Intelligent transport systems solutions in transitional countries: The case of Korea

Transport policy in Korea is driven by the need to cope with ever-worsening traffic conditions. The development of an intelligent transport systems (ITS) Master Plan for Korea is of particular interest and demonstrates the heavy reliance placed on ITS measures to facilitate both the management of congested (but expanding) highway networks and to encourage a shift to greater use of public transport. The paper highlights the major achievements of ITS in Korea by assessing the evidence provided by the widespread implementation of ITS technologies (such as the creation of 'showcase' demonstrations). Some observations from the implementation of ITS in (so-called) transitional economies are presented.     

An overview of transport in Kuwait

Abstract

Kuwait is a relatively small country located at the top of the Arabian Gulf with population in 1980 amounting to 1.355 millions. Kuwait occupies an area of approximately 17 800 square kilometres. Kuwait's main source of national income is oil export. Income from oil export and other sources has resulted in Kuwait having the highest per capita income in the world. Consequently vehicle ownership is very high and traffic is ever growing and extending. Kuwait is self‐sufficient in only a few commodities and has a shortage of local labour. This means that transport has a fundamental role to play at the national and international level for the development of Kuwait's economy.

This paper provides a brief statement of transport in Kuwait. It starts by describing Kuwait's national setting and touches on the economic and social aspects in Kuwait that have an influence on transport patterns and needs. It describes the national transport system and covers road, air, rail and ports. Urban development planning in Kuwait is described and issues related to stages of urban development planning. The Kuwait City Master Plan and new town initiatives are presented. The urban transport system in Kuwait Metropolitan Area is described. In particular the characteristics of the urban road network and public transport facilities are outlined along with recent transport planning studies and new initiatives in the urban transport system.

The paper ends with a statement on organizations involved in the transport sector in Kuwait and a note on transport finance.     

国省道两侧建设项目出入口规划设计

为降低建设项目对国省道的影响,文章从国省道两侧建设项目特点和所处交通环境的分析入手,借鉴国内外城市项目出入口管理技术,提出了6种出入口交通组织方式.以312国道昆山市境内的某一项目为例,分析其所处交通环境,对近远期出入口交通设计方式提出建议,为国省道两侧建设项目的出入口设计提供参考.     

An applicatoin of an optimal traffic control during lane closure periods of a two‐lane road

On two‐lane roadways, when provision should be made for alternative one‐way movement (for construction or maintenance), the traffic characteristics differ from normal operation in which no lane is closed. The purpose of this study is to derive optimal strategies for controlling, by means of traffic signals, the one lane operation (in two‐way roadways). In this study, strategies to determine the optimal length of the closed one‐lane section during construction and maintenance work are established. This length minimizes the objective function representing the tradeoff between delay cost and operational cost. Using the length value obtained by the proposed model, plus a timing methodology, the overall cost of operating the closed highway section can be minimized. The sensitivity analysis of the optimal solution for the section length is examined with respect to the input variables. This analysis shows that for very low traffic flow values (less than 100 vph per direction), the solution is very sensitive to fuel price changes, while for greater flow values, the solution is insensitive to this change. Similar results are obtained for changes in the worker's wage which is part of both the operational and the delay cost. That is, the section's length is sensitive to wage changes at low traffic flow and insensitive otherwise. Based on the results presented in this study, it is possible to establish a guideline for the section's length determination. The control measure can emerge from a pair of traffic signals that can be installed at both ends of the closed highway segment. This traffic control system is also described in the study in terms of its components and operational features and advantages.     

面向社会主义新农村的交通需求研究

在深入分析农村公路交通现状的基础上,结合社会主义新农村的建设,研究了社会主义新农村在公路等级及里程、客运及货物运输系统、公路养护与管理、道路交通安全防护等方面对交通的需求,提出了适应社会主义新农村建设的道路交通安全保障措施。     

Transport planning in Hungary: a case study of Pécs

This review emerged from an opportunity provided in 1988 to the author to study the process of Hungarian transport planning in general, and that of the major regional city of Pécs in particular.

It begins by outlining the difficulties of obtaining detailed information on transport policy‐making and planning in Eastern Europe, and then goes on to analyse the situation in Hungary as a whole since the early 1960s. The specific situation in Pécs is then discussed in relation to national transport planning, with detailed case studies drawn from problems on the local and regional road network, the growth in car ownership and usage, the development of local and inter‐regional rail services, the provision of adequate local bus services, and the growth of local taxi services.

The problems stemming from State intervention and planning control in local transport are emphasized, as are the increasingly difficult issues of the Hungarian economy in constraining public investment. The paper concludes with a discussion of the relationship of the problems of Pécs with those of urban areas elsewhere in Europe, and emphasizes the particular difficulties faced by East European planners in the future.     

基于国省道沥青路面的施工技术相关思考与分析

本文主要针对国省道公路沥青道路的施工技术进行分析,从而及时改进现有的道路工程施工工艺,有效提高道路工程施工效率。道路工程作为当前城市建设中的重要内容,对于城市发展有着极为重要的作用。这就需要有关部门能够对此有着足够的重视,确保道路工程可以充分满足城市发展的需要。通过对公路沥青道路相关施工技术的分析,不仅可以实现道路工程施工工艺的改进,还可以提高道路的通过性,进一步减少国省道的拥堵情况。同时,对公路沥青道路施工技术进行分析,还能实现对于道路工程施工质量的控制,有利于道路使用寿命的提高。沥青道路施工技术的改进,对于当前交通运营及物流有着极为重要的作用。     

玉林市公路交通运输对区域经济发展的影响分析

公路交通运输与区域经济发展密不可分,公路交通的发展程度必然会对区域经济发展产生极大的影响。文章以玉林市为例,运用弹性系数法,通过详细的数据对比和计算,系统地分析了公路交通运输对玉林市经济活动区位、区域产业结构及经济发展水平的影响,表明公路交通运输在玉林市区域经济发展的过程中占据了重要的地位。     

Zambia,the TAZARA and the alternative outlets to the sea

Zambia has attempted to reduce her excessive transport dependency on her traditional transport routes via South Africa and the former Portugese colonies. The costly construction of the Tanzania‐Zambia Railway (TAZARA) was part of this diversification strategy. This article examines the nature, extent and direction of Zambian traffic, including its historical evolution. It explores further the place of TAZARA among the various routes to Mozambican, Angolan and South African ports, and the ensuing actual and potential competition. Future traffic patterns will be influenced not only by the direct and service‐oriented costs of the different lines, but also by the region's volatile and uncertain political climate.     

The speed control effect of highway tunnel sidewall markings based on color and temporal frequency

The low‐luminance monotonous environment in the middle section of highway tunnels offers few reference points and is prone to cause severe visual illusion. Thus, drivers tend to underestimate their driving speed, which can induce speeding behaviors that result in rear‐end collisions. Therefore, discovering low‐cost methods of traffic engineering that reduce this visual illusion and ensure a steady driving speed is an important challenge for current highway tunnel operations. This study analyzes the effects of sidewall markings in typical highway tunnels, specifically observing how their colors and temporal frequencies affect the driver's speed perception in a low‐luminance condition. A three‐dimensional model of the middle section of highway tunnels was built in a driving simulator. Psychophysical tests of speed perception were carried out by the method of limits. The precision of the simulation model was then checked by comparing the results to field test data. The simulation tests studied the stimulus of subjectively equal speed and reaction time in relation to sidewall markings in different colors (red–white combined, yellow–white combined, and blue–white combined). Furthermore, based on the optimal color, the effects of sidewall marking with different temporal frequencies (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 32 Hz) on the speed perception of drivers were also analyzed. The test results reveal that the color and temporal frequency of sidewall marking have a significant impact on the driver's stimulus of subjectively equal speed and reaction time. The subjects have the highest speed overestimation and an easy speed judgment with the red–white combined sidewall marking. Within the temporal frequency range of 4.45–7.01 Hz, the subjects have a certain degree of speed overestimation (less than 20%), and the speed perception is sensitive to the temporal frequency changes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

四川省高速公路发展现状及改扩建趋势分析

"十三五"以来,四川省高速公路建设与交通运输进入快速发展阶段,路网骨干功能日益凸显,但部分早期建成路线的交通量渐趋饱和,亟待扩容改造。为了准确把握四川省高速公路的改扩建需求发展规律,为交通规划建设提供参考依据,统计分析了全省高速公路的发展规模、技术品质及交通运行情况,并结合区域经济社会发展形势,研究了全省高速公路网在交通强省建设规划期内的改扩建需求发展趋势。     

荆门市综合交通运输系统总体布局规划

文章运用区域综合交通规划学、系统工程学、区域经济学和旅游经济学等多学科研究方法,针对我国“十二五”期间大力发展旅游业和优先建设交通基础设施的特殊背景,以荆门市交通运输系统为研究对象,综合考虑城市交通、过境交通、旅游交通及其各种交通方式的综合协调,对荆门市的综合交通运输网络进行总体布局规划。     

道路危险货物运输事故的预防

文章针对我国目前公路危险货物运输事故频发的现象,分析了有关道路危险货物运输在国家法规、中间申报环节、押运人和道路交警执法过程中存在的问题,提出了相关的对策,并总结出信息技术以及实时监控系统在危险品运输过程中的应用方案。     

The effects of lighting on driver's injury severity at highway‐rail grade crossings

This study estimates the safety effect of illumination on accidents at highway‐rail grade crossings in the United States, using data from exhaustive data from Federal Railroad Administration database covering the period 2002–2011. Using mixed logit modeling approach, the study explores the determinants of driver injury severity at unlighted highway‐rail grade crossings compared with lighted highway‐rail grade crossings in the United States. Several key issues are explored including availability of relevant highway‐rail grade crossing accident inventory data; relevant data element structures; specification and estimation of models to estimate driver's injury severity with lighting and without lighting; and techniques to interpret model parameters. Overall, highway‐rail grade crossing lighting improves safety by reducing the probability of high‐level injury severity through improvements in driver's visibility compared with unlighted intersections. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness of using variable message signs to disseminate dynamic traffic information: Evidence from field trails in European cities

Variable message signs (VMS) can provide up‐to‐date traffic information and guidance to drivers through electronic signs at the roadside. The paper draws together the results from VMS field trials conducted in nine cities as part of European Union‐sponsored research projects carried out between 1994 and 1999. The projects followed common guidelines in carrying out field trial evaluations, which has enabled generalized findings to be made on the impacts of the different VMS applications. The main emphasis in the paper is on drivers' reactions to VMS and the impacts of VMS on road network efficiency. Results are reported for four different types of traffic information. For incident messages, it is not only the severity of the problem reported that influences the level of diversions, but also other factors such as the specific location mentioned and the availability of viable alternative routes to avoid the problem location. For route guidance information, it is demonstrated that substantial diversions occur when the route advice differs from that given normally. For continuous information describing the traffic state on a major route, information increases the use of the major route and reduces use of alternative routes if there are no traffic problems reported on the major route. Travel time information was well regarded by drivers and found to be effective in inducing route changes. In general, the deployments of VMS to inform drivers of traffic conditions have proved successful in terms of improving network travel times and reducing environmental impacts. Whilst such changes have been relatively small, driver perception of the benefits is much higher. This is potentially very significant in terms of the role that VMS can play in the development of integrated transport strategies, as the provision of information may encourage greater acceptance of a range of demand management measures.     

A dynamic modeling approach to investigate impacts to protected and low-income populations in highway planning

Environmental justice (EJ) assessment has traditionally focused on identifying distributive effects to protected populations. Federal and State highway improvement programs have been established to stimulate economic development for these populations. While this issue has long been recognized as part of EJ initiatives, no quantitative comparisons of highway construction impacts on protected populations have been reported in the literature. This paper presents a dynamic modeling approach to investigate impacts to protected and low-Income populations in highway planning using an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) optimization framework. Using census and county level parcel data, the model integrates various socioeconomic factors into a GIS while generating highway alignments using GAs. Examples using county level census data from North Carolina are demonstrated to test the sensitivity of generated highway alignments with constrained distances from protected populations. The results indicate that it is important to consider local social and economic effects, in addition to regional planning objectives when measuring the effectiveness of feasibility studies associated with highway construction. Within the proposed modeling framework attention is directed on various EJ initiatives, such as environmental health and safety laws in minority and low-income areas. The model would help planners, designers, and policy-makers understand the intricate interrelationships among local communities, while facilitating more scientific and economically equitable planning for highway construction projects.     

Overview of new technology information systems for public transport passengers in French towns

Cost–benefit analysis (CBA) for transport investments is particularly useful for situations where a large number of investments have to be ranked against each other. This study draws on experiences from the development of the Swedish National Transport Investment Plan 2010–21. We study how CBA results were used in the process of shaping the investment plan and what influence they had on investment decisions. In particular, we compare the planners' rankings versus the politicians' rankings. We find that planners' rankings of investments are influenced by benefit–cost ratios (BCRs), in particular for low and moderate BCRs, while the politicians' rankings are not. By interviewing planners about how CBA was used in the process, we clarify what role CBA actually played in the planning process. We find that not only did the CBAs play a role in investment selection, they also forced investment design to be more cost-efficient. Furthermore, we explore planners' implicit valuations, as revealed by their investment selection, finding that freight benefits were implicitly valued higher and traffic safety lower than the officially recommended CBA weights. Finally, we identify the most important areas for improvement of CBA state-of-practice methodology.     

TransNIEMO: economic impact analysis using a model of consistent inter-regional economic and network equilibria

We describe a model that integrates a multiregional input–output (I–O) model of the USA (for 50 States and the District of Columbia) with the national highway network. Inter-state commodity shipments are placed on a congestible highway network. Simulations of major choke-point disruptions redirect traffic which increases the costs of some shipments. Increased costs show up in higher prices which help to determine a new I–O equilibrium. We find economic and network equilibria that are consistent. The simulations show only moderate economic impacts. We ascribe this to the resilience of the highway network. The model provides State-level detail on who bears the costs of the disruptions.     

The road network management system in Slovakia

Traffic on the road network in Slovakia is increasing greatly, as a result of the country's location in central Europe. In recent years, transit truck traffic has exceeded the network's capacity causing many accidents, low vehicle speed and rapid degradation of the pavement. To deal with this situation a Road Network Management System (RNMS) has been developed. This system is based on national standards that evaluate road parameters, characteristics, and traffic levels and on new methods that consider the environmental impact and methods based on international standards (HDM III). Using these, the RNMS was developed as one homogeneous unit, not only in terms of its capacity, traffic level and economic efficiency, but also to evaluate individual sections, to optimize action, and prepare a rehabilitation budget. It took only five years to develop the RNMS because Slovakia has much relevant experience based on high level research in highway design, structural pavement design and material engineering.     

Noise prediction for highways in Thailand

A model of highway traffic noise is formulated based on vehicle types. The data were collected from local highways in Thailand with free-flow traffic conditions. First, data on vehicle noise was collected from individual vehicles using sound level meters placed at a reference distance. Simultaneously, measurements were made of vehicles’ spot speeds. Secondly, are data for building the highway traffic noise model. This consists of traffic noise levels, traffic volumes by vehicle classification, average spot speeds by vehicle type, and the geometric dimension of highway sections. The free-flow traffic noise model is generated from this database. A reference energy mean emission level (the basic noise) level for each type of vehicles is developed based on direct measurement of Leq (10 s) from the real running condition of each type of vehicles. Modification of terms and parameters are used to make the model fit highway traffic characteristics and different types of vehicle.