This paper reports on a natural experiment, which studied groups of commuters who are equivalent in most important demographic respects, and who had equivalent commuting experiences, but were differentially affected by a new and improved mass transit (rail) route to work. These commuters changed a significant aspect of their commute, but did not change other critical aspects of their lives (e.g., the start and end points of the trips, the jobs they go to, the homes they return to), so that commuting changes were not confounded with other life changes.

This study was a natural experiment of the effects of a major improvement to the infrastructure of a commuter rail line on commuter stress. The study used a multimethod approach and both cross-sectional and longitudinal data were collection by using a pre-test/post-test design including both within and between group comparisons. On psychophysiological, self-report, well being, and job strain measures those using the new service show reduced stress in the post-change period, while those staying with the previous service did not. Predictability and trip effort did not mediate these effects.

The research team worked with staff across all MTA operating agencies to analyze the impacts of deferring or canceling six projects in MTA’s propose 2005-09 core capital program. The objective was to come up with a clear methodology and means for communicating the fiscal prudence of these projects to policymakers and the public.

This study was undertaken to examine how to introduce bus rapid transit (BRT) in New York City.  In recent years, the idea of bus rapid transit – innovative bus services providing superior speed and convenience to traditional bus service – has attracted growing interest both here and across the United States.  The tremendously successful BRT systems in Bogotá, Colombia and Curitiba, Brazil, have stirred worldwide interest in whether BRT could be introduced elsewhere.  New York, where more passengers use buses than in the next five largest U.S.

Bridge engineers in New Jersey are presented with numerous tidal flow and non-tidal scour countermeasure designs for application to scour critical bridges. This handbook presents recommended guidelines for scour countermeasure design and planning for bridges in New Jersey. The handbook has been prepared on the basis on an extensive review of all available literature on scour countermeasure for bridge foundations. The presented guidelines are based on recommendation in HEC-23, HEC-18, NCHRP 24-07 and CIRIA Manual.

Over the last decade, a large number of high capital cost transportation projects have been proposed for the New York City Region. Many have resulted from addressing evolving capacity needs, changes in regional demographics and economics, meeting the improvements necessitated by operating century old subway systems and recognizing the impact of moving freight in a dense region. But the catalyst for bringing all of these projects to the attention of the public and all regional agencies was the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

Several issues are discussed in the literature that generally affect the termination of an infrastructure contract and the transfer of project ownership to the government agency. These issues include project construction claims, dispute resolution and cost overruns. Research studies have analyzed the nature of such claims and specific insights are offered into the fundamental causes of claims that delay projects. Dispute resolution in the construction industry is another concern for project delay. Disputes can be expensive and litigation can cause even longer delays.

<p>New York?s northern and western borders with Canada have long served as important commercial and tourist gateways for the entire United States. With recent and projected growth in cross-border travel, and heightened security concerns arising from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the transportation infrastructure in the border regions is being pushed to its limits.

Since the signing of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993, rapid growth in crossborder travel has stretched the capacity of the border
transportation network. Heightened security since
September 11, 2001 and expedited clearance initiatives
have also placed new demands on the infrastructure.

This research project is to assess the roles and responsibilities of the Regional Information Technology organizations of New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The Information Technology (IT) resources of NYSDOT are organized using a matrix structure. The Main Office Information Technology Bureau has an advisory role in relationship to the Regional Information Technology organizations. In order to better understand the roles and responsibilities of the Regional Information Technology organizations, their resource needs must be identified and documented.