Reduced dwell times resulting from train–platform improvements: the costs and benefits of improving passenger accessibility to metro trains

Abstract

This paper examines whether a dwell time reduction on a high-intensity metro service, as a result of a series of accessibility enhancements, can contribute to an increased level of service and accessible public transport for passengers together with a reduction in costs for the operator. Actual train operation data were collected by on-site observations and from London Underground Ltd. A simple simulation is built to represent the effect on the overall cycle times of trains if certain parameters (e.g. dwell time) are changed. Four models are developed, concerning: (1) step height between train and platform, (2) an assumption of passenger service time to be no longer than 20 s, (3) door width and (4) the combination of step height and door width. From the application of the models it appears that the fourth model provides the highest reduction in dwell time and diminishes the overall cycle times of trains. However, it is the most expensive to implement as it requires work to raise platforms and the purchase of new rolling stock.     

Integrated smart feeder/shuttle transit service: simulation of new routing strategies

The idea of designing an integrated smart feeder/shuttle service stemmed from the need to overcome the problem of using an excessive number of cars arriving and parking at a train station within the same time span. This problem results in high parking demand around the train station. Moreover, some potential train riders will, instead, use their cars and hence become a party to increasing the traffic congestion. This work develops a new idea of an integrated and innovative feeder/shuttle system with new operating and routing concepts. The fulfilled objectives are as follows: (i) to construct and examine different operating strategies from both the user and operator perspectives; (ii) to examine different routing models and scenarios; and (iii) to construct a simulation tool for (i) and (ii). Ten different routing strategies are examined, with all the combinations of fixed/flexible routes, fixed/flexible schedules, a unidirectional or bidirectional concept, and shortcut (shortest path) and/or short‐turn (turnaround) concepts. These strategies are investigated by employing a simulation model specifically developed and constructed for this purpose. This simulation model is used in a case study of Castro Valley in California in which the feeder/shuttle service is coordinated with the Bay Area Rapid Transit service, and the 10 routing strategies are compared in regard to four fleet‐size scenarios. One of the interesting results found is that the fixed‐route and flexible‐route concepts are comparable in performance measures when applying a combination of operating strategies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simulation of transit bus emissions along an urban corridor: Evaluating changes under various service improvement strategies

This study investigates the impacts of transit improvement strategies on bus emissions along a busy corridor in Montreal, Canada. The local transit provider, Société de Transport de Montréal, has implemented a number of strategies which include the use of smart cards, limited-stop (express bus) service, and reserved bus lanes along this corridor. Using data collected on-board for instantaneous speeds and stop-level ridership, we estimated bus emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants at three levels: road segment, bus-stop, and per passenger. A regression of segment-level emissions against a number of explanatory variables reveals that reserved bus lanes and express bus service reduce emissions significantly. On the other hand, smart card use reduces idling emissions compared to other fare payment methods. Our findings are of most relevance for transit planners who are seeking to implement different strategies to reduce emissions and improve transit performance.     

Solving train formation problem using simulated annealing algorithm in a simplex framework

The train formation plan (TFP) determines the train services and their frequencies and assigns the demands. The TFP models are often formulated as a capacitated service network design problem, and the optimal solution is normally difficult to find. In this paper, a hybrid algorithm of the Simplex method and simulated annealing is proposed for the TFP problem. The basic idea of the proposed algorithm is to use a simulated annealing algorithm to explore the solution space, where the revised Simplex method evaluates, selects, and implements the moves. In the proposed algorithm, the neighborhood structure is based on the pivoting rules of the Simplex method that provides an efficient method to reach the neighbors of the current solution. A state‐of‐the‐art method is applied for parameters tuning by using the design of experiments approach. To evaluate the proposed model and the solution method, 25 test problems have been simulated and solved. The results show the efficiency and the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The proposed approach is implemented to develop the TFP in the Iranian railway as a case study. It is possible to save significant time and cost through solving the TFP problem by using the proposed algorithm and developing the efficient TFP plan in the railway networks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

在役丁烯-1球罐声发射检测

为确保在役丁烯-1球罐的使用安全性,制定了以声发射检测为主的检验方案。在球罐外表面布置50只传感器,采用2次加压循环过程对在役丁烯-1球罐进行声发射检测,仪器自动记录各加载阶段出现的数据信号并进行定位计算。通过对声发射源进行强度和活性分析,未发现活性声发射源信号,综合声发射检测结果和使用情况,该球罐安全状况良好,可继续使用。同时为保证使用安全,建议在使用期间做好年度检查工作,在适当时机开罐进行全面检验。     

长寿命沥青路面与传统沥青路面的比较分析

在介绍长寿命沥青路面与传统沥青路面特点的基础上,从寿命周期成本、设计理念、路用性能及结构层四个方面对长寿命沥青路面与传统沥青路面进行比较分析,可为长寿命沥青路面的推广与应用提供一定的参考与借鉴.     

地域文化在高速公路景观设计中的传承与保护——以湖北杭瑞高速公路文化景观设计为例

在大量收集、调研杭瑞高速公路沿线所经“四县一市”的文化景观资源基础上,阐述地域文化的构成要素,景观设计原则,并结合高速公路景观自身的特征,探索地域文化在高速公路上最适宜的景观载体,从而引起人们对于地域文化的传承与保护意识.     

超载作用下沥青路面使用性能的衰变

为了研究超载对路面使用性能的影响,利用自动化检测设备,对北京市某区干线公路路面损坏状况进行了连续3年的跟踪观测,并对超载引起的设计年限内累计当量轴次增长量进行了计算分析.研究结果表明：在自然环境和养护条件相同的情况下,超载多发路段路况衰减速度明显快于无超载现象路段,超载是沥青路面使用性能下降的重要原因,并导致沥青路面的实际使用寿命大幅缩短.     

结构完整性管理在海洋平台延期服役评估中的应用

结构完整性管理是为保证钢结构从安装到退役全生命周期过程的适用性评价系统。依据结构完整性管理的基本要素数据、评价、策略和程序,对渤海海域某延期服役平台导管架结构进行评估,提出延期服役改进措施和后期服役的监测重点,为延期服役平台的结构评估提供借鉴和参考,具有重要的现实意义和推广价值。     

基于服务总线的舰载指控系统集成方法研究

针对新一代舰载指控系统对软件集成能力和水平的要求,提出了基于服务总线的舰载指控系统集成方法,分析了服务总线的体系构架和实时服务总线的模型,以及面向服务的舰载指控系统体系结构和服务集成实施方法.