Queue discharge patterns at signalized intersections with green signal countdown device and long cycle length

Two apparent features that prevail at signalized intersections in China are green signal countdown device and long cycle lengths. The objective of this study is to investigate the impacts of green signal countdown device and long cycle length on queue discharge patterns and to discuss its implications on capacity estimation in the context of China's traffic. At five typical large intersections in Shanghai and Tianjin, 11 through lanes were observed, and 9251 saturation headways were obtained as valid samples. Statistical analyses indicate that the discharge process of queuing vehicles can be divided into three distinct stages according to the discharge flow rate: a start‐up stage, a steady stage, and a rush stage. The average time for queuing vehicles to reach a stationary saturation flow rate, that is, the start‐up stage, was found to be approximately 20–30 seconds; the rush stage usually occurs during the phase transition period. The finding is contrary to the conventional assumption that the discharge rate reaches a maximum value after the fourth vehicle is discharged and then remains constant during the green time until the queue is completely dissolved. The capacity estimation errors that might arise from the conventional methods are discussed through a comparative study and a sensitivity analysis that are based on the identified queue discharge patterns. In addition, a piecewise linear regression method was proposed in order to reduce such errors. The proposed method can be used for capacity estimation at signalized intersections with the identified queue discharge patterns. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Weathering sources in the Gaoping (Kaoping) river catchments, southwestern Taiwan: Insights from major elements, Sr isotopes, and rare earth elements

This study aims at quantifying the distribution of REEs associated with chemical weathering processes, as well as investigating weathering mechanisms and source regions of the Gaoping (formerly spelled Kaoping) River (KPR) catchment basin located at southwestern Taiwan. Spatial distributions of dissolved rare earth elements, as well as major ions, trace elements and Sr isotopes in river waters were analyzed using SF-ICPMS and TIMS. Our results indicate that REE concentrations and patterns predominantly reflect sources and intensity of chemical weathering along the river's catchment. Most specimens have high Na/Cl (4.2–30.1 mol/mol) ratios due to strong weathering intensity in the upper stream. The Na/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios suggest the main contribution is from weathering of silicates and carbonates. Total concentrations of REEs are rather low in the Gaoping (Kaoping) River (6.7–15.4 ng/L), possibly influenced by adsorption onto suspended particles. The REE patterns also reflect source heterogeneity in weathering minerals with large LREE depletion and MREE enrichment. Europium is strongly enriched in the Gaoping (Kaoping) River water, as a result of its preferential dissolution from suspended particles. Unique Gadolinium anomaly is present in all specimens, likely related to contamination due to clinic waste disposal. Small fractionations of LREE/HREE have occurred along the KPR and can be used as a distinct signature for source identification. The main stream samples exhibit a relatively wide range of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, 0.71265–0.71360, with a systematical increase downstream due to source mixing of dissolved basalt (less radiogenic) and sedimentary rocks. Each tributary shows distinct Sr isotope signatures due to different rock types and ages. These isotopic and elemental compositions provide important information on weathering source and erosion budget.     

A multiobjective planning model for intercity train seat allocation

This paper presents a multiobjective planning model for generating optimal train seat allocation plans on an intercity rail line serving passengers with many‐to‐many origin‐destination pairs. Two planning objectives of the model are to maximise the operator's total passenger revenue and to minimise the passenger's total discomfort level. For a given set of travel demand, train capacity, and train stop‐schedules, the model is solved by fuzzy mathematical programming to generate a best‐compromise train seat allocation plan. The plan determines how many reserved and non‐reserved seats are to be allocated at each origin station for all subsequent destination stations on each train run operated within a specified operating period. An empirical study on the to‐be‐built Taiwan's high‐speed rail system is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. The model can be used for any setting of travel demand and stop‐schedules with various train seating capacities.     

Powertrain system optimization for a heavy-duty hybrid electric bus

This research concerns the design of a powertrain system for a plug-in parallel diesel hybrid electric bus equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and presents a new design paradigm for the plug-in hybrid electric bus (HEB). The criteria and method for selecting and sizing powertrain components equipped in the plug-in HEB are presented. The plug-in HEB is designed to overcome the vulnerable limitations of driving range and performance of a purely electric vehicle (EV), and it is also designed to improve the fuel economy and exhaust emissions of conventional buses and conventional HEBs. Optimization of the control strategy for the complicated and interconnected propulsion system in the plug-in parallel HEB is one of the most significant factors for achieving higher fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions in the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In this research, the proposed control strategy was simulated to prove its validity using the ADVISOR (advanced vehicle simulator) analysis simulation tool.     

Critical Review of Time-Dependent Shortest Path Algorithms: A Multimodal Trip Planner Perspective

Abstract

A multimodal trip planner that produces optimal journeys involving both public transport and private vehicle legs has to solve a number of shortest path problems, both on the road network and the public transport network. The algorithms that are used to solve these shortest path problems have been researched since the late 1950s. However, in order to provide accurate journey plans that can be trusted by the user, the variability of travel times caused by traffic congestion must be taken into consideration. This requires the use of more sophisticated time-dependent shortest path algorithms, which have only been researched in depth over the last two decades, from the mid-1990s. This paper will review and compare nine algorithms that have been proposed in the literature, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each algorithm on the basis of five important criteria that must be considered when choosing one or more of them to implement in a multimodal trip planner.     

Vehicle sideslip estimation and compensation for banked road

The sideslip driving status is of fundamental importance to the stability of a vehicle. This paper presents a practical vehicle sideslip driving status estimation method that uses ESP (electronic stability program) sensors. ESP sensors such as wheel speed, lateral acceleration, yaw rate and steering wheel angle sensors are used to determine the sideslip driving status and distinguish a banked road. This estimation algorithm contains front-rear sideslip and banked road detection methods. The proposed sideslip estimation algorithm was designed to use the analytical redundancy of these sensors and Lagrange interpolation methods. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed estimation and compensation algorithm were investigated using vehicle tests. This paper presents the results of two cases that were used for the experimental verification: a curved flat road and banked road.     

IFN INDUCED PML EXPRESSION INHIBIT PROSTATE CANCER CELL PROLIFERATION

SinceIsaacsandLindenmanndescribedinterferon(IFN)asanaturallyoccurringantiviralsubstance,threeantigenicallydifferenttypesofIFN(IFN--Q,IFN5,andIFN--Y)havebeenidentified,andithasbeendemonstratedthattheyhavenotonlyantiviralfunction,butalsoantiproliferaitveandimmunomodulatoryactivities.RecombinantDNAtechnologynowpermitstheproductionofpurifiedhumanIFNs,andhasprovidedanopportunityforsystematicstudyoftheinvitroandinvivoeffectsofeachtypeofhumanrecombinantIFN(rIFN)ontumorcells.EachtypeofIFN…     

韩国高速列车研究项目

韩国Hanvit 400高速列车研发项目已于2007年启动,计划在未来6年内完成,运营速度达400km／h。同时Hanvit 200摆式列车项目目前亦在进行,以期提高既有线城际间的运行速度。