Hybrid three-dimensional mesh generation from quad-dominant surface meshes

A hybrid mesh generation algorithm using a modified plastering method for three-dimensional objects with variable thickness is presented. The method starts with a quad-dominant surface mesh and generates layered elements with variable thickness by using adaptive offsetting, resulting in hex-tet dominant mesh generation. Hexahedral and prismatic meshes are generated by the inward offsetting of the initial boundary mesh. In order to generate a conforming mesh, pyramid elements are constructed on top of hexahedral elements, and tetrahedral elements are generated for the remaining domain by using an advancing front method. This method is applied to several different geometries, and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated.     

Prediction of interior noise by excitation force of the powertrain based on hybrid transfer path analysis

In the early design stage of a vehicle, simulation of interior noise is useful for assessment and enhancement of the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance. Traditional transfer path analysis (TPA) technology cannot simulate interior noise since it uses an experimental method. In order to solve this problem, hybrid TPA is employed in this paper. Hybrid TPA uses simulated excitation force as the input force, which excites the flexible body of a car at the mount points, while traditional TPA uses the measured force. This simulated force is obtained by numerical analysis of the finite element (FE) model of a powertrain. Interior noise is predicted by multiplying the simulated force by the vibro-acoustic transfer function (VATF) of the vehicle. The VATF is the acoustic response in the compartment of a car to the input force at the mount point of the powertrain in the flexible car body. The trend of the predicted interior noise based on the hybrid TPA corresponds very well to the measured interior noise, with some difference due to not only experimental error and simulation error, but also the effect of the airborne path.     

Development of the brake system design program for a vehicle

It is quite challenging to estimate the braking performance of a vehicle because the brake system is comprised of many parts, including a booster, master cylinder, and caliper. Calculation of characteristics such as braking force through vehicle tests requires much time and money. Therefore, the development of a method to estimate the braking performance of a vehicle using qualitative methods is beneficial. In this study, a program that can analyze the braking capabilities of a vehicle such as pressure, efficiency, and pedal travel is presented. The increase in disc temperature during braking as well as the properties of various boosters can be calculated using the proposed program. Dynamic characteristics of a vehicle equipped with a Load Sensing Proportional Valve (LSPV) were computed more precisely by obtaining the change in valve pressure according to the displacement of a suspension system. Since all input and output files are composed in the Microsoft Excel format, both design data management and database construction can easily completed.     

Experimental investigation of abrasive flow machining effects on injector nozzle geometries,engine performance,and emissions in a di diesel engine

The effects of the Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process on a direct injection (DI) Diesel engine fuel injector nozzle are studied. Geometry characterization techniques were developed to measure the microscopic variations inside the nozzle before and after the process. This paper also provides empirically-based correlations of the nozzle geometry changes due to the AFM process. The resulting impact of the process on the engine performance and emissions are also assessed with a DI Diesel engine test setup. This study shows that properly AFM-processed injectors can enhance engine performance and improve emissions due to the improved quality of the nozzle characteristics. However, an extended process can also cause enlargement of the nozzle hole as a side effect, which can adversely affect emissions. Emission measurements show the trade-off for the minimum levels as the process proceeds. Since the enlargement of the hole during the AFM process is not avoidable and must be minimized, strict control over the process is required. This control can be enforced by either limiting the AFM processing period, or by properly preparing the initial hole diameter so as to accommodate the inevitable changes in the nozzle geometry.     

Investigation of the impact of locomotive creep control on wear under changing contact conditions

This paper presents the locomotive traction controller performance with respect to the track wear under different operation conditions. In particular, an investigation into the dynamic response of a locomotive under changing wheel–rail friction conditions is performed with an aim to determine the effect of controller setting on track wear. Simulation using a full-scale longitudinal–vertical locomotive dynamic model shows that the appropriately designed creep threshold, controller, settings can effectively maintain a high tractive effort while avoiding excessive rail damage due to wear, especially during acceleration under low speed.     

海运码头运营商在物流中的角色

在航运物流链中，所有的货物都要经由海运码头。不管海铁联运，还是海运-卡车联运，或是海上转运，码头都是货物运输的中转站。海运码头运营商（以下简称为MTO）的运营对货物运输影响巨大。     

Changes in the external costs of freight surface transport In Spain

This paper studies the external costs of surface freight transport in Spain and finds that a reduction occurred over the past15 years. The analysis yields two conclusions: trucks have experienced a reduction in external costs, and rail has lower externalities. The external costs of road freight transport decrease between 1993 and 2007 (44%). The external costs of rail freight increase by 12%. During this period, the external costs of road freight related to climate increase by 16%, oppositely than those from air pollution and accidents (51 and 44%). The external costs of rail related to pollutant emissions and climate increase by 4% and 43%. Oppositely, the external costs related to accidents decrease by 27%. Road freight generates eight times the external costs of rail, 2.35 Euro cents per tonne kilometre in 2005 (5.6% accidents, 74.7% air pollution and 19.7% climate) vs. 0.28 (13.4% accidents, 53.9% air pollution and 32.7% climate).     

On the allocation of city space to multiple transport modes

Abstract

This paper analyzes urban multimodal transportation systems in an aggregated way. To describe the aggregate behavior of traffic in cities, use is made of an idea that is now receiving some attention: the macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD). We demonstrate through simulation how the MFD can be used to monitor and control a real network, in this case a portion of San Francisco, using readily available input data. We then show how different modes interact on the same network and discuss how these interactions might be incorporated into an MFD for multimodal networks. The work unveils two main results: first, it confirms recent results showing that restricting access to a city's congested areas can improve mobility for all travelers, including those who endure the restrictions; and second, that dedicating street space to collective transport modes can improve accessibility for all modes, even those from which space is taken away.     

Updating predictive accident models of modern rural single carriageway A-roads

Abstract

Reliable predictive accident models (PAMs) are essential to design and maintain safe road networks, and yet the models most commonly used in the UK were derived using data collected 20 to 30 years ago. Given that the national personal injury accident total fell by some 30% in the last 25 years, while road traffic increased by over 60%, significant errors in scheme appraisal and evaluation based on the models currently in use seem inevitable. In this paper, the temporal transferability of PAMs for modern rural single carriageway A-roads is investigated, and their predictive performance is evaluated against a recent data set. Despite the age of these models, the PAMs for predicting the total accidents provide a remarkably good fit to recent data and these are more accurate than models where accidents are disaggregated by type. The performance of the models can be improved by calibrating them against recent data.     

Techniques for the inference of mileage rates from MOT data

Abstract

Mathematical and computational techniques are developed for the processing and analysis of annual Ministry of Transport roadworthiness (MOT) test data that the UK Department for Transport has placed in the public domain. First, techniques are given that clean erroneous records and a linking procedure is provided that permits the inference of an individual vehicle's mileage between consecutive tests. Methods are then developed that analyse aggregate mileage totals, as a function of vehicle age, class and geography. The inference of aggregate mileage rates as a function of time is then considered.