Download or read book Infrastructure Productivity Evaluation written by Wouter Jonkhoff and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-01-11 with total page 105 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Infrastructure construction and use is at the heart o the current political debate. Not only are European member state governments investing large amounts of money to alleviate the harmful effects of the economic downturn due to the credit crisis, EU accession countries receive large amounts of cohesion funds for infrastructure purposes. Infrastructure is widely believed to contribute largely to economic performance, but to what extent is this the case? How does the productivity of roads, railways and ports relate to the invested money, and what determines their effectiveness? In this Brief, which focuses to a large extent on Dutch and European practice, numerous distinguished economists describe policy practice and analytical tools for infrastructure appraisal. Moreover, harmonisation of European approaches for evaluation of infrastructure are discussed. The study focuses both on scientific productivity measurement as on case studies of infrastructure policy.
Download or read book Measuring and Improving Infrastructure Performance written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1995-01-01 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The nation's physical infrastructure facilitates movement of people and goods; provides safe water; provides energy when and where needed; removes wastes; enables rapid communications; and generally supports our economy and quality of life. Developing a framework for guiding attempts at measuring the performance of infrastructure systems and grappling with the concept of defining good performance are the major themes of this book. Focusing on urban regions, within a context of national policy, the volume provides the basis for further in-depth analysis and application at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
Download or read book Measuring and Improving Infrastructure Performance written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1995-02-01 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The nation's physical infrastructure facilitates movement of people and goods; provides safe water; provides energy when and where needed; removes wastes; enables rapid communications; and generally supports our economy and quality of life. Developing a framework for guiding attempts at measuring the performance of infrastructure systems and grappling with the concept of defining good performance are the major themes of this book. Focusing on urban regions, within a context of national policy, the volume provides the basis for further in-depth analysis and application at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
Download or read book Public Infrastructure Performance in Developing Countries written by Abdul Ghafoor and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-11-22 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This title was first published in 2000: An investigation of the performance of the electric power and telecommunication sectors of Pakistan at the firm level as well as the sector as a whole, seeking to identify and quantify the extent of inefficiencies. Since physical or financial or productivity indicators alone are not able to explain the duality of public infrastructure purposes, the financial and productivity indicators have been used in evaluating the performance of these sectors. Further, a Cobb-Douglas production function has also been used to calculate the trend in the growth of total factor productivity. Economies of scale have also been studied in the case of electric power generation. The results of the study show that in Pakistan one of the usual motives for privatization (to avoid the poor financial results of state enterprises) is not relevant for electricity and telecommunications enterprises. This, however, appears to be due to the financial subsidies they received, through access to low cost loan finance and grants, rather than to their efficiency in operations. By the economic criteria of growth of TFP none of the enterprises do well and two have a negative TFP growth. The case for reforming these enterprises is strong and alternative modes of organization, finance and ownership need to be considered.
Download or read book Economic Analysis and Infrastructure Investment written by Edward L. Glaeser and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2021-11-11 with total page 479 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Policy-makers often call for expanding public spending on infrastructure, which includes a broad range of investments from roads and bridges to digital networks that will expand access to high-speed broadband. Some point to near-term macro-economic benefits and job creation, others focus on long-term effects on productivity and economic growth. This volume explores the links between infrastructure spending and economic outcomes, as well as key economic issues in the funding and management of infrastructure projects. It draws together research studies that describe the short-run stimulus effects of infrastructure spending, develop new estimates of the stock of U.S. infrastructure capital, and explore the incentive aspects of public-private partnerships (PPPs). A salient issue is the treatment of risk in evaluating publicly-funded infrastructure projects and in connection with PPPs. The goal of the volume is to provide a reference for researchers seeking to expand research on infrastructure issues, and for policy-makers tasked with determining the appropriate level of infrastructure spending"--
Download or read book Performance Assessment of Urban Infrastructure Services written by Enrique Cabrera Jr and published by IWA Publishing. This book was released on 2008-03-01 with total page 541 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Performance assessment has been one of the hottest topics in the water industry in the past decade. In that period, the International Water Association has played a key role, and the performance indicators systems developed for drinking water and wastewater utilities have become a reference worldwide. This book represents a collection of the papers presented to the Pi08 Conference, in Valencia, Spain (March 2008). The conference represents the final stage in the COST C18 Action, funded by the EU and brings together some of the most relevant professionals in the water industry. The book covers the latest trends in performance assessment, as well as relevant case studies from practical applications in utilities around the globe. Themes: Performance Indicators Metric Benchmarking Process Benchmarking Asset Management Regulation Case Studies
Download or read book Toward More Sustainable Infrastructure written by Carl D. Martland and published by Wiley. This book was released on 2011-02-22 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Toward More Sustainable Infrastructure: Project Evaluation for Planners and Engineers provides readers a framework for understanding and evaluating infrastructure projects to improve their performance and sustainability, taking into account not only the financial and economic issues, but also the social and environmental impacts that affect the sustainability of infrastructure. Based on a course designed developed by the author over ten years at M.I.T., this text demonstrates how to apply the basic methods of engineering economics in evaluating major infrastructure projects and also demonstrates how these same techniques can be useful with many routine business and personal decisions. It introduces students to project management, system performance, concepts of sustainability, methods of engineering economics, and provides numerous case studies, examples, and exercises based upon real world problems. This text fills a void in the education of many planners and engineering students, namely an understanding of why major infrastructure projects are undertaken, how they are structured and evaluated, and how they are financed. Toward More Sustainable Infrastructure: Project Evaluation for Planners and Engineers prepares readers to evaluate projects based upon an appreciation of the needs of society, the potential for sustainable development, and recognition of the problems that may result from poorly conceived or poorly implemented projects and programs.
Download or read book Intelligent Sustainment and Renewal of Department of Energy Facilities and Infrastructure written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2005-01-16 with total page 121 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The United States Department of Energy's (DOE) facilities stewardship is extremely important to the department's ability to achieve its mission of protecting national, energy, and economic security with advanced science and technology and ensuring environmental cleanup. Intelligent Sustainment and Renewal of Department of Energy Facilities and Infrastructure evaluates the steps the department is taking to improve its facilities and infrastructure management. This report develops best-practice techniques for DOE real property asset management and guidelines for deciding when to repair, renovate, or replace DOE buildings.
Download or read book Infrastructure Performance and Reform in Developing and Transition Economies written by Lourdes Trujillo and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2005 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Estache, Perelman, and Trujillo review about 80 studies on electricity and gas, water and sanitation, and rail and ports (with a footnote on telecommunications) in developing countries. The main policy lesson is that there is a difference in the relevance of ownership for efficiency between utilities and transport in developing countries. In transport, private operators have tended to perform better than public operators. For utilities, ownership often does not matter as much as sometimes argued. Most cross-country studies find no statistically significant difference in efficiency scores between public and private providers. As for the country-specific studies, some do find differences in performance over time but these differences tend to matter much less than a large number of other variables. Across sectors, private operators functioning in a competitive environment or regulated under price caps or hybrid regulatory regimes tend to catch up best practice faster than public operators. There is a very strong case to push regulators in developing and transition economies toward a more systematic reliance on yardstick competition in a sector in which residual monopoly powers tend to be common. This paper--a product of the Office of the Vice President, Infrastructure Network--is part of a larger effort in the network to document the state of the sector"--World Bank web site.
Download or read book The Evaluation of Complex Infrastructure Projects written by Lasse Gerrits and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2018-06-29 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Infrastructure projects are notoriously hard to manage so it is important that society learns from the successes and mistakes made over time. However, most evaluation methods run into a conundrum: either they cover a large number of projects but have little to say about their details, or they focus on detailed single-case studies with little in terms of applicability elsewhere. This book presents Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) as an alternative evaluation method that solves the conundrum to enhance learning.
Download or read book Urban Infrastructure written by K. Wellman and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-07-30 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The magnitude of investment, the long time-frames involved and the influence of pre-existing infrastructure on urban infrastructure provision make a co-ordinated approach to forward-planning, policy development and implementation essential. There are major challenges in making decisions on urban infrastructure and getting management structures and processes in place. Getting it right generates long-term dividends; getting it wrong involves major costs, often borne by taxpayers. Urban Infrastructure: finance and management is posited on a strong belief that the physical structure of cities and the efficiency of infrastructure services delivered are driven by efficiencies within individual infrastructure sectors, lessons learnt across these sectors and the ability to co-ordinate and integrate sectors to generate economies of scale. This necessitates an interdisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from finance, governance, planning and management as well as the characteristics of the individual urban infrastructure sectors involved. Here it is not only about getting the initial decisions and policy settings right, but also ensuring effective implementation. A major theme running through the book is the nature of institutions and the governance structures responsible for delivery and management of urban infrastructure and the decision making processes involved. The editors have taken a deliberately pragmatic approach to the finance and management of urban infrastructure; chapters are cross-sectorial and present both theory and practice. This book is for students and practitioners in policy, planning, urban management, infrastructure finance and management.
Download or read book The Management and Measurement of Infrastructure written by Charlie Karlsson and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2007 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highlights the growing demand for accurate, complete and continuous disclosure of information related to management activities, expenditures, stock availability and shadow prices. This book also presents theoretical and practical advances as well as concepts and paradigms in infrastructure systems.
Download or read book A New Kind of Science written by Stephen Wolfram and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 1197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work presents a series of dramatic discoveries never before made public. Starting from a collection of simple computer experiments---illustrated in the book by striking computer graphics---Wolfram shows how their unexpected results force a whole new way of looking at the operation of our universe. Wolfram uses his approach to tackle a remarkable array of fundamental problems in science: from the origin of the Second Law of thermodynamics, to the development of complexity in biology, the computational limitations of mathematics, the possibility of a truly fundamental theory of physics, and the interplay between free will and determinism.
Download or read book Information Systems for Engineering and Infrastructure Asset Management written by Abrar Haider and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-11-08 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Engineering and infrastructure assets maintain the lifeline of economies. It is, therefore, critical to manage these assets in such a way that they provide a consistent level of service throughout their lifecycle. Management of asset lifecycle, however, is information intensive and utilises a plethora of information systems. The role of theses systems in asset management is much more profound. It extends beyond the organizational boundaries and addresses business relationships with external stakeholders to deliver enhanced level of business outcomes. In doing so information systems are not only required to translate business strategic considerations into action, but are also expected to produce learnings and feedback that informs business strategy and aids in strategic reorientation.
Download or read book Infrastructure Management and Construction written by Samad M.E. Sepasgozar and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2020-05-06 with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book covers topics relevant to the concept of infrastructure construction, including key requirements of development such as measuring productivity and maintenance. It presents different categories of sustainability maintenance of critical infrastructures. In addition, it presents a complex simulation model, the reconfiguration simulator, which enables evaluation of the effectiveness of resilience enhancement strategies for electric distribution networks and the required resources to implement them. Then, it discusses health services as a critical sector in this field, which should be able to perform its function, even in times of crisis. The last chapter presents a brief review of different bridges, including the processes of design, material selection, construction, and maintenance.
Download or read book AI Based Services for Smart Cities and Urban Infrastructure written by Lyu, Kangjuan and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2020-09-04 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cities are the next frontier for artificial intelligence to permeate. As smart urban environments become possible, probable, and even preferred, artificial intelligence offers the chance for even further advancement through infrastructure and industry boosting. Opportunity overflows, but without thorough research to guide a complicated development and implementation process, urban environments can become disorganized and outright dangerous for citizens. AI-Based Services for Smart Cities and Urban Infrastructure is a collection of innovative research that explores artificial intelligence (AI) applications in urban planning. In addition, the book looks at how the internet of things and AI can work together to enable a real smart city and discusses state-of-the-art techniques in urban infrastructure design, construction, operation, maintenance, and management. While highlighting a broad range of topics including construction management, public transportation, and smart agriculture, this book is ideally designed for engineers, entrepreneurs, urban planners, architects, policymakers, researchers, academicians, and students.
Download or read book Innovating with Infrastructure written by S. Gulyani and published by Springer. This book was released on 2001-09-12 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How do industrial firms in developing countries contend with and survive acute shortages of physical infrastructure? Gulyani examines the impact of inadequate power and freight transportation on the costs and competitiveness of Indian automobile firms and the innovative coping strategies that firms devise. Using in-depth firm-level surveys and supply-chain analysis, this study provides a unique perspective into the infrastructure problem and possible solutions. It identifies unconventional approaches and solutions that firms and governments can use to improve industrial access to infrastructure.
