Transportation Planning in an Aging Society

By 2030, all Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will be 65 and older in the U.S. However, the understanding of how Baby Boomers travel differently from the previous generations, and the opportunities and challenges of older people\u27s travel, do not keep pace with the increasing number of older people. This presentation starts with an overview of transportation policies for older people and challenges, followed by several empirical studies investigating older people\u27s generational travel differences, vehicle ownership over the life course, and the interaction of technology usage and travel among older people. It concludes with a policy agenda and a theoretical framework of transportation planning for future aging populations.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/trec_seminar/1243/thumbnail.jp

Ride-hailing services can make travel easier for disadvantaged communities in low-density transit deserts

Ride-hailing services are often seen as benefiting the middle classes and other well-off Americans. But can they also serve people living in low-density areas, especially those who do not own vehicles? In new research, Shengxiao (Alex) Li, Wei Zhai, Junfeng Jiao, and Chao (Kenneth) Wang examined how ride-hailing services have reshaped transportation across neighborhoods in Austin, Texas. They find that while ride-hailing services mainly serve those who live downtown, where transit services are available, they also have the potential to help people living in low-income and low-density neighborhoods, and those without vehicles

Effect of export promotion programs on export performance: evidence from manufacturing SMEs

The objective of this paper is to examine how a firm’s participation in government export promotion programs (epps) may lead to a better export performance. Based on dynamic capabilities perspective, a mediated moderation model of epps on export performance was proposed and tested in Chinese manufacturing smes. The results show marketing implementation capabilities mediate the effect of information-related programs on export performance, and the financial aid-related epps moderate the process. The results contribute to the studies relating epps and export performance, as the results confirm the instrumental role of epps in enhancing export performance and examine the interplay between different types of epps. This study provides a guideline for managers as to how they can benefit from government epps. The findings also imply that policy makers should develop epps with a specific emphasis rather than a general goal of export performance. This study develops new insights on how export ventures exploit epps to develop useful capabilities. Also, the study expands current thinking on exporting by recognizing that different types of epps affect exporting

Social isolation, loneliness and well-being : the impact of WeChat use intensity during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

This study is aimed to examine the impact of WeChat use intensity on social isolation, loneliness, and well-being during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the regulatory loop model of loneliness, the notions of Internet Paradox, the Time Displacement hypothesis and previous literature on WeChat use intensity, we propose that lockdown loneliness (partially) mediates the relationship between lockdown WeChat use intensity and well-being (i.e., lockdown stress and lockdown life satisfaction). Moreover, we assume that lockdown WeChat use intensity moderates the relationship between lockdown social isolation and well-being (i.e., lockdown stress and lockdown life satisfaction) in both a direct and in an indirect way, that is through lockdown loneliness. The results from our Structural Equation Modeling analyses, using a sample of 1,805 Chinese respondents, indicate that all of our research hypotheses are confirmed. From this empirical work, it becomes clear that online social interactions, which are believed by many people to be able to compensate for the lack of offline social interactions during the COVID-19 lockdown period, in fact are endangering their mental health and life satisfaction instead. This article concludes with theoretical and practical implications of our study, followed by its limitations and recommendations for future research

Experimental Study of Ultra-Large Jacket Offshore Wind Turbine under Different Operational States Based on Joint Aero-Hydro-Structural Elastic Similarities

The jacket substructure is generalized for offshore wind farms in the southeastern offshore regions of China. The dynamic characteristics and coupling mechanisms of jacket offshore wind turbines (OWTs) have been extensively investigated using numerical simulation tools. However, limited dynamic model tests have been designed and performed for such types of OWTs. Therefore, the coupling mechanisms of jacket OWTs that are determined using numerical methods require further validation based on experimental tests. Accordingly, an integrated scaled jacket OWT physical test model is designed in this study. It consists of a scaled rotor nacelle assembly (RNA) and support structure model. For the scaled RNA model, a redesigned blade model is adopted to ensure the similarity of the aerodynamic thrust loads without modifying the scaled test winds. Auxiliary scaled drivetrain and blade pitch control system models are designed to simulate the operational states of a practical OWT. The scaled model of the OWT support structure is fabricated on the basis of the joint hydro-structural elastic similarities. A sensor arrangement involving a three-component load cell and acceleration sensors is used to record the OWT thrust loads and model motions, respectively. Then, dynamic model tests under typical scaled wind fields are implemented. Furthermore, the coupling mechanisms of the OWT model under various test winds are investigated using the wavelet packet method, and the influences of inflow winds, operational states, and mechanical strategies are introduced

Integrating deep learning in public health: a novel approach to PICC-RVT risk assessment

BackgroundMachine learning is pivotal for predicting Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-related venous thrombosis (PICC-RVT) risk, facilitating early diagnosis and proactive treatment. Existing models often assess PICC-RVT risk as static and discrete outcomes, which may limit their practical application.ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of seven diverse machine learning algorithms, including three deep learning and four traditional machine learning models, that incorporate time-series data to assess PICC-RVT risk. It also seeks to identify key predictive factors for PICC-RVT using these models.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective multi-center cohort study involving 5,272 patients who underwent PICC placement. After preprocessing patient data, the models were trained. Demographic, clinical pathology, and treatment data were analyzed to identify predictive factors. A variable analysis was then conducted to determine the most significant predictors of PICC-RVT. Model performance was evaluated using the Concordance Index (c-index) and the composite Brier score, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) from cross-validation folds assessed model stability.ResultsDeep learning models generally outperformed traditional machine learning models in terms of predictive accuracy (mean c-index: 0.949 vs. 0.732; mean integrated Brier score: 0.046 vs. 0.093). Specifically, the DeepSurv model demonstrated exceptional precision in risk assessment (c-index: 0.95). Stability varied with the number of predictive factors, with Cox-Time showing the highest ICC (0.974) with 16 predictive factors, and DeepSurv the most stable with 26 predictive factors (ICC: 0.983). Key predictors across models included albumin levels, prefill sealant type, and activated partial thromboplastin time.ConclusionMachine learning models that incorporate time-to-event data can effectively predict PICC-RVT risk. The DeepSurv model, in particular, shows excellent discriminative and calibration capabilities. Albumin levels, type of prefill sealant, and activated partial thromboplastin time are critical indicators for identifying and managing high-risk PICC-RVT patients

Aging In Place Or Stuck In Place? Transportation Planning For Older Americans In The Digital Era

This dissertation examines the interaction of the built environment, travel behavior, and technology usage among older adults. Decades-long transportation policies favoring vehicle owners have made many older adults disadvantaged in daily travel. Studies and policies specifically addressing older adults’ travel needs do not keep pace with the increasing number and diversity of the aging population. To fill the research gaps, I conducted a series of empirical studies to analyze the travel pattern trends of older adults in order to identify their difficulties in travel. I first examine how older adults travel differently since 2000. Descriptive analysis and a quasi-panel design using the National Household Travel Survey show that those aged 55-74, the baby boomer generation, did not have higher vehicle travel, especially non-work travel, per person, than people at the same age decades ago. Results also show the travel difficulties of low-income older adults. Second, I use cross-sectional and longitudinal data to identify older adults who had difficulties owning and maintaining vehicles. I find that households headed by retirees, those who had lost their partner, and those who lived alone had a higher possibility of living in low-density areas without vehicles. These families also tended to have a decline in vehicle ownership and did not relocate. Third, given the potential role of information communication technology (ICT) in mitigating older adults’ travel difficulties, I surveyed 2,510 older adults, examining the relationship between ICT usage and travel before and during the pandemic. Results show that overall, those who used ICT less also traveled less. In particular, older adults with low incomes and less education, older adults who lived alone, and older African Americans had lower daily vehicle travel and more difficulties using most technology applications. However, health and social technology applications could reduce the difficulties in daily travel for people of color and those with medical conditions. The survey also reveals that age added to the transport disadvantage and digital divide during the pandemic. This dissertation sheds light on transport equity theories, as well as transportation, land use, and technology policies, in order to promote sustainability and equity in an aging society

Living Environment, Mobility, and Wellbeing among Seniors in the United States: A New Interdisciplinary Dialogue

In view of the demographic profile of the older adults in the United States, in the next two decades, cities and communities need to adapt the form, environment, and transportation systems to accommodate the growing aging population. In this article, I review two streams of literature in the mobility among the older population: the mobility/living environment and wellbeing; the relationship between living environment and mobility. I argue that two streams of literature should be combined to inform an interdisciplinary dialogue and a new agenda for future research. </jats:p