Günter Haag - Böcker

This book presents the theory and practical applications of the Master equation approach, which provides a powerful general framework for model building in a variety of disciplines. The aim of the book is to not only highlight different mathematical solution methods, but also reveal their potential by means of practical examples.Part I of the book, which can be used as a toolbox, introduces selected statistical fundamentals and solution methods for the Master equation. In Part II and Part III, the Master equation approach is applied to important applications in the natural and social sciences.The case studies presented mainly hail from the social sciences, including urban and regional dynamics, population dynamics, dynamic decision theory, opinion formation and traffic dynamics; however, some applications from physics and chemistry are treated as well, underlining the interdisciplinary modelling potential of the Master equation approach.   Drawing upon the author’s extensive teaching and research experience and consulting work, the book offers a valuable guide for researchers, graduate students and professionals alike.

This book presents the theory and practical applications of the Master equation approach, which provides a powerful general framework for model building in a variety of disciplines.

The articles collected in this volume have two features in common: they seek to integrate economics, demographics and geography, and they seek to overcome the stationary approach in modelling in favour of a dynamic one. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 focuses on economic evolution, Part 2 on geographical development and the final section on demographic change. The volume provides a new look at this triangle in view of the classical background of discussions by introducing new research ideas in nonlinear dynamics and stochastic modelling. Thus, the main purpose of the book is to make a contribution to the interdisciplinary work needed to integrate the efforts between these three research fields and to serve as a research source in demonstrating the current state of the art in dynamic modelling. The book is addressed to social scientists in general, and those in particular with a background in economics, geography and demographics. It should also be of interest to mathematicians, physicists, and systems analysts interested in model building and applications of nonlinear dynamics.

Gone are the days when mobility was nearly always a question of having a vehicle. Today the issue of road capacity is becoming ever more pressing. Even the safest, most comfortable and 100% emissions-free vehicle is only of limited use if it is stuck in a traffic jam. Mobility is a key human need and an important factor in the economy. It is a matter of logic that a com­ pany like DaimlerChrysler should make every endeavor to safeguard mo­ bility, thereby fulfilling humanity's economic, social and environmental needs. Nonetheless, traffic and mobility problems are the inevitable result of a concentration of people and markets. Bombay, Lagos, Shanghai, Jakarta, Sao Paulo, Cairo, Mexico City - virtually half of the world's population is urban-based, and the majority live in the metropolitan regions of the Third World. The mega-cities in the so-called developing nations are facing a dramatic increase in traffic levels. Gridlock looms on the horizon. Should traffic-choked streets become a permanent and daily occurrence, economic development will be held in check and pollution will spiral.