?> Has anyone split a yard in half, taken one half of the hives for rides 
(commensurate with the length of travel involved in migratory trips) and 
returned the hives to the same yard and then compared the two halves in respect 
to all the problems our beehives have been undergoing?  In other words, has a 
study been undertaken to study what affects the migratory movement process 
itself has on bees

Good question.  I am supposing you are suggesting doing this at night and 
returning each hive to the exact same spot each was in before the drive and 
making sure the yard is not changed in appearance  by tracked-down grass, etc.? 
That is the only way to eliminate the questions of bees left behind and 
returning the next day, drifting, etc..

Of course, a lot more happens on a real move.  Delays, dropped hives, the need 
for bees to find water and forage quickly on arrival, intentionally sparse 
foraging conditions, crowded locations, irrigation, different  entrance 
orientations from the original compass points, tilted pallets, queens 
half-mated and drifting, etc.. 

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