Robust detection of preceding vehicles in crowded traffic conditions

This paper introduces an adaptive scheme for robustly detecting multiple preceding vehicles in crowded traffic conditions. The scheme focuses on issues frequently observed in the interpretation of traffic scenes recorded by cameras installed in vehicles: stable extraction of features and accurate classification in spite of the vehicle??s constant vibrations and dynamic changes in the distance between vehicles. To address these issues, we introduce the concept of integral features and a method of utilizing the scene geometry information. Each of the simple attributes, such as edges, shadows, and symmetry, is compiled in the window confined by the scene geometry to improve the expressiveness and robustness of the extracted features. The scene geometry information that is then estimated from the perspective view is extensively utilized in constituent system components, including not only feature extraction/integration but also neural network-based classification and distance-adaptive clustering. In addition, employing the Kalman filter along with a confidence measure makes the detection and tracking of potential vehicles robust. Experimental results prove that the system employing the proposed scheme detects and tracks multiple vehicles more effectively, even in crowded traffic conditions, with a lower rate of false positives.     

Smooth motion control of the adaptive cruise control system by a virtual lead vehicle

The adaptive cruise control system maintains the appropriate distance to the lead vehicle when the lead vehicle exists and maintains the desired speed when no lead vehicle is detected. A virtual lead vehicle scheme is introduced to make the switching between the speed control algorithm and the distance control algorithm unnecessary and simplify the structure of the control system. The speed and the position of the virtual vehicle can be decided by the control system according to the current situation. Smoother responses are achieved by the virtual lead vehicle scheme compared to the conventional mode switching scheme. This method is also shown to provide a good reaction for when a lead vehicle cuts in or out. A linear quadratic controller with variable weights is suggested to control the virtual lead vehicle. This scheme shows improved performance in terms of passenger comfort and fuel efficiency of the host vehicle.     

Design and Combustion Characteristic Analysis of Free Piston Stirling Engine External Combustion System

The free piston Stirling engine external combustion system was simulated to investigate the diesel-air combustion characteristics in order to demonstrate its feasibility by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The different effects on combustion were distinguished by analyzing the combustion burner, the injection position of diesel oil, the front tube arrangement of Stirling heater head and the back fin. The results show that the tilted front tube arrangement of the heater head with the back fin is the best practicable technology while the distance between the diesel nozzle position and the swirler top is 0. Its total heat flux is 15.6 kW, and the average heat transfer coefficients of the front and back tubes are 127W/(m² · K) and 192W/(m² · K), respectively. The heat transfer is mainly through convection, and the proportion of radiative heat transfer is only 16.9%. The best combustion efficiency of the free piston Stirling engine external combustion system is 86%.     

An empirical investigation on the dynamic processes of activity scheduling and trip chaining

Investigation of the dynamic processes of activity scheduling and trip chaining has been an interest of transportation researchers over the past decade because of its relevance to the effectiveness of congestion management and intelligent transportation systems. To empirically examine the processes, a computerized survey instrument is developed to collect household activity scheduling data. The instrument is unique in that it records the evolution of activity schedules from intentions to final outcomes for a weekly period. This paper summarizes the investigation on the dynamic processes of activity scheduling and trip chaining based on data collected from a pilot study of the instrument. With the data, ordered logit models are applied to identify factors that are pertinent to the scheduling horizon of activities. Results of the empirical analysis show that a daily schedule often starts with certain activities occupying a portion of the schedule and other activities are then arranged around these pre-occupants. Activities of shorter duration are more likely to be opportunistically inserted in a schedule already anchored by their longer duration counterparts. Persons with children often expect more constraining activities than those with no children. The analysis also shows that female respondents tend to be more structured in terms of how the week is planned. Additionally, analysis of travel patterns reveals that many trip-chains are formed opportunistically. Travel time required to reach an activity is positively related to the scheduling horizon for the activity, with more distant stops being planned earlier than closer locations.     

Contents Volume 29 2002

Volume Contents

Contents Volume 29 2002     

Strategic planning applied to shipping and ports

Changing economic, trade, technological and environmental conditions today affect shipping and ports more than ever before. As a result, it has become essential for them to maintain and update strategic decisions and objectives more and more frequently. Concepts and approaches found effective in strategic planning are presented and their applications to shipping and ports are reviewed.     

心腔导管电消融治疗顽固性室上性心动过速

对17例抗心动过速药物治疗无效的顽固性室上性心动过速的患者,经使用心内导管电消融房室交界区,采取R波同步放电200～400J电能2～1次后,其中4例在电消融术后未安置长期心脏起搏器,另13例电消融术后形成完全性房室传导阻滞,安置了长期性心胜起搏器。临床实践证实了使用心腔导管电消融术对治疗顽固性室上性心动过速,可收到较好的效果。     

Port or shipping project appraisal under risk .

Investments in ports and shipping today are subject to uncertainty in demand, costs, prices, and technology requirements. As a result, port and shipping project appraisal must consider the risk of project decisions on outcome. The basic concepts of project appraisal under risk are discussed in this paper, and the effects of uncertainties on measures of project performance such as net present value or internal rate of return are reviewed. Applications of the approach advocated are presented in a follow-up paper.     

Carrier selection in a RO/RO ferry trade Part 1. Decision factors and attitudes

The choices faced by shippers are generally complex. Typically, the shipper is presented with a range of alternative carriers, each of which has its individual strengths and weaknesses. A survey of companies purchasing shipping services in an overnight RO/RO ferry trade was conducted to identify their priorities and to help understand and the decision-making process. The shippers were found to be conservative decision makers with a strong emphasis on quality of service.