Network Redesign Research Articles

A comprehensive approach for the spatial optimization of the biodiversity conservation network in the Qinling Mountains, China

ContextProtected areas (PAs) are crucial for global biodiversity conservation and human well-being fostering. The latest global biodiversity goals for the coverage of effectively conserved and managed systems of PAs and other effective area-based conservation measures worldwide is expected to increase to 30% by 2030, emphasizing that PAs should be comprehensive, ecologically representative, well-connected, and well-managed. However, early-established PAs were traditionally designed using bottom-up and opportunistic methods, rather than adopting a systematic, multi-factorial planning approach, failing to comprehensively and effectively achieve conservation goals.ObjectivesThis study identifies the priority conservation areas and biodiversity conservation gaps for the PA optimization. Specifically, it aims to explore a comprehensive approach for PA network re-design and optimization based on information on species, habitats, and ecosystems.MethodsIn optimizing the PA network in the Qinling Mountains, we firstly employ the systematic conservation planning to identify conservation areas for key species, incorporating the species distribution modeling to identify habitat-critical regions. Then we evaluated ecosystem services utilizing the InVEST model to assess key area of ecosystem services provision. These spatial datasets were subsequently overlaid after normalization to derive priority conservation areas that balance species conservation and ecosystem services provision. And a comparative analysis of the identified priority conservation areas with existing national natural reserves was conducted to identify protection gaps.ResultsWe identified the priority areas for biodiversity conservation, covering 7.92% of the total study area, and each hosting at least one national natural reserve. Although the locations of the existing national nature reserves were basically consistent with the priority areas that we identified, we found three sites need to be further incorporated into the current PA network. This would almost double the size of the PA network in the study region.ConclusionsThis study proposed a comprehensive approach for decision-makers to identify the priority areas of biodiversity conservation informed by species, habitat, and ecosystem data. Our study provides a direction for PA network expansion and optimization to fill the worldwide growing ambition for biodiversity conservation.

An Integrated Decision-Making Framework for a Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Redesign Problem

An Integrated Decision-Making Framework for a Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Redesign Problem

DETERMINATION OF DISTRIBUTION HUB OPERATING STRATEGY AS IP MODEL

Supply chain is considered as one of the key areas of companies’ success and it should be designed appropriately to be compatible with companies’ objectives and strategies. In this paper, a case study of supply chain network redesign in oil and gas industry will be thoroughly studied, analyzed and concluded. This research has been applied and deployed on an oil and gas local company called “X-LUBE”. In this study; an integer linear programing (ILP) optimization model is built and solved to determine the most cost efficient operating strategy for X-LUBE company distribution hub. Also, relevant sensitivity analysis is conducted on resulted optimal strategy.

Optimizing Fleet Structure for Autonomous Electric Buses: A Route-Based Analysis in Aachen, Germany

Intelligent transportation systems enhance the potential for sustainable, user-friendly, and efficient transport. By eliminating driver costs, autonomous buses facilitate the redesign of networks, timetables, and fleet structure in a cost-effective manner. The electrification of bus fleets offers the opportunity to further improve the environmental sustainability of transportation networks, but requires adjustments to vehicle schedules due to the limited range and charging requirements. This paper examines the intricate relationship between electrification and autonomous buses. To this end, timetables for autonomous electric buses of different sizes were developed for a real bus route in Aachen, Germany. The resulting electric vehicle scheduling problem was then solved using an adaptive large neighborhood search to determine the number of vehicles needed and the total cost of ownership. By eliminating driver costs, vehicles with lower passenger capacity become much more attractive, albeit at a slightly higher cost. In comparison, the incremental costs of electrification are low if the right approach is taken. Fluctuations in typical passenger numbers can be used to modify timetables and vehicle schedules to accommodate the charging needs of autonomous electric buses. In particular, electric bus concepts with fewer charging stations and lower charging power benefit from adapting the timetable to passenger numbers. The results demonstrate that the specific requirements of electric buses should be considered when adapting networks and timetables in order to design a sustainable transport network.

Advancing Public Health Surveillance in Child Care Centers: Stakeholder-Informed Redesign and User Satisfaction Evaluation of the MCRISP Network.

Leveraging user feedback, we redesigned a novel disease monitoring utility to allow for bidirectional data flow and in this letter offer insights into that process as well as lessons learned.

Power system planning considering demand side response

The large-scale integration of wind power into the grid requires the redesign and expansion of the transmission network. The volatility of wind power and the limited application of energy storage have prompted the inclusion of demand-side response in transmission planning to improve the resilience of the grid. In this paper, a power system planning model that incorporates demand-side response is developed and the model is solved by using a greedy stochastic adaptive search process. Based on the results of the Garver 6-node test, the old and new models are compared to validate the effectiveness of the power system planning model considering demand side response.

A regret-based robust optimization model for municipal water distribution network redesign under disruption risks

A regret-based robust optimization model for municipal water distribution network redesign under disruption risks

Investigating social sustainability practices in global supply networks: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Investigating social sustainability practices in global supply networks: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Efficient Near-Infrared Spectrum Detection in Nondestructive Wood Testing via Transfer Network Redesign.

This study systematically developed a deep transfer network for near-infrared spectrum detection using convolutional neural network modules as key components. Through meticulous evaluation, specific modules and structures suitable for constructing the near-infrared spectrum detection model were identified, ensuring its effectiveness. This study extensively analyzed the basic network components and explored three unsupervised domain adaptation structures, highlighting their applications in the nondestructive testing of wood. Additionally, five transfer networks were strategically redesigned to substantially enhance their performance. The experimental results showed that the Conditional Domain Adversarial Network and Globalized Loss Optimization Transfer network outperformed the Direct Standardization, Piecewise Direct Standardization, and Spectral Space Transformation models. The coefficients of determination for the Conditional Domain Adversarial Network and Globalized Loss Optimization Transfer network are 82.11% and 83.59%, respectively, with root mean square error prediction values of 12.237 and 11.582, respectively. These achievements represent considerable advancements toward the practical implementation of an efficient and reliable near-infrared spectrum detection system using a deep transfer network.

Guiding principles for integrating on-demand transit into conventional transit networks: A review of literature and practice

Guiding principles for integrating on-demand transit into conventional transit networks: A review of literature and practice

Adapted Irrigation Pump Load in Solar PV and Wind Energy Systems through Stepped Variable Frequency Drives

Wind and solar photovoltaic (solar-PV) power are highly variable and intermittent as exhibited by corresponding generation profiles. When this power is utilized directly for water pumping, the availability and reliability of water automatically follow the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) characteristics. On the other hand, Deferrable Irrigation Load (DIL), follows a specific irrigation water need profile. The DIL profile is determined by crop cycles and corresponding water needs. It is also affected by aspects of weather mainly precipitation, temperature, and wind. In this research, discrete switches and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are applied as a combined solution. Combined discrete and continuous switching through VFDs is applied to separately adapt pump load to DIL and RES profiles. Discrete switches are applied to engage the exact number of pumps required to match an expected irrigation load. A VFD is further used to ensure continuous matching of irrigation pump load to the anticipated DIL curve, through adjustment of pump speed points. Finally, the system is repeated to adapt the pump power to the RES curve. The adapting technique was implemented to improve elasticity, hence the efficiency of the system. The results showed that the adapted system to the DIL curve was 94.7% compared with a discrete-only system (91.4%). This represented a slight improvement of 3.3%. The results demonstrated the smoother operation of the pump system and increased energy utilization efficiency. A further improvement on the control strategy for VFD coupled with the re-design of irrigation pipe networks was required to improve efficiency beyond 94.7%.

Barriers to An Efficient Logistics in Africa: A Direction for Further Studies

In the situation where the main credit supply of the country’s enterprises is done through the banking system, it is necessary to analyze and explore the defects of the financing and credit supply relationship between banks and enterprises. This study is considered a descriptive-applied research and the required data were collected through library studies, workplace observation, and interviews with process experts. In this research, 37 credit experts from 17 different bank branches were interviewed about the process of granting facilities. Work-Centered Analysis (WCA) framework and conducting audits through questionnaires and related checklists revealed that the structure of Iran’s credit supply chain network suffers from such problems as deviation in the appropriate use of allocated credit resources, structural faults of the banking system and lack of administrative health, high bureaucracy, directed facilities, etc. In the end, some suggestions are provided for redesign and optimization of the credit supply network.

Examining the credit supply chain network problems of Iran’s banking industry Using Work-Centered Analysis (WCA) framework

In the situation where the main credit supply of the country’s enterprises is done through the banking system, it is necessary to analyze and explore the defects of the financing and credit supply relationship between banks and enterprises. This study is considered a descriptive-applied research and the required data were collected through library studies, workplace observation, and interviews with process experts. In this research, 37 credit experts from 17 different bank branches were interviewed about the process of granting facilities. Work-Centered Analysis (WCA) framework and conducting audits through questionnaires and related checklists revealed that the structure of Iran’s credit supply chain network suffers from such problems as deviation in the appropriate use of allocated credit resources, structural faults of the banking system and lack of administrative health, high bureaucracy, directed facilities, etc. In the end, some suggestions are provided for redesign and optimization of the credit supply network.

Decomposition heuristics for multiobjective problems. The Food bank network redesign case

Decomposition heuristics for multiobjective problems. The Food bank network redesign case

Technical-Economic Analysis of Energy Efficiency Solutions for the Industrial Steam System of a Natural Gas Processing Plant

Steam, which is primarily employed as a heat transfer medium in process plants, is one of the most widely utilized energy carriers in the industrial sector. One of the factors that affects the cost of steam is how well the condensate collection, steam supply, and return systems of industrial steam systems perform. In a case study, the steam systems of a natural gas processing plant were simulated. The amount of demineralized water loss and, consequently, the identification of various solutions to improve the system were analyzed. The whole steam system was simulated using the MEASUR software platform (v 1.2), and by placing the operational information of the steam system, it was possible to create a baseline for the system, model saving solutions, and finally, provide a technical and economic evaluation of the solutions. Due to the high loss of steam condensate in the SRU steam system (more than 3000 kg per hour), solutions to improve the energy efficiency of the SRU steam system in the form of a maximum recovery of steam condensate (replacement of defective steam traps, redesign of the low-pressure condensate collection network, and high-pressure waste condensate collection) were evaluated with two price assumptions of current energy prices and real prices (the energy saving value of one cubic meter of natural gas is equal to 13 cents). The results show that, for current prices, the investment return period will be between 11.8 and 3.8 months. Moreover, in the main steam system of the refinery (unit 9200), there are three solutions: replacing and repairing defective steam traps, installing an expansion turbine instead of a steam pressure relief valve (PRV), and other solutions (including increasing boiler efficiency, automatic control of the boiler, and energy recovery boiler blowdown) under two price assumptions, the current and real prices of natural gas and demineralized water, were evaluated, and the modeling results show that the investment return period for each of the above solutions at the current prices is 10.2, 186, and 13.3, respectively. The investment return period is based on assuming real fuel and BFW prices are equal to 2.0, 37.6, and 1.7, respectively.

A Novel Traffic Characteristics Aware and Context Prediction Protocol for Intelligent Connected Vehicles

Digital maps have been installed and attached to vehicles recently. They help with the GPS receivers to determine the relative locations of vehicles to other existing traffic and objects over the road network such as entrance/exit points, obstacles, road intersections, etc. This helps drivers or autonomous vehicles to decide the most appropriate reaction, in terms of speed, take-over, or stop operations ahead of time. Several daily traveling vehicles do not have digital maps. Besides, digital maps are vulnerable to being destroyed or inaccurate. They require regular updates due to the continuous construction and re-design of the road networks. These constructions aimed to enhance the road design and the traffic efficiency there. Moreover, accidents, broken vehicles, traffic congestion, or other ad-hoc obstacles appear unpredictably over the road network. In this paper, we aim to introduce a prediction protocol that gathers and analyzes the traffic characteristics of vehicles over the investigated road scenario using wireless transceivers in vehicles. Then, it predicts the physical and traffic context based on the analyzed traffic data. This protocol can replace the absent or broken digital maps in vehicles. It also can be used to verify the correctness of the digital map in vehicles. From the experimental results, we can infer that the proposed protocol has succeeded in predicting the road context over highways and downtown scenarios. More accurate and better predictions are acquired by increasing the percentage of wireless transceiver-equipped vehicles.

Large-scale precipitation monitoring network re-design using ground and satellite datasets: coupled application of geostatistics and meta-heuristic optimization algorithms

Large-scale precipitation monitoring network re-design using ground and satellite datasets: coupled application of geostatistics and meta-heuristic optimization algorithms

Leveraging Location-Based Services Data to Optimize Generation of High-Demand and Equitable Bus Network Options

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Network Redesign project included a data-driven, customer-focused approach to creating the high-frequency core of the network. This approach used location-based services data to create an objective, repeatable process for developing this network based on the agency’s priorities. Centering equity and designed to limit human biases, the process algorithmically generated 100,000 possible high-frequency bus networks and scored them based on how much total demand and demand by low-income and minority populations was served by high-quality transit. The result was used to identify the high-frequency core of the bus network that approached the optimal for demand and equity while meeting resource constraints. The approach consisted of organizing the demand data, determining busable streets, generating potential bus corridors, combining those corridors into many sets, and scoring the sets based on how well they serve the region’s travel demand. The process emphasized equity by heavily weighting demand from low-income and minority populations in building and evaluating corridors and networks. Further, by using location-based services data, the approach was focused on where people were traveling, rather than traditional approaches that look to connect concentrations of trip generators and attractors without knowledge of where people are actually going. The result was a core, high-frequency bus network that has informed the decisions and design process of MBTA’s future bus system.

Distribution Channels for Organic Food in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract Continuous organic production growth in the Republic of Serbia poses the issue of the existence of adequate distribution channels for these products, as they require specific storage and distribution requirements. In addition, the development of organic food production and demand for these products indicates that this market segment is not negligible. Hence, there is a need to analyze the degree of customer satisfaction with organic foods with existing distribution channels. Are there adequate channels for the distribution of organic food? How much trust do consumers have in distribution channels and whether the level of trust in distribution channels can affect consumers’ buying decisions? These are just some questions that come up. In this regard, the subject of research will be the existing distribution network of organic products in the Republic of Serbia, as well as the degree of satisfaction and trust of consumers in distribution channels, in order to define guidelines and recommendations for the redesign of the organic food distribution network. In order to answer those questions, empirical research was conducted on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, and for the purposes of statistical analysis was used following statistical methods: ANOVA, MANOVA, cluster analysis, and descriptive statistics.

Redesign of the communications network based on high availability of traffic management technologies to improve the communication

Rapid urbanisation and rising population mobility have resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, providing considerable challenges for road traffic management authorities in the form of increased congestion, accidents, and pollution. Researchers in both industry and academia have been attempting to improve the performance of present road Traffic Management Systems in light of the issues that future "smart cities" would face by leveraging advances in sensing, communication, and dynamic adaptive technologies. The interaction between the development of society and the development of technologies does not escape these two factors, which impact each other more profoundly each time. This research is being conducted in response to challenges in Baghdad, Iraq, such as infrastructure, supply, and equipment, which have an impact on the proper performance of work by employees and employees who operate in the business. Fifty individuals from the Iraqi city of Baghdad were hired for the study project. Following that, the communications device research was carried out. Based on the study's findings, a strategy for upgrading Baghdad's communications network using high-availability technology is given. Its execution would help the organisation. We believe that the redesign work provided in this work can also help to improve organisational communicative performance by providing subsidies for network communications and contemplation on the most appropriate internal communication forms for public profile and organisational culture.