Identification Methods for Vehicle System Dynamics

The paper presents a survey on parameter identification techniques for complex vehicle models. In order to cope with the complexity of the model, the information on the system available from the equations of motion has to be included in the identification process. Basic methods for the solution of this problem are shown. The application of the approach is demonstrated by identification of the vertical automobile dynamics. It is concluded that the presented techniques will become more important with increasing applications of theoretical modeling in vehicle system dynamics.     

The Geometrical Contact between Track and Wheelset

In previous publications the author has described a so-called first-order theory for the motion of a railway vehicle wheelset on a tangent track. In the present report the geometrical aspect of this theory is further evaluated and a method for solving the constraint equations between the coordinates of the wheelset is indicated.     

浅谈基础设施项目工程造价全过程管理

分析了基础设施项目建设管理过程中存在的问题,阐明了对基础设施建设造价进行全过程管理的意义。运用工程项目造价全过程管理理论,即全生命周期造价管理理论,对基础设施项目建设造价进行全过程管理,并且详细分析了从项目的前期决策阶段到项目的实施阶段进行造价管理的方法。     

桥梁美学设计及其进展

文中首先阐述了桥梁美学设计的必要性和重要性,然后论述了桥梁设计中的美学考虑,桥梁美学的发展,桥梁美学理论及美学设计的实现等等。     

西江水运主通道通航枢纽建设关键技术研究

文章主要介绍西部项目西江水运主通道通航枢纽建设研究的背景、内容、成果及关键技术,为其他航运枢纽建设提供了设计、决策的依据,其研究成果具有广阔的应用和参考价值。     

A multiple discrete-continuous model for independent- and joint-discretionary-activity participation decisions

This paper presents a multiple discrete-continuous econometric structure to model the daily time-investment decisions of couples in solo- and joint-discretionary activities incorporating intra-personal and inter-personal inter-dependencies. The empirical model was estimated using data from the 2000 Bay Area Travel Survey. The results indicate evidence of the positive impact of vehicle availability on independent activity participation and the negative impacts of the presence of children and mandatory time investments on the joint discretionary-activity engagement of the spouses. In addition, we also find the mandatory- and maintenance-activity-participation characteristics of the spouse to influence the discretionary activity choices of individuals. Finally, the analysis also indicates a strong impact of common unobserved factors on the decisions of couples. From a policy analysis perspective, these results imply that demand-management actions directly impacting one adult could also result in changes to the activity patterns of his/her spouse and to changes in joint activity participation characteristics. Dr. Sivaramakrishnan Srinivasan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of Florida. His research interests include travel-behavior analysis, activity-based travel-demand modeling, and the application of advanced econometric methods for transportation problems. Dr. Chandra R. Bhat has contributed toward the development of advanced econometric techniques for travel behavior analysis, in recognition of which he received the 2004 Walter L. Huber Award and the 2005 James Laurie Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).     

Should we abandon activity type analysis? Redefining activities by their salient attributes

This paper poses a challenge and begins a search. The challenge is to reconsider the usefulness of traditional activity types (“work”, “shopping”, etc.) in the understanding and modelling of travel behaviour. The search is for the more salient attributes of activities that may serve to better explain complex travel behaviours—such as activity scheduling and tour formation. In particular, this paper focuses on explicit measures of the spatial, temporal and interpersonal flexibility of activities, along with several traditional attributes (frequency, duration, involved persons, travel time, and location). Data from a recent in-depth week-long activity scheduling survey was used to define and compare these attributes. Results show that considerable variability in the attributes between and within traditional activity groups is evident. This casts considerable uncertainty on assumptions that statically assign levels of spatial, temporal, and interpersonal flexibility to any given activity type. A Principal Components Analysis further revealed eight new distinct clusters of activities that share like attributes. The relative role of each attribute in each component is examined, and subjective interpretations emerged (e.g., “Long and frequent”, “Space and time flexible” “Social networking”). The implications of these results for future model development and research are discussed. Future research should continue to expand the search for salient attributes and link them more directly to decision processes.     

Short-term Hourly Traffic Forecasts using Hong Kong Annual Traffic Census

The need for acquiring the current-year traffic data is a problem for transport planners since such data may not be available for on-going transport studies. A method is proposed in this paper to predict hourly traffic flows up to and into the near future, using historical data collected from the Hong Kong Annual Traffic Census (ATC). Two parametric and two non-parametric models have been employed and evaluated in this study. The results show that the non-parametric models (Non-Parametric Regression (NPR) and Gaussian Maximum Likelihood (GML)) were more promising for predicting hourly traffic flows at the selected ATC station. Further analysis encompassing 87 ATC stations revealed that the NPR is likely to react to unexpected changes more effectively than the GML method, while the GML model performs better under steady traffic flows. Taking into consideration the dynamic nature of the common traffic patterns in Hong Kong and the advantages/disadvantages of the various models, the NPR model is recommended for predicting the hourly traffic flows in that region.     

Dual extended Kalman filter for vehicle state and parameter estimation

The article demonstrates the implementation of a model-based vehicle estimator, which can be used for combined estimation of vehicle states and parameters. The estimator is realised using the dual extended Kalman filter (DEKF) technique, which makes use of two Kalman filters running in parallel, thus 'splitting' the state and parameter estimation problems. Note that the two problems cannot be entirely separated due to their inherent interdependencies. This technique provides several advantages, such as the possibility to switch off the parameter estimator, once a sufficiently good set of estimates has been obtained. The estimator is based on a four-wheel vehicle model with four degrees of freedom, which accommodates the dominant modes only, and is designed to make use of several interchangeable tyre models. The paper demonstrates the appropriateness of the DEKF. Results to date indicate that this is an effective approach, which is considered to be of potential benefit to the automotive industry.     

Modelling of wheels and rail discontinuities in dynamic wheel-rail contact analysis

A classification of wheel-rail contact is given. Difference is made between modelling of a running wheel with continuous single-point-contact, as is common practice in wheel-rail contact analysis, and a wheel with transient double- or multi-point-contact, which may occur for rail irregularities with curvatures larger than that of the wheel circumference. It is shown that application of the first model for these irregularities will strongly underestimate the contact forces as it does not describe occurring mechanisms correctly. Further, it is shown that in principle it is not possible to describe the second type of contact fully correct with a lumped wheel model. Both wheel models are formulated mathematically for some basic contact cases. Afterwards, results are applied to a linear track model. Analytical closed-form solutions are found in the frequency domain for arbitrary type of contact and numerically transformed to the time domain. Finally, the necessity is shown to avoid situations where transient multiple-point-contact may occur (like rail joints) in practice.