Microscopic decision model for pedestrian route choice at signalized crosswalks

In this paper, two‐tier mathematical models were developed to simulate the microscopic pedestrian decision‐making process of route choice at signalized crosswalks. In the first tier, a discrete choice model was proposed to predict the choices of walking direction. In the second tier, an exponential model was calibrated to determine the step size in the chosen direction. First, a utility function was defined in the first‐tier model to describe the change of utility in response to deviation from a pedestrian's target direction and the conflicting effects of neighboring pedestrians. A mixed logit model was adopted to estimate the effects of the explanatory variables on the pedestrians' decisions. Compared with the standard multinomial logit model, it was shown that the mixed logit model could accommodate the heterogeneity. The repeated observations for each pedestrian were grouped as panel data to ensure that the parameters remained constant for individual pedestrians but varied among the pedestrians. The mixed logit model with panel data was found to effectively address inter‐pedestrian heterogeneity and resulted in a better fit than the standard multinomial logit model. Second, an exponential model in the second tier was proposed to further determine the step size of individual pedestrians in the chosen direction; it indicates the change in walking speed in response to the presence of other pedestrians. Finally, validation was conducted on an independent set of observation data in Hong Kong. The pedestrians' routes and destinations were predicted with the two‐tier models. Compared with the tracked trajectories, the average error between the predicted destinations and the observed destinations was within an acceptable margin. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient solution algorithm for finding spatially dependent reliable shortest path in road networks

Travel times are generally stochastic and spatially correlated in congested road networks. However, very few existing route guidance systems (RGS) can provide reliable guidance services to aid travellers planning their trips with taking account explicitly travel time reliability constraint. This study aims to develop such a RGS with particular consideration of travellers' concern on travel time reliability in congested road networks with uncertainty. In this study, the spatially dependent reliable shortest path problem (SD‐RSPP) is formulated as a multi‐criteria shortest path‐finding problem in road networks with correlated link travel times. Three effective dominance conditions are established for links with different levels of travel time correlations. An efficient algorithm is proposed to solve SD‐RSPP by adaptively using three established dominance conditions. The complexities of road networks in reality are also explicitly considered. To demonstrate the applicability of proposed algorithm, a comprehensive case study is carried out in Hong Kong. The results of case study show that the proposed solution algorithm is robust to take account of travellers' multiple routing criteria. Computational results demonstrate that the proposed solution algorithm can determine the reliable shortest path on real‐time basis for large‐scale road networks. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Do new sources of traffic data make the application of Chaos Theory to traffic management a realistic possibility?

Current signal systems for managing road traffic in many urban areas around the world lack a coordinated approach to detecting the spatial and temporal evolution of congestion across control regions within city networks. This severely inhibits these systems’ ability to detect reliably, on a strategic level, the onset of congestion and implement effective preventative action. As traffic is a time-dependent and non-linear system, Chaos Theory is a prime candidate for application to Urban Traffic Control (UTC) to improve congestion and pollution management. Previous applications have been restricted to relatively uncomplicated motorway and inter-urban networks, arguably where the associated problems of congestion and vehicle emissions are less severe, due to a general unavailability of high-resolution temporal and spatial data that preserve the variability in short-term traffic patterns required for Chaos Theory to work to its full potential. This paper argues that this restriction can now be overcome due to the emergence of new sources of high-resolution data and large data storage capabilities. Consequently, this opens up the real possibility for a new generation of UTC systems that are better able to detect the dynamic states of traffic and therefore more effectively prevent the onset of traffic congestion in urban areas worldwide.     

Forced Steering of Rail Vehicles: Stability and Curving Mechanics

A forced steering rail vehicle employs linkages between.the carbody and wheelsets to force a more radial wheelset alignment. It is shown that the curve negotiation capability of forced steering trucks is significantly improved over conventional and self steering radial trucks. Parametric curves are presented showing angle-of-attack and lateral flange force as a function of steering gain parameters and truck bending stiffness. It is also shown that the forced steering concept can produce kinematic instability and severely reduced critical speeds for low conicities and creep coefficients. Analytic expressions are derived that illustrate how these kinematic instabilities can be avoided.     

An American's view

At the time this paper was delivered Mr Lockwood was an independent transportation consultant serving as Executive Director of the Transportation Alternatives Group of the Transportation 2020 Program. He is now Associate Administrator for Policy of the Federal Highway Administration. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect US Department of Transportation policy.     

Effects of Free-Control Variables on Automobile Handling

Compared with the fixed-control case, relatively few studies of the effects on handling quality of the nature of the free-control response of an automobile to steering torque inputs have been reported. Prior to reviewing these studies, an attempt is made in this paper to provide a conceptual framework for assessing the results, by drawing on analytical and experimental work concerned with manual control in closed-loop tracking systems. Application of these ideas to the automobile shows that a fixed-control driver strategy is required where precise path control is necessary. Less demanding situations would allow a free-control driving mode. Steering task performance is found to be relatively insensitive to free-control vehicle responses. However, drivers exhibit clear preferences for certain ranges of steering torque gradient, and for rapid responses of steering wheel angle to torque inputs. Vehicle handling variables interact strongly in their effect on driver opinion. For example, the optimum steering torque gradient (in N m/G) decreases, and the optimum steering “stiffness” (in N m/rad) increases, as the fixed-control response sensitivity increases. Within fairly wide ranges, the damping of the free-control oscillatory mode has little effect on handling quality.     

Analysis of Passive Limited Supporting Force of Curved Shield Tunnel Excavation FaceEI北大核心

Research purposes: In the construction process of curved shield tunnels, the force of excavation face is extremely complex and the stability is difficult to control, so it is very likely that the thrust of the jack will cause uplift of the soil in front because of passive failure. Taking the sand strata as an example, this paper established a combination model of "inverted ladder-wedge prism" to reveal that the soil in front of the excavation face of curved shield tunnels uplifts up because of passive failure based on the silo theory and limit equilibrium method, and deduced the calculation method of passive limited supporting force for curved tunnels. Then, we confirmed the accuracy and reliability of this model and calculation method through programing and simulating. Research conclusions:(1) The passive limited supporting force increases with the increase of buried depth and internal friction angle, and the growth rate gradually increases. (2) When the radius of the line is less than 200 m and the internal friction angle is more than 25 degrees, the passive limited supporting force is very sensitive to the curvature radius, and when the radius is more than 800 m, the passive limited supporting force is almost no difference with straight tunnels. (3) The numerical results indicate that the numerical solution is consistent with the theoretical solution and the difference is quite small. (4) The research results can provide theoretical basis for determining the passive limited supporting force in the constructions of similar curved shield tunnels especially small turn radius shield tunnels. © 2018, Editorial Department of Journal of Railway Engineering Society. All right reserved.     

Research on the Cause and Influential Factors of Tunnel Lining Cracking of Side Wall in Seasonally-frozen RegionsEI北大核心

Research purposes: In recent years, tunnel diseases like lining cracking and water leaking during spring thawing period, caused by frost heaving of surrounding rock, have occasionally occurred in high-latitude seasonally-frozen regions of northwest China and northeast China, which has seriously affected the tunnel structure and operation safety. Taking several railway tunnels in northwest China as an example, this paper investigates the cause and main influencing factors of longitudinal cracking of side wall in winter in seasonal frozen soil area by means of field test, laboratory experiment and numerical simulation. Research conclusions:(1) When the water content of surrounding rock of tunnel built in strongly-weathered sandstone is 12.3% and the frozen depth of surrounding rock is up to 60 cm, the maximum tensile stress of side walls is 2.28 MPa, which is larger than the ultimate tensile strength of C30 concrete, then the horizontal lining cracking will appear on side walls under the effect of continuous negative temperature in winter. If the lining bears part of the surrounding rock load, the longitudinal cracking degree of the side wall will increase. (2) Under the effect of frost heaving loads, the cracking of tunnel lining has its own characteristics of symmetry, seasonality and accumulation, etc. The cracks appear in winter and distribute in the middle of side walls. As the temperature is rising, the crack begins to shrink. (3) The frozen circle thickness and water content of surrounding rock should be used as main indicators during the process of calculation of frost heaving loads of surrounding rock in seasonally-frozen regions. (4) The research results can be used for reference in tunnel design, operation and maintenance in seasonal frozen soil area. © 2018, Editorial Department of Journal of Railway Engineering Society. All right reserved.