A comparison of modelled and real-life driving profiles for the simulation of railway vehicle operation

A key factor in determining the performance of a railway system is the speed profile of the trains within the network. There can be significant variation in this speed profile for identical trains on identical routes, depending on how the train is driven. A better understanding and control of speed profiles can therefore offer significant potential for improvements in the performance of railway systems. This paper develops a model to allow the variability of real-life driving profiles of railway vehicles to be quantitatively described and predicted, in order to better account for the effects on the speed profile of the train and hence the performance of the railway network as a whole. The model is validated against data from the Tyne and Wear Metro, and replicates the measured data to a good degree of accuracy.     

The planning and analysis of a new group rapid transit system: the SkyCabs monobeam system in Auckland

This paper examines a case study of the SkyCabs system as a way to alleviate some of the traffic problems of Auckland, New Zealand. SkyCabs is an elevated two-way monobeam carrying light eight-seater cabs on tracks on each side of the beam, available on demand, providing fast, pollution-free, unimpeded travel above the footpath with panoramic views of the city. The aim of this study is to investigate the attractiveness of implementing the SkyCabs system to and from Auckland central business district (CBD) and Auckland international airport by examining four variables: different routes, different number of stops/stations, different passenger demand levels, and different number of cabs in the system. The analysis utilizes geographical information system and simulation tools for the various scenarios considered. The results show that it is possible to assess the cost–benefit of alternative routes in terms of those four variables and rate of return on investment.     

Innovative strategies for urban car-sharing systems and a simulator to assess their performance

In this paper, three innovative car-sharing systems for urban areas are proposed, based on fleets of individual intelligent vehicles with three service characteristics: instant access, open-ended reservations and one-way trips. These features provide high flexibility but create an uneven distribution of vehicles among stations. Therefore, relocation of vehicles must be performed. Three different system procedures are proposed: in the first system, relocations are performed by users; in the other two, vehicles relocate automatically, thanks to their automation. In the first two systems, vehicles are accessible only at stations, whereas in the third they are also accessible along roads. In order to provide transport managers with a tool to test systems in different realities, an object-oriented simulator is developed. The simulation provides outputs of system performance, in terms of user waiting times and system efficiency. The proposed systems are simulated for the city of Genoa, in Italy, and a comparative analysis is presented.     

Analysis of factors that may be essential in the decision to fly on fully autonomous passenger airliners

This research investigates factors that influence opinion in the decision to fly on fully autonomous passenger airliners primarily from the perspective of aviation and technology professionals. Bayesian statistical inference and a two‐level fractional factorial survey are used to sample passengers' views on fully autonomous airliners. Eight trust, safety, and cost factors are incorporated into a vignette set in the future. Factors include automation levels, safety records, liability guarantees, airline integrity, and service disruptions. Dependent variables exist in five post‐vignette questions and essentially ask “Would you” or “Would you not” be willing to fly on a fully autonomous airliner? Sixteen versions of the vignette, each with unique trust, safety, and cost levels, present varying (unknown) degrees of influence to the survey respondents. For every demographic, the research shows a 99% statistically significant difference between the “prior” and “posterior” sampled population proportions willing to fly. The most significant positive influence involves integrity characteristics of the airline, while the most negative influence relates to life insurance liability guarantees. Research from 2003 suggested that this mode of travel would be acceptable to only 10.5% of respondents. When the 2003 research is used as a Bayesian prior probability, the resulting posterior probability for the demographics sampled can be modeled as a beta distribution, indicating 95% probability that the sampled proportion of the population willing to fly is between 33.2% and 36.4%. After adjusting for age and profession demographics to match the US population, the 95% probability bounds on the proportion willing to fly are 31.35% and 34.15%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new approach for improving the performance of freight train timetabling of a single-track railway system

A new approach for improving the performance of freight train timetabling for single-track railways is proposed. Using the idea of a fixed-block signaling system, we develop a matrix representation to express the occupation of inter- and intra-station tracks by trains illustrating the train blocking time diagram in its entirety. Train departure times, dwell times, and unnecessary stopping are adjusted to reduce average train travel time and single train travel time. Conflicts between successive stations and within stations are identified and solved. A fuzzy logic system is further used to adjust the range of train departure times and checks are made to determine whether dwell times and time intervals can be adjusted for passenger and freight trains at congested stations to minimize train waiting times. By combining manual scheduling expertise with the fuzzy inference method, timetable efficiency is significantly improved and becomes more flexible.     

“工厂法”沉管隧道早期性能的足尺试验研究

由于沉管隧道管段体积大、结构形式复杂、施工工艺复杂,容易因温度、收缩以及约束等原因,造成管段结构在预制阶段出现危害性裂缝,进而影响结构的服役性能和耐久性能。文章依托在建港珠澳大桥沉管隧道工程实例,开展了足尺试验,对"工厂法"沉管管节关键部位的温度和应变发展实施了监测,分析对比了温度发展规律和应变发展规律。分析结果表明:在早期因混凝土水化热引起温度上升,整个管段结构膨胀受拉,温度到达峰值后逐渐下降,结构也收缩恢复;但由于混凝土自收缩等因素的存在,结构最终收缩受压。研究所提供的试验结果可作为深入进行数值分析的一个基础。     

公路隧道双洞互补式通风适用性分析

为研究公路隧道双洞互补式通风的适用性,文章基于隧址海拔和温度、隧道长度和纵坡、隧道交通量和交通组成、隧道双洞间距等因素对互补式通风负荷比及通风效果的影响进行计算分析。研究结果表明:当隧道上下行通风负荷比大于1.5或隧道单向纵坡绝对值在1.5%~2.0%之间时,适宜采用互补式通风;隧道长度在4.5~6 km之间时,采用双洞互补式通风最经济实用;交通量和交通组成的影响关系显示隧道大型车混入率在35%~50%之间时宜考虑采用互补式通风;双洞隧道适合采用互补式通风的最小间距为30 m。     

集中排烟隧道近火源顶板热参数理论预测

由于集中排烟模式能较好地控制上下游烟气的扩散范围,故被广泛应用于长大隧道设计中。文章针对小尺度火灾,建立了集中排烟隧道火源热烟羽受限发展理论模型,与已有火灾实验结果进行对比,完成了理论模型的验证,预测了顶板下方最高烟气温升、偏移距离等热参数。预测结果表明:火灾强度一定时,烟气最大温升随等效风速增加而急剧下降,且火灾强度对烟气温升的影响也较为显著;当等效风速超过1.5 m/s时,最大温升变化趋缓直至恒定;等效风速较小时,羽流未发生明显偏移,随着等效风速进一步增大,偏移距离明显增大,其变化速率随火灾强度的增大而减小。经回归整理得到了顶板下方烟气最大温升、偏移距离的无量纲准则关联式。     

车用柴油机NO_x形成及控制

相对汽油发动机污染物排放,柴油发动机CO和CH的排放较低,不到汽油机的10%,但NOX排放水平却高于汽油发动机。本文重点讨论柴油发动机排气污染物中NOx的成分及危害,分析了NO的生成机理及影响因素,提出了控制柴油机NO排放的技术和方法。     

探讨危旧桥梁加固的有关技术问题

随着国家经济建设脚步的加快,路桥的建设技术也在不断的进步,危旧桥梁的加固处理也成为桥梁建设的热点话题之一。因为公路车流量的增多,在上世纪末建设的桥梁一直都存在过载使用的问题,过多的重型车辆对危旧桥梁的使用也是一项巨大的考验。在一些使用年限比较久的桥梁中,出现了桥体老化现象。本文就危旧桥梁加固的有关技术问题进行了探讨。