Labour productivity of Australian registered ships 1948-1978

This time-series analysis follows a study which measured maritime productivity indices in the period 1859 to 1919 [1] using a method developed in a theoretical model[2]. Because of the availability of data and the development of maritime technology three productivity indices were tested and specialized carrying classes included. Growth rates were significant and were predictably higher than in the earlier study.     

A model for allocating car parking spaces in universities

In this paper a linear programming model has been presented for determining the optimum allocation of existing car parking facilities for different classes of users within a closed community, of which a university is a typical example.     

Design of a Stroke Dependent Damper for the Front Axle Suspension of a Truck Using Multibody System Dynamics and Numerical Optimization

Summary A stroke dependent damper is designed for the front axle suspension of a truck. The damper supplies extra damping for inward deflections rising above 4 cm. In this way the damper should reduce extreme suspension deflections without deteriorating the comfort of the truck. But the question is which stroke dependent damping curve yields the best compromise between suspension deflection working space and comfort. Therefore an optimization problem is defined to minimize the maximum inward suspension deflection subject to constraints on the chassis acceleration for three typical road undulations. The optimization problem is solved using sequential linear programming (SLP) and multibody dynamics simulation software. Several optimization runs have been carried out for a small two degree of freedom vehicle model and a large full-scale model of the truck semi-trailer combination. The results show that the stroke dependent damping can reduce large deflections at incidental road disturbances, but that the optimum stroke dependent damping curve is related to the acceleration bound. By means of vehicle model simulation and numerical optimization we have been able to quantify this trade-off between suspension deflection working space and truck comfort.     

Subsidized vehicle acquisition and earned income in the transition from welfare to work

Availability and affordability of reliable transportation – either through public transportation or individual ownership of automobiles – appears necessary to support a successful transition from welfare to work. One approach adopted by state and local governments is to subsidize vehicle acquisition by welfare recipients in transition. To date there are no empirical studies that analyze the impacts or effectiveness of these vehicle subsidy programs. The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which participation in a small-scale vehicle donation-and-sales program in Vermont increases earned income by individuals in transition from welfare to work. Using reduced-form random effects and censored regression models to account for the simultaneity of decisions to work and participate in welfare programs, we examine the impacts of this vehicle acquisition program for a small group of individuals. Our analyses indicate that the program results in a statistically significant increase in both earned income and the probability of employment.     

TECHNICAL NOTE

This paper presents an advanced control method in application of automotive systems. An adaptive fuzzy logic controller based on self tuning control methodology has been implemented and used to control the vehicle velocity. Fuzzy rules and reasoning are utilized on-line to determine the throttle angle, spark advance and braking force. Simulated results, as presented in this paper show the adaptive fuzzy control is well suited for vehicle speed control with a nonlinear dynamic behaviour of the engine.     

Proposal for Testing and Rating of Traction and Stability Control Systems

Function and object of existing control systems for traction and stability are described. The problem of rating and objective evaluation of the influence of such slip control systems on vehicle dynamics is demonstrated. Closed-loop manoeuvres with subjective assessment and open-loop tests with measured data are shown. Analysis of correlation results in characteristic values which allow assessment of dynamic performance of slip control systems. Tests on natural and synthetic μ-low road surface with two passenger cars, equipped with different slip control systems, demonstrate the objective test method and show their results.     

Optimization for Vehicle Suspension I: Time Domain

A numerical procedure for finding the optimum values of a number of parameters describing a model vehicle suspension has been studied. The vehicle has been modelled by dynamic systems of linear springs and dampers, and the goal is to obtain lower acceleration peaks at an elected design point in the vehicle.

The problem is stated as a mathematical programming problem which can be solved by means of the sequential linear programming technique. The procedure has been implemented for a four wheel independent suspension model capable of being subjected to road irregularities and to centrifugal and braking accelerations.     

Handling Characteristics of Car-Trailer Systems; A State-of-the-Art Survey

Work relevant to the state of the art as regards passenger cars towing trailers is referenced and reviewed. Not only included is the very limited amount of work specifically dealing with passenger cars towing trailers, but also reviewed is the much larger body of work having a bearing on car-trailer systems. Topics included are aerodynamic forces, tire forces, the compliance concept, relevant work on vehicles without trailers, vehicles with trailers, and the role of the driver. The types of stability problems exhibited by car-trailer systems are discussed.

The state of the art as regards ability to predict vehicle response to specific steering inputs is shown to be fairly advanced. Recent significant advances include the appearance of experimental data useful for validating theoretical models. However, the state of the art as regards definition of what constitute desirable handling characteristics is still at a primitive stage, largely because of a lack of understanding of the roles played by drivers as part of the vehicle -driver - environment systems.

Throughout the review an effort was made to point out topic areas where it is likely that significant future contributions to the state of the art can be made. These areas are reviewed in the conclusions.     

Cargo handling productivity. Part 2. The findings

This is the second of two papers on cargo handling productivity presenting the results of the model developed int he first [1] which had been designed to test a productivity measurement method with cross-sectional empirical data. Four productivity measures were employed. Two related cargo handling to time, with labour brought into the analysis as an independent variable. The third productivity measure expressed total throughput as an aspect of labour productivity, while the final measure was a full productivity index developed by relating output to both capital and labour.

The productivity measurement technique demonstrated that this method can be used for cross-sectional studies and can cope with and allow for variation in non-controllable extraneous factors, thus proving useful for policy decision-makers in shipping lines and/or port authorities.

This paper presents the results of the prodictivity analysis for which the analytical design was decribed in Part 1. The first section briefly restates the productivity indices developed. The principal results and tests on these measures are present in Section 2 with conclusion following in Section 3.