Rules for aggregated satisfaction with work commutes

In general trips frequently entail several stages varying in mode, duration, and other factors. In some way travelers aggregate their satisfaction with the stages to satisfaction with the whole trip. In this paper we address the question of how this aggregation is made. We use data from a Swedish survey measuring satisfaction with commutes to and from work and with the stages of the commutes. We test several aggregation rules for their goodness of fit to the observations. Our results show that a normatively correct averaging rule that takes into account the relative durations of the stages out-perform heuristic aggregation rules such as the peak-end, summation, and equal-weight averaging rules. We note that this does not exclude that the heuristic aggregation rules apply to other trips than repetitive commute trips.     

The public's understanding of the functionality and limitations of automatic braking in Japan

Automated driving systems are increasingly widespread in the automotive industry. To operate automobiles that are assisted by such systems, drivers must correctly understand their functionality and limitations. Hence, focusing on the rapidly spreading technology of automated braking, this study seeks to clarify the general public's understanding of automatic braking systems. A total of 210 Japanese people responded to a questionnaire regarding how automatic brakes are operated, how they work, when they disengage, and so on. The proportion of those who misunderstood the operation of the system is not especially high, but there were a certain percentage of people who had misconceptions; e.g., some believed that automatic braking could detect pedestrians or bicycles. Moreover, respondents were under the impression that drivers cannot readily disengage automatic braking systems. If they mistakenly use the automatic brake, there is a possibility of posing a risk to the road transportation system.     

Promoting Public Transport Using Marketing Techniques in Mobility Management and Verifying their Quantitative Effects

Mobility management (MM) is a transportation management policy that uses “soft” measures to attempt to reduce car use and promote sustainable transportation modes such as public transport, bicycles, and walking. Using communication and other means, MM induces voluntarily change towards more sustainable transportation modes. We implemented MM marketing to promote an experimental community bus service. This project had two components: a questionnaire conducted in the service area and a monthly newsletter. The questionnaire was more than a survey; it also communicated information about the bus and helped promote bus use. One month after the survey, we implemented a follow-up survey targeting the initial survey respondents. Results suggest that the MM program produced a general increase in bus use, as well as mouth-to-mouth advertising, that helped promote bus use.     

折叠气囊展开过程CV和ALE数值模拟方法对比研究

文中首先给出一种折叠气囊网格的简单划法;然后用基于热力学的CV法和考虑高速气体与气囊织物相互作用的ALE法对驾驶员侧气囊展开进行了数值模拟,并对两种方法的模拟结果进行了对比.结果表明:CV方法尽管计算简单,但不适合于离位情况下气囊展开过程的模拟,建议使用ALE方法.     

Study on the design of propeller blade sections using the optimization algorithm

A new method for designing propeller blade sections is presented. A vortex lattice method is used to evaluate the performance and the time-dependent pressure distribution on the blade surface in a non-uniform flow, while efficient optimization algorithms are used to modify the blade sections. Two different designs were carried out in this study. The first was a design to realize a target pressure distribution in a rotating three-dimensional flow. A two-dimensional wing theory was used to obtain the target pressure distribution. The predicted increase in efficiency and the reduction in the cavity volume were confirmed by model experiments. The second was a design to maximize the propeller efficiency. By this method, the propeller efficiency was improved by 1.2% under the constrains of constant thrust and a prescribed margin for face cavitation.     

What does a one-month free bus ticket do to habitual drivers? An experimental analysis of habit and attitude change

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a temporary structural change would induce a lasting increase in drivers' public transport use. An experiment targeting 43 drivers was carried out, in which a one-month free bus ticket was given to 23 drivers in an experimental group but not to 20 drivers in a control group. Attitudes toward, habits of, and frequency of using automobile and bus were measured immediately before, immediately after, and one month after the one-month long intervention. The results showed that attitudes toward bus were more positive and that the frequency of bus use increased, whereas the habits of using automobile decreased from before the intervention, even one month after the intervention period. Furthermore, the increase in habitual bus use had the largest effect on the increase in the frequency of bus use. The results suggest that a temporary structural change, such as offering auto drivers a temporary free bus ticket, may be an important travel demand management tool for converting automotive travel demand to public-transport travel demand.     

Travel satisfaction effects of changes in public transport usage

We study the effects of public transport use incentives on changes in travel satisfaction of participants that undergo behavior change. We use the results of an experiment conducted recently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and requiring a temporary use of public transport for commuting to work by habitual car drivers. We observe an increase in the average level of satisfaction with the commute to work of participants who switch to public transport after the temporary intervention. This increase is sustained to some extent several months after the intervention. Moreover, participants’ dissatisfaction is almost eliminated. We conclude that public transport use incentives are promising not only for encouraging sustainable travel behavior but also for increasing people’s satisfaction.