Some promising innovations in taxicab operations

Several shared-ride passenger transportation services which could be offered by taxicabs are currently prohibited in U.S. cities by state or local regulations. Although relaxation of these regulations has been advocated on numerous occasions, little regulatory change has occurred to date. Moreover, the taxicab industry has rarely been considered as a potential provider for publicly subsidized transportation services. This paper discusses several promising innovations in taxicab service provisions and subsidy mechanisms which have been implemented or proposed recently in U.S. cities. The paper argues for more well-designed experimentation with such innovations as a means of stimulating greater interest on the part of planners, policy-makers, regulators, and public transportation operators in broadening the role of taxicabs in urban transportation.     

Innovations in the regulation and operation of taxicabs

This paper reviews a number of recent innovations in the regulation and operation of taxicabs in U. S. cities. The paper discusses the growing involvement of various levels of government in public transportation programs which affect the taxicab industry, and identifies the opportunities and problems created for the industry by this increased government activity. Innovations in the types of public transportation services which can be provided by taxicabs are discussed first, followed by a review of the administrative procedures which can be employed to involve taxicab companies in publicly funded programs. Proposals for changes in the regulations governing taxicab services and prices are discussed next, with particular attention to significant regulatory changes which have been implemented in U.S. cities in recent years. Finally, innovations in the technology of taxicab operations are reviewed, including improvements to vehicles, computerized dispatching techniques, and procedures and equipment for computing fares for taxicab services.     

汽车氙灯测试方法：相关性研究

1 背景 在1989年以前,汽车行业没有一个专门的氙灯加速老化测试方法的国际标准.1989年,汽车工程学会(SAE)发布了J1960"水冷式氙灯汽车外饰件加速暴露测试"和SAE J1885"水冷式氙灯汽车内饰件加速暴露测试"两项汽车材料耐候性测试标准.当时,SAE J1960和J1885有利于汽车制造商统一测试条件.但是,这些老化测试标准基于特定型号的设备构造,指定了某生产商的两种型号设备.     

Required navigation performance for connected and autonomous vehicles: where are we now and where are we going?

ABSTRACT

While automotive original equipment manufacturers and IT companies are developing and demonstrating self-driving cars, true autonomy will not be realised in the near future due in part to the technology readiness level of the existing systems as well as issues of ethics, security, governance and standards surrounding the implementation of autonomy for road transport. However, advances in cellular phones and networks, satellite-based positioning and communications, cloud computing, combined with a rise in the volumes of available data, allied with a reduction in their costs, offer the very real possibility of connecting vehicles, one to another and to smart city infrastructure as part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Data from connected vehicles, when combined with other information, may provide valuable intelligence to traffic managers and other stakeholders via cooperative intelligent transport system (C-ITS) platforms. Nevertheless, many issues face the implementation of a truly connected IoT in general and C-ITS in particular.     

Well-to-wheel analysis for electric, diesel and hydrogen traction for railways

This paper derives the energy efficiencies and CO₂ emissions for electric, diesel and hydrogen traction for railway vehicles on a well-to-wheel basis, using the low heating value and high heating value of the enthalpy of oxidation of the fuel. The tank-to-wheel and well-to-tank efficiency are determined. Gaseous hydrogen has a WTW efficiency of 25% low heating value, if produced from methane and used in a fuel cell. This efficiency is similar to diesel and electric traction in the UK, US, and California. A reduction of about 19% in CO₂ is achieved when hydrogen gas is used in a fuel cell compared to diesel traction, and a 3% reduction compared to US electricity.     

Review of fishing safety policies in Canada with respect to extreme environmental conditions and climate change effects

Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Numerous research studies have been carried out to improve fishing safety from many different perspectives. Several of these studies focused on the relationship between environmental factors, climate change effects, and fishing safety. This paper aims to suggest a knowledge mobilization structure that translates findings of this type of research into input of evidence-based decision making and consequently improve and update fishing policies with respect to fishing safety and environmental conditions. Significant safety factors extracted from related literature are stability of vessels, fisheries management, safety equipment, communication, insurance, training, safety information and culture, weather forecasts, fatigue, and search and rescue planning. The paper then reviews policies related to these factors to examine if they address extreme environmental conditions and climate change effects. The paper presents recommendations to improve general fishing safety with respect to short- and long-term environmental considerations.     

Simulating Demand-responsive Transportation: A Review of Agent-based Approaches

Abstract

In light of the need to make better use of existing transport infrastructure, demand-responsive transportation (DRT) systems are gaining traction internationally. However, many systems fail due to poor implementation, planning, and marketing. Being able to realistically simulate a system to evaluate its viability before implementation is important. This review investigates the application of agent-based simulation for studying DRT. We identify that existing simulations are strongly focused on the optimisation of trips, usually in favour of the operator, and rarely consider individual preferences and needs. Agent-based simulations, however, permit incorporation of the latter, as well as capture the interactions between operators and customers. Several areas of future research are identified in order to unify future research efforts.     

Proactive environmental planning for emerging shipping routes in Arctic waters

Projected reductions in the extent and thickness of the seaice cover in the Arctic Ocean could substantially benefit shipping, perhaps opening the Arctic Ocean as a major trade route. However, despite the economic benefits of such changes, the emergence of such a route through the Arctic Ocean presents a number of challenges to Arctic coastal States and policy makers in general. Of particular concern is the potential for significant environmental damage. Historically, strong objections have been raised over restrictions on navigation for environmental purposes, on the grounds that these run counter to the freedom of navigation enshrined in international law. Notwithstanding this, a broad range of measures exist for those coastal States wishing to address the threat from shipping.     

Centralized versus distributed feeder ship service: The case of the Maasvlakte harbour area of Rotterdam

Coastal and inland feeder shipping is a critical factor for intercontinental container transport. The question is whether each intercontinental terminal should be equipped with its own service stations for feeder shipping, or whether pooling of the facilities would be more effective. For this paper, the service station examined for the service of feeder ships is equipped with two quay cranes operating in parallel supported by a small active quay stack. The centre for this feeder service consists of several of these stations. Simulation shows that a crane productivity of 96% is feasible with an average vehicle waiting time of 1 min, that a central service requires fewer service stations than a distributed service and that the quay transport for central and distributed transport requires the same number of terminal vehicles. The analysis shows that a centralized service is preferable, attracting 70% of the market potential.