Travel In Germany Research Articles

W. E. B. Du Bois in Berlin, 1926: Political Mourning, the Rise of the Worker, and a Pan-Africanist's Rethinking of Blackness in Europe

abstract: W. E. B. Du Bois's 1926 travels in Germany have remained an almost blank page in our knowledge of his life until now. On the basis of archival and other materials, this article reconstructs the political and aesthetic turning point that the trip represents in his thought and writing. The Berlin that Du Bois had experienced in the 1890s serves as the backdrop for his observations in 1926, and his engagement with contemporaneous German intellectual and political life, as well as his interest in museums and visual art, inform the way he constructs Berlin as an idealized cosmopolitan space in his 1928 novel The Dark Princess .

Agent-Based Simulation of Long-Distance Travel: Strategies to Reduce CO2 Emissions from Passenger Aviation

Every sector needs to minimize GHG emissions to limit climate change. Emissions from transport, however, have remained mostly unchanged over the past thirty years. In particular, air travel for short-haul flights is a significant contributor to transport emissions. This article identifies factors that influence the demand for domestic air travel. An agent-based model was implemented for domestic travel in Germany to test policies that could be implemented to reduce air travel and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. The agent-based long-distance travel demand model is composed of trip generation, destination choice, mode choice and CO<sub>2</sub> emission modules. The travel demand model was estimated and calibrated with the German Household Travel Survey, including socio-demographic characteristics and area type. Long-distance trips were differentiated by trip type (daytrip, overnight trip), trip purpose (business, leisure, private) and mode (auto, air, long-distance rail and long-distance bus). Emission factors by mode were used to calculate CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Potential strategies and policies to reduce air travel demand and its CO<sub>2</sub> emissions are tested using this model. An increase in airfares reduced the number of air trips and reduced transport emissions. Even stronger effects were found with a policy that restricts air travel to trips that are longer than a certain threshold distance. While such policies might be difficult to implement politically, restricting air travel has the potential to reduce total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from transport by 7.5%.

George Eliot’s Travels in Germany

George Eliot’s Travels in Germany

Does ‘flight shame’ affect social norms? Changing perspectives on the desirability of air travel in Germany

‘Flight shame’ describes an unease about the climate implications of air travel, and bears evidence of a change in social norms that have so far associated flying with social status. This paper discusses whether Fridays for Future demonstrations and ensuing flight shame have influenced social norms regarding the desirability of air travel, and whether this is measurable in a decline in air travel, or policy support for measures curbing emissions from aviation. These aspects are discussed on the basis of German flight statistics and an online panel survey (n = 1002) conducted in August 2019 in Germany. Results show that, against a background of falling domestic air transport demand, respondents do not report a significant change in travel behaviour. However, a two-third majority of respondents indicate support for market-based measures increasing the cost of flying, as well as policies forcing airlines to reduce emissions and legislation abolishing subsidies. These findings point at an ongoing change in social norms, which could be reinforced if policymakers took advantage of public support for ambitious climate policies.

Active travel as stable source of physical activity for one third of German adults: Evidence from longitudinal data

Walking and cycling—active travel—can help adults achieve the World Health Organization’s recommended 150+ min of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Based on a nationally representative panel-survey of daily travel in Germany, this study assesses weekly minutes of active travel by adult respondents participating in a weeklong survey in two consecutive years. The paper first identifies person-level covariates for achieving 150+ min of active travel during a week in year 1 of panel participation. The analysis then compares the patterns of individuals falling into four groups of active travel over the two survey years: ‘high maintainers’ who achieved 150+ min in both year 1 and year 2; ‘low maintainers’ who did not achieve 150+ min in neither year 1 nor year 2; ‘adopters’ who did not achieve 150+ min in year 1, but did so in year 2; and ‘relapsers’ who achieved 150+ min in year 1, but not in year 2.About half (48%) of respondents achieved 150+ min of active travel per week in their first year of panel participation. Of those, about three-quarters were ‘high maintainers’ with 150+ min of active travel in both years. Logistic regressions showed that ‘high maintainers’ were more likely to be 30 years or older, not employed, have a monthly public transport pass, live within 2 km of a shopping destination, and less likely to own cars. Transport and land-use policies can help influence several of these factors. Compared to ‘low maintainers,’ policy interventions to increase population shares achieving health-enhancing levels of physical activity from active travel may be most promising when targeting ‘adopters’ and ‘relapsers.’ These groups are more similar to the ‘high maintainers,’ with at least one year reporting of health-enhancing physical activity from active travel—compared to the ‘low maintainers.’

Active travel despite motorcar access. A city-wide, GIS-based multilevel study on neighborhood walkability and active travel in Germany

Abstract Background Neighborhood walkability has consistently been associated with utilitarian walking and total physical activity in non-European studies. However, evidence on environmental correlates of physical activity in Europe is still scarce and little is known about potential interactions between neighborhood walkability, active travel, and individual or household related characteristics including available means of transport. Methods The study examined the association of neighborhood walkability with self-reported active travel in Bielefeld, Germany. Travel survey data from 2867 adult residents and geographic information for 88 neighborhoods were analyzed in multilevel Poisson regression models including relevant interaction terms to assess potential effect modifications by age, gender, household members, available means of transport, and neighborhood socio-economic status. Results Active travel frequencies increased with female gender, available bicycles, neighborhood walkability and decreased with more household members, motorcars, and public transport passes within households. In the final model, a one standard deviation change in neighborhood walkability was associated with an estimated 27.5% increase in active travel trips. Stronger effects were found at younger ages and in participants with greater motorcar availability. No evidence was found for an effect modification by neighborhood socioeconomic status, household members, available public transport passes, or gender. Conclusions The positive association between neighborhood walkability and active travel shown in other urban contexts was confirmed in a historically evolved city in Germany. The observed effect varied with respondents’ age and available motorcars, which is in line with recent findings and suggests that public health advocacy in urban planning could promote physical activity on a population level, including those with motorcar access.

Dostoevsky’s Idea of the Golden Age

This article explores the semantic and intertextual ambience of the concept of the Golden Age as it appears in Stavrogin’s dream in the novel Demons. The motif of the Golden Age is considered a personal symbol deployed in Stavrogin’s dream and in his dualogue with the monk Tikhon. In At Tikhon’s, the originally unpublished chapter of the novel Demons, we can speak about three events and consequently three layers of time: 1/ the story of the little girl; 2/ the dream during the travels in Germany; 3/ the conversation with Tikhon. All together, the three time-layers can be read not only as a temporal structure, but also as three utterances, articulated in three different lan-guages, which are a realization of the meaning-paradigm constituted by the novel. Thus we conclude that the Golden Age reveals the grounding of a new “being-in-the-making” as a “new reality”, constituted by the novel-discourse.

Deutsche Bahn AG: a former monopoly off track?

Synopsis Deutsche Bahn AG (Deutsche Bahn hereafter) was the former German railroad monopolist until deregulation in 1996. It was a well-known company that operated in worldwide markets for transport and logistics at the time of the case (late 2013). The case “Deutsche Bahn AG: a former monopoly off track?” focuses on the opportunities and challenges faced by Deutsche Bahn with regard to its position in the German individual transportation market. On the one hand, Deutsche Bahn is facing external problems. Increasing competition in short- and long-distance traffic threatens its strong business position. The competition emerged from a growing long-distance bus market and the increase in private railway companies. During the last few years before 2013, Deutsche Bahn has lost several public tenders for individual passenger travel in Germany. On the other hand, Deutsche Bahn has internal problems that endanger its image as a service company. A lack of service quality and the technical condition of its trains has led to rising numbers of customer complaints. In addition, staffing and punctuality problems have exacerbated the situation. One of the main technical issues the company faces is that ordered trains have not been delivered on time. Given the focus on Deutsche Bahn’s domestic challenges, its international business activities are tackled only briefly. While regulatory and political events have an impact on Deutsche Bahn, these are not the main subjects of the case. Research methodology This case has been written from public sources. Consequently, no company release is provided. None of the information has been disguised in any way. Relevant courses and levels The case is intended for use in a 90-minute strategic management class attended by students at the end of their undergraduate studies or in postgraduate study. Although the case relates to issues in strategic management, the special regulatory environment and some of the issues covered could make the case a useful complement in other classes as well, such as classes in supply chain management (procurement) or the management of public companies. Therefore, students should have basic knowledge in developing strategies, management, marketing, human resource management, and finance. Theoretical bases Strategic Analysis and Strategic Management, Railroad Logistics, Deregulation of a former Monopoly, Stakeholder Theory.

GHG emissions in daily travel and long-distance travel in Germany – Social and spatial correlates

There is considerable research on the climate effects of daily travel, including research on the spatio-temporal and socioeconomic impact factors of daily travel and associated climate change effects. However, this is less true with respect to long-distance trips. This paper uses national transport survey data from Germany to point out differences in GHG emissions related to demographic, socioeconomic and spatial characteristics for daily and long-distance travel. Daily travel and long-distance travel are investigated simultaneously and separately using Logit and OLS regressions. The results show that transport-related GHG emissions from long-distance trips and daily trips are affected by sociodemographics in largely the same direction. In contrast, spatial attributes, like municipality size or density grade of the region, show a different picture. Per capita emissions in rural and suburban areas are higher for daily trips, but lower for long-distance trips than emissions caused by urban residents. While we cannot rule out the possibility of residential self-selection, our findings challenge the idea that compact urban development may help reduce CO2 emissions once long-distance trips are taken into account.

Effect Symmetry of Benefit Criteria in Postpurchase Evaluations

ABSTRACTThis research proposes a theoretical model of postpurchase evaluations that incorporates seven sets of benefits: functional, symbolic, economic, safety, hedonic, moral, and leisure benefits. These benefit criteria are well documented in the literature. The study reported here was designed to test the effect symmetry of these benefit criteria in postpurchase evaluations. Effect symmetry refers to whether increases in a benefit are likely to cause proportional increases in postpurchase evaluations. The study tested the hypothesis that “must‐have” benefits (functional, economic, and safety benefits) are negatively asymmetric, whereas the “nice‐to‐have” benefits (symbolic, hedonic, moral, and leisure benefits) are positively symmetric. Five surveys were conducted in relation to five product categories in four countries (computers and automobiles in the United States, banks in France, housing in Korea, and leisure travel in Germany). Respondents completed 2386 questionnaires, of which 2291 were used in the statistical analysis. With respect to effect symmetry, the results indicate that the criterion of functional benefits is negatively asymmetric in predicting postpurchase evaluations, whereas symbolic and moral benefits are positively asymmetric. Hedonic and leisure benefits are symmetric. Managerial implications are discussed.

Changes in Variability and Flexibility of Individual Travel in Germany

Are daily life and daily travel behavior in Germany more flexible today than it was 10 to 15 years ago? Against the background of an increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and the question of that impact on daily life, this paper analyzes changes in the variability of travel behavior. The paper examines the data from individual travel diaries of a whole week covering a longitudinal perspective over 15 years. These two dimensions of information allow for more detailed evaluation of variability profiles. The analyses were based on traditional key values of daily travel as well as new customized measures of individual variability in travel behavior in the course of a whole week. The paper investigated the temporal development by sociodemographic group. The results show that travel behavior patterns of young men and woman in Germany are becoming more similar. The young age group drives several trends, including multimodality. However, at the same time, young men are shifting their leisure habits toward more home-located activities; this effect is possibly partly induced by the influence of ICT.

Heterogeneity in the Correlates of Motorized and Non-Motorized Travel in Germany – The Intervening Role of Gender

Drawing on individual-level mobility data from Germany between 1996 and 2009, this analysis econometrically investigates the determinants of automobile, public transit, and non-motorized travel against the backdrop of two questions: 1) Does gender play a role in determining the relative use of motor and non-motorized modes? 2) If so, how is this role mitigated or exacerbated by other socioeconomic attributes of the individual and the household? The results indicate that women display a relatively higher use of public transit and non-motorized modes coupled with a lower use of the car. However, it is important to qualify conclusions drawn with respect to the effect of gender given the range of confounding factors that mediate its impact, including age, the presence of children, the proximity to public transit, and the commute distance. The econometric estimates indicate that fare pricing and infrastructure provision have a significant influence on how individuals reach mode allocation decisions, and that women, in particular, stand to benefit from the maintenance of an efficient and dense public transportation network.

Heterogeneity in Correlates of Motorized and Nonmotorized Travel in Germany

Drawing on individual-level mobility data from Germany between 1996 and 2009, this analysis econometrically investigates the determinants of automobile, public transit, and nonmotorized travel. The paper explores whether gender plays a role in determining the relative use of motorized and nonmotorized modes and, if so, how this role is mitigated or exacerbated by other socioeconomic attributes of the individual and the household. The results indicate that women display a relatively higher use of public transit and nonmotorized modes coupled with a lower use of the car. However, it is important to qualify conclusions on the effect of gender, given the range of confounding factors that mediate its impact, including age, the presence of children, the proximity to public transit, and the commute distance. The econometric estimates indicate that fare pricing and infrastructure provision have a significant influence on how individuals reach mode allocation decisions and that women, in particular, stand to benefit from the maintenance of an efficient and dense public transportation network.

‘A true witness of transience’: Berlin's Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche and the symbolic use of architectural fragments in modernity

This paper considers the ruin in the context of three emblematic modern German sites, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin, the Frauenkirche in Dresden and the Reichstag, also in Berlin. Different sites, the author shows, format and present the relationship between past and present in different ways. The paper develops its argument using the views of German philosopher Günther Anders (Hannah Arendt's first husband), and extracts from his diaries and travels in Germany after the Second World War. Anders' views on the ruin are contrasted with those of Georg Simmel and others. The author considers the relationship between, on the one hand, the idea of the picturesque and, on the other, the ruin as a memorial to violent conflict and injustice, in which different modalities of memory can play their part.

Active Travel in Germany and the U.S.: Contributions of Daily Walking and Cycling to Physical Activity

Travel surveys in Europe and the U.S. show large differences in the proportion of walking and cycling trips without considering implications for physical activity. This study estimates differences between Germany and the U.S. over time in population levels of daily walking and cycling at different health-enhancing thresholds across sociodemographic groups. Uniquely comparable national travel surveys for the U.S. (NHTS 2001 and 2009) and Germany (MiD 2002 and 2008) were used to calculate the number, duration, and distance of active trips per capita. The population-weighted person and trip files for each survey were merged to calculate population levels of any walking/cycling, walking/cycling 30 minutes/day, and achieving 30 minutes in bouts of at least 10 minutes. Logistic regression models controlled for the influence of socioeconomic variables. Data were analyzed in 2010. Between 2001/2002 and 2008/2009, the proportion of "any walking" was stable in the U.S. (18.5%) but increased in Germany from 36.5% to 42.3%. The proportion of "any cycling" in the U.S. remained at 1.8% but increased in Germany from 12.1% to 14.1%. In 2008/2009, the proportion of "30 minutes of walking and cycling" in Germany was 21.2% and 7.8%, respectively, compared to 7.7% and 1.0% in the U.S. There is much less variation in active travel among socioeconomic groups in Germany than in the U.S. German women, children, and seniors walk and cycle much more than their counterparts in the U.S. The high prevalence of active travel in Germany shows that daily walking and cycling can help a large proportion of the population to meet recommended physical activity levels.

Transport Policies, Automobile Use, and Sustainable Transport: A Comparison of Germany and the United States

The automobile contributes to costly trends like pollution, oil dependence, congestion, and obesity. This article investigates determinants of individual car travel through a comparison of Germany and the USA. Even controlling for socioeconomic variables and spatial development patterns, two comparable national travel surveys show that Germans are less car-dependent than Americans. Multivariate analysis reveals that car travel demand in the USA is more responsive to price than in Germany. Results suggest Americans may more easily reduce driving when faced with increasing gasoline prices. Low costs of driving in the USA may contribute to more discretionary driving, whereas higher costs of car travel in Germany may have already encouraged prudent car use.

The Mail-Coach Revolution: Landmarks in Travel in Germany Between the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Centuries

The Mail-Coach Revolution: Landmarks in Travel in Germany Between the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Centuries

A disaggregate Box-Cox Logit mode choice model of intercity passenger travel in Germany and its implications for high-speed rail demand forecasts

We show that enriching logit mode choice model specification by mode attributes, socio economic variables and trip purpose characteristics significantly improves model quality, and that Box-Cox transformations applied to model attributes imply an asymmetry of the reaction curve, as well as more reasonable properties (diminishing marginal values of time savings, elasticities and values of time that differ among the modes) than those of the linear logit model. Moreover, the model yielded very different high speed rail market shares for Germany than results obtained with the usual linear utility functions.

“Pharmacognosy”! What’s that? you spell it how?

In this autobiographical sketch, the author discusses the development of his interest in the biological sciences, crediting his father, his first employer, his high school science teacher, and his college pharmacognosy professor with initially shaping his career. His early work on ergot alkaloid biosynthesis and subsequently, together with students and colleagues, on the toxic constituents of basidiomycetes is detailed. This is followed by comments on his developing interest in the therapeutic utility of herbs and phytomedicinals. A concern with the beneficial use of such products stemmed largely from observations made during sabbatical leaves and frequent travel in Germany. The importance of such botanicals (not currently recognized as drugs in the United States) in our developing health-care system is emphasized. The author concludes his comments by thanking his wife, his teachers, his students, and his many colleagues and friends for their unstinting assistance and support during his entire career.

Michael Polanyi, 12 March 1891- 22 February 1976

Michael Polanyi was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1891. He used to recall how his father, a civil engineer and entrepreneur involved in the planning and development of railways, would return from his travels in Germany and the West with tales of tunnels and washouts and with new scientific and educational ideas. But, as a result of some unfortunate mishap, he lost all his fortune in 1899 when Michael was eight years old. This placed a severe financial strain on the family which was greatly aggravated in 1905 when Michael’s father died. Michael or Mishi, as his early friends called him throughout life, then earned some of the money needed in the family by tutoring other high school students. The widowed mother, despite straitened means, was able to remain the centre of a social and intellectual circle of which many of the young poets, painters and scholars of that period in Hungary were members. Thus it was that his mother’s persistent interest in social problems, in poetry and art, came to have a great influence on Michael’s emotional development. He had two brothers and two sisters, older than him, who were all, in their ways, distinguished.