The objective of this report is to determine whether electronic vehicle recognition systems (EVR) or automatic license plate recognition systems (ALPR) would be beneficial to the Arizona Department of Transportation (AzDOT). EVR uses radio frequency identification technology tags (RFID) that would be placed on all registered vehicles so that RFID readers could read vehicles' plate numbers as they pass using the radio frequency signal emitted by the RFID tag. ALPR technology uses cameras and alphanumerical recognition software to read license plates as they pass. The literature review looks into the previous applications of both ALPR and EVR. Departments of Transportation (DOTs), tolling authorities and law enforcement all have used various applications of this advanced electronic technology. Based on the literature review and the benefits section (Chapter 3), the potential benefits of an ALPR / EVR system are: 1. The ability for AzDOT to potentially monitor traffic flow more accurately, 2. The ability to better enforce license and registration compliance, 3. The ability to better enforce auto insurance compliance, 4. The ability to implement a toll, or congestion charge, 5. The ability to aid law enforcement in finding suspected criminals. Chapter 4 determines the potential costs of an ALPR or EVR system and then compares the costs with the total quantifiable benefits using two case studies. In the first case study, an ALPR system was set up on all major valley freeways, and in the second case study, an EVR system was set up on all major valley freeways. The ALPR case study concluded that such an ALPR system could be set up for about $10 million dollars and it could generate up to $400 million dollars in direct benefit per year and up to $1.3 trillion in benefits to highway users per year. The EVR case study concluded that such an EVR system could be set up for about $50 million, and it could generate up to $407 million in direct benefit per year and up to $1.33 trillion in benefits to highway users per year. A direct benefit profits the state directly with cash, while benefits to highway users helps society as a whole but the state receives no revenue. Chapter 5 looked into the legality of a potential ALPR or EVR system. This chapter concluded that AzDOT has the authority to implement an ALPR / EVR system in Arizona. However this section also concluded that AzDOT should seek legislative support to increase public support. This report concludes that at the present ALPR should be further researched and/or implemented by the State of Arizona. The reasons for this recommendation are because of: ALPR's previous applications, ALPR's lower up front cost, ALPR's ability to read out-of-state plates, ALPR's potential lower degree of public opposition, and the possibility that ALPR would have to back up an EVR system. All in all, these technologies are changing at a rapid rate and a change in any of these variables that generated this recommendation could change this recommendation.

Cost-Benefit Analysis provides accessible, comprehensive, authoritative, and practical treatments of the protocols for assessing the relative efficiency of public policies. Its review of essential concepts from microeconomics, and its sophisticated treatment of important topics with minimal use of mathematics helps students from a variety of backgrounds build solid conceptual foundations. It provides thorough treatments of time discounting, dealing with contingent uncertainty using expected surpluses and option prices, taking account of parameter uncertainties using Monte Carlo simulation and other types of sensitivity analyses, revealed preference approaches, stated preference methods including contingent valuation, and other related methods. Updated to cover contemporary research, this edition is considerably reorganized to aid in student and practitioner understanding, and includes eight new cases to demonstrate the actual practice of cost-benefit analysis. Widely cited, it is recognized as an authoritative source on cost-benefit analysis. Illustrations, exhibits, chapter exercises, and case studies help students master concepts and develop craft skills.

There is presently a drastic growth in multimedia data. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we observed that images helped doctors immensely in the rapid detection of Covid-19 infection in patients. There are many critical applications in which images play a vital role. These applications use raw image data to extract some useful information about the world around us. The quick extraction of valuable information from raw images is one challenge that academicians and professionals face in the present day. This is where image processing comes into action. Image processing’s primary purpose is to get an enhanced image or extract some useful information from raw image data. Therefore, there is a major need for some technique or system that addresses this challenge. Intelligent Systems have emerged as a solution to address quick image information extraction. In simple words, an Intelligent System can be defined as a mathematical model that adapts itself to deal with a problem’s dynamicity. These systems learn how to act so an image can reach an objective. An Intelligent System helps accomplish various image-processing functions like enhancement, segmentation, reconstruction, object detection, and morphing. The advent of Intelligent Systems in the image-processing field has leveraged many critical applications for humankind. These critical applications include factory automation, biomedical imaging analysis, decision econometrics, as well as related challenges.

Energy Economics outlines the fundamental issues and possible solutions to the challenges of energy production and use, presenting a framework for decisions based upon sound economic analysis. This approach considers market forces and policy goals, including economic prosperity, environmental protection, and societal well-being. The second edition has been thoroughly updated, addressing dramatic shifts in the use of fuel and electricity, accelerated plans for the use of renewable energy, and pathways towards a lower-carbon future. A new chapter on electric vehicles examines its impact on transportation, the electricity market, and carbon emissions. Global examples throughout the book reflect the universal application of energy economics. With this economic foundation, coupled with perspectives from real-world applications, and perspectives from related disciplines, this text sharpens the student’s ability to understand, evaluate, and critique energy policy. A companion website provides reinforcement for students through multiple choice self-test quizzes and homework exercises, as well as additional materials for instructors. This textbook should be essential reading for students of energy economics, environmental and natural resource economics, energy-related disciplines, and general readers seeking to expand their knowledge of energy economics and policy.

This comprehensive 2nd edition covers the key issues that relate human behavior to traffic safety. In particular it covers the increasing roles that pedestrians and cyclists have in the traffic system; the role of infotainment in driver distraction; and the increasing role of driver assistance systems in changing the driver-vehicle interaction.