A shockwave profile model for traffic flow on congested urban arterials

In this paper a new traffic flow model for congested arterial networks, named shockwave profile model (SPM), is presented. Taking advantage of the fact that traffic states within a congested link can be simplified as free-flow, saturated, and jammed conditions, SPM simulates traffic dynamics by analytically deriving the trajectories of four major shockwaves: queuing, discharge, departure, and compression waves. Unlike conventional macroscopic models, in which space is often discretized into small cells for numerical solutions, SPM treats each homogeneous road segment with constant capacity as a section; and the queuing dynamics within each section are described by tracing the shockwave fronts. SPM is particularly suitable for simulating traffic flow on congested signalized arterials especially with queue spillover problems, where the steady-state periodic pattern of queue build-up and dissipation process may break down. Depending on when and where spillover occurs along a signalized arterial, a large number of queuing patterns may be possible. Therefore it becomes difficult to apply the conventional approach directly to track shockwave fronts. To overcome this difficulty, a novel approach is proposed as part of the SPM, in which queue spillover is treated as either extending a red phase or creating new smaller cycles, so that the analytical solutions for tracing the shockwave fronts can be easily applied. Since only the essential features of arterial traffic flow, i.e., queue build-up and dissipation, are considered, SPM significantly reduces the computational load and improves the numerical efficiency. We further validated SPM using real-world traffic signal data collected from a major arterial in the Twin Cities. The results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the model. We expect that in the future this model can be applied in a number of real-time applications such as arterial performance prediction and signal optimization.     

城市交通系统通行性影响因素及计算理论

文章分析了震后城市交通系统通行性的影响因素,提出了包含路段单元通行概率、路段连通概率及路网连通概率的城市交通系统通行性计算理论,为城市路网的连通可靠性评价提供参考。     

Stability and bifurcation in network traffic flow: A Poincaré map approach

Previous studies have shown that, in a diverge-merge network with two intermediate links (the DM network), the kinematic wave model always admits stationary solutions under constant boundary conditions, but periodic oscillations can develop from empty initial conditions. Such contradictory observations suggest that the stationary states be unstable. In this study we develop a systematic approach to investigate the stability property of stationary states in this and other networks within the framework of network kinematic wave theories. Based on the observation that kinematic waves propagate in a circular path when only one of the two intermediate links is congested, we derive a one-dimensional, discrete Poincaré map in the out-flux at a Poincaré section. We then prove that the fixed points of the Poincaré map correspond to stationary flow-rates on the two links. With Lyapunov’s first method, we demonstrate that the Poincaré map can be finite-time stable, asymptotically stable, or unstable. When unstable, the map is found to have periodical points of period two, but no chaotic solutions. We further analyze the bifurcation in the stability of the Poincaré map caused by varying route choice proportions. We apply the Poincaré map approach to analyzing traffic patterns in more general (DM)ⁿ and beltway networks, which are sufficient and necessary structures for network-induced unstable traffic and gridlock, respectively. This study demonstrates that the Poincaré map approach can be efficiently applied to analyze traffic dynamics in any road networks with circular information propagation and provides new insights into unstable traffic dynamics caused by interactions among network bottlenecks.     

Closed-form multiclass cell transmission model enhanced with overtaking,lane-changing,and first-in first-out properties

A novel multiclass macroscopic model is proposed in this article. In order to enhance first-in, first-out property (FIFO) and transmission function in the multiclass traffic modeling, a new multiclass cell transmission model with FIFO property (herein called FM-CTM) is extended from its prior multiclass cell transmission model (M-CTM). Also, to enhance its analytical compactness and resultant computational convenience, FM-CTM is formulated in this paper as a set of closed-form matrix equations. The objective is to improve the accuracy of traffic state estimation by enforcing FIFO property when a fast vehicle cannot overtake a slow vehicle due to a limitation of a single-lane road. Moreover, the proposed model takes into account a different priority for vehicles of each class to move forward through congested road conditions, and that makes the flow calculation independent from their free-flow speeds. Some hypothetical and real-world freeway networks with a constant or varying number of lanes are selected to verify FM-CTM by comparing with M-CTM and the conventional CTM. Observed densities of VISSIM and real-world dataset of I-80 are selected to compare with the simulated densities from the three CTMs. The numerical results show that FM-CTM outperforms the other two models by 15% of accuracy measures in most cases. Therefore, the proposed model is expected to be well applicable to the road network with a mixed traffic and varying number of lanes.     

Verifying liner Shipping Alliance’s stability by applying core theory

The core is a vital concept in cooperative game theory and has been widely used in analyzing alliance’s stability. It is especially interesting to apply core theory in liner shipping market due to the latter’s exceptional characteristic of non-homogeneous cost curves as well as divisible and fluctuant demand. Having observed some new phenomena and trends in the industry, this paper studies the economic performance and stability of liner shipping alliance by applying core theory where business cooperation is partly realized by delivering joint-service with mega container ships. To demonstrate the core situation in liner shipping alliance, a cost function is first identified on the basis of two assumptions regarding cooperation: 1) sharing or pooling vessels and 2) deploying mega container ships if needed. Taking cost functions as basis, two conditions of approaching core may be groomed, i.e., collective rationality and individual rationality. The first condition is discussed from the perspective of market, while the second condition is studied within the alliance. Stability of liner shipping alliance is then observed based on these two conditions. An illustrative case study is conducted in order to show some implications and explicitly clarify the theory.     

信号采样理论在交通流检测点布设中的应用

在对交通流检测点布设领域研究应用现状进行分析与抽象的基础上,提出交通流检测点布设本质上属于空间交通流信号采样问题。依据信号采样理论,建立了确定检测点间距或密度的方法与流程,该流程包括空间交通流信号产生、离散傅里叶变换、频谱分析、间距确定、误差分析5个步骤。对高速公路拥挤状态下的仿真分析表明:100 m的检测点间距可以满足对拥挤交通流状态的真实检测,该数值接近于实际应用中的最小值(125 m),说明该理论方法具有较好的实用性。     

公路软基处理方案多层次模糊综合评判方法研究

模糊决策理论和层次分析法是系统工程理论中对非定量问题分析的实用决策方法。本文将模糊理论和层次分析法二者相结合,对影响软土地基处理方案选择的各因素进行分析,确定了评判层次和影响因素,其中,评语隶属度采用模糊理论确定,各影响因素的权值采用层次分析法确定;建立了公路软土地基处理方案选择的多层次模糊综合评判模型,成功地解决了多因素影响下的软基处理方案优选问题,并通过实例进行了验证。验证结果表明,所采用的方法是合理可行的。     

小样本条件下混凝土强度代表值的确定

针对小样本混凝土强度代表值确定时不能利用数理统计模型的问题,引入了信息扩散原理,提出了小样本条件下混凝土强度代表值确定的实用计算模型。2个混凝土强度检测案例的计算结果表明,利用《公路工程质量检验评定标准》(JTJ071-98)进行灌注桩芯样混凝土强度代表值确定,得到的代表值保证率在95%左右波动,具有不确定性;利用《超声回弹综合法检测混凝土强度技术规程》(CECS 02:88)进行单一构件混凝土强度推定,推定值的保证率小于95%,对结构的可靠性鉴定而言是偏于不安全的,应引起试验检测人员的充分重视。     

基于汽车道路作用空间与公路车辆当量换算系数的研究

以运行车辆为质点,提出采用汽车道路作用空间的物理分析方法来研究车辆当量系数换算问题。建立了车辆道路作用空间模型,通过大量试验数据分析和应用随机场论的分析方法,研究确定了汽车在运行过程中所表现出的横向、纵向道路作用空间特性以及与道路、交通和车型等相关因素的定量数值,并由此推算出了基本车辆当量换算系数,和基于不同公路服务水平条件下的车辆当量换算系数。     

稀浆封层路面成型机理与压实工艺

通过对稀浆封层施工工艺分析,简要阐述了稀浆封层路面的成型机理,提出了选用合理的压实工艺是一种提高稀浆封层施工质量与效率的重要方法。并且主要从碾压方式的选择、专用压实设备的选择与使用这2个方面,对稀浆封层路面的压实工艺进行了探讨。