SEARCH TECHNIQUES
Group Research Project
- Prof. G. Jones
EXAMPLE TWO: UNIVERSITY TRAM (with emphasis on routing and scheduling)
1. ANY RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
(American Society of Transportation and Logistics)
(American Society of Civil Engineers, transportation)
http://www.asce.org/community/transportation/
Relevant information on this site? Available by request?
Other related professional sites?
2. DATABASE SEARCH
The “Literature Review”
See:
http://members.dca.net/~areid/litview.html
and
http://www.research.umich.edu/proposals/pwg/pwgbackground.html
** I recommend choosing the "Advanced Search" option every time **
Searching “University Tram System Management”
In Business Source Elite
BELOW IS A POSSIBLE HIT, BUT ONLY MARGINALLY USEFUL
Title: |
Bringing project and programme management to the surface. |
Source: |
Logistics & Transport Focus; Sep2005, Vol. 7 Issue 7, p36-39, 4p, 3c |
Document Type: |
Case Study |
Subject Terms: |
*PROJECT management |
Geographic Terms: |
|
48 Transportation and Warehousing |
|
Abstract: |
This article provides information on a project that is designed to improve Transport for London (TfL) project delivery capability. TfL is the integrated body responsible for the British capital's transport system. Surface Transport, one of its three units, is responsible for managing London's buses, trams and river services, a 580-kilometer network of main roads, walking and cycling networks, all of London's 4,600 traffic lights and the operation of Congestion Charging. To meet this challenging remit, project SPEARMINT was developed. It has been perceived as a successful change intervention that was, with some prescience, focused solely on improving Surface Transport's ability to deliver programs and projects. INSETS: In conclusion; Information. |
ISSN: |
1466-836X |
Accession Number: |
18178681 |
Persistent link to this record: |
http://0-search.epnet.com.wncln.wncln.org:80/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsh&an=18178681 |
Database: |
Business Source Elite |
View Links: |
PROBABLY EVEN LESS USEFUL…
Title: |
Is it a tram? Is it a bus? No, it's ftr. (cover story) |
Authors: |
|
Source: |
Logistics & Transport Focus; Jul/Aug2005, Vol. 7 Issue 6, p18-21, 4p, 4c |
Document Type: |
Article |
Subject Terms: |
|
Geographic Terms: |
|
Company/Entity: |
|
48 Transportation and Warehousing |
|
Abstract: |
This article provides information on ftr, a vehicle developed by First Group and manufactured by The Wright Group in Great Britain, which combines the flexibility of the bus and the allure of light rail. Ftr is all about delivering excellence in public travel through an integrated approach to vehicle design, engineering, technological support, infrastructure, and route management. The vehicle is a new way of delivering public travel that will encourage more people to consider leaving their cars at home and use ftr services. The acronym, ftr, is a texting shorthand for future and has been chosen to help challenge existing thinking on public travel. Ftr services will be delivered though a partnership between First Group, The Wright Group and local authorities. First Group will operate ftr services, while the Wright Group is building the vehicle, and the local authorities will deliver the ftr track. However, the vehicle that will deliver ftr is articulated and single-deck, which can carry 53 seated passengers and 47 standing, and it has been constructed to a length of 18.7 meters. The vehicle is 3.5 meters high. Its striking appearance is enhanced by the use of specially designed covered wheels. |
ISSN: |
1466-836X |
Accession Number: |
17517377 |
Persistent link to this record: |
http://0-search.epnet.com.wncln.wncln.org:80/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsh&an=17517377 |
Database: |
Business Source Elite |
View Links: |
SEARCHING “UNIVERSITY TRAM”-- HERE IS A HIT THAT LOOKS VERY USEFUL (DESPITE BEING SOMEWHAT DATED)
Title: |
A Campus Transportation Alternative Revisited. |
Authors: |
|
Source: |
Transportation Quarterly; Summer96, Vol. 50 Issue 3, p123-129, 7p, 3 charts, 2 graphs, 1bw |
Document Type: |
Article |
Subject Terms: |
*BUSES |
Geographic Terms: |
|
Abstract: |
Parking and, transportation issues on college campuses provide interesting examples of transportation management alternatives for current and future policy makers. This paper provides a retrospective examination of the decision to replace an insufficient tram system with a fixed-route bus system serving Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. The costs and benefits of the tram and bus systems are considered, along with changes needed to implement the system and preliminary results. This case study presents several implications for transportation alternatives at college campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
Author Affiliations: |
1University of Wisconsin |
ISSN: |
0278-9434 |
Accession Number: |
12133871 |
Persistent link to this record: |
http://0-search.epnet.com.wncln.wncln.org:80/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsh&an=12133871 |
Database: |
Business Source Elite |
View Links: |
3. BOOKS
A. Library of Congress
Library catalogs
One item found, using Advanced Search, was
Smarter growth : Market-based strategies for land-use planning in the 21st century / edited by Randall G. Holcombe and Samuel R. Staley (Most likely too general for our purposes; still, a nice overview of the subject)
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/fy02/00061701.html
B. Amazon.com
Urban Public Transport Today (Paperback)
by Barry J. Simpson "
Passenger Transport After 2000 AD (Technology in the Third Millennium) (Hardcover)
by G. B. R. Feilden, A. H. Wickens, I. R. Yates (Editor)
Again, these are probably too general for extyensive use for our purposes. But they are current, and would provide a nice overview of the issue of public transportation—with some reference to tram systems. While such books are not technically “academic” sources (i.e., not peer reviewed, in the traditionally sense, as are journal articles) they are nevertheless likely to be written by experts in the field, and therefore highly credible.
4. GOOGLE
A. GOOGLE ‘SCHOLAR’ SEARCH
B. GENERAL SEARCH
“UNIVERSITY TRAM ROUTES”
A. ARTICLE found using Google Scholar
[SEARCH ONLY IN ‘BUSINESS, ADMINISTRATION…']
“Simulating the limits of tram and bus technology under medium to high-flow conditions”
http://www.inrets.fr/nojs/ur/ltn/WEBFK/SiteFKA2/PdfA2/32Lindaubusway.Eng.pdf
(some interesting variables considered):
B. WEB SITES found (Google general)
Melbourne University Tram:
http://www.yarratrams.com.au/news/news_listing/archived/article.asp?id=245
Ideas regarding the conveying of tram information via the Web
(from my alma mater, University of Southern California):
http://transnet.usc.edu/Trams/pdf/summer05_upc.pdf
Texas State:
http://www.aux-srvcs.txstate.edu/tram.htm
Nottingham:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/360/travel/tram/nottingham_trent_university.shtml
Some of these Web sites would contain interesting and relevant information regarding university tram systems. Information on these sites would help shape and narrow your research focus—as well as the specific questions you would ask your interview subjects.
And of course, in addition to interviewing a manager or two responsible for the maintenance, routing, and overall administration of the trams here at Western, one would also want to look at (for?) WCU Cat-Tran (on-campus shuttle) on the WCU Website. How difficult is this information to find? Does it come up quickly when doing an on-campus Google search? Where is the link? Again, could it be made easier to find? Could the Website itself be improved? How many “hits” does the Website get in an average week? What is the weekly ridership of the tram? Meet projections? (In terms of hardcopy, what brochures are published? How many? Where are they supposed to be located for distribution to students? Are they there?)
Here is the link:
Here is a link to the map:
http://www.wcu.edu/cattran/map.htm
What Questions/Comments have been logged by students? Is this feature used much? How have Cat-Tran managers responded, specifically, to specific student suggestions/complaints?
http://www.wcu.edu/cattran/contact.html
This log is public information. Of course you would want a copy to aid in your research…
5. INTERVIEWS
As discussed in class, in the text, and on the Web (see: http://paws.wcu.edu/gjones/WCU_COB_Writing_Resources.html#Interviewing )
Although experts in the field are highly credible, an interview does not count as a “scholarly source” (not peer reviewed). Interview experts or relevant mid- to upper-level organizational managers for this project.