Implementing first-in–first-out in the cell transmission model for networks

In traffic assignment models with time-varying flows (dynamic network loading or dynamic traffic assignment), overtaking behaviour is normally not included in the model and, in that case, it is important that the model at least approximates first-in–first-out (FIFO), to prevent deviations from FIFO that are arbitrary or unrealistic or not physically possible. For the cell transmission model (CTM) it has recently been shown that the usual recommended method for preserving FIFO will ensure FIFO for each cell taken separately but does not fully ensure FIFO in the transition between cells and hence does not fully ensure FIFO for sequences of cells or for links or for routes. As a result, deviations from FIFO can easily occur and cumulate along the links or routes. In view of that, we define and analyse three different levels of satisfaction or approximation of FIFO, together with corresponding methods for achieving them. Two of these are existing methods and one is new. We develop, analyse and compare the three methods and the extent to which each of them adheres to FIFO for sequences of cells and links or routes. Also, for two of the methods we present a more detailed algorithm for applying them within the CTM. The paper is concerned with how to implement FIFO in the CTM and not with testing for FIFO or measuring deviations from FIFO.     

基于排队-时间图的道路饱和度研究

从车辆排队角度入手,采用排队-时间图分别对无初始排队和有初始排队的交叉口的饱和度的物理意义进行了详细研究,结果显示所得饱和度计算值和传统意义上的饱和度计算值相同,从而证明了文中分析的正确性.     

The possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea as a SECA: A case study

In view of the ongoing discussions concerning the possible designation of the Mediterranean Sea as a Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), a modal split model was applied to a case involving the transportation of consolidated cargoes between Thessaloniki, Greece and industrial hubs of northern Germany. A road-only option was assessed against a combined-transport route involving a ferry (Greece–Italy) and a truck-on-train (Italy–Austria) service. The logit model used considers two variables as determinants of the modal selection: transport cost and time. The data are derived from interviews with a small transport service provider, typical for Greece, and are based on actual trips made (revealed preferences). The results predict that the designation of the Mediterranean as a SECA will cause a modal shift in favour of the road-only route by 5.2%, which under certain assumptions can reach 17.1%. However, the environmental implications of the resulting modal choices, calculated through the EcoTransIT World web based tool, are positive in relation to all emissions examined. This is attributed to the longer distance of the combined-transport option in comparison to the road-only one and, the poor environmental performance of the Ro-Pax vessels basically due to the need to maintain a relatively high speed.     

利用激光点云的城市无人驾驶路径规划算法

为了解决随机采样算法受感知环境不确定性影响下的弱鲁棒性以及弱可靠性问题，采用一种基于激光空间势场的渐优随机采样算法框架来设计符合无人驾驶需要的规划算法。针对感知环境的不确定性，首先基于势场原理与激光障碍物点云构建一个融入了斥力场的规划空间，解决激光障碍物提取中的过分割等问题。其次，利用规划空间来处理随机采样算法中的采样策略、最优母节点选取策略、修剪策略以及最终路径选择策略。再次，在算法中加入了Anytime策略来提高优化解的利用率，使得算法的计算效率满足无人驾驶实时性的要求。同时，为了保证无人驾驶中规划路径的鲁棒性与可靠性，创建了一个综合5重因素的代价函数来选择最优路径，并根据不同的无人驾驶场景来调整相对应的参数；最后在城市测试道路上进行了实地测试。结果表明：设计的算法框架能够适应最高时速40 km·h^-1的城区驾驶环境，并能完成跟驰、换道、融入以及静动态障碍物的避障决策。在与SST算法的对比试验中，所提出的算法在各个试验中的轨迹、方向盘转角以及速度的平滑性都优于SST算法，其轨迹与障碍物的距离也优于SST算法。     

An inverse railway wagon model and its applications

An inverse wagon model was developed to estimate wheel–rail contact forces using only measurements of wagon body responses as inputs. The purpose of this work was to provide mathematical modelling to embed in low-cost devices that can be mounted on each freight wagon in a large wagon fleet. To minimize cost, complication, and the maintenance inconvenience of these devices, the constraint is imposed that transducers and connections are limited to locations on the wagon body. Inputs to the inverse model developed include only vertical and lateral translational accelerations and angular accelerations of roll, pitch, and yaw of the wagon body. The model combines the integration and partial modal matrix (PMM) techniques together to form an IPMM method. Besides wheel–rail contact forces some motion quantities such as the lateral and yaw displacements of wheelset are also predicted. Results from the inverse model were compared with data from full scale laboratory suspension tests for vertical suspension excitations. The inverse model was also compared with results from simulations completed in VAMPIRE^® for more complicated track input profiles. The model results and the applications of the model are discussed.     

Assessment of Vulnerability and Integrated Management of Coastal Dunes in Veracruz,Mexico

Dune systems are essential to the ecological balance and sediment inputs of coastal environments and they provide numerous environmental services; however, their existence is threatened by natural and human stressors that contribute to their degradation. Future impacts are expected to be greater because of global climate change in association with further rises in sea level. Beaches and dune systems occupy large areas along the coastline of the state of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. The aim of this study is to establish the intrinsic vulnerability of nine dune fields in Veracruz to current and future impacts and to assess their integrated management status. These dune–beach systems are more vulnerable to the effects of economic activities and land use change than to those induced by natural forces. Results show that six of these dune systems have medium vulnerability and an ecological conservation policy should be adopted; the other three, with high or very high vulnerability, are candidates for a restoration policy.     

图的相对结合数与图的结构的两个新结果

在已有研究的基础上，进一步讨论图的相对结合数rb(G)与图的结构的关系，主要得到有关rb(G)=n-6和rb(G)=4-n时的结果。     

A multi-commodity Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model of lane-changing traffic flow

Systematic lane changes can seriously deteriorate traffic safety and efficiency inside lane-drop, merge, and other bottleneck areas. In our previous studies (Jin, 2010a, Jin, 2010b), a phenomenological model of lane-changing traffic flow was proposed, calibrated, and analyzed based on a new concept of lane-changing intensity. In this study, we further consider weaving and non-weaving vehicles as two commodities and develop a multi-commodity, behavioral Lighthill–Whitham–Richards (LWR) model of lane-changing traffic flow. Based on a macroscopic model of lane-changing behaviors, we derive a fundamental diagram with parameters determined by car-following and lane-changing characteristics as well as road geometry and traffic composition. We further calibrate and validate fundamental diagrams corresponding to a triangular car-following fundamental diagram with NGSIM data. We introduce an entropy condition for the multi-commodity LWR model and solve the Riemann problem inside a homogeneous lane-changing area. From the Riemann solutions, we derive a flux function in terms of traffic demand and supply. Then we apply the model to study lane-changing traffic dynamics inside a lane-drop area and show that the smoothing effect of HOV lanes is consistent with observations in existing studies. The new theory of lane-changing traffic flow can be readily incorporated into Cell Transmission Model, and this study could lead to better strategies for mitigating bottleneck effects of lane-changing traffic flow.     

An optimal pole-matching observer design for estimating tyre–road friction force

In this paper, considering the dynamical model of tyre–road contacts, we design a nonlinear observer for the on-line estimation of tyre–road friction force using the average lumped LuGre model without any simplification. The design is the extension of a previously offered observer to allow a muchmore realistic estimation by considering the effect of the rolling resistance and a term related to the relative velocity in the observer. Our aim is not to introduce a new friction model, but to present a more accurate nonlinear observer for the assumed model. We derive linear matrix equality conditions to obtain an observer gain with minimum pole mismatch for the desired observer error dynamic system. We prove the convergence of the observer for the non-simplified model. Finally, we compare the performance of the proposed observer with that of the previously mentioned nonlinear observer, which shows significant improvement in the accuracy of estimation.