Investigation of regenerative and Anti-lock Braking interaction

The use of a regenerative braking mode can reduce overall vehicle energy usage for most of the most common drive cycles. However, a number of technical issues restrict the use of regenerative braking for all possible braking situations. These issues are concerned with two key limitations. The first is related to physical limitations of the applied regenerative braking system, e.g. Electric Motor (E-Motor) power limits; energy storage device capacity and vehicle load transfer etc. The second limitation results from the potentially detrimental interaction between regenerative braking and the Anti-locking Braking System (ABS). The first type of limitation can, to some extent, be alleviated by suitable choice of hardware and, as a consequence, will not be discussed further in this paper. The second type of limitation concerns the regenerative braking strategies during an ABS event. Some of the regenerative braking strategies designed and investigated within the Low Carbon Vehicle Technology Project (LCVTP) will be described and analyzed in this paper. A comparison of competing strategies is made and conclusions are drawn together with suggestions for further research. The work has been progressed as a part of a major research programme; namely the LCVTP, which has been conducted within an extensive industrial and academic partnership, mutually funded by the European Regional Development Found and Advantage West Midlands.     

Information impact on quality of multimodal travel choices: conceptualizations and empirical analyses

This paper investigates the impact of a variety of travel information types on the quality of travel choices. Choice quality is measured by comparing observed choices made under conditions of incomplete knowledge with predicted choice probabilities under complete knowledge. Furthermore, the potential impact of travel information is considered along multiple attribute-dimensions of alternatives, rather than in terms of travel time reductions only. Data is obtained from a choice experiment in a multimodal travel simulator in combination with a web-based mode-choice experiment. A Structural Equation Model is estimated to test a series of hypothesized direct and indirect relations between a traveler’s knowledge levels, information acquisition behavior and the resulting travel-choice quality. The estimation results support the hypothesized relations, which provides evidence of validity and applicability of the developed measure of travel-choice quality. Furthermore, found relations in general provide some careful support for the often expected impact of information on the quality of travel choices. The effects are largest for information services that generate previously unknown alternatives, and lowest for services that provide warnings in case of high travel times only.

Brazil’s new vehicle front impact safety standards — ABNT NBR 15300-1 & ABNT NBR 15300-2 or ABNT NBR 15300-3: Is the manufacturerer choice the safest for the passenger?

To increase car passenger safety, the Brazilian National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) released Resolution 221, which defines the maximum passenger and driver biomechanical criteria in the event of a vehicle frontal impact. The vehicle maximum allowed biomechanical injury criteria will be enforced from January 2012 for new vehicles and in January 2014 for vehicles in production before January 2014. To standardize the test method to measure the driver and front passenger injury values in a frontal crash, Resolution 221 states that the tests must be performed according to the ABNT NBR 15300-1 standard, followed by the ABNT NBR 15300-2 standard or the ABNT NBR 15300-3 standard. The use of ABNT NBR 15300-2 or ABNT NBR 15300-3 standards is a free choice for the manufacturer of the vehicle. The ABNT NBR 15300-1 + 15300-2 test is similar to the FMVSS 208 standard in the United States in terms of its vehicle frontal impact test perpendicular to a rigid barrier with the use of seat belts by male model dummies. The test according to ABNT NBR 15300-1 + 15300-3 follows the European ECE R94 and 96/79/EC standards. However, ABNT NBR 15300-2 focuses on occupant protection during vehicle deceleration rather than occupant protection during vehicle deformation in a crash test. ABNT NBR 15300-3 tests occupant protection during vehicle deformation more than it tests occupant protection during vehicle deceleration. Therefore, this paper aims to show the types of test results produced by the ABNT NBR 15300-2 and ABNT NBR 15300-3 standards and their differences concerning occupant protection verification and discuss the manufacturer??s freedom of choice.     

复合轻轨车体的多级优化法

以轻轨车辆为例,阐述了多级优化法的具体应用过程。本文首先根据标准载荷对轻轨车辆的车体进行全面有限元分析,从而找出临界板件,然后将临界板件划分为多个区域,优化了车窗的圆角半径和板件厚度。数值计算结果表明,多级优化法作为一种设计工具是切实可行的。     

Prediction of ambient carbon monoxide concentration using nonlinear time series analysis technique

This study evaluates the potential of nonlinear time series analysis based methods in predicting the carbon monoxide concentration in an urban area. To establish the functional relationship between current and future observations, two models based on local approximations and neural network approximations are used. To compare the performance of the models, an autoregressive integrated moving average model is also applied. The multi-step forecasting capabilities of the models are evaluated.     

The Propagation of Waves in a Semi-Infinite Chain of Material Points and Springs Representing a Long Train

The dynamical behaviour of the longitudinal motion of a long train on which tractive or braking forces apply, often is investigated by representing the train by a model consisting of a continuous bar in which longitudinal vibrations can occur. In the present publication a model consisting of a chain of material points and springs is proposed. It can be investigated by means of difference equation methods and of Laplace transformations. In certain respects the discrepancies of the results with those obtained for a continuous model, are considerable and it may be concluded that a more complete investigation of the discrete model is necessary.     

Representing mental maps and cognitive learning in micro-simulation models of activity-travel choice dynamics

This paper develops a model, based on Bayesian beliefs networks, for representing mental maps and cognitive learning into micro-simulation models of activity-travel behavior. Mental maps can be used to address the problem that choice sets in models of travel demand are often ad hoc specified. The theory underlying the model is discussed, a specification is derived and numerical simulation is used to illustrate the properties of the model.     

机构法结合遗传算法优化拱桥设计

对结构工程师来说,设计优化正变得日益重要。该文描述了一种结合机构法和遗传算法进行整体化设计优化的方法。前种方法是当前英国交通部采用的一种主要的计算拱的工具;后者是强有力的数值函数优化方法。文中显示了英国肯特Teston桥和一系列其它样本设计优化的试算结果及相关的算法有效性数据。建议本方法为涉及现存桥梁的评估、维护和修理及新拱桥设计的结构工程师的设计辅助工具。