An automatic segmentation procedure for studying variations in mode choice behaviour

Urban areas are very complex and heterogeneous in terms of their population composition and activity systems. The transport system, modal choices and service levels available to the population also varies considerably across space and time. These similarities and differences in choices and levels of explanatory variables facing individual tripmakers have to be explicitly considered in any study of transport behvior. The common practice has been to include user attributes, in addition to the system characteristics, in the modal utility functions to help capture differences in choice behavior across individuals. However, it could well be that the mode-choice behavior of a segment of the population is fundamentally different from other segments of the population. In view of this, some studies have applied segmentation schemes to help identify the subgroups of presumably different travel responses. Typically, such schemes have been based on stratification of the population by a single variable, chosen either based on a priori notions or one-way cross tabulations. These have their shortcomings. Thus, this paper develops an analytical procedure that simultaneously deals with level of service, socioeconomic and spatial factors to determine the relative role each plays in determining travel behavior. The procedure is applied to data from the Toronto region to illustrate its use.     

Some properties of international maritime statistics

This paper tests two fundamental hypotheses concerning international maritime statistics. The first one deals with the question of stationary of the maritime market statistics. The second hypothesis tested is the assumption that the international maritime statistical time series are not distributed according to a normal of Guassian probability law, but rather belong to the same family of distributions with distinctly different critical parameters. Through well documented statistical methods, the paper concludes that the international freight rates observed on a day to day basis are generated by a random walk process. The paper finds that the shipping industry's conventioal wisdom is essentially correct. 'Last done' is as good a forecast of tomorrow's freight rate as any other generated by more sophisticated forecasting methods. Furthermore, freight rates and secondhand tonnage prices fluctuate closely together. The freight rates are generated by stochastic processes fully described by the Paretian family of distributions. The critical parameters of these distribution, the characteristic exponents, are such that the risk conscious ship operator can indeed reduce his exposure to risk by securing a correct set of freight rate contracts.     

The wind-forced response on a buoyant coastal current: Observations of the western Gulf of Maine plume

The freshwater plume in the western Gulf of Maine is being studied as part of an interdisciplinary investigation of the physical transport of a toxic alga. A field program was conducted in the springs of 1993 and 1994 to map the spatial and temporal patterns of salinity, currents and algal toxicity. The observations suggest that the plume's cross-shore structure varies markedly as a function of fluctuations in alongshore wind forcing. Consistent with Ekman drift dynamics, upwelling favorable winds spread the plume offshore, at times widening it to over 50 km in offshore extent, while downwelling favorable winds narrow the plume width to as little as 10 km.Using a simple slab model, we find qualitative agreement between the observed variations of plume width and those predicted by Ekman theory for short time scales of integration. Near surface current meters show significant correlations between cross-shore currents and alongshore wind stress, consistent with Ekman theory. Estimates of the terms in the alongshore momentum equation calculated from moored current meter arrays also indicate a dominant Ekman balance within the plume. A significant correlation between alongshore currents and winds suggests that interfacial drag may be important, although inclusion of a Raleigh drag term does not significantly improve the alongshore momentum balance.     

A comparison between conventional and advanced handling systems for low volume container maritime terminals

In this paper a conventional low volume maritime terminal equipped with straddle carriers is compared against an advanced automatic stacking crane/automatic guided vehicle alternative. For both configurations a convenient layout was designed, a reasonable level of service (common for both terminals) was adopted, and the required amount of equipment was determined using computer simulation. The results indicate that the total cost per container and the area requirements do not differ considerably between the two configurations although there exist differences in the investment capital and the personnel required.     

Road Surface Correction o f Tire Test Data

Most tire data used for vehicle simulations is measured on laboratory test facilities. An investigation showed that the frictional properties of these laboratory machines can be quite different from actual road conditions. This paper describes a method to correct laboratory tire test data to be more like road data in order to achieve a higher degree of correlation between instrumented test- and simulation results.     

The Stationary Motion of a One-Axle Vehicle Along a Circular Curve with Real Rail and Wheel Profiles

In this paper, we present a theory on the stationary motion of a one-axle railway vehicle along a circular curve in the presence of single- or double-point contact. The rail and the wheel profiles may be either stylized or real and as an example we take the profile combination UIC60 1:40 S1002. The mathematical model of the system is based on De Pater's first-order theory [1]. The geometrical contact problem between wheel and rail is solved by using a modified Newton-Raphson procedure. Both the cases with and without friction are considered. When friction is present, the non-linear Kalker creep law [6, 7] is used to describe the physical contact. For various values of the friction coefficient, the cant angle and the curvature of the track, the contact forces are presented as functions of the velocity parameter C v = V 2 / V 2 eq , where V is the velocity of the vehicle and V eq is the equilibrium velocity of the frictionless case. For the case of stylized profiles in which both the wheel treads and the wheel flanges are conical, and the rail cross sections are circular, we have determined the velocity range with single point contact in dependence on the friction coefficient, the conicity of the tread, the curvature of the track and the cant angle.     

What makes a car-sharer?

Information from various sources, but most specifically from the YORKSHARE car-sharing schemes, is brought together in an analysis of public reaction to, and participation in, a car-sharing scheme with centralised matching of applicants. The importance of various attributes of the sites, of the individuals and of the scheme organisation are assessed and conclusions are drawn.The motivation of individual participants is analysed and is seen to vary from one person to another depending to some extent on their circumstances, but the universal importance of some features, notably cost savings, is revealed.     

Welfare effects of congestion pricing in Singapore

This paper examines the Singapore Area License Scheme. Changes in scheduling and choices of transportation mode by commuters are discussed. Although the toll is shown to reduce travel times for many commuters, many commuters are shown to incur scheduling costs as a result of the toll. Using estimated parameters of an indirect utility function, welfare functions are computed to compare welfare levels prior to, and just after, the toll was put into place. The evidence suggests that the toll may have reduced welfare.     

An Investigation into Stick-Slip Vibrations on Vehicle/Track Systems

A model for the numerical simulation of vehicle/track interaction and stick-slip vibration is presented. A finite element model is developed to calculate vertical contact forces. These forces are then coupled through the contact patch into a non-linear time-domain model by which the stick-slip vibration behaviour of a wheel-rail system is analysed. The investigation suggests that stick-slip vibration may occur if a vehicle which has a maligned or an initial 'wind-up' wheeiset meets a vertical irregularity or contaminants on the track.     

An optical tire contact pressure test bench

An optical tire contact pressure test bench developed by the IMMa group is described. The measurement system is based on the frustration of total internal reflection (FTIR) of light. The test bench allows performing normal pressure distribution and patch contact shape measurements on passenger car tires. The system is based on the use of a laterally illuminated glass on which the tire leans. Between them a plastic interphase is located that will cause the FTIR of light. A video camera catches the formed shining image through the glass. The brightness level in each pixel of the image can be related to the existing normal pressure. The study of the contact patch provided by the bench makes it possible to characterize tire behaviour under different loading states, inflation pressure, tire defects and toe and camber angles. The bench incorporates a computerized load and control system of the tire operation parameters, an image acquisition module and a data acquisition system that allow monitoring and acting on the experimental variables of interest in the tests such as load on the tire and environmental conditions. A supporting mechanical system incorporated to the bench allows providing the tire with variable toe and camber angles. From the images obtained with this system, the maximum normal pressure points, total force, size and shape of the patch can be determined, which are related to the tire-use conditions. As an application example, results that show the patch size and shape under different load and tire inflation pressures are presented. A further application, which is the use of the system for the detection and study of defective tires is also presented.