Good Transport Research Articles

The influence of warning lights on the truck cabins on aerodynamic performance

Abstract In recent development of goods transportation by road, there has been a growing interest in truck aerodynamics as a consequence of increased desire to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Commercial vehicles have undergone continuous modifications in terms of body design (cabin) and trailers or semi-trailers. There have been and still are areas that disrupt air flow and can be optimized for an improved aerodynamic performance. As part of this areas, the paper will study the influence of beacon lights and light ramps positioned on cabin roof for European type trucks (tractor units). These warning equipment’s are imposed by transportation laws, reason for which eliminating them for achieving described purpose is not an option. In this context, the reduction of aerodynamic coefficient (Cd) can be pursued by analysing and optimizing the dimensions, shape and position for warning lights, in order to reduce the magnitude level of swirling effect. Different configurations of these elements will be tested and their impact in terms of air flow on the truck body will be analysed, with focus on roof area. The study will be done by simulating the interaction between airflow and truck in a virtual aerodynamic wind tunnel. The results will be analysed with the help of parameters like velocities, streamlines and pressures from a theoretical and experimental point of view to find the most viable option for each of the presented elements. The CFD (computational fluid dynamics) numerical simulations for chosen tests will be performed at a speed of 110 km/h considering that it is an often-encountered speed for trucks and also that aerodynamic phenomenology can be BETTER observed. By analysing the results obtained from the performed CFD simulations, the best positions and shapes for the beacon and ramp lights are desired to be identified. The paper conclusions will contain best configurations of warning lights and emissions improvement.

Multi-Index Driver Drowsiness Detection Method Based on Driver's Facial Recognition Using Haar Features and Histograms of Oriented Gradients.

It is estimated that 10% to 20% of road accidents are related to fatigue, with accidents caused by drowsiness up to twice as deadly as those caused by other factors. In order to reduce these numbers, strategies such as advertising campaigns, the implementation of driving recorders in vehicles used for road transport of goods and passengers, or the use of drowsiness detection systems in cars have been implemented. Within the scope of the latter area, the technologies used are diverse. They can be based on the measurement of signals such as steering wheel movement, vehicle position on the road, or driver monitoring. Driver monitoring is a technology that has been exploited little so far and can be implemented in many different approaches. This work addresses the evaluation of a multidimensional drowsiness index based on the recording of facial expressions, gaze direction, and head position and studies the feasibility of its implementation in a low-cost electronic package. Specifically, the aim is to determine the driver's state by monitoring their facial expressions, such as the frequency of blinking, yawning, eye-opening, gaze direction, and head position. For this purpose, an algorithm capable of detecting drowsiness has been developed. Two approaches are compared: Facial recognition based on Haar features and facial recognition based on Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG). The implementation has been carried out on a Raspberry Pi, a low-cost device that allows the creation of a prototype that can detect drowsiness and interact with peripherals such as cameras or speakers. The results show that the proposed multi-index methodology performs better in detecting drowsiness than algorithms based on one-index detection.

Dynamic Load Balancing and Service Prioritization Algorithm for Cloud Computing Environments

Bridge infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of goods and people. This research paper investigates the strength characteristics of bridges with a focus on understanding the factors influencing their structural integrity and resilience. The study employs a comprehensive methodology that includes field inspections, laboratory testing, and advanced computational modeling techniques to assess the performance of various bridge types under different loading conditions. Findings reveal the complex interplay between design parameters, material properties, and environmental factors in determining bridge strength and durability. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of proactive maintenance strategies and innovative engineering solutions to enhance the resilience of bridge infrastructure against aging, deterioration, and extreme events. The insights gained from this study have significant implications for bridge design, maintenance practices, and public safety, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and reliability of transportation networks.

Отечественная доктрина правовой природы института морской перевозки груза (конец XIX — начало XX в.)

The article is devoted to understanding the legal nature of the institution of maritime transportation of goods in the domestic legal doctrine, characteristic of the legal thought of the period under review. The institution under study, having the specifics of public international law, private international law, civil law, administrative law, as well as due to its close connection with other related institutions of maritime law, has emerged as an institution that cannot be regulated within the framework of one branch of law without taking into account all the features its historical and legal specificity. The presence of multifaceted reflections on the legal aspects of the contract for the carriage of goods by sea reveals the main contours of what constitutes its nature as a legal institution, and indicates its significance for the state system and economy of that era. In conclusion, the author comes to the conclusion that during the period under review, an independent concept of the international public legal nature of the institution of maritime transportation of goods was formed in different interpretations, which did not receive final confirmation, and maritime trade law remained a structural part of trade law.

Impacts of automated trucks on U.S. freight movements: application and enhancement of the random-utility-based multiregional input-output model

ABSTRACT Fully automated trucks (ATrucks) will impact the US freight flow patterns, due to time and cost savings compared to human-driven trucks (HTrucks). This paper advances the random-utility-multiregional input-output (RUBMRIO) model to have explicit mode’s commodity-pricing impacts and predicts impacts of ATrucks on freight mode and origin choices across 20 commodity sectors across US. Assuming ATrucks’ operating cost to be 60% of that for HTrucks, results suggest that time and cost savings from the use of ATrucks not only accommodate the need to acquire high-value goods from more closer locations but also facilitates the transportation of goods with the same value from farther away. HTrucks’ shares diminish as distance rises, with ATrucks’ mode share in transported value fairly stable (at 50% across all distances). Rail’s share is minimal for shorter distances but rises to approximately 20% for trips longer than 250 miles. Overnight-travel time savings raise the total value and ton-miles of goods transported by ATrucks, peaking at an increase of 11% for trips between 500 and 750 miles. ATrucks transport three times the ton-miles of HTrucks with an 80% cost reduction and still double the ton-mileswith a 40% increased cost, thanks to time savings.

The Impact of Geopolitical Risks on Global Supply Chains - The Example of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Geopolitical risk is an international risk that transcends the borders of a single country, and in response to the diversity and suddenness of the types of geopolitical risk-causing indices, there are all kinds of uncertainties in the process of global supply chain management affected by geopolitical risk, which makes the main body of the supply chain affected by the risk. With the development of globalisation, more and more enterprises extend their production and supply chains to all parts of the world, which makes geopolitical risk one of the important challenges that they must pay attention to and deal with. Factors such as regional political instability caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, disruptions in the transport of goods, the impact on regional supply chains, and volatility in financial markets all pose challenges to the stability and reliability of global supply chains.

China's Impact on Sustainable Economic Growth in Central Asian Countries in the Context of the Silk Road Economic Belt

This paper examines how the economic relations between China and the Central Asian countries affect the economic development of the Central Asian countries in the context of the Belt and Road economy. China has come up with the global economic strategy initiative known as `"`One Belt, One Road" as a way of incorporating and expanding its economic activities around the world into this initiative. The article argues that China's economic activities in Central Asia are part of its global economic strategy. China's global "``Belt and Road Initiative" is aimed at realizing its political aspirations through economic dominance, which then leads to a virtuous cycle. Of course, we all know that every country in the world needs to develop its economy, and Central Asian countries are no exception. Central Asian countries have the need and desire to cooperate with China to develop their own economies, which is the basis of this article. The method of argumentation in the article is to analyze the development needs and relations of cooperation between the two sides in terms of economic indicators, trade cooperation, economic dependence, infrastructure investment, geopolitical pattern of energy, and transportation of goods of Central Asian countries, respectively, and at the same time, data from World Energy Statistics Yearbook, World Bank, China Statistical Yearbook, and China's Outward Foreign Direct Investment Statistical Bulletin are used as the basis. This provides a clear understanding of the patterns of economic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, and how they interact with each other. Despite the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asia remains a central element of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) security strategy, a strategic location that creates a continuum between China's internal and external security. The guiding principle of China's policy towards Central Asia is primarily stability, which is the main theme of current Chinese politics, with the goal of ensuring continuity from domestic stability to the stabilization of border regions and surrounding areas. Throughout their independent existence, the Central Asian states have had different perceptions of Russia, the United States, China, and European countries, which is one of the prerequisites for the formation of multidirectional foreign policies in Central Asian countries. The balance of interests among Russia, the United States, China, and European countries in the region is of vital importance for Central Asian countries, which ensures the independent foreign policy and development paths of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, as well as contributes to the stability of the region.

Techno-economic assessment for the practicability of on-board CO2 capture in ICE vehicles

The transport sector is a major energy-intensive and significant contributor to CO2 emissions. With heavy-duty internal combustion engine vehicles (HD-ICEVs) set to remain a primary mode of transport for goods and passengers, the European Union plans to implement CO2 emission rights starting in 2027 to address this issue. To mitigate CO2 emissions, on-board carbon capture technologies can be an innovative solution, but a comprehensive analysis from several perspectives must be carried out. To tackle the existing knowledge gap on this subject, this paper presents the techno-economic assessment of a CO2 capture and storage system hybridised with an organic Rankine cycle (CCS-ORC) integrated into an HD-ICEV whose technical ability has been previously demonstrated. In this paper, the capture installation based on temperature swing adsorption is designed for two engines with different displacement volumes, at varying carbon capture rates (CCR), and using three different sorbents. The size of the thermal devices is estimated as the determinant factor for the required space and the installation costs. The results show that the heat exchangers can achieve a minimum area density of 100 m2/m3, while the most significant temperature swing adsorption device obtained is scarcely 0.26 m3. The carbon abatement cost (CAC) obtained for the CCS-ORC system is less than 35 €/tCO2 at 100 % of CCR, and with an engine size greater than 18 and 21 L, the CAC of the CCS-ORC system is zero at 100 and 70 % of CCR, respectively. Furthermore, with a CO2 emissions right price above 71 €/tCO2, the projected payback of the initial investment of the CCS-ORC system is achieved in the lifespan of the HD-ICEV for all sorbents evaluated at 100 % of CCR.

ORGANIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION IN EXTREME CONDITIONS OF TODAY: PROBLEMS AND TRENDS

Today, road transport in Ukraine remains among the leaders in terms of the share of cargo transportation both in domestic and international traffic. In the current conditions of globalization, increasing the efficiency of cargo delivery is one of the priority areas for reducing the costs of industrial organizations, trade and services. Stable and efficient operation of the transport complex is an important condition for the life support of the diversified economy and the implementation of the main directions of programs for the socio-economic development of Ukraine. The international transport market is characterized by strict requirements for the quality of transport services, which causes the high complexity of transportation process management. That is why enterprises in the transportation industry must constantly work on improving the international transportation of goods by road. The main aspect of these studies is freight transportation, methods and methods of organizing the integration of the Ukrainian economy into the world economy under modern conditions. The purpose of the study is to study theoretical, scientific and methodological approaches and practical aspects of solving the problems of organizing freight transportation in the context of deepening international cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. Achieving this goal involves solving a set of interrelated tasks:. In particular, to study the experience of Poland in the organization of freight transportation in the context of deepening international cooperation; to study the essence of the organization of freight transportation and to analyze the indicators of production and economic activity and international economic relations of the enterprise and to study the state and quality of the organization of freight transportation in the context of deepening international cooperation, in particular FOP "Alekseevets S.M."; to identify the problems of organizing freight transportation in the context of deepening international cooperation and to provide recommendations for the organization of freight transportation in the context of deepening international cooperation".

Characterization of Strategic Deconflicting Service Impact on Very Low-Level Airspace Capacity

European airspace is poised for significant transformation as it prepares to accommodate a new class of unmanned traffic that will reshape the transport of people and goods. Unmanned aerial vehicle traffic will introduce a new level of services, but it remains unclear how safety and operators’ time flexibility in flight planning will impact capacity. This study focuses on the impact of strategic deconflicting services on the capacity of the very low-level airspace, a critical area in the future management of unmanned aerial vehicle traffic. The results validate the assumptions regarding the roles of airspace managers and drone operators through simulation studies; highlight the limitations of the first come, first served policy; and propose a batch policy as a potential optimization strategy for future airspace capacity management. The forecasting model developed using regression techniques provides a general method for predicting airspace capacity under specific conditions, contributing to the safe and efficient integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into European airspace.

A novel photoelectrochemical based water splitting and uric acid biosensing using PLD grown In2Se3 thin films

By altering the deposition pressure during the film growth process using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology, indium selenide (In2Se3) thin films have been optimized to produce their distinct phases. The phase purity, optical and morphological studies were carried out using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, UV–visible spectroscopy, AFM and FESEM measurements. A high absorption in the visible region is observed for In2Se3 thin films with suitable band edges for hydrogen evolution. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity for In2Se3 photoelectrodes having various phases was analyzed based on CV and I-t response. A good charge transport characteristics were observed using the EIS measurements on PLD grown In2Se3 thin films. The Mott–Schottky analysis for the charge carrier density, flat band potential, and depletion layer width was performed for the deposition pressure dependent phase formation and high performance for PEC water splitting conversion efficiency of 0.48 %, 0.57 % and 0.98 % corresponding to α-In2Se3, β-In2Se3 and γ-In2Se3 were observed, respectively. The as prepared In2Se3 thin films were employed for the detection of Uric Acid (UA) using the cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry. The high sensitivity (0.38 mA/mM), selectivity and repeatability of the prepared biosensor demonstrates In2Se3 as potential candidate for the PEC based water splitting and biosensing application without the presence of an external mediator and can work in the self-powered mode.

Numerical study on the effects of adding NH3 into syngas/NH3 mixtures on combustion characteristics and NOx emissions in diluted hot co-flows

NH3 is a carbon-free fuel with good storage and transport characteristics. Applying Moderate or Intense Low-oxygen Dilution (MILD) combustion to NH3/syngas blended fuel is expected to achieve clean and low-carbon combustion. This work explores the impacts of changing the NH3/syngas ratio and O2 content in co-flow on the combustion characteristics and the NOx formation and transformation mechanisms. As the proportion of NH3 increases, the flame is gradually lifted, while the rise of H2 in syngas reduces the lifted height. As the O2 proportion is increased to 15%, almost the entire computational domain is transformed from MILD to high-temperature combustion when the ratio of NH3 to syngas is 3:7. NH that is derived from the decomposition of NH3 participates more actively in the consumption process of NO and N2O. N radicals are more likely to generate N2 when O2 content in hot co-flow increases.

Adaptation of Road Goods Transportation Entrepreneurs to Enhance Firm's Performance in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Areas of Thailand

Adaptation of Road Goods Transportation Entrepreneurs to Enhance Firm's Performance in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Areas of Thailand

Unraveling the Shift: Exploring Factors Influencing Protein Preference and Consumption Patterns in Ga South Municipality of Ghana

This study endeavors to elucidate the factors influencing protein preference and consumption patterns in the Ga South Municipality of Ghana. Understanding these determinants is pivotal for promoting environmentally sustainable and healthy dietary habits. Utilizing a random sampling approach, the study collected 150 meticulously structured questionnaires from a representative sample of municipality residents. It delved into the socio-cultural and economic factors shaping protein preferences and consumption behaviors, alongside investigating the impact of awareness, knowledge, and availability of protein sources on dietary choices. The findings unveiled that respondents partake of protein daily, albeit with variations in patterns based on sources: plant protein consumption occurred weekly, while animal protein was consumed daily. Moreover, respondents exhibited awareness of the nutritional benefits associated with protein consumption. While awareness for protein nutrition is high, the price remains a deterrent to accessing protein in Ga South Municipality. Calling on policymakers to support local food production and supply, invest in food literacy, and develop good transportation to reduce logistics bottlenecks that often create a massive difference between farm gate and market prices.

Developing two-dimensional indicators of transport demand and supply to promote sustainable transportation equity

Inadequate supply of transport infrastructure is often seen as a barrier to a sustainable future for cities globally. Such barriers often perpetuate significant inequalities in who can and who cannot benefit from sustainable transport opportunities, and as a result there is momentum for transformative urban planning to promote sustainable transportation equity. This study introduces a new set of two-dimensional indicators, merging elements of supply and demand, to identify barriers and imbalances in sustainable transport equity. The accessibility indicators, which are generated for bus, rail, and cycle infrastructure, consider the proximity of administrative areas to good quality transport infrastructure, as well as mode-specific demand, to clearly identify areas where the supply of infrastructure is inadequate to support local populations. We present a policy case study for Liverpool City Region, which demonstrates how these indicators can be used in an analytical framework to support transformative urban planning in long-term. In particular, the indicators reveal policy priority areas where demand for sustainable transport is greater than supply, as well as neighbourhoods where multiple transport inequalities are intersecting spatially, highlighting the need for specific types of infrastructure investment to promote sustainable transport equity (e.g. more frequent services, additional cycle paths). Our framework lays the foundations for improved decision-making in urban systems, through development of mode-specific sustainable transport indicators at small area levels, which harmonise elements of supply and demand for the first time.

An Overview of Carbon Dioxide Photo/Electrocatalyzed by Titanium Dioxide Catalyst

AbstractThis study provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction using titanium dioxide catalysts. The basic concepts of light absorption, electron transport, and reduction processes are introduced in this paper, which also delves into the specifics of photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. The paper highlights the key applications and benefits of titanium dioxide, including its strong stability, outstanding light absorption capacity, and good electron transport performance, in the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, it examines the impact of various surface modification techniques on catalytic performance, as well as the effects of various titanium dioxide catalyst forms on catalytic activity and selectivity in carbon dioxide reduction. The in‐depth analysis exhibit promising catalytic properties and hold significant potential for future advancements. However, some obstacles still need to be overcome, such as increasing catalytic activity and selectivity while minimizing energy dissipation. In order to improve catalytic performance and efficiency, future research should prioritize the optimization of structural design and surface modification techniques for catalysts. Additionally, the paper provides a scientific foundation for accomplishing sustainable carbon conversion, it also calls for additional experimental and theoretical research into the mechanism of action for titanium dioxide catalyst.

Improved urban road network and small and medium enterprises’ financial performance: Evidence from Tanzania

This study assessed the impact of improved urban road network on financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises focusing in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study employed a cross sectional research design where by a sample of 89 SMEs from the selected three wards in Dodoma city was used to draw the conclusion. Qualitative data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The key findings from the study include: i) accessible roads to customers toward SME were having positive influence to SMEs performance ii) market accessibility by customers and consumers was the key factor in improving SMEs financial performance in Dodoma city and lastly, an effective time management and improved transportation of goods and services were positive related to the amount of sales revenue generated by SMEs. The conclusion is drawn to improve the urban road networks as among of the key factors in improving the performance of SMEs in Dodoma city by increasing sales and profit. It is therefore recommended that, the government and other stakeholders in the construction sector should continue to improve urban road networks and start offering basic business and financial management skills which would enable SMEs owners to make informed investment decisions as well as enhance their entrepreneurial skills which will facilitate in recognizing and exploiting the available business opportunities.

Prosedur Jasa Pengiriman Barang Pada PT. Wahana Prestasi Logistik

Goods delivery services do have an important role in economic growth, especially in goods transportation using airplanes. Transportation is getting better and developing fast and supported by advances in science and technology, now many domestic goods delivery companies have also been established. Where a company that delivers goods in its handling, apart from using sophisticated facilities and infrastructure, the company also needs cooperation with other parties to expand the company's network and performance system so that it can handle it better. Therefore, there is also a lot of competition between companies in the field goods delivery services in selling their products to consumers, but not everyone can set up a goods delivery company well, because to place a company in the domestic goods delivery services industry it must be able to have professional human resources, and high work standard capabilities. , if they want to get the best access to the market and the trust of consumers. This development has caused the emergence of many problems that must be immediately overcome by goods delivery service companies in order to maintain their business, especially to increase revenue in the sales function. These conditions cause companies to work hard to win the market, through a coordinated organizational structure, high specialization. , as well as the management's ability to work effectively and efficiently.

INTEGRATED CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS APPLICATION FOR ROAD TRAFFIC EFFICIENCY

Road traffic is a problem that every country has to face for the benefit of its population. Everything related to the transportation of people, goods, and services can be delayed due to a deplorable infrastructure. From minor tasks like individual shopping to important services like ambulances and fire trucks, all vehicles in Romania will eventually pass through a traffic light-controlled intersection that is not managed in real-time and that is also highly inefficient. At such a location, it is critical for traffic flow to be as smooth as possible to prevent time losses, and for traffic information to be stored into a cloud for process optimization. The purpose of the developed application is to reduce the real-time traffic jams to allow the optimal vehicles movement in safe conditions for all traffic participants. Using deep learning (DL) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, the application is based on two convolutional neural networks (CNN’s), respectively one for real-time detection of cars and people, and another one for real-time detection of cars license plates. The cars detections with CNN’s is important for road traffic optimization, for the efficient pedestrian detection necessary for crosswalks, and the car licence plates detection necessary for preventing traffic violations. The developed application contains several modules that operate based on deep learning and devices that communicate with each other, ensuring efficient data saving in cloud, data visualization, real-time traffic light control, and the information processing from traffic cameras.

Simultaneous synthesis of sulfonated reduced graphene oxide@graphene oxide hybrid material for efficient electrochemical sensing of silver ions in drinking water

One of the most important concerns around the world nowadays is the drinking water quality. Silver ions (Ag+) are one of the heavy metal ions that can seriously degrade the water quality and therefore, the human health. Hence, the World Health Organization (WHO) fixed the maximum acceptable concentration of these ions in drinking water at approximately 0.93 µM. Thus, the development of cost-effective and efficient techniques and tools that can help to quantify Ag+ ions in drinking water is of great importance. Herein, we used a new, simple, eco-friendly and low-cost synthesis route to synthesize a sustainable hybrid carbon material, namely sulfonated reduced graphene oxide@graphene oxide (S-rGO@GO) that was utilized as electrode material for Ag+ ions electroanalysis in drinking water. The successful synthesis of S-rGO@GO was evidenced by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, FE-SEM and EDX. The electrochemical characterization of S-rGO@GO revealed its good affinities towards Ag+ and its good electron transport abilities. The sensor prepared from S-rGO@GO (S-rGO@GO/GCE) showed good repeatability and reproducibility. S-rGO@GO/GCE optimization revealed that its best performance is achieved when 5 µL of 1 mg/mL of S-rGO@GO suspension in ultrapure water is used for its fabrication and when the electrodeposition (Ag+ to Ag0) is carried out at -0.1 V vs. SCE for 200 s. The calibration of S-rGO@GO/GCE exhibited a linear relationship in the concentration range of 0.2 to 1.4 µM, with a sensitivity of (0.605 ± 0.015) µA/µM; the statistic LOD was found to be 0.0007 µM. Furthermore, S-rGO@GO/GCE has shown a great potential for real samples analysis.