The identification and empirical characterization of vehicular (Lagrangian) fundamental diagrams in multilane traffic flow

Traditional macroscopic traffic flow modeling framework adopts the spatial–temporal coordinate system to analyze traffic flow dynamics. With such modeling and analysis paradigm, complications arise for traffic flow data collected from mobile sensors such as probe vehicles equipped with mobile phones, Bluetooth, and Global Positioning System devices. The vehicle‐based measurement technologies call for new modeling thoughts that address the unique features of moving measurements and explore their full potential. In this paper, we look into the concept of vehicular fundamental diagram (VFD) and discuss its engineering implications. VFD corresponds to a conventional fundamental diagram (FD) in the kinematic wave (KW) theory that adopts space–time coordinates. Similar to the regular FD in the KW theory, VFD encapsulates all traffic flow dynamics. In this paper, to demonstrate the full potential of VFD in interpreting multilane traffic flow dynamics, we generalize the classical Edie's formula and propose a direct approach of reconstructing VFD from traffic measurements in the vehicular coordinates. A smoothing algorithm is proposed to effectively reduce the nonphysical fluctuation of traffic states calculated from multilane vehicle trajectories. As an example, we apply the proposed methodology to explore the next‐generation simulation datasets and identify the existence and forms of shock waves in different coordinate systems. Our findings provide empirical justifications and further insight for the Lagrangian traffic flow theory and models when applied in practice. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of Bus‐Based Park and Ride in the UK: A Temporal and Evaluative Review

Abstract

The number of bus‐based Park and Ride (P&R) schemes in the UK has grown substantially over the past 40 years as a result of its encouragement by the Government as a tool to deal with increasing traffic congestion and traffic‐related pollution. The aim of this article is to analyse the degree to which P&R is effective in the contemporary policy context. The authors identify phases of development of P&R since its emergence as a local solution to transport capacity constraints in historic towns. Policy goals are identified against which a review of literature is used to highlight its effectiveness. It is concluded that P&R may increase the distance travelled by its users due to low load factors on dedicated buses, public transport abstraction and trip generation, although it is highlighted that there are areas in which further research is required to clarify its impacts.     

Environmental impacts of public transport systems using real-time control method

Public Transport (PT) systems rely more and more on online information extracted from both operator’s intelligent equipment and user’s smartphone applications. This allows for a better fit between supply and demand of the multimodal PT system, especially through the use of PT real-time control actions/tactics. In doing so there is also an opportunity to consider environmental-related issues to approach energy saving and reduced pollution. This study investigates and analyses the benefits of using real-time PT operational tactics in reducing the undesirable environmental impacts. A tactic-based control (TBC) optimization model is used to minimize total passenger travel time and maximize direct transfers (without waiting). The model consists of a control policy built upon a combination of three tactics: holding, skip-stops, and boarding limit. The environmental-related measure is the global warming potential (GWP) using the life cycle assessment technique. The methodology developed is applied to a real life case study in Auckland, New Zealand. Results show that TBC could reduce the GWP by means of reduction of total passenger travel times and vehicle travel cycle time. That is, the TBC model results in a 5.6% reduction in total GWP per day compared with an existing no-tactic scenario. This study supports the use of real-time control actions to maintain a reliable PT service, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and subsequently moving towards greener PT systems.     

Cooperation in transit delivery in West German metropolitan areas

West Germany is densely populated, averaging 245 inhabitants/km², but varying widely between urban agglomerations and rural areas. Transport volume has increased by 40% since 1970, with virtually all growth due to private automobiles. Since 1981 public transit has been suffering from decreasing demand.A 1964 Expert's Report to the German federal government was the stimulus for initiating an effective funding mechanism for new public transit construction. In 1965 Germany's first federated transit authority was founded for the region of Hamburg.Principal among the goals of any cooperative agreement among transit companies are improvements for the passengers and improvement of revenues for the companies. To attain these ends, two distinct forms of transit aggrements have been developed in Germany: transit cooperative (Verkehrsgemeinschaft) and transit federation (Verkehrsverbund). The former is more suitable for smaller to medium-sized towns, while the latter is more suitable for larger cities. The two types are described in this article.German transit federations during the 1970s succeeded in significantly increasing ridership, while during the 1980s patronage has either remained steady or has declined. Yet transit federations showed much better perfomance than did public transit in general. In terms of costs and revenues, no public transit organization in Germany is able to break even; deficits vary between 42% and 55%. The author concludes, however, that hidden subsidies for automobile traffic are far higher, because of environmental damage and the high social cost of traffic accidents.     

交通枢纽型商业中心的问题探讨及改善策略分析

城市商业中心区是城市中交通拥堵的多发地带,而交通枢纽及商业混合区域更是给交通带来了巨大的压力。文中结合镇江市城际枢纽站商业中心区的实例,对城市交通枢纽及商业混合区域的交通问题剖析,并对交通枢纽型商业中心区的交通改善策略进行了相应研究。通过采用公交优先、布置交通设施、构建先进的停车系统、合理组织交通流等措施,为该类地区的交通改善和治理提出对策,使得交通枢纽型商业中心的交通组织更加合理有序,尽可能地减少交通拥堵,促进城市和谐发展。     

城市错位交叉口信号控制方案优化研究

针对城市中心地区较为常见的错位交叉口带来的交通问题,结合南京市中航科技城开发建设项目,对错位交叉口的交通信号联动控制方法进行研究,以保证错位交叉口运行的顺畅性和安全性.基于错位交叉口信号联动控制模型的建立,以南京市航空路一瑞金路一尚书巷形成的错位交叉口为研究对象,利用Vissim建立错位交叉口的仿真环境,对城市错位交叉口的运行状态进行了评价.研究结果表明通过优化错位交叉口信号控制策略,可以提高错位交叉口的通行能力,减少交叉口车辆的延误,达到改善交叉口运行环境的目的.     

城市综合交通枢纽静态标识布设研究

城市综合交通枢纽通过多种出行方式的整合,缩减了乘客的换乘时间;但庞大的枢纽建筑,增加了乘客寻找＂目的地＂的难度。通过对静态标识相关的现行国家标准和地方标准分析,提出静态标识的布设目标,梳理布设流程,制定布设的总体原则和各类静态标识布设原则。研究的结果将为相关的标准研究和设计工作提供帮助和支持。     

A preliminary proposal for urban and transportation planning in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake

The purpose of this paper is to propose information of use in the reconstruction of urban transport and infrastructure in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. In particular, knowledge of urban planning and transportation planning is summarized to help in drawing up physical plans.     

中国智慧公交示范现状分析及展望

智慧公交示范属于智能网联示范中的特色应用场景,也是智能网联开放道路示范的先行力量.本文梳理了我国现有典型智慧公交示范情况,分析其共性特点及存在问题,并对未来发展进行了展望.旨在从智慧公交视角窥见整体智能网联汽车产业发展进程,促进智能网联汽车从封闭走向开放、从示范应用走向商业化推广.     

磁流变半主动悬架研究及实车试验分析

针对车辆半主动悬架系统的整车协调控制,通过悬架动力学模型分析了耦合量的影响,提出了一种主从控制方法.基于自行研制的并联常通孔式磁流变减振器和控制系统开展了实车道路试验.在越野路行驶时,驾驶员坐垫处的加权加速度降低了13.8％～42.6％,车身俯仰角速度降低了21.1％～53.7％;蛇行试验中车身侧倾角速度、角度分别平均...