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.     

Electric vehicles for greenhouse gas reduction in China: A cost-effectiveness analysis

There have been ongoing debates over whether battery electric vehicles contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China’s context, and if yes, whether the greenhouse gas emissions reduction compensates the cost increment. This study informs such debate by examining the life-cycle cost and greenhouse gas emissions of conventional vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles, and comparing their cost-effectiveness for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The results indicate that under a wide range of vehicle and driving configurations (range capacity, vehicle use intensity, etc.), battery electric vehicles contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional vehicles, although their current cost-effectiveness is not comparable with hybrid electric vehicles. Driven by grid mix optimization, power generation efficiency improvement, and battery cost reduction, the cost-effectiveness of battery electric vehicles is expected to improve significantly over the coming decade and surpass hybrid electric vehicles. However, considerable uncertainty exists due to the potential impacts from factors such as gasoline price. Based on the analysis, it is recommended that the deployment of battery electric vehicles should be prioritized in intensively-used fleets such as taxis to realize high cost-effectiveness. Technology improvements both in terms of power generation and vehicle electrification are essential in improving the cost-effectiveness of battery electric vehicles.     

Estimation of origin-destination matrices from link counts and sporadic routing data

Estimation of origin-destination (OD) matrices from link count data is a challenging problem because of the highly indeterminate relationship between the observations and the latent route flows. Conversely, estimation is straightforward if we observe the path taken by each vehicle. We consider an intermediate problem of increasing practical importance, in which link count data is supplemented by routing information for a fraction of vehicles on the network. We develop a statistical model for these combined data sources and derive some tractable normal approximations thereof. We examine likelihood-based inference for these normal models under the assumption that the probability of vehicle tracking is known. We show that the likelihood theory can be non-standard because of boundary effects, and provide conditions under which such irregular behaviour will be observed in practice. For regular cases we outline connections with existing generalised least squares methods. We then consider estimation of OD matrices under estimated and/or misspecified models for the probability of vehicle tracking. Theoretical developments are complemented by simulation experiments and an illustrative example using a section of road network from the English city of Leicester.     

Physical environments influencing bicyclists’ perception of comfort on separated and on-street bicycle facilities

This study investigates the impacts of physical environments on bicyclists’ perceptions of comfort on separated and on-street bicycle facilities. Based on a field investigation conducted in Nanjing, China, we find that physical environmental factors significantly influencing bicyclists’ perception of comfort on the two types of facility. Cyclists’ comfort is mainly influenced by the road geometry and surrounding conditions on physically separated paths while they pay attention to the effective riding space and traffic situations on on-street bicycle lanes.     

Ecologically based hybrid life cycle analysis of continuously reinforced concrete and hot-mix asphalt pavements

An ecologically-based hybrid life cycle assessment model is used to evaluate the resource consumption and atmospheric emissions of continuously reinforced concrete and a hot-mix asphalt pavements. The cumulative mass and ecological resource consumption values are lower for continuously reinforced concrete, but the median values of cumulative energy and industrial energy consumption were lower for hot-mix asphalt. In addition, the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement results in a higher sensitivity for the ecological resource consumption of hot-mix asphalt compared to that of fly ash when use on the natural capital utilization of continuously reinforced concrete pavement. The cumulative and industrial exergy consumption values are significantly reduced with increases in reclaimed asphalt pavement and fly ash, and the use of low fuel transportation modes.     

米勒循环结合可变涡轮增压优化柴油机性能的仿真与试验研究

在开发一款机车柴油机过程中,利用AVL BOOST软件对柴油机工作过程进行了仿真计算,计算了不同米勒强度和不同喷油正时条件下柴油机的性能参数。根据计算结果,排除了弱米勒的方案。针对强米勒和中米勒,开展了试验研究,通过调整喷油定时、增压压力设定、共轨喷射压力,进行了多方案试验研究,试验结果表明,强米勒方案虽然可以有效降低Nox排放,但是带来PM排放升高和涡轮前排气温度升高的问题,中米勒虽然降低Nox排放的效果弱于强米勒,但是能获得比较满意的PM排放,且涡轮前排气温度远低于强米勒,综合各方面性能参数的比较结果,在满足排放要求的前提下,中米勒为优选方案。     

氯离子在混凝土中渗透行为的研究

文章在干湿循环和全浸泡两种条件下，研究了氯离子在混凝土中的渗透性能，并考虑扩散系数随时间变化的因素．为准确地预测实际工况混凝土结构的使用寿命提供参考。     

基于BIM的数字建造工业化平台中业务管理的多源数据集成关键技术研究

随着BIM技术的不断发展,BIM平台在施工全过程的应用逐渐丰富。集成整合平台背后全生命周期的工程数据,并将数据传递至工程建造各个环节当中进行应用,是BIM平台发挥作用的本质。如何在工程的全生命周期收集和整理工程数据库,并传递至各个工作流程中发挥作用,是开展BIM平台建设的重点。以乌鲁木齐市东进场高架道路工程为实例,重点研究BIM平台中工程数据库的建立,分析如何在项目的设计阶段和施工过程中采集工程数据,并将工程数据库应用于项目管理。     

机械式汽车悬架性能检测试验台闭环控制系统的开发

开发了机械式汽车悬架装置试验台闭环控制系统,设计了闭环控制算法,使试验过程中,保证加速度恒定,并通过实验验证了本系统的可行性和正确性,从而使新系统进一步满足汽车悬架特性测试的要求,又降低了研究成本。在软件的开发中,采用VC＋＋6.0语言编制控制系统,使得开发出的系统界面友好,操作方便,功能强大。     

A stochastic optimization approach for the selection of reflective cracking mitigation techniques

PurposeIn Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) overlays, the existing cracks in the underlying pavements can propagate upward to the new added overlay and may cause Reflective Cracks (RC). These cracks allow water infiltration to the underlying layers and causes further moisture damage as well as weakening the unbound layers. Over the years, several methods have been developed for mitigating the RCs. This study aims to investigate the current reflective cracking mitigation methods and develop a methodology for the selection of appropriate mitigation technique. The developed model is then applied to a case study in the state of Florida.MethodTo accomplish this goal, a nationwide literature review was conducted to better understand the current in practice methods in the United States. Moreover, a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) in five different road types was performed to find the annuity of roadway rehabilitation for each of the mitigation methods. The uncertainty in the LCCA results is represented using Exploratory Modeling and Analysis (EMA) method. Then through a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model, a stochastic optimization model was developed to find the appropriate reflective cracking mitigation solution under Florida’s climate and road conditions, based on different cost and performance weights.ResultsBased on the available data for the state of Florida, the LCCA results indicate that the annuity of maintaining the roadway with Fabrics and ISAC are lower compared to other methods. However, the results of stochastic optimization model reveal that while looking at the performance and cost at the same time, different methods would be more feasible. For instance, while the cost of the used method does not matter at all and only performance matters, STRATA® is more probable to be the appropriate mitigation technique. The findings of this research are critical for decision makers to better understand the most cost-effective mitigation technique in different conditions.