Timetable optimization models and methods for minimizing passenger waiting time at public transit terminals

This paper focuses on developing mathematical optimization models for the train timetabling problem with respect to dynamic travel demand and capacity constraints. The train scheduling models presented in this paper aim to minimize passenger waiting times at public transit terminals. Linear and non-linear formulations of the problem are presented. The non-linear formulation is then improved through introducing service frequency variables. Heuristic rules are suggested and embedded in the improved non-linear formulation to reduce the computational time effort needed to find the upper bound. The effectiveness of the proposed train timetabling models is illustrated through the application to an underground urban rail line in the city of Tehran. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed demand-oriented train timetabling models, in terms of decreasing passenger waiting times. Compared to the baseline and regular timetables, total waiting time is reduced by 6.36% and 10.55% respectively, through the proposed mathematical optimization models.     

Adaptive Neural Observer-Based Nonsingular Super-Twisting Terminal Sliding-Mode Controller Design for a Class of Hovercraft Nonlinear Systems

Designing a controller to stabilize maneuvering hovercrafts is an important challenge in amphibious vehicles. Hovercrafts are implemented in several application...     

A fuzzy AHP decision support system for selecting yard cranes in marine container terminals

One of the most important issues that planners and developers of ports have to address at the planning process of container terminals is how to effectively optimize truck turnaround times. The time that a truck spends at a container terminal for loading and/or unloading of cargo is a real cost scenario which affects not only the smooth operation of ports but also the overall cost of the container trade. The main objective of this article is to provide a decision support tool for selecting the best container yard gantry crane for loading/discharging operation of trucks at the landside of marine container terminals. Achieving this goal, this study aims at introducing and recommending the multiple attribute decision-making and the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process models that have been proven to provide a concrete basis for such a selection decision.     

An appropriate unidirectional wave spectrum model for the Strait of Hormuz

The objective of this paper is to introduce an appropriate unidirectional wave spectrum model for the Strait of Hormuz. The research is focused on assessing performance of standard wave spectrum models in the region. By evaluating such models based on valuable measurement data recently published, the calibration procedure has been conducted on such standard models to reach a better concordance between a modified standard spectral model and observed field spectra. The calibration is performed initially with respect to four distinct directions related to four available measurement stations. So, it results in four sets of coefficients for a nominated model. Next, it is continued to reach just one model insensitive to directions. Results clearly showed that the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) model is more appropriate than Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) and Pierson and Moskowitz (PM) models in this area, even without any calibration. However, modifications have been successful on improving the conformity of the model.     

A computational investigation of the effects of both-sides general corrosion on the buckling/plastic collapse behaviour and strength of stiffened plates

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the post-buckling behaviour and ultimate strength of imperfect corroded stiffened steel plates used in ships and other marine-related structures. A series of elastic–plastic large deflection finite element analyses is performed on stiffened steel plates suffering general corrosion wastage with random distribution. General corrosion is introduced into the finite element models using a random thickness surface model. The effects of corroded stiffened plate parameters on the post-buckling and ultimate strengths are evaluated in detail. The stiffeners of different symmetrical or unsymmetrical cross-sections are introduced into the models for analysis. Some distinctions are explored and highlighted between the behaviours of steel plates suffering general corrosion in unstiffened and stiffened cases. Finally, a proposal is given in order to simulate the average stress–average strain relationship of stiffened steel plates having both-surface general corrosion wastage.     

An approximate method for the surge response of the tension leg platform

The solution for the Duffing equation in anonlinear vibration problem is studied in this paper. Clearly,in the case of the perturb parameter being a larger value, thetraditional perturbation method is no longer valid but theHomotopy Perturbation Method （HPM） is applicable usually.HPM is used to solve the weak and strong nonlineardifferential equations for finding the perturbed frequency ofthe response. The obtained frequencies via HPM and theapproximate method have good accordance for weak andstrong nonlinear differential equations. Additionally, thecalculated responses by use of the approximate method arecompared with the responses obtained from the Numericalmethod in the time history of the response and phase plane.The results represent ~ood accordance between them.     

An Eff icient Acoustic Scattering Model Based on Target Surface Statistical Descriptors for Synthetic Aperture Sonar Systems

Acoustic scattering as the perturbation of an incident acoustic field from an arbitrary object is a critical part of the target-recognition process in synthetic...     

Hydrodynamic Performance Prediction of Stepped Planing Craft Using CFD and ANNs

In the present paper, the hydrodynamic performance of stepped planing craft is investigated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. For this purpose, th...