Model based urban traffic control,part II: Coordinated model predictive controllers

The present paper describes how to use coordination between neighbouring intersections in order to improve the performance of urban traffic controllers. Both the local MPC (LMPC) introduced in the companion paper (Hao et al., 2018) and the coordinated MPC (CMPC) introduced in this paper use the urban cell transmission model (UCTM) (Hao et al., 2018) in order to predict the average delay of vehicles in the upstream links of each intersection, for different scenarios of switching times of the traffic lights at that intersection. The feedback controller selects the next switching times of the traffic light corresponding to the shortest predicted average delay. While the local MPC (Hao et al., 2018) only uses local measurements of traffic in the links connected to the intersection in comparing the performance of different scenarios, the CMPC approach improves the accuracy of the performance predictions by allowing a control agent to exchange information about planned switching times with control agents at all neighbouring intersections. Compared to local MPC the offline information on average flow rates from neighbouring intersections is replaced in coordinated MPC by additional online information on when the neighbouring intersections plan to send vehicles to the intersection under control. To achieve good coordination planned switching times should not change too often, hence a cost for changing planned schedules from one decision time to the next decision time is added to the cost function. In order to improve the stability properties of CMPC a prediction of the sum of squared queue sizes is used whenever some downstream queues of an intersection become too long. Only scenarios that decrease this sum of squares of local queues are considered for possible implementation. This stabilization criterion is shown experimentally to further improve the performance of our controller. In particular it leads to a significant reduction of the queues that build up at the edges of the traffic region under control. We compare via simulation the average delay of vehicles travelling on a simple 4 by 4 Manhattan grid, for traffic lights with pre-timed control, traffic lights using the local MPC controller (Hao et al., 2018), and coordinated MPC (with and without the stabilizing condition). These simulations show that the proposed CMPC achieves a significant reduction in delay for different traffic conditions in comparison to these other strategies.     

Achieving transport modal split targets at intermodal freight hubs using a model predictive approach

The increase of international freight commerce is creating pressure on the existing transport network. Cooperation between the different transport parties (e.g., terminal managers, forwarders and transport providers) is required to increase the network throughput using the same infrastructure. The intermodal hubs are locations where cargo is stored and can switch transport modality while approaching the final destination. Decisions regarding cargo assignment are based on cargo properties. Cargo properties can be fixed (e.g., destination, volume, weight) or time varying (remaining time until due time or goods expiration date). The intermodal hub manager, with access to certain cargo information, can promote cooperation with and among different transport providers that pick up and deliver cargo at the hub. In this paper, cargo evolution at intermodal hubs is modeled based on a mass balance, taking into account hub cargo inflows and outflows, plus an update of the remaining time until cargo due time. Using this model, written in a state-space representation, we propose a model predictive approach to address the Modal Split Aware – Cargo Assignment Problem (MSA–CAP). The MSA–CAP concerns the cargo assignment to the available transport capacity such that the final destination can be reached on time while taking into consideration the transport modality used. The model predictive approach can anticipate cargo peaks at the hub and assigns cargo in advance, following a push of cargo towards the final destination approach. Through the addition of a modal split constraint it is possible to guide the daily cargo assignment to achieve a transport modal split target over a defined period of time. Numerical experiments illustrate the validity of these statements.     

Electric vehicles and residential parking in an urban environment: Results from a stated preference experiment

This paper presents the results of a preference survey of 1545 respondents’ willingness to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) in Philadelphia. We pay particular attention to respondents’ willingness to pay for convenient charging systems and parking spaces. If the value of dedicated parking substantially outweighs the value of convenient charging systems, residential-based on-street charging systems are unlikely to ever be politically palatable. As expected, respondents are generally willing to pay for longer range, shorter charging times, lower operating costs, and shorter parking search times. For a typical respondent, a $100 per month parking charge decreases the odds of purchasing an EV by around 65%. Across mixed logit and latent class models, we find substantial variation in the willingness to pay for EV range, charge time, and ease of parking. Of note, we find two primary classes of respondents with substantially different EV preferences. The first class tends to live in multifamily housing units in central parts of the city and puts a high value on parking search time and the availability of on-street charging stations. The second class, whose members are likelier to be married, wealthy, conservative, and residing in single-family homes in more distant neighborhoods, are willing to pay more for EV range and charge time, but less for parking than the first group. They are also much likelier to consider purchasing EVs at all. We recommend that future research into EV adoption incorporate neighborhood-level features, like parking availability and average trip distances, which vary by neighborhood and almost certainly influence EV adoption.     

Validation of an extended discrete first-order model with variable speed limits

This paper validates the prediction model embedded in a model predictive controller (MPC) of variable speed limits (VSLs). The MPC controller was designed based on an extended discrete first-order model with a triangular fundamental diagram. In our previous work, the extended discrete first-order model was designed to reproduce the capacity drop and the propagation of jam waves, and it was validated with reasonable accuracy without the presence of VSLs. As VSLs influence traffic dynamics, the dynamics including VSLs needs to be validated, before it can be applied as a prediction model in MPC. For conceptual illustrations, we use two synthetic examples to show how the model reproduces the key mechanisms of VSLs that are applied by existing VSL control approaches. Furthermore, the model is calibrated by use of real traffic data from Dutch freeway A12, where the field test of a speed limit control algorithm (SPECIALIST) was conducted. In the calibration, the original model is extended by using a quadrangular fundamental diagram which keeps the linear feature of the model and represents traffic states at the under-critical branch more accurately. The resulting model is validated using various traffic data sets. The accuracy of the model is compared with a second-order traffic flow model. The performance of two models is comparable: both models reproduce accurate results matching with real data. Flow errors of the calibration and validation are around 10%. The extended discrete first-order model-based MPC controller has been demonstrated to resolve freeway jam waves efficiently by synthetic cases. It has a higher computation speed comparing to the second-order model-based MPC.     

A methodology for evaluating the performance of model-based traffic prediction systems

Model-based traffic prediction systems (mbTPS) are a central component of the decision support and ICM (integrated corridor management) systems currently used in several large urban traffic management centers. These models are intended to generate real-time predictions of the system’s response to candidate operational interventions. They must therefore be kept calibrated and trustworthy. The methodologies currently available for tracking the validity of a mbTPS have been adapted from approaches originally designed for off-line operational planning models. These approaches are insensitive to the complexity of the network and to the amount and quality of the data available. They also require significant human intervention and are therefore not suitable for real-time monitoring. This paper outlines a set of criteria for designing tests that are appropriate for the mbTPS task. It also proposes a test that meets the criteria. The test compares the predictions of the mbTPS in question to those of a model-less alternative. A t-test is used to determine whether the predictions of the mbTPS are superior to those of the model-less predictor. The approach is applied to two different systems using data from the I-210 freeway in Southern California.     

圆形隧道施工对不同深度地层沉降影响的模型试验研究

为了预测圆形隧道施工引起地表以下不同埋深地层沉降特征,首先,通过理论推导不同地层最大沉降位移与沉降槽宽度系数的函数关系;然后,建立包括试验台架、地层模型、圆形隧道开挖模型以及测量地层变形装置的平面应变模型试验系统。通过理论解析和模型试验可知:1)地表以下地层的最大沉降位移与沉降槽宽度系数成反比;2)不同深度地层的沉降位移随着地层埋深的增加而增大,且地表以下地层沉降槽曲线仍然符合正态分布;3)通过对模型试验数据进行回归分析,得到黏土地表以下不同深度地层沉降槽宽度系数的计算公式,从而为预测圆形隧道施工地表以下不同深度地层竖向位移提供了一种可靠的计算方法。     

城市地下道路分(合)流匝道通风阻力特性

为分析多点进出结构的城市地下道路空气流动特性,以长沙市营盘路湘江隧道为原型,通过现场实测、缩尺模型试验以及CFD软件数值模拟方法,对分(合)匝道通风阻力特性进行了研究,考察了雷诺数、风量比、分岔角度对分(合)流匝道阻力特性的影响规律。研究结果表明:1)主隧道与匝道风量比、主隧道与匝道夹角是影响分(合)流匝道局部阻力系数的关键因素;2)城市地下道路分(合)流匝道局部阻力变化特性,不宜简单套用通风管道的三通构件的参数;3)结合最小二乘法和Matlab软件对计算结果进行多因素回归分析,给出了基于长沙营盘路湘江隧道的分(合)流匝道主隧道和匝道的局部阻力系数关联式。研究结果可为复杂结构城市地下道路通风系统阻力特性分析及通风工程优化设计提供方法参考。     

油底壳有限元模态分析及实验验证

以EQ491型发动机油底壳为研究对象,通过有限元法得到了油底壳模型的固有频率和振型,运用模态实验技术,验证了有限元模型的合理性。在原始有限元模型的基础上,对油底壳模型进行约束模态分析,验证了油底壳结构的合理性,即油底壳固有频率远大于发动机机体激振频率。     

机场轨道交通对陆侧交通分流情况的预测研究

机场轨道交通的发展将是解决机场陆侧交通拥堵问题的主要途径之一.本文首先通过灰色预测模型GM(1,1)对首都机场的陆侧交通量进行预测,得出进出机场的旅客中乘坐机场巴士及出租车的人数.在此基础上,运用排队论的方法,分析机场轨道交通对机场巴士及出租车交通量的分流情况,得出各自具体的分流率和分流量.最后,根据马尔可夫链的方法,对分流情况的发展趋势进行分析,得出其稳定分流率.     

喷嘴内燃油空化及影响因素的实验研究

柴油机燃油喷射雾化过程除受湍流和环境气体的空气动力学效应影响外,还与喷孔内空化有关,因此对喷孔内燃油空化和影响因素的研究有重要的意义。本文中设计了透明喷孔代替原柴油机喷油器的喷孔,采用高速数码相机和高放大倍数、高分辩率的长距离显微成像技术和纳秒级闪光灯作为相机曝光光源,获得了较高分辩率和清晰度的实验图像。对柴油机喷孔内燃油空化产生、发展和分布状态进行显微观测,直观展现喷孔内燃油空化及影响规律,获得了燃油空化过程的直观认识。结果表明,柴油机喷孔内空化流动情况比较复杂,影响因素较多,其中喷孔几何结构对喷嘴内空化过程影响最显著,喷孔内空化首先出现在压力室针阀附近,随后空化区域向喷孔出口处扩散、延伸,对于渐缩喷孔,空化形成受到抑制,而渐扩喷孔则有利于空化形成;减小喷孔直径,不利于空化形成。环境压力对空化起到抑制的作用,环境压力增大,也不利于空化形成。此外还对喷孔内空化强度进行量化描述,通过空化强度对实验获得的图像进行量化分析。