W-SPSA in practice: Approximation of weight matrices and calibration of traffic simulation models

The development and calibration of complex traffic models demands parsimonious techniques, because such models often involve hundreds of thousands of unknown parameters. The Weighted Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (W-SPSA) algorithm has been proven more efficient than its predecessor SPSA (Spall, 1998), particularly in situations where the correlation structure of the variables is not homogeneous. This is crucial in traffic simulation models where effectively some variables (e.g. readings from certain sensors) are strongly correlated, both in time and space, with some other variables (e.g. certain OD flows). In situations with reasonably sized traffic networks, the difference is relevant considering computational constraints. However, W-SPSA relies on determining a proper weight matrix (W) that represents those correlations, and such a process has been so far an open problem, and only heuristic approaches to obtain it have been considered.This paper presents W-SPSA in a formally comprehensive way, where effectively SPSA becomes an instance of W-SPSA, and explores alternative approaches for determining the matrix W. We demonstrate that, relying on a few simplifications that marginally affect the final solution, we can obtain W matrices that considerably outperform SPSA. We analyse the performance of our proposed algorithm in two applications in motorway networks in Singapore and Portugal, using a dynamic traffic assignment model and a microscopic traffic simulator, respectively.     

Dynamic stability metrics for the container loading problem

The Container Loading Problem (CLP) literature has traditionally evaluated the dynamic stability of cargo by applying two metrics to box arrangements: the mean number of boxes supporting the items excluding those placed directly on the floor (M1) and the percentage of boxes with insufficient lateral support (M2). However, these metrics, that aim to be proxies for cargo stability during transportation, fail to translate real-world cargo conditions of dynamic stability.In this paper two new performance indicators are proposed to evaluate the dynamic stability of cargo arrangements: the number of fallen boxes (NFB) and the number of boxes within the Damage Boundary Curve fragility test (NB_DBC). Using 1500 solutions for well-known problem instances found in the literature, these new performance indicators are evaluated using a physics simulation tool (StableCargo), replacing the real-world transportation by a truck with a simulation of the dynamic behaviour of container loading arrangements.Two new dynamic stability metrics that can be integrated within any container loading algorithm are also proposed. The metrics are analytical models of the proposed stability performance indicators, computed by multiple linear regression. Pearson’s r correlation coefficient was used as an evaluation parameter for the performance of the models. The extensive computational results show that the proposed metrics are better proxies for dynamic stability in the CLP than the previous widely used metrics.     

Personalized real-time traffic information provision: Agent-based optimization model and solution framework

The advancement of information and communication technology allows the use of more sophisticated information provision strategies for real-time congested traffic management in a congested network. This paper proposes an agent-based optimization modeling framework to provide personalized traffic information for heterogeneous travelers. Based on a space–time network, a time-dependent link flow based integer programming model is first formulated to optimize various information strategies, including elements of where and when to provide the information, to whom the information is given, and what alternative route information should be suggested. The analytical model can be solved efficiently using off-the-shelf commercial solvers for small-scale network. A Lagrangian Relaxation-based heuristic solution approach is developed for medium to large networks via the use of a mesoscopic dynamic traffic simulator.     

A mathematical programming technique for matching time-stamped records in logistics and transportation systems

Time-stamped data for transportation and logistics are essential for estimating times on transportation legs and times between successive stages in logistic processes. Often these data are subject to recording errors and omissions. Matches must then be inferred from the time stamps alone because identifying keys are unavailable, suppressed to preserve confidentiality, or ambiguous because of missing observations. We present an integer programming (IP) model developed for matching successive events in such situations and illustrate its application in three problem settings involving (a) airline operations at an airport, (b) taxi service between an airport and a train station, and (c) taxi services from an airport. With data from the third setting (where a matching key was available), we illustrate the robustness of estimates for median and mean times between events under different random rates for “failure to record”, different screening criteria for outliers, and different target times used in the IP objective. The IP model proves to be a tractable and informative tool for data matching and data cleaning, with a wide range of potential applications.     

Bus control strategies in corridors with signalized intersections

This paper proposes a new dynamic bus control strategy aimed at reducing the negative effects of time-headway variations on route performance, based on real-time bus tracking data at stops. In routes with high demand, any delay of a single vehicle ends up causing an unstable motion of buses and producing the bus bunching phenomena. This strategy controls the cruising speed of buses and considers the extension of the green phase of traffic lights at intersections, when a bus is significantly delayed. The performance of this strategy will be compared to the current static operation technique based on the provision of slack times at holding points. An operational model is presented in order to estimate the effects of each controlling strategy, taking into account the vehicle capacity constraint. Control strategies are assessed in terms of passenger total travel time, operating cost as well as on the coefficient of headway variation. The effects of controlling strategies are tested in an idealized bus route under different operational settings and in the bus route of highest demand in Barcelona by simulation. The results show that the proposed dynamic controlling strategy reduces total system cost (user and agency) by 15–40% as well as the coefficient of headway variation 53–78% regarding the uncontrolled case, providing a bus performance similar to the expected when time disturbance is not presented.     

Tyre/road noise damping characteristics using nomographs and fundamental vibroacoustical relationships

Several studies have successfully developed laboratory and field measurement techniques to estimate tyre/road noise damping characteristics. However, laboratory–field noise correlations of pavement types in the form of nomographs is essential to cognize the pavements’ acoustical properties from a practical perspective. A toolkit that readily provides field tyre/road noise intensity of different pavement materials is needed. Thus, the main objective of this study was to develop nomographs with relationships for tyre/road noise versus pavement materials’ viscoelastic–vibroacoustical properties. Isothermal and isochronal nomographs of phase angle–tyre/road noise as toolkits were developed based upon well-established phase angle and noise intensities typical of mixtures, making the nomograph correlations very authentic, realistic, and novel along with benefit to predict tyre/road noise at any desired temperature and traffic speed (or frequency) combination. This study is envisaged to benefit in the discernment of road materials’ damping capabilities from vibroacoustical and field noise–viscoelastic relation aspects.     

A carbon footprint-based closed-loop supply chain model under uncertainty with risk analysis: A case study

The management of products’ end-of-life and the recovery of used products has gained significant importance in recent years. In this paper, we address the carbon footprint-based problem that arises in a closed-loop supply chain where returned products are collected from customers. These returned products can either be disposed of or be remanufactured to be resold as new ones. Given this environment, an optimization model for a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) in which carbon emission is expressed in terms of environmental constraints, i.e., carbon emission constraints, is developed. These constraints aim to limit the carbon emission per unit of product supplied with different transportation modes. Here, we design a closed-loop network where capacity limits, single-item management and uncertainty on product demands and returns are considered. First, fuzzy mathematical programming is introduced for uncertain modeling. Then, the statistical approach to the possibility to synthesize fuzzy information is utilized. Therefore, using a defined possibilistic mean and variance, we transform the proposed fuzzy mathematical model into a crisp form to facilitate efficient computation and analysis. Finally, the risk caused by violating the estimated resource constraints is analyzed so that decision makers (DMs) can trade off between the expected cost savings and the expected risk. We utilize data from a company located in Iran.     

货车低速通过小半径曲线动力学性能试验分析

根据提速货车和既有装转8A型转向架的非提速货车低速通过小半径曲线以及12#道岔侧线时的动力学性能测试数据,分析货车低速通过小半径曲线、道岔侧线的动力学性能.结果表明:在正常技术状态下,装用转K2、转K4、转K5、转K6型转向架的提速货车和既有装用转8A型转向架的非提速货车在低速通过小半径曲线和道岔侧线时,货车的动力学性能基本满足要求,货车低速通过小半径曲线有安全保障;对于提速货车,在通过小半径曲线并在出曲线时,由于外轨超高降低、外侧轮减载,从而增加了对车辆安全的不利影响,因此,应严格控制提速货车运行速度在线路规定的允许速度范围内.分析货车通过小半径曲线时每个车轮的轮轨力变化特征可知,提速货车在重车时比空车时的轮轨力增减缓和,更有利于货车通过曲线的安全性;非提速货车在进出曲线时,由于车体的重量通过心盘近似平均地分配到左右侧架上,使得其轮轨力的增减较小且垂向力无明显增减.     

机车车辆动力学研究及发展

机车车辆动力学在最近10年得到迅速发展,考虑车辆—轨道耦合作用的耦合模型得到广泛应用。随着大跨距跨江铁路桥的建设,车和桥的耦合振动会引起接触网的振动,进而影响弓网的耦合振动。因此十分有必要开展接触网—受电弓—机车车辆—线路—桥梁耦合大系统动力学的研究。进行机车车辆动力学性能优化,必须首先确定机车车辆动力学三要素的优先关系,即运行的稳定性—安全性—平稳性,建立以列车为研究对象的模型,同时在模型中考虑机车车辆结构弹性和频变特征悬挂参数以及气流扰动的影响,进而进行灵敏度分析和参数优化。给出考虑频变特性的钢弹簧等效计算方法以及基于循环变量的列车系统动力学建模和计算方法,并验证了计算方法的有效性。     

信息化条件下的防空武器装备运输线路优化算法

弹药保障,是武器系统战斗力的重要标志。着眼适应未来信息化战争运输保障的特点和要求,应用线性规划和多端网络最大流问题,将运输保障问题抽象为运筹中的线路问题,建立模型,以提高军交运输保障能力。