Developing an enhanced weight-based topological map-matching algorithm for intelligent transport systems

Map-matching (MM) algorithms integrate positioning data from a Global Positioning System (or a number of other positioning sensors) with a spatial road map with the aim of identifying the road segment on which a user (or a vehicle) is travelling and the location on that segment. Amongst the family of MM algorithms consisting of geometric, topological, probabilistic and advanced, topological MM (tMM) algorithms are relatively simple, easy and quick, enabling them to be implemented in real-time. Therefore, a tMM algorithm is used in many navigation devices manufactured by industry. However, existing tMM algorithms have a number of limitations which affect their performance relative to advanced MM algorithms. This paper demonstrates that it is possible by addressing these issues to significantly improve the performance of a tMM algorithm. This paper describes the development of an enhanced weight-based tMM algorithm in which the weights are determined from real-world field data using an optimisation technique. Two new weights for turn-restriction at junctions and link connectivity are introduced to improve the performance of matching, especially at junctions. A new procedure is developed for the initial map-matching process. Two consistency checks are introduced to minimise mismatches. The enhanced map-matching algorithm was tested using field data from dense urban areas and suburban areas. The algorithm identified 96.8% and 95.93% of the links correctly for positioning data collected in urban areas of central London and Washington, DC, respectively. In case of suburban area, in the west of London, the algorithm succeeded with 96.71% correct link identification with a horizontal accuracy of 9.81 m (2σ). This is superior to most existing topological MM algorithms and has the potential to support the navigation modules of many Intelligent Transport System (ITS) services.     

Railway reforms: do they influence operating efficiency?

This paper considers railway operations in 23 European countries during 1995–2001, where a series of reform initiatives were launched by the European Commission, and analyses whether these reform initiatives improved the efficiency of the railway systems. Efficiency is measured using Multi-directional Efficiency Analysis, which enables investigation of how railway reforms affect the inefficiencies of specific cost drivers. The main findings are that the reform initiatives generally improve technical efficiency but potentially differently for different cost drivers. Specifically, the paper provides empirical evidence that accounting separation is important for improving the efficiency in the use of both material and staff costs, whereas other reforms only influenced one of these factors.

Multiple criteria optimization method for the vehicle assignment problem in a bus transportation company

A vehicle assignment problem (VAP) in a road, long‐haul, passenger transportation company with heterogeneous fleet of buses is considered in the paper. The mathematical model of the VAP is formulated in terms of multiobjective, combinatorial optimization. It has a strategic, long‐term character and takes into account four criteria that represent interests of both passengers and the company's management. The decision consists in the definition of weekly operating frequency (number of rides per week) of buses on international routes between Polish and Western European cities. The VAP is solved in a step‐wise procedure. In the first step a sample of efficient (Pareto‐optimal) solutions is generated using an original metaheuristic method called Pareto Memetic Algorithm (PMA). In the second step this sample is reviewed and evaluated by the Decision Maker (DM). In this phase an interactive, multiple criteria analysis method with graphical facilities, called Light Beam Search (LBS), is applied. The method helps the DM to define his/her preferences, direct the search process and select the most satisfactory solution.     

Vehicle mass as a determinant of fuel consumption and secondary safety performance

One interaction between environmental and safety goals in transport is found within the vehicle fleet where fuel economy and secondary safety performance of individual vehicles impose conflicting requirements on vehicle mass from an individual’s perspective. Fleet characteristics influence the relationship between the environmental and safety outcomes of the fleet; the topic of this paper. Cross-sectional analysis of mass within the British fleet is used to estimate the partial effects of mass on the fuel consumption and secondary safety performance of vehicles. The results confirmed that fuel consumption increases as mass increases and is different for different combinations of fuel and transmission types. Additionally, increasing vehicle mass generally decreases the risk of injury to the driver of a given vehicle in the event of a crash. However, this relationship depends on the characteristics of the vehicle fleet, and in particular, is affected by changes in mass distribution within the fleet. We confirm that there is generally a trade-off in vehicle design between fuel economy and secondary safety performance imposed by mass. Cross-comparison of makes and models by model-specific effects reveal cases where this trade-off exists in other aspects of design. Although it is shown that mass imposes a trade-off in vehicle design between safety and fuel use, this does not necessarily mean that it imposes a trade-off between safety and environmental goals in the vehicle fleet as a whole because the secondary safety performance of a vehicle depends on both its own mass and the mass of the other vehicles with which it collides.     

信息化时代武器装备电磁兼容技术发展趋势

在C4ISR系统EMC和防护,EMC“预测分析法”设计与控制,电磁环境效应(E3)验证与评估及防护技术,频谱管理,以及EMC新技术、新材料、新器件开发应用等五个方面论述当前EMC技术的发展趋势。     

BIM与GIS融合技术在航道整治工程中的应用

针对航道整治工程中BIM技术无法管理条带状工程、难以表达工程周边地理信息等难点,通过梳理BIM与GIS数据特点,研究探索BIM与GIS融合技术,提出了通过格式转换、坐标转换和数据关联实现BIM与GIS融合的方法。将研究成果应用在蕲春水道航道整治工程,验证了BIM与GIS融合方法的可行性,实现了BIM与GIS数据一体化浏览、显示、管理、分析等功能,解决了BIM无法管理大范围工程、无法反映工程周边环境的不足,为BIM与GIS技术在航道整治工程中的应用提供了技术支撑。     

面向复杂环境的LNG码头合理布局规模仿真案例分析

LNG船舶通过限制性航道进出港时须采取一定的管控措施,具有显著的排他性,布局LNG码头时须确定合理的码头规模,以保障港区各类船舶通航效率。基于多智能体复杂系统的混合模拟仿真建模方法,以宁波舟山港六横港区南侧岸线新布局LNG码头研究为例,建立不同的仿真情境,通过设定的指标进行评价分析,研判在一定通航管控措施条件下六横港区南侧LNG码头合理布局规模,为港口码头布局和岸线合理利用提供决策依据。     

船舶非线性横摇运动数值模拟研究

非线性大角横摇运动是危害船舶安全的重要因素,也是船舶水动力学关注的热点及难点问题。文章采用CFD方法,对某型驱逐舰船模在不同波长规则波中横浪航行时的横摇运动进行了数值模拟。通过与水池实验比对,数值仿真得到的稳定横摇幅值与实验值的误差在10%左右。同时,数值模拟证实了非线性横摇的两种典型特征—“多值”及“跳跃”现象。数值模拟结果表明,CFD方法可作为研究船舶非线性横摇运动的有效手段。     

长洲三线船闸人字门原型调试研究

为保证长洲三线船闸的正常安全运行,同时更好地积累大型船闸人字门运行经验,对长洲三线船闸人字门启闭特性进行原型观测与调试。结果表明：平水调试阶段,人字门系统运行平稳,启门力远小于启闭机额定容量,说明启闭设备设计合理;运行调试初期,闸室存在较严重的超灌（泄）现象,人字门活塞杆受压较大,可能超过启闭机的额定油压,易使液压杆受损;采用集控自动程序运行后,超灌（泄）现象得到较大改善,人字门活塞杆受力在正常允许范围内。证明原型观测与调试是保证实际工程安全运行的有效手段。     

防止电力机车进入无电单元(区)的安全预警方法

针对目前计划内接触网停电时电力机车进入无电单元(区)的问题,提出了基于动态停电作业区域数据对比库语音、屏幕鼠标点击坐标和高清成像分析进行"三元素二阶段"处理对比方法,以减少人员操作失误和损失.机车/车次信息及对应机车属性先由操作人员办理接发列预告(办理闭塞)的语音识别获取,再通过TDCS/CTC终端机非上位机获取并核对...