Thursday, July 30, 2015

How Major Cities Around The World Are Responding To Dwindling Car Parking Space.

How Major Cities Around The World Are Responding To Dwindling Car Parking Space.


By Tom Okure, PH.D
Date: July 30, 2015


The Necessity of Adequate Parking in Urbanized Centers

Adequate parking spaces are a necessity in any modern city.  A modern city requires sufficient parking facilities to accommodate city residents and visitors to the city to park their cars. Cars are an indispensable mode of modern transportation, and a modern city must plan to meet the parking needs vehicle owners. If city workers, residents and visitors cannot find adequate parking facilities or determine that they have to pay too much for parking, some people may decide to find other employment elsewhere or visitors may decide not to return to the city to shop, dine or spend their money in the city.  City residents also need cost effective parking facilities to park their vehicles near their homes and workplace or they may decide to relocate away from the city.

Parking space problems in cities are not necessarily a new phenomenon. Having said that, here are some new and existing trends that major urbanized city centers around the world have been using to respond to their parking space problems.

Automated Parking System (APS)

Many cities are responding to the problem of dwindling space for parking by encouraging the development of “Automated Parking Systems” (APS) as shown in this video.


APS are also referred to by many other names in the parking industry including robotic parking system, rotary parking system, stacker parking and automatic parking etc. An APS is simply a mechanical parking system which moves cars from an entry point to an existing parking space. Cars are stacked vertically in multiple levels purposely, in order to utilize as little land space as necessary so that many cars as possible can be parked in a little space. APS are totally automatic systems and require little personnel to operate

Automatic parking systems are very space efficient and a growing trend in many expanding cities with limited land space. You can simply stack all the cars, and the parking space does not have to be as wide as in a conventional parking lot, which occupies a lot of land space.  The main benefit of an APS is that more cars can by vertically stacked in a compact space by moving the cars by platforms and lifts. There are also no need for ramps or pedestrian areas in the parking facility.

Multistory and Economical Double Deck Lifting Parking Systems.

Many highly congested cities in the USA and Europe have historically relied on multistory and economical, practical double deck and lifting type parking systems to resolve their car parking problems. Visitors to New York City can attest to the difficulties associated with finding adequate cost effective parking in a typical work day week.
Picture Above Shows A Double
Deck Lifting Parking Systems

This can be especially frustrating if you have a major meeting and you have to be on time or a shopping activity in a particular place and you find yourself driving over and over a number of streets and avenues far away from your intended destination just to park your car.

Multistory Parking Facility in New York City





Everywhere you go in the major cities of the world like Tokyo Japan; New York City USA; London UK; Soul Korea; Guangdong China etc. one can easily find multistory and practical double deck lifting type parking systems.







The Growing Trend For Smart Phone Parking Apps

Technological advancements have also increased the use of smart phones and apps to improve customer service and improve parking solutions in major cities.  Smart phone parking apps are becoming a must have item for savvy car owners and a growing trend in many urbanized centers. 

These parking apps allow its users to pay for parking with the use of an (online) application. These mobile applications are implemented by the parking industry in many ways in the parking process. A driver with a smart phone and a parking app can access real time parking information and can be guided or directed through the phone to the nearest parking facility with real time occupancy and pricing information. Some of these smart phone apps can also inform (or message) parking lot users on a real time basis that their time on a parking meter or parking facility is about to expire and provides the user of the app with an option to extend their parking time and avoid packing violation fee penalties.

Online Smartphone App
Major cities in the USA and Europe have been using smart phone apps to guide drivers to where to find the nearest empty parking space. These phone apps have become a vital tool for visitors visiting congested cities with hard to find parking facilities.  Many parking lot developers and owners now have electronic sensors placed in designated parking facilities. Smart phone users with a parking app that is voice controlled, can be guided to the nearest available space.

In November 2012, Ellicott City, MD in the USA started using an online smartphone app which greatly helped busy motorists in the city to find the best available parking spot.  The app directs travelers in real time to open parking spots just like a GPS provides directions to the city itself. The app works by providing real time information on available parking spots in Ellicott City based on data gathered by street level sensors mounted wherever parking spots are available. 

…..Read more 


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All rights reserved by Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc). The information included in this publication may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, economic development and public policy advisor, commentator and change advocate. Dr. Okure is the CEO of ICMS,Inc a New York State based management/business consulting firm and Global Master Servicing Agent (MSA) which provides referral, advisory, training, diagnostic and assessment and speaker services.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Nigerian National Youth Service Corps announces new policy exempting pregnant women, nursing mothers and post-graduate students from national service

NYSC Program: Policy Update

By Tom Okure, Ph.D
July 24, 2015

NYSC Exempts Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers and Postgraduate Students From National Service

Photo credit: Nigerian Vanguard Newspaper
After a two-day pre-mobilization workshop held in Kaduna, Nigeria for the 2015 Batch “B” NYSC program, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, Director-General of the NYSC, announced a new NYSC policy which exempts pregnant women, nursing mothers and post-graduate students from national service because according to NYSC, they would not be able to effectively participate in the four main programs of the NYSC which includes mobilization, orientation, primary assignment and winding-up passing out parade.

This policy announcement closes a major loophole and programmatic weakness utilized by prospective corps members, especially pregnant women and nursing mothers whereby they would obtain medical waivers etc. enabling them to be absent from the critical
Photo credit: Nigerian Vanguard Newspaper
program stages of the national service, only to reappear later for posting to their various places of primary assignments.

NYSC Program Scheme


The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war. The unfortunate antecedents in our national history gave impetus to the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps by decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973 which stated that the NYSC is being established "with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity". 

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Read More:

Monday, July 20, 2015

Nigeria's President Buhari's Four Days Visit to the United States

President Buhari's Visit to the United States

Author: Tom Okure, Ph.D
Date: July 20, 2015

President Buhari arriving in the USA for a
four day visit to the United States 
Nigeria’s President Buhari is on a four-day visit to the United States, the first such visit to
Washington since taking office in May 2015 in a rare peaceful transition of power in Nigeria.

United State President Obama and Nigeria’s President Buhari today discussed investment opportunities between both countries and repairing corruption in the Nigerian government.

Welcoming formalities upon arrival in the United States
Buhari’s visit to the USA marks a positive change in United States/Nigerian relations. Nigerian president is being received in Washington prior to Obama’s planed Africa trip and signals the importance the United States places on the relationship.

US  President Obama and Nigeria's President Buhari
meeting in the White House
Both countries experienced difficult relations during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The relations was stressed under Jonathan, who unsuccessfully struggled to defeat Boko Haram terrorist during most of his term as Nigeria’s president. Jonathan’s administration did not also take kindly to the United States open criticism of corruption in his government and consequently cancelled a planned United States training program for Nigerian troops to combat the insurgency of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Today Buhari had breakfast with Vice President Joe Biden and later met with diplomats from West African countries, World Bank executives, and United States Congressional members. President Buhari is also scheduled to hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians on Tuesday July 21, 2015

Related Links

Nigerian President Buhari Meets With Obama Amidst Struggles Against Boko Haram
Significance Of Nigerian President Buharis US Vsit

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All rights reserved by Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc). The information included in this publication may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy commentator and change advocate.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are Trending in the United States

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are Trending in the United States

Author: Tom Okure, Ph.D
Date: July 16, 2015

Did You Know That …. Electric vehicles are trending and are the wave of the future?  Yes, you heard it from me, and if you are an electric car owners you are part of a small but steadily growing community in the United States.  

Tanger Factory Outlet
Public records indicates that there are over 10,003 electric vehicle (EV) stations and 25,874 charging outlets excluding privately owned stations in the United States.  Many state governments, shopping malls etc., are recognizing the trend and investing in electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid charging stations.  

Greensboro, North Carolina-based Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. recently announced that in addition to its electric vehicle charging stations in its Deer Park and Riverhead Tanger Outlets, it plans to create a network of 23 electric vehicle charging stations at Tanger locations across the country.  

Colonie Center, Albany NY
New York State Governor Cuomo recently announced that New York State will install more than 360 electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid charging stations across the state as part of what he termed the Charge NY initiative. The initiative is spearheaded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and plans to establish a statewide network of up to 3,000 public and workplace charging stations over a period of five years and to put up to 40,000 plug-in vehicles on the road during the period.

Some proactive shopping malls like “Colonie Center” in Albany, New York have already set up dedicated and well-marked electric vehicle plugin charging stations in their parking lot dedicated to electric vehicles.  

Colonie Center, Albany New York
electric vehicle plugin charging station
There are other electric vehicle charging stations in the New York Capital District. This writer found four dedicated spots at Niskayuna ShopRite supermarket for electric vehicles. There are also charging stations in Malta, New York at the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park and also at the HVCC Tec-Smart facility.  Other facilities in Albany, New York can be found in Guilderland at NYSERDA and in downtown Albany at the Holiday Inn Express.

One last note. A dedicated and well-marked electric vehicle plugin charging station is highly recommended when seting up a charging station to prevent non-electric car owners from blocking the charging stations…….Now You Know



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All rights reserved by Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc). The information included in this publication may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy commentator and change advocate






















Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Exotic Vacation Destinations - Romblom

Exotic Vacation Destinations

Ever heard of Romblom?

Escape to the Island of Romblom, a tourist attraction in the Philippines and relax, renew and enjoy yourself while exploring the amazing marble industry, and stepping back in time to enjoy its rich history, ancestral houses, seafood and friendly natives eager to help you make your vacation a memorable one.

*** A Double #BecomingFilipino Video Day :)... Adventure Catch Up Time! Wahoo! Aside from the amazing marble...

Posted by Becomingfilipino on Saturday, July 4, 2015

Monday, July 13, 2015

Nigeria’s President Buhari Announces The Appointments of New NSA and Military Service Chiefs

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT BUHARI ANOUNCES THE APPOINTMENTS OF NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND NSA 

July, 13, 2015
Source: Femi Adesina 
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments: 

  • Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin - Chief of Defence Staff; 
  • Major-General T.Y. Buratai - Chief of Army Staff 
  • Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas - Chief of Naval Staff 
  • Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar - Chief of Air Staff 
  • Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan - Chief of Defence Intelligence 
  • Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) - National Security Adviser 

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State. 

The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until his new appointment today, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena. Maj-Gen. Buratai has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army's 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State. 

The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983. His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited. 

The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State. His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters. 

The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate. President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Commentary

A few hours before the announcement of the new appointments, Femi Adesina who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity had annouced that Buhari had dismissed the existing National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the current service chiefs of the army, air force and the navy and would annouce their replacements shortly.

 Dismissed Military Service Chiefs
The service chiefs whose current appointments are terminated are Usman Jibrin, Chief of Naval Staff; Alex Badeh, Chief of Defense Staff; Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Army Staff and Adesola Amosu, Chief of Air Staff.

Footnote:  

One may recall the directive from the All Progressives Congress (APC) when they were in opposition to the PDP on its members in the Senate chamber to resist the screening the service chiefs until the political crisis in Rivers State was resolved by the federal government.

Related link: President Jonathan Swears Nigerias New Military Chiefs


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The World’s Longest Sea Bridge

The World’s Longest Sea Bridge

Did You Know That: China has the “World’s Longest Sea Bridge?”


Yes you head it from me. It took 17 tears for China to plan, design and build and engineering marvel and bridge capable to withstand the high salt content and icy winters of the Qingdao Jiaozhou bay. The bridge spans 26.4 miles between Qingdao and Huangdao.



It is astonishing that the bridge only took four years to build, with about 10,000 workers on the construction team. The bridge is estimated to have cost $2.3 billion to build and about 450,000 tons of steel and 81 million cubic feet of concrete was utilized its construction.








About 30,000 cars use this bridege to cross the bay each day. Travellers between Huangdao and Qingdao cut in half a 40 minutes journey to 20 minutes.… Now You Know ~ Dr. Tom Okure



Monday, July 6, 2015

The Word "GAY" Did Not Originally Mean Homosexual

The Word "GAY" Did Not Originally Mean Homosexual

Date: July 6, 2015
Atribution and Source: http://www.todayifoundout.com/

Just Hear Me Out: ......The Word "GAY" Did Not Originally Mean Homosexual.......In the the 12th century...The word "GAY" originally meant something to the effect of “joyful”, “carefree”, “full of mirth”, or “bright and showy”.
In the 17th century the word GAY began to be associated with immorality. By 1955, the word GAY had acquired the added definition and reference to homosexual males. Enlighten your senses by learning more about the historical origins of the word "Gay"...http://www.todayifoundout.com/…/how-gay-came-to-mean-homo…/…

Death Has Forgotten Me

 Death Has Forgotten Me

An Indian man Mahashta Mûrasi who claims to be born in 1835 is not only the oldest man in the world but also the man who lived the longest since the history of mankind (according to the Guinness World Records).

Mahashta Mûrasi who claims to be born in 1835
According to the information transmitted, the man was born in Bangalore on January 6 1835.De 1903, he lived in Varanasi, where he worked until 1957, until his retirement in 122 years.
According to WorldNewsDailyReport, all official documents to identify this man support his version.
My grandchildren have died there a few years, “said Mûrasi.” In a way, death has forgotten me. And now I have lost all hope to die!



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Attribution and Source: http://www.vibenigeria.com/death-has-forgotten-me-179-years-old-man-cries-out/

Thursday, July 2, 2015

The Dead Sea


Did You Know That: the lowest place on earth is the Dead Sea, estimated to extend 1,312 feet below sea level.  Objects, even people float in the Dead Sea. Why? Scientist say that the Dead Sea water pushes objects (people) upward to float because the floating objects are lighter (less dense) than water.




The Dead Sea is a very highly salinated lake which borders Jordan, Israel and Palestine and is saturated with salt and the salt water is denser (heavier) than normal water. While it is true that people can float in regular water, it is even easier to float in the salt water of the Dead Sea because it is denser…… Now You Know ~ Dr. Tom Okure