Valuing casualty risk reductions from estimated baseline risk

Stated choice studies have been applied regularly to the valuation of time savings and other attributes of travelling as perceived by individuals. In such experiments, respondents often provide reference levels for the attributes and the hypothetical choices presented to them are pivoted around actual behaviour. However, most individuals are not able to provide reference levels for the number of casualties on the road they travel. Thus, if valuation of this important element is attempted, it is the researcher who must provide casualty risk reference levels to the respondents. Some studies have applied route choice experiments including a safety attribute but the majority has been limited to only one particular road section with a common baseline risk for all respondents.     

A combined tramp ship routing,fleet deployment,and network design problem

In this paper, a tramp ship routing model of fleet deployment in a hub-and-spoke network is presented. This model simultaneously determines the selection of hubs, the assignment of spokes to hubs, the deployment of feeder-containerships as well as containership routing between spokes and spokes, hubs and spokes, and hubs and hubs. Even though some parts have been studied, this complex combination of shipping problems has never been addressed. Because the problem is NP-hard, a genetic algorithm (GA) with local search is proposed. In the algorithm, a cut-off procedure is applied to fleet deployment in a sub-route strategy. A number of randomly generated problem instances are solved by both a mathematical program and the GA with local search. A simple but realistic heuristic algorithm is also developed. Both the GA with local search and the heuristic algorithm are used to solve a number of real case instances. A comparison of the results shows the efficiency of the GA with local search. The developed model can be used as a route-decision support tool for shipping companies that provide long-haul shipping services in a hub-and-spoke network.     

Evaluating competitiveness using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process—A case study of Chinese airlines

With the development of a national market economy, the Chinese aviation industry is now confronted with international competition. Therefore, it is necessary to research the competitive status of Chinese national aviation, as well as advice on how to enhance the competitiveness of the Chinese aviation industry. The main objective of this paper is to propose FAHP as an effective solution for resolving the uncertainty and imprecision in the evaluation of airlines' competitiveness. In this paper, we review the research of industrial international aviation competitiveness at both home and abroad, discuss a theoretical framework for the study of aviation competitiveness, establish an index system with five first‐order indicators and 17 second‐order indicators, set up a Chinese aviation competitiveness model based on simple fuzzy numbers from the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, and evaluate the competitiveness of five major Chinese airlines. The results showed that this model and these indicators are scientific and practical, with a wide range of application prospects for the purpose of improving and increasing Chinese airline competitiveness in the international market. The effective approach presented in this paper is especially applicable when subjective judgments on performance ratings and attribute weights are not accessible or reliable, or when suitable decision makers are not available. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Integration of experiment and hydrostatic fluid-structure finite element analysis into dynamic characteristic prediction of a hydraulically damped rubber mount

Hydraulically damped rubber mount (HDM) can effectively attenuate vibrations transmitted between an automotive powertrain and body/chassis and reduce interior noise in the car compartment. Predicting the dynamic characteristics of a HDM faces challenges due to fluid-structure interactions between the rubber spring and fluid in the chambers, nonlinear material properties of the rubber parts and turbulent flow in the chambers and fluid track linking chambers. In this paper, an experimental analysis and hydrostatic finite element (FE) modeling technique are integrated in a numerical simulation approach to modeling the dynamic characteristics of a HDM with a lumped-parameter HDM model. The dynamic characteristics of a typical HDM with a fixed decoupler are predicted and compared with experimental results, which verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Moreover, a parametric effect analysis is performed to demonstrate parameter influence on dynamic characteristic, which provides a concise design guideline for the parameter adjustments necessary for a HDM to meet the vibration isolation requirements of a powertrain mount system.     

Effect of various LPG supply systems on exhaust particle emission in spark-ignited combustion engine

The particle size distribution and particle number (PN) concentration emitted by internal combustion engine are a subject of significant environmental concern because of their adverse health effects and environmental impact. This subject has recently attracted the attention of the Particle Measurement Programme (PMP). In 2007, the UN-ECE GRPE PMP proposed a new method to measure particle emissions in the diluted exhaust of automotive engines and a regulation limit (<6.0×10¹¹ #/km, number of particles). The specific PN regulation of spark-ignited combustion engine will be regulated starting on September 1, 2014 (EURO 6). In this study, three types of LPG supply systems (a mixer system and a multi-point injection system with gas-phase or liquid-phase LPG fuel) were used for a comparison of the particulate emission characteristics, including the nano-sized particle number density. Each of the three LPG vehicles with various LPG injection systems contained a multi-cylinder engine with same displacement volumes of 2,000 cm³ and a three-way catalytic converter. The test fuel that was used in this study for the spark-ignited combustion engine was n-butane basis LPG fuel, which is primarily used for taxi vehicles in Korea. The characteristics of nano-particle size distribution and number concentration of particle sizes ranging from 20 to 1,000 nm (aerodynamic diameter) that were emitted from the three LPG vehicles with various LPG supply systems were investigated by using a condensation particle counter (CPC), which is recommended by the PMP under both the NEDC and FTP-75 test modes on a chassis dynamometer. The experimental results indicate that the PN emission characteristics that were obtained by the CPC system using the PMP procedure are sufficiently reliable compared to other regulated emissions. Additionally, the sources of PN emissions in ascending order of magnitude are as follows: mixer type, gas-phase LPG injection (LPGi) and liquid-phase LPG injection (LPLi) passenger vehicles. The liquid-phase LPG injection system produced relatively large particle sizes and number concentrations compared to the gaseous system, regardless of the vehicle driving cycle. This phenomenon can be explained by unburned micro-fuel droplets that were generated due to a relatively short homogeneous fuel-air mixture duration in the engine intake manifold. Also the particle number emissions from the LPG vehicle were influenced by the vehicle driving cycle.     

Performance analysis of a CVT clutch system for a hybrid electric vehicle

In this study, the performance of a CVT clutch system for a hybrid electric vehicle was investigated. To analyzed the vehicle performance at restart, the restart delay and driveshaft torque was investigated by simulations and experiments. It was found from the simulation results that the vehicle restart response depends on the clutch pressure buildup time to the point where the clutch torque begins to overcome the vehicle road load, and driving comfort at restart is directly related to the rate change of the clutch pressure.     

Effects of FTP-75 mode vehicle fuel economy improvement due to types of power steering system

This paper focuses on fuel economy improvement according to the type of power steering system. Usually, a conventional power steering system is directly driven by the crankshaft of the engine with a belt, known as HPS (hydraulic power steering). However, there is some inefficiency with this system at high engine speeds. To improve this inefficiency, automobile makers have developed two power steering systems: EHPS (electro-hydraulic power steering) and MDPS (motor-driven power steering) or EPS (electric powered steering). However, there has been insufficient study of effects of the type of power steering system on fuel economy. In this paper, the effect of the type of power steering system on fuel economy is studied experimentally, and calculations of the effect on vehicle fuel economy are presenting using computer simulation with AVL cruise software. The results demonstrate that a 1% vehicle fuel economy improvement can be achieved in a vehicle with an electro-hydraulic power steering system compared to a vehicle with a hydraulic power steering system. In addition, a 1.7% vehicle fuel economy improvement can be achieved using a full electric power steering system in a FTP-75 driving cycle. These results could be used to choose a power steering system.     

Effects of valve timing and intake flow motion control on combustion and time-resolved HC & NOx formation characteristics

In SI engines, valve events have a major influence on volumetric efficiency, fuel economy and exhaust emissions. Moreover, swirl and tumble motions in the intake charge also improve combustion speed and quality by stratifying the mixture as well as intensifying the mixing rate of air and fuel. This paper investigates the behaviors of an engine and the combustion phenomenon for various intake valve timings and intake charge motions using CVVT system and port masking schemes. Test condition includes a part load and a cold idle condition inclusive of a cold start of the engine. Time-resolved HC and NOx emissions were also measured at an exhaust port to examine their formation mechanisms and behaviors with fast response HC/NOx analyzers. In conclusion, the fast burning of fuel and improved combustion quality by enhanced charge motions reduced unburned HC emissions, and advancing the intake valve opening reduced HC as well as NOx. Furthermore, HCs during the cold transient phase and idle conditions decreased with recalibrated start parameters such as lean air-fuel ratio and spark retardation via the enhancement of intake charge motions.     

A methodological approach for environmental characterization of ports

This paper introduces a methodology for the characterization of ports, employing specifically defined eco-efficiency indicators and combining typically available data (handled cargo, containers and passengers) with ship exhaust pollutants values (mainly NO_x, SO_x and PM) and anticipated external costs (ECs) due to emitted air pollutants to provide a collective overview of all port-related economic and environmental activities. The results from an applied case study allow a comparative evaluation of 16 selected ports based on 17 different evaluation criteria and denote that the employment of such an overall approach can allow port authorities to improve managerial aspects, potentially lower operational costs and promote reduced environmental effects.     

铌磷半钢在中磷铸铁闸瓦中应用的研究

本文通过对用铌磷半钢配制的中磷闸瓦的金相组织、力学性能、物理性能和摩擦-磨损特性的研究及其实际运行,证明:其质量指标和使用性能完全满足 TB1159-76标准,并超过普通中磷闸瓦的技术水平;可使中磷铸铁闸瓦的原材料成本降低10%左右.