Effects of information in road transport networks with recurrent congestion

This paper aims to gain more insight into the implications of information provision to drivers on the performance of road transport networks with recurrent congestion. For this purpose, a simulation program consisting of three components has been written. The first component is the traffic simulation model, the second component is the information provision mechanism, and the third component monitors the behavioural decision-making process of the drivers, which is modelled using a utility-based satisficing principle. Three types of information provision mechanisms will be considered: information based upon own-experience, after-trip information and real-time en route information. The findings in this paper, obtained in a hypothetical context, underline the important relationship betweenoverreaction, thelevel of market penetration and thequality of the information. High quality information allows a high level of market penetration, while low quality information, even when provided at low levels of market penetration, induces overreaction. Furthermore, real-time en route information is in particular beneficial during the process leading to a steady state; it reduces the variance in travel time considerably. The paper concludes with a discussion on the market potential of motorist information systems when commercially marketed.     

SLENIUM FROM BEEF IS HIGHLY BIOAVAILABLE AS ASSESSED BY LIVER GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE （EC1．11．1．9） ACTIVITY AND TISSUE SELENI

ＳＬＥＮＩＵＭＦＲＯＭＢＥＥＦＩＳＨＩＧＨＬＹＢＩＯＡＶＡＩＬＡＢＬＥＡＳＡＳＳＥＳＳＥＤＢＹＬＩＶＥＲＧＬＵＴＡＴＨＩＯＮＥＰＥＲＯＸＩＤＡＳＥ（Ｅ．１．１．９）ＡＣＴＩＶＩＴＹＡＮＤＴＩＳＳＵＥ　ＳＥＬＥＮＩＵＭＳｈｉＢｉｎｇ；Ｊ．Ｅ．Ｓｐａｌｌ...     

On the axial force induced on a duct by a propulsor

The axial force induced on a duct (duct thrust) which surrounds a propulsor is, by means of an energy conservation argument, expressed in terms of the thrust and power of the propulsor and the kinetic energy losses per unit of time of the propulsor and the duct. Emphasis is put on the linear theory of an axisymmetric ducted actuator disk, where it is shown that the work done by the duct thrust is equal to the extra work done by the actuator disk when it is surrounded by the duct. This simplified model gives more insight into the interaction between the propeller and the duct and on the limits of linearization.     

Effect of capacity concentration on highway corridor performance

This paper investigates, through use of analytical models, the effects of capacity concentration on highway corridor performance. It concludes that when highways operate at a fixed total capacity, decreasing the highway spacing can increase the average travel time because highways will become more congested. When highways operate below capacity, decreasing the spacing is usually beneficial as it tends to reduce trip length when accessing highways, and allows a greater percentage of travel to be completed on highways instead of arterials.     

盘形铣刀虚拟加工系统

通过在VB程序中调用SolidWorks API的属性和方法,控制刀具实体和毛坯实体的相对位置和相对运动关系,进行实体间的布尔运算,在SolidWorks软件界面中,实现盘形铣刀虚拟加工。     

回转翼型液压舵机检修工艺

文章就大型回转翼型舵机的维修,叙述故障原因,找出解决的方法,完成对磨损面的修补和对密封导套的更换。并利用工厂现有能力对密封导套和定转子进行安装。期间提出一些特殊的工艺方法,可供同行借鉴。     

汕头磊口大桥伸缩装置的改造

汕头磊口大桥原设计的桥面伸缩缝为SG-45型板式橡胶伸缩缝,1988年改造为TST伸缩装置,经多年使用出现病害,需进行改造.选用YF型伸缩装置.介绍YF型伸缩装置的施工工艺和质量控制方法,特别是清缝和伸缩缝安装等工艺.     

Air pollution from ships: Recent developments

All developments on air pollution by ships are fairly recent. Annex VI of the international Marpol-convention, regulating the emissions of CFCs, Halons, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from cargoes, emissions from incinerators and exhaust gas emissions from engines (NO_x and SO_x) entered into force in May 2005. The International Maritime Organization is currently discussing an upgrade of the air pollution issues covered by Annex VI and some that are not in Annex VI, such as greenhouse gas emissions. CO₂ is the most important greenhouse gas emitted by ship. Fuel consumption by the world merchant fleet is expected to grow to between 250–300 million tons per year with corresponding CO₂ emissions of 800–960 million tons per year. In Western Europe land based measures have reduced sulphur emissions substantially, leaving shipping as an important remaining source of these emissions. Average sulphur content of heavy fuel oils is 3%, with a limit of 4.5% imposed by Annex VI. Both the Baltic- and the North Sea have the status of SO_x emission control area, limiting sulphur content to 1.5%.     

Investment strategies in market uncertainty

The nature of the global economy is one of dynamic change. Shipping is a service industry with its demand related to changes in international trade levels and patterns. As a consequence shipping is subject to sometimes unpredictable swings in demand so that the operator is required to make strategic planning decisions while navigating through boom or bust environments. While boom economies generate rising freight rates which are welcomed and encourage investment, ship operators may also have to face falling freight demand and declining freight rates that may have significant impact on profitability, often falling to uneconomic levels for extended periods. In such a period of uncertainty and declining profitability management will make operational decisions to reduce costs. However, shipping lines operate in a market environment so any decisions made to rationalize the trade may have significant long-term competitive implications. For example, traditional micro economic theory might suggest that the prudent strategy to adopt would be to close down the operation and reopen when the market conditions improve. In a world of certainty or when costs of taking this action are zero, this would be a valid strategy. However, because of fear of competitors taking up a line's market share if the shipping company exits, even temporarily, this strategy cannot be valued simply in terms of shut-down and start-up costs. A further consideration is the fact that standard capital budgeting techniques, such as Net Present Value (NPV), cannot incorporate the flexibility to respond to new information and strategic responses explicitly into their investment analysis. This paper will demonstrate the use of Real Option Analysis (ROA) to provide guidelines for decisions about closing operations in adverse market conditions.