Transshipment hub port selection for shipping carriers in a dual hub-port system

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the factors affecting transshipment (T/S) hub port selection by a feeder port and helps shipping carriers make a decision about T/S hub port selection in a dual hub-port system. By employing established evaluation factors, a case study is conducted to weigh the priority of factors and to select an alternative T/S hub port, such as between the Shanghai and Ningbo ports from the Nanjing feeder port in the Yangtze River delta (YRD). A combined multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework utilizing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the consistent fuzzy preference relations (CFPR) method is employed to both reduce the number of pairwise comparisons by AHP and to obtain experts’ knowledge in the decision-making process. The result indicates that the cost, availability of hub port’s space allocation, and the connectivity between feeder port and hub port are crucial factors for T/S hub port selection by shipping carriers. In the case study, Shanghai is selected as the T/S hub port from the Nanjing feeder port. Nevertheless, Ningbo port has the advantage of cost, and if the relationship with feeder port can be improved, Ningbo port would be preferred over Shanghai as a T/S hub port for shipping carriers in a dual hub-port system.     

美军军事通信卫星发展趋势分析及启示

文章讨论了美军先进的军事卫星通信系统,分析归纳了美军卫星通信的特点与发展趋势,并针对我国军事通信卫星发展现状阐述了需要解决的关键技术问题及发展思路。     

Lane assignment problem using a genetic algorithm in the Automated Highway Systems

This paper deals with the lane assignment problem in the Automated Highway Systems (AHS). The purpose of lane assignment strategies is to increase throughput on multi-lane highways with many entry and exit points, based on the itineraries of vehicles using the highway (point of entry, time of entry and exit point) and the effects of maneuvers. Using partitioned lane assignment strategies, the lane assignment problem is formulated as an optimization problem to find the proper positions of partitions. Then the optimal problem is solved using a Genetic Algorithm (GA). The proposed algorithm has been validated by comparing its solution with that of an all-cases algorithm for a simple case. Moreover, a traffic simulator with a realistic car-following model as well as lane change logic has been developed. The simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed genetic algorithm, compared with random assignment algorithms.     

Trends in vehicle motion control for automated driving on public roads

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we describe how vehicle systems and the vehicle motion control are affected by automated driving on public roads. We describe the redundancy needed for a road vehicle to meet certain safety goals. The concept of system safety as well as system solutions to fault tolerant actuation of steering and braking and the associated fault tolerant power supply is described. Notably restriction of the operational domain in case of reduced capability of the driving automation system is discussed. Further we consider path tracking, state estimation of vehicle motion control required for automated driving as well as an example of a minimum risk manoeuver and redundant steering by means of differential braking. The steering by differential braking could offer heterogeneous or dissimilar redundancy that complements the redundancy of described fault tolerant steering systems for driving automation equipped vehicles. Finally, the important topic of verification of driving automation systems is addressed.     

Vehicle dynamics control using an active third-axle system

This paper introduces the active third-axle system as an innovative vehicle dynamic control method. This method can be applicable for different kinds of three-axle vehicles such as buses, trucks, or even three-axle passenger cars. In this system, an actuator on the middle axle actively applies an independent force on the suspension to improve the handling characteristics, and hence, its technology is similar to slow-active suspension systems. This system can change the inherent vehicle dynamic characteristics, such as under/over steering behaviour, in the linear handling region, as well as vehicle stability in the nonlinear, limit handling region. In this paper, our main focus is to show the potential capabilities of this method in enhancing vehicle dynamic performance. For this purpose, as the first step, the proposed method in both linear and nonlinear vehicle handling regions is studied mathematically. Next, a comprehensive, nonlinear, 10 degrees of freedom vehicle model with a fuzzy control strategy is used to evaluate the effectiveness of this system. The dynamic behaviour of a vehicle, when either uncontrolled or equipped with the active third axle is then compared. Simulation results show that this active system can be considered as an innovative method for vehicle dynamic control.     

公路软基处理方案优选的熵权模糊物元决策法

针对目前公路软基处理方案优选决策中存在的不足,将模糊物元分析应用到公路软基处理方案优选决策中,建立基于熵权的模糊物元决策方法.该方法把各种软基处理方案作为物元的事物,用方案的各项评价指标及其相应的模糊量值构造复合模糊物元.采用熵权与决策者的主观权重相结合的方法确定评价指标的综合权重,使之既能反映决策者的主观偏好,又能反映指标的客观分布特征,使权重确定更加合理.通过计算各比较物元与标准模糊物元之间的海明贴近度来实现方案的排序与择优.最后,以苏嘉杭高速公路软基处理方案优选为例,结果说明该方法是有效、可行的.     

Decision support for simulating the car park activity in an urban area

Complexity of car park activity is reproduced from a concurrent execution of behaviour of various drivers. This paper presents a step in the development of a multimodal traffic simulator based on multi‐agent paradigm and designed as a decision aid tool as well as a video game. The user‐player has the opportunity to test different scenarios. We propose an approach for designing the decision‐making rules and the learning mechanism for a car driver agent. For that, a panel of methods such as stated preference modelling, Design Of Experiments and data fusion is used. Initial behavioural models, based on similar preferences, are developed for specified categories. Each agent will adapt its behaviour after executing its learning process. Our approach can be used in order to optimize needs of road network users and those of people in charge of traffic regulation. A demonstrator has been developed to test parking policies in an urban area as well as changes of car park characteristics.