Abstracts – Browse Results
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Cardin, M-A (2011) Quantitative performance-based evaluation of a procedure for flexible design concept generation, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Chiang, R (2002) Agency and incentive contract in private investment of transport project: An exploration of fundamental relationships, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Garvin, M J (2001) Strategic indicators for characterization of water system infrastructure and management, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: competitiveness; market; standards; financing; government; policy; resource allocation
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/304756770
- Abstract:
Shifts in the US water industry are characteristic of the flux found across all infrastructure sectors. Economic, environmental, market, regulatory and systemic forces are pushing the industry toward a different future where challenges of significant capital formation, competitiveness, efficiency and resource allocation will be prevalent. Amidst these drivers, longstanding assumptions about water provision and management are under scrutiny. The path forward remains unsettled as industry players debate the role of the federal government in financing pending capital challenges. The two sides of the debate describe divergent paths, and the one taken will define the industry's near-term structure. One hand indicates a pending crisis that necessitates substantial federal assistance while the other suggests staying the course towards self-sufficiency. Missing from these discussions is objective evidence concerning the state of the industry. To supply the missing component, this thesis develops and applies a rational methodology to characterize a national cross section of large water systems. The methodology provides a basis for (a) understanding the state of systems within the national portfolio and (b) guiding strategic assessment and policy development. A set of common, core indicators are deployed that rely upon widely available operating and financial data and make use of thresholds that serve as estimates of industry-wide averages or standards. Once applied, the indicators provide grounds for describing an enterprise's structure and core functions as well as assessing both capital needs and opportunities. The evidence indicates that large systems are adequately positioned to handle near-term capital challenges, so an expanded federal role is unnecessary. In addition, alternatives that might improve national water provision remain largely untested, so policies and strategies that support exploration of these approaches are recommended. The work presented is a key step toward normalizing an industry that is decentralized and locally managed.
Kristinsdottir, A (2012) Risks and decision making in development of new power plant projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Kua, H W (2006) The design of effective policies for the promotion of sustainable construction materials, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Lee, S (2006) Dynamic planning and control methodology: Understanding and managing iterative error and change cycles in large-scale concurrent design and construction projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Miller, J B (1995) Aligning infrastructure development strategy to meet current public needs, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Minelli, P (2020) Improved methods for managing megaprojects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Moret, Y (2011) Modeling cost and time uncertainty in rail line construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Park, M (2001) Dynamic planning and control methodology for large-scale concurrent construction projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Slaughter, E S (1991) Rapid innovation and integration of components: Comparison of user and manufacturer innovations through a study of residential construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Sousa, R L (2010) Risk analysis for tunneling projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Taylor, D D J (2018) Tools for managing intermittent water supplies, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Tsai, I T (2007) Default and renegotiation: Financial structure and incentive in public-private partnership contracts, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Viteri, V R (2003) Experiential learning environments for structural behavior, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Wang, M-T (1989) Knowledge processing for a construction management database, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Wooldridge, S C (2002) Balancing capital and condition: An emerging approach to facility investment strategy, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Yan, S (1992) Intermodal pricing and operations using network flow techniques, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Massachusetts Institute of Technology.