http://hdl.handle.net/10027/22 UIC College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs Thu, 23 May 2013 13:10:43 GMT 2013-05-23T13:10:43Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9631 An Analysis of Privacy in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Location Based Services (LBS) The issue of privacy is a growing concern in the mobile environment. This dissertation attempts to describe the component parts of privacy as they relate to location and mobility, and to evaluate how both consumers and service providers respond to concerns associated with privacy protection in relation to mobile technologies. A total of 101 privacy policies of both public and private service providers were evaluated using content analysis to determine both how well they responded to different aspects of privacy concern within the mobile environment, and to how understandable they are to consumers. Additionally, an online stated preference survey of 382 consumers was conducted and analyzed to ascertain privacy preferences, willingness to trade information for transportation and mobility benefits, and potential incentives for sharing private data for purposes of safety, efficiency, and economics. The findings reveal that privacy policies of mobile service providers, generally, do not adequately or consistently respond to necessary components of privacy as identified in the research. Additionally, the consumer survey indicated that consumer preferences and concerns are not adequately addressed in current privacy practices, nor are they accurately reflected via current consumer practices related to consumer knowledge of current privacy practices. These findings indicate that much work remains to ensure adequate protection of privacy in the mobile environment via the use of consumer awareness, technical solutions to privacy protection and improved, comprehensive policy provision. Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9631 2012-12-14T06:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9586 Evaluating the Economic Impact of Freight Investment in Unique Economies Using Input-Output This research investigates the economic impact transportation infrastructure investments have on distinct economies. Using Input-Output analysis, it compares five Midwestern economies with varying levels of freight specialization. The primary objective and contribution of this thesis is to provide insight about how the impact of freight transportation projects varies across different regional economies. As the research is designed to assist policymakers in making better-informed decisions when allocating scarce resources, the most significant finding is that a significant reduction in freight delay has minimal impact on policy decisions. Therefore, additional tools should be used to gain further insight into the impact of such projects. Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9586 2012-12-13T06:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9466 Evaluating the Economic Impact of Freight Investment in Chicago Using Computable General Equilibrium Computable general equilibrium (CGE) is used to analyze the impacts of a transportation investment in Chicago that will induce a 20% reduction in truck congestion. Two simulations are explored: a 20% increase in total factor productivity (TFP) or Hicks neutral technical change and a 20% decrease in capital and labor inputs. These changes were made only to the trucking sectors of the economy. The first simulation employs a popular method used by many researchers in the past to show efficiency gains and infrastructure investments. The result of this simulation is a 1.09% change in gross regional product (GRP). The second simulation replicates efficiency gains as a means to reduce capital and labor cost. The result of this simulation is a -0.32% change in GRP. The results for savings and investments are sensitive to productivity changes, particularly state and local government spending. The first simulation suggests that the trucking sectors pass the cost-savings they achieve through increased productivity to other industries and users of their services. The second simulation suggests that the trucking sectors’ costs rise due to decrease in capital and labor factor demand. The trucking sector then shifts the cost burden to consumers by charging higher prices. The second simulation should be interpreted with caution as a more realistic scenario would hold the trucking sectors’ industry output constant because of research suggesting that congestion has negligible impact on trucking demand. Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9466 2012-12-13T06:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9212 How the Relationship between Public Officials and the Freight Industry Impacts Planning and Development Public officials desire to better influence both the positive economic impacts and the negative quality of life impacts that the past and expected future growth in intermodal freight presents to communities. In addition to the impacts freight growth presents to communities, freight developers can gain value by lessening the community and political resistance that their projects face. Members of the freight industry and public officials must work together to overcome development issues that arise when developing freight projects to ensure maximum benefits for the freight network and for communities. The relationship between the freight industry and public officials has been studied primarily at the Metropolitan Planning Organization and State Department of Transportation levels, but should also be studied at the local level to examine how the relationship affects the development of freight projects and community impacts. The author conducts a literature review on the challenges facing the integration of freight projects into the transportation planning process, the growth and impacts of freight intermodal operations, and freight intermodal project development and its impacts on communities. The author also conducts interviews with public officials and representatives from Class I railroads for two cases of the development of freight intermodal terminals. This thesis finds critical areas where gaps exist between members of the freight industry and public officials and the effects these gaps have on the common development issues for freight intermodal projects. Differences in regulation at all levels of government significantly impact how a freight intermodal terminal is developed regarding the level of review and public participation that is required. The development process that must be followed for these projects can greatly vary based on what state, county, town, or environmentally sensitive land the project is located. The inconsistency results in the development process not effectively utilizing project review and public participation and at other times being too strenuous on development. This thesis also finds how public officials’ lack of formal freight training and industry knowledge impacts attempts to capture economic benefits from freight activity and to avoid negative impacts to their communities’ quality of life due to freight activity. Mon, 10 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/9212 2012-12-10T06:00:00Z