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This paper discusses an efficient-cost analysis for the monorail system in developing countries focusing on Middle East cases. Most of the cities in the Middle East are using the metro system and have experience with it. A monorail system is quite new for these countries so the efficiency of the monorail as an important question that is always understood. A function to find payback duration for the monorail is generated, using available data for countries which have both systems in the world. Then a correlation between metro and monorail ticket prices is studied to apply it for the countries in the Middle East. The theory has been verified for UAE, USA and China as existing models for both metro and monorail. Then it has been applied for interpreting and predicting monorail system costs in Egypt and Iran as case studies in the Middle East. The results show that for those countries with a subsidies policy for public transportation, a monorail will not be an economic system for public transportation; private sectors will not show their interest for long term investment in it and it might be used for tourism and amusement purposes.

The use of marine environment for human life due to its positive effects on life style has created new ideas for offshore construction. In this new generation of offshore projects, the use of offshore pile-deck structures, sea reclamation by offshore soil embankment for creating the artificial Islands and floating structures (pontoon) in the Gulf region have been analyzed. The "World and Palm Jumeirah" projects in Dubai (UAE) and a project in the Kingdom of Bahrain are samples for marine reclamation. The "Mitra" project in "Kish" Island (Iran) is an example of a pile and deck system for offshore housing. The idea for a floating marina in Dubai is an example of a floating building (pontoon) in this region. This paper has studied these three different experiences for offshore construction using the weighted parameters ranking analysis method. Weight factors applied to the effective parameters based on clients/owners' and engineer's preferences. Results show that; although the reclamation solution is much more economic it cannot save the environment properly. A sustainable design of floating concept in the Gulf region for future extensions should gather all requirements economically and environmentally together.

A novel materials science appraisal that proposes a paradigm shift in the evaluation of recycling materials for road applications has been developed. The appraisal advances materials science thinking in the field of road engineering, has consistent performance criteria for road materials and addresses the concerns about the variable nature of recycled material sources. The appraisal has been realised by reviewing material types, road pavement structures and road pavement distress, and, consequently, conceptual development of the appraisal for materials recycling in roads. The development of the novel materials science appraisal, based on broad fundamental material-types (ceramic-type, metallic-type and polymeric-type), has defined how materials science through a systematic step-by-step procedure can be used to achieve engineering sustainability. The materials science appraisal provides a method for addressing uncertainties in material properties. Thus, the materials science appraisal evaluates recycling of materials in road applications and will be of benefit for various stakeholders (e.g. client, consultant, and contractor) and the environment.