A SIMULATIONAL STUDY OF PRECIPITATION KINETICS AND MORPHOLOGY IN NITRIDATION OF ALLOY STEELS

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Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle Suspension Models: Analysis and Comparison

In this paper several dynamical models of fluid suspensions for tracked air cushion vehicles are analyzed and compared. Specifically, the models considered conform to: a fifth-order linear suspension, a nonlinear configuration with a constant supply pressure, a nonlinear model with compressor characteristics, and a sixth-order nonlinear model with a supply duct connecting the compressor to the cushion chamber. Nonlinearities included in the analysis are the flexible-skirted cushion capacitance, cushion entrance and exit orifice restrictions, feeding system duct fluid capacitance, and compressor pressure-flow characteristics. Temporal responses are obtained for guideway and external force inputs. Back flow conditions under which the supply compressor can stall are examined. It is shown that the general behavior resulting from linear analysis is in many respects similar to that obtained from the nonlinear analysis. Thus, a linear model could provide a good initial basis for a preliminary design and performance specifications.     

A model of joint activity participation between household members

A proportional shares model of daily time allocation is developed and applied to the analysis of joint activity participation between adult household members. The model is unique in its simultaneous representation of each decision maker's decisions concerning independent activity participation, allocation of time to joint activities, and the interplay between individual and joint activities. Further, the model structure ensures that predicted shares of joint activity outcomes be the same for both decision makers, an improvement over models that do not make interpersonal linkages explicit. The empirical analysis of travel diary data shows that employment commitments and childcare responsibilities have significant effects on tradeoffs between joint and independent activities. In addition, evidence is presented for the continued relevance of gender-based role differences in caring for children and employment participation.     

PC-based sketch planning methods for transport and urban applications

Historically, computer models have grown in complexity, and consequently have become more difficult to use. At the same time there is a growing need for quick-response methods and techniques for broad-brush policy formulation and decision making. The personal computer and its attendant software offer new means for quantitative sketch planning. This paper illustrates two PC-based applications for quick-response exercises. These involve interactive mapping and data analysis methods for the appraisal and interpretation of transport data, and the development and use of eclectic models for systems analysis and scenario generation. The LAMM and DIAMONDS packages are described, and their use in data analysis is illustrated. The Trends Integrator Procedure (TIP) is used to formulate a simple but versatile model for investigation of developments in an urban retailing system. These packages all run on PC's and offer powerful and adaptive tools for improved transport planning.Nomenclature a _i a technical coefficient indicating the influence of the unique factor component (U _i ) for factor F _i - c _ij a technical coefficient relating the influence of factor F _i on factor F _j - F _i the relative change in the level of factor F _i - U _i the relative change in the unique factor component for F _i      

Novel stability control strategy for distributed drive electric vehicle based on driver operation intention

In this paper, a novel direct yaw control method based on driver operation intention for stability control of a distributed drive electric vehicle is proposed. It was discovered that the vehicle loses its stability easily under an emergency steering alignment (EA) problem. An emergent control algorithm is proposed to improve vehicle stability under such a condition. A driver operation intention recognition module is developed to identify the driving conditions. When the vehicle enters into an EA condition, the module can quickly identify it and transfer the control method from normal direct yaw control to emergency control. Two control algorithms are designed. The emergency control algorithm is applied to an EA condition while the adaptive control algorithm is applied to other conditions except the EA condition. Both simulation results and real vehicle results show that: The driver module can accurately identify driving conditions based on driver operation intention. When the vehicle enters into EA condition, the emergent control algorithm can intervene quickly, and it has proven to outperform normal direct yaw control for better stabilization of vehicles.     

Experimental investigations on continuous regenerative anti-lock braking system of full electric vehicle

Functions of anti-lock braking for full electric vehicles (EV) with individually controlled wheel drive can be realized through conventional brake system actuating friction brakes and regenerative brake system actuating electric motors. To analyze advantages and limitations of both variants of anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the presented study introduces results of experimental investigations obtained from proving ground tests of all-wheel drive EV. The brake performance is assessed for three different configurations: hydraulic ABS; regenerative ABS only on the front axle; blended hydraulic and regenerative ABS on the front axle and hydraulic ABS on the rear axle. The hydraulic ABS is based on a rule-based controller, and the continuous regenerative ABS uses the gain-scheduled proportional-integral direct slip control with feedforward and feedback control parts. The results of tests on low-friction road surface demonstrated that all the ABS configurations guarantee considerable reduction of the brake distance compared to the vehicle without ABS. In addition, braking manoeuvres with the regenerative ABS are characterized by accurate tracking of the reference wheel slip that results in less oscillatory time profile of the vehicle deceleration and, as consequence, in better driving comfort. The results of the presented experimental investigations can be used in the process of selection of ABS architecture for upcoming generations of full electric vehicles with individual wheel drive.     

Developing Transport Infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa through Public–Private Partnerships: Policy Practice and Implications

In contemporary times, Public–Private Partnership (PPP) in transport infrastructure has gained considerable attention in developing regions following its success in the developed countries. However, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is among the developing regions with few transport PPP projects and among the regions with high number of failed projects. Meanwhile the region's transport infrastructure need far exceeds it current provision. This paper therefore aims to examine the project experiences (success and failure factors) of three highly profiled transport PPP projects, namely the Lekki toll road concession project (Nigeria), N4 toll road (South Africa/Mozambique) and Port of Maputo (Mozambique) in order to develop policy measures for effective future implementation. The experiences of the three projects show that transport PPP policy is indeed feasible in SSA. However, to realise its full applicability, proper policy actions and measures must be carefully observed and these include effective and efficient stakeholder management, transparent and competitive tendering process, high participation of local investors, stable macro-economic conditions and strong government commitment and regulatory framework. The projects experiences and policy actions developed are impactful in accelerating transport infrastructure development through PPP approach in SSA. Hence it is hoped that policy-makers and practitioners would be informed on the key strategies to employ in implementing future projects.     

轻轨车辆噪声评价标准初探

根据轻轨车辆噪声的现状及特点,本文认为轻轨车辆的噪声仍以A声级评价为宜,但需规定容许的倍频程带声压值,以抑制低频噪声对人体的影响,同时提出了轻轨车辆噪声的控制标准。最后还指出了A声级评价总体的缺陷,建议应以人体工程学为基础,综合考虑噪声对人体的多方面危害,以制定出更完善的轻轨车辆噪声评价标准。     

日本铁道车辆检修体系的革新与发展动向

综述了以东日本铁路客运公司为代表的日本铁路公司对车辆检修体系的革新与新检修技术开发现状;描述了检修新技术发展前景;并对新维修体系以及检修作业的自动化、省力化、与技术诊断设备的应用及效果作了介绍。     

地铁曲线段不规则磨耗引起的钢轨波磨监测

在小半径曲线的内轨侧出现钢轨短波波磨加剧的现象,是世界上许多铁路网都面临的一个问题。由于地铁线路小半径曲线大量存在,受其影响尤为突出。本文为一实例研究,属于一个研发预测曲线地段钢轨波磨的数值工具课题的一部分。在斯德哥尔摩地铁中一处半径为120m的曲线段上,通过重复测试轨道的粗糙度及列车通过时引起的噪声,监测波磨的发展状况。在一年的打磨过程中,发生了剧烈的短波波磨,最大峰-峰值约为0.15mm。测试数据谱分析显示,在4～14cm波长范围内,粗糙度幅值较大,峰值约在5和8cm处。波磨为单一的纵向形式（波峰与轨道方向垂直）,幅值在100m长的被测轨道段上呈现不规则变化。粗糙度增长速率随时间增加,直至钢轨打磨后的300天,此后仅有少量的附加粗糙度出现。由于平均车速约为30km/h,因此由波磨造成的滚动噪声主要处于200Hz以下的低频段。打磨后的139～300天,4～14cm波长范围内粗糙度级增加10.1dB,与之相应的60～200Hz频段内的滚动噪声级增加4.9dB。在干燥天气条件下,列车通过时引起人体不适的噪声主要是车轮啸鸣噪声而非滚动噪声。