Human and bicycle detection system using range sensor

This paper presents a full-scale solution to the detection of the traffic data using laser device. Range images, gathered by a particular laser camera, are used in the multi-threshold segmentation. The multi-threshold segmentation is based on the height of the moving objects. In order to get the precise height of the moving objects, mapping of the original terrain is performed on the first step. On each layer, the clustering algorithm called iteration-self organizing data analysis techniques algorithm (ISODATA) is conducted afterwards. Kalman filtering technique is applied to recognize and track the moving objects. Extensive experiments show that these algorithms are effective in object recognition and tracking, as well as robust in the applications.     

Looper-tension <Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Subscript>∞</Subscript> control for hot strip finishing mills

The development of an innovative H _∞ controller for looper and tension control in hot strip finishing mills is traced based on approximately linearized model. This solution has been considered thanks to its well-known robustness and simplicity characteristics concerning disturbances’ attenuation. The controller is designed based on an optimal problem with linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints, and the problem is solved by the mincx function of Matlab LMI Toolbox. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed controller compared with conventional ones.     

Numerical simulation of macrosegregation during steel ingot solidification using continuum model

A continuum model is adopted to study the macrosegregation phenomena during solidification of large steel ingots. Evolution of temperature, melt velocity, and compositional concentration field during a 22 t steel ingot solidification are illustrated by using the finite volume method. Numerical results of temperature distribution are validated by experiments. The influence of local permeability relates to the friction that the melt experienced in mushy region is investigated. It is shown that the continuum model is able to predict the temperature field, and the variation of permeability obviously affects the melt flowing behavior and the final compositional distribution.     

A selection scheme for optimum number of cooperative secondary users in spectrum sensing

An optimization scheme for choosing the optimum number of secondary users in cooperative spectrum sensing based on the cyclostationary feature detection with Neyman-Pearson criterion is proposed in this paper. The optimal soft combination test statistic for the cooperative spectrum sensing based on cyclostationary feature detection is derived according to the generalized likelihood ratio test and its corresponding detection performance is deduced. A target function, considering two important parameters as the resource use efficiency and the number of samples employed by each cooperative secondary user in the system design, is constructed to obtain the optimum number of cooperative secondary users. It can be found that the selection scheme is to make a tradeoff between the system complexity of the cognitive radio network and the global sensing performance of the cooperative spectrum sensing.     

External equality and absolute equality coincide in finite CCS and <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis> calculus without summation

External equality and absolute equality are defined model independently by Fu. It is interesting and important to know whether these two equalities coincide or not. There are some results in Fu’s paper for this issue. It is relatively easy to prove the coincidence if the summation operator is in the language, otherwise it is harder. In fact Fu proposed it as an open problem whether the two equalities coincide in some languages without summation. In this paper, the proofs of the coincidence in finite CCS and π calculus without summation are given.     

Development and application of thermal mathematical model of iron ore pellet bed in grate

Based on the analysis of heat transfer mechanics, physical and chemical change of pellet drying and preheating process in grate, the mathematical model is established and solved by three-diagonal matrix algorithm. With Visual Basic 6.0 a simulation software is developed. The model is verified by measurements at a domestic pellet plant, and the temperature distribution of pellet bed is gained. Meanwhile, the influence of different operation parameters on the pellet thermal process is studied. The results can be taken as a basis of practical production control and the grate optimizing design.     

The precautionary principle in maritime affairs

Since the 1980s, the precautionary principle has been drawing more and more international attention. This became particularly clear during the series of Conferences on the Protection of the North Sea, which addressed marine environmental protection, and initiated the application of the principle into maritime affairs. Although a unified concept of the precautionary principle is lacking, some typical formulations have been concluded in regional treaties and international documents, and components of the principle can be summarised (Part I and Part II). The precautionary principle has been adopted by international documents involving different fields of law of the sea, and been addressed by international courts and tribunals (Part III). While the precautionary principle is still not part of customary international law (Part IV), its increasing level of worldwide acceptance suggests that it will become a customary international law in the future.     

Analysis of cost estimation disclosure in environmental impact statements for surface transportation projects

Reliability in cost estimates in publicly funded projects is more important today than ever with increased governmental funding to infrastructure projects and associated accountability requirements, but surface transportation projects, large and small, in the United States have a legacy of cost overruns. The problems with these overruns start with the cost estimation process before projects begin. Studies have shown that early cost estimations reflect best-case scenarios rather than realistic expectations, and have attributed technical, economic, psychological, and political reasons for underestimation. The primary objectives of this research were to determine how costs have been presented and updated in environmental impact statements, to identify endemic technical problems with cost estimation during the environmental review of surface transportation projects, and to develop recommendations for improving cost estimation and disclosure. Cost estimation methods were analyzed from the documents of 100 projects, including draft environmental impact statements, final environmental impact statements, and records of decision. The study concluded that the lack of guidance on how to include cost estimation in environmental review revealed itself in the level of detail and attention given to estimating costs. Agencies omitted or included various aspects of cost estimation randomly. Professional organizations should fill the gap of the need for specific guidance to cost estimation for environmental review so it can evolve as a state of the practice.     

Modeling adoption timing of autonomous vehicles: innovation diffusion approach

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are expected to act as an economically-disruptive transportation technology offering several benefits to the society and causing significant changes in travel behavior and network performance. However, one of the critical issues that policymakers are facing is the absence of a sound estimation of their market penetration. This study is an effort to quantify the effect of different drivers on the adoption timing of AVs. To this end, we develop an innovation diffusion model in which individuals’ propensities to adopt a new technology such as AVs takes influence from a desire to innovate and a need to imitate the rest of the society. It also captures various sources of inter-personal heterogeneity. We found that conditional on our assumptions regarding the changes in market price of AVs over time, their market penetration in our study region (Chicago metropolitan area) will eventually reach 71.3%. Further, model estimation results show that a wide range of socio-demographic factors, travel pattern indicators, technology awareness, and perceptions of AVs are influential in people’s AV adoption timing decision. For instance, frequent long-distance travelers are found to make the adoption decision more innovatively while those who have experienced an accident in their lifetime are found to be more influenced by word of mouth.     

Development of knowledge based body structure concept design model

The purpose of this study is to propose a concept design process for an automotive body structure using technical information on the major joints and members of vehicles. First, in order to collect the technical information on major joints and members, 17 vehicles were selected using benchmark data. The collected technical information for the selected vehicles was the cross sectional shapes of each joint and member which were used for the analysis of joint stiffness, crashworthiness and static stiffness of the member to make a database along with cross section properties. This study applied a ‘What If Study’ technique to perform a concept design of an automotive body using the analyzed information and selected cross section meeting the design objectives. The criteria for the selection of the cross section were defined by subdividing the defined design objectives of an automotive body structure and constraints into members and joints. In order to configure an analysis model of an automotive body structure using the selected cross section, a shape parametric model was used and static stiffness, dynamic stiffness and crashworthiness were assessed to evaluate the configured automotive body structure. The evaluation result showed that the crashworthiness and static/dynamic stiffness were improved compared to an existing body structure. In addition, the weight of the body structure was reduced. Through this study, the process that can rapidly and effectively derive and evaluate the concept design of an automotive body structure was defined. It is expected that, henceforth, this process will be helpful for the study of automotive body structures.