Marta Rojo

Interurban bus service quality from the users' viewpoint

A model is proposed to determine the global satisfaction of interurban bus service users. The most relevant variables are determined globally for all users as well as by user segments. Various ordered-type logit and probit models are fitted for user behavior, to determine the most important variables from the point of view of user-perceived quality. In addition, generic models, valid for all users, are calibrated as well as others with systematic variations in user preferences in order to discern what different groups of users value. The variables that influence user satisfaction are selected. Users do not place great value on the cost of the ticket, except for elderly people. Moreover, although there are variables that are more difficult to change, satisfactory connections of the bus station with other urban public transport services, as well as its location in the city center are also relevant for bus users. Even the duration (or speed) of the journey, despite being significant, is not the most important point factor in a global evaluation of the service. However, when comparing users satisfaction with the loyalty that users express toward ongoing use of the service, almost half of all users affirm that they would not make the same journey by bus if another mode of transport were available to them. Hence the quality of public transport needs to be studied, in an interurban context as well, to achieve greater use of the service and a reduction in negative transport externalities.

Impact of a Lower Conservation Budget on Road Safety Indices

Over the past few years, several countries, including Spain, have been experiencing a period of economic recession. As a result, these governments have reduced their budgets for transport infrastructures (both construction and maintenance operations). The main objective of this study is to analyze whether these budget reductions have an effect on increased accident rates and to perform an assessment of their real economic benefit. Thus, we analyze whether significant changes over recent years are perceptible in the road safety indexes in Spain, in terms of risk, accident fatality, and accident severity. The relation between lower budgets and higher road safety indices is analyzed through linear regression techniques. The results show a strong relation between the Risk Index and the maintenance budget, measured as an average of the last years. In addition, a final economic assessment demonstrates that this reduction in investment had no real economic benefits, especially as the costs of the accidents exceeded the savings in the conservation plans.

What if students propose their own examinations? An introductory experiment

This paper presents a proposal experimented in the University of Burgos, where students of different degrees, at a Bachelor or Master level, had to prepare solved questions or exercises, in order to introduce some of them into the exams. There were considered three types of experiment: test, short questions and exercises. Students submitted they own proposals into forum, where the teacher corrected them and randomly selected some of them, which configured the half of the official exam. The obtained results were very positive: students had a very good perception of the experiment, learnt more and passed the subject easily. Also, the average grading were higher that the corresponding with the classical system, existing a slight correlation between this increase and their point of view about the chance to learn. The satisfaction and the marks of the students are higher, while having a better knowledge of the topics included. Also, students have the feeling that the teachers are more considerate and thoughtful with them, so this type of experiments should be continued.