Establishing speed–flow–density relationships for exclusive motorcycle lanes

Abstract

The motorcycle is a popular mode of transport in Malaysia and developing Asian countries, but its significant representation in the traffic mix results in high rates of motorcycle accidents. As a result, the Malaysian Government decided to segregate motorcycle traffic along its new federal roads as an engineering approach to reduce accidents. However, traffic engineers needed to know the maximum traffic a motorcycle lane could accommodate. Despite substantial literature related to speed–flow–density relationships and capacities of various transport facilities, there is a knowledge gap regarding motorcycle lanes. This paper establishes motorcycle speed–flow–density relationships and capacities of exclusive motorcycle lanes in Malaysia. Observations of motorcycle flows and speeds were conducted along existing and experimental motorcycle lanes. Motorcycle speed–density data were aggregated and plotted for two types of observable motorcycle riding behaviour patterns that were influenced by the widths of a motorcycle lane: the headway pattern (lane width ≤ 1.7 m) and the space pattern (lane width > 1.7 m). For both riding patterns, regression analysis of motorcycle speed–density data best fits the logarithmic model and consequently the motorcycle flow–density and speed–flow models are derived. Motorcycle lane capacities for headway and space riding patterns are estimated as 3300 mc/hr/lane and 2200 mc/hr/m, respectively.     

Climate change projections for variables affecting road networks in Europe

Global climate change will affect road networks during this century. The effects will be different in various parts of the world due to differences in local climate change and in the structure and properties of roads. In this paper, climate change projections are presented for climate variables that are most likely to affect the long-term performance of road networks in Europe. We apply four regional climate simulations up to the year 2100 using two plausible future emission scenarios. The results show that the changing climate will require significant adaptation measures in the near future in order to maintain the operability of the European road network.     

Modelling trip distribution with fuzzy and genetic fuzzy systems

This paper explores the potential capabilities of fuzzy and genetic fuzzy system approaches in urban trip distribution modelling with some new features. First, a simple fuzzy rule-based system (FRBS) and a novel genetic fuzzy rule-based system [GFRBS: a fuzzy system improved by a knowledge base learning process with genetic algorithms (GAs)] are designed to model intra-city passenger flows for Istanbul. Subsequently, their accuracy, applicability and generalizability characteristics are evaluated against the well-known gravity- and neural network (NN)-based trip distribution models. The overall results show that: traditional doubly constrained gravity models are still simple and efficient; NNs may not show expected performance when they are forced to satisfy trip constraints; simply-designed FRBSs, learning from observations and expertise, are both efficient and interpretable even if the data are large and noisy; and use of GAs in fuzzy rule-based learning considerably increases modelling performance, although it brings additional computation cost.     

Accident severity analysis using ordered probit model

To reduce injuries in road crashes, better understanding is needed between the relationship of injury severity and risk factors. This study seeks to identify the contributing factors affecting crash severity with broad considerations of driver characteristics, roadway features, vehicle types, pedestrian characteristics and crash characteristics using an ordered probit model. It also explores how the interaction of these factors will affect accident severity risk. Three types of accidents were investigated: two-vehicle crashes, single vehicle crashes and pedestrian accidents. The reported crash data in Singapore from 1992 to 2001 were used to illustrate the process of parameter estimation. Several factors such as vehicle type, road type, collision type, location type, pedestrian age, time of day of accident occurrence were found to be significantly associated with injury severity. It was also found that injury severity decreases over time for the three types of accident investigated.     

Measurement of air–water CO2 transfer at four coastal sites using a chamber method

We measured the air–water CO₂ flux in four coastal regions (two coral reefs, one estuary, and one coastal brackish lake) using a chamber method, which has the highest spatial resolution of the methods available for measuring coastal air–water gas flux. Some of the measurements were considerably higher than expected from reported wind-dependent relationships. The average k₆₀₀ values for Shiraho Reef, Fukido Reef, Fukido River, and Lake Nakaumi were 1.5 ± 0.6, 3.2 ± 0.3, 0.69 ± 0.26, and 2.2 ± 0.9 (mean ± S.D.) times larger than the wind-dependent relationships. Results were compared with current-dependent relationships and vertical turbulence intensity (VTI). VTI is an index of water-surface stirring and is calculated from near-surface vertical velocity. Although some measurements from the reefs and river closely matched those expected from wind-dependent relationships, others were considerably higher. All data were correlated with VTI and were qualitatively explained by bottom macro-roughness enhancement. In Lake Nakaumi, results tended to differ from the wind-dependent relationships, and the difference between the measured and expected gas-transfer velocity was correlated with biological DO changes and/or the intensity of density stratification. We found these factors to have important effects on coastal gas flux. In addition, the chamber method was an effective tool for evaluating coastal gas flux.     

Two-Dimensional Motion of Four-Wheel Vehicles

This paper deals with two-dimensional motion of vehicles. Since the general four-wheel vehicle model is statically indeterminate, the motion of vehicles has been analyzed by replacing the vehicle with the equivalent two-wheel one proposed by E. Marquard. Because this approximation is based on the axisymmetry of vehicles, it causes significant errors in the general case. To improve the accuracy of the analysis of vehicle motion, a four-wheel model is suggested. In this model, it is assumed that the chassis remains in a flat plane during motion. By introducing this condition, the motion of the vehicle can be analyzed. Several results from the four-wheel model and the equivalent two-wheel model are shown for comparison, and the vehicle trajectories with time are discussed.     

How much disruption to activities could fuel shortages cause? – The British fuel crisis of September 2000

In September of 2000 the UK experienced a blockade of oil refineries in response to rising fuel prices. These protests resulted in severe fuel supply disruptions that intensified over the course of about one week. During the peak of the crisis, travel activity by car was curtailed. This paper analyzes survey data collected about two months after the crisis utilizing the recent memory of respondents as to how they would expect this sort of disruption to affect their participation in daily activities. Specifically, we focused on a variety of non-discretionary and discretionary activities and examined what factors are associated with respondents expecting disruption to those activities. Statistical models were developed to analyze how demographic factors, commute mode selection, vehicle characteristics, and various other factors can explain how individuals expect disruption to their activities. Results suggest that the majority of individuals do not expect major disruptions, although for more car-dependent individuals, disruption was expected to be substantial, especially for work-related trips. These results have implications for the potential success and benefits of an integrated transport policy.     

铁路噪声对沿线居民影响的研究

分析了铁路沿线居民对噪声的反应，并比较了铁路与交通运输噪声主观反应。结果表明，无论是高干扰率阈值的比较，或是从高干拢率与声级的回归方程比较，铁路和交通这两种运输噪声对人的主观反应干扰基本一样。     

瑞士采用欧洲列车控制系统(ETCS)

瑞士今后以160 km/h以上速度运行的新铁路线需采用新的信号和列车安全防护系统,对此选择了欧洲列车控制系统(ETCS).该系统不但能满足所提出的要求,而且是一种长期经济的和欧洲铁路互用的最佳方法.瑞士整个准轨铁路不久将都要采用ETCS系统.文章扼要介绍瑞士铁路现有的列车安全防护系统SIGNUM和ZUB121的情况,按运营和经济观点介绍由现有系统变更的第2级ETCS,目的是在过渡时期内尽快地取消多重车载装置.     

Wave scattering by multiple floating elastic plates with spring or hinged boundary conditions

We solve the problem of wave scattering by multiple floating elastic plates with arbitrary boundary conditions, such as spring connectors or hinges at the plate edges. We present two solution methods, the first method is based on a matched eigenfunction expansion and the second uses a Green function. The matched eigenfunction expansion method allows arbitrary parameters for a given plate and also allows regions of open water. The Green function method requires that all plate properties must be uniform except plate length and the plate must cover the entire free surface. The Green function method is much less computationally demanding than the matched eigenfunction method and provides a test of accuracy. A range of results are presented, which show that the behaviour of the plate depends strongly on the boundary conditions at the plate edges.