A new algorithm for optimal signal control in congested networks

Optimization of traffic lights in a congested network is formulated as a linear programming problem. The formulation adapted here takes into account particular capacity constraints for road links and for intersections. A necessary prerequisite for the determination of optimal green times is that representative a-priori information about the origin-destination and route choice pattern inside the network is available. Because any particular control strategy temporarily alters the effective turning rates at intersections, an iterative procedure is proposed here which accomplishes convergence of optimal signal control and resulting O-D flows. The efficiency of this optimization procedure is demonstrated in a case study for a network with fifteen intersections.     

Minimization of Pedaling Induced Energy Losses in Off-road Bicycle Rear Suspension Systems

This paper presents the results of an optimization analysis performed on off-road bicycles in which the energy loss induced as a result of pedaling action was minimized. A previously developed computer-based dynamic system model (Wang and Hull, Vehicle System Dynamics, 25:3, 1996) was used to evaluate the power dissipated by a single pivot point rear suspension while pedalling uphill on a smooth surface. By systematically varying the location of the pivot point, the relationship between power dissipated and pivot location was determined. The optimal location was defined as the location which resulted in the least power dissipated. The simulation results show that the power dissipated was very dependent on the height above the bottom bracket but not the fore-aft location of the pivot point. If the pivot point is constrained to the seat tube, then the optimal pivot point was found to be 11 cm above the bottom bracket. Compared to a commercially available design, the optimal pivot point reduced the power dissipated from 6.9 to 1.2 Watts. Furthermore, the optimal pivot point was found to be very insensitive to pedaling mechanics, and both the spring and damping parameter values. The optimal pivot point did, however, have a linear dependence on the height of the chainline; as the chainline height increased so too did the optimal pivot point height.     

Bus policy — Conclusions from a case study

The main policy conclusions from a recent bus study in the new town of Telford in the U.K. are summarised and discussed. The choice of bus routes and their combination into networks is examined. Alternative fares systems are compared and the implications for the fare levels necessary to cover costs are discussed. It is argued that bus services can generally be financed from the fare-box but that, unless services are cut as passenger demand falls, unduly high fares will result and these will unnecessarily drive more passengers away from the buses. Several particular aspects of service marketing are then examined and the paper concludes by discussing the actual organisation of the bus services.     

Inferences on trip matrices from observations on link volumes: A Bayesian statistical approach

Previous methods for estimating a trip matrix from traffic volume counts have used the principles of maximum entropy and minimum information. These techniques implicitly give as little weight to prior information on the trip matrix as possible. The new method proposed here is based on Bayesian statistical inference and has several advantages over these earlier approaches. It allows complete flexibility in the degree of belief placed on the prior estimate of the trip matrix and also allows for different degrees of belief in diffeent parts of the prior estimate. Furthermore under certain assumptions the method reduces to a simple updating scheme in which observations on the link flows successively modify the trip matrix. At the end of the scheme confidence intervals are available for the estimates of the trip matrix elements.     

An Internal State Variable Model for the Low Temperature Tempering of Low Alloy Steels

QuanitativelyaccuratePredictionsofquenchinduceddistOnionandresidualstressrelyontheabilitytopredictthemicrosthectUralevolUtionthroughOutthequenchProcess.InlowaIloysteels,cUrrenresearchMshavefOcusedontheformationldneticsoffetrite,pearlite,bainiteandmartensite.However,temPeringcanhavealargeinfluenceondistOnionandresidualstrCss,andeffortstoaccountforthislagbehindthemodelingofthePrimnyphasetransihons.AsafirststeptowardsaccountingfortemPerillg,wehavedevelOpedanintemalstatevariablemodelthatuses…     

Emission-robust operation of diesel HEV considering transient emissions

In this paper, we consider a method to create an engine emission simulation model for cycle and customer driving of a vehicle. The emission model results from an empiric approach, also taking into account the effects of engine dynamics on emissions. We analysed transient engine emissions in driving cycles and during representative customer driving profiles and created emission meta models. The analysis showed a significantly higher correlation in emissions when simulating realistic customer driving profiles using the created verified meta models (< 1 % model error) compared to static approaches, which are commonly used for vehicle simulation. Therefore, a transient modelling approach is conducted, which shows a great increase in accuracy in customer driving operation.     

菜籽油生物柴油化学动力学机理的构建

采用气‐质联用仪测量了以菜籽油为原料制备的生物柴油的酯类组成成分和比例,根据主要组分的分子式和含量,拟合得到生物柴油的分子式。确定了以丁酸甲酯和正庚烷组成的混合燃料来替代生物柴油,采用“叠加法”构建得到一种新的生物柴油化学动力学机理。通过对影响主要污染物生成的基元反应进行敏感性分析,筛选出新机理中需要修正的基元反应。调整指前因子修正化学反应速率常数,模拟不同扰动下CO2和C2 H4的摩尔分数,分析模拟结果与试验结果的平均误差。研究结果表明：生物柴油的拟合分子式为C19 H36 O2;丁酸甲酯和正庚烷组成的混合燃料在分子式、分子量、黏度等方面较丁酸甲酯与实际的生物柴油更为接近,可用来替代生物柴油;在指前因子略增大的扰动下,新机理计算的CO2和C2 H4摩尔分数的平均误差均较小。     

Objective evaluation of human perception of automotive sound based on physiological signal of human brain

This paper presents a novel approach to apply the physiological signal of the human brain to the sound quality evaluation of automotive sound. In the previous work, psychoacoustic metrics were applied to the sound quality evaluation of automotive sound. Loudness among psychoacoustic metrics is used for one of major sound metrics for the objective evaluation of the sound quality of the acceleration sound inside a car. Subjective evaluation of the sound quality of the acceleration sound shows different results depending on the two different groups of participants. One group liked powerful sound when a car is accelerated: the other group liked the refine sound. Loudness of the acceleration sound is not correlated with the subjective rating of the former group whilst it is correlated with that of the latter group. This evaluation suggests that for the people who like the powerful acceleration sound, it needs to find the sound metric for the objective evaluation of the sound quality of the acceleration sound. In this paper, a driver’s brain signal is measured using electroencephalography (EEG) when a driver hears the acceleration sound of passenger cars. The signal is analyzed to obtain the relationship between brain signals and human perception. According to these results, the alpha wave correlates to the human perception of powerful sound quality of passenger cars. This interesting relationship can be used for objective evaluation of passenger car sounds.     

Numerical study of a light-duty diesel engine with a dual-loop EGR system under frequent engine operating conditions using the doe method

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an emission control technology that allows for a significant reduction in NOx emissions from light- and heavy-duty diesel engines. The primary effects of EGR are a lower flame temperature and a lower oxygen concentration of the working fluid in the combustion chamber. A high pressure loop (HPL) EGR is characterized by a fast response, especially at lower speeds, but is only applicable if the turbine upstream pressure is sufficiently higher than the boost pressure. On the contrary, for the low pressure loop (LPL) EGR, a positive differential pressure between the turbine outlet and the compressor inlet is generally available. However, a LPL EGR is characterized by a slow response, especially at low and moderate speeds. In this study, of the future types of EGR systems, the dual-loop EGR system (which has the combined features of the high-pressure loop EGR and the low-pressure loop EGR) was developed and was optimized under five selected operating conditions using a commercial engine simulation program (GT-POWER) and the DOE method. Finally, significant improvements in the engine exhaust emissions and performance were obtained by controlling several major variables.