Transport Division Research Articles

ROCKWELL COLLINS AIR TRANSPORT METRICS

AbstractTo continue as a world class avionics company, Collins Air Transport Division is adding engineering metrics to well‐planned Systems, Hardware and Software Processes. We ask much of our engineers, requesting them to follow new and unfamiliar processes, while measuring their work. The paper reviews the objectives of the metrics program and how we are carrying out those objectives. The paper also reviews our staff's concerns introduced by the metrics program.

Honeywell's experience with screening plastic encapsulated microcircuit

Honeywell's Air Transport Division has historically screened plastic encapsulated microcircuits (PEM's) for 160 h at 125/spl deg/C, followed by a tri-temp screen at 40/spl deg/C, room temperature, and 125/spl deg/C, in accordance with the traditional view that this would increase the reliability of the end product due to reduced infant mortality. Recently, Honeywell has been collecting and evaluating field reliability and screening fallout data to reach a data driven conclusion as to the necessity of doing part screening, particularly burn-in. This used both internally generated data and semiconductor supplier data. This data shows clearly that for parts from a high quality semiconductor manufacturer, burn-in not only adds no value, it will actually increase the field failure rate of the devices built with these burned-in parts.

Containing military autotest cost growth through the use of commercial standard equipment architectures

The 1990s have been stressful for commercial airline industry: fierce competition has caused the demise of several carriers. The resulting drive to slash operating expenses has bolstered development of avionics industry standards for automated test equipment. Rockwell's Collins Air Transport Division (CATD) has begun to market compliant test gear that airline maintenance departments wishing to acquire modern high performance test systems without the development cost penalty have eagerly received. A similar situation now confronts the military. The various branches can no longer justify the maintenance of independent autotest architectures. This paper describes the CATD implementation of the commercial-standard architecture; shows how we have designed the system to avoid obsolescence; and indicates the considerations that are necessary for adapting it to military scenarios.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Strategic interplays of an actor in a relationship with a distributor

In this article we describe the strategic interplay of actors involved in a tripartite relationship (supplier-distributor-end user), which aim at maintaining or modifying each actor's position relative to the other actors in the relationship and in the surrounding network, using both direct and indirect action. In the case of energy distribution in France (electricity and gas), certain specificities have to be taken into account: the electricity supplier's monopolistic position and its obligation to supply the service, and the distribution centers' mixed vocation (they propose two kinds of energy, gas from Gaz de France and electricity from Electricité de France) and their obligation to distribute both kinds of energy. On the basis of an analysis of ten relationships between the Electricity Production and Transportation Division and Energy Distribution Centers, we show the actors' search for an optimal distance between the supplier and the intermediary. According to its own resources, the intermediary tries to deal with its own end-user market in an autonomous way or to use resources represented by the supplier and other actors in the connected network. Some managerial implications concerning the management of supplier compulsory relationships with a differentiated approach are suggested.

Using Rapid Prototypes for Early Requirements Validation

AbstractUsing rapid prototypes for early validation can accelerate product development in all phases of the development life cycle. The most obvious benefit is the ability to evaluate requirements for applicability and unanticipated errors early in the development life cycle. However, additional benefits can also be realized during the follow‐on phases of the development life cycle. These benefits are often not considered as a part of the planning and decision making process regarding systems modeling tools. During the development of the 777 Autopilot Flight Director System (AFDS), system engineers at Collins Air Transport Division (CATD) evaluated both a conventional approach and a rapid prototyping approach in the development of two complex system functions. The lessons learned from this exercise could significantly change the way CATD system engineering teams approach system development in future projects.

Urban Trip Distribution in Practice. II: Quick Response and Special Topics

The companion paper reviewed the state of the art of conventional analysis of urban passenger trip distribution. This part reviews the status of quick‐response analysis and special topics. The quick‐response analysis includes the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) simplified techniques, traffic‐count‐based models, a self‐calibrating gravity model, partial matrix techniques, heuristic methods, and facility forecasting techniques. The microcomputer implementation of quick‐response techniques is addressed. These quick‐response methods may require a partial or no base‐year trip matrix and they may be applicable to only base‐year analysis or to forecasting too. The special topics include geographic information system (GIS) applications, use of census data, freeway trip distribution, pedestrian trip distribution, other trip‐distribution models, and theoretical features. These papers are part of a series being produced by the Planning Committee of the Urban Transportation Division (UTD) of ASC...

Urban Trip Distribution in Practice. I: Conventional Analysis

This paper reviews the state of the art of urban passenger trip distribution for conventional large‐ and small‐area analyses. The conventional large‐area analysis covers the following elements of trip distribution: preparing input data, selecting a trip‐distribution model, calibrating the model, validating the model, and forecasting. Input data consists of the base‐year trip matrix and transportation network. The characteristics of three trip‐distribution models are presented. The gravity model is selected as the basis for describing the elements of calibration, validation, and forecasting. Other important issues are also described. The conventional small‐area analysis covers origin‐destination surveys, extraction methods, and forecasting using the Fratar model. The companion paper addresses the quick response and special topics of trip distribution. These papers are part of a series being produced by the Planning Committee of the Urban Transportation Division (UTD) of ASCE. By summarizing the current status of trip distribution, the Planning Committee hopes to raise awareness and understanding of available analysis tools and to help their applications and development.

Contracts

Collins Air Transport Division, Rockwell International Corporation continues its dominance for Boeing 777 satellite communications systems. Cathay Pacific has become the third major carrier to select the multi‐channel voice and data satellite communication system — SATCOM 906 — for its B‐777 fleet.

Emerging Issues in Transportation Facilities Management

During the past decade, considerable attention has been given to the country’s transportation infrastructure problems. National, state, and local needs studies have documented the scope and severity of the problem. Significant state and federal resources have been committed to long-term basic research to better manage facilities, and a variety of new financial mechanisms, many involving private-sector participation, have been implemented at the state and local levels. This paper reviews the current state of the art in life-cycle facility management, and identifies key issues and research directions that need to be addressed. While much has been accomplished in the area of facility management, the real potential of introducing new methods of managing fixed facility systems has only begun to be exploited. By summarizing the current status of facility management system development and identifying key research, education, and implementation needs and issues, the ASCE Urban Transportation Division’s Transportation Facilities Management Committee hopes to define an agenda for ASCE and the broader engineering community to accelerate the introduction of facility management concepts at all levels of government and within the private sector.

Traffic Assignment in Practice: Overview and Guidelines for Users

This paper presents an overview of the elements of traffic assignment and a synthesis of the problems that may be encountered in applying traffic-assignment models in practice. The elements include preparing the transportation network, establishing the origin-destination (OD) demands, identifying a traffic-assignment technique, calibrating and validating a model, and forecasting. The practical problems of traffic assignment are classified into four categories: network-representation problems, system-subarea data-translation problems, model-calibration problems, and forecasting problems. The paper presents the state of the art in traffic-assignment elements and provides specific guidelines on their implementation in practice and on the resolution of the identified problems. This paper is one of a series being produced by the Urban Transportation Division (UTD) Transportation Planning Committee of ASCE.

Immunohistochemical localization of metallothionein in plant tissues

The localization of metallothionein ( MT ) in the seeds and roots of soybean was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The germinating seeds at 2 hr, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 d including 1-mo root tips of soybean ( c.v. Toyosuzu ) with and without heavy metals ( Cu 400 μg Lor Zn 3 μg ml−1) treatment were used to demonstrate the localization of MT by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique using polyclonal rabbit antirat MT conjugated to ascaris as a primary antibody. Metallothionein was localized in the proliferating regions such as the embryo in seeds, and root and shoot apices of both the control and heavy metals-treated plants. The intensity of MT staining in the proliferating regions generally increased as the soybean seeds germinate. Starting at about 1 day after germination, MT was found in the veins and vascular bundles suggesting its translocation to other organs. Similar observation hold true in the case of plants treated with heavy metals. This means that heavy metals treatment had no effect on MT localization. However, the heavy metals-treated plants showed higher concentration of MT over the control with respect to the growth stage of soybean seeds. These indicate that MT found in soybean plays a physiological role in heavy metal transport, detoxification and cell division in a similar manner to mammalian MT.

Making bone marrow transplants more safe

PATIENTS who undergo bone marrow transplants usually undergo total-body irradiation of up to 14 Gy. Unfortunately, this radiation spares no part of the body, panelist Peter Tutschka, MD, professor of medicine and pathology and director of the Bone Marrow Transportation Division, Ohio State University, Columbus, told the American Cancer Society seminar in Phoeniz. Severe and often intractable nausea and vomiting followed by diarrhea attests to the toxicity on the gastrointestinal tract, he says. Among other adverse effects are damage to the lungs, liver, kidney, central nervous system, and endocrine glands that leads to sterility in adults and impaired sexual development and stunted growth in children. Radiation also impairs the microenvironment for the marrow graft to develop, which leads to delayed recovery of marrow function and a resulting high rate of infections and bleeding problems. Despite these tremendous side effects, total-body irradiation is not a very effective antileukemic agent, he says,

Mobility patterns of residents of Indian cities

Journal of Advanced TransportationVolume 25, Issue 1 p. 105-115 ArticleFree to Read Mobility patterns of residents of Indian cities A. C. Sarna, A. C. Sarna A.C. Sarna is head of the Traffic and Transportation Division, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi.Search for more papers by this authorN. L. Bhatia, N. L. Bhatia N.L. Bhatia is a scientist with the Traffic and Transportation Division, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi.Search for more papers by this author A. C. Sarna, A. C. Sarna A.C. Sarna is head of the Traffic and Transportation Division, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi.Search for more papers by this authorN. L. Bhatia, N. L. Bhatia N.L. Bhatia is a scientist with the Traffic and Transportation Division, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi.Search for more papers by this author First published: Spring 1991 https://doi.org/10.1002/atr.5670250112Citations: 2 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume25, Issue1Spring 1991Pages 105-115 RelatedInformation

Truck maintenance at the Aitik copper mine

ABSTRACT The operation and maintenance activities are integrated to a greater extent at Aitik to enhance the total productivity of the mine. The area of maintenance is identified as a strategic cost center by the Aitik management for cost control. This paper discusses the maintenance practice, the organizational set up, the achivements and the maintenance strategy for the coming years for the Transport Division of the Aitik mine.

Maximizing Profits for North American Van Lines' Truckload Division: A New Framework for Pricing and Operations

The Commercial Transport Division of North American Van Lines dispatches thousands of trucks from customer origin to customer destination each week under high levels of demand uncertainty. Working closely with upper management, the project team developed a new type of network model for assigning drivers to loads. The model, LOADMAP, combines real-time information about drivers and loads with an elaborate forecast of future loads and truck activities to maximize profits and service. It provided management with a new understanding of the economics of truckload operations; integrated load evaluation, pricing, marketing, and load solicitation with truck and load assignment; and increased profits by an estimated $2.5 million annually, while providing a higher level of service.

Environmental Planning in Urban Transportation

Environmental analysis of transportation systems is a comprehensive and demanding task. The environmental planner is required to carefully and objectively examine project data provided by transportation planners and designers, review existing environmental laws and regulations that may affect the project, make appropriate calculations of impact, compare impact values against acceptable criteria, and recommend mitigation where needed. An outline of the procedures followed and the issues addressed during such an analysis are presented in this paper, which is one in a series by members of the Urban Transportation Division's Committee on Transportation Planning. The series of articles is designed to provide guidance on a variety of planning concerns. Discussion in this article is limited to the transportation modes of highways and airports. The impact areas of noise analysis, air quality, and water resources are covered, reflecting the engineering‐related issues of the environmental questions that generally concern civil engineers. The paper is not intended to discuss the integrated process for environmental consideration in a manner that would be found in a policy white paper; rather, it presents an overview of appropriate laws, regulations, and prediction models.

Materials

The Commercial Transport Division of Glasurit Valentine has launched a new adhesion promoter for use with its Valentine Fleet Enamel. The Synthetic Adhesion Promoter 200–23 improves adhesion between existing paintwork in good condition and subsequent coats of paint. It allows refinishers to respray vehicles without the need for sanding down to bare metal, resulting in considerable savings in time and labour.

Traffic noise analysis and a model standard for Trans‐European Motorways (TEM)

The future traffic noise generation from Trans‐European Motorways still under construction throughout Europe was analyzed in a study aimed to introduce standard noise control systems into the TEM Recommendations. Different prediction techniques developed by national institutions of nine countries were employed in computations of noise levels at 15 m from curbsides for varying traffic parameters. Comparisons between results relative to the procedures demonstrated that the USA method (FHWA) yielded about 5 dBA higher levels than European models especially in mountainous terrains and at higher percentages of heavy vehicles. Applying a statistical regression analysis, a simplified mathematical model for TEM noise predictions was developed with a satisfactory correlation coefficient. A new combined parameter, T(u,s,n,h,g), corresponding to interrelated TEM traffic variables (volume, speed, number of lanes, heavy vehicle percentage, and road gradient), affecting noise generation, was analytically defined and represented in the model. Reviewing the existing traffic noise criteria in the world and TEM countries, the prediction model was then improved to establish TEM noise standards taking into account environmental factors and was implemented for the required performances of the noise abatement measures applicable in every type of TEM. [Supported by Directorate of Turkish Highways within the TEM project coordinated by United Nations, Transport Division.]

Bus Services in Small Towns. P. H. Martin. Public Transport Division, Transport Operations Department, Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berkshire, United Kingdom. 1978. 16p. $5

Bus Services in Small Towns. P. H. Martin. Public Transport Division, Transport Operations Department, Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berkshire, United Kingdom. 1978. 16p. $5

Selected References for Traffic Surveillance and Control

The ASCE Urban Transportation Division, Committee on Traffic Surveillance and Control has compiled a select list of references pertaining to Traffic Surveillance and Control. The select list contains 58 references considered by the Committee to be useful sources of technical information to the ASCE membership involved with getting better use from existing urban roadways. The references have been grouped into five categories. Category 1 covers 14 major, comprehensive references, including general handbooks. Category 2 lists 11 specialized or summary references. Category 3 provides 14 case studies. Category 4 contains 12 reports primarily pertaining to systems analysis and design (software). Category 5 covers 7 reports primarily control equipment (hardware) oriented.