China s Economy in the Post-WTO Environment comprises a set of concise and comprehensive chapters by leading specialists on the Chinese economy. The book explores the implications of both the extension of the market into key parts of the Chinese economy and the integration of China into the global economy. The main focus of the book is on the role and nature of China s financial system and its ability to transform enterprise and household behaviour and the performance of investment finance, notably in the context of a two-way flow of foreign direct investment. All the extensive chapters highlight the issue of sustainability some see the incompleteness of market reform as a problem; others are more willing to accept a pragmatic blending of the operation of the free market and government intervention. Containing up-to-the-minute data, this book will appeal to academic researchers who are engaged in research, as well as teaching and learning, in the fields of business studies, the Chinese economy, international business and Asia-Pacific economies. Academics and students in economics and business and business people who have an interest in China will also find much to interest them in this unique book.

"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 722: Assessing Highway Tolling and Pricing Options and Impacts provides state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies with a decision-making framework and analytical tools that describe likely impacts on revenue generation and system performance resulting from instituting or modifying user-based fees or tolling on segments of their highway system. Volume 2: Travel Demand Forecasting Tools provides an in-depth examination of the various analytical tools for direct or adapted use that are available to help develop the forecasts of potential revenue, transportation demand, and congestion and system performance based on tolling or pricing changes. Volume 1: Decision-Making Framework includes information on a decision-making framework that may be applied to a variety of scenarios in order to understand the potential impacts of tolling and pricing on the performance of the transportation system, and on the potential to generate revenue to pay for system improvements"--Publication information.

Then, the tolling practice for the multi-segment HOT lane facilities is outlined and recommendations for the future 95 Express, which will be expanded into a multi-segment facility, are made. This research also includes the enhancement of a microscopic simulation tool, CORSIM, to simulate HOT lane operations. Three main modeling components are developed, including three pricing strategies, a lane-choice module, and four toll structures for multi-segment HOT facilities. The enhanced software is demonstrated by simulating the current and future 95Express. The result is that CORSIM enhancements are able to capture the primary characteristics of HOT lane operations and management.

"These guidelines are intended for transportation practitioners involved in the planning, design, and operation of congestion-pricing projects. They will help agencies select or develop measures to evaluate these projects, collect the necessary data, track performance, and communicate the results to decision makers, users, and the general public. These guidelines will be valuable to all agencies who are using or considering congestion pricing to manage their roadway capacity."--Foreword.

This paper examines the circumstances under which congestion pricing of an HOV lane might be appropriate, as well as the operational, legal, and public acceptance issues that bear on feasibility. Use of the I-10 (Katy Freeway) HOV lane is restricted to vehicles with three or more occupants (HOV3+) during the peak hours daily because the original HOV2+ eligibility produced demands approaching capacity and thus significant loss in operating speeds. However, the HOV3+ restriction results in significant excess capacity. In order to move more people during the peaks, METRO and TxDOT are considering allowing HOV2s to "Buy-in." The feasibility analysis shows that there is adequate capacity for up to 600 HOV2s during each peak period. Legal feasibility rested on three issues: 1) authority to toll, 2) authority to enforce, and 3) ability to receive revenues. Critical steps for achieving public acceptance include: 1) understanding historic public feedback nationally, 2) understanding local opinions (both users and general public), 3) developing a public education/information campaign, and 4) developing support among local officials. The approach to establish a pricing policy in Houston involved the following: 1) develop the pricing objectives, 2) determine relevant local mobility prices and related tolling practices, and 3) establish an initial strategy and setting an adjustment policy. The feasibility research has been completed and implementation plan prepared. The transit authority board and the state transportation commission have voted to proceed with a one-year trial beginning in 1997.