Do changes in neighborhood characteristics lead to changes in travel behavior? A structural equations modeling approach

Suburban sprawl has been widely criticized for its contribution to auto dependence. Numerous studies have found that residents in suburban neighborhoods drive more and walk less than their counterparts in traditional environments. However, most studies confirm only an association between the built environment and travel behavior, and have yet to establish the predominant underlying causal link: whether neighborhood design independently influences travel behavior or whether preferences for travel options affect residential choice. That is, residential self-selection may be at work. A few studies have recently addressed the influence of self-selection. However, our understanding of the causality issue is still immature. To address this issue, this study took into account individuals’ self-selection by employing a quasi-longitudinal design and by controlling for residential preferences and travel attitudes. In particular, using data collected from 547 movers currently living in four traditional neighborhoods and four suburban neighborhoods in Northern California, we developed a structural equations model to investigate the relationships among changes in the built environment, changes in auto ownership, and changes in travel behavior. The results provide some encouragement that land-use policies designed to put residents closer to destinations and provide them with alternative transportation options will actually lead to less driving and more walking.

Modeling residential sorting effects to understand the impact of the built environment on commute mode choice

This paper presents an examination of the significance of residential sorting or self selection effects in understanding the impacts of the built environment on travel choices. Land use and transportation system attributes are often treated as exogenous variables in models of travel behavior. Such models ignore the potential self selection processes that may be at play wherein households and individuals choose to locate in areas or built environments that are consistent with their lifestyle and transportation preferences, attitudes, and values. In this paper, a simultaneous model of residential location choice and commute mode choice that accounts for both observed and unobserved taste variations that may contribute to residential self selection is estimated on a survey sample extracted from the 2000 San Francisco Bay Area household travel survey. Model results show that both observed and unobserved residential self selection effects do exist; however, even after accounting for these effects, it is found that built environment attributes can indeed significantly impact commute mode choice behavior. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the model findings for policy planning.

Preparing and studying of phase change energy storage materials

The thermal energy storage phase change material used for building has been prepared with a few of fatty acids based on the principle of binary low eutectic point. The thermal behaviors such as phase transition temperature and enthalpy of compound energy storage material are researched through differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the thermal energy storage phase change composite material can be used in the wall panels well as its higher latent heat.     

Dynamic recrystallization behavior and microstructural evolution in SPHC steel

The dynamic recrystallization(DRX) behaviors in SPHC steel were investigated with hot compression tests at deformation temperatures of 950-1 150,strain rates of 0.1-15 s-1,and initial austenite grain sizes of 86-232 μm.The effects of deformation temperature,strain,strain rate and the initial austenite grain size on the microstructural evolution during DRX were studied in detail.The results show that DRX is observed under the condition of the Zener-Hollomon parameter being less than 1.07×10 13 s-1.The deformation activation energy for SPHC steel is calculated to be 299.4 kJ/mol by regression analysis.Austenite grain size of DRX is refined with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate under steady state conditions,but it is not influenced by the initial grain size.The mathematical equation of DRX grain size of SPHC steel is obtained.     

Friction and cutting properties of hot-filament chemical vapor deposition micro- and fine-grained diamond coated silicon nitride inserts

The micro-crystalline diamond (MCD) and fine-grained diamond (FGD) films are deposited on commercial silicon nitride inserts by the hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) method. The friction and cutting properties of as-deposited MCD and FGD films coated silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) inserts are comparatively investigated in this study. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy are adopted to study the characterization of the deposited diamond films. The friction tests are conducted on a ball-on-plate type reciprocating friction tester in ambient air using Co-cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co), Si₃N₄ and ball-bearing steel (BBS) balls as the mating materials of the diamond films. For sliding against WC-Co, Si₃N₄ and BBS, the FGD film presents lower friction coefficients than the MCD film. However, after sliding against Si₃N₄, the FGD film is subject to more severe wear than the MCD film. The cutting performance of as-deposited MCD and FGD coated Si₃N₄ inserts is examined in dry turning glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) composite materials, comparing with the uncoated Si₃N₄ insert. The results indicate that the lifetime of Si₃N₄ inserts can be prolonged by depositing the MCD or FGD film on them and the FGD coated insert shows longer cutting lifetime than the MCD coated one.     

Application of strut-and-tie model for design of interior anchorage zone in post-tensioned concrete structure

This paper presents an application of strut-and-tie model (STM) to design the interior anchorage zone (IAZ) in the post-tensioned concrete structure. The STM theory and range of IAZ are introduced. Then, based on the finite element analysis, a series of simplified equations to calculate internal forces in IAZ are presented. Finally, the STM model for IAZ is given. In the proposed STM model, internal forces in ties vary with the dimension ratio and the eccentricity of load. The U-turn of internal forces is suggested to allocate rebar to resist bearing flexural tensile force. Compared with the FIP (International Federation for Prestressing) model, the proposed STM model is more reasonable and applicable.     

Scale-invariant occupancy of phase space and additivity of nonextensive entropy <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis></Subscript>

Phase space can be constructed for N equal and distinguishable binary subsystems which are correlated in a scale-invariant manner. In the paper, correlation coefficient and reduced probability are introduced to characterize the scale-invariant correlated binary subsystems. Probabilistic sets for the correlated binary subsystems satisfy Leibnitz triangle rule in the sense that the marginal probabilities of N-system are equal to the joint probabilities of the (N −1)-system. For entropic index q ≠ 1, nonextensive entropy S _q is shown to be additive in the scale-invariant occupation of phase space.     

Petal failure characteristics of a conical projectile penetrating a thin plate at high oblique angle

In order to determine the impact depth of a conical projectile impacting a thin plate at high oblique angle, the residual velocity of the projectile after penetrating must be known. Based on the petal failure mode of the conical projectile impacting the thin plate at high oblique angle, the energy consumption mode of the target was determined. During the perforation process, the energy consumption of the target was completed by the saucerization, the power work of the petals, the propagation of radial cracks and petal bending. The energy formula was deduced for each energy dissipation mode and the energy consumed in the impact process was determined. The residual velocity and the ballistic limit velocity of the projectile were deduced by energy conservation principle. Comparison of the analytical results of the residual velocity to the numerical results demonstrates the accuracy and reliability of the analytical formula.     

A new solution to the inverse position analysis of the redundant serial robot

A new solution to the inverse position analysis of the redundant serial robot is presented. The inverse position analysis problem of the redundant serial robot is transformed into a minimization problem and then the optimization method is adopted to solve the nonlinear least square problem with the analytic form of a new Jacobi matrix. In this way, the inverse solution of the redundant serial robot can be searched out quickly under the desired precision when the positions of the three non-collinear end effector points are given. The inverse position analysis of the 7R redundant serial robot is illustrated as an example and the simulation results verify the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.     

Iterative algorithm of steered minimum variance and its application in weak targets detection

The steered covariance matrix (STCM) and its inverse matrix should be calculated in each beam for steered minimum variance (STMV). The inverse matrix needs complex computation and restricts its application in engineering. Combining the integration character of one-phase regressive filter with the iterative formula of inverse matrix, an STMV iterative algorithm is proposed. The computational cost of the iterative algorithm is reduced approximately to be 2/M times of the original one when there are M sensors, and is more advantaged for the realization of the algorithm in real time. Simulation results show that the STMV iterative algorithm can preserve the characters of STMV on high azimuth resolution and weak target detection while the computational cost reduced sharply. The analysis on sea trial data proves that the proposed algorithm can estimate each target’s azimuth even when the source powers differ in large scales or their bearings are very approximate.