Long distance truck tracking from advanced point detectors using a selective weighted Bayesian model

Truck flow patterns are known to vary by season and time-of-day, and to have important implications for freight modeling, highway infrastructure design and operation, and energy and environmental impacts. However, such variations cannot be captured by current truck data sources such as surveys or point detectors. To facilitate development of detailed truck flow pattern data, this paper describes a new truck tracking algorithm that was developed to estimate path flows of trucks by adopting a linear data fusion method utilizing weigh-in-motion (WIM) and inductive loop point detectors. A Selective Weighted Bayesian Model (SWBM) was developed to match individual vehicles between two detector locations using truck physical attributes and inductive waveform signatures. Key feature variables were identified and weighted via Bayesian modeling to improve vehicle matching performance. Data for model development were collected from two WIM sites spanning 26 miles in California where only 11 percent of trucks observed at the downstream site traversed the whole corridor. The tracking model showed 81 percent of correct matching rate to the trucks declared as through trucks from the algorithm. This high accuracy showed that the tracking model is capable of not only correctly matching through vehicles but also successfully filtering out non-through vehicles on this relatively long distance corridor. In addition, the results showed that a Bayesian approach with full integration of two complementary detector data types could successfully track trucks over long distances by minimizing the impacts of measurement variations or errors from the detection systems employed in the tracking process. In a separate case study, the algorithm was implemented over an even longer 65-mile freeway section and demonstrated that the proposed algorithm is capable of providing valuable insights into truck travel patterns and industrial affiliation to yield a comprehensive truck activity data source.     

Tracking daily travel; Assessing discrepancies between GPS-derived and self-reported travel patterns

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies have been used in conjunction with traditional one- or two-day travel diaries to audit respondent reporting patterns, but we used GPS-based monitoring to conduct the first assessment to our knowledge of travel reporting patterns using a seven-day travel log instrument, which could reduce response burden and provide multiple-day, policy-relevant information for evaluation studies. We found substantial agreement between participant-reported daily travel patterns and GPS-derived patterns among 116 adult residents of a largely low-income and non-white transportation corridor in urbanized Los Angeles in 2011–2013. For all modes, the average difference between daily GPS- and log-derived trip counts was only about 0.39 trips and the average difference between daily GPS- and log-derived walking duration was about −11.8 min. We found that the probability that a day would be associated with agreement or discrepancies between these measurement tools varied by travel mode and participant socio-demographic characteristics. Future research is needed to investigate the potential and limitations of this and other self-report instruments for a larger sample and a wider range of population groups and travel patterns.     

Characteristics of particulate matter (PM) concentrations influenced by piston wind and train door opening in the Shanghai subway system

More than 9 million passengers take Shanghai’s subway system every work day. The system’s air quality has caused widespread concern because of the potential harm to passengers’ health. We measured the particulate matter (PM) concentrations at three kinds of typical underground platform (side-type, island-type, and stacked-type platforms) and inside the trains in Shanghai’s metro during 7 days of measurements in April and July 2015. Our results demonstrated that the patterns of air quality variation and PM concentrations were similar at the side-type and island-type platforms. We also found that the PM concentrations were higher on the platforms than inside the train and that the PM concentrations in the subway system were positively correlated with those in the ambient air. Piston wind generated by vehicle motion pushes air from the tunnel to the platform, so platform PM concentrations increase when trains approach the platform. However, the piston wind effect varies greatly between locations on the platform. In general, the effect of the piston wind is weaker at the middle of the platform than at both ends. PM concentrations inside the train increase after the doors open, during which time dirty platform air floods into the compartments. PM_1.0 and PM_2.5 were significantly correlated both inside the train and on the platforms. PM_1.0 accounted for 71.9% of PM_2.5 inside the train, which is higher than the corresponding platform values. Based on these results, we propose some practical suggestions to minimize air pollution damage to passengers and staff from the subway system.     

Integrated analysis of GHGs and public health damage mitigation for developing urban road transportation strategies

This study attempts to present an urban road transportation strategy focusing on the mitigation of both GHGs emission and public health damage, taking Xiamen City as a case study. We developed a Public Health and GHGs Emission model to estimate the impacts of direct energy-consumption-related GHGs emissions and public health damage in Xiamen’s road transportation strategies from 2008 to 2025, considering the environmental benefits and economic costs. Two scenarios were designed to describe future transportation strategies for Xiamen City, and mitigation potentials for both GHGs emission and public health costs were estimated from 2008 to 2025 under a series of options. The results show that enacting controls on private vehicles would be most effective to GHGs mitigation, while enacting controls on government and rental vehicles would contribute the most to NO₂ and PM2.5 reductions. Compared with the Business as Usual scenario, the Integrated scenario would achieve about a 68% energy consumption reduction and save 0.23 billion yuan (95% CI: 0.16, 0.32) in health costs in 2025. It is clear that integrated and advisable strategies need to mitigate the adverse impacts of urban road vehicles on GHGs emissions and public health and economic costs, particularly in regions of rapid urbanization.     

Hot lane policies and their implications

This research examined the major changes in a corridor due to high occupancy/toll (HOT) lane implementation. This was accomplished by comparing the impacts of HOT lanes on three pairs of HOT lanes with similar design and operational characteristics. These pairwise comparisons of similar HOT lanes reduced the impact of exogenous factors and removed the issue of comparing HOT lanes that were so dissimilar it would be impossible to isolate the reasons for difference in results from the lanes. With strict registration requirements for free high occupancy vehicle (HOV) 3+ travel on the I-95 Express Lanes (ELs) in Miami there were indications that some carpoolers switched to lower occupancy modes. Tolled access for HOV2s on I-95 and the SR-91 ELs near Los Angeles resulted in lower usage of those ELs by the HOV2s as compared to most HOV lanes where HOV2 access is free. On the SR167 (Seattle) and I-25 (Denver) HOT lanes, exogenous factors like the price of gas and the economic recession seemed to be the primary influence on the usage of those HOT lanes. In both cases, carpool usage increased along with the price of gas. On I-25, the increasing unemployment rate coincided with a decrease in toll paying travelers. On SR 167 there were also indications of mode shifts among the transit, carpool and toll paying SOVs due to the fluctuating price of gas.     

An analysis of university employee car-sharers in Los Angeles

This paper analyzes personal and car-sharing characteristics of commuters at university in Los Angeles, California. These commuters do not hold an on-campus parking permit and commute by an alternative mode other than driving alone. Each month, the university offers them 8 h free use of shared vehicles across the campus. University employee car-sharers’ housing distribution is significantly different from that of their counterparts who drive to work. Commuter benefits influence not only the participation rate of a car-sharing program but also the program participants’ frequency, time and quantity of car-sharing consumption. Car-sharing is most popular among bus commuters, university students and female employees.     

Fuel price elasticities for single-unit truck operations in the United States

This paper provides fuel price elasticity estimates for single-unit truck activity, where single-unit trucks are defined as vehicles on a single frame with either (1) at least two axles and six tires; or (2) a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 lb. Using data from 1980 to 2012, this paper applies first-difference and error correction models and finds that single-unit truck activity is sensitive to certain macroeconomic and infrastructure factors (gross domestic product, lane miles expansion, and housing construction), but is not sensitive to diesel fuel prices. These results suggest that fuel price elasticities of single unit truck activity are inelastic. These results may be used by policymakers in considering policies that have a direct impact on fuel prices, or policies whose effects may be equivalent to fuel price adjustments.     

A new approach for evaluating regional exposure to particulate matter emissions from motor vehicles

Exposure to fine particulate matter from vehicle exhaust is associated with increased health risk. This study develops a new approach for creating spatially detailed regional maps of fine particulate matter concentration from vehicle exhaust using a dispersion model to better evaluate these risks. The spatial extent, diurnal, and seasonal patterns of concentration fields across Los Angeles County, California are evaluated and population exposure and exposure equity by race and income are investigated. The results demonstrate how this modeling approach can create new knowledge about vehicle emissions exposure. This approach also provides a method for proactively screening out regional plans, or specific projects within these plans, that are likely to cause air quality concerns. A proactive and regional air quality assessment can identify potential problems earlier in the planning process and a wider range of solutions, saving time, money and protecting public health. The detailed concentration maps can also be used to improve the siting of regulatory air quality monitors and provide more accurate exposure data for epidemiology studies.     

Preliminary investigation of PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and its metal elemental composition in tunnels at a subway station in Shanghai,China

In this study, real-time monitoring campaigns were conducted in two tunnels (Line A and Line B) at a subway station in Shanghai, including temperature, relative humidity, PM₁, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, in order to understand the climate and PM characteristics in the transportation microenvironment. In addition, collected floor dust particles in the tunnel were analyzed by ICP for their metal elemental composition. Strong correlations occurred between all PM levels and meteorological parameters in the tunnel of Line A (with platform screen doors), in comparison with the weak correlations between such parameters in the tunnel of Line B (without platform screen doors). PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ between peak hours and off-peak hours for both lines presented significant differences (p < 0.05), respectively. Nevertheless, PM₁ showed a different pattern, with p > 0.05 for Line A and p < 0.05 for Line B, respectively. In addition, statistical results concluded that PM had an evident weekly variation for both lines. Friday was the highest day of all particulate matters in monitoring periods for both lines. Ratios of PM₁/PM₁₀ and PM_2.5/PM₁₀ were high when trains were out of service and low when trains were in service. Relative abundance of metal elements detected from floor dust particles proved that floor dust particles in tunnels might be a major source of airborne PM in the subway microenvironments, with Fe as the most abundant metal element, followed by Ca, Al, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Hg.     

VISSIM/MOVES integration to investigate the effect of major key parameters on CO2 emissions

This paper looks at CO₂ emissions on limited access highways in a microscopic and stochastic environment using an optimal design approach. Estimating vehicle emissions based on second-by-second vehicle operation allows the integration of a microscopic traffic simulation model with the latest US Environmental Protection Agency’s mobile source emissions model to improve accuracy. A factorial experiment on a test bed prototype of the I-4 urban limited access highway corridor located in Orlando, Florida was conducted to identify the optimal settings for CO₂ emissions reduction and to develop a microscopic transportation emission prediction model. An exponentially decaying function towards a limiting value expressed in the freeway capacity is found to correlate with CO₂ emission rates. Moreover, speeds between 55 and 60 mph show emission rate reduction effect while maintaining up to 90% of the freeway’s capacity. The results show that speed has a significant impact on CO₂ emissions when detailed and microscopic analysis of vehicle operations of acceleration and deceleration are considered.     

Cellpath: Fusion of cellular and traffic sensor data for route flow estimation via convex optimization

A new convex optimization framework is developed for the route flow estimation problem from the fusion of vehicle count and cellular network data. The issue of highly underdetermined link flow based methods in transportation networks is investigated, then solved using the proposed concept of cellpaths for cellular network data. With this data-driven approach, our proposed approach is versatile: it is compatible with other data sources, and it is model agnostic and thus compatible with user equilibrium, system-optimum, Stackelberg concepts, and other models. Using a dimensionality reduction scheme, we design a projected gradient algorithm suitable for the proposed route flow estimation problem. The algorithm solves a block isotonic regression problem in the projection step in linear time. The accuracy, computational efficiency, and versatility of the proposed approach are validated on the I-210 corridor near Los Angeles, where we achieve 90% route flow accuracy with 1033 traffic sensors and 1000 cellular towers covering a large network of highways and arterials with more than 20,000 links. In contrast to long-term land use planning applications, we demonstrate the first system to our knowledge that can produce route-level flow estimates suitable for short time horizon prediction and control applications in traffic management. Our system is open source and available for validation and extension.     

Ground-dwelling birds near the Qinghai-Tibet highway and railway

The Qinghai-Tibet highway and railway cross desolate habitat at elevations of over 4600 m. We assess specie richness and abundance of ground-dwelling birds using strip transects located at a variety of altitudes perpendicular to this transportation corridor. Bird richness, bird abundance, and abundance of rufous-necked snowfinch, were higher adjacent to the roadway than further way.     

The cost of convenience; Air pollution and noise on freeway and arterial light rail station platforms in Los Angeles

Light rail transit (LRT) systems constitute one of the most sustainable public transportation modes and transit agencies have increasingly constructed LRT lines along the median of roadways to reduce land acquisition costs and traffic conflicts. Despite these conveniences, few studies have examined the air pollution and noise exposures for passengers on LRT station platforms within freeway or arterial medians. In response, we monitored particle number count (PNC) concentrations and noise levels on 17 station platforms in the Los Angeles metro system in summer 2012 and assessed differences between freeway and arterial platforms. We visited each station on average 7 times for approximately 19 min with two teams carrying a full set of instruments. As expected, impacts were higher on green line platforms in the center of a grade-separated freeway compared to blue line platforms in the center of an arterial due to being in close proximity to greater traffic volumes. Overall, freeway-arterial platform differences were 35,100 versus 20,000 particles/cm³ for PNC and 83 versus 62 dBA for noise. This average noise intensity on green line platforms was four times that on blue line stations. We also found that PNC concentrations were significantly higher at open air monitoring platform positions compared to standing under a shade canopy (about 2000 particles/cm³ higher), but that noise levels were significantly lower at open air positions compared to under canopy positions (about 3.2 dBA lower). Results identify important factors for transport planners to consider when locating and designing in-roadway LRT platforms.     

Vehicle attribute trade-offs to meet the 2025 CAFE fuel economy target

The literature analyzes changes in vehicle attributes that can improve fuel economy to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. However, these analyses exclude either vehicle price, size, acceleration or technology advancement. A more comprehensive examination of the trade-offs among these attributes is needed, this case study focuses on technically feasible modifications to a reference 2012 vehicle to meet the 2025 fuel economy target. Scenarios developed to examine uncertainty in technology advancement indicate that expected technology cost reductions over time will be insufficient to offset the costs of additional fuel efficiency technologies that could be used to meet the 2025 fuel economy target while maintaining other vehicle attributes. The mid-price scenario results show the targeted 66% increase in fuel economy from 2012 to 2025 can be achieved with (i) a 10% ($2070) vehicle price increase (lightweight hybrid electric vehicle), (ii) a 31% (2.9 second) increase in the 0–97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration time (smaller engine), or (iii) a 17% (700 L) decrease in interior volume (smaller body) while maintaining other vehicle attributes. These results are consistent with those obtained using methods that generalize the US light-duty vehicle fleet, but are not a forecast of future vehicle attributes because combinations of less perceptible changes to vehicle price, acceleration and size would also be feasible. This study shows there are numerous ways that 2025 fuel economy targets can be met; therefore, the trade-offs quantified provide important insights on the implications of future CAFE standards.     

The cost of general aviation accidents in the United States

Very few studies examine the costs associated with general aviation accidents. Given the large number of general aviation operations as well as the large number of fatalities and injuries attributed to general aviation accidents in the United States, understanding the costs to society is of great importance. This study estimates the costs associated with general aviation accidents in the United States. The direct costs are estimated and the indirect costs are estimated via the human capital approach in addition to the willingness-to-pay approach. The average annual accident costs attributed to general aviation are found to be $1.64 billion and $4.64 billion (2011 US$) utilizing the human capital approach and willingness-to-pay approach, respectively. These values appear to be fairly robust when subjected to a sensitivity analysis.     

On the electrification of road transportation – A review of the environmental,economic, and social performance of electric two-wheelers

Electrification is widely considered as a viable strategy for reducing the oil dependency and environmental impacts of road transportation. In pursuit of this strategy, most attention has been paid to electric cars. However, substantial, yet untapped, potentials could be realized in urban areas through the large-scale introduction of electric two-wheelers. Here, we review the environmental, economic, and social performance of electric two-wheelers, demonstrating that these are generally more energy efficient and less polluting than conventionally-powered motor vehicles. Electric two-wheelers tend to decrease exposure to pollution as their environmental impacts largely result from vehicle production and electricity generation outside of urban areas. Our analysis suggests that the price of e-bikes has been decreasing at a learning rate of 8%. Despite price differentials of 5000 ± 1800 EUR₂₀₁₂ kW h⁻¹ in Europe, e-bikes are penetrating the market because they appear to offer an apparent additional use value relative to bicycles. Mid-size and large electric two-wheelers do not offer such an additional use value compared to their conventional counterparts and constitute niche products at price differentials of 700 ± 360 EUR₂₀₁₂ kW⁻¹ and 160 ± 90 EUR₂₀₁₂ kW⁻¹, respectively. The large-scale adoption of electric two-wheelers can reduce traffic noise and road congestion but may necessitate adaptations of urban infrastructure and safety regulations. A case-specific assessment as part of an integrated urban mobility planning that accounts, e.g., for the local electricity mix, infrastructure characteristics, and mode-shift behavior, should be conducted before drawing conclusions about the sustainability impacts of electric two-wheelers.     

Does the aviation Emission Trading System influence the financial evaluation of new airplanes? An assessment of present values and purchase options

In this paper we assess the impact of the CO₂ costs for short- and long-haul aircraft based on present values and on purchase options. We evaluate purchase options with a framework developed for real option analysis to estimate the value of flexibility under uncertain kerosene and CO₂ prices. We find an average influence of CO₂ costs on present values of €1.1 million for the short haul plane and €4.1 million for the long-haul plane over the typical lifetime of an airplane. For purchase options, we find a CO₂ influence of €0.43 million for the long-haul plane and a moderate impact for the short-haul plane. The results underline the importance of CO₂ and kerosene costs for long-haul aircraft.     

A test of inter-modal performance measures for transit investment decisions

Choices among alternative transit capital investments are often complex and politically controversial. There is renewed interest in the use of performance indicators to assist in making rational and defensible choices for the investment of public funds. To improve the evaluation of rail and bus performance and provide more useful information for transit investment decision-makers, it is important to use performance indicators that fairly and efficiently compare different transit modes. This paper proposes a set of inter-modal performance indicators in which service input, service output, and service consumption are measured by total cost, revenue capacity miles/hours, and unlinked passenger trips/miles respectively based on economic principles and evaluation objectives. The proposed improvements involve the inclusion of capital as well as operating costs in such comparisons, and the recognition of the widely varying capacities of transit vehicles for seated and standing passengers. Two California cases, the Los Angeles – Long Beach Corridor and the Market/Judah Corridor in San Francisco, are used for testing their usefulness in the evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of rail and bus services. The results show substantial differences between performance indicators in current use and those proposed in this study. The enhanced inter-modal performance indicators are more appropriate for comparing the efficiency and effectiveness of different modes or a combination of transit modes at the corridor and system levels where most major investment decisions are made. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Implications of driving style and road grade for accurate vehicle activity data and emissions estimates

Real-world vehicle operating mode data (2.5 million 1 Hz records), collected by instrumenting the vehicles of 82 volunteer drivers with OBD datalogger and GPS while they drove their routine travel routes, were analyzed to quantify vehicle emissions estimate errors due to road grade and driving style in rural, hilly Vermont. Data were collected in winter and summer for MY 1996 and newer passenger cars and trucks only. EPA MOVES2010b was used to estimate running exhaust emissions associated with measured vehicle activity. Changes in vehicle specific power (VSP) and MOVES operating mode (OpMode) due to proper accounting for real-world road grade indicated emission rate errors between 10% and 48%, depending on pollutant, chiefly because grade-related changes in VSP could shift activity by as many as six OpModes, depending on road type. The correct MOVES OpMode assignment was made only 33–55% of the time when road grade was not included in the VSP calculation. Driving style of individual drivers was difficult to assess due to unknown traffic operations data, but the largest differences between individual drivers were observed on rural restricted roads, where traffic conditions and control have minimal impact. The results suggest the importance of (1) measuring and incorporating real-world road grade in order to correctly assign MOVES emission rates; and (2) developing a driving style typology to account for differences in the MOVES emissions estimates due to driver variability.     

Estimated mortality of mammals and the costs associated with animal–vehicle collisions on the roads in the Czech Republic

We use questionnaires to estimate the mortality of mammals on the roads in the Czech Republic and estimate the costs involved. Annual mortality was quantified for eleven species/groups of mammals, and the highest mortality was recorded for common species such as Lupus europaeus and Capreolus capreolus. The vehicle damage is most frequent after collisions with ungulates, which also impose the highest vehicle repair costs. If the animal loss were compensated by releasing animals into the wild, the highest costs would be associated with the release of C. capreolus and L. europaeus. Overall annual compensation costs would exceed €100 million.