Browsing Engineering Systems Division by Title
Now showing items 250-269 of 273
-
Towards better understanding Cybersecurity: Or are "Cyberspace" and "Cyber Space" the same?
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-10)Although there are many technology challenges and approaches to attaining cybersecurity, human actions (or inactions) also often pose large risks. There are many reasons, but one problem is whether we all “see the world” ... -
Towards quantification of the Role of Materials Innovation in overall Technological Development
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2009-07)This report develops a method for quantitatively assessing the role of materials innovation in overall technological development. The report demonstrates the method for one specific case and defines the key requirements ... -
Trade-off/Positional Analysis (with a Rawlsian Approach to Equity) as an Alternative to Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) in Socio-technical Decisions
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2006-08)This paper introduces a hybrid trade-off/positional analysis framework as an alternative to cost-benefit analysis (CBA). As a decision-support tool, the proposed framework [1] allows decision-makers not to monetize or ... -
Train Timetable Design for Shared Railway Systems using a Linear Programming Approach to Approximate Dynamic Programming
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-05)In the last 15 years, the use of rail infrastructure by different train operating companies (shared railway system) has been proposed as a way to improve infrastructure utilization and to increase efficiency in the railway ... -
Transition challenges for alternative fuel vehicle and transportation systems
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2016-02)Automakers are now developing alternatives to internal combustion engines (ICE), including hydrogen fuel cells and ICE-electric hybrids. Adoption dynamics for alternative vehicles are complex due to the enormous size and ... -
Transport infrastructure evaluation using cost-benefit analysis: improvements to valuing the asset through residual value—a case study
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-08)Residual value (RV) is an important component of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), often valued at 20% to 50% of total construction costs. It is often overlooked which can artificially depress the project?s returns. The treatment ... -
A type-independent approach to supply-chain strategy evaluation
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-06)Extant literature lacks established frameworks or methods that can be used to evaluate a supply chain strategy. In this paper we present a type-independent approach to evaluate a business unit's supply chain strategy as a ... -
U.S. response to an Oil Import Disruption Role of the Federal Government in Light Duty Vehicle Transportation
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2007-01)This report analyzes technological and policy options for the U.S. federal government response within the light duty vehicle (LDV) sector in the event of a 5 year sustained U.S. oil import curtailment of 5 MMB/D and a ... -
Uncertainty and Inter-jurisdictional High-speed Rail Planning: Insights from Portugal and the United Kingdom
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2013-11)Within public policy and academic discourses, high-speed rail (HSR) is presented as a way of achieving “smarter” or more sustainable forms of growth. Realizing this promise requires coordinated policy efforts across levels ... -
Uncertainty, Flexibility, Valuation & Design: How 21st Century Information & Knowledge Can Improve 21st Century Urban Development
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2012-01)The 21st century presents humankind with perhaps its greatest challenge since our species almost went extinct some 70,000 years ago in Africa. A big part of meeting that challenge lies in how the urbanization of three ... -
Understanding & Modeling State Stability: Exploiting System Dynamics
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2006-02)The potential loss of state stability in various parts of the world is a source of threat to U.S. national security. Every case is unique, but there are common processes. Accordingly, we develop a system dynamics model of ... -
Understanding Complexity: Dynamic Analysis of Combat Vehicle Accidents
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2008-01)Dozens of U.S. soldiers are killed each year as a result of both combat and motor vehicle accidents. The objective of this study is to look beyond the events and symptoms of accidents which normally indicate human error, ... -
Understanding Crude Oil Transport Strategies in North America
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-03)On July 6, 2013, an oil-laden unit train derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, killing 47 people, shocking many, and leading to significantly increased public scrutiny of crude oil by rail. Simultaneously, there ... -
A Unified Approach for Taxonomy-based Technology Forecasting
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-08)For decision makers and researchers working in a technical domain, understanding the state of their area of interest is of the highest importance. For this reason, we consider in this chapter, a novel framework for Web-based ... -
Unified Theory of Relativistic Identification of Information in a Systems Age: Proposed Convergence of Unique Identification with Syntax and Semantics through Internet Protocol version 6
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2007-03)Unique identification of objects are helpful to the decision making process in many domains. Decisions, however, are often based on information that takes into account multiple factors. Physical objects and their unique ... -
Use of Collaborative Technologies and Knowledge Sharing in Co-located and Distributed Teams: Towards the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2009-08)The relocation of knowledge work to emerging countries is leading to an increasing use of Globally Distributed Teams (GDT) engaged in complex tasks. In the present study, we investigate a particular type of GDT working ... -
The Use of Information Systems in Collocated and Distributed Teams: A Test of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2007-03)Recent academic and policy studies focus on offshoring as a cost-of-labor driven activity that has a direct impact on employment opportunities in the countries involved. This paper broadens this perspective by introducing ... -
The Use of Safety Cases in Certification and Regulation
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2011-11)Certification of safety-critical systems is usually based on evaluation of whether a system or product reduces risk of specific losses to an acceptable level. There are major differences, however, in how that decision is ... -
Using Design Structure Matrices to Improve Decentralized Urban Transportation Systems
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2005-08)Management of large, complex, urban transportation systems involves numerous stakeholders due to the decentralized ownership and operation of distinct pieces of the physical network and services. In order to deliver better ... -
Using System Dynamics to Analyze the Effect of Funding Fluctuation on Software Development
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division, 2014-10)Almost everyone understands that budget fluctuations have an impact on software development, but it is difficult to estimate the magnitude of the impact and all the causes. This paper uses System Dynamics modeling to examine ...