A phenomenological model for dynamic traffic flow in networks

A macroscopic model for dynamic traffic flow is presented. The main goal of the model is the real time simulation of large freeway networks with multiple sources and sinks. First, we introduce the model in its discrete formulation and consider some of its properties. It turns out, that our non-hydrodynamical ansatz for the flows results in a very advantageous behavior of the model. Next the fitting conditions at junctions of a traffic network are discussed. In the following sections we carry out a continuous approximation of our discrete model in order to derive stationary solutions and to consider the stability of the homogeneous one. It turns out, that for certain conditions unstable traffic flow occurs. In a subsequent section, we compare the stability of the discrete model and the corresponding continuous approximation. This confirms in retrospection the close similarities of both model versions. Finally we compare the results of our model with the results of another macroscopic model, that was recently suggested by Kerner and Konhäuser [Phys. Rev. E 48, 2335–2338 (1993)].     

Full-scale fatigue tests of ship structures to validate the S–N approaches for fatigue strength assessment

Ships belong to those welded structures which are prone to fatigue due to high cyclic loads. Different approaches exist for the fatigue strength assessment which are varying between the industrial sectors. Therefore, deeper fatigue strength investigations were performed in Germany within an industry-wide joint research project aiming at the harmonization of the approaches. Regarding ship structures, two types were selected for full-scale tests. The first concerned web frame corners being typical for roll-on/roll-off ships (ro/ro) ships, from which three models were tested under constant amplitude loading. The second type was the intersection between longitudinals and transverse web frames, which recently showed fatigue failures in containerships. Five models were tested, three under constant and two under variable amplitude loading. All tests showed a relatively long crack propagation phase after first cracks had appeared, calling for a reasonable failure criterion. For the numerical analysis, the structural hot-spot stress as well as the effective notch stress approach have been applied. The latter allows the consideration of the weld shape which could partly explain differences in the observed and calculated failure behaviour. Another factor is the distribution of welding-induced residual stresses, which obviously affected the failure behaviour in the web frame corner as well. Insofar the investigations give a good insight into the strength behaviour of complex welded structures and into current problems and opportunities offered by numerical analyses.     

ICE-design and operational aspects

On 2nd June 1991 the high speed rail era in Germany began with the introduction of the ICE (Inter-city express) on the Hamburg-Hannover-Kassel-Frankfurt-Munich line, the second ICE line followed one year later. The ICE concept and the technology of the ICE-train set marks the threshold of the 21st Century and demonstrates the as yet untapped development potential of the wheel-on-rail-system. With the development of the ICE a trainset is available which can be adapted to all European High Speed Rail lines.     

迎风旋转——SSB风能系统公司的创新型变桨系统

对风能的利用是一项非常古老的技术,风磨早在几千年前就为人所用.古巴比伦人就已知道利用风能.然而在过去几十年,这项技术才得到了真正的发展.根据在航空领域所了解的知识,首先推进的是现代风电机的空气动力学技术.变桨系统则是过去30年最重大的成就之一.     

Competing Visions for Marine Tenure and Co-Management: Genesis of a Marine Management Area System in Chile

Chile has been attempting to establish a Management Area (MA) system that melds the use of marine protected areas with marine tenure. The process has brought to the fore the competing interests of various user groups: artisanal fishermen, marine science professionals, government managers, tourist developers, and the Navy. We explore the core relationships among fishermen and the ecologists and biologists whose work is essential for establishing and maintaining a MA. The MA system's creation and implementation raise the key question of whether a marine tenure system can work under the conditions imposed by the Chilean government. There is a need to recognize and reconcile contradictions in a government management model that strives simultaneously to be a conservation zone and a financially profitable co-management zone. This article examines the MA management system's fault lines in the context of Chile's political economy, and the intimate interaction of management with fishermen's cultural survival strategies.     

A box model approach for a long-term assessment of estuarine eutrophication, Szczecin Lagoon, southern Baltic

We develop a layered “box model” to evaluate the major effects of estuarine eutrophication of the Szczecin lagoon which can be compared with integrating measures (chlorophyll a (Chl a), sediment burial, sediment oxygen consumption (SOC), input and output of total nutrient loads) and use it to hindcast the period 1950–1996 (the years when major increase in nutrient discharges by the Oder River took place). The following state variables are used to describe the cycling of the limiting nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus): phytoplankton (Phy), labile and refractory detritus (D_N, D_Nref, D_P, D_Pref), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and oxygen (O₂). The three layers of the model include two water layers and one sediment layer. Decrease of the carrying capacity with respect to the increased supply of organic matter of the system with advancing eutrophication over the period studied is parameterized by an exponential decrease of the sediment nitrogen fluxes with increasing burial, simulating changing properties from moderate to high accumulating sediments. The seasonal variation as well as the order of magnitude of nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton stocks in the water column remains in agreement with recent observations. Calculated annual mean values of nutrient burial of 193 mmol N m⁻² a⁻¹ and 23 mmol P m⁻² a⁻¹ are supported by observed values from geological sediment records. Estimated DIN remineralization in the sediments between 100 and 550 mmol N m⁻² a⁻¹ corresponds to SOC measurements. Simulated DIP release up to 60 mmol P m⁻² a⁻¹ corresponds to recent measurements. The conceptual framework presented here can be used for a sequential box model approach connecting small estuaries like the Szczecin lagoon and the open sea, and might also be connected with river box models.     

Decadal sea level trends in the Bay of Biscay from tide gauges, GPS and TOPEX

Sea level time series derived from TOPEX altimeter and from tide gauge measurements in the Bay of Biscay (Eastern North Atlantic Ocean) are used to investigate the regional sea level rise. Altimetry sea level anomalies are computed from TOPEX measurements and resampled into fixed along track bins in order to obtain consistent records and to approach as close as possible to the coast. Tidal corrections are critical in the estimation of sea level trends; therefore an additional analysis has been carried out in order to identify and correct for residual tidal signals. The obtained mean sea level rise in the region is + 3.09 ± 0.21 mm/year over the period 1993–2002. Tide gauges have been corrected for vertical land motions by means of collocated GPS measurements. GPS-corrected tide gauges and nearby altimetry trends are found to be statistically consistent. The relationship with the atmospheric forcing is also investigated revealing that 15% of this sea level rise is attributed to the atmospheric pressure effects.     

Comparison of different structural stress approaches for fatigue assessment of welded ship structures

The structural stress approach, which considers the stress increase due to the structural configuration, allows the fatigue strength assessment of welded ship structures with various geometries on the basis of an S–N curve depending only on the type of weld. However, a unique definition and the numerical calculation of the structural stresses are problematic, which has resulted in the development of different variants of the approach. These are discussed and compared with each other in the present paper. The application to three examples shows the variation and differences in the analysed stresses and predicted fatigue lives, which are compared with those derived from fatigue tests.     

The inclusion of aviation into the EU emission trading scheme – Impacts on competition between European and non-European network airlines

In 2008, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council agreed on including international aviation in the already existing European Union carbon market. From 2012, allowances will be required for all international flights landing at and departing from any airport in the EU. Domestic aviation will be subject to the same rules as international air traffic. Model-based empirical estimations presented in this paper indicate a diverse set of effects influencing competition between European and non-European aircraft operators. Initially, this paper provides an overview on recent political developments on EU as well as on International Civil Aviation Organisation level on the subject of emissions trading and aviation. Subsequently, our modelling approach and the main results concerning impacts on operating costs, ticket prices and cargo rates for European and non-European aircraft operators are presented and discussed. Finally, conclusions about the impacts on competition between European and non-European airlines are drawn.