Improving Traffic Infrastructure in a Developing Country

Keng Lin Soh,Wai Peng Wong,Chu Le Chong,Yan Hwan Hiew 대한산업공학회 2014 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.13 No.2

Economic growth with rising household income has put more vehicles on the roads worsening traffic congestion, road accidents, and air and noise pollution. This situation is further aggravated by the potential working population who choose to drive to work instead of taking public transportation. Public bus transport (PBT) plays an important role in alleviating these problems. PBT is underutilized in Malaysia, and there is an opportunity to increase ridership without substantial investment. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the factors that influence the use of PBT in Malaysia. The data were collected using structured questionnaires from 400 respondents. The results of the analysis show that the twin factors consisting of perceived satisfaction of and perceived importance by users towards safety and comfort of facilities and services offered by PBT are significantly related to intention to use those services. The satisfaction of availability of season tickets, the importance of reliability of bus schedule and time table, and the importance of ticket pricing are also significant. By providing insights for both public bus operators and the government, this paper contributes to mitigate the underutilization of PBT in Malaysia and the consequences of putting more vehicles on the roads. From the theory perspective, this paper also contributes by extending the theory of reasoned-action to transportation studies.

Improving Traffic Infrastructure in a Developing Country: An Investigation into the Usage of Public Bus Transport in Malaysia

Soh, Keng Lin,Wong, Wai Peng,Chong, Chu Le,Hiew, Yan Hwan Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers 2014 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.13 No.2

Economic growth with rising household income has put more vehicles on the roads worsening traffic congestion, road accidents, and air and noise pollution. This situation is further aggravated by the potential working population who choose to drive to work instead of taking public transportation. Public bus transport (PBT) plays an important role in alleviating these problems. PBT is underutilized in Malaysia, and there is an opportunity to increase ridership without substantial investment. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the factors that influence the use of PBT in Malaysia. The data were collected using structured questionnaires from 400 respondents. The results of the analysis show that the twin factors consisting of perceived satisfaction of and perceived importance by users towards safety and comfort of facilities and services offered by PBT are significantly related to intention to use those services. The satisfaction of availability of season tickets, the importance of reliability of bus schedule and time table, and the importance of ticket pricing are also significant. By providing insights for both public bus operators and the government, this paper contributes to mitigate the underutilization of PBT in Malaysia and the consequences of putting more vehicles on the roads. From the theory perspective, this paper also contributes by extending the theory of reasoned-action to transportation studies.

The role of institutions at the nexus of logistic performance and foreign direct investment in Asia

Soh Keng Lin,Wong Wai Peng,Tang Chor Foon 한국해운물류학회 2021 The Asian journal of shipping and Logistics Vol.37 No.2

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays an important part in the economic growth of developing Asia and logistics capability is a crucial factor in FDI location choice. Till today, research investigating Logistics Performance (LP) and FDI in Asia are still lacking and rather inconclusive and not standardised. Using a total of 31 Asian countries covering 2007 through 2017, the study critically investigates the impact of LP on FDI using static panel regression method. The results demonstrate that while LP significantly impact FDI, there is a threshold effect of institutional quality in the LP-FDI relationship. Specifically, this paper found that the impact of LP on FDI varies across the perceived level of institutional quality i.e., the effect is positive only before certain threshold level of institutional quality, after which the effect of LP on FDI is reversed. This finding suggests that the LP-FDI nexus is contingent on the perceived level of institutional quality, thus supporting the idea that innovations (i.e., creativity and flexibility embedded within a sound institutional framework) is potent in delivering long-run LP-FDI development in Asia.

The earliest timing of ultrasound in screening for developmental dysplasia of the hips

Si Heng Sharon Tan,Keng Lin Wong,Andrew Kean Seng Lim,James HoiPo Hui 대한초음파의학회 2019 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.38 No.4

Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the results of ultrasound screening for developmental dysplasia of the hips (DDH) done at various weeks of life, to determine the earliest time that ultrasound screening can be performed reliably. Methods: In this 17-year cohort study, all neonates who underwent ultrasound screening prior to the 12th week of life with subsequent follow-up radiography done at 1 year of life were included. The ultrasound images were evaluated according to the Graf classification, Harcke’s dynamic ultrasound screening method, and Terjesen’s femoral head coverage method. The radiographic images were evaluated according to the acetabular index and the femoral head position. The accuracy and correlation between the ultrasound findings from various weeks of life with the radiographic findings at 1 year of life were evaluated. Results: A total of 348 neonates were included in the study, of whom 92 had abnormal ultrasound findings and 42 had abnormal radiographic findings at 1 year. Significant differences were identified between the findings of ultrasound screening examinations performed prior to the fourth week of life (day 21 and before) and the radiographic findings at 1 year of life (P<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were identified when ultrasound screening was performed between the fourth and 12th weeks of life (day 22 and beyond) (P>0.05). The accuracy of ultrasound screening was 79.2% or higher when performed during or after the fourth week of life (day 22 and beyond). Conclusion: The earliest that ultrasound screening for DDH can be performed reliably is during the fourth week of life (day 22 and beyond).

Correlations between ultrasonographic and subsequent radiographic findings of developmental dysplasia of the hips

Si Heng Sharon Tan,Cheng Han Wu,Keng Lin Wong,James HoiPo Hui 대한초음파의학회 2020 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.39 No.1

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the utility of ultrasonographic (US) findings in predicting the subsequent radiographic parameters of developmental dysplasia of the hips. Methods: In this 12-year retrospective cohort study, all new-born infants with a positive clinical examination or risk factors were included. They were scheduled for hip ultrasonography in the first 3 months, and subsequent radiographs at 1 year of life. The US images were evaluated using the Graf classification, Harcke’s dynamic screening method, and Terjesen’s femoral head coverage method. The radiographic images were evaluated using the acetabular index and femoral head position. The overall US or radiographic findings were considered abnormal if they were classified as abnormal for any of their respective parameters. The overall US and radiographic parameters were correlated. Results: A total of 160 patients were included. The overall US and radiographic parameters showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.050). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the overall US parameters were 57.1%, 84.9%, and 81.3%, respectively. All three individual US parameters showed no statistically significant differences, with the overall radiographic findings and acetabular index (P>0.05). However, they showed a statistically significant difference, with the position of the femoral head (P<0.001), with the US parameters having an excellent negative predictive value of 100% for identifying an abnormal femoral head position. Conclusion: The current study suggests that US findings evaluated in the first 3 months of life showed no statistically significant difference with radiographic findings evaluated at 1 year of life. The US parameters showed an excellent negative predictive value for abnormal femoral head position on radiographs