Analysis of disc brake instability due to friction-induced vibration using a distributed parameter model

This paper deals with friction-induced vibration of a disc brake system with a constant friction coefficient. A linear, lumped, and distributed parameter model to represent the floating caliper disc brake system is proposed. The complex eigenvalues are used to investigate the dynamic stability, and, in order to verify simulations which are based on the theoretical model, an experimental modal test and dynamometer test are performed. The comparison of experimental and theoretical results shows good agreement, and the analysis indicates that modal coupling due to friction forces is responsible for disc brake squeal. Also, squeal type instability is investigated, using a parametric analysis. This indicates which parameters have influence on the propensity of brake squealing. This is helpful for validating the analysis model and establishing confidence in the experimental results of the modified system. These results may also be useful during system development or diagnostic analysis.     

Vibration path analysis and optimal design of the suspension for brake judder reduction

Brake judder is abnormal vibration, which is mainly generated by uneven contact between the brake disc and pad. The abnormal vibration from BTV (Brake Torque Variation) is transferred to the suspension and the steering system during braking. In this paper, judder simulation is carried out using a multi-body dynamic analysis program to analyze the relationship between judder and the transfer mechanism, which consists of the suspension and the steering system. In order to verify the analytical model, test results are compared with the simulation results. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out. In addition, an optimization method is presented for judder reduction, using the design of experiments.     

The influence of the operational environment on efficiency of international airports

Heterogeneity must be considered in the efficiency analysis of decision‐making units; otherwise, the results will be strongly biased. This is also valid for airport management where the operational environment heavily influences efficiency. In this paper, conditional efficiency measures are applied to airports to incorporate heterogeneity in non‐parametric frontier models which are robust for outlying observations. In particular, the influence of the operational environment on airport efficiency is examined in a sample of 141 international airports. The conclusions show that the operational environment indeed matters and that privatisation, regulation, traffic transfer and the dominant carrier have a positive effect on efficiency, whereas aeronautical revenues influence it negatively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seaport performance analysis using robust non-parametric efficiency estimators

Abstract

Seaport services have been developing year on year, playing an increasingly important role in the economy and the transportation markets of each country. This increases interest in measuring their performance. This paper evaluates the performance of a set of European seaports by means of robust non-parametric approaches. Using order-m and bootstrap procedures, the major problems of traditional data envelopment analysis and free disposal hull methods – concerning noise, presence of outliers and the ‘curse of dimensionality’ – are overcome. With this study considerable levels of inefficiency were found in the European seaports sector.     

Reassessing the commuting penalty for immigrants: new evidence from Spain

Transportation - This article examines the differences in commuting length between native and immigrant employees in Spain, a relevant issue since immigrants' longer commuting times may, among...     

Queue-dependent vehicle dispatching with options and optimal fleet size

A queue-dependent vehicle dispatching rule, with options to use special vehicles (rented, reserve, shared etc.) for relieving long waiting lines, is considered. The transportation system under consideration has one source terminal and a fleet of N regular vehicles. Passengers are assumed to arrive individually at the source terminal according to a Poisson process. An efficient recursive algorithm is derived to analyse the performance of the system. An average cost criterion is used to determine the firm's fleet size and dispatching strategy for a simpler system. This is a variant of a “Random vehicle dispatching with options” rule proposed by Zuckerman and Tapiero (1980).     

Control strategy for clutch engagement during mode change of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has various driving modes used in both internal combustion engine and electric motors. The EV mode uses only an electric motor and the HEV mode uses both an engine and an electric motor. Specifically, when the PHEV of a pre-transmission parallel hybrid structure performs mode changing, its engine clutch is either engaged or disengaged, which is important in terms of ride comfort. In this paper, to enhance the mode changing process for the clutch engagement, a PHEV performance simulator is developed using MATLAB/Simulink based on system dynamics and experiment data. Vehicle driving analysis is carried out of the control logic and properties of the mode changing. A compensated torque is applied during the mode change. This results in the rapid speed synchronization with the clutch although the trade-off relationship of the mode change. In addition, the mode changing is conducted through the transmission shifting process to rapidly synchronize with speed. The control strategy implemented in this study is shown to improve the drivability and energy efficiency of a PHEV.     

Influence of Congestion Efficiency on the European Seaports Performance: Does It Matter?

Abstract

The increase in cargo transportation has not necessarily corresponded to an improvement in the productive efficiency. Quite on the contrary, particular infrastructures are prone to the congestion phenomenon. In this case, after a given value the increase in inputs can lead to a decrease in outputs. The purpose of this study, based on data envelopment analysis, is twofold. First, it aims to account for the importance of congestion in European seaports. Second, it intends to compare different alternatives to determine this kind of inefficiency. The results show considerable signs of congestion in some European seaports.