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In multipartner projects, team members from two or more organizations often have different skills and behavioral preferences. A major purpose of managing such teams is fostering cooperation among different types of team members, which is critical for the successful completion of a project. Traditional studies assumed that the preferences of members within a team are homogeneous and examined their effects on cooperation. Motivated by the heterogeneity of team members' preferences within a team, we propose a model of effort expenditures in multipartner project teams with two heterogeneous members to explore how the cooperative effort expenditure (CEE) of one agent is affected by the preference type of a coworker. We theoretically formulate the problem, provide the solution, and conduct the parameter sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, we present a numerical example to demonstrate the usage of the model and gain insight into the mechanism of the effect of heterogeneous preferences on the team cooperation. The theoretical analysis and experimental results showed that the effort cost and potential value of collaboration are the most critical factors that determine the interaction among the team member's optimal CEE, project outputs, and the coworker's preference type. The payoff differences between team members play a complex moderating role in the effect of team members' heterogeneity preference types on team cooperation. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on project management by understanding the cooperative behavior of team members with heterogeneous behavioral preferences, and providing managerial insights for project managers to promote cooperation in multipartner project teams. Multipartner projects have become increasingly common due to the increasing complexity and difficulty of the projects. These projects, such as mega construction projects, require the input from professionals of diverse disciplines. But the heterogeneities of partners (stakeholders) increase the difficulty of cooperation. This paper provides managerial insights and suggestions for the project managers to promote cooperation between team members with heterogeneous preference types and marginal effort contributions in multipartner projects. First, for low-complexity projects (such as simple housing construction projects) and high-complexity projects (such as the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge project), the project managers may pay less attention to the heterogeneity of team members' behavioral preferences. Second, for other moderate-complexity projects, project managers should emphasize soft management to reduce the negative influence caused by behavioral preference heterogeneity, such as hiring team members with high risk tolerance, reducing payoff information transparency between team members and concealing their payoffs, fostering reciprocity among the agents, reducing their level of spitefulness through team building, and reducing competition, as well as encouraging the positive emotions (such as altruism) through publicity, education, praise, and rewards. Third, to avoid negative influence caused by profit-sharing differences (PSDs), it is better for project managers to set a higher profit-sharing rate for team members with a higher marginal contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction has been hailed as an innovative construction approach for overcoming labor shortages, the aging workforce, and low productivity in the construction industry. Previous studies focused on the technical aspects, but few contextualized modular construction in sustainable development (SD), nor analyzed stakeholders' knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward adopting modular construction for SD. This paper develops a three-level knowledge-attitude-intention model to examine stakeholders' knowledge, attitudes, and intentions from technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects. The empirical research was conducted through a questionnaire survey with 197 stakeholders in the Hong Kong construction industry. The results indicate inconsistent knowledge, polarized attitudes, and high intention of stakeholders toward modular construction for SD in Hong Kong. The statistical analysis results show stakeholder differentials lead to differences in stakeholders' knowledge and attitudes about modular construction for SD, but no statistically significant difference was found in behavioral intentions. Besides, knowledge and attitudes were found to be significantly correlated to intention on modular construction for SD. The stakeholder knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward modular construction for SD were considered to be complex sociotechnical systems, which led to varied articulations of the dialectics and complexities of modular construction for SD. The study contributes to the literature with systems thinking by scrutinizing institution-demand-supply-regulatory collaborations and partnerships, integrating the ontological, axiological, and epistemological understanding of stakeholders, revealing dialectic of stakeholders' knowledge, attitudes and intentions, and reviewing multifaceted and interwoven technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of modular construction for SD. Practical implications are provided to enable the exchange of knowledge on innovative modular construction for SD with institutions and industry, shape the attitude of industry and society stakeholders toward sustainability, and encourage the practice of innovation-driven SD. Practical applications could be further imposed to enhance the knowledge, shape the attitudes, and encourage the intentions about adopting modular construction for SD in Hong Kong as follows: To enhance the knowledge of modular construction for SD, the understanding of sociotechnical systems of modular construction coupled with economic, social, and environmental sustainability of modular construction is recommended. Industry councils are recommended to publish guidelines on the technical solutions for achieving a sustainable built environment through modular construction. Industry pioneers and practitioners are encouraged to demonstrate and share the feasibility and benefits of applying modular construction for the public and other industry stakeholder groups. Regarding knowledge acquisition-sharing-application mechanism, the relationships between institutions and other stakeholder groups should be enhanced and strengthened by an institution-demand-supply-regulatory partnership. This enhancement would be beneficial for knowledge transfer and able to bridge academic outcomes with industry needs. In terms of attitudes, the government and developers are encouraged to collaborate with universities and professionals to raise awareness of the sustainability of modular construction for SD in urban development. Government departments should formulate more legislation and initiatives to change current unwillingness and negative attitudes toward modular construction for SD, especially social sustainability. Thus, promoting corporate social responsibilities of adopting modular construction for SD through public media should be considered to raise the industry's interests and the general public's awareness. Enhancing stakeholders' intentions should be addressed and emphasized at the current stage to guide and encourage the adoption of modular construction for SD in the future. Engaging a policy mix that includes carrot, cusp, and stick policies is recommended to achieve feasible and effective enhancement toward stakeholders' intentions and practices of modular construction for SD. The policy mix includes carrot policies (tax incentives, rebates, and grants), cusp policies, which are neither clearly carrot nor stick, but often have a leaning toward one or other (loans and improved rental/selling rights), and stick policies (minimum standards and mandatory disclosure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consolidation of Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMDs), a typical soft clayey soil in Hong Kong, is a serious concern in engineering practices, such as coastal embankment construction and marine reclamations. Previous research works illustrate that high temperatures could accelerate the rate of consolidation of soft clayey soils, which has a great potential in future applications. Therefore, studies on the consolidation and stress–strain behaviors of clayey soils under various thermal conditions are necessary. In this paper, a modified temperature-controlled oedometer has been developed and employed to investigate the effects of vertical stress and temperature on the consolidation and creep behavior of remolded HKMD with a temperature range of 20°C–60°C. Scanning electrical microscope (SEM) tests were performed to observe the microstructure of HKMD specimens after oedometer tests under different temperatures. The results show that compression index Cc is nearly independent of temperature, while swelling index Cs is slightly affected by the thermal and stress paths. As temperature increases, both permeability and coefficient of consolidation increase, and the duration to the end of primary consolidation is shortened. It has also been found that with an increase of temperature, the preconsolidation pressure decreases, and there is a reduction in linear creep rate and creep strain limit. Both linear and nonlinear creep functions are adopted to analyze the creep behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major source of risk in green building projects (GBPs) is inaccurate human prediction of the final project cost and duration, which in turn results in cost and schedule overruns (i.e., poor project performance). This paper presents promising new models to mitigate such risk based upon machine learning (ML). Historical data from 198 GBPs in Hong Kong were used to develop and train two fully connected deep neural networks (DNN) models to learn and predict cost and duration, respectively, based on green building rating (GBR) and other project parameters. The models can predict cost and duration with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of 0.07 and 0.09, respectively. They were then integrated with support vector regression (SVR), and results indicated that the integrated DNN-SVR models improve prediction accuracy, decreasing the MAPE from 0.07 to 0.06 (cost) and 0.09 to 0.07 (duration), respectively. The validated models were for the first time deployed as a ML-based web application for automated, fast, and accurate GBP cost and duration prediction. The feature importance analysis results revealed that the most influential parameters on the GBP cost and duration are project area and weather, respectively, not the GBR. Theoretically, the outcomes of this study provide new insights into the impact of GBR on project cost and duration, which are useful for the promotion of GBPs to improve sustainability. Practically, the study provides policymakers and practitioners with novel ML-based models and a web application to improve GBP delivery performance. Green building projects help to combat climate change and improve our health, wellbeing, and quality of life, but they face two key challenges in their execution: cost overruns and schedule delays. To address these challenges, there is a need for accurate prediction of the final project cost and duration from the early stages of the project. The practical relevance of this study is in the development of the first data-driven and machine learning-based web application for addressing this need. New integrated optimized machine learning models are developed. For practitioners to have access to and use these models without the need to possess machine learning expertise, a corresponding easy-to-use web application is offered. From the design and construction stages of their project, practitioners only need to input the green building ratings in sustainable site, materials and waste, energy use, water use, health and wellbeing, and innovations and additions they want to achieve for the project. The project type and area (type and size), original budget, planned duration, and start month (SM) and year should also be input. Once this project data input is completed, the web application automatically and instantaneously predicts with a high level of accuracy the total costs and time needed to deliver the project successfully—on time and on budget. These cost and duration prediction outputs are a valuable tool in helping practitioners adjust green building project plans and budgets to develop more realistic and accurate project budgets and programs to avoid cost overruns and schedule delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inspection is a crucial construction process that ensures that building works and workers comply with prescribed codes, standards, and building progress. The traditional inspection is characterized by physical effort and onerous paperwork. The emergence of e-inspection 1.0 has meant the adoption of computerized means to ease the paperwork burden, although physical onsite presence has remained mandatory. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the dispatch of inspectors difficult and has prompted governments worldwide to explore alternative inspection approaches that harness the latest information antitamper and traceability technologies, such as blockchain. In this paper, we refer to these approaches as "e-inspection 2.0." This research reports the urgent need for e-inspection 2.0 to guarantee construction quality, compliance, and progress amid pandemic conditions. Using the design science research method, it then proposes a blockchain-based solution to address authenticity and traceability concerns and facilitate e-inspection 2.0. The system is validated through a case study of a modular construction project in the Hong Kong–Pearl River Delta construction nexus. We find that rigorous technological solutions can render e-inspection 2.0 reliable. However, existing regulations are far from amenable to such inspections. Therefore, we call for an extension of the pandemic e-inspection 2.0 expediency to common practice in a post-pandemic era through the development of robust technological instruments and the amendment of inspection regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area urban agglomeration, one of the world's four largest bay area urban agglomerations, occupies an important position in China's national development. In this paper, the expansion hotspot model, an urbanization index, a gravitation model, and a socioeconomic location model are used to explore changes in the characteristics of the urban agglomeration in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. The research results can provide decision support for government urban agglomeration planning. The research reveals the following. (1) In the skeleton maps of the expansion hotspots in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, Jiangmen shows an irregular shape, Shenzhen shows an irregular H-shape, Dongguan and Hong Kong show a shape somewhat between a circle and a star, Zhongshan shows a gourd-shape, and Guangzhou, Foshan, Huizhou, Zhaoqing, and Zhuhai show a polygon shape. (2) In 2000, 2010, and 2018, the urbanization index for the urban agglomerations were 41.78%, 50.87%, and 54.41%, respectively. The level of economic development, household registration policy, and urban planning are important factors affecting the development of urbanization. (3) The city quality and spatial connection strength of urban agglomeration have significant spatial nonequilibrium distribution characteristics. The total city quality of Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou accounted for more than 41.5% of the total city quality of the city cluster at the same time, and that of the east coast of the Pearl River is much stronger than the west coast. (4) There are "faults" in the socioeconomic location of the 11 cities in the urban agglomeration, with significant polarization. The socioeconomic locations of Jiangmen, Huizhou, and Zhaoqing have been below the reasonable socioeconomic location range in the past 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air connectivity is a crucial factor for economic development, especially for a free port city such as Hong Kong. This paper examines the role changes of Hong Kong in providing connectivity for the international market that originates from regional airports in Mainland China. The time-dependent earliest arrival time method is employed to assess its connectivity levels compared with other Chinese air gateways in 1998 and 2018, with measurement of three indicators: accessibility, dependency, and centrality. Empirical evidence demonstrates that extensive progress of accessibility and dependency has been presented in both Hong Kong and other Chinese gateways as for liberal arrangements after 2001, while foreign transfers are still an inescapable theme to strengthen air connections. In addition, Hong Kong retained its hub status even while deemed inferior to Beijing and Shanghai in the international market of Mainland China, especially for the Northeast and East Coastal region and air travel to Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. What is more, although Hong Kong benefited from its massive traffic generation, major air gateways would be dispersedly located across Mainland China with the rise of central China, geographical proximity effect, and differential market cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of Super Typhoon Mangkhut on Hong Kong, especially the wind effects on high-rise buildings, based on 24-h-long field measurement records collected from the two tallest skyscrapers (484 and 420 m in height) in the metropolis and six meteorological stations on different types of terrain on September 16, 2018. Mangkhut corresponded to a 50-year return period and was the most violent typhoon since wind records in Hong Kong began in 1946. In this large-scale monitoring study, the wind characteristics of Mangkhut over different terrains are investigated using the climate records by anemometers and a weather surveillance radar, the wind-excited structural responses of the monitored skyscrapers are analyzed according to measurements by accelerometers and a global navigation satellite system, the structural dynamic properties are estimated by the random decrement technique and the Bayesian spectral density approach, and both rigid and aeroelastic modeling techniques for wind tunnel testing are validated by in-situ measurements during the typhoon. This study aims to enhance the understanding of strong typhoon-generated wind characteristics over different terrains and provide comprehensive information for the wind-resistant design of high-rise buildings in tropical cyclone-prone regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a flood mitigation strategy, most of Hong Kong's river channels were straightened and lined with concrete to maximize their drainage capacities, but at the cost of ecological and aesthetic values. To reclaim these and still meet engineering demands, some nature-based solutions have been introduced to revitalize the rivers. However, there are concerns about the resilience of the restored rivers under heavy rainstorms. In this paper, a framework and process for resilience analysis is proposed, based on which resilience analysis was performed on two river restoration cases from the perspectives of engineering resilience, system resilience, and complex adaptive system resilience. The analysis framework and process were found to be useful in generating technical and managerial insights into the resilience of the river restoration projects. Based on the analysis results, proactive design and adaptive operation management strategies are recommended. Although resilience analysis in this paper was performed in the context of river restoration projects, the framework and process may be applicable to other civil infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-border transport infrastructure (CTI) has been regarded as critical for boosting and supporting the coordinated development of regions. However, so far, very limited studies have examined the interconnection performance of CTI with particular emphasis on the overall dynamics of the complicated CTI system and how the dynamic interactions of management measures would affect the system performance as a whole. Therefore, this paper takes on a dynamic and holistic view to investigate how the overall interconnection performance of CTI is affected by the dynamic interactions of management measures. First, four broad indicators for measuring CTI interconnection performance, transportation time reliability, transportation easy accessibility, transportation safety, and transportation operating service quality were identified and analyzed. Second, the causal interactions among main variables were analyzed through causal-loop diagrams. Third, a system dynamics (SD) approach was employed to develop a model for quantifying the effects of variables. Finally, the model was verified and applied with data of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge; policy analysis was conducted as well. The findings prove that the dynamic interactions among various management measures are critical in evaluating the interconnection performance of CTI. In particular, impacts of certain combination sets of policies would be larger when management measures are collectively considered. The proposed model can be used as a basis for simulating various management measures, so that the optimum policy combinations can be explored in advance to improve the interconnection performance of CTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Hong Kong, the annual traffic census report is published in the middle of the year and used to present the results of traffic volume recorded at the automatic traffic counter stations. The type of traffic volume data being widely used is the annual average daily traffic (AADT), which is estimated on the basis of the daily flows by 12 months in the whole surveyed year. In this paper, time series, neural network, nonparametric regression, and Gaussian maximum likelihood (GML) methods were adapted to develop four models for short-term prediction of the daily traffic flows by day of week and by month, as well as the AADT for the whole current year. The historical data (1994–1998) and available current-year data for 1999 partial daily flows are the input data used for model development. The results of the four models were compared with the real data for validation. The daily flows estimated by the four models were used to calculate the AADT for the current year of 1999. Based on the comparison results, the GML model appears to be the most promising and robust of these four models for extensive applications to provide the short-term traffic forecasting database for the whole territory of Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many transient-based defect detection methods are based on matching the transient model to the measured data to localize the defects. Despite the high degree of success in laboratory systems, this approach has not been successful in the field because the system information needed to carry out proper modeling is often lacking as records are often unavailable or incomplete. In this paper, a method using matched-field processing (MFP) is applied to data versus data (DD) to localize defects in pressurized freshwater pipe systems. The proposed MFP-DD method does not require transient models and relies only on the measured reference transient response of the system, which is then correlated with the more recent transient response to localize the defects. The method requires (1) repeatable transient tests to obtain the model-free MFP results and (2) topological information of the system to interpret these results. The proposed method is demonstrated numerically and validated through experiments in laboratory, field-scale transmission-like pipeline, and real-field distribution systems in Hong Kong where a simulated leak is successfully localized. In addition, the method proved its strength by identifying a modification in the real-field distribution system through a blind test. This modification was made by the water authority officers and was unbeknown to the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhoon winds near the external eye wall of a strong typhoon are extremely nonstationary and disastrous due to its vortex and convective origin as well as its high wind speeds. However, typhoon-induced nonstationary responses of long-span bridges are currently analyzed with the assumption of time-invariant wind coherence. By taking the Stonecutters cable-stayed bridge in Hong Kong under Typhoon Hato in 2017 as an example, this paper presents the time-varying wind spectra and coherences for the bridge based on the wind data recorded by the multiple anemometers installed on the bridge. The analytical framework for nonstationary buffeting analysis of long-span bridges under typhoon winds is enhanced by considering time-varying wind coherence and applied to the Stonecutters Bridge under Typhoon Hato. The computed responses are compared with the field measurement responses. The comparative results demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the enhanced framework for buffeting analysis of long-span bridges with time-varying wind spectra and coherences. Comparative results with the other two cases of time-invariant coherence functions also highlight the importance and necessity of considering the time-varying wind coherence in the nonstationary buffeting analysis of long-span bridges under typhoon winds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an elastic-viscoplastic (EVP) constitutive model in triaxial space and general stress space for isotropic clays. The EVP model is anchored in bounding surface theory along with the mapping rule and adopts a critical-state soil mechanics framework. It incorporates creep effects, and a nonlinear creep function is used in the model. The EVP deformation of clay is integrated considering a reference surface and loading surface. An image parameter is deduced to establish the image surface. The strain-rate tensor of the model contains an elastic-strain-rate tensor and viscoplastic-strain-rate tensor. The model formulation is capable of accounting for composite as well as single-surface ellipses. Parameters of the model can be extracted from conventional oedometer and triaxial tests. The model performance is validated by capturing the behaviors in creep tests, relaxation tests, strain-rate effect tests, and overconsolidation ratio effect tests on Kaolin clay, Hong Kong Marine Deposit clay, and Fukakusa clay. The model is also implemented in a finite-element (FE) code and used to predict the long-term performance of the Nerang Broadbeach Roadway embankment constructed in Australia. The long-term settlement prediction of this embankment is also compared with that obtained from the modified Cam clay (MCC) model. Pertinent details of the theoretical framework of the proposed EVP model along with its validation, FE implementation, and field application are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capital investments in developing ports and/or expanding port capacity are costly ventures. The investment and policy planning of port owners would depend on anticipated port throughput. Such issues within an ex ante context are particularly pertinent to the global Port of Hong Kong, as it faces increasing competition from the fast-growing newer competitors within mainland China’s Pearl River Delta region. An appropriate question to pose would be “How do port expansion and the emergence of competitors affect the throughput of a port of interest?” Hence, policy decisions affecting throughput forecasts would be crucial to the sustainability of the Port of Hong Kong. To address such concerns, this paper introduces a dynamic port performance model (DPPM) where a system dynamics approach can be deployed to model the throughput and capacity policy within the context of the Port of Hong Kong. Focusing on the interaction of the various competitive forces that ports face, the DPPM seeks to enhance the structural dynamics behind port throughput in order that better policy and investment decisions can be made, with regard to sustaining investments in upgrading seaport infrastructure. The paper introduces not only a theoretical construct of the DPPM but also attempts to model and validate its use via policy analysis in which ex ante scenarios can be generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interlocutory injunctions in construction litigation cases are not uncommon, in particular, in construction nuisance cases. Despite its importance, there are only a few written materials dealing with this topic. With the public increasingly aware of their legal rights, it is anticipated that the number of interlocutory injunction applications will remain high in the foreseeable future. It is now timely and a worthwhile exercise to revisit those principles governing the courts’ discretion in granting and rejecting interlocutory injunctions. This paper discusses those factors that are relevant in exercising that discretion and how they should be assessed. It also examines the principles established by Lord Diplock in the landmark case “American Cyanamid,” i.e., how this case influenced judgments in recent Hong Kong construction cases. The paper concludes by summarizing the overriding principles in interlocutory injunction applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wind and structural health monitoring system (WASHMS) was installed in the Tsing Ma suspension bridge in Hong Kong in 1997. On September 16, 1999, Typhoon York, which was the strongest typhoon since 1983 and the typhoon of the longest duration on record, crossed over Hong Kong. All vehicles, except trains, were prohibited from running on the bridge for 2.5 h. This event provided a distinctive opportunity to examine the existing analytical models for predicting dynamic response of long suspension bridges to high winds and running trains. The field measurement data recorded by the WASHMS during this event were therefore analyzed and the four particular cases were identified and discussed in this paper. The four particular cases identified included: (1) the bridge without any vehicles; (2) the bridge with one train; (3) the bridge with two trains running in opposite directions; and (4) the bridge with three running trains. The mean wind speed was almost perpendicular to the bridge alignment in the four cases to facilitate the comparison with analytical results. For each case, wind characteristics, bridge acceleration responses, and bridge displacement responses were analyzed using the measurement data from anemometers, accelerometers, and level sensing systems, respectively. The number of trains running on the bridge, train speed, and train location were also identified using the measurement data from strain gauges. The measurement results clearly demonstrated the dynamic behavior of the bridge with running trains during high winds. The measurement results obtained will also be used to verify the analytical model developed by the authors in the companion paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field measurement results of the Tsing Ma suspension bridge under cross winds and running trains during Typhoon York have been presented in Part I of this study. The field measurement results are used in this paper (Paper II) to verify, to some extent, the finite element based framework developed by the writers in the time domain for predicting dynamic response of coupled train and bridge systems in cross winds. In this regard, a three-dimensional finite element model is used to model the Tsing Ma suspension bridge. Wind forces acting on the bridge are generated in the time domain using a fast spectral representation method and based on the field measurement results and wind tunnel test results. Each coach in a train running on the bridge is modeled by a 27 degree-of-freedom dynamic system. The dynamic interaction between the bridge and the train is realized through the contact forces between the wheels and the track. Track irregularity is simulated using a high-order multivariate autoregressive model, whereas wheel hunting is assumed to be a sinusoidal function with a random phase. The acceleration and displacement responses of the bridge under cross winds and running trains are computed and compared with the responses measured from the field for four cases. The comparison is found to be satisfactory in general. The dynamic response and performance of trains on the bridge is also computed and evaluated. The proposed framework is found to be feasible and practical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affordability is a dominant and controversial issue in housing policy all over the world. Hong Kong is no exception. In 1987, the government took a notable shift in its housing policy toward a more market-oriented system. As such, the notion of affordability overrode the notion of need. Like the United States and the United Kingdom, Hong Kong uses the median rent-to-income ratio as an affordability yardstick for rent setting. However, this approach suffers serious criticisms for its arbitrary benchmarking. This paper aims to examine the “affordability” issue among public rental housing tenants in Hong Kong. It takes a broader view by analyzing both their housing and nonhousing consumption patterns using economic first principles. It starts with an overview of conventional concepts of affordability and their shortcomings. It then applies the economic first principles to measure household affordability and test the “reasonableness” of using the median rent-to-income ratio as a benchmark. Rather interestingly, the findings suggest that the easy-to-use median rent-to-income ratio currently adopted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority cannot reflect the affordability of public rental housing tenants. This paper argues that household affordability could be gauged more correctly by adopting economic first principles, which render a better operational definition in housing resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open space planning is a common issue in urban studies. Under development pressures and urbanization, open space is prone to manipulation and erosion by governments and developers to achieve material gains and parochial interests. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussions about open space development using Hong Kong as an empirical case. The vulnerability of open space and the flexible planning regulation in the use of open space land are highlighted through an examination of existing open space zoning patterns and the planning application data for land-use changes. It is argued that open space tends to act as public land reserves rather than serving the original planning intention of recreation under the current open space planning system. This empirical finding is useful for planners to reconsider the effectiveness of the open space planning system and open space protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to investigate the determinants and structure of public sector rents in Hong Kong. It looks at the trends and patterns of public housing rents over the past 20 years or so. The paper discusses the housing authority's setting approach and its inherent shortcomings with regard to income generation, equity, and efficiency. It presents a framework that examines the literature to clarify the underlying factors affecting public housing rents in the context of rent review and rent structure and formulates two interrelated rent models to test hypotheses about these factors. One is a time-series model to ascertain which factors determine rents over time, and the other is a cross-sectional model to quantify the implicit rents of different housing attributes (i.e., the “relativities”). The final section draws out some conclusions about the mechanisms by which the housing authority determines rents and some implications for policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated building projects (PBPs) have contributed significantly to addressing Hong Kong's serious housing shortage and accommodate almost half of the residents in this densely populated city. The supply chains of PBPs involve large numbers of stakeholders, including clients, designers, main contractors, transporters, and assembly subcontractors, all of which need to interact with each other by frequent information exchanges. However, cross-border supply chains are found to be quite complex, resulting in risks that significantly affect the performance of PBPs. Supply chain risks (SCRs) are closely associated with the stakeholders involved and have high interdependency with each other. This paper adopts social network analysis (SNA) to develop the risk network of the supply chain of a PBP in Hong Kong to prioritize the stakeholder-associated SCR. The research findings show that poor planning of resources and schedule, poor control of working flows, and poor information sharing between stakeholders are the major challenges to the supply chains of PBPs. This is the first study to consider the dynamic risk interdependency and associated stakeholders in SCRs. By providing a greater understanding of the risks embedded across the supply chains of PBPs in Hong Kong, this study could assist practitioners dealing with such risks more effectively and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous construction productivity research focused on developing productivity measurement methods and quantifying the impact of influencing factors. However, the development of holistic strategies for productivity enhancement of a construction industry has received limited attention. This paper examines the nature of the constraints on productivity advancement and explores the rationale underpinning the productivity enhancement strategies at the industry level. The exploration was based on a systemic perspective taking contingency factors in the broad business environment into consideration. A comprehensive literature review used a political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) framework to reveal the major strategic themes of construction productivity enhancement. Building on the literature review, a multiple exploratory case study design was adopted to investigate the constraints and strategies within the construction industries of Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. The research design combines documentation, semistructured stakeholder interviews, and project site visits. The case study analyses led to a theoretical framework that conceptualizes the underlying structure of construction productivity enhancement strategies (CPESs) within the dynamic business environment of the industry. The findings contribute to a better theoretical understanding of the systemic nature of CPESs and provide specific guidance for formulating holistic strategies to enhance construction productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use planning plays an important role in achieving sustainable urban development. One of the problems planners frequently encounter is the absence of an integrated quantitative approach to assessing land-use suitability and supporting land use planning (site level), particularly in urban renewal. This paper develops a geographic information system (GIS)-based framework to solve this problem. The framework consists of three main modules: land information database, planning/policy control mechanism, and model of land-use suitability analysis (LUSA). In the process of developing this framework, three tasks are completed. First, key factors affecting land-use decision making in urban renewal planning are identified and 20 of them are quantitatively examined from five perspectives of land attributes: inherent/physical, locational, social, economic, and environmental. Second, two submodels, namely, the criterion-value generation model and suitability assessment model are designed and built for LUSA in land redevelopment/urban renewal. Third, five types of land use, i.e., residential, commercial, industrial, government/institutional/community (G/IC), and open space in Hong Kong are defined and considered for land-use suitability grading. Several new planning approaches such as scenario planning, public participation, and collaborative interaction are included in this framework to improve planning processes by enhancing their adoption and application in urban (land use) planning. This proposed framework is found to be a useful tool for both practitioners and researchers involved in sustainable land use planning in urban renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy piles are often partially or fully embedded in unsaturated soils, particularly in arid and semiarid regions; however, suction effects on their thermomechanical behavior have not been fully understood. In this study, a series of physical modeling tests were carried out to investigate the behavior of energy piles in unsaturated soils. The soil used for testing is completely decomposed granite, which is a type of clayey sand sampled from Hong Kong. Five constant-temperature pile load tests and three constant-load heating and cooling tests were conducted under different conditions of pile surface roughness and initial soil suction. It is observed that the ultimate capacity of the energy pile (Qult) increases as the initial suction increases from 0 to 90 kPa, the pile roughness increases from 0.05 to 1, and the temperature increases from 10°C to 21°C. Moreover, the effects of roughness are more significant in unsaturated conditions than in saturated states. A suction increment can increase both shaft and toe resistance, while temperature and roughness mainly affect the shaft resistance. During cyclic heating and cooling, suction and roughness increment reduces the irreversible pile head settlement due to the increment of shaft resistance. Furthermore, the irreversible pile head settlement is greatly affected by vertical load. When the working load is relatively small (smaller than 0.5Qult in this study), the settlement increases with the number of thermal cycles but at a decreasing rate for both saturated and unsaturated conditions, and finally reaches a stable state. When the working load is relatively high (0.7Qult in this study), the response of the pile does not reach a stable state in saturated conditions even after five thermal cycles. These observations should be treated with caution because they may be specific and only applicable to the case of no overburden pressure. Exercising caution is crucial when interpreting these observations, particularly at a quantitative level, because they may be limited to the test soil and the low stress level utilized in the physical model tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an evaluation model useful for assessing the suitability of public-private partnership (PPP) projects by studying their attractive and negative factors. A survey of industrial practitioners in Hong Kong was conducted. Respondents were asked to rank the importance of 15 attractive and 13 negative factors for adopting PPP. From the rankings, relative weights of each factor were derived. The weights of these factors formed the basis for the evaluation model presented in this paper. The Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge was used to demonstrate how this evaluation model could be applied. From the list of attractive and negative factors the writers selected those that were foreseeable in this project. Calculating the total weights of each group of factors showed that negative factors outweighed attractive factors by 27%. The result indicated that PPP would not be a suitable method for delivering this project. The evaluation model presented in this paper can help both the public and private sectors to assess whether potential public projects are suited for PPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since information and communication technology (ICT) was introduced into the construction industry over a decade ago, the once fledging technologies have now been well developed. ICT has been commonly adopted, particularly in places where speedy construction is the norm, e.g., in Hong Kong. At the time when ICT is seemingly well developed, this paper aims at identifying the difficulties and hindrances facing the end users of such information exchange systems during design and construction and the consequential effects on project performance. Through literature review, a series of structured interviews, and a questionnaire survey, it is found that industry users welcomed the advancement of ICT, but that the necessary technical and psychological supports from their organizations were insufficiently provided. In addition, significant differences on the hindrances and their consequential effects have been identified between end users in the private sector and those in the public sector. The study findings have also highlighted factors impeding the smooth implementation of ICT systems at the end-user level, which would help organizations to formulate effective strategies to cope with ever-evolving communication technologies and changes in working style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A widely recognized theme of construction economics suggests that the cost of construction per square meter increases as building height rises. However, over a number of years, research conducted regarding the height and cost issue has established a classic relationship between the two factors which can be represented by a U-shaped curve. This paper describes the study of the height-cost relationship of high-rise residential buildings in Shanghai in terms of the total construction cost and elemental costs while considering the context and commonality of buildings. This research was developed as an extension of the previous work, which examined data for buildings in Hong Kong. Initial findings indicate that the curves illustrating the relationships between height and cost of residential buildings in Shanghai and Hong Kong exhibit different profiles. The dissimilarities indicate that different sets of criteria should be applied in the judgment of height that affects cost in different locations. In terms of elemental costs, the findings suggest that there are differences in the way these costs react to changes in the building height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As value management (VM) has been increasingly applied to enhance value in public construction projects, the core subject entitled “Value Management for Construction and Property” is being offered to postgraduate students in the Department of Building and Real Estate at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Under the new outcome-based curriculum, the learning outcomes, pedagogy of teaching VM, and activities of the VM workshops for the subject are described in this paper. The results of a questionnaire survey of the students’ feedback on the performance of the workshops for the academic year 2007–2008 are presented and discussed. Students believed that value management workshops are essential in the curriculum. They expressed that it was a valuable experience to participate in the VM workshop which enabled them to have a better understanding of the subject. Some improvement is also recommended for future organization and management of workshops based on the lessons learned in these workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The private sector has long been involved in delivering public sector projects, whether its role has been as a partner or just as a contractor for the government. Over recent years the interest in adopting public private partnerships (PPPs) has increased internationally. Many research studies have presented positive reasons for the governments and the private sector to welcome this form of procurement, rather than continue adopting the traditional options. This paper aims to explore and compare the key drivers for adopting PPP in China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (referred to as Hong Kong from here onwards). An empirical questionnaire survey was conducted in both of these administrative systems and survey respondents were invited to rate their perceptions on the importance of 15 different drivers identified. Eighty-seven completed survey questionnaires were returned for analysis. The findings indicated that respondents from China rated economy-related drivers higher, whereas Hong Kong respondents tended to rate efficiency-related drivers higher. China’s demand for more public infrastructure and services has imposed great pressure on the government’s budget, and therefore economic drivers were rated higher. On the other hand, with adequate financial reserve in hand and budget surplus over recent years, Hong Kong has tended to prefer paying for projects upfront, and hence efficiency was regarded more significantly. Among the 15 drivers, both of the respondents from China and Hong Kong selected, “provide an integrated solution (for public infrastructure/services)” and “solve the problem of public sector budget restraint” to be within the top three drivers. Despite the general agreement on the ranking pattern, the results of independent two-sample t-test showed that China and Hong Kong shared very different views on the driver “reduce the total project cost.” This driver was ranked rather high by the mainland Chinese respondents, but much lower by the Hong Kong respondents. This finding can be construed that economic drivers are in general rated higher in China as compared to that in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In infrastructure development through public-private partnerships (PPPs), governments worldwide often preset the concession period to a fixed length and then invite the private sector to bid on other aspects of the project. This practice has potential economic, financial, and social problems as shown in a case study of Hong Kong tunnel projects. To overcome these problems, this paper has proposed a win–win concession period determination methodology, in which PPPs are addressed as a principal-agent maximization problem. Both deterministic and simulation-based methods are provided to determine the concession period, with detailed step-by-step procedures. These methods take into consideration the financial characteristics of PPPs and the construction and operation requirements. In particular, the simulation-based approach combines the critical path method and Monte Carlo simulation technique in an effort to quantify construction and market risks for informed decision making. Furthermore, some issues related to the proposed methodology also have been discussed. These issues include (1) factors in determining a reasonable rate of return to the concessionaire’s equity investment; (2) advantages and disadvantages of rate of return regulation; (3) concession period as a tender evaluation criterion; (4) efficiency check of the concessionaire’s cost performance; (5) workable pricing mechanism; and (6) a practical approach to establishing statistical construction cost/duration distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study describing the application of conflict analysis to a public engagement program of urban planning in Hong Kong is presented in this paper. The technique of conflict analysis is used to investigate the possible conflicts and alliance between interest groups in order to avoid opinion domination by those groups that generate the loudest noise in the process of urban planning. The case study shows that this application helps collect public opinions more accurately that can represent the public interest in the selection of the best development and design scheme for the territory, which would not be corrupted by the “dominating opinions.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, it has been observed that partnering has been ineffectively implemented in the public sector of Hong Kong. Contributing factors to this lack of success are nature and the large size of bureaucratic organizations and commercial pressure compromising the partnering attitude. The Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited (MTRCL), one of the prominent pioneers in adopting project partnering in the infrastructure sector of Hong Kong since 1999, however, implemented the partnering principle with significant success. This paper, based on a recently completed research project funded by the Construction Industry Institute Hong Kong in late 2004 and a followup in-depth interview meeting with senior executives of MTRCL in early June 2005, analyzes the rationale behind the successful development of partnering culture in the infrastructure sector of Hong Kong through a case study—the Tseung Kwan O Railway Extension (TKE) Contract 654—platform screen doors. The project comprises the supply and installation of platform screen doors along the whole MTRCL’s TKE with five stations. This project was analyzed by means of the project documentation and face-to-face interviews with the project representatives, comparisons with another five partnering case studies, and a followup in-depth interview meeting with another two senior executives of MTRCL. After the analysis, it was found that the implementation of partnering together with an incentive agreement (IA), a kind of target cost (TC) contract, underpinned the partnering success of this project. Therefore, it is recommended that partnering together with TC contracts, such as IA, greatly assists in the achievement of construction excellence, and can provide a workable model for enhancing overall project performance in electrical and mechanical projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety issues have gained vital importance throughout the construction industry. Many construction companies around the world are implementing safety, health, and environmental management systems to reduce injuries, eliminate illness, and to provide a safe work environment in their construction sites. This paper describes an exploratory study of site safety management in construction sites’ environments. It explains a successful, modern safety, health and environmental management system for a leading construction company based in Hong Kong. A typical site-specific safety plan was utilized to provide safety guidance throughout the construction project. A safety management survey was conducted to determine the status of safety in the construction sites. All employees of the company and its subcontractors participated in the survey from 20 construction projects. In total, 1,022 valid records were obtained from the construction sites. The analysis provided useful information on eight aspects of construction safety, including safety policy and standards, safety organization, safety training, inspecting hazardous conditions, personal protection program, plant and equipment, safety promotion, and management behavior. The findings of the survey provide practical knowledge to construction project managers and construction safety practitioners in order to make their sites safer. Insights and discussions are given in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses the quantitative decision-making technique, the analytical hierarchy process, to derive prioritized scales for (1) the constructability factors; and (2) the relative contribution of common construction systems in a building superstructure comprising structural frames, slabs, envelopes, roof, and internal walls toward constructability. The identified constructability factors show that to enhance constructability design requirements should be easily visualized and coordinated by site staff, while designs should allow economic use of contractors’ resources and enable contractors to develop and adopt alternative construction details. The precast method is rated as the most constructible construction method, indicating its better performance in facilitating efficient and safe construction in the busy urban environment in Hong Kong. However, the methodology adopted in this study should be of international interest, especially for those desirous of improving constructability of designs with different contextual backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980s, the demand for Hong Kong’s container handling facilities has been increasing due to the robust economic growth in South China. As more and more vessels call on Hong Kong’s container terminals, the vessels moving in the basin surrounded by the container terminals will have a bigger chance of interfering with one another, due to the need to comply with navigation safety requirements. The interference often necessitates the vessels to stop occasionally while moving along their navigation paths in order to avoid potential collisions. This paper develops a simulation model for studying the impact of the vessel-traffic interference in Hong Kong’s terminal basin on its container terminals’ capacities. Major navigation safety requirements and terminal operational characteristics are considered in the model. The model’s simulation results show that the delays due to the vessel-traffic interference lead to a considerable reduction in Hong Kong container terminals’ capacities. This model can assist the container terminals in estimating the benefits of coordinating vessel movements in the terminal basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous research has pointed to potential performance gains through relational contracting (RC), reservations remain as to its value and viability. Even those who wish to use RC need guidelines for introducing it, especially where it clashes with prevalent project cultures. A study was launched from Hong Kong to identify the critical factors which promote RC and team building in the context of specific cultures. This paper consolidates the perceptions of 60 respondents to a questionnaire survey in Singapore, in relation to the hypothesized 24 factors facilitating RC, and 28 factors impeding/deterring RC. It indicates the evident readiness of the Singaporean contracting industry to embrace collaborative working practices. On the whole: (1) all the 24 factors facilitating RC, and 23 of the 28 factors deterring RC, are significant; (2) these two sets of factors could be represented by six and seven “broad factors,” respectively; and (3) except in a few cases, respondents from large and medium companies, as well as with and without experience in RC, have similar perceptions of the importance of different factors. It was perceived that trust should be at the core of RC approaches to construction procurement, but also seen that the current level of trust is low. Identifying the principal “facilitators” and “impediments”/ deterrents to RC, provides pointers to building relationally integrated teams to boost performance to much higher levels, as are now expected from the industry. The literature indicates that the outcome of the survey in Singapore reflects the trends in many countries that are moving toward RC. This research model and approach may be conveniently replicated in other contractual regimes, in order to reinforce these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing awareness of environmental impacts from construction wastes has led to the development of waste management as an important function of construction project management. Various approaches for managing construction wastes have been developed in the existing research works and practices, and these works can be grouped largely into three areas: waste classification, waste management strategies (avoiding waste, reducing waste, reusing waste, and recycling waste), and waste disposal technologies. Nevertheless, these approaches give less attention to the management of the waste handling process on construction sites. In fact, construction wastes pass through a number of processes from generation to final disposal, and proper flow of these processes can improve waste management effectiveness. This paper examines the waste handling process during construction through mapping six cases selected in Hong Kong construction, with the assistance of the free-flow mapping presentation technique. The examination leads to developing a waste management mapping model (WMMM), which incorporates the good operations embodied in the existing practices. The WMMM provides an alterative tool assisting in planning waste management procedures on construction sites. It can serve as a vehicle for comparing the waste management practices between construction sites, thus both good practices and weak areas can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methodology of discrete-event simulation provides a promising alternative solution to designing and analyzing dynamic, complicated, and interactive construction systems. In this paper, an attempt is made to extend the previous work of simplifying construction simulation by delving into the fundamental approaches for discrete-event simulation. A new simplified discrete-event simulation approach (SDESA) is presented through extracting the constructive features from the existing event/activity-based simulation methods; both the algorithm and the model structure of simulation are streamlined such that simulating construction systems is made as easy as applying the critical path method (CPM). Two applications based on real road construction projects in Hong Kong serve as case studies to illustrate the methodology of simulation modeling with SDESA and reveal the simplicity and effectiveness of SDESA in modeling complex construction systems and achieving the preset objectives of such modeling. They are a granular base-course construction system featuring both cyclic and linear processes and an asphalt paving construction system with complicated technological/logical constraints. As a general-purpose method for construction planning, SDESA enables practitioners to deal with what the CPM-based network analysis method fails to solve by offering discrete-event simulation capabilities. Furthermore, the SDESA can potentially be adapted to special-purpose simulation tools to tackle large and complicated construction systems of practical size that have yet to find convenient solutions with existing simulation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road transport networks that exist within Eastern Asia are experiencing ever-increasing levels of demand due to rapid population growth within the region. This is especially so for interregional travel because of a continuous dispersion of the population as it expands. Within Hong Kong, new transport infrastructure is required to cater to the demands emerging from growth and decentralization of the population distribution. Initiatives such as park-and-ride schemes can assist transport networks to operate more efficiently and are worthy of assessment as a demand management technique for inclusion in the future transit system. As a result of a comprehensive survey conducted on a trial park-and-ride facility in Hong Kong, lessons have been learned for the implementation of future schemes within Hong Kong and Eastern Asia. This paper provides a description of the data assembled as a result of the survey, and it identifies reasons and factors contributing to the success of the park-and-ride facility in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a queuing theory model which includes the effect of seasonal changes on the performance of the Kwai Chung Container Terminals in Hong Kong, China. Parameters of the queuing theory model; Methods used to estimate average port arrival time of container vessels per month; Analysis of possible model shortcomings; Techniques for managing seasonal fluctuation of container throughput in the terminals.

This paper describes the parking demand models for private cars and goods vehicles developed as part of a parking demand study that was completed in Hong Kong in 1995. In the model, it is assumed that there is a linear and additive demand function relating land-use variables in a zone (such as jobs, schools, or households) with parking demand. Further, the parking activity associated with each land-use variable is assumed to have a unique parking accumulation profile. Surveys were conducted to determine these profiles. A unitgraph, which is defined as the parking accumulation profile per parking activity, was constructed for each land-use variable. Given the land-use variables, the parking demand function, and the unitgraphs, the total parking accumulation profile in each zone is determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's construction industry is facing an acute labor shortage. As a mature economy in Asia, Hong Kong is experiencing the same grim situation. This paper identifies different generations' perceptions of freedom-related work values in the construction sector in Hong Kong. Opinion surveys were conducted to identify how construction workers, trainees, and high school students would view a "No-Saturday-Site-Work" policy. This initiative was proposed to address the acute labor shortage and aging problems. Logistic regression was used. It was found that the younger generation places more emphasis on having Saturday off than on money. Although older construction workers tend to have more concerns over income, younger construction trainees would want to see the initiative implemented. For high school students, age has an indirect but strong effect on their perception of the initiative through the variable of whether they plan to join the industry. The case of Hong Kong illustrates the need to know what the younger generations want before effective recruitment strategies and policies can be devised. The authors' results would provide the industry worldwide with some insights into addressing the aging labor problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of economic development in 23 cities across Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and Macau from 1990 to 2022. The results indicated a general growth trend in overall economic development, with substantial fluctuations in absolute differences and a significant reduction in relative differences. The economic development appeared to be balanced both within and between cities. Spatially, the study revealed an increasing agglomeration effect, evident polarization in economic levels, and a distinct core–periphery structure, with central cities in the Greater Bay Area exerting a growing influence on their peripheries. Nevertheless, the peripheral cities, despite their economic strides, necessitate augmented policy interventions and capital influx to bridge regional chasms. The study's outcomes serve as a foundational reference for sharpening policy decisions, fostering regional amalgamation, and invigorating urban blueprinting and city-to-city synergies. This research provides an in-depth analysis of economic development trends across 23 cities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau over 32 years. For policymakers, urban planners, and business leaders, the findings present a clearer picture of the region's economic landscape. Notably, while central cities within the Greater Bay Area have become influential economic hubs, surrounding cities still face challenges. These insights suggest a need for more targeted policies and investments, especially in peripheral cities, to promote more uniform growth across the region. By understanding these dynamics, governments and businesses can make more informed decisions that foster city-to-city collaborations and develop better urban and regional strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction workers (CWs) are usually exposed to various job-related hazards while working on construction sites, especially when there is a lack of appropriate equipment, working without support, or being forced to work quickly. All these can induce serious stress and lead to dangerous situations at work. Hence, to prevent CWs from injury, this study sets out to investigate the relationships between job stressors, stress, safety behavior, and accidents. A survey of CWs was carried out using statistical tools to analyze the data. Five job stressors, two different types of stress, and safety behavior among CWs were identified using factor analysis. The results of the correlation and regression analyses showed that (1) physical stress is predicted by job certainty, co-worker support, and safety equipment, while psychological stress is predicted by both supervisor support and job certainty; (2) supervisor support and physical stress predict safety behavior; and (3) the risk of accidents can be reduced by safety behavior, whereas a high level of job control increases it. Finally, several recommendations are made, including on-the-job training, stress-reduction programs, and appropriate employment policies, to enhance safety behavior and decrease the number of accidents on construction sites. This paper provides empirical support to and extends some accident-causation theories, and sets a base for further study regarding stress management for Hong Kong's construction participants working in Mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automatic fare collection (AFC) system incorporating smart card technology is widely used in transportation systems for revenue management, but the data from this could be mined for wide-ranging applications. This paper used AFC data of eight metro stations in the central area of Hong Kong to analyze metro trip patterns at an aggregate level. Based on the ridership differences between days, time periods, and directed flows, empirical data were categorized into three groups to better understand the station area characteristics. Compared to previous studies, it was found that factors may play varied roles in determining trip quantities for divergent station areas. Shopping and recreational factors demonstrated a statistically significant relationship with metro trips during the afternoon peak at exit flow and the evening peak at entry flow in the commercial districts of Hong Kong, such as Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mong Kok. This suggests that the distinctive context characteristics of the study area should be taken into consideration when selecting major determinants for transit trip patterns. The results of this study may provide promising insights for mass transit planning and the understanding of transit behavior in central urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a physics-informed neural networks algorithm that integrates a simplified physical model and neural networks for the settlement analysis and prediction of the immersed tunnel of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB). The proposed method has high flexibility and generalizability because it integrates physical information into the loss function as a soft penalty constraint for neural network models. The uncertainty quantification is also realized with the Bayesian theorem and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. A synthetic case study shows that the newly proposed method has high feasibility and efficiency for the inverse analysis of the tunnel settlement. The analysis of field data on the HZMB tunnel shows that the proposed method is applicable to practical engineering. The effect of the postconstruction settlement on the settlement prediction is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Value management (VM) participants often encounter problems of lack of active participation in addition to insufficient time and information in decision analysis. Group decision support systems (GDSS) have been proposed to overcome these problems by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of VM studies. To investigate the effect of using GDSS in VM workshops, three experimental studies together with questionnaire surveys have been conducted to compare the traditional VM and GDSS-supported workshops. The results have revealed that GDSS can help improve the performance of VM workshops in quantity of ideas, process efficiency, and participants' satisfaction. These outcomes are valuable to the construction industry in Hong Kong, in which both the government and industry have called for wider use of VM, and yet users often encounter difficulties that are attributable to the large number of participants and short duration of the workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A considerable amount of solid wastes is generated every year from construction and demolition (C&D) activities in Hong Kong. The C&D waste can be classified into inert and noninert wastes, in which the inert waste is normally disposed of in public fills as reclamation materials and the noninert waste is dumped at landfills. Under the current waste generation trend, all landfills and public fills in Hong Kong will be used up within a few years. To tackle this problem, in December of 2005, the Hong Kong Government implemented the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme (CWDCS) to provide financial incentives to C&D waste generators to reduce waste and encourage reuse and recycling. This paper presents the results of a study to explore the perceptions of the Hong Kong construction participants toward the CWDCS after three years of implementation. The study was conducted by a survey with follow-up interviews to experienced professionals in the building industry. The results revealed no consensus view among the construction participants on C&D waste reduction, especially regarding on-site waste sorting and recycling. The findings also revealed that 40% of the survey respondents believed that waste reduction is less than 5% after CWDCS was implemented. The interviewees expressed that some waste generation was unavoidable, although a waste disposal charge has been imposed. In addition, 30% of survey respondents agreed that the cost of CWDCS was not high enough to raise awareness about waste management on construction sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large lateral movements of a pile during impact driving can cause yielding of the surrounding soil. When this happens, the effective stresses between the soil and the pile wall diminish, and the pile shaft resistance decreases. A piling project was carried out in a marble area in Hong Kong, where highly variable rockhead contours and deep depressions filled with weak soil deposits were found. Many steel H-piles were driven to depths of more than 100 m, and the verticality of such long piles was a concern. A pile test program consisting of four driven steel H-piles with pile lengths up to 164.5 m was conducted. Verticality monitoring and dynamic pile tests at several penetration depths were performed. This paper aims at interpreting the verticality of the four long piles, studying the relevance of pile verticality to the encountered geological features, and studying the effect of pile verticality on the pile capacity. The maximum lateral pile movement during driving was up to 8.7 m at a depth of 100 m, and the maximum local pile inclination reached 0.139. The lateral movements of the piles during driving well matched the rockhead inclination and soil conditions. Both one-way sway and two-way cyclic sway of the test piles were observed. Cyclic sway was shown to cause more severe reduction of the pile shaft resistance than one-way sway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]