Expertise in decision-making for large infrastructure projects: from UK trunk roads to High Speed Rail 2

At the decision-making stage, a large-scale infrastructure project is essentially a broad concept, and this means the expert analyses will differ from each other and become contested over time, leading to the emergence of rival narratives. It is only where there is a limited range of expert analyses that the bases for decision-making will remain relatively clear-cut. Over time the contested nature of expertise can significantly inhibit the construction of effective narratives, either for or against the project, and also make decision-making more complex and problematic. Decision makers may also seek greater clarification through the construction of narratives that rise above these disputed areas of expertise, and the scientific evidence becomes less important. This paper examines the changing nature of contested expertise through a comparative analysis of political decision-making between UK trunk roads policy and the case of High Speed Rail 2, through the framework of epistemic communities.     

重载情况下船舶及主机加速问题分析

针对目前一些船舶在恶劣海况下遇到的加速问题,以及通过转速禁区时间过长的问题,从螺旋桨匹配和主机内部设计两方面进行原因分析。围绕转速禁区功率裕度,结合相关案例,从轻螺旋桨裕度、转速禁区及MAN主机输出扭矩能力等方面入手,提出改进措施。     

The use of gait parameters to evaluate pedestrian behavior at scramble phase signalized intersections

Pedestrian scramble phasing is usually implemented to reduce pedestrian‐vehicle conflicts and therefore increase the safety of the intersection. However, to adequately determine the benefits of scramble phasing, it is necessary to understand how pedestrians react to such an unconventional design. This study investigates changes in pedestrian crossing behavior following the implementation of a scramble phase by examining the spatiotemporal gait parameters (step length and step frequency). This detailed microscopic‐level analysis provides insight into changes in pedestrian walking mechanisms as well as the effect of various pedestrian and intersection characteristics. The study uses video data collected at a scramble phase signalized intersection in Oakland, California. Gait parameters were found to be influenced by pedestrian gender, age, group size, crosswalk length, and pedestrian signal indications. Both average step length and walking speed were significantly higher for diagonally crossing pedestrians compared with pedestrians crossing on the conventional crosswalks. Pedestrians were found to have the tendency to increase their step length more than their step frequency to increase walking speed. It was also found that, compared with men, women generally increase their walking speed by increasing their step frequency more than step length. However, when in non‐compliance with signal indications, women increase their walking speed by increasing their step length more than step frequency. It was also found that older pedestrians do not significantly change their walking behavior when in non‐compliance with signal indications. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of modelled and real-life driving profiles for the simulation of railway vehicle operation

A key factor in determining the performance of a railway system is the speed profile of the trains within the network. There can be significant variation in this speed profile for identical trains on identical routes, depending on how the train is driven. A better understanding and control of speed profiles can therefore offer significant potential for improvements in the performance of railway systems. This paper develops a model to allow the variability of real-life driving profiles of railway vehicles to be quantitatively described and predicted, in order to better account for the effects on the speed profile of the train and hence the performance of the railway network as a whole. The model is validated against data from the Tyne and Wear Metro, and replicates the measured data to a good degree of accuracy.     

照明长度和亮度随车速变化的隧道照明智能控制系统研究

随着我国交通运输业日益发达,越来越多的公路隧道投入运营,其安全性和运营成本之间的矛盾也越来越受到关注,如何在保证隧道运营安全的前提下,尽可能的降低运营成本成为亟待解决的难题。本文从隧道照明安全节能的角度出发,提出一种根据车速改变加强照明区段长度的隧道照明控制系统,满足照明质量的同时进行隧道的"按需照明"。系统将车速信息分为50 km/h以下、50~70 km/h、70~90 km/h、90 km/h以上四个速度区段,每个速度区段设计不同的加强照明区段长度;通过电感式线圈检测进入隧道的车辆速度作为控制输入参数,控制相应区段进行照明。     

Recursive estimation of average vehicle time headway using single inductive loop detector data

Vehicle time headway is an important traffic parameter. It affects roadway safety, capacity, and level of service. Single inductive loop detectors are widely deployed in road networks, supplying a wealth of information on the current status of traffic flow. In this paper, we perform Bayesian analysis to online estimate average vehicle time headway using the data collected from a single inductive loop detector. We consider three different scenarios, i.e. light, congested, and disturbed traffic conditions, and have developed a set of unified recursive estimation equations that can be applied to all three scenarios. The computational overhead of updating the estimate is kept to a minimum. The developed recursive method provides an efficient way for the online monitoring of roadway safety and level of service. The method is illustrated using a simulation study and real traffic data.     

Evaluating the effects of green port policy: Case study of Kaohsiung harbor in Taiwan

The paper evaluates the effectiveness of strategies designed to reduce these pollutants in port areas, based on a newly developed assessment model to calculate emissions. The case study found that the strategy of reducing the ship’s speed to 12 knots is most effective in cutting fuel consumption and costs, as well as emissions. Adopting an onshore power supply system could reduce CO₂ emission by 57.16% and PM by 39.4%. By adopting the strategies of both reduced speed and cold ironing emissions control, a reduction in emissions of 71% to 91% can be achieved with a 20 nautical mile reduced speed zone. Therefore, the goals of reductions in emissions to improve port areas air quality could be achieved through adopting a green port policy in the future.     

4500 CDWT化学品/成品油船设计问题的实船治理

针对4 500 CDWT化学品/成品油船运营中出现船尾振动剧烈、航速低、与设计航速相差甚远等诸多问题,进行实船治理。在尽可能减少改造成本的基础上,通过修改型线设计和CFD计算分析,选定优化设计的双尾船型对该船进行改造,改造仅局限于船尾机舱段设计吃水线以下部分。该治理方案达到了预期理想的设计效果,同时也满足了最经济的治理成本,可为出现类似问题的船舶提供宝贵的实船治理经验。     

“天麒”船自动三缆定位控制系统的设计与实现

为满足绞吸式挖泥船在风浪条件下的施工需求,针对三缆定位控制系统进行了深入研究,开发出一套适合绞吸式挖泥船的自动三缆定位系统,并将该系统成功应用于“天麒”船。该系统采用双PID控制思想,对变频器速度环进行有效控制,可以使得船舶在步进过程中既能保证按施工线方向行走,又可减少风浪流对定位过程的影响,从而实现船舶快速定位,提高施工效率。     

大型船舶重力抛锚控制系统设计

结合船用锚机使用要求和结构特点,研制一种闭环重力抛锚控制系统,使船舶重力抛锚过程实现自动控制;给出抛锚控制函数及其物理意义;开展实船抛锚试验。结果表明,所研制的系统能有效完成重力抛锚自动控制,满足船舶使用要求。