The changing face of parking-related data collection and analysis: The role of new technologies

Current trends in requirements for parking related information and in the availability of data are reviewed. Important influences include the increased need for data to assist in the efficient operation and management of parking stock and to assess the impact of parking on the local network and economy. New sources of data are described, particular attention being given to the availability of data as a byproduct of parking management systems and computerised enforcement systems. The use and performance of audio, video and data loggers in parking surveys is discussed as is the role of computers in questionnaire surveys. New methods of analysis involving spreadsheets, graphics and analysis software, links with databases and simulation models are outlined.     

Fatigue damage in the side shells of ships

More than 40% of the registered fatigue cracks in ship structures are observed to occur in the side shell, more specifically in the connections of longitudinals to transverse web frames. The fatigue damage is caused partly by vertical and horizontal wave-induced hull bending and partly by outside water pressure on the side shell. Due to the non-linear nature of the outside water pressure the fatigue damage of the combined stress cannot be solved via a traditional frequency domain analysis. This paper solves the combination problem by application of a realistic wave model. The proposed model is used to analyze a segregated ballast tanker, and the results are compared to previously registered fatigue cracks. The analysis shows that it is very important to include the water pressure in the fatigue analysis, as this accounts for the majority of the expected fatigue damage. The analysis is performed for both I-shaped and L-shaped stiffeners.     

A comparative study of the dynamic behaviour of a fast patrol boat travelling in rough seas

This paper describes a comparative study between full scale measurements recorded on a fast patrol boat encountering heavy winter seas, south of the Isle of Wight and theoretical predictions accounting for the slamming behaviour of the flexible hull. A hydroelastic approach is adopted and satisfactory agreement between measured and predicted responses demonstrated.     

Motivating ship managers to use management support technology

Ship managers have been slow in their response to using information technology (IT) in spite of the dynamic environment encouraging technological support for a number of critical tasks. The reason is in part the conservatism of the shipping industry, but the main reason seems to be the poor quality of systems provided, creating a credibility gap and usage reluctance. This paper suggests five principles for the development of 'user seductive' systems and illustrates their successful use in a number of case histories of management support systems development.     

Force Control in Electrohydraulic Active Suspensjons

For a simple vehicle active suspension system complete optimality and zero steady state body displacements may be achieved if the axle and body accelerations, and other easily measured quantities, are included in the performance index. Apart from not requiring an observer, this also allows the optimal feedback gains to be determined for an arbitrary body spring rate. In a theoretical example, model parameters matching those of an experimental test rig are employed. The results of computer simulations, with and without an electrohydraulic servovalve and actuator, are compared to demonstrate the effects of inner loop gain on force control. Aspects of the system behaviour including lockup are commented upon.