A comparison of modelled and real-life driving profiles for the simulation of railway vehicle operation

A key factor in determining the performance of a railway system is the speed profile of the trains within the network. There can be significant variation in this speed profile for identical trains on identical routes, depending on how the train is driven. A better understanding and control of speed profiles can therefore offer significant potential for improvements in the performance of railway systems. This paper develops a model to allow the variability of real-life driving profiles of railway vehicles to be quantitatively described and predicted, in order to better account for the effects on the speed profile of the train and hence the performance of the railway network as a whole. The model is validated against data from the Tyne and Wear Metro, and replicates the measured data to a good degree of accuracy.     

The planning and analysis of a new group rapid transit system: the SkyCabs monobeam system in Auckland

This paper examines a case study of the SkyCabs system as a way to alleviate some of the traffic problems of Auckland, New Zealand. SkyCabs is an elevated two-way monobeam carrying light eight-seater cabs on tracks on each side of the beam, available on demand, providing fast, pollution-free, unimpeded travel above the footpath with panoramic views of the city. The aim of this study is to investigate the attractiveness of implementing the SkyCabs system to and from Auckland central business district (CBD) and Auckland international airport by examining four variables: different routes, different number of stops/stations, different passenger demand levels, and different number of cabs in the system. The analysis utilizes geographical information system and simulation tools for the various scenarios considered. The results show that it is possible to assess the cost–benefit of alternative routes in terms of those four variables and rate of return on investment.     

Innovative strategies for urban car-sharing systems and a simulator to assess their performance

In this paper, three innovative car-sharing systems for urban areas are proposed, based on fleets of individual intelligent vehicles with three service characteristics: instant access, open-ended reservations and one-way trips. These features provide high flexibility but create an uneven distribution of vehicles among stations. Therefore, relocation of vehicles must be performed. Three different system procedures are proposed: in the first system, relocations are performed by users; in the other two, vehicles relocate automatically, thanks to their automation. In the first two systems, vehicles are accessible only at stations, whereas in the third they are also accessible along roads. In order to provide transport managers with a tool to test systems in different realities, an object-oriented simulator is developed. The simulation provides outputs of system performance, in terms of user waiting times and system efficiency. The proposed systems are simulated for the city of Genoa, in Italy, and a comparative analysis is presented.     

The role of volume-delay functions in forecasting and evaluating congestion charging schemes: the Stockholm case

This paper uses observations from before and during the Stockkholm congestion charging trial in order to validate and improve a transportation model for Stockholm. The model overestimates the impact of the charges on traffic volumes while at the same time it substantially underestimates the impact on travel times. These forecast errors lead to considerable underestimation of economic benefits which are dominated by travel time savings. The source of error lies in the static assignment that is used in the model. Making the volume-delay functions (VDFs) steeper only marginally improves the quality of forecast but strongly impacts the result of benefit calculations. We therefore conclude that the dynamic assignment is crucial for an informed decision on introducing measures aimed at relieving congestion. However, in the absence of such a calibrated dynamic model for a city, we recommend that at least a sensitivity analysis with respect to the slope of VDFs is performed.     

A two-phase model for dry port location with an application to the port of Dalian in China

This paper provides guidance for an optimal and reasonable dry port layout for the port of Dalian in China. We present a two-phase framework on the location of dry ports, which solves the selection of candidate inland cities and optimal dry port location choice, respectively. Fuzzy C-Means Clustering is applied to select alternative cities in the vast hinterland of the seaport of Dalian, with a view to identify evaluation factors that affect the location selection decision. A cost-minimisation linear programming solution is proposed, with the aid of a genetic algorithm, to choose the optimal location as well as capacity level among the candidate inland cities.     

LNG卸料臂与船对接法兰面泄漏分析

LNG卸料臂是LNG卸载过程中最重要的设备之一,而卸载过程中卸料臂与船对接法兰面最易发生泄漏,因此避免其泄漏很重要。文中以某LNG接收站为例,简要介绍卸料臂预冷流程;对曾经发生过的泄漏展开分析,结果发现预冷速度过快是造成对接法兰面泄漏的主要原因;提出了相应的改进措施。改进之后,此LNG接收站卸船期间再未出现卸料臂与船对接法兰面泄漏的问题。     

探讨危旧桥梁加固的有关技术问题

随着国家经济建设脚步的加快,路桥的建设技术也在不断的进步,危旧桥梁的加固处理也成为桥梁建设的热点话题之一。因为公路车流量的增多,在上世纪末建设的桥梁一直都存在过载使用的问题,过多的重型车辆对危旧桥梁的使用也是一项巨大的考验。在一些使用年限比较久的桥梁中,出现了桥体老化现象。本文就危旧桥梁加固的有关技术问题进行了探讨。     

道路运输行业安全监管现状分析及对策研究

结合道路运输行业安全监管现状,从道路运输行业安全监管职责和内容、监管方式、安全检查方面对道路运输行业安全监管存在的问题进行分析,并有针对性的提出了相应的建议和对策。     

基于价值函数的城市绿色交通规划评价

为了评价城市绿色交通,建立了城市绿色交通评价体系,包括环保性指标等3个评价项目和道路绿化率等8个评价指标,文章通过案例分析发现,价值函数法适用于城市绿色交通评价。采用专家打分法确定指标权重系数,并对指标进行无量纲化、同趋向化等处理,采用价值函数法计算评价体系得分。     

公路隧道运营通风横通道周围流场特性研究

为研究公路隧道巷道式运营通风横通道周围的流场特性,以贵州凉风坳隧道为研究背景,利用流体力学研究软件Fluent建立隧道三维模型并进行了数值仿真计算。通过在隧道两边等风速条件下,对隧道内人行横通道以及车行横通道附近的流场特点研究,分析了运营通风横通道周围流场分布的具体特点。模拟结果表明:车行横通道与人行横通道两边流场分布基本相同;横通道内风速相对较小,约为隧道内风速的10%;不同风速下,横通道附近的速度分布和总压分布整体走势一致;两边流场相对稳定,不会进行风流和污染物的串流。