Influence of Error-prone Channel on the Performance of IEEE 802.11 WLAN Utilizing RTS/CTS Handshaking

A comprehensive study was presented for WLAN 802.11b using error-prone channel. It was theoretically and numerically evaluated the performance of three different network sizes with the bit rates that available in 802.11b protocol. Results show that throughput does not change with the size of the network for wide range of bit error rates (BERs) and the channel bit rates play a significant role in the main characteristics of the network. A comprehensive explanation has given for the phenomenon of the packet delay suppression at relatively high level of BERs in view of the size of the networks and the BERs. The effect length of the transmitting packets is also investigated.     

A regression on climate policy: The European Commission’s legislation to reduce CO2 emissions from automobiles

As part of its efforts to reach the targets of the Kyoto Protocol, in April 2009 the European Commission enacted new legislation to reduce the per-kilometer CO₂ emissions of newly registered automobiles. This paper critically assesses this legislation with respect to its economic and technological underpinnings. First, we argue that the reliance on targets based on per-kilometer emissions not only conceals the true cost of compliance and thereby stifles informed public discourse, but is also less cost-effective than alternative measures such as emissions trading. Second, the emission targets stipulated in this legislation are based on linear-regression methods that we demonstrate to be poorly justified and misleading. Using instead stochastic-frontier analysis, which is argued to more accurately reflect the industry’s technological status quo, alternative targets are consequently proposed.     

Designing a sliding mode controller for slip control of antilock brake systems

Antilock brake system (ABS) has been designed to achieve maximum negative acceleration by preventing the wheels from locking. Research shows that the friction between road and tire is a nonlinear function of wheel slip. Therefore, maximum negative acceleration can be achieved by designing a suitable control system for wheel slip regulation at its optimum value. Since there is a lot of nonlinearity and uncertainty (uncertainty in mass and center of gravity of the vehicle and road condition) in vehicle dynamics, a robust control method should be used. In this research, a sliding mode controller for wheel slip control has been designed based on a two-axle vehicle model. Important considered parameters for vehicle dynamic include two separated brake torques for front and rear wheels as well as longitudinal weight transfer caused by the acceleration or deceleration. One of the common problems in sliding mode control is chattering phenomenon. In this paper, primary controller design has been improved using integral switching surface to reduce chattering effects. Simulation results show the success of integral switching surface in elimination of chattering side effects and by high performance of this controller. At the end, the performance of the designed controller has been compared with three of the prevalent papers results to determine the performance of sliding mode control integrated with integral switching surface.     

What determines transit energy use?

A comparison of the energy use per passenger-mile of eight modes of urban transportation is made in terms of eleven variables, resulting in conclusions about the direction transit system design should take to provide adequate transportation with minimum energy use. The method can easily be programmed on a personal computer to be used to study the effects of parameter variations on energy use.     

Grade measurement with an instrumented car

Grade information may be needed for route surveys and is important when fuel consumption is studied. An instrumented car was used to measure acceleration along the road surface by double differentiating accumulated pulses generated off the drive train. A second acceleration measure included the component due to gravity relative to the car body. The difference between these acceleration measures contains grade information but it also influenced by suspension dynamics and pitch of the car body. The effect of suspension dynamics was removed by filtering which limited the minimum wavelength to 160 m. The effect of pitch was removed by a correction based on acceleration, jerk and the square of vehicle speed. The correction was computed from data collected on a level airfield runaway. The method is verified for a high capacity arterial road. Grade is measured to within 0.001 rad (95% confidence limits). Elevation derived from the grade data was consistent with road construction drawings to the same limits.     

Determinants of modal choice in freight transport

In the next few years, exciting developments in the field of freight transport are likely to occur. The Channel Tunnel will be perceived as giving railways much greater distance of operation, compared to the current train ferry to/from Great Britain. The further development of swap-body technology will allow easier modal transfer and the creation, in 1992, of a single market in Europe will transform the pattern of trade. All of these are likely to have significant impacts on modal choice, and hence modal split, in freight transport. Reappraisal by many firms of the modes of transport used is likely but will it result in a net transfer of freight from road to rail and, if so, to what extent? To answer such questions, an accurate and reliable method of predicting modal split is required. Research in the past has concentrated on the development of modal split models based on generalised costs. These fail to explain adequately the prevalence of road freight in the UK. From surveys of freight managers within industry, it is clear that models to date rely too heavily on the economic cost factor and too little on behavioural factors (Jeffs 1985). This paper derives from a recent study of freight transport modal choice from the standpoint of the transport decision-maker within the firm. It attempts to shed light on the actual parameters which should be incorporated into a modal split model. Many variables appear to exert an influence on modal choice decision-making process. However, it is possible to categorise them into six main groups, namely: customer-requirements; product-characteristics; company structure/organisation; government interventions; available transport facilities; and perceptions of the decision-maker him/herself. It is the interactions and inter-relationships between these which ultimately determine freight modal split. This study has shown that the relationship between the outcome of the transport decision process and the values of particular determinants of modal split is not straight-forward, due to the complexity and variety of interactions involved. Perhaps one of the main reasons for researchers' failure hitherto to develop a successful modal-split model has been the preoccupation with techniques that rely on the development of common metric (e.g. generalised cost), which has led to the exclusion of some important explanatory variables along quite different dimensions. Another important issue concerns the appropriate level of aggregation. In order not to reduce the explanatory power of the key variables, it is important to work at a disaggregate level, although this does make substantial demands on data. The use of factor analysis enables both the aggregation of information without loss of behavioural reality and the specification of variables in terms of a common metric. In conclusion, freight transport has usually been examined within too narrow a framework. It must be placed firmly within the context of the total industrial process. The demand for freight transport is directly influenced by the level, composition and geographical distribution of production and consumption activities. Freight flows are complex and so it is highly unlikely that a universal mode-choice model can ever be developed. Future research should, therefore, be directed towards developing partial models in response to specific needs of those involved in decision-taking in the freight sector.     

Aquaculture Parks in the Coastal Zone: A Review of Legal and Policy Issues in the Gulf of Mexico State Waters

The goal of this study is to apply industrial park concepts to the development of aquaculture parks in public waters. The objectives are to identify the permitting process, relevant agencies, and legislation needed to facilitate development. Gulf of Mexico states are surveyed: private parks exist in Florida, but no public parks have developed yet; plans for parks exist in Mississippi, but lack of funding prevents development; no regulations prohibit parks in Alabama, although none currently exist; Texas regulations hinder development of parks; and an experimental park has been proposed in Louisiana, but regulatory gaps have delayed permit issuance.