This report provides policy makers with a framework to understand reliability issues in transport services, to incorporate reliability into project assessment and to design reliability management policies. It also explores a range of reliability performance measures.

- The first book of its kind, providing over thirty real-life case studies of ground improvement projects selected by the worlds top experts in ground improvement from around the globe. - Volume 3 of the highly regarded Elsevier Geo-engineering book series coordinated by the Series Editor: Professor John A Hudson FREng. - An extremely reader friendly chapter format. - Discusses wider economical and environmental issues facing scientists in the ground improvement.Ground improvement has been both a science and art, with significant developments observed through ancient history. From the use of straw as blended infill with soils for additional strength during the ancient Roman civilizations, and the use of elephants for compaction of earth dams during the early Asian civilizations, the concepts of reinforced earth with geosynthetics, use of electrokinetics and thermal modifications of soils have come a long way. The use of large and stiff stone columns and subsequent sand drains in the past has now been replaced by quicker to install and more effective prefabricated vertical drains, which have also eliminated the need for more expensive soil improvement methods.The early selection and application of the most appropriate ground improvement techniques can improve considerably not only the design and performance of foundations and earth structures, including embankments, cut slopes, roads, railways and tailings dams, but also result in their cost-effectiveness. Ground improvement works have become increasingly challenging when more and more problematic soils and marginal land have to be utilized for infrastructure development.This edited compilation contains a collection of Chapters from invited experts in various areas of ground improvement, who have illustrated the basic concepts and the applications of different ground improvement techniques using real projects that they have been involved in. The case histories from many countries ranging from Asia, America, Australia and Europe are addressed.

South Africa still faces low economic growth and high unemployment, coupled with the persistent challenges of poverty and inequality. These exert pressure on South Africa to foster structural transformation that will facilitate a more inclusive and resilient economy. Authors apply multiple theoretical and empirical perspectives to take stock of the historical and contemporary structure of the South African economy, its evolving nature and possible future pathways. The explore how South Africa's structural transformation agenda is affected by the global context, and discuss debates on the extreme social impacts of globalised and financialised economic structures. Contributors offer technical and analytical discussions of the overlapping structural faultlines that produce uneven economic performance. They explain the changes and continuities of South Africa's economic structure, bound by an analytical thread that centres power relations and political settlements. Varied chapters explain how poor governance and corruption have slowed down structural reform. This has been further exacerbated by the inconsistent availability of energy and the deterioration of logistics. The book details the structural reforms and policy regimes necessary for increasing productive capacity in South Africa's agriculture, manufacturing, agro-processing. retail and services, energy and mining industries. It also reflects on the role that micro- and informal enterprises can play if afforded the necessary support. The technical details and analyses in the book highlight the need for a radical review of macroeconomic policy to reduce the country's chronic vulnerability to poverty and inequality.

A clear dichotomy exists between an European economy centred on international trade and the environmental damage to which this focus gives rise. There is a need for a novel approach based on a shift away from the goal of ever-faster travel and ...