Existing Transportation Systems Research Articles

Safety and impact assessment for seamless interactions through human-machine interfaces: indicators and practical considerations

Autonomous Vehicles are expected to change the existing transportation systems radically and at the intermediate SAE automation levels before highly automated vehicles (i.e., SAE levels 2 and 3), the driving task will still require human interactions with the vehicle. To that end, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are expected to play a key role in the cooperation between users and vehicles. The current study proposes a methodology for assessing new types of HMIs for automated vehicles. The study aims to cover this gap by proposing a method for assessing novel types of HMIs for automated vehicles. Also, directives related to indicators for assessing safety and impact, and practical considerations are given. The outcomes can contribute to guiding further research in this direction and additionally can be transferred and expanded to other automated technologies and systems.

Using a Fuzzy-Bayesian Approach for Predicting the QoS in VANET

Abstract There are considerable obstacles in the transport sector of developing countries, including poor road conditions, poor road maintenance and congestion. The dire impacts of these challenges could be extremely damaging to both human lives and the economies of the countries involved. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) integrate modern technologies into existing transportation systems to monitor traffic. Adopting Vehicular Adhoc Network (VANET) into the road transport system is one of the most ITS developments demonstrating its benefits in reducing incidents, traffic congestion, fuel consumption, waiting times and pollution. However, this type of network is vulnerable to many problems that can affect the availability of services. This article uses a Fuzzy Bayesian approach that combines Bayesian Networks (BN) and Fuzzy Logic (FL) for predicting the risks affecting the quality of service in VANET. The implementation of this model can be used for different types of predictions in the networking field and other research areas.

Planning for Bike Share Connectivity to Rail Transit

Bike sharing can play a role in providing access to transit stations and then to final destinations, but early implementation of these systems in North America has been opportunistic rather than strategic. This study evaluates local intermodal plan goals using trip data and associated infrastructure such as transit stops and bike share station locations in Austin, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois. Bike sharing use data from both cities suggest a weak relationship with existing rail stations that could be strengthened through collaborative, intermodal planning. The study suggests a planning framework and example language that could be tailored to help address the linkage between bike sharing and transit. Rather than an exhaustive study of the practice, this study provides evidence from these two cities that identify opportunities to improve intermodal planning. Cities that are planning or expanding a bike sharing system should consider carefully how to leverage this mode with existing modes of transport. Regardless of a city’s status in implementing a bike sharing system, planners can leverage information on existing transport systems for planning at regional and local levels.

BWM ve CoCoSo Yöntemleri ile Kentlerin Ulaşım Performanslarının Karşılaştırmalı Analizi

Kentsel ulaşım sisteminin performansının ölçülmesi, mevcut ulaşım sistemlerinin iyileştirilmesi ve geliştirilmesi için çok kritik bir konudur. Bununla birlikte, bir toplu taşıma sistemi için performans analizi yapmak sürece ilişkin çok sayıda çelişkili kriter ve karmaşık durumların varlığı gözetildiğinde karar vericiler ve uygulayıcılar için kolay bir iş değildir. Öte yandan, mevcut literatürde toplu taşıma sistemini değerlendirmek için yaygın olarak kabul edilen belirlenmiş bir kriter seti bulunmamaktadır. Dolayısıyla bu durum değerlendirme ve analiz süreçlerini çok daha zor bir hale getirmektedir. Bu çalışmada kentsel raylı ulaşım sistemlerinin performanslarını değerlendirmek üzere hibrit bir karar verme modeli önerilmektedir. Önerilen model, Best and Worst Method (BWM) ve Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) tekniklerinin entegrasyonuna dayanmaktadır. BWM tekniği ile karar vericilerin öznel değerlendirmelerindeki en iyi ve en kötü tercihleri öne çıkarılarak kriter ağırlıkları belirlenmekte, CoCoSo tekniği ile karar alternatifleri performans düzeylerine göre sıralanmaktadır. Bu model, Avrupa’da metro hatlarına sahip 30 kentin raylı ulaşım performanslarını dokuz kriter ile değerlendirmek için uygulanmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda en yüksek performans düzeyine sahip olan ilk sıradaki kentin Saint Petersburg olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca yapılan duyarlılık analizi sonucunda önerilen modelin güvenilir ve tutarlı sonuçlar sergilediği, bu tür performans değerlendirme süreçlerinde uygun bir karar desteği sağlayabileceği tespit edilmiştir.

Operational Characteristics of Mixed-Autonomy Traffic Flow on the Freeway With On- and Off-Ramps and Weaving Sections: An RL-Based Approach

As well as offering tremendous opportunities for existing transportation systems, autonomous driving presents challenges for traffic management, particularly in mixed traffic flow. The design of driving strategies for autonomous vehicles (AVs) considers both safety and efficiency to promote smooth traffic flow with no collisions. However, the complex traffic conditions at freeway bottlenecks mean that the traffic impacts of AVs in such scenarios remain unclear. Therefore, this study employs several driving strategies utilizing deep reinforcement learning (RL) to form a mixed-autonomy traffic flow on a one-way two-lane freeway with on- and off-ramps and weaving sections in SUMO traffic microsimulations. The study also examines the overall traffic impacts in terms of congested patterns, safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort. Multiple experiments are conducted with different AV driving strategies, penetration rates, and key traffic conditions. The results show that AVs with a deep-RL driving strategy significantly mitigate traffic-congested patterns and prevent the propagation of shockwaves, but at the expense of speed at low penetration rates. Moreover, the proposed driving strategy is conducive to a safer capability in vehicle dynamics. However, AVs under a deep-RL strategy lead to poorer passenger comfort at bottlenecks. Therefore, it is crucial to design a driving strategy with high robustness and scalability so that deep RL-based AVs can adapt to more complex scenarios and traffic events. Overall, the present research improves the understandings of AV driving mechanisms and provides insights into corresponding future traffic-management measures.

Stretching resilience and adaptive transport systems capacity in South Africa: Imperfect or perfect attempts at closing COVID -19 policy and planning emergent gaps

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a new wave of health, infrastructure and built environment challenges and opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic induced environment presents a divide between the “new and old normal” with policy and planning implications for health, transport and general socio-economic growth and development. Multiple and complex nuanced transport matters cascade all geographic scales and pervade all sectors of the economy. The extent to which existing transport systems capacities are resilient, adaptive, and optimized for complete disaster planning, management and sustainability is questioned. This paper critically reviews how the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched the resilience and adaptive transport systems capacities in South Africa. A critical question interrogated is whether on-going policy and planning interventions constitute imperfect or perfect attempts at closing COVID -19 policy and planning emergent gaps. The paper makes use of South Africa as a case study, referencing the Disaster Management Act (No. 57 of 2002) and logical Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19 (Government Notice 318 of 2020),11As amended from time to time i.e., Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), having declared a national state of disaster published by Government Notice No 313 of 15 March 2020, and extended by Government Notices Nos 646 of 5 June 2020. 765 of 13 July 2020, 889 of 15 August 2020, 995 of 14 September 2020, 1090 of 14 October 2020, 1225 of 14 November 2020 and 1341 of 11 December 2020, No. R. 15 of 13 January 2021 and No. R69 of 1 February 2021. with specific reference to the transport sector lockdown regulations in unravelling policy and planning implications. Drawing from the complex systems adaptive theory (CSAT), sustainability theory (ST), innovation theory (IT), transitions theory (TT), thematic COVID -19 transport planning and policy adaptation, mitigation measures in the South African transportation sector are discussed. Emergent lessons with respect to developing and advancing a new generation of resilient, adaptive, and optimized transport proof infrastructure and services including revising transport and related policies that navigates through various waves and cycles of induced pandemic and shocks is suggested.

A Critical Review of Hyperloop (Ultra-High Speed Rail) Technology: Urban and Transport Planning, Technical, Environmental, Economic, and Human Considerations

Companies globally have been trying to alter existing transportation systems to maximize public transport benefits, especially in the sector of high-speed (HS) ground transportation. The latest invention of such is Elon Musk's ultra-high-speed rail (UHSR), hyperloop. This technology enables a rail service to operate at a potential speed of 1,200 km/h. Hyperloop's ambitious speed goal has the potential to result in time-space shrinkage, which would then make distant cities more accessible with greatly reduced travel times. Since 2013, several companies have been vigorously promoting hyperloop development in various locations worldwide and competing to construct the world's first functional and commercially viable hyperloop. India, a country struggling with existing public transportation and urban mobility needs, agreed to construct a hyperloop through the company “Virgin Hyperloop One.” This paper first investigates the key technical, environmental, economic and human considerations in assessing the applicability of hyperloop to a particular location. It also considers in some detail the likely urban and regional planning and transport policy implications of the hyperloop technology based on the known effects of existing high-speed rail (HSR) systems. The paper concludes that many of the claims about hyperloop are subject to contrary information, meaning that great caution and prudence are currently needed regarding attempts at commercial deployment.

Modeling the long-term regional impacts of autonomous vehicles: A case study of Victoria, Australia

Driverless vehicles are expected to revolutionize existing transportation systems by improving safety, mobility, and sustainability. This study provides a framework that incorporates autonomous vehicles (AVs) into the transportation demand analysis and planning process of regional areas. To this end, we apply a nested logit model based on the probability distributions of the trip destination and mode choice, and formulate a multiclass traffic assignment to differentiate between AV and HV modes of transport. The proposed model is implemented in a conventional 4-step model developed for the state of Victoria, Australia. We study two different future scenarios in the year 2051 using various parameters including the value of travel time, vehicle operating cost, and toll rates to evaluate the impacts of different assumptions of AVs on Victoria’s future mobility. Our results show that travelers prefer to traverse longer distances with little to no difference in their associated general travel costs. This indicates that AVs provide users with more flexible residential, work, and school location choices. Choosing AVs for long distances rather than short distances is another finding of this study. Furthermore, as a result of the AVs deployment, up to 10% of new trips from public transport and active modes will be shifted to car trips. Empty vehicle travels by AV add around 20 percent to the vehicle kilometers traveled on Victoria’s roadway network which leads to a major reduction in the average speed and an increase in travel time delay.

Fleet Management and Charging Scheduling for Shared Mobility-on-Demand System: A Systematic Review

Challenged by urbanization and increasing travel needs, existing transportation systems call for new mobility paradigms. In this article, we present the fleet management and charging scheduling of a shared mobility-on-demand system, whereby electric vehicle fleets are operated by a centralized platform to provide customers with mobility service. We provide a comprehensive review of system operation based on the operational objectives. The fleet scheduling strategies are categorized into four types: i) order dispatching, ii) order-dispatching and rebalancing, iii) order-dispatching, rebalancing and charging, and iv) extended. Specifically, we first identify mathematical modeling techniques implemented in the transportation network, then analyze and summarize the solution approaches including mathematical programming, reinforcement learning, and hybrid methods. The advantages and disadvantages of different models and solution approaches are compared. Finally, we present research outlook in various directions.

Analysis and Control of Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand Systems

Challenged by urbanization and increasing travel needs, existing transportation systems need new mobility paradigms. In this article, we present the emerging concept of autonomous mobility-on-demand, whereby centrally orchestrated fleets of autonomous vehicles provide mobility service to customers. We provide a comprehensive review of methods and tools to model and solve problems related to autonomous mobility-on-demand systems. Specifically, we first identify problem settings for their analysis and control, from both operational and planning perspectives. We then review modeling aspects, including transportation networks, transportation demand, congestion, operational constraints, and interactions with existing infrastructure. Thereafter, we provide a systematic analysis of existing solution methods and performance metrics, highlighting trends and trade-offs. Finally, we present various directions for further research.

Predicting Driver Stress Levels with a Sensor-Equipped Steering Wheel and a Quality-Aware Heart Rate Measurement Algorithm.

Unobtrusive monitoring of driver mental states has been regarded as an important element in improving the safety of existing transportation systems. While many solutions exist relying on camera-based systems for e.g., drowsiness detection, these can be sensitive to varying lighting conditions and to driver facial accessories, such as eye/sunglasses. In this work, we evaluate the use of physiological signals derived from sensors embedded directly into the steering wheel. In particular, we are interested in monitoring driver stress levels. To achieve this goal, we first propose a modulation spectral signal representation to reliably extract electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from the steering wheel sensors, thus allowing for heart rate and heart rate variability features to be computed. When input to a simple logistic regression classifier, we show that up to 72% accuracy can be achieved when discriminating between stressful and non-stressful driving conditions. In particular, the proposed modulation spectral signal representation allows for direct quality assessment of the obtained heart rate information, thus can provide additional intelligence to autonomous driver monitoring systems.

Indicators development to support intelligent road infrastructure in urban cities

Transportation systems play a vital role in contributing to the economic growth and social development of urban areas. However, a number of transportation-related issues continue to plague many urban areas. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) were introduced to solve some of these urban issues by combining advanced technologies and operational management into existing transportation systems; and many researchers and transportation professionals have contributed numerous theoretical and practical solutions toward the evolution of ITS. As transportation agencies continue to invest in existing transportation facilities, an understanding of their current status for ITS needs and the effects of investments made is required for a strategic long-term policy goal for intelligent transportation. This paper presents indicators we found that can be utilized for a consistent ITS development strategy for road appurtenances and operational management to promote intelligent road infrastructure (IRI) in urban cities. We developed these indicators utilizing a text mining technique that generated a total of 23 indicators under the service categories of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Using the indicators enables city officials to establish a consistent strategy in assessing the current status of urban roads and monitor the effects of investments made towards a long-term policy goal for ITS. Another contribution of our indicators is their dedicated use for urban road appurtenances and operational management, differentiating them from other ITS-related indicators. Our indicators can be assimilated easily into the need analysis at city-wide ITS planning programs due to their compatibility and can be extended to future research to develop factors to prioritize ITS needs and decision-making for cost-effective investments.

POSSIBILITIES OF PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF THREATS AFFECTING THE SAFETY AND FLUIDITY OF LAND TRANSPORT

Ensuring mobility and the necessary volume of transportation is one of the basic conditions for the functioning of the economy. The potential threat to existing transport systems is therefore an area that needs increased attention. The complexity of modern transportation is due to its increasing frequency, the expansion of transport routes, as well as the increase in the number of actors involved in their implementation, which places ever greater demands on their mutual coordination. It is necessary to constantly monitor the progress of transportation, to identify and assess the risks that may affect them. Insufficient attention to this issue can lead to time and material losses, in the worst case, the death of their participants, or to the high financial costs required to rebuild the disrupted system. Transport is an open system in which more and more people are working, whether transported or involved in its organization, which increases the possibility of their failure and facilitates the possibility of attack. Strict application of risk management, assessment and, if necessary, implementation of necessary measures can lead to protection of high-value assets. At present, we already commonly encounter concepts such as the intelligent transport route or the autonomous means of transport. All these circumstances, as well as the importance of transport, which we could compare to blood circulation of the state's economy, make it a possible target for various types of attacks. Cyber threats and attacks are becoming more and more relevant today. Such an attack is characterized by a relatively low level of threat to the attacker himself and a possible high level of damage if it is successful.

Shared E-Scooters: A Review of Uses, Health and Environmental Impacts, and Policy Implications of a New Micro-Mobility Service

Shared e-scooters refer to a micro-mobility service that enables the short rentals of e-scooters. The rapid growth of e-scooter sharing has sparked a heated discussion about its role in the urban mobility sector. This article presents a systematic review of the current knowledge on its uses and users, health and environmental impacts, and policy issues. The analysis is based on academic literature, identified with Google Scholar by using keywords and publication years from 2017, and relevant gray literature. Firstly, we highlight that the profiles of e-scooter renters seem to highly match the characteristics of other micro-mobility services users. Secondly, e-scooters are often associated with a high perception of risk from the public and an increasing occurrence of related road accidents. Thirdly, even if promoted as a green mobility option, the true environmental impact of shared e-scooters has only started to be investigated. Early studies point out negative impacts around their production, usage, and maintenance. Fourthly, the integration of shared e-scooters into the existing transport systems requires policy changes, both at the local and national level, including traffic regulations, safety rules, and physical infrastructure. Finally, this paper reveals the ambiguity of the term “e-scooter” and stresses the need for more research, as the future of cities is tied to the development of low-car lifestyles.

Sensitivity of a High-Speed Rail Development on Supply Chain and Logistics via Air-Rail-Road Freight Transportation

The casual effect and synergy of high-speed rail development on the modal transport changes in supply chain and logistics have not been considered well during the initial phase of any rail project design and development. This has impaired the systems integration and connectivity among the modes of transport in a region. In the United Kingdom, High Speed 2, a large-scale railway project with a planned completion date in 2033, affects many transport stakeholders. The project influences the existing transport systems, but the transport systems integration design has not been well depicted, resulting in a pressing concern on systems connectivity and social value. This is evident by many public protests along the planned route of the project. Therefore, it is important to evaluate different aspects for any possible changes in supply chains caused by the development of high-speed rail networks. This paper is the world's first to provide the sensitivity analysis of supply chains via air-rail-road freight transportation and logistics stemming from the High Speed 2 case by the rigorous assessments into the capacity, performance and environmental changes that may follow the project’s implementation. The research proposes a new method for estimation of consequences from a new transport project construction. The research findings demonstrate slight beneficial changes in freight transportation and logistics with a high potential for development; and reveal the project’s weaknesses and opportunities for better systems integration and business synergy.

Patterns and predictors of dockless bikeshare trip generation and duration in Boston’s suburbs

The introduction and proliferation of privately-operated dockless bikeshare systems across North America has caught many public planning agencies, who seek evidence to recognize the extent of dockless bikeshare adoption in their communities and its impact on existing transportation systems, by surprise. In this study, we investigate systemwide travel patterns during the first 18 months of a dockless bikeshare program in the Greater Boston region. Specifically, by identifying neighborhood-level predictors of dockless bike access and usage, this study offers insights into the spatial equity-related impacts of this promising active mobility option in Boston’s suburbs, which have limited access to the region’s decade-old public dock-based bikeshare system. Utilizing spatiotemporal route-level data provided by the sole dockless system operator to model bikeshare trip generation and duration, this study finds that neighborhoods with a higher share of renter-occupied housing and historically disadvantaged populations had less access to dockless bikes while also exhibiting higher rates of bike usage. We conclude that this undesirable finding may be addressed by implementing safeguard policies such as an equitable dockless bikeshare rebalancing scheme.

Life cycle environmental impact of a high-speed rail system in the Houston-Dallas I-45 corridor

The Houston-Dallas (I-45) corridor is the busiest route among 18 traffic corridors in Texas, USA. The expected population growth and the surge in passenger mobility may result in a significant impact on the regional environment. This study uses a life cycle framework to predict and evaluate the net changes of environmental impact associated with the potential development of a high-speed rail (HSR) System along the I-45 corridor through its life cycle. The environmental impact is estimated in terms of CO2 and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per vehicle/passenger-kilometers traveled (V/PKT) using life cycle assessment. The analyses are performed referring to the Ecoinvent 3.4 inventory database through the phases: material extraction and processing, infrastructure construction, vehicle manufacturing, system operation, and end of life. The environmental benefit is evaluated by comparing the potential development of the HSR system with those of the existing transportation systems. The vehicle component, especially operation and maintenance of vehicles, is the primary contributor to the total global warming potential with about 93% of the life cycle GHG emissions. For the infrastructure component, 56.76% of GHG emissions result from the material extraction and processing phase (23.75 kgCO2eq/VKT). Various life cycle emissions of HSR except PM are significantly lower than for passenger cars.

New Design Approach for Oil Palm Transportation Processes Using Kano Model and QFD

HighlightsApplication of Kano model based on customer’s requirements and quality function deployment for oil palm fresh fruit bunch transportationNew vehicle design based on the analysisCost-benefit analysis comparing new transportation design with an existing oneAbstract. Existing transportation systems have been extensively developed to serve a variety of needs. While most systems of agricultural product transportation are designed for multi-purpose functions, farming activities and agro-processing industries may need specific types of transportation. The main focus of this study was to find a design to fulfil customer transportation requirements for oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFBs). Since more than 70% of Thai oil palm farmers operate at a small scale with an average oil palm plantation area of 3 to 5 ha, the challenge is not to further develop advanced technology to transport FFBs, but to develop a new design approach that fits the basic needs of farmers. Kano model, based on customer requirements for the oil palm FFB transportation processes, was integrated with quality function deployment method to identify significant design attributes and vehicle specification details. Three dimensions of cost structure—the economic monetary value, time required to complete each step, and product quality—were further considered to compare new transportation design with an existing one. The results verified that the proposed design showed a substantial potential to reduce the cost and processing time of transportation and to increase product quality. Keywords: Cost and benefit analysis, Kano model, Oil palm transportation, QFD, Vehicle design approach.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ВНЕДРЕНИЯ ИНТЕЛЛЕКТУАЛЬНЫХ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ СИСТЕМ В РЕГИОНАХ

The development of intelligent transport systems (ITS) is one of the most important areas in improving transport infrastructure in the Russian Federation, as this allows: to optimize the distri-bution of vehicle flows along the road network; improve road capacity through better traffic man-agement; increase the level of road safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents; improve envi-ronmental safety; Organize effective traffic management options for road accidents, as well as or-ganize activities that facilitate traffic management; Rationalize options for granting priority to different modes of transport. The creation of ITS is based on a system approach, designing ITS based on the integration of various systems. ITS design principles include modernization and reengineering of existing transport systems. However, the development of these systems has a num-ber of common problems for most regions, without which it is impossible to create an effectively functioning ITS.

Deployment of Vanets Infrastructure to Aid Road Transport Systems in Developing Countries

This work proposes the adoption of Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network (VANET) into the Road Transport system of developing countries. There are myriads of challenges to road transportation in developing countries which include poor state of roads, poor maintenance of roads, road congestions amongst others. The negative impacts of these developments could be very devastating on human lives as well as the economy of the nations concerned. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) which involve the integration of modern communication and information technology into existing transportation systems for real time monitoring of traffic in order to alleviate traffic congestion, incidents, public health issues, etc. Utilizing VANET communication infrastructure will enable ITSs to improve safety of commuters on the roads and minimize traffic congestion, waiting times, fuel consumption, and emissions. The situation in the Nigerian State is considered.