Modelling the silica pump in the Permanently Open Ocean Zone of the Southern Ocean

A coupled 1D physical–biogeochemical model has been built to simulate the cycles of silicon and of nitrogen in the Indian sector of the Permanently Open Ocean Zone of the Southern Ocean. Based on a simplified trophic network, that includes two size classes of phytoplankton and of zooplankton, and a microbial loop, it has been calibrated by reference to surface physical, chemical and biological data sets collected at the KERFIX time-series station (50°40′S–68°25′E). The model correctly reproduces the high nutrient low chlorophyll features typical of the studied area. In a region where the spring–summer mixed layer depth is usually deeper than 60 m, the maximum of chlorophyll never exceeds 1.5 mg m⁻³, and the annual primary production is only 68 g C m⁻² year⁻¹. In the surface layer nitrate is never exhausted (range 27–23.5 mmoles m⁻³) while silicic acid shows strong seasonal variations (range 5–20 mmoles m⁻³). On an annual basis 71% of the primary production sustained by nanophytoplankton is grazed by microzooplankton. Compared to North Atlantic, siliceous microphytoplankton is mainly prevented from blooming because of an unfavourable spring–summer light-mixing regime. Silicic acid limitation (high half saturation constant for Si uptake: 8 mmoles m⁻³) also plays a major role on diatom growth. Mesozooplankton grazing pressure excerpts its influence especially in late spring. The model illustrates the efficiency of the silica pump in the Southern Ocean: up to 63% of the biogenic silica that has been synthetized in the photic layer is exported towards the deep ocean, while only 11% of the particulate organic nitrogen escapes recycling in the surface layer.     

Large motion mountain biking dynamics

A bond graph model of a mountain bike and rider is created to develop baseline predictions for the performance of mountain bikes during large excursion maneuvers such as drops, jumps, crashes and rough terrain riding. The model assumes planar dynamics, a hard-tail (front suspension only) bicycle and a rider fixed to the bicycle. An algorithm is developed to allow tracking of a virtual tire-ground contact point for events that separate the wheels from the ground. This model would be most applicable to novice mountain bikers who maintain a nearly rigid relationship between their body and the bicycle as opposed to experienced riders who are versed in controlling the bicycle independent of the body. Simulations of a steep drop are performed for various initial conditions to qualitatively validate the predictions of the model. Results from this model are to be compared to experimental data and more complex models in later research, particularly models including a separate rider. The overarching goals of the research are to examine and understand the dynamics and control of interactions between a cyclist and mountain bike. Specific goals are to understand the improvement in performance afforded by an experienced rider, to hypothesize human control algorithms that allow riders to perform manoeuvres well and safely, to predict structural bike and body forces from these maneuvers and to quantify performance differences between hard-tail and full suspension bicycles.     

A General Method for the Evaluation of Vehicle Manoeuvrability with Special Emphasis on Motorcycles

This paper presents a novel approach to the assessment of the manoeuvrability of vehicles which is not based on the simulation of open-loop manoeuvres, nor does it rely on the modelling of the driver as a control system. Instead, the essence of the method is the solution of a two-point optimal control boundary value problem, in which a vehicle, subject to physical constraints like tyre adherence and road borders, among others, is required to go between given initial and final positions as fast as possible. The control inputs - i.e., the driver's actions - that make the vehicle move between the two states in the most efficient way are found as a part of the solution procedure and represent the actions of a sort of ideal, perfect driver. The resulting motion is called the optimal manoeuvre and, besides being the most efficient way that the given vehicle has for travelling between the two points according to the chosen optimal criterion, may be taken as a reference for meaningful comparisons with other vehicles. The value of the penalty function, used to define the optimal condition occurring at the optimal manoeuvre, may be taken as a measure of manoeuvrability or handling. With this approach the manoeuvrability properties are established as intrinsic to the vehicle, being defined with respect to an ideal perfect driver. Some possible forms of the penalty function, which means slightly different concepts of manoeuvrability and handling, are discussed. In the end, the case of motorcycles and some examples of optimal manoeuvres are given.     

Tyre friction behaviour under abrupt wheel torque transients on slippery road surfaces: experimental analysis and modelling

The paper shows that, during abrupt wheel torque transients for ice surface and low vehicle speeds, the tyre can develop significantly larger longitudinal force than the peak value of the tyre static curve. This so-called dynamic tyre friction potential (DTFP) effect has many influencing factors such as the rate of change of the wheel torque, the vehicle speed, and the tyre dwell time. The paper presents a detailed analysis of the DTFP behaviour based on the experimental data collected by using an in-wheel motor-based tyre test vehicle. The analysis results and an insight into the brush structure of a tyre model lead to the hypothesis that the different influencing factors may be predominantly explained by the bristle dwell time (BDT) effect. Following this hypothesis, the LuGre model of the tyre friction dynamics is extended with a physical BDT sub-model. The experimental validation results show that the proposed model can accurately capture the low-speed tyre–ice friction behaviour during abrupt wheel torque transients.     

Volatility of car ownership, commuting mode and time in the UK

This paper has two objectives: to examine the volatility of travel behaviour over time and consider the factors explaining this volatility; and to estimate the factors determining car ownership and commuting by car. The analysis is based on observations of individuals and households over a period of up to 11 years obtained from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). Changes in car ownership, commuting mode and commuting time over a period of years for the same individuals/households are examined to determine the extent to which these change from year-to-year. This volatility of individual behaviour is a measure of the ease of change or adaptation. If behaviour changes easily, policy measures are likely to have a stronger and more rapid effect than if there is more resistance to change. The changes are “explained” in terms of factors such as moving house, changing job and employment status. The factors determining car ownership and commuting by car are analysed using a dynamic panel-data models.     

Uncertainty quantification in vehicle dynamics

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a review of various works that highlight the importance of introducing the variability of the road-track/vehicle system into dynamic simulations as soon as this latter is meant to be predictive. The first section of the paper presents the Uncertainty Quantification, Verification and Validation method (UQ-VV). This latter proposes tools to model uncertainties, to associate a confidence to the prediction of quantities of interest and to estimate the probability of occurrence of different scenarios. The method is illustrated by various examples mainly from the rail domain but also from the road sector. The second section summarises application examples of predictive modelling, robust optimisation and calibration.     

Modelling and analysis of the crush zone of a typical Australian passenger train

In this paper, a three-dimensional nonlinear rigid body model has been developed for the investigation of the crashworthiness of a passenger train using the multibody dynamics approach. This model refers to a typical design of passenger cars and train constructs commonly used in Australia. The high-energy and low-energy crush zones of the cars and the train constructs are assumed and the data are explicitly provided in the paper. The crash scenario is limited to the train colliding on to a fixed barrier symmetrically. The simulations of a single car show that this initial design is only applicable for the crash speed of 35 km/h or lower. For higher speeds (e.g. 140 km/h), the crush lengths or crush forces or both the crush zone elements will have to be enlarged. It is generally better to increase the crush length than the crush force in order to retain the low levels of the longitudinal deceleration of the passenger cars.     

Real time assimilation of HF radar currents into a coastal ocean model

A real time assimilation and forecasting system for coastal currents is presented. The purpose of the system is to deliver current analyses and forecasts on based on assimilation of high-frequency radar surface current measurements. The local Vessel Traffic Service monitoring the ship traffic to two oil terminals on the coast of Norway received the analyses and forecasts in real time.A new assimilation method based on optimal interpolation is presented where spatial covariances derived from an ocean model are used instead of simplified mathematical formulations. An array of high frequency radar antennae provides the current measurements. A suite of nested ocean models comprises the model system. The observing system is found to yield good analyses and short range forecasts that are significantly improved compared to a model twin without assimilation. The system is fast, analysis and 6-h forecasts are ready at the Vessel Traffic Service 45 min after acquisition of radar measurements.     

Identification and interpretation of spatial–temporal mismatch between taxi demand and supply using global positioning system data

Taxis provide a type of on-demand mobility service in urban transportation. There are growing concerns regarding the level of service of taxis in satisfying residents’ mobility demand. However, the mismatch between demand and supply of taxi services has not been resolved even with the introduction of app-based vehicle services. In this study, three indicators are constructed using the Shanghai taxi global positioning system (GPS) dataset to reveal the spatial–temporal mismatch pattern. The issue is further analyzed via a case study, in which seven regions with frequent mismatch patterns are identified in the time period from 21:00 to 22:00. Then, a multinomial logistic regression model is employed to identify the demographic and built-environment factors contributing to the taxi mismatch problem. The study results show that population density, residential areas, the number of points of interest, and road density have significant relationships with the taxi undersupply. In contrast, the areas of commercial lands, as well as the other two transportation-related factors, that is, the number of bus stops and the distance to nearest subway station, are observed to be statistically significant for both “oversupply” and “undersupply” conditions. This study provides valuable insights for identifying mismatch patterns and interpreting the mismatch problem as a function of spatially explicit factors that are of great use for urban governance, especially in the improvement of taxi efficiency, taxi management, and urban planning.     

列车运行方案车站到发线需求可行性模型及其算法

车站到发线能力是计算机辅助编制列车运动图的重要组成部分，以列车会让方案为主线，系统地分析了单线铁路造成车到发展能力不足的根本原因，构造了列车运行方案车站到发线需求可行性线性０－１优化模型，提出了复杂性为０（ｎ）的快速算法，该模型与列车运行图总体优化吻合性好，有利于灵活设计算法，这一步对列车运行图优化显得尤为重要，本方法亦可适用于复线和多线铁路。