A stochastic optimization approach for the selection of reflective cracking mitigation techniques

PurposeIn Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) overlays, the existing cracks in the underlying pavements can propagate upward to the new added overlay and may cause Reflective Cracks (RC). These cracks allow water infiltration to the underlying layers and causes further moisture damage as well as weakening the unbound layers. Over the years, several methods have been developed for mitigating the RCs. This study aims to investigate the current reflective cracking mitigation methods and develop a methodology for the selection of appropriate mitigation technique. The developed model is then applied to a case study in the state of Florida.MethodTo accomplish this goal, a nationwide literature review was conducted to better understand the current in practice methods in the United States. Moreover, a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) in five different road types was performed to find the annuity of roadway rehabilitation for each of the mitigation methods. The uncertainty in the LCCA results is represented using Exploratory Modeling and Analysis (EMA) method. Then through a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model, a stochastic optimization model was developed to find the appropriate reflective cracking mitigation solution under Florida’s climate and road conditions, based on different cost and performance weights.ResultsBased on the available data for the state of Florida, the LCCA results indicate that the annuity of maintaining the roadway with Fabrics and ISAC are lower compared to other methods. However, the results of stochastic optimization model reveal that while looking at the performance and cost at the same time, different methods would be more feasible. For instance, while the cost of the used method does not matter at all and only performance matters, STRATA® is more probable to be the appropriate mitigation technique. The findings of this research are critical for decision makers to better understand the most cost-effective mitigation technique in different conditions.     

A dynamic model for marginal cost pricing of port infrastructures

ABSTRACT

A dynamic model for marginal cost pricing of port infrastructures links costs to system performance by combining a power-law function with time-dependent queueing analysis. Additionally, the model incorporates the marginal cost of capacity, including the effects of economies of scale. This allows the calculation of the marginal cost price under a dynamic framework. The model accounts for nonlinear behaviour of port demand, which is sensitive to price and service levels. The effects over time of cost and service levels on the port’s operational performance are quantified. The proposed model allows determining the optimal timing for capacity investment. The model is a starting point for the application of marginal cost pricing to ports. However, for practical application of such pricing method it is necessary to apply a system’s approach, as productivity and costs must be assessed at the terminal’s component level. This should allow the derivation of a marginal cost function at the terminal’s component level.     

公路施工项目成本管理实证分析

结合实际工程，在项目成本管理过程中，综合运用目标成本法和作业成本法，使项目成本分析做到全面、透彻，取得了良好的效果。     

公路工程造价投资控制现状与对策

分析了现阶段公路工程建设造价投资控制现状及存在的问题,结合国外先进投资理念,针对决策阶段、建设阶段、运营阶段造价控制提出对策。根据国家交通运输＂十二五＂发展规划,提出了全寿命成本理念及交通建设节约资源、有效利用土地资源的新理念。     

浅探港口企业成本精细化管理

为降低港口企业成本,提高效益,对港口企业实施成本精细化管理.从树立成本精细化管理理念、建立成本控制工作机制、强化管理、坚持创新等4个方面阐述具体做法.     

Marine Protected Area Costs as “Beneficial” Fisheries Subsidies: A Global Evaluation

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are now generally accepted as important tools in the protection of coastal biodiversity. It is also likely that they play a positive role in enhancing fisheries. Yet currently, less than 1% of the global oceans are protected, although international agreements have targets ranging from 10–30% coverage. Despite its minuscule size, we consider the current MPA “network” to be beneficial to fisheries, and its running or maintenance cost, therefore, to be a positive contribution to the sustainability of fisheries, or a “beneficial” subsidy (“harmful” subsidies enhance fishing capacity and effort). A method was derived from data in Balmford et al. (PNAS, 101: 9694–9697) to estimate the annual cost of maintaining MPAs as a function of their size, and of the degree of development of the country in question. We provide national costs of the 53 countries that jointly contribute 95% of global fisheries catch and, assuming that this type of subsidy, in a given country, cannot exceed 15% of the ex-vessel value of its fisheries catches, estimated a global MPA subsidy to fisheries of 870 million US$. Given that total subsidies to fisheries currently range from 30–34 billion US$ annually (without MPA costs), this amounts to only 2.5–2.8% of total subsidies to fisheries being devoted explicitly to the maintenance of the biodiversity that sustains them.     

A time‐staged multi‐objective network‐design model

A multi‐objective, time‐staged network‐design problem is formulated. Through transformation, the problem is decomposed into a set of single‐period, single‐objective problems. Lexicographic ordering is instrumental in effecting this transformation; it also allows a backward‐recursion algorithm to be applied using strong pruning criteria. Furthermore, monotonicity properties enable us to solve the problem using the familiar tree‐search algorithms. The solution method has several desirable properties — as shown by an example and a case study of Tripoli Province, Libya. First, the algorithm ensures continuity of project implementation over the multi time‐periods and provides optimality in later computational stages irrespective of the decision at an interim stage. Second, the algorithm tends to provide accessibility to unconnected regions in the study area at low user‐cost without employing weights to the two objective functions of accessibility and user‐cost efficiency. Such a property is deemed advantageous for suggesting transportation investments based purely on purchasing the greatest benefit for each dollar, with political neutrality strictly maintained.     

机动车交汇时灯具炫目性的讨论

在背景亮度为1 cd/m2的晚上,摩托车及汽车驾驶员无论使用近光灯、转向信号灯或专用昼间行驶灯,在各交汇距离相对上升对比度阈值小于2时,均不会产生炫目,不会影响对向行驶摩托车驾驶员的观察和判断能力;而摩托车和汽车远光灯在任何距离时的相对上升对比度阈值远远大于2时,在摩托车和摩托车交汇时,会产生炫目,造成交通行驶隐患.     

试论全寿命分析法在路面设计中的应用

全寿命设计方法是一项较新的设计理念,将其用于路面设计目前为止还不多。讨论了美国相关法案(Pave- ment Division Interim Technical Bulletin)中的路面全寿命分析(LCCA)方法,并基于该思路提出了路面全寿命设计方法,试图建立全寿命路面设计的初步体系。     

公路养护管理系统在公路养护工程造价管理体系中的定位研究

针对公路养护管理系统和养护工程造价管理系统在养护工程费用分析和经济分析等方面可能存在功能重合的问题,分析了网级养护管理系统和项目级养护管理系统的造价管理功能特点,并利用灰色关联度分析法进行了项目级养护管理系统与可行性研究之间的比较,从而明确了公路养护管理系统在公路养护工程造价管理体系中的功能定位。结果表明:项目级养护管理系统在大修工程、专项工程或改建工程时相当于项目建议书或初步可行性研究,具有初步估算和经济评价的功能,与它们的工程可行性研究功能不重合,而在中小修时则相当于概算的功能;网级公路养护管理系统则具备养护规划阶段的养护工程造价管理功能。