Deviated state detection method in driving around curves based on naturalistic driving behavior database for driver assistance systems

The objective of this study is to propose the indices which detect the deviated state of drivers while driving by considering drivers’ judgment process and using road environment and naturalistic driving behavior database. To realize this objective, drivers’ speed choice behavior around curve situations was focused and the speed choice process was formulated. Moreover, a deviated state detection method considering the formulated speed choice process around curve situations was proposed and the validity of the method was examined.     

Numerical determination of flushing time for stratified water bodies

It is often advantageous to model a semi-enclosed estuarine or coastal embayment (e.g. fish farms or tidal inlets, or typhoon shelters) as a separate system within a larger water body connected to the outer sea. The water quality of the system depends crucially on its flushing time—the average time of a particle in the system. The flushing time is governed by the barotropic and baroclinic tidal exchanges between the system and the outer sea. We describe herein a general method to determine systematically the flushing time of a stratified water body via a numerical tracer experiment. Numerical solution of the 3D flow and mass transport equations for many practical problems show that the tracer mass removal process depends on the physical topography and bathymetry, tidal range and the degree of stratification in the outer sea. Field application suggests that the tracer mass variation can be well approximated by a double-exponential decay curve that can be described by three flushing coefficients. Using a simple analytical two-segment model, the flushing coefficients can be given a clear physical interpretation, and the flushing time can be easily determined in terms of the coefficients. The method is illustrated by application to a number of tidal inlets in Hong Kong, in both the dry and wet season. The connection between the numerically determined flushing time and the traditional bulk flushing time obtained from salt-balance methods is established.     

New technology and maritime training in the 21<Superscript>st</Superscript> century: Implications and solutions for MET institutions

This paper examines the impact of new technology on MET institutions in the 21^st century and discusses to what extent global MET institutions can enhance and enrich traditional practices through access to new technology and the use of innovative teaching and assessment methods within a sustainable and achievable framework. It notes the diverse standards and access to new technology by MET institutions across the globe and discusses the implications for them if they are to remain competitive and viable. The paper concludes that maritime institutions can benefit from the use of new technology, but only through rational planning and sustainable staged growth. A series of continua of technical development is provided to assist institutions, from the smallest to the largest, to plan for technical development and growth in a rational and feasible way.     

Can induced traffic be measured by surveys?

This paper addresses the feasibility of measuring induced traffic by means of appropriately designed surveys. The problems which confront any attempt to measure induced traffic are described and discussed. They include: inherent variability of traffic data, difficulty in establishing what would have happened in the absence of the scheme, uncertainties in the attribution of cause and difficulty in determining the most appropriate time to conduct surveys. Some of these problems have no solution while others can be reduced with an appropriate programme of surveys and control studies. Calculations are made of the sample sizes required to achieve various levels of target accuracy. It is concluded that, given an appropriate programme of traffic counts including control studies and extensive screenlines, it should be possible at relatively modest cost and with reasonable precision, to measure the increases in traffic associated with a scheme and to identify how much of that increase is due to rerouteing. Any further disaggregation of this extra traffic into that which is due to change of mode, change of destination and increased frequency, is much more problematic. The basic traffic counts would need to be supplemented by a programme of public transport surveys, registration plate marking and/or roadside interviews, which would add very considerably to the cost of the exercise. However, even with considerable expenditure, adequate precision may be difficult to achieve and attribution of cause impossible to make.     

IGCT无吸收和串联工作电路仿真的新型有效的物理模型

文章讨论了用Saber MAST软件完成电路仿真,并精确计算集成门极换流晶闸管(IGCT)静态和动态性能的新物理模型.通过仿真结果与硬开关无吸收工作中4.5 kV/3 kA IGCT的试验结果的比较验证了该模型.此外,文章还分析了2个串联IGCT开关的仿真结果,特别是在忽略无吸收电路时器件特性和门极驱动存在的必然差别引起的关于开关之间阻断电压非均衡分布的问题.还给出了计算吸收容量的一种想法.     

High speed driving stability of passenger car under crosswind effects

The driving stability of a passenger car at high-speed and under crosswind conditions is affected by aerodynamic characteristics as well as their dynamic characteristics, suspension, and weight distribution. In this study, the total measuring system was thought up to understand the transient vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics with driver’s control inputs all together. The test results were taken from a full-scale wind tunnel test, a crosswind generator test and an on-road test. We investigated major aerodynamic parameters that affect the driving stability of passenger cars under crosswind effects such as overtaking, passing each other, natural crosswind, etc. The reaction rate of high-speed stability will be improved when we minimize the total lift, side force and especially the yawing moment.     

Characteristics of flame kernal radius in a spark ignition engine according to the electric spark ignition energy

To study flame propagation in a spark ignition engine, it must concentrate on the initial combustion stage, i.e., the formation and development of flame. Therefore, we must study the theoretical calculation of minimum flame kernel radius which affects the formation and development of flame kernel. To calculate the minimum flame kernel radius, we must know the thermal conductivity, flame temperature, laminar burning velocity, etc. To evaluate the accuracy of the minimum flame kernel radius based on the theory, authors compared with those from calculation and those from tests. According to the increase of number of sparks and spark intervals, the flame kernel radii become to increase and the expected lean limits are extended. It is considered that is due to the stability of combustion as increase of flame kernel size according as high ignition energy supplies in initial period and discharge energy period lengthens.     

Parallel model based fault detection algorithm for electronic parking brake system

This paper describes a parallel model-based fault detection algorithm for an electronic parking brake (EPB) system, which consists of an electronic control unit with built-in current sensor and braking force sensor. For the EPB system to supply sufficient parking force to a vehicle, the parking force sensor is of utmost importance. If a fault occurs in this sensor, sufficient parking force may not be supplied, thereby seriously threatening the safety of the vehicle. Thus, a fault detection method is required for the parking force sensor of the EPB system to improve the safety of vehicles. For this purpose, a highly reliable fault detection method is needed to detect abnormal fault signals, which cannot be detected by the existing on-line sensor monitoring fault detection methods. This paper proposes a novel parallel model-based fault detection algorithm for the EPB system, which compares the physical sensor data with the mathematical model, the fuzzy model, and the neural network model at the same time. In order to reduce false alarms, the magnitude of thresholds and the operation counts are changed adaptively. When the proposed parallel model-based fault detection algorithm detects severe failures of the force sensor, it warns the driver in advance to prevent accidents due to the failures. The proposed algorithm is verified by hardware-in-theloop simulations in various situations.     

Co-operative control for regenerative braking and friction braking to increase energy recovery without wheel lock

This paper presents a regenerative braking co-operative control algorithm to increase energy recovery without wheel lock. Considering the magnitude of the braking force available between the tire and road surface, the control algorithm was designed for the regenerative braking force at the front wheel and friction braking force at the rear wheel to be increased following the friction coefficient line. The performance of the proposed regenerative braking co-operative control algorithm was evaluated by the hardware in the loop simulation (HILS) with an electronic wedge brake on its front wheels and an electronic mechanical brake on its rear wheels. The HILS results showed that a proper braking force on the front and rear wheels on a low μ road prevented the lock of the front wheels that was connected to the motor, and maintained the regenerative braking and increased energy recovery.     

Automatic parking of vehicles: A review of literatures

Collision accidents often occur during parking or reversing cars. In allusion to this point, this paper conducts a review of literatures on automatic parking. To begin with, a brief introduction of automatic parking including its background and significance is given. Then its commercial application, research status and latest progress are summarized which include visual perception, ultrasonic sensors and radar technology, path planning, control algorithms based on fuzzy theory, neural network, image processing and recognition technology, and digital signal processing technology, etc. On further analysis, some reasonable conclusions are drawn and the future work is suggested.