Outdoor Facilities Research Articles

Measuring the discriminatory impact associated with higher recreational fees

Abstract Higher fees for publicly provided outdoor recreation facilities have the potential of forcing low‐income users to reduce their use of the facilities more than for higher income users. Some low‐income users may be forced to stop using the facilities altogether. However, to our knowledge, no studies have been designed specifically to test for the presence of this type of discriminatory impact among current users. In this article we present an approach for determining whether higher fees create a discriminatory impact on low‐income users. An empirical application of the approach suggests that a discriminatory impact does exist among the users of Maine state park campgrounds.

最近の外構施設と劣化防止対策

最近の外構施設と劣化防止対策

Slip resistance versus surface roughness of deck and other underfoot surfaces in ships

The slip resistance of thirteen deck and other underfoot surfaces commonly used in ships was assessed by measuring the kinetic coefficient of friction between these floorings, contaminated with glycerol, and three types of safety footwear. The floorings were used on decks, stairs and passages as well as in engine-rooms, kitchens and other indoor and outdoor facilities. The kinetic coefficient of friction (μ k1) was measured with a prototype apparatus, which simulates the movements of a human foot and the forces applied to the underfoot surface during a sudden slip on the heel. The measured average μ k1s of the assessed floorings varied from 0.05 to 0.64. Four floorings were classified as very slip-resistant and one as slip-resistant. All the others were classified as slippery. The rough floorings were more slip-resistant than the smooth ones. The correlation between the arithmetical average roughness ( R a) and the average μ k1 of the assessed surfaces was very significant ( p < 0.001). When selecting deck and other underfoot surfaces and developing new flooring products, more attention should be paid to their surface texture. From the slip resistance point of view the adequate R a value was 7–9 μm, so smoother surfaces should be avoided. A raised-pattern on floorings also improved the slip resistance compared to corresponding unpatterned floorings.

Expert-based method for the evaluation of visual absorption capacity of the landscape

This paper describes a method for the evaluation of visual absorption capacity of open spaces rich in natural and visual landscape resources. “Visual absorption capacity” is defined as the landscape's ability to absorb physical changes without transformation in its visual character and quality. The method utilised evaluates the visual absorption capacity on the basis of two groups of factors: the first includes physical changes that are caused by development features such as earthworks, buildings and structures, linear development (pipelines, etc.), outdoor recreation facilities and forest plantations. The second is concerned with biophysical characteristics of the area, renewal potential of vegetation and the visual exposure of the area to observers. The method used is based on data processed from existing surveys and on intensive use of experts in the field to quantify, classify and evaluate the area's characteristics and of potential changes as a result of development of various land uses. Experts were used where there was a lack of documented information on the area; of knowledge on potential impacts and in cases where there was disagreement on the visual value of natural resources. The immediate outputs of the method were computer-printed maps displaying six levels—from low capacity areas, in which the location of an activity is likely to cause visual change in the character of the area, to high capacity areas, in which the visual impact of development will be minimal. The method has been used so far in several regions with various geographical characteristics and was found to be effective and easy to apply.

Levels of total cyanide and NaCl in surface waters adjacent to road salt storage facilities

Concentrations of Na, Cl and total cyanide (simple+complex forms of cyanide) in surface waters adjacent to uncovered, outdoor sand-salt storage facilities were monitored for the calendar year 1988. Runoff of deicing salt from these unprotected sand-salt piles resulted in Cl concentrations up to 13 500 mg liter −1 in surrounding surface waters indicating substantial leaching of road salt from sand-salt storage lots. The use of sodium hexacyanoferrate (II) as an anti-caking agent in road salt resulted in up to 200 μg liter −1 total cyanide (CN) in surface waters adjacent to sand-salt piles. Concentrations of Na and Cl were highest during the summer months whereas the concentrations of total CN were highest during the autumn months. The observed concentrations of total CN were less than the calculated maximum concentrations based on total CN content of pure road salt indicating that sodium hexacyanoferrate(II) was being adsorbed during overland flow onto soils and/or sediments of the wetlands. A laboratory adsorption study using five soils and a road salt solution showed that the soils adsorbed from 25 to 83% of the sodium hexacyanoferrate(II) present in the soil-road salt suspensions. The percentage of sodium hexacyanoferrate(II) adsorbed on soils increased with decreasing soil pH.

Use and Image of Neighborhood Parks

Human use and perceptions of residential parks have received significant attention from researchers in the West (for instance, Bangs and Mahler, 1970; Cole, 1977; Gold, 1977, 1972; Hester, 1975; Jacobs, 1969; Pigram, 1983; Rutledge, 1981), but little is known about how people across poor and crowded Third World cities respond to the very limited outdoor recreational facilities available within their day-to-day living milieu. Citizens' high mobility and purchas-ing power, as well as the supply of varied recreational resources, counterbalance the need for urban residential parks in the West, whereas small outdoor areas interwoven into the residential fabric of poor Third World cities are potentially the prime resource to meet the day-to-day outdoor recreational needs of their residents.

Evaluation of a group exercise program for elderly women.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical training effect of a specific set of calisthenics performed by a supervised group of elderly women. The exercise program was designed to be performed by groups of subjects without using expensive equipment, large gymnasiums, or outdoor facilities. Fourteen women with an average age of 75.7 years trained for eight weeks. Five women with an average age of 71.8 years served as the control group. Submaximal graded exercise tolerance (GXT) step tests were performed before and after training. Significant decreases in submaximal GXT heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) were observed in the exercise group. Predicted maximal aerobic power (MAP) increased 12.4% in the exercise group. The control group demonstrated significant decreases for submaximal GXT SBP and RPP, but not for HR. Predicted MAP for the control group decreased 3.3%. We concluded that this particular training regimen could be used safely and effectively with elderly subjects. The decrease in submaximal GXT HR, SBP, and RPP and the increase in predicted MAP indicate that a training effect can be expected when this exercise regimen is performed by sedentary elderly women.

Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward the Commitment of Economic Resources to Outdoor Recreation Development

Data were collected from 1,386 Ohio residents in the fall of 1985 on a statewide basis to examine factors affecting willingness to commit economic resources to improve outdoor recreation facilities in the state. The research expectations used to guide the study were developed using utility modeling. The theoretical perspective basically argues that people would be more willing to support the commitment of limited economic resources to development efforts that have the potential to produce benefits for them. While the explained variance is relatively low, the findings are shown to be consistent with study hypotheses. The findings reveal that respondents believed more economic resources should be allocated to the development of outdoor recreation facilities. Implications of the findings are discussed in the context of future outdoor recreation development programs.

Breeding and care for wild woodchucks (Marmota monax) by indoor and outdoor housing

Woodchuck (Marmota monax) is a very useful animal for studying human diseases such as endocrine, metabolic or cardiovascular diseases. It is regarded especially as the most excellent animal model for human hepatic cell cancer since woodchuck hepatitis virus has various biological characters similar to those of human hepatitis B virus. We have investigated in domestic this wild animals as laboratory experimental animals and succeeded in breeding and rearing in our outdoor facilities.

Public opinion and interest group positions on open-space issues in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA: Implications for resource management

The purpose of this research was to elicit and compare the open-space preferences of citizens and openspace experts in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. A randomly selected sample of 492 citizens and 35 open-space experts participated in a telephone survey during May 5–18, 1986. The following hypothesis was tested and used as a guideline for the study: HO1: There is no significant difference between respondents' status and preference for open space in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The hypothesis was rejected. Findings confirmed respondents' status affected preference for open space. Of the eight issues on which the citizen and expert groups were compared, five recorded significant differences in response profiles. The open-space expert group was significantly more supportive of using open space to accommodate offroad vehicle facilities, wildlife preserves, a citywide recreational trail, and a trail system along the arroyos and city ditches. The citizen sample was significantly more supportive of using open space to accommodate overnight camping facilities. Both groups equally supported using open space to accommodate an outdoor amphitheater, outdoor education facilities, and rafting, kayaking, and canoeing facilities. The finding indicated that expert preferences did not represent an aggregate of citizen preferences for managing open-space resources. Understanding both expert and citizen positions will facilitate decision-making processes and help resolve environmental disputes.

Issues in the Preservation and Management of Open Space for Recreational Use in Metropolitan Chicago

Rising disposable income, changing priorities in personal spending, and growing time for leisure activities have significantly increased the demand for recreation facilities in the United States during the last several decades. ' With more urban residents spending their free hours in outdoor settings, greater attention is being devoted to the provision and management of open land in metropolitan areas. This is particularly true for major cities where the demand for accessible outdoor recreation facilities is very high in relation to the available land.

Urinary incontinence and its correlates in very old age.

The study describes the prevalence of urinary incontinence and factors associated with incontinence among the population of Tampere aged 84/85 years (n = 320). 18% of the males were occasionally incontinent and 21% were daily incontinent. The corresponding figures for females were 20 and 21% respectively. Incontinence was not associated with sex, living alone, parity, or outdoor toilet facilities. On the other hand, incontinence was found to be related to use of home nursing, home help or day hospital services, living in institutions, limitations in mobility, and the use of diuretics.

SOCIAL CLASS DIFFERENCES IN RESERVOIR VISITS1

ABSTRACT: Previous research provides evidence of a socioeconomic bias in outdoor recreational participation. One explanation of this bias is that socioeconomic groups have differential opportunities to participate, with the “costs” of this participation especially serving to restrict the recreational access of lower class persons living in urban areas. Using driving distance as a measure of cost, this study assessed the effects of travel costs on the attendance of three social class groups from an urban population at rural reservoir facilities. Findings support the contention that, while increased driving distance has a dampening effect on recreational participation, this effect is most pronounced for the lower class person. These findings point to the importance of equity considerations in the planning of outdoor recreational facilities.

Management of Public Outdoor Recreation Competition

The production of public outdoor recreation facilities in Canadian provinces can become more efficient and the benefits obtained from them more equitably shared by the public, if the rights to enjoy the recreational resources are shared equally by the residents and can be freely exchanged in the market place. Such an exchange is possible if a coupon system is introduced where all residents receive their share of existing facilities at the beginning of each year.

Recreation research and planning in the federal republic of Germany: A commentary

Abstract German recreation planning is strongly oriented toward the maintenance and provision of outdoor recreation areas. The rapidly growing consumption of outdoor recreation activities within a densely populated area has led to refined procedures of evaluating landuse potential and distributing outdoor facilities within environmental constraints. One such procedure is the use of attractivity models. Such models utilize a matrix of social, aesthetic, physical, and infrastructure attributes to arrive at a ranking of attractivity for given landscapes. The rankings are the basis of general landuse decisions and outdoor recreation investment procedures.

Advances in aeroacoustic wind tunnel testing techniques for aircraft noise research

To ensure meaningful evaluation and prediction of configuration and flight effects on aircraft noise generation and propagation, reliable representation and measurement of relevant aerodynamic flow conditions as well as of acoustic characteristics must be possible. Acoustic wind tunnels, with models mounted in a quiet test section airstream surrounded by an anechoic working chamber, have now been established as primary tools for noise-model research work and should next be exploited also for the direct support of specific quiet aircraft projects. The special advantages of such tunnels in ensuring a more sheltered and controlled environment than outdoor mobile-model facilities and flight testing include capability of continuous operation, repeatable test conditions, high productivity, good measurement accuracy, testing flexibility, and the precise alleviation of reflections from neighbouring surfaces. Of course the recent experience on noise testing under forward speed conditions and on associated techniques is still very limited at both model scale and full scale, as compared with extensive and continuous aerodynamic testing over half a century. However, many of the problem areas associated with subsonic tunnel design and application for noise-model testing, as identified over five years ago, have now been clarified. Also, the special treatments or limitations involved have become quantifiable in many respects, as discussed later under the convenient main headings of tunnel test section requirements (section 2), tunnel circuit design (section 3), special measurement and analysis techniques (section 4) and model scale simulation (section 5).

Effect of pretest temperature on aerosol penetration and clearance in donkeys.

Pretest temperature and humidity were correlated with tracheobronchial particle penetration and clearance data from donkeys housed in unheated outdoor facilities and tested after spending 1-2 h in a temperature- and humidity-controlled laboratory. The animals inhaled an inert insoluble radioisotope-labeled monodisperse aerosol for several minutes. Its retention was monitored continuously for 3 h by external gamma detection. Aerosol deposition pattern and bronchial clearance were linearly correlated with pretest outdoor temperature which ranged from -10 to 30 degrees C. The fraction depositing in the unciliated regions of the lung decreased 0.6% per degrees C drop in outdoor temperature. Overall bronchial transport decreased at least 1.5% per degrees C decrease. Multiple linear regression analysis and correction for the positive correlation between temperature and humidity left no significant residual humidity dependence. Acclimatization of the animals in the laboratory for 6 h before testing significantly reduced these effects.

Demand curves for public facilities

Attempts to estimate social benefits of public services by use of a willingness-to-pay metric have been hampered by the inability to generate the relevant demand curves. In this paper a novel technique for computing demand curves for existing and proposed direct and indirect public service facilities is developed. The technique is an extension of the Hotelling-Clawson-Knetsch method for estimating benefits associated with certain types of outdoor recreation facilities. The method relies upon the use of travel cost as a proxy for price; extensions are made in the way that substitution effects are incorporated into the model. After the model and its properties are specified a successful empirical application is made in the estimation of the benefits of selected outdoor recreation sites in the northeast United States. Results indicate that realistic estimates can be made at a relatively low cost.

Outdoor Recreation Economics

Outdoor recreation economics is an area similar to numerous other study areas in the general field of eco nomics. Economists working in this area are concerned with the efficiency of the allocation of resources between outdoor recreation facilities and programs, on the one hand, and goods and services, generally, on the other—and, within the area of outdoor recreation, with the efficiency of the resultant mix of facilities and programs. Concomitantly, they become in volved with the question of "distributive justice," namely, the distribution of recreational opportunities among the vari ous segments of the population. In this paper, we distinguish roughly between resource-oriented outdoor recreation, on the one hand, and population- or market-oriented outdoor recrea tion on the other. In the former, we find a predominantly middle- or upper-middle-income clientele and an economic en vironment which favors application of the analytical, manage ment, and policy tools of "efficiency economics." In the latter, we find concentrations of the impoverished among ghetto residents, and the question of equitable distribution of recrea tional facilities and programs becomes equally as important as the efficiency with which they are provided.

自然公園内の施設に関する研究

Outdoor recreation trends in America shown by a Bureau of Outdoor Recreation survey of participation in outdoor recreation activities. Data on which this report based was gathered by the Bereu of the Census under contract to the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation during the summer months of June, July and August, 1965. It sould be pointed out that heaviest public participation in a number of other important recreation activities, such as hunting, ice skating, snow skiing, football games and others takes place at other seasons.By the year 2000, their participation in the major forms of summertime outdoor recreation activities will be 4 times greater than it was in 1960. This is because by 1965 they already enjoyed 51 percent more outdoor recreation experiences in the major activities each summer than thay did in 1960. Now pressures on public and private outdoor recreation facilities are exceeding previous expectations by wide margins. In the natural parks we will need more recreation opportunities and service, many more visitor accomodation and facilities.