What determines commute time choices? A structural equation modelling approach

Abstract

Many researchers have been attracted by the phenomenon of constant travel time, and the time spent on travel has been an important indicator of understanding travellers’ behaviours. This paper is based on a survey conducted in a university in London which includes both objective and subjective variables in relation to commute time and some demographic characteristics. Two conceptual structural models are examined in order to explore the factors determining travellers’ choices. Results of the analysis reveal some interesting relationships: (1) a positive relationship between age and commute time; (2) females are more likely to read or listen to music during their journeys, and their ideal commute time (ICT) and current commute time (CCT) generally tend to be longer; (3) academic staff tend to have the habit of working during their commute, administrative staff tend to commute longer while students tend to spend a shorter time commuting; (4) normally, a habit while travelling is significantly associated with CCT; those with a habit of reading or working during their commute journey tend to have longer commute times and (5) the relationship between CCT and commuters’ ICT and tolerable commute time is positive; both hypothesised causal relationships are significant so that a loop is formed between subjective and objective variables, and thus a dynamic modelling process could be envisaged as temporal sequences of those variables.     

间歇式拌和站沥青混合料生产配比调试技术探讨

针对拌和机设备的构造、运作原理和沥青混合料材料的特性,提出了满足混合料生产中温度、计量和除尘等要求的设备调整、标定方法。基于间歇式拌合机的运作原理,提出了生产配比调试中热料仓筛分、级配调整、沥青含量确定的一整套方法,为间歇式拌合站生产配比调试提供了技术依据。     

Optimal tank-trailer routing using the ILOG constraint programming – a Taiwan case study

Abstract

This paper investigates the routing of pressurized tank trailers and proposes a scheduling plan which ensures the practical delivery of industrial gases under the objective of reducing transportation costs. Using constraint programming, we solve a combinatorial optimization problem that incorporates both hard and soft constraints for routing and scheduling tank trailers. Hard constraints are resource and safety/regulation constraints, whereas soft constraints are utilization and efficiency constraints. This approach enables tank-trailer routing and scheduling management to consider different combinations of parameters and view the results in ‘real-time.’ The routing and scheduling results based on a case study in Taiwan fulfil the goals of avoiding risks associated with transporting industrial gases, and attaining efficient delivery while conforming to regulations and consistent with good business practice. The results also suggest that significant economies in distribution costs are possible.     

Incorporating e-Technology to Advantage in a Greener Taxi Industry and its Impact on Driving Performance and Safety

Abstract

New technologies, especially advances in telecommunications, have had profound impacts on everyday life and brought even greater changes to some business models. Taxis represent one of the major modes of transportation in urban areas but they face a number of problems, including their environmental impacts. The status of the taxi industry in Taiwan is revealed and analyzed in this study. A new business model for the extensive and popular use of smart phones is proposed. However, it is important to know whether their use is both effective and safe. Two field experiments were executed to examine the effects on taxi drivers of using a navigation system installed in a GPS PDA phone. The results revealed that the efficiency of drivers using such a portable navigation system was better than those relying on paper maps in unfamiliar urban areas. Furthermore, performance in terms of safety was also better than those who used an on-board navigation system. In summary, incorporating e-technology can promote a taxi company's competitiveness and a driver's performance and safety as well as offer environmental benefits.     

非等时距灰色预测模型在连拱隧道监测中的应用

针对对门坡连拱隧道采用中导洞上下台阶法施工过程中隧道洞内变形的现场监测信息,采用非等距灰色预测模型对连拱隧道施工过程中隧道围岩的变形趋势进行了预测,并将预测结果与由指数模型和双曲线模型得到的结果进行了对比分析.分析结果和工程实践表明,其预测结果精度高,更接近于实测值,能很好地反映连拱隧道围岩的变形规律.     

桥梁工程事故回顾分析与对策探讨

本文通过回顾从19世纪初以来世界上主要发生的桥梁事故情况,选取其中三个较为典型的桥梁事故,分析其倒塌的原因,并结合作者收集的信息,统计出桥梁事故发生的规律,从而对避免桥梁工程事故的发生提出一些建议和对策。     

兰渝铁路盖家阴山滑坡稳定系数水敏性分析

以兰渝铁路盖家阴山滑坡为例,进行了滑带土大型直剪试验,讨论了滑带土的c,φ值随含水率变化规律.通过传递系数法进行了滑坡稳定系数对强度参数c,φ值和地下水位变幅的敏感性分析,结果表明:随着含水率的增加,内摩擦角φ基本呈线性减小,黏聚力c呈现先增加而后又逐渐变小的特征;滑带土黏聚力c每降低1 kPa,稳定性系数将减小0.01~0.02;内摩擦角φ每降低1°,稳定性系数将减小0.07~0.09;在降水和地震条件下,当水位变幅系数δ大于0.53时,滑坡体将会发生蠕滑变形,甚至是失稳滑动.     

汽车低速碰撞模拟中的关键因素识别

为了在车辆开发过程中快速准确地识别各种边界条件变化对车辆低速碰撞性能的影响,选取3种不同结构特征的防撞梁结构,就模型简化、模型剪切、整备质量、重叠量、Y向撞击位置、角碰角度偏差和碰撞速度偏差7大因素进行分析研究,并识别出关键影响因素,为后续指导防撞梁开发奠定基础。     

基于LMS和SDP的发动机异响诊断方法研究

为有效提取发动机声信号特征,以诊断发动机的异响,提出了一种以最小均方算法和对称点图形算法相结合的发动机异响诊断方法。采用最小均方算法去除信号中的噪声,还原发动机声信号,而利用SDP图形技术将信号转换为极坐标图形,得以判断发动机是否产生异响。通过仿真与试验,验证了该方法的有效性。     

冻融腐蚀对沥青混凝土疲劳性能的影响

通过模拟北方地区季节温差规律,针对3种不同级配的沥青混凝土,在清水和氯化钠饱和溶液中,进行冻融条件下沥青混凝土疲劳性能研究;分析疲劳破坏的作用机理,确定影响沥青路面疲劳性能的主要因素;综合评价级配、盐分腐蚀对疲劳性能的影响,为提高沥青路面的使用年限和耐久性提供理论依据.试验结果表明,在-18 ～60℃冻融循环作用下,随着冻融次数的增加,沥青混凝土疲劳寿命总体逐渐下降;在相同冻融条件下,3种不同级配的沥青混凝土疲劳寿命大小顺序为:AC-13、AC-16、AC-20;2种不同溶液中的沥青混凝土疲劳寿命,清水中的大于氯化钠饱和溶液中的.