Evaluating the equity effects of road-pricing in the European urban context - The Madrid Metropolitan Area

The paper identifies the potential spatial and social impacts of a proposed road-pricing scheme for different social groups in the Madrid Metropolitan Area (MMA). We appraise the accessibility of different districts within the MMA in terms of the actual and perceived cost of using the road infrastructure ‘before’ and ‘after’ implementation of the scheme. The appraisal framework was developed using quantitative survey data and qualitative focus group discussions with residents. We then simulated user behaviours (mode and route choice) based on the empirical evidence from a travel demand model for the MMA. The results from our simulation model demonstrated that implementation of the toll on the orbital metropolitan motorways (M40, M30, for example) decreases accessibility mostly in the districts where there are no viable public transport alternatives. Our specific study finding is that the economic burden of the road-pricing scheme particularly affects unskilled and lower income individuals living in the south of the MMA. The focus groups confirmed that low income drivers in the south part of the MMA would reduce their use of tolled roads and have to find new arrangements for these trips: i.e. switch to public transport, spend double the time travelling or stay at home. More generally, our research finds that European transport planners are still a long way from recognising the social equity implications of their policy decisions and that more thorough social appraisals are needed to avoid the social exclusion of low income populations when road tolling is proposed.

FIWARE Lab: managing resources and services in a cloud federation supporting future internet applications

Real-world experimentation facilities accelerate the development of Future Internet technologies and services, advance the market for smart infrastructures, and increase the effectiveness of business processes through the Internet. The federation of facilities fosters the experimentation and innovation with larger and more powerful environment, increases the number and variety of the offered services and brings forth possibilities for new experimentation scenarios. This paper introduces a management solution for cloud federation that automates service provisioning to the largest possible extent, relieves the developers from time-consuming configuration settings, and caters for real-time information of all information related to the whole lifecycle of the provisioned services. This is achieved by proposing solutions to achieve the seamless deployment of services across the federation and ability of services to span across different infrastructures of the federation, as well as monitoring of the resources and data which can be aggregated with a common structure, offered as an open ecosystem for innovation at the developers' disposal. This solution consists of several federation management tools and components that are part of the work on Cloud Federation conducted within XIFI project to build the federation of cloud infrastructures for the Future Internet Lab (FIWARE Lab). We present the design and implementation of the solution-concerned FIWARE Lab management tools and components that are deployed within a federation of 17 cloud infrastructures distributed across Europe.

Evaluating the spatial and social equity effects of road pricing in the European urban context: the Madrid Metropolitan Area.

The paper explores the spatial and social impacts arising from implementation of a road-pricing scheme in the Madrid Metropolitan Area (MMA). Our analytical focus is on understanding the effects of the scheme on the transport accessibility of different social groups within the MMA. We define an evaluation framework to appraise the accessibility of different districts within the MMA in terms of the actual and perceived cost of using the road infrastructure "before" and "after" the implementation of the scheme. The framework was developed using quantitative survey data and qualitative data from focus group discussions with residents. We then simulated user behaviors (mode and route choice) based on the empirical evidence from a travel demand model for the MMA. The results from our simulation model demonstrated that implementation of the toll on the orbital metropolitan motorways (M40, M30, for example) decreases accessibility, mostly in the districts where there are no viable public transport alternatives. Our key finding is that the economic burden of the road-pricing scheme particularly affects unskilled and lower income individuals living in the south of the MMA. Consequently lower income people reduce their use of tolled roads and have to find new arrangements for these trips: i.e. switch to the public transport, spend double the time for their commuter trips or stay at home. The results of our research could be applicable more widely for anyone wishing to better understand the important relationship between increased transport cost and social equity, especially where there is an intention to introduce similar road-pricing schemes within the urban context.

Exploring three approaches to offer distance learning courses through a social network of health researchers in three African countries

The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp hereby presents the results of two pilot distance learning training programmes, developed under the umbrella of the AFRICA BUILD project (FP7). The two courses focused on evidence-based medicine (EBM): with the aim of enhancing research and education, via novel approaches and to identify research needs emanating from the field. These pilot experiences, which were run both in English-speaking (Ghana), and French-speaking (Mali and Cameroon) partner institutions, produced targeted courses for the strengthening of research methodology and policy. The courses and related study materials are in the public domain and available through the AFRICA BUILD Portal (http://www.africabuild.eu/taxonomy/term/37); the training modules were delivered live via Dudal webcasts. This paper assesses the success and difficulties of transferring EBM skills with these two specific training programmes, offered through three different approaches: fully online facultative courses, fully online tutor supported courses or through a blended approach with both online and face-to-face sessions. Key factors affecting the selection of participants, the accessibility of the courses, how the learning resources are offered, and how interactive online communities are formed, are evaluated and discussed.

Servicio de seguridad combinable mediante técnicas de orquestación de servicios

En los últimos años, la seguridad en redes y servicios ha evolucionado de manera exponencial debido al crecimiento de dispositivos conectados a Internet. Con el avance de las nuevas tecnologías es imprescindible dotar a cualquier servicio o dispositivo de la seguridad adecuada dado que éstos se pueden ver afectados por diversas amenazas tales como la accesibilidad, la integridad, la identidad del usuario, la disponibilidad y la confidencialidad de los datos. Cuando se trata de comunicaciones, la seguridad cobra especial importancia dado que los datos enviados a través de la red pueden ser interceptados por un agente no autorizado y utilizarlos para su propio beneficio o alterar su contenido. Para contrarrestar estos ataques, se han definido unos servicios de seguridad como son, por ejemplo, la confidencialidad y la integridad de los datos. Existen diversos mecanismos de seguridad que implementan estos servicios los cuales se apoyan en técnicas criptográficas. Desde el comienzo de las primeras comunicaciones se han desarrollado diferentes técnicas criptográficas que han ido evolucionando a la vez que éstas. La primera de estas técnicas conocida fue escítala lacedemonia en el siglo V a.C. Los éforos espartanos, que eran los que utilizaban dicha técnica, escribían el mensaje en una cinta de cuero o papiro enrollada en una vara de grosor variable. A continuación desenrollaban la cinta y la enviaban al receptor. Sí el mensaje era interceptado solo podrían leer una pila de letras sin sentido. Sí el mensaje llegaba al receptor, éste enrollaría de nuevo la cinta en una vara del mismo grosor que lo hizo el emisor y leería el mensaje. En este proyecto de fin de grado se va a realizar un estudio del estado de arte sobre mecanismos de seguridad para posteriormente diseñar e implementar un componente de seguridad que ofrecerá los servicios citados. Dicho componente se integrará en el sistema del proyecto Europeo I3RES como un servicio más de los definidos dentro del propio proyecto. Los servicios de seguridad que requiere el proyecto I3RES, y por tanto los que ofrecerá el componente, son los de autenticación, integridad, no repudio y confidencialidad. El proyecto I3RES basa su sistema en una arquitectura distribuida por lo que es necesario realizar un estudio del estado del arte sobre dichas arquitecturas para el correcto despliegue del componente en el sistema. Actualmente, la mayoría de los sistemas mantienen una arquitectura distribuida. Este tipo de arquitectura conecta distintos equipos y dispositivos que están separados físicamente mediante una red llamada middleware. Estos equipos trabajan conjuntamente para implementar un conjunto de servicios. En el documento presente se tratan todos los temas anteriormente citados y se detalla el componente a desarrollar así como las correspondientes pruebas de validación y las conclusiones obtenidas. ABSTRACT. Security in networks and services have been extensively developed in last decades due to the arising of multiple devices connected to Internet. Advances in new technologies enhanced the necessity of security requirements to in order to avoid several warnings such as accessibility, integrity, user identity, availability, and confidentiality of our data. In terms of communications, security is crucial due to data could be intercepted on Internet by non-authorised agents which could use them or even alter their content. In order to avoid this warnings, security services have been defined such as data confidentiality and integrity. There is several security mechanism which implement this services based on cryptographic techniques. In parallel to the evolution of communication, cryptographic technics have been also developed with. The most ancient of technics was described in s. V b.C called escitala lacedemonia. Spartan ephorts, which extensively used this method, were used to write messages on the surface of a leather tape or papyri which were rolled on a rod. Next, they unrolled the tape and they sent to the receptor. Whether the message was intercepted they just would be able to read a mess of letters without sense. On the other hand, if the message arrive to the proper receptor, he roll the tape again in a rod with similar anchor of the transmitter one which leads to the adequate read. This Degree Project is focused on an analysis of the state of art about security mechanism together with a design and implement of a security component which offered the services mentioned. This component will be integrated within the European project I3RES as one of the security elements defined inside the project. The security components required in project I3REs are authentication, integrity and non-repudiation will be offered by the designed component as well. Nowadays, the most of the systems maintain a distributed architecture. This type of architecture connect several devices which are physically separated by a network called middleware. This equipment work altogether to implement a set of services. This document is focused on all the topics mentioned as well as the details of the component developed together with the validation tests required and the conclusions obtained.

Herramienta EN 301 549: cliente web

En el año 2014 se publicó, bajo mandato de la Comisión Europea, la Norma Europea EN 301 549, titulada “Requisitos de accesibilidad de productos y servicios TIC aplicables a la contratación pública en Europa”. El objetivo de dicha norma es que los productos o servicios TIC (Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación) adquiridos por cualquier administración pública europea puedan ser utilizados por personas con diversas características y capacidades, incluyendo a personas con discapacidad. La norma EN 301 549 es compleja, ya que contiene más de 200 requisitos y recomendaciones, que se aplican o no a un producto o servicio TIC en función de las características de dicho producto o servicio. Por ello se ha planteado, desde el Grupo de Investigación en Tecnología Informática y de las Comunicaciones (CETTICO), el desarrollo de una herramienta de soporte a la evaluación del cumplimiento de la norma. La herramienta permitirá a grupos de trabajo anotar los resultados de la evaluación de accesibilidad de un producto o servicio TIC siguiendo los requisitos de la norma Europea EN 301 549. Este trabajo de Fin de Grado se centra en el diseño y codificación del cliente web de la herramienta. Se parte de los resultados de un TFG y un practicum anteriores. En el TFG realizado por Laura Elorrieta [Elorrieta, 2014], se diseñó la interacción del sistema y se evaluó su grado de usabilidad. En el practicum [Montero, 2015], posterior al TFG de Laura Elorrieta, se eligieron las tecnologías web que se iban a utilizar y se realizó el diseño y la implementación mediante prototipos iterativos de la gestión de proyectos de evaluación. El trabajo que se ha realizado en el TFG ha consistido en el diseño de la interfaz de usuario analizando los cambios a realizar en el diseño, debido a los errores de usabilidad conocidos, y la implementación del prototipo funcional de la herramienta. Junto con la parte servidor del TFG de mi compañero Rubén Ortiz Burgos y la interfaz de usuario de este TFG se ha obtenido una aplicación web para realizar evaluaciones de accesibilidad de productos o servicios TIC siguiendo los requisitos de la norma EN 301 549. El prototipo funcional contiene diez páginas web que recogen las diferentes acciones y tareas que pueden realizar los usuarios en función del rol que desempeñen. EL diseño y la implementación se han llevado a cabo empleando las tecnologías web HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery y las librerías de Foundation frontend framework.---ABSTRACT---In 2014, under the European Commission mandate, the European standard EN 301 549 has been published under the title “Accessibility requirements applicable to ICT products and procurement services in Europe”. The goal of this standard is that the products or services ICT (Information Communication Technology) acquires by every European public administration can be used by every person with different characteristics and capacities, including those with disability. The rule EN 301549 is very complex, since it has more than 200 requirements and recommendations that can be or not applied to an ICT product or service based on its characteristics of the given product or service. That’s why a development of a support tool has been proposed to the rating of the compliance of the rule, by the Research Group of Informatics Technology and Communication. This tool will allow working groups to record the results of the compliance of accessibility of a product or service following the requirements of the European Standard EN 301549. This Final Degree Work focuses in the design and the coding of the web customer of this tool. The results of a TFG and previous practicums have been used for this. The TFG performed by Laura Elorrieta [Elorrieta, 2014], the interaction of the system was designed and degree of usability was evaluated. In the practicum [Montero, 2015], after the TFG Laura Elorrieta, web technologies used were chosen and the design and implementation were performed using iterative prototyping project management evaluation. The work done on the TFG was to design the users interface to perform analyzing changes in design due to errors known usability and working prototype implementation of the tool. Together with the server part of the TFG my partner Rubén Ortiz Burgos and the user interface done of this TFG it has obtained a web application for the conduct of evaluations accessibility of products or services ICT following the requirements of the EN 301 549. The functional prototype contains ten web sites that collect the various activities and tasks that users can perform based on the role they perform. The design and implementation have been carried out using the technologies web HTML5, CSS3, Java Script, jQuery and the libraries of Foundation fronted framework.

Cartografía local y sistemas de información geográfica participativos como herramientas de consolidación de la identidad local en la planificación urbana y territorial

Una de las características de la cartografía y SIG Participativos (SIGP) es incluir en sus métodos a la sociedad civil para aportar contenidos cualitativos a la información de sus territorios. Sin embargo no sólo se trata de datos, sino de los efectos que pueden tener estas prácticas sobre el territorio y su sociedad. El acceso a esa información se ve reducida en contraste con el incremento de información difundida a través de servicios de visualización, geoinformación y cartografía on-line. Todo esto hace que sea necesario el análisis del alcance real de las metodologías participativas en el uso de Información Geográfica (IG) y la comparación desde distintos contextos geográficos. También es importante conocer los beneficios e inconvenientes del acceso a la información para el planeamiento; desde la visibilidad de muchos pueblos desapercibidos en zonas rurales y periféricas, hasta la influencia en programas de gobierno sobre la gestión del territorio pasando por el conocimiento local espacial. El análisis se centró en los niveles de participación de la sociedad civil y sus grados de accesibilidad a la información (acceso y uso), dentro del estudio de los SIGP, Participatory Mapping, además se estudió de los TIG (Tecnologías de Información Geográfica), cartografías on-line (geoweb) y plataformas de geovisualización espacial, como recursos de Neocartografía. En este sentido, se realizó un trabajo de campo de cartografía participativa en Bolivia, se evaluaron distintos proyectos SIGP en países del norte y sur (comparativa de contextos en países en desarrollo) y se analizaron los resultados del cruce de las distintas variables.(validación, accesibilidad, verificación de datos, valor en la planificación e identidad) La tesis considera que ambos factores (niveles de participación y grado de accesibilidad) afectan a la (i) validación, verificación y calidad de los datos, la (ii) valor analítico en la planificación, y al (iii) modelo de identidad de un lugar, y que al ser tratados de forma integral, constituyen el valor añadido que los SIGP pueden aportar para lograr una planificación efectiva. Asimismo se comprueba, que la dimensión participativa en los SIGP varía según el contexto, la centralización de sus actores e intereses sectoriales. La información resultante de las prácticas SIGP tiende a estar restringida por la falta de legislaciones y por la ausencia de formatos estándar, que limitan la difusión e intercambio de la información. Todo esto repercute en la efectividad de una planificación estratégica y en la viabilidad de la implementación de cualquier proyecto sobre el territorio, y en consecuencia sobre los niveles de desarrollo de un país. Se confirma la hipótesis de que todos los elementos citados en los SIGP y mapeo participativo actuarán como herramientas válidas para el fortalecimiento y la eficacia en la planificación sólo si están interconectadas y vinculadas entre sí. Se plantea una propuesta metodológica ante las formas convencionales de planificación (nueva ruta del planeamiento; que incluye el intercambio de recursos y determinación participativa local antes de establecer la implementación), con ello, se logra incorporar los beneficios de las metodologías participativas en el manejo de la IG y los SIG (Sistemas de Información Geográfica) como instrumentos estratégicos para el desarrollo de la identidad local y la optimización en los procesos de planeamiento y estudios del territorio. Por último, se fomenta que en futuras líneas de trabajo los mapas de los SIGP y la cartografía participativa puedan llegar a ser instrumentos visuales representativos que transfieran valores identitarios del territorio y de su sociedad, y de esta manera, ayudar a alcanzar un mayor conocimiento, reconocimiento y valoración de los territorios para sus habitantes y sus planificadores. ABSTRACT A feature of participatory mapping and PGIS is to include the participation of the civil society, to provide qualitative information of their territories. However, focus is not only data, but also the effects that such practices themselves may have on the territory and their society. Access to this information is reduced in contrast to the increase of information disseminated through visualization services, geoinformation, and online cartography. Thus, the analysis of the real scope of participatory methodologies in the use of Geographic Information (GI) is necessary, including the comparison of different geographical contexts. It is also important to know the benefits and disadvantages of access to information needed for planning in different contexts, ranging from unnoticed rural areas and suburbs to influence on government programs on land management through local spatial knowledge. The analysis focused on the participation levels of civil society and the degrees of accessibility of the information (access and use) within the study of Participatory GIS (PGIS). In addition, this work studies GIT (Geographic Information Technologies), online cartographies (Geoweb) and platforms of spatial geovisualization, as resources of Neocartography. A participatory cartographic fieldwork was carried out in Bolivia. Several PGIS projects were evaluated in Northern and Southern countries (comparatively with the context of developing countries), and the results were analyzed for each these different variables. (validation, accessibility, verification,value, identity). The thesis considers that both factors (participation levels and degree of accessibility) affect the (i) validation, verification and quality of the data, (ii) analytical value for planning, and (iii) the identity of a place. The integrated management of all the above cited criteria constitutes an added value that PGISs can contribute to reach an effective planning. Also, it confirms the participatory dimension of PGISs varies according to the context, the centralization of its actors, and to sectorial interests. The resulting information from PGIS practices tends to be restricted by the lack of legislation and by the absence of standard formats, which limits in turn the diffusion and exchange of the information. All of this has repercussions in the effectiveness of a strategic planning and in the viability of the implementation of projects about the territory, and consequentially in the land development levels. The hypothesis is confirmed since all the described elements in PGISs and participatory mapping will act as valid tools in strengthening and improving the effectivity in planning only if they are interconnected and linked amongst themselves. This work, therefore, suggests a methodological proposal when faced with the conventional ways of planning: a new planning route which includes the resources exchange and local participatory determination before any plan is established -. With this, the benefits of participatory methodologies in the management of GI and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is incorporated as a strategic instrument for development of local identity and optimization in planning processes and territory studies. Finally, the study outlines future work on PGIS maps and Participatory Mapping, such that these could eventually evolve into visual representative instruments that transfer identity values of the territory and its society. In this way, they would contribute to attain a better knowledge, recognition, and appraisement of the territories for their inhabitants and planners.