From the Special Issue Editor

Abstract

The transportation network is one of the most critical components of the U.S. infrastructure and an area rich with opportunity for the engineering manager and engineering management researcher. The skill set required for an effective transportation manager is a strong match with what is taught in engineering management classrooms on a daily basis! Contributions for the special issue were selected with the goals of showcasing the abilities of the engineering management professional in providing effective solutions to pressing problems facing our transportation industry.

We begin the special issue with “Decision Support for Inland Waterways Emergency Response” by Nachtmann, et al. The manuscript investigates decision support scenarios capable of assisting emergency response teams working along our navigable, inland waterways.

In “Evaluating Useful Life and Developing Replacement Schedules for LED Traffic Signals: Statistical Methodology and a Field Study,” Long et al. detail research results on maintenance replacement schedules for LED traffic indication technologies. The research was named the “High Value Research Project” for the Midwest Region of American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and showcased during the national AASHTO “Sweet 16” Annual Conference.

In “Capacitated Continuous Facility Location Problem with Unknown Number of Facilities,” Carlo et al., investigate a facility location methodology. The manuscript provides guidance for transportation managers ranging from the supply chain realm to those assigning location for public transport.

In “Relating Transportation Systems Management and Operations Strategies to Policy Goals: A Framework for Quantitative Decision Making,” Hurwitz, et al. develop a decision framework for Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMOs), a strategic management grouping seeing more frequent use by transportation agencies. Four transportation projects are used to demonstrate the usefulness of the framework for transportation decision makers.

In “Public Transportation Vehicle Maintenance and Regional Maintenance Center: An Analysis of Existing Literature,” by Ng, et al., the authors investigate the challenges faced by rural areas in managing required maintenance. Cost benefits of using a regional maintenance center are presented through an analysis of the existing literature.

The special issue closes with “Critical Issues in Supply Chain of Lithium for Electric Vehicle Batteries” by Egbue and Long. The article, an extension of the 2011 ASEM International Annual Conference Merl Baker Award winning paper, details findings on the sustainability of electric vehicle technology. Although plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have been promoted as a viable solution to reducing our carbon footprint and converting to renewable energy sourcing, serious challenges exist with the supply chain of required raw materials.

Department(s)

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1042-9247

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Sep 2012

Link to Full Text

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