Globalization, Transportation, Energy and Environment

• Institutional Barriers to Deployment of IT Technologies in Transportation
  The research area that focuses on institutional barriers in the provision and maintenance of transportation was established by RR&S Associates with an initial publication in the early 2000s in Transport Reviews and in an edited book entitled Barriers to Sustainable Transportation: Institutions, Regulations and Sustainability(London, Spon Press, 252 pages). These publications sparked interest in the field and led to scholarly, planning, management and policy contributions. As one example, RR&S Associates received several large contracts from the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct research on institutional barriers to the deployment of information technology (IT) and information communications technology (ICT) in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). In collaboration with colleagues at U.S. universities, political, governance, societal, safety and security barriers were analyzed and solutions of an institutional and/or technical nature proposed. 
  
• Development of Upstream Projects Following the Completion of the Aswan Dam, Egypt
  The project was headed by an RR&S Associate hired by the Ford Foundation to join a team going to Egypt to help in the completion of the Aswan Dam project after the exit of the Soviet Union. The associate helped guide the development of several irrigated agricultural projects up-river from the dam around Lake Nassar. In this role with the Ford Foundation, the associate had a variety of assignments to head up projects in other parts of the Middle East. For example, in Cairo he conducted an in-depth analysis of the existing solid waste management, which relied mostly on collection by Coptic Christians, and offered a detailed comparison to the potential modern collection and disposal systems as alternatives. 
  
• Impact of Fast Trains on the Chinese Economy
  RR&S Associates conducted several evaluation studies of the impacts of fast train implementation in China. The estimated spillover benefits of the fast train projects across China were considerably larger than environmental spillovers. Thus, the studies demonstrated that the fast trains in China were producing net economic benefits with minimal environmental impacts. 
  
• Spatial Shift in Geography of Cross Country Rail Cargo Flows in the U.S.
  RR&S Associates tested a hypothesis that a spatial shift in the logistics of cross-country cargo transport occurred in the 1980s from a traditional east-west orientation to a more north-south orientation. The study empirically confirmed the shift to a north-south orientation and also found that the cargo volume going through the ports on the Gulf of Mexico were growing faster relative to the east-west volume through the East Coast ports. The changing pattern was demonstrated using shift-share analysis. Later, however, as the import of Chinese goods increased, the flow patterns moved back toward a more west-east direction with the rise of several Land Bridge lines spanning the continent. 
  
• Change in Geography and Patterns of Metropolitan Cargo and Warehousing Services in Detroit
  RR&S Associates analyzed changes in the geography of metropolitan cargo and warehousing services in the Detroit Metropolitan Area around year 2010. The analysis showed that offices of cargo and warehousing services firms were moving more into the periphery of the region and concentrating around the Detroit International Airport. While this change in location may have improved the cost/value tradeoff in operational terms, it negatively impacted land use and environment. 
  
• Training for Most African Countries on Aviation Policy and Programs with Work Based in South Africa
  Under a contract with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an early project by RR&S Associates facilitated improvements in air traffic safety in less developed counties that often failed to implement the provisions of global agreements, such as those of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Not following regulations jeopardized safety of U.S. passengers flying on airlines with a poor safety record. The only lever for influencing countries with unsafe air traffic at the U.S. Government’s disposal at that time was to deny access to fly into the U.S., which was fraught with international tensions and possible conflicts. RR&S Associates designed an education program for aviation officials in developing countries where safety was often a major issue. Training and technical assistance were provided to more than 90 countries with RR&S associates offering lectures and workshops on treaties such as ICAO, including requirements for signatories. Assistance was also offered for economic development and for obtaining funds to help rebuild or maintain the physical and infrastructure conditions and processes including institutional changes. 
  
• Environmental Management Training Program for Officials in Taiwan Following Its Adoption of the Provisions in the U.S. Environmental Policy Act
  Environmental Management Training Program for Officials in Taiwan following Its adoption of the Provisions in the U.S. Environmental Policy Act In 1991. To familiarize various Taiwanese Environmental agencies a consortium of Taiwanese Environmental and Scientific community and hired associates of RR&S to design, manage and conduct a 5-day environment management training program for their employees. The consortium members were Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency, the Taiwan National Science Council, Taiwan Petroleum Corporation, Taiwan Electric Power Corporation and the Chinese Management Association of Taiwan.
  
• Creation of the Korean International Nuclear Graduate School in Kori, Korea
  RR&S Associates in collaboration with other parties led the design of a proposal to build an international graduate school in Korea that would teach engineers from developing countries to manage nuclear policy and the operations of nuclear power plants. A $400 million Korean International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) was successfully proposed to the Korean Electric Power Corporation in 2009. The School opened in Kori (Korea) in 2011. Four existing nuclear plants located in the Kori region facilitate the practical part of the curriculum. Since its inception, the School has graduated nearly 200 students. Graduates from 15 countries are employed internationally in projects like the four nuclear power plants being constructed by Korea in the United Arab Emirates.