An innovative method for the analysis of vehicle movements in roundabouts based on image processing

The objective of this paper is to propose a method, based on the image processing of field survey data, to analyze vehicles movements into roundabouts. This research study consisted of three stages: a field survey to collect vehicular flow images captured by video cameras, the processing of these images using a proprietary software (VeTRA—Vehicle Tracking for Roundabout Analysis), and finally, the analysis of the collected data. The main feature of the software is that it allows the automatic computation of the main variables necessary to rank and evaluate a generic roundabout: the entry/exit (E/E) matrix with classification of vehicles (e.g., heavy, light, and motorbikes), vehicle trajectories, and vehicular speed diagrams along the paths inside the roundabout. The processing system is robust enough to withstand classic problems affecting image processing such as variable wind conditions, cloud cover, shadows, and obstructions. Calibration and error evaluation have been deduced from data collected by a high precision Real Time Kinematic GPS video recording system mounted on a probe vehicle. Data of E/E matrices generated by VeTRA are compared with those manually counted on the corresponding video images. A case study of an existing roundabout is featured in the paper. The results indicate that the software has a high capability of generating the E/E matrix. The analysis of vehicular trajectories with both the plot of curvature diagrams and the corresponding speed diagrams enable the evaluation of driver behavior relative to the geometric shape of the roundabout. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The importance of information flows temporal attributes for the efficient scheduling of dynamic demand responsive transport services

The operation of a demand responsive transport service usually involves the management of dynamic requests. The underlying algorithms are mainly adaptations of procedures carefully designed to solve static versions of the problem, in which all the requests are known in advance. However there is no guarantee that the effectiveness of an algorithm stays unchanged when it is manipulated to work in a dynamic environment. On the other hand, the way the input is revealed to the algorithm has a decisive role on the schedule quality. We analyze three characteristics of the information flow (percentage of real‐time requests, interval between call‐in and requested pickup time and length of the computational cycle time), assessing their influence on the effectiveness of the scheduling process.     

地面激光扫描仪的精度影响因素分析

尽管地面三维激光扫描技术正被越来越多地应用于多个领域,但对其测量数据的精度评定,至今尚缺乏必要的理论及方法支持。从分析直接测量数据出发,对该类测量仪器误差的主要来源及其对测量数据的影响情况进行了详细分析,构建了地面三维激光扫描仪单个扫描点测量数据的精度评价模型。该模型为基于地面三维激光扫描仪高精度测量项目(如变形监测)的测量成果精度评定,以及测量方案的优化设计提供了所必需的理论基础。     

轿车车门刚度有限元分析及结构优化

本文建立了车门变形分析的有限元模型。分别对车门在理论间隙和实测间隙下的Y向变形、X向变形进行分析。最后，对车门的薄弱部位进行了分析，并提出了加强车门结构刚度的优化措施，通过对刚度加强前后比较，表明在加强刚度后车门变形明显地减小，从而对实际生产工艺具有理论指导意义。     

Formulating a methodology for modelling revealed preference discrete choice data-the selectively replicated logit estimation

There are a number of studies on modelling with Revealed Preference (RP) data. It is a traditional technique and it is based on actual market data. The method has been extensively used in transportation as a tool for predicting travel demand. Although the method constitutes a relevant analysis on the process of modelling, it suffers from limitations, mainly associated with the lack of control over the experiment, that sometimes overwhelm the model results. This work proposes and tests a methodology for estimating a more efficient binary RP sample set. The objective is to develop and test a methodology that identifies and eliminates potentially irrational choices made. Responses are evaluated according to the set of trade-offs in values of time. Having identified these individuals they are eliminated from the original sample and a new sample is created, the selectively replicated (SR) sample. Original and SR samples are then re-estimated in a tree nested logit structure.     

Permanent Magnet Linear Motors Used as Variable Mechanical Dampers for Vehicle Suspensions

Linear electrodynamic motors consisting of coils of copper wire interacting with magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets can be used to construct mechanical dampers with a damping coefficient which can be rapidly varied by changing the external resistance connected to the coil. Limitations to the use of these variable dampers arise due to the coil's own resistance and mass and the practically achievable magnetic field. A moving coil system is first analyzed and then modifications to the basic results when a moving magnet design is used are given. The results indicate that for the oscillation freauencies tvoicallv encountered in road vehicle suspensions, electrodynamic variable shock absorbers are feasible. A novel coreless design appropriate for use with high energy permanent magnets is proposed which would significantly reduce the weight of the units.     

高地应力软弱围岩铁路隧道的衬砌压力

以关角隧道为工程背景,采用开挖应力释放率模型,研究高地应力软弱围岩地质条件下铁路隧道的衬砌压力.基于现场实测地应力和施工监测位移,根据台阶法开挖中存在的空间效应,推算未监测到的坑道周边位移和掌子面前方位移,再采用改进的BP人工神经网络模型预测隧道围岩的最终位移.利用开挖应力释放率模型获得隧道衬砌压力及应力释放规律.该规律与经典围岩特征曲线规律一致,且与工程经验和现场施工状态基本符合.采用FLAC3D软件对该段隧道开挖过程进行三维数值模拟,验证了上述方法在高地应力软弱围岩地质条件下的正确性和合理性.计算结果和模拟结果均表明:由于高地应力软弱围岩和初支效果不佳,使得关角隧道DyK307+ 900处衬砌压力较大,隧道结构处于不利的受力状态.     

Energy Flow in Active Attitude Control Suspensions: A Bond Graph Analysis

Fully active ground vehicle suspensions which completely replace the passive spring and damper elements with a force generating actuator have required a significant amount of power. Alternative systems which retain compliant elements to handle high frequency isolation but include active elements to control the vehicle body attitude have been developed to reduce the power requirements. These suspensions are called “low bandwidth” or “fast load leveler” systems and they often incorporate semi-active dampers which produce high frequency controllable forces with low power requirements. Here, two contrasting attitude control systems are studied to show that actuator power can be significantly reduced if the actuator is used to vary a lever ratio instead of being used to compress the suspension spring directly. Both types of systems have been successfully implemented in prototype form. Bond graphs for idealized versions of the suspensions show clearly the significant differences in actuator power and energy requirements even though the abstract mathematical structures of the two systems are remarkably similar. Computer simulations confirm the analytical results.     

Biological effects of dilution of Dead Sea brine with seawater: implications for the planning of the Red Sea–Dead Sea “Peace Conduit”

The Dead Sea is a severely disturbed ecosystem. Its water level has been decreasing at a rate of nearly 1 m per year during the last decade due to anthropogenic intervention in its water balance. Since the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan was established in 1994, a proposal for the construction of a water carrier, the “Peace Conduit,” between the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) and the Dead Sea is being investigated. This water carrier is intended to mitigate damaging processes that currently occur in the Dead Sea and its surrounding area. The difference in elevation of about 416 m could be exploited for seawater desalination by reverse osmosis. To examine the possible effects of the mixing of Dead Sea brines with seawater and seawater concentrates on the Dead Sea as an ecosystem, we have set up simulation experiments under field conditions in experimental ponds at Sedom, in which Dead Sea water was diluted with Red Sea water. The main components of the Dead Sea biota are the unicellular green alga Dunaliella and several types of red halophilic Archaea. Phosphate is the limiting inorganic nutrient. Massive Dunaliella blooms developed, accompanied by dense communities of red halophilic Archaea, in some of the experimental ponds, imparting a brown-red coloration to the brines. The extent of biological development depended on the extent of dilution and on phosphate availability. The results of the simulation experiments show that biological phenomena and their impact on the Dead Sea ecosystem should be taken into consideration during the planning of the “Peace Conduit.”     

基于粒子滤波联合算法的地磁室内定位

室内地磁场受钢结构与其它铁磁材料的影响,造成磁场区域局部异常,使室内地磁场具有特异性. 受益于此种现象,室内地磁定位技术得以实现. 然而在大型建筑中地磁场的特异性会减弱,这导致定位结果出现模糊现象. 针对这一现象,文中提出了基于路径匹配的室内地磁定位技术,通过增加匹配特征数量来解决此问题. 使用基于动态时间规整（dynamic time warp,DTW）算法与粒子滤波（particle filter,PF）算法的新型联合算法,并以路径匹配的模式对目标进行追踪. 在匹配过程中又通过计算斯皮尔曼等级（Spearman）相关系数确定路径之间的相似度,使之作为辅助定位. 最后用装载了磁传感器的测量机器人进行实验验证,结果表明:路径匹配具有足够的地磁特征数量,能够解决特异性减弱情况下定位结果模糊现象,且定位精度优于1 m.