Identifying optimal data aggregation interval sizes for link and corridor travel time estimation and forecasting

With the recent increase in the deployment of ITS technologies in urban areas throughout the world, traffic management centers have the ability to obtain and archive large amounts of data on the traffic system. These data can be used to estimate current conditions and predict future conditions on the roadway network. A general solution methodology for identifying the optimal aggregation interval sizes for four scenarios is proposed in this article: (1) link travel time estimation, (2) corridor/route travel time estimation, (3) link travel time forecasting, and (4) corridor/route travel time forecasting. The methodology explicitly considers traffic dynamics and frequency of observations. A formulation based on mean square error (MSE) is developed for each of the scenarios and interpreted from a traffic flow perspective. The methodology for estimating the optimal aggregation size is based on (1) the tradeoff between the estimated mean square error of prediction and the variance of the predictor, (2) the differences between estimation and forecasting, and (3) the direct consideration of the correlation between link travel time for corridor/route estimation and forecasting. The proposed methods are demonstrated using travel time data from Houston, Texas, that were collected as part of the automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system of the Houston Transtar system. It was found that the optimal aggregation size is a function of the application and traffic condition.

Regulation of the informal transport sector in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil: welfare impacts and policy analysis

In Brazil, the explosion of informal transport activity during the past decade has had profound effects on formal public transport systems and is a source of great controversy in the urban transportation sector. A variety of policies have been proposed to manage the growth of the sector. This study seeks to understand how proposed policies will impact the users of these systems. A corridor in Rio de Janeiro with substantial informal activity was used as a case study. Measures of welfare changes in a discrete choice framework were used to estimate proposed policies’ impacts on users. Eleven candidate policies were evaluated, ranging from the eradication of the informal modes and investment in formal modes, to the legalization of the informal modes. Benefits were compared with costs and the distribution of benefits across income classes was explored. Net benefits from some policies were found to be substantial. Legalizing the informal sector was found to benefit users slightly but further investments in the sector are probably inefficient. Users benefited most from improvements in formal mass transit modes, at roughly 100–200 dollars per commuter per year. Finally, policies to foster a competitive environment for the delivery of both informal and formal services were shown to benefit users about 100 dollars per commuter per year. Together, the regulation of the informal sector and investments in the formal sector serve to reinforce the movement towards competitive concessions for services and help reduce the impacts of cartelization and costly in-road competition.

Analyzing urban bus service reliability at the stop, route, and network levels

Improving the reliability of bus service has the potential to increase the attractiveness of public transit to current and prospective riders. An understanding of service reliability is necessary to develop strategies that help transit agencies provide better services. However, few studies have been conducted analyzing bus reliability in the metropolis of China. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of service reliability based on bus operational characteristics in Beijing. Three performance parameters, punctuality index based on routes (PIR), deviation index based on stops (DIS), and evenness index based on stops (EIS), are proposed for the evaluation of bus service reliability. Reliability involves routes, stops, punctuality, deviation, and evenness. The relationship among the three parameters is discussed using a numerical example. Subsequently, through a sampling survey of bus lines in Beijing, service reliability at the stop, route, and network levels are estimated. The effects of route length, headway, the distance from the stop to the origin terminal, and the use of exclusive bus lanes are also analyzed. The results indicate low service reliability for buses in Beijing and a high correlation between service reliability and route length, headway, distance from the stop to the origin terminal, and the provision of exclusive bus lanes.     

对在基坑围护工程设计中应用价值工程理论的探讨

针对目前基坑围护工程设计中的成本控制问题,介绍了通过应用价值工程理论控制基坑围护成本的方法。通过探索,把价值工程理论和方法运用在整个基坑围护设计过程中,使设计更加安全可靠、经济合理,并能有效控制和降低成本。     

船舶压载舱沉积物接收处置现状、问题及履约管理对策

《国际船舶压载水和沉积物控制与管理国际公约(2004)》要求妥善处理和处置压载舱沉积物,以防止有害生物入侵。为研究履约现状,选取13家从事压载水沉积物清理、接收及处理作业的修船厂进行了系统调研,结果表明普遍存在防污染措施不全、接收处理作业不规范、接收设施技术标准缺失、管理要求不明确等问题。在分析压载水沉积物的来源、危害、产生量等特性的基础上,结合公约和国内要求,从标准规范完善、监管部门协作、接收设施配套、公约法规宣贯和科技研发支撑等方面分析提出了履约对策。研究成果为有关压载水沉积物相关标准规范、技术政策的制定提供参考,有助于加强压载舱沉积物防污染管理,提升国际公约履行水平。     

基于城乡一体化的快速巴士公交系统规划分析

分析了快速巴士公交系统规划的原则、思路及重点,以佛山市域为例,针对城市-城镇-村庄三级组团的结构,建构了主城区-强镇(特色镇)-一般镇-村庄的梯次合理层阶,提出了解决快速巴士公交难题的有效措施。     

浅析大型铁路客运站交通规划理念

以重庆北站北场交通规划为例,分析和判断了铁路客流对象、车站客流组织、旅客立体换乘、车站功能布局和车站管理模式5个方面的发展趋势;提出了现代铁路客运站在综合交通枢纽、站前集散广场、机动车进出通道、交通设施布局、客流组织方面的规划设计理念.     

路线综合几何设计的探讨

路线平纵组合设计是公路设计重要内容之一,其内容关系到方案比选、行车安全、工程投资等因素,也是评价道路设计质量的主要技术指标之一.该文系统地介绍了路线平纵组合设计的基本原则、设计方法及注意问题等内容,以提高设计技术人员的设计水平.     

城市高架快速路地面交织流对交通的影响及改善措施探讨

城市高架快速路是改善城市交通环境的重要手段之一。在城市建成区内,高架快速路匝道建设受到现状路网制约较多,匝道布置从区域路网交通分析来看,满足交通功能的前提下,可供选择建设地点一般建设条件有限,一般匝道落地点距离地面平交口较近。该文分析交织段的交通行为,辅以工程实例,探讨快速路匝道与地面平交口之间的配合问题,提出从改善交织区的交通通行能力方面进行工程及控制措施,提高快速路与地面平交口的匹配能力。     

公路路面同步碎石封层技术应用研究

对同步碎石封层的材料组成设计方法和路用性能进行研究,采用拉拔试验、摆值试验和渗水试验等测试方法分析同步碎石封层技术性能,为同步碎石封层的运用提供理论和实践依据.