Feedback control speed harmonization algorithm: Methodology and preliminary testing

The capacity drop phenomenon, which reduces the maximum bottleneck discharge rate following the onset of congestion, is a critical restriction in transportation networks that produces additional traffic congestion. Consequently, preventing or reducing the occurrence of the capacity drop not only mitigates traffic congestion, but can also produce environmental and traffic safety benefits. In addressing this problem, the paper develops a novel bang-bang feedback control speed harmonization (SH) or Variable Speed Limit (VSL) algorithm, that attempts to prevent or delay the breakdown of a bottleneck and thus reduce traffic congestion. The novelty of the system lies in the fact that it is both proactive and reactive in responding to the dynamic stochastic nature of traffic. The system is proactive because it uses a calibrated fundamental diagram to initially identify the optimum throughput to maintain within the SH zone. Furthermore, the system is reactive (dynamic) because it monitors the traffic stream directly upstream of the bottleneck to adjustment the metering rate to capture the dynamic and stochastic nature of traffic. The steady-state traffic states in the vicinity of a lane-drop bottleneck before and after applying the SH algorithm is analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in alleviating the capacity drop. We demonstrate theoretically that the SH algorithm is effective in enhancing the bottleneck discharge rate. A microscopic simulation of the network using the INTEGRATION software further demonstrates the benefits of the algorithm in increasing the bottleneck discharge rate, decreasing vehicle delay, and reducing vehicle fuel consumption and CO₂ emission levels. Specifically, compared with the base case without the SH algorithm, the advisory speed limit increases the bottleneck discharge rate by approximately 7%, reduces the overall system delay by approximately 20%, and reduces the system-wide fuel consumption and CO₂ emission levels by 5%.     

广西城市公共交通发展对策研究

文章针对广西城市公共交通的现状,指出存在的问题,分析存在问题的原因,并结合当前国家大力实施“公交优先”战略,提出广西城市公共交通发展的对策和建议。     

A model of the vicious cycle of a bus line

It has been frequently noted that in a non-regulated environment the development of public transport service is self-adjusting: Faced with decreasing demand, operators will tend to reduce service to cut costs, resulting in a decrease in the level-of-service, which then triggers a further drop in demand. The opposite may also occur: high demand will induce the operator to increase supply, e.g. through an increase in frequency, which results in a higher level-of-service and a subsequent increase in passenger numbers, triggering another round of service improvements. This paper adds to the literature by presenting an analytic model for analyzing these phenomena that we call vicious and virtuous cycles. Based on field data regarding passengers’ variation in willingness-to-wait for a public transport service, we investigate the dynamics of the line service and show how the emergence of a vicious or virtuous cycle depends on the total number of potential passengers, the share of captive riders, and bus capacity. The paper ends with a discussion of the implications of the findings for the planning of public transport services.     

Optimizing itineraries in public transportation with walks between rides

We study the problem of finding an optimal itinerary to travel from a starting location to a destination location using public transport, where we allow travelers to alternate rides with (short) walks. The main difference with previous research is that we take all possible walks that a traveler can make into consideration. This large number of possible walks poses a potential computational difficulty. However, in this paper we derive theorems for identifying a small subset of walks that only need to be considered. These results are embedded in a solution algorithm, which is tested in a real-life setting for bus transportation in a medium sized city. An extensive numerical study leads to encouraging results. First, only 1% of all possible walks needs to be considered, so that the optimal itinerary can be determined very efficiently. Second, allowing walks has considerable benefits; reducing the travel time in about 6% of all randomly generated examples by more than 10% on average.     

我国铁路货运电子商务系统阶段风险控制研究

在对铁路货运电子商务进行概述的基础上,将铁路货运电子商务系统的生命周期分为5个阶段,并按照其实现的功能归结为研发阶段、试点阶段和运营阶段,同时论述了铁路货运电子商务系统各阶段的重点任务。从研发阶段、试点阶段和运营阶段3个方面,对铁路货运电子商务系统阶段风险进行分析,在此基础上提出我国铁路货运电子商务系统风险控制措施。     

天津西站交通枢纽工程设计与施工方案研究

天津西站是集高速铁路、城际铁路、普速铁路、公路长途、城市轨道交通、公交中心、地下停车场和市政交通于一体的大型综合交通枢纽,系统构成复杂,设计施工难度大。此文系统阐述天津西站交通枢纽设计与施工要点,以期为同类交通枢纽工程建设提供参考。     

Nonlinear wave forces on large-scale submerged tunnel element

This paper presents parametric studies of nonlinear wave forces on large-scale submerged tunnel element. A transportation project of submerged tunnel element under irregular wave conditions is taken as the research background. Three-dimensional diffraction potential and radiation potential associating with the motion of the floating body are utilized, and an efficient three dimensional Green function is implemented to solve the radiation-diffraction problem. A computational method for calculating the nonlinear wave forces of the submerged tunnel element is developed. The present method is validated by the existed methods and experimental data, and good agreements are observed for all test models. The effects of wave parameters and structural parameters on the second-order nonlinear wave forces are studied. Results from the present study can provide valuable recommendations for the weather window and downtime frequencies, the configuration of tugboats, the arrangement of sea-route, and the size and type of the design and construction of the submerged tunnel element.