Nonlinear pricing in linear cities with elastic demands

Nonlinear road pricing charges each traveler based on his/her trip’s corresponding particular attribute level. In order to help authorities in designing road pricing systems at a strategic level, this paper attempts to address two fundamental questions: (i) what is the value of pricing’s nonlinearity for mitigating traffic congestion? (ii) if a nonlinear toll function is implemented, should it be convex, concave or other shape? Specifically, we consider distance-based pricing in linear cities. For linear monocentric cities with heterogeneous travelers, we show that the system optimal distance-based pricing indeed exhibits nonlinearity. It is proved that: (i) the cost-based system optimal toll function is monotonically increasing and concave with respect to the traveled distance; (ii) the time-based system optimal toll function always exists and is unique. If the initial proportion of each traveler group is invariant along a corridor and the demand function is of exponential type, then the time-based system optimal toll function enables the travelers, living further away from a city center, to face a lower toll level per unit distance. For a linear polycentric city, we demonstrate: (i) there always exists the system optimal differentiated (in terms of city centers) toll functions; (ii) it is highly possible that the system optimal non-differentiated toll function does not exist. Hence, we further propose an optimal toll design model, prove the Lipschitz continuity of its objective and adopt a global-optimization algorithm to solve it.     

Vegetation cover at right of way locations

This research evaluated the status of vegetation cover at right of way locations. Site factors that contributed to low and high ground cover along roadsides and medians were identified. Twenty-nine roadside and median study sites incorporated variability in soil type, elevation, vegetation establishment and cover, seed mixture, slope, aspect, time since planting, and climate. Vegetation cover was measured, and species distribution was identified. Slopes, aspects of the sloping face, and elevations were recorded. Soil samples were tested for nutrients, minerals, texture, and pH. Approximately 50% of the test sites met the 70% cover criteria. Locations of the worst cover (<50%) had soils with high soluble salt content (0.36–1.54 mmhos/cm) or low organic matter values (<1.7%). Vegetation cover was dominated by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.), two species that were included in the current seeding mixture and are considered invasive. To further promote revegetation success and persistence, both maintenance and site specific seed mixtures are needed.     

Greenhouse gas emissions from road construction: An assessment of alternative staging approaches

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with road construction activities are analyzed. The main focus of this analysis is on the vehicle emissions associated with alternative project staging approaches, specifically a full closure of the road during construction, versus an intermittent road closure. The analysis includes the direct and upstream emissions associated with materials, construction equipment, mobilization of resources to the work site, and maintenance activity associated with the project over its lifetime. The analysis is based on one case study of a road project in New Jersey. The assumptions underlying the staging analysis are based on hypothetical approaches. Results provide an assessment of the main sources of project related emissions and the ability to minimize total project emissions by minimizing traffic disruption. In the analysis with a full closure of the road, traffic disruption accounts for 26% of total emissions, while with an intermittent road closure, traffic disruption accounts for only 2% of total emissions. The other main sources are from materials and life-cycle maintenance. The analysis demonstrates the feasibility of minimizing project related GHG emissions during road construction activities.     

桥梁转体施工自闭合式合龙钢壳系统及施工技术研究

为进一步减小转体施工桥梁合龙施工时对既有运营线路的干扰,同时解决传统钢壳法中加劲肋板对合龙段施工的影响,以首座采用墩中转体的大树村龙川江三线大桥为依托,在传统钢壳法的基础上进行优化研究,自行研制、设计了一套自闭合式合龙钢壳系统并应用于实践,最终达到了安全、优质、快速、有序合龙的目的。实践结果表明,自闭合式合龙钢壳系统能够满足施工要求,且使用效果良好,达到了优化施工的目的,可为类似桥梁合龙施工提供参考。     

浅谈高速公路混凝土冬季施工

中国北方受冬季气温影响全年可施工时间短,加之各个项目的施工工期紧,致使近年来冬季施工现象较为普遍。从机械设备、原材料、混凝土拌和以及混凝土养护等方面总结经济可行的施工措施,为其它类似工程提供借鉴。     

盾构法施工单机核算管理模式的应用

近年来盾构机越来越多地应用于各种隧道工程中,其中地铁应用的数量最多,约占80%。现代盾构已演变成为一种高度智能化的大型工程机械装备,对其控制的好坏将直接影响到整个工程的施工成本和企业的经营效益,而通过单机核算降低机械成本是降低施工成本、提高企业效益的有效手段,因此推行盾构法施工单机核算显得尤为重要。文章结合地铁2222标施工项目,重点介绍了盾构法单机核算管理模式及其在施工中的应用。     

采空区治理中“混凝土墩柱式支撑”施工工艺探讨

通过在某高速公路特殊路段采空区治理中首次使用“混凝土墩柱式支撑”方法的施工，该方法对于埋深较浅、顶板较好、存在有明显空腔且充水的采空区治理有明显的效果。     

从一起船舶主机拉缸故障谈柴油机润滑油的选用

通过某LPG船一起主机拉缸案例,阐述船舶柴油机润滑油合理选用和管理的重要性,讨论选用润滑油应根据船舶柴油机的型号、燃油品质等具体情况,充分考虑润滑油的黏度等级和碱度。介绍船用柴油机润滑油国内外主要生产商及其相应的产品牌号。     

铁路货物追踪系统的构建

铁路货物运输组织是铁路工作的一个核心内容,铁路货物追踪系统的设计与实现能够为货主提供更好、更快的服务,同时加快和保障铁路货运工作的组织。通过对铁路整车货物运输的流程分析,制定货物追踪系统的目标,分析系统功能。通过数据的采集和信息共享平台的建立,提出货物追踪系统的实现途径。     

马鞍山长江公路大桥钢塔线形控制技术

马鞍山长江公路大桥左汊主桥为（360＋2×1080＋360） m的三塔两跨悬索桥，中塔采用钢－混叠合、塔梁固结门式结构，下塔柱为预应力钢筋混凝土结构，上塔柱为钢结构，钢塔共分21个节段，首节采用浮吊安装，标准节段长6 m ，最大起吊重达235 t ，采用塔吊进行安装。为确保钢塔线形满足要求，对影响钢塔安装精度因素进行分析，形成以控制钢塔制造质量为核心、钢塔首节段安装精度为基础的线形控制流程，对钢塔节段进行工厂制造控制和现场安装控制。工厂制造控制包括零部件加工、块体制作、节段组拼、端面机加工、预拼装；现场安装控制包括首节段安装、标准节段安装、横梁与钢塔的连接。实践表明，该桥采用以控制钢塔制造精度为核心的钢塔线形控制技术进行钢塔架设施工，施工过程中钢塔制造精度和安装精度满足要求，实现了钢塔线形控制的目的。