development of local road pricing schemes will help inform thinking on a national scheme. We are also exploring how a more versatile system might work. A programme of time-distance-place road pricing demonstration projects is to be announced shortly, whereby industry will be invited to show that it can deliver TDP style charging in a way that would make it a plausible long-term proposition.Donated wheelchairs in low-income countries - issues and alternative methods for improving wheelchair provision
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2006.0658
Statistics show that an estimated 95% of people who need a wheelchair don't have one. A common response is to view this lack as an emergency situation which can be remedied by the mass distribution of donated wheelchair products alone. This "anything is better than nothing" approach views any wheelchair as a solution ignoring the complexities of provision and the needs of the individual. This approach is both an inappropriate method to meet the mobility and social needs of wheelchair users and has wider negative impacts for long-term mobility provision and social development initiatives. Comprehensive, responsible and sustainable wheelchair provision must address the following essential criteria: 1) Adjustability of the wheelchair to fit the user and include a pressure relief cushion 2) Suitability to environment and users' needs 3) Durability and ability to be repaired locally 4) Training in wheelchair use and health issues 5) Sustainability to ensure wheelchairs provision is long-term and appropriate. This paper advocates for the provision of wheelchairs that maximise disabled people's independence and their ability to participate in society. The key is to ensure that wheelchairs are provided through professional services which can assess, prescribe and fit an appropriate wheelchair with corresponding education and follow-up. Ultimately, to ensure that wheelchair services meet the essential criteria, locally appropriate solutions must be integrated into national rehabilitation services and structures.Development trends in the supplier industry - positioning strategy in response to globalisation
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20060436
The article discusses the supplier industry, the challenges for the future, the methods of response and the multinational projects strategy.Technology and innovation performance of manufacturing industry clusters: experience from Liaoning Province, China
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20060739
This paper explores the innovative experience for manufacturing industry clusters in Liaoning province, China. It sets out a theoretical framework for an explanation of the co-evolution environment factors and organizations in innovative manufacturing cluster. The integrative innovation model is designed for an explanation of the co-evolution environment factors and innovative performance in manufacturing clusters (petrochemical, metallurgical, machinery and electronics) in Liaoning province. The success of regional innovation systems in Liaoning province has its roots in the following three factors. First, the central government has strongly support the regions by providing a framework and resources, industrial parks, science parks and incubators. Second, foreign direct investment and the increasingly closer industrial and technological links with the neighboring countries have given strong impetus to regional development through technology transfer, management skills and extensive links to global markets. Third, the directed but also spontaneous development of technological and industrial clusters has provided the bases for further development.Study of product model and configuration based on mass customization
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20060740
To adapt the competition of global market and meet various demands of customer, mass customization which is a mode of manufacture and design emerges as the requirement of social development. The final aim of mass customization is to combine the advantages of mass production and customization to meet the demands of individual customer, while without losing the enterprise's economic benefits. Firstly, based on the characters of mass customization mode, product model, configuration object of product structure based on product model, reasoning of product structure and component variables are studied from aspects of conceptual introduction and theoretical analysis. Secondly, product configuration design and effect, configuration control based on customization, the process of product configuration and instantiation methods etc. are discussed in detail. Lastly, the product family model and structure of configuration oriented is presented.Technology innovation of developing country in the context of globalization: a case study
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20061037
In recent decades globalization has provided an opportunity window for developing country, which economy is booming at an amazing speed. Probed into the path of their development, the rapid economic growth starts from utilizing well-established technologies imported from developed countries, taking the "advantages of relative backwardness". This paper introduces a research exploring the evolution process of technology innovation of a typical Chinese equipment-manufacturing enterprise and elaborates the way to achieve late mover's advantage from imitation to innovation. Four stages are identified in the process, in which the essentials to enhance competitive advantage are analyzed separately. Forms to participate in global manufacturing, R & D capabilities and characteristics of innovation activities at different developing stages are examined to expand the process and mechanism of technology innovation in the environment of globalization. It also provides some perspectives for the technology catching-up of enterprises in developing countries.A new approach of supply network performance measurement based on supporting level and operational level
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20061011
The successful application of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) has brought remarkable effects and benefits to most companies after many years of accumulated practical experiences. However, along with unceasing improvement of people' s living standard and increasing aggravation of market competition, competitions between companies are more and more intensive and growing up to competitions between supply networks. How to realize the target of "reducing cost and improving service together" on the level of networks becomes the very knotty problem for every company and their supply networks. As the effective instrument for aligning node companies within their network, AMT accomplishes sharing information and coordinative operational among companies through its hard technologies (such as robotics, computers and other scientific technologies) and soft technologies (managerial technologies such as TQM, JIT, VMI, E-Business, etc.). They also play a very important role in the coordination of the relationship between node enterprises. As the method of organization development, performance measurement's effect is not only to evaluate current performance, but to guide future development direction of the whole supply network. Therefore, the investments which could bring potential benefits to supply networks, such as AMT, must be taken into account when build up performance measurement systems. This paper establishes an equitable measurement system including supporting evaluation level (consisting of HITS Human, Institution, Technology and Surroundings) and operational evaluation level (consisting of TQFS - Time, Quality, Finance and Service) to break through the traditional measurement methods which only concentrate on current performance, while pay more attention to supply networks' further development. Moreover, this paper introduces the evaluation of relationship among node companies into measurement system which is cardinal significant for the supply networks' coordinative development as well.The trend of introduction of IEC60364 in Japan
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20040769
Based on the Japanese government's deregulation promotion program, activities to introduce IEC standards into ordinances of the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) are progressing steadily, and the first stage is complete. With the current situation in Japan as a background, this paper will introduce the background and conditions for introducing IEC 60364. This program was set to implement international harmonization and its targets are zation are the electricity utilities industry law, electricity appliance safety law and Japanese industrial standards.Conformance and security challenges for personal communications in the reconfigurable era
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20030327
The future generation of mobile communication systems will provide a diversity of services, with the means of secure software download and transparent reconfigurability, providing increased opportunity to all parties in the telecommunications value chain. In order that such a complex system can be realised and provide a comfortable, secure, yet compelling experience to the end-user, there are many challenges and issues to resolve, including end-to-end security within disparate domains of administration, efficient software download procedures, transparent terminal reconfigurability, configuration management and evolved network operations. The paper elaborates on two main issues in realising the reconfigurable system, namely ensuring conformance and security of reconfiguration. It provides an overview of current compliance/regulation from the European regulatory perspective. The paper also describes the problems and discusses the outcome of research undertaken in the field.Market opportunities and challenges in the building automation industry
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20020076
After treading water for more than a decade during an era of unprecedented advances in new technologies, the building automation systems (BAS) market is finally embracing Internet and IT technologies. The cost of implementing these once prohibitively expensive technologies continues to decline, dramatically changing how suppliers approach the automation of building controls and redefining the traditional roles of BAS solutions and their suppliers. Relationships between suppliers are also being redefined. BAS suppliers must be capable of reinventing themselves to gain control of newly expanded, but still highly fragmented, markets. Suppliers must also learn to redefine their system offerings more quickly than ever before to keep up with changes in technology, business opportunities, and customer expectations. The ever-changing role of BASs and suppliers represents numerous challenges for these suppliers, but also provides new business opportunities for those willing to adapt to the new demands of the marketplace. (10 pages)Developing a framework for addressing human factors in IEC 61508
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010430
IEC 61508 is a key international standard in establishing requirements for electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems in safety-related applications. It addresses hardware and software-components of safety-related systems from initial specification, through design, operation and eventually disposal. In a number of places the standard recognises the need to address human factors. Therefore, a project was undertaken to explore how guidance can be structured to link human factors requirements into IEC 61508.New for old - effectively managing a control system changeover
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010429
Although there is a vast array of quality literature available on generic project management, control room design and human machine interface design, there is very little material which discusses the methodology involved in replacing an existing system. This paper first considers the potential value of evaluating a control system replacement, and then presents a case study of such a project.Do I trust thee? An approach to understanding trust in the domain of air traffic control
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010441
We are concerned with the role of trust in air traffic controllers' interaction with other agents, use of technology, and acceptance of changes in technology. This paper summarises the result of the initial phase of our research. We first introduce our conceptualisation of trust, related to the dimensions of belief and dependence. A brief summary of our observations from visits to control centres is followed by a case study that illustrates our understanding of trust. The results of the cooperation questionnaire are presented and discussed. The questionnaire was developed to collect information on air traffic controllers' beliefs and expectations of their colleagues and technology, as well as anecdotes where trust played a role. The results are encouraging with regard to supporting our conceptualisation of trust. In our future work we hope to widen the scope in the domain of interest, and carry out an experimental evaluation of our conceptualisation.Ergonomic problems of the control staff of the Estonian shipping company
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010485
Risk assessment in the work environment has been required under Estonian work safety and health law since 1996, when the EU document "Guidance of risk assessment at work" became accessible. The new Act on Occupational Health and Safety that demands risk analysis at every workplace was adopted in Estonia in 1999. In this context the main problem for managers and labour inspectors became the determination of risk level. The article discusses the factors involved. In particular it mentions factors at the offices of the Estonian Shipping Company.Assessing the safety of staffing arrangements for process operations
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010431
A method has recently been developed by Entec on behalf of the Hazardous Installations Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive who have observed that a number of oil, gas and chemical sites are taking steps to reduce staffing levels in their operating teams. There is a concern that such reductions could impact the ability of a site to control abnormal and emergency conditions and may also have a negative effect on staff performance through an impact on workload, fatigue, etc. The aim of the project was to develop a structured assessment method which systematically covered all the relevant issues and would prevent potential problems in process operation staffing arrangements being missed. The assessment method provides a systematic approach which structures people's thinking about the factors which need to be considered when assessing the safety of process operation staffing arrangements.Asset governance - a radically new way to manage distribution networks in a competitive and deregulated market
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010903
An innovative solution was required to meet the regulatory and competitive challenges faced by modern utility companies operating in the UK market. In this rapidly developing environment, it became essential to be able to make both performance and efficiency improvements, whilst seeking to extract as much value as possible from the use of the assets. In response to this challenge, the concept of asset governance was born. This paper considers the developments in the business environment, the responsibilities of the asset governor and describes how the resulting structure will deliver ongoing performance improvement. It also considers the relationships between asset owners, asset governors and asset managers in the competitive business environment, risk transfer and the challenges that lie ahead. (5 pages)Managing innovation - The Foresight Vehicle Programme
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20000388
Foresight Vehicle is a collaboration between UK Government, industry and academia. It includes a variety of activities of which the most prominent at the moment is a programme of research and development sponsored by a number of government departments under the DTI's LINK scheme. The programme has recently combined with the Innovative Manufacturing Initiative of EPSRC so that it now covers both product and process technology for road vehicles and the road infrastructure for 2020. In this paper, the author examines the management of innovation within the Foresight Vehicle Programme. (3 pages)