Large-scale network partitioning for decentralized traffic management and other transportation applications

For numerous large-scale engineering and science problems, domain decomposition (DD) has generally been accepted by research communities as among the most attractive methods to obtain solutions efficiently. As a prerequisite for the DD solution process, a large domain must be partitioned into several smaller subdomains, with the key to success (of any DD partitioning algorithm) being the number of system boundary nodes. The lower this number, the more efficiently the subdomains can be processed. Although various transportation researchers have hinted at the use of DD, for example, in intelligent transportation systems-enabled decentralized traffic management, it is assumed that the partition is given. This article presents a simple, efficient, and effective algorithm to decompose a transportation network into a predefined number of interconnected subdomains such that the number of system boundary nodes is small (first priority) and the number of nodes in each subdomain is of similar size (second priority). To assess the effectiveness (in terms of minimizing the number of system boundary nodes) of the proposed Shortest Distance Decomposition Algorithm, it is compared with METIS version 5.1.0, currently among the most widely used graph partitioning algorithms worldwide. Using large-scale, real-world transportation test networks, it was found that the Shortest Distance Decomposition Algorithm is better than METIS in 21 of the 27 examples tested; on average, it provided (approximately) 42.0% of the system boundary nodes (as compared to METIS results) in our large-scale examples.     

Cross-sector Analysis of Four Renegotiated Transport PPPs in Portugal

Abstract

This paper uses the Fertagus renegotiation results as a reference and explores the features that made it such a widely commended case, aiming to identify the best practice to be followed in other cases. The two main questions that this paper aimed to respond were: Was the success of the renegotiation process in the Fertagus contract due to mode-specific factors? Are those factors (mode specific or not) transferable to other modes under public private partnership (PPP) contracts and if so, to what extent? Regarding the mode specificity and transferability analysis, it can be noticed that much of the features were not mode specific in theory, however for the successful transferability to other transport modes, some changes should be made to the PPP model taking into account modal specificities and national contexts.     

欠驱动ODINs的全局逆最优循迹控制（英文）

This paper presents a design of optimal controllers with respect to a meaningful cost function to force an underactuated omni-directional intelligent navigator(ODIN) under unknown constant environmental loads to track a reference trajectory in two-dimensional space. Motivated by the vehicle’s steering practice, the yaw angle regarded as a virtual control plus the surge thrust force are used to force the position of the vehicle to globally track its reference trajectory. The control design is based on several recent results developed for inverse optimal control and stability analysis of nonlinear systems, a new design of bounded disturbance observers, and backstepping and Lyapunov’s direct methods. Both state- and output-feedback control designs are addressed. Simulations are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.     

Profile-speed data-based models to estimate operating speeds for urban residential streets with a 30 km/h speed limit

A speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour (km/h) has been widely introduced for urban residential streets to ensure traffic safety and allow these streets to fulfil other intended functions. However, excessive speeds on these roads are very common, causing traffic safety problems and threatening the liveability of neighbourhoods. An effective and active way to deal with speeding is the application of a performance-based design approach, as mentioned in previous research. In a performance-based design approach, street geometrics and roadside elements are selected based on their influence on the desired driving speeds. The relationship between driving speeds and street features therefore needs to be determined. Although several studies have developed operating speed models for urban streets, all of these models were calibrated based on data for streets with speed limits of more than 30 km/h. The present research is designed to investigate the influence of various roadway and roadside characteristics on operating speeds on urban tangent street sections with a 30 km/h speed limit using profile-speed data. A simultaneous equation regression with a three-stage-least-square (3SLS) estimator was used for the modelling effort. The driving speed models developed in this study incorporate several street design factors, which provide helpful information for urban planners and street designers to cope with speeding issues on residential streets.     

Heuristic approach to the airline schedule disturbances problem

Abstract

When disturbances make it impossible to realise the planned flight schedule, the dispatcher at the airline operational centre defines a new flight schedule based on airline policy, in order to reduce the negative effects of these perturbations. Depending on airline policy, when designing the new flight schedule, the dispatcher delays or cancels some flights and reassigns some flights to available aircraft. In this paper, a decision support system (DSS) for solving the airline schedule disturbances problem is developed aiming to assist decision makers in handling disturbances in real-time. The system is based on a heuristic algorithm, which generates a list of different feasible schedules ordered according to the value of an objective function. The dispatcher can thus select and implement one of them. In this paper, the possibilities of DSS are illustrated by real numerical examples that concern JAT Airways' flight schedule disturbances.     

Development of a valve and optimization of a tube for self-inflating tire

Worldwide, the tire market requires safe and eco-friendly tires. In this study, a self-inflating tire (SIT) was studied and manufactured. Self-inflating tire refers to a technique for maintaining appropriate tire pressure. An internal regulator senses when tire inflation pressure has dropped below the set air pressure. The tire boosts air through the valve when rolling and compressed air enters into the tire. This procedure keeps the tire air pressure at an appropriate level and increases tire safety. In this study, a regulator was used as a negative-pressure system. A check valve was selected the minute flow check valve depending on the shape of the configured system. In addition, the material of the tube was developed with excellent physical properties and resistances (elastic rebound, working temperature, etc.) owing to its complete compression and restoration. A tube performance tester was developed and a computer aided engineering (CAE) model was modeled for comparison with the test results. Using the tester and model, it was possible to optimize the shape of the tube and regulator. Finally, the reliability of the study was verified through the prototype test. The developed equipment and systems can be used for the manufacture of high-performance and safe tires.     

Abrolhos 2000 : Conserving the Southern Atlantic's Richest Coastal Biodiversity into the Next Century

The Abrolhos bank, an area of continental shelf off the coast of Bahia, Brazil, has the most biologically diverse coral reefs in the entire southern Atlantic Ocean. The coral reefs and nearby coastal ecosystems constitute a global conservation priority and are the target of the Abrolhos 2000 project, initiated by Conservation International as part of its global marine conservation strategy. Although portions of the Abrolhos reefs are located within a marine park, they are not afforded adequate protection due to insufficient conservation resources and a failure to be part of a broader integrated coastal management program. Through partnerships with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, local communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders, Abrolhos 2000 is working to provide these needs while establishing local capacity for conserving coastal and marine ecosystems. The project's initial successes provide examples of useful strategies for making integrated coastal management work in the context of emerging economies.