Real-time merging traffic control for throughput maximization at motorway work zones

Work zones on motorways necessitate the drop of one or more lanes which may lead to significant reduction of traffic flow capacity and efficiency, traffic flow disruptions, congestion creation, and increased accident risk. Real-time traffic control by use of green–red traffic signals at the motorway mainstream is proposed in order to achieve safer merging of vehicles entering the work zone and, at the same time, maximize throughput and reduce travel delays. A significant issue that had been neglected in previous research is the investigation of the impact of distance between the merge area and the traffic lights so as to achieve, in combination with the employed real-time traffic control strategy, the most efficient merging of vehicles. The control strategy applied for real-time signal operation is based on an ALINEA-like proportional–integral (PI-type) feedback regulator. In order to achieve maximum performance of the control strategy, some calibration of the regulator’s parameters may be necessary. The calibration is first conducted manually, via a typical trial-and-error procedure. In an additional investigation, the recently proposed learning/adaptive fine-tuning (AFT) algorithm is employed in order to automatically fine-tune the regulator parameters. Experiments conducted with a microscopic simulator for a hypothetical work zone infrastructure, demonstrate the potential high benefits of the control scheme.     

Effectiveness of graphic-aided portable changeable message signs in reducing vehicle speeds in highway work zones

Portable changeable message signs (PCMSs) have been employed in highway work zones as a temporary traffic control device for decades in the United States. Results of previous research showed that the traditional text-based PCMS had several limitations, such as having a short range of legibility and being difficult to read by elderly and non-English-speaking drivers. A few simulation studies indicated that using graphic-aided PCMSs could likely overcome these limitations. This paper presents the results of field experiments that were conducted to determine the effectiveness of graphic-aided PCMS in reducing vehicle speeds in the upstream of highway work zones. In field experiment Phase I, a full-matrix PCMS was programmed to display a work zone graphic and a flagger graphic, which were similar to the W21-1 sign and W20-7 sign, respectively, specified by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. In field experiment Phase II, the PCMS was programmed to display two alternative work zone graphics along with the original work zone graphic. 1115 and 1600 valid vehicle speed data were collected during field experiments Phase I and Phase II, respectively. The results of data analysis suggested that graphic-aided PCMSs reduced mean vehicle speeds between 13% and 17% in the upstream of a work zone. This study provided valuable knowledge to government agencies and the transportation industry on how to regulate and implement graphic-aided PCMS in highway work zones.     

“潮汐式”可变航道方案研究与可行性分析

为提高航道整体通航效率,借鉴道路交通中的先进经验,提出“潮汐式”可变航道的概念.建立一种新型的双向航道分道通航模式,在高峰时段为重交通方向向左扩展航道,同时满足两侧通航需求.提出可变航道实施的方案,分析了可变航道实施的关键技术,即动态时间和动态空间的确定,并指出了这两个参数的进一步研究方向.以长江口深水航道为例,通过两种不同的设计船型对可变航道实施的可行性进行了验证.结果表明,可变航道具有广阔的研究和应用前景.初步研究了可变航道的实施和管理方案,为可变航道未来的实施发展奠定了基础.     

A Local Transboundary Approach to the Governance of Mediterranean Coastal Borderlands

Abstract

Coastal borderlands are subjected to particular socioeconomic, political and environmental dynamics in Europe and worldwide. The presence of the international boundary in these areas poses challenges in the process of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The aim of this paper is to explore the existence, characteristics and the role that local cross-border cooperation plays in transboundary coastal zone management as well as the resulting potentialities of local endogenous development for improving the management and governance of the tourism sector, coastal development, fisheries and marine protected areas in the Albera Marítima (Northwestern Mediterranean). The applied methods included document review, statistical information and semi-structured interviews. The research shows that local agents are not capable of developing a stable cross-border network due to persisting lack of trust, weak joint strategic vision and high competitiveness in sectors like fishery and tourism. Based on particularly interesting initiatives occurred in Albera Marítima and other successful experiences in Mediterranean coastal borderlands, a proposal has been made to implement several measures, including a transboundary integrated coastal plan, the joint observatory of fishery resources and a scientific network platform. For the aforementioned issues, the study contributes to the ICZM literature by providing a new perspective on local transboundary cooperation.     

Altruism,selfishness and coastal resources

Abstract

The basis for coastal zone management in the United States is established in legislation. In comparison, Canadian federal and provincial governments have adopted a piecemeal approach for managing a variety of concerns examined here: water quality, ecological protection, public access, aesthetics, natural hazards, and water dependency. As a result of this approach, which is characterized by a minimum of federal, provincial, and interjurisdictional coordination, the British Columbia coastal zone is showing signs of stress. For example, major shellfish harvesting areas are being lost to water pollution; ecologically sensitive habitats are being consumed by urban, commercial, and industrial expansion; recreation and tourism opportunities are being impaired by clear cutting and other inappropriate developments; and infrastructure is allowed in flood and erosion‐prone areas. Recommendations to improve the approach to coastal management in British Columbia include a variety of innovations. New federal and provincial policies, legislation, institutions, and experimentation with local and regional integrated resource planning are required to better govern the coastal zone. Increased support for existing agencies, public involvement, and access to information as well as more common use of environmental impact studies are needed to justify proposed coastal developments.     

长江口北槽深水航道整治工程贮泥坑抛泥过程监测分析*

对北槽航道维护使用的3#贮泥坑抛泥流失率进行现场监测和分析研究。监测内容包括应用多波束地形测量仪测 得贮泥坑抛吹泥前后的准确容积变化,采用表层取样法测量贮泥坑抛泥后的表层泥沙密度及采用柱状采样器测量贮泥坑不 同深度的泥沙密度,综合容积变化和密度结果可以得到实际入坑泥沙量,结合实际抛泥量计算出贮泥坑的抛泥流失率。监 测结果表明该贮泥坑的抛泥流失率达到76%。同步监测的流速结果表明贮泥坑周边动力强、流速快,流速快是造成该贮泥 坑抛泥流失率大的主要原因。建议该坑向附近动力弱的坝田掩护区移动以减少该贮泥坑泥沙流失率。     

Collision avoidance analysis for transition taper length

Transition taper length plays a vitally important role in work zone safety operations because too short a transition taper length will result in higher accident risks and too long a transition taper length could increase traffic delay. This paper evaluates transition taper length under various traffic conditions and road geometries using collision avoidance analysis. The longitudinal distances for lane changing and emergency stopping manoeuvres are respectively calculated using collision avoidance analysis. The higher value between the longitudinal lane changing distance and emergency stopping distance is considered as the expected transition taper length. The comparison of transition taper lengths from the collision avoidance analysis and current empirical transition taper formulae shows that the collision avoidance analysis has the capability of evaluating transition taper lengths. This paper also contributes to providing theoretical supports for these empirical formulae.     

文笔山#1隧道水文地质条件分析与涌水量预测

针对三明公路文笔山#1隧道初勘阶段的钻探及水文地质调查,初步查清了隧区水文的补给、径流和排泄情况;分析了隧区的水文地质条件,结合物探大地电磁法,预测了隧道施工期间存在突水的地段,并估算了隧道涌水量,可为细勘察阶段隧道工程地质勘察和施工提供参考。     

大跨度小净距隧道施工过程力学行为研究

对于软岩大跨度小净距隧道,由于软岩工程性质差,且隧道施工工序较多,隧道围岩稳定性受施工扰动的影响更为显著,隧道净距对围岩稳定性的影响更为直接;分析软岩大跨度小净距隧道的净距对隧道施工力学行为的影响,确定最小净距有着重要的现实意义.以二广高速公路西岸大跨度小净距隧道为实例,以隧道V级围岩为研究对象,在模型概化、参数综合选取的基础上,通过ANSYS数值模拟分析了隧道不同净距对隧道围岩应力、变形及塑性区分布的影响,并确定此类隧道的最小净距不宜小于0.45倍的单洞跨度,该结论对软弱围岩大跨度小净距隧道的净距选择有一定的指导意义.     

高原冻土地区公路涵洞开挖的施工措施

涵洞施工是高原冻土地区公路施工过程的主要内容之一。鉴于此,以某公路为例,对高原冻土地区公路涵洞开挖措施进行研究,以促进高原冻土地区公路施工质量的提升。