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1. Article Critique: Pricing Vehicle Emissions and Congestion on an Urban Road Network using Dynamic Traffic Simulator

   Abstract        

   In their insightful piece, Vosough, de Palma, and Lindsey (2020) contribute to the ongoing efforts geared towards the reduction of congestion and air pollution in urban centers by proposing a simulation model, which should be applied during the architectural phase to ensure that road users part with convenient amounts of money as a reimbursement for the emissions from their vehicles. These authors believe that the METROPOLIS framework can go a long way in reducing unwarranted traffic by charging road users (drivers) based on the time spent on traffic. This model is grounded on the belief that at least 1,536 points of pollutants such as CO, PM2.5, CO2, and NOX are emitted every 500 meters. For this reason, they suggest installation of polls at such intervals to price road users for the same.

   Paper’s Strengths

   The most valuable aspect of this piece is its reliance on a proved architectural model for public roads. The METROPOLIS framework takes various factors into account, including the time spent by travelers on road as well as the costs of transit. It offers an opportunity to design transport networks that reduce both time and money spent on trips while still charging the users on the basis of congestion and emission. The need for this model is further affirmed by the use of statistical data showing high health costs when the intervention is not applied.

   Opportunities for Improvement

   As much as the authors rely on a valuable tool to recommend transformative change in the road transport systems, they do not break down the information effectively. Such a bold declaration is inspired by the belief that this piece is written for policymakers and lobbyists, yet it is not easy to decipher. Perhaps, further explanation of the METROPOLITAN model can help enhance its value to a broader audience.

   Lesson Learnt

   When reading through this paper, I learnt that the value of information is largely attributable to its presentation. Even though this piece offers crucial information, excessive technicalities make it impossible for the most valuable audience (includes lobbyists and policymakers) from grasping its recommendations. On this note, I believe that too much jargon is useless for papers meant to influence public decision.

   Grade

               Fairly stating, this article deserves a flat 80 percent mark (Grade B) since it offers relevant and credible information based on a proved theoretical framework. The 20 percent deduction is attributed to the unwarranted technicality in its presentation considering its target audience.

Answer

Assessing Risk and Reward

The Nissan Motor Company is one of the leading automobile makers in the world. The Japanese carmaker has primarily enjoyed a successful run, allowing it to enter various regional and international markets such as the United States. However, the changing business environment was not favorable to the company in 2019. Notably, the cooperation recorded losses amounting to 7.8%. The experience pushed the management into making tough decisions, requiring almost all of its North American workforce to go for unpaid leaves.

In late 2019, the company announced that the decline in sales necessitated a two-day unpaid leave for the North American workers. The stated days for the vacation were January 2 and 3^rd    (Chicago Tribune, 2019).  Notably, this move was a crucial decision for the company because of its conflicting impacts. Whereas on the positive side, it could help the firm minimize expenses, it threatened to affect the public perception of the company regarding employee welfare.

The rewards for the decision involved cutting expenses by not paying the workers on leave, which eventually would translate into reduced expenses. Another reward was that the decision could allow the company to optimize performance by evaluating employee performances then developing new milestones. However, on the low side, the company risked affecting its public image and brand name, especially in the North American market. As per Chakravorti (2010), the way an organization treats its employees influences the firm’s public perception. Thus, Nissan risked eliciting a negative public perception. With a distorted public image, the company could fail to revive its declining sales.

I would have advised the management of Nissan to utilize the Predictive Analytic perspective in determining the right decision to take. Ideally, the approach tries to predict what might happen in the future if particular decisions or actions are undertaken at the moment (Traymbak & Aggarwal, 2019). Looking at the situation at Nissan, the company needed to develop a goal such as increasing sales. After that, they would have made decisions aimed at realizing the set goal. In this regard, the predicted outcome could give the management an overview of whether more risks existed or significant rewards could be realized.

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