Seating Capacity Research Articles

Improvement of stage acoustics in a small circular-shaped recital hall

This paper investigates how stage acoustics can be improved by the installation of on-stage reflectors in a small recital hall with a circular floor plan. The target hall, which is designed as a second floor with a seating capacity of 533, has an average reverberation time of 1.31 seconds in the mid-frequency band at the audience seats when empty, and an average side reflection sound ratio of 0.4. The target hall, assessed as having a circular planar shape with wide left and right sides compared to its depth, is not conducive to performers. Therefore, we measured the stage acoustics according to ISO 3382-1, with a grid spacing of 1 m above the stage. We created a simulation model based on the measurement results. To enhance the stage acoustics, a movable reflector was placed on the stage, and the effective area of the stage surrounded by the reflector was varied and compared through simulation. The results indicated that as the effective area of the stage surrounded by the reflector decreased, STEarly improved. Meanwhile, in the audience, the installation of stage reflectors showed no significant difference in reverberation time or clarity, but the sound pressure level was slightly improved.

Modelling the impact of introducing first-generation narrowbody hydrogen aircraft on the passenger air transportation network in Europe

The global aviation industry faces a pronounced challenge to mitigate its contribution to anthropogenic climate change, which is caused by burning fossil fuels. One potential pathway is the transition towards using green hydrogen as zero-carbon fuel. Next to technological, infrastructural, and economical challenges, this would introduce a wide range of operational and infrastructural changes to a system centred around safety and reliability. This study employs a holistic approach and examines these changes from a flight network perspective, focusing on passenger transport in Europe. It utilizes network modelling and linear optimization techniques to determine network changes imposed by the introduction of first-generation narrowbody hydrogen aircraft. The findings are threefold: First, the study shows that the air transportation network can be adequately re-created using demand and direct operating cost optimization only, without considering revenue and airline-specific factors. Second, the introduction of hydrogen aircraft will have substantial impact on network structure, incl. flight frequency, capacity, and stopover routes, depending on seat capacity and range of the hydrogen aircraft design. Lastly, it also shows that airports that have a favourable green hydrogen supply will benefit from the introduction of hydrogen aviation.

Leveraging shared autonomous vehicles for vulnerable populations during pre-disaster evacuation

ABSTRACT More and more severe weather events necessitate better evacuation strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations without access to private vehicles. This study investigates opportunities for shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) in faster evacuation of the Houston, Texas coastline, with a focus on the crucial first-mile connection to bus stations. Microsimulations of various scenarios reveal performance of SAV systems with different seating capacities, fleet sizes, shared-ride acceptance levels, and coordination with bus departures to shelters. The Houston evacuations appear most effective with smaller, 5-seater SAVs, operated at a ratio of 1 SAV per 14 evacuees. The results underscore the importance of SAV-to-bus coordination, demonstrating that strategic ride-sharing and scheduling can significantly reduce evacuee wait times and fleet operating costs while maintaining timely arrivals at distant shelters. This work illuminates the practical implications of integrating SAV technology with existing transit systems to improve emergency management for carless populations.

Development of a dynamic traffic microsimulator for on-demand transit operations within an integrated modelling system

ABSTRACT This study develops an intelligent dynamic agent-based microsimulation (iDAMS) module for on-demand transit (ODT) operations within an integrated transport, land-use and energy (iTLE) model. A real-time optimization component within the iDAMS is formulated by the utilization of travelling salesman problem and simulated annealing metaheuristics that perform dynamic passenger-vehicle assignment. It simulates ODT operations for meeting the 24-hour auto-trip demand of Halifax, Canada, to compare the performance of the proposed system with personal cars (PCs). The optimization objectives are to determine the optimal fleet size and seat capacity that satisfies maximum trip requests while minimizing waiting time, travel time and vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT). Simulation results indicate that the ODT system can deliver service similar to PCs in Halifax while decreasing cost and emissions (13% reduction in VKT). The tools developed in this research will provide transit planners ability to conduct ODT scenario simulation and test system performance in real time.

A Markov chain-based approach for assessing respiratory infection risk in a multi-zone office building

Most respiratory infectious disease transmission events occur in indoor environments, and examining the infection risk in different types of multi-zone buildings is critical to the safe reopening and use of public buildings. Appropriate space design influences occupant behavior and virus spread, thereby aiding in mitigating indoor infection risk. This study aims to quickly evaluate the multi-route infection risk in multi-zone buildings with relatively stable occupant populations, and to quantify the effectiveness of spatial interventions at different levels. A Markov chain-based approach was proposed to characterize occupants' time-activity trajectories with low time cost and relatively high accuracy. Four transmission routes are considered, especially for the fine-grained characterization of close contact. A real university office building was selected as a case study to quantitatively evaluate the effects of three non-pharmacological interventions including spatial layout, ventilation, and occupant behavioral control. Results showed that short-range airborne transmission dominated, and optimized combination spatial design interventions reduced the indoor infection risk by up to 10 %. Zone layout intervention was the most effective, with the division of the open-plan office area into three subzones, reducing the risk by 9.6 %, which was superior to the intervention of maintaining a one-meter interpersonal distance. Followed by the furniture layout, without changing the seating capacity and without desktop baffles, the L-shaped table layout worked better reducing the risk by 2.78 %. This study can help architects and managers better understand the risk of indoor transmission in multizone buildings from a spatial design perspective, to select appropriate interventions to reduce the risk.

An integrated climate-based daylight performance evaluation framework for indoor arenas' roof system

Daylight environment plays a crucial role in indoor arenas' comfort and energy performance, characterized by their large spans and large spaces. Design parameters of roof systems in these arenas are essential for enhancing the daylight within competition halls. However, due to the complexity of spatial archetypes in these halls and the unique characteristics of freeform surfaces, more research is needed on the interplay between roof system design parameters and daylight performance. Rapid evaluation of daylight performance in competition halls during the design phase remains a challenge. This study proposes a climate-based evaluation framework for assessing daylight performance in indoor arenas and integrates an efficient practical and research workflow using Rhino + Grasshopper in conjunction with Python.Further, based on this framework and workflow, controlled variable simulation experiments were conducted to explore the relationships between external design conditions, such as climate (represented by three typical climatic zones) and seating capacity, and roof system design parameters, including roof form, redundant height, orientation, skylight form, distribution, and skylight-to-floor ratio (SFR), with time-series, climate-based daylight performance indicators. To integrate the critical factors affecting indoor lighting environments in arenas - illuminance potential, glare evaluation, and uniformity assessment - this study selected Continuous Daylight Autonomy (cDA), Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI), and Glare Autonomy (GA) as performance indicators, supplemented by two time-series climate indicators specifically for evaluating illuminance uniformity in indoor arenas: “Uniformity Autonomy (UA) “and “Uniformity Variance Autonomy (UVA) ". Statistical analysis of five performance indicators across 860 experimental models in seven groups shows that different design conditions and parameters affect the optimal range of SFR. The significance of the impact of various design parameters varies across different performance indicators. There is a strong correlation between cDA, UDI, and GA, while UA and UVA effectively supplement the evaluation of the first three indicators.

Innovate and Validate: Design-Led Simulation Optimization to Test Centralized Registration Feasibility in a Multispecialty Clinic.

This study utilizes a design-led simulation-optimization process (DLSO) to refine a hybrid registration model for a free-standing outpatient clinic. The goal is to assess the viability of employing DLSO for innovation support and highlight key factors influencing resource requirements. Manual registration in healthcare causes delays, impacting patient services and resource allocation. This study addresses these challenges by optimizing a hybrid centralized registration and adopting technology for efficiency. An iterative methodology with simulation optimization was designed to test a proof of concept. Configurations of four and five registration options within a hybrid centralized system were explored under preregistration adoption rates of 30% and 50%. Three self-service kiosks served as a baseline during concept design and test fits. Centralized registration accommodated a daily throughput of 2,000 people with a 30% baseline preregistration rate. Assessing preregistration impact on seating capacity showed significant reductions in demand and floor census. For four check-in stations, a 30%-50% preregistration increase led to a 32% seating demand reduction and a 26% decrease in maximum floor census. With five stations, a 50% preregistration reduced seating demand by 23% and maximum floor census by 20%. Innovating introduces complexity and uncertainties requiring buy-in from diverse stakeholders. DLSO experimentation proves beneficial for validating novel concepts during design.

When are they coming? Understanding and forecasting the timeline of arrivals at the FC Barcelona stadium on match days

Futbol Club Barcelona operates the largest stadium in Europe (with a seating capacity of almost one hundred thousand people) and manages recurring sports events. These are influenced by multiple conditions (time and day of the week, weather, adversary) and affect city dynamics—e.g., peak demand for related services like public transport and stores. We study fine grain audience entrances at the stadium segregated by visitor type and gate to gain insights and predict the arrival behavior of future games, with a direct impact on the organizational performance and productivity of the business. We can forecast the timeline of arrivals at gate level 72 h prior to kickoff, facilitating operational and organizational decision-making by anticipating potential agglomerations and audience behavior. Furthermore, we can identify patterns for different types of visitors and understand how relevant factors affect them. These findings directly impact commercial and business interests and can alter operational logistics, venue management, and safety.

An interval-valued estimation method of aircraft route carbon emission: A function of aircraft seat capacity and route flight time

In this paper, we introduce a novel approach that utilizes aircraft seat capacity and its route flight time to predict carbon emissions for aircraft manufacturers during the aircraft design stage. To address data fluctuations arising from the human-aircraft-environment-management system throughout the production and operation of the future-designed aircraft, we employ the interval-valued data type, replacing the traditional point data type, and construct an interval-valued regression model. Within the parameterized method framework, our programming model incorporates additional constraints to ensure the intersection of each interval-valued sample. This addresses the challenges significant data fluctuations pose, leading to improved fitting performance. Furthermore, the model is demonstrated to satisfy Kuhn-Tucker conditions for solvability, and the obtained regressed parameters exhibit favorable small-sample properties. An empirical study using airline operating data from China validates the prediction effectiveness of the programming model. Finally, based on these predictions, we provide applications and suggestions for decision-makers aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Biophilic Design as Participative Design (Restaurant Case Study)

I have been developing the concept for a new “Biophilic Organization” to bridge the gap between organizations and the natural world, despite their claims of sustainability. By drawing from fields such as evolutionary psychology and architecture, this research aims to establish a robust link between nature and culture within organizations, demonstrating how this connection can significantly contribute to sustainability. Furthermore, the paper takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability, recognizing and addressing the various challenges. Regarding the restaurant concept, it is commercial in nature, and I am planning a comprehensive revamp. After conducting a thorough assessment of the restaurant, I have identified key areas for improvement with a unique style in mind. Upon researching the structural aspects that require enhancement, I have concluded that expanding the restaurant’s space and seating capacity is paramount. Furthermore, I have diligently studied three comparable eateries and drawn inspiration from their concepts to infuse into my own establishment. Despite the upcoming competition from restaurants near the Amman Mall construction, I am confident that my restaurant will differentiate itself with a unique interior design that captivates visitors with an abundance of gorgeous indoor plants, exuding life, innocence, and beauty.

Breaking economies of scale: commercial and operational viability of all-electric aircraft as regional hub feeder

All-electric aircraft with a capacity of 40-50 seats are expected to come into operations before the end of this decade. This paper investigates the operational and commercial challenges in employing all-electric aircraft as feeder for a hub. Based on announcements for electric aircraft projects a probable set of specifications for a future all-electric aircraft with 44 seats will be proposed. Through a bottom-up calculation of the direct cost of operating a feeder flight it will be determined that the model all-electric aircraft has direct cost 10% below an ATR42-500 with the same seating capacity. Assuming more favorable conditions concerning electricity supply and fee structure a further 23% could be saved for the all-electric aircraft. This would undercut the unit cost of an Embraer E190 with 108 seats by 10% breaking the current economies of scale. Consequently, the profit per flight increases, since these seats can be sold at higher yields, addressing the customer segment with the highest willingness-to-pay. This positions an all-electric aircraft as a very attractive option for hub feeding by offering lower seat cost than jets with more than double the capacity. This commercial advantage is gained through the high efficiency of electric engines compared to internal combustion engines overcompensating the disadvantage of high battery weight.

Evaluation of Spatiotemporal Transit Accessibility: Weighted Indexing Using the CRITIC‐MCDM Approach and Performance Gap Analysis

Transit performance is greatly influenced by its accessibility, which considers the spatial distribution of transit facilities with different periods of operation. The present study analyzes the spatiotemporal variation in transit accessibility and proposes a modification to enhance the evaluation process. The proposed modification involves assigning weighted indexing to the public transport coverage index (PTCI) using the CRITIC (criteria importance through intercriteria correlation) MCDM technique. The indicators exhibit temporal and spatial variations based on network and operational characteristics, with temporal variations relying on the number of scheduled transits and spatial variations influenced by the network and other operational attributes. The case study conducted in Surat, India, reveals that areas such as the city center and inner fringe have a higher concentration of scheduled transits and bus stops. However, demand fulfillment, measured by the offered seat capacity per population, is relatively low in most zones. To prioritize areas for resource allocation and policy implementation, the use of “RAdial REferenced Scatter QUAdRant (RARE SQUARE) Performance” charts are developed, which provide a straightforward tool to validate findings. The study highlights a low relative transit demand in the city, resulting in a mode share of approximately 2.5%.

Holistic Approach to Multipurpose Stadium Design: Advance Structural Analysis Strategies

The current paper discusses about the work made on the study to develop a highly adaptable and versatile stadium, departing from traditional single-purpose designs, with a focus on maximizing utility. With a substantial gross seating capacity of 61424, the stadium is intended to host various sports competitions and large public gatherings. The planning process relies on Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) software to ensure precise detailing in structural aspects. Advanced engineering software enhances structural analysis, allowing for comprehensive investigations into dynamic load responses. The design's reliability is ensured through a combination of manual calculations and engineering software outcomes.

Development of a Model for Analyzing the Optimal Utilization of Classroom Space at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa.

Managing the distribution of limited resources to meet the needs of people has always been a global issue that faces managers, administrators, business owners, leaders of institution and individuals alike. With the increase in number of students admitted in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, with a large population of about 10,000, there would be undue stress on the facilities on campus. The class rooms are not sufficient or adequate and not well-assigned compared to the measurable number of students available. This has given rise to the reduction in the length of time a lecturer spends in class, distractions from students because of classroom proximity, amongst others. These cause extreme distress on the students and lecturers alike as they are unable to study or teach, respectively, to their highest potential as a result of resources or amenities that are inadequate or wanting. Data were collected from Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa Central Examination Committee for 2022/2023 Academic Session. The linear and integer programming methodology was employed. From the result of the linear programming (LP), seven (7) out of the seventy-eight (78) available classrooms has been fully utilized. The study revealed that if the remaining seventy-one (71) classrooms are fully utilized and maximized, they will improve the current objective function with a seating capacity of 4, 640. The result of the integer programming (IP) using the branch and bound method revealed that fourteen (14) out of the seventy-eight (78) available classrooms has been fully utilized. It asserted that if the remaining sixty-four (64) classrooms are fully utilized and maximized they will improve the current objective function with a seating capacity of 7,131. The result of the sensitivity analysis indicates that the entire classroom has an allowable increase thus validating the proposed models. The study therefore concludes that classroom space utilization is being underutilized leading to congestion and overflow in the utilized classrooms.

An analysis of the context factors influencing the diverse response of airports to COVID-19 using panel and group regression

Since 2020, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to various levels of recovery across different aviation markets. To better plan for the future, post-pandemic era, air transport policies should consider the potential differential responses of airports to the pandemic based on their geographic network and competitive situations. Much literature provides policy recommendations for planning and development in the post-pandemic era, however fewer studies focus on the short-term recovery trends and diverse responses to the pandemic (that were) made by airports. This paper introduces four impact dimensions faced by airports as a result of the pandemic: airport operations, geographical location, socio-economic environment, and government pandemic policies. Panel and group regression were employed to explore the factors associated with airports’ response to the pandemic in relation to the four dimensions. The seat capacity at the airports was forecast for a non-pandemic scenario using ARIMA models. The residual ratios between the predicted and the actual seat capacity values were the dependent variables capturing the pandemic effect. The results show that, in addition to the direct effect of the pandemic policy, the location of the airport (and other transport modes in its vicinity) had a significant impact on its short-term recovery. Further, the extent of the impact varied by region. The findings of the correlation between different factors and airport responses provide policymakers with more targeted recovery strategies. At the macro-scale, the analysis of multidimensional factors suggests recommendations for airlines and planners for a faster and more efficient recovery of the aviation networks for future disruptions.

Research and sound quality analysis of little theaters in Guangdong universities

Little theaters have become a new type of theater form with their low investment costs, diverse space designs, and rich performance genres. In this paper the building acoustic design is focused on as a key point to research the audience hall space, the spatial shape, stage form and audience hall seating capacity in little theaters, and it is explored that the applicability of such new audience hall spaces to domestic theater design guidelines. One of the typical little theaters is studied by ODEON simulation. The simulation results show that the mid-frequency value of reverberation time (T30) is higher, which is not meet with the mid-frequency range of the domestic theater design guidelines for reverberation time.

Prevalence of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias and Outcomes in Patients Referred for Organ Transplantation

Prevalence of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias and Outcomes in Patients Referred for Organ Transplantation Abstract: Purpose: Plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD) are a heterogeneous class of disorders distinguished by expansion of monoclonal population of plasma cells that produce part or whole monoclonal immunoglobulins; multiple myeloma is the most common type. Solid organ disease can be related to plasma cell dyscrasias. Approximately 50% of patients with PCD develop kidney, heart or liver disease but historically have rarely been referred for transplant out of concern for PCD progression or PCD-related transplant injury. Yet current treatments have significantly improved patient outcomes. Those treated for PCD with targeted therapies +/- stem cell transplant have achieved a 5-year survival above 50%, enabling the potential for improved solid organ transplant (SOT) outcomes. Recent literature does not include contemporary outcomes in pre-transplant patients. Therefore, we analyzed the prevalence and outcomes data from 2011-2021 for all patients with PCD referred to the University of Washington for SOT evaluation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with PCD referred to the University of Washington for SOT between January 2011 and December 2021. We characterized the patient population by PCD and SOT type. We then used estimates from the cumulative incidence function to describe probability of events of interest (active listing for transplant, transplant) and probability of overall survival using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results: Results: A total of 17876 patients (about the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden) were referred for SOT with a PCD diagnosis between 2011 and 2021, with median age 60yrs (IQR 54-666), and 70% male. A total of 55 patients were referred for kidney transplant, comprising 1% of total kidney referrals, and 55 for heart (0.8% of total heart referrals). There was an average increase in 0.6 patients referred per year (p=0.05) for kidney transplants and 0.1 patients per year (p=0.62) for other organ transplants. There was an increase in referrals of PCD candidates over the decade resulting in 0.40 (95% CI: 0.27-0.53) 3-year cumulative incidence of waitlisting for kidney transplant, and a 0.32 (95% CI: 0.16-0.48) 5-year cumulative incidence of kidney transplantation. Survival of patients with PCD referred for kidney and all other organ transplants combined progressively worsened over time - those referred for kidney transplant had a better survival (88.3% at 2 years, 95% CI: 79.9-97.6, and 67.9% at 6 years, 95% CI: 53.7-86.0) than all other organs (80.0% at 2 years, 95% CI: 64.3-99.6, and 56.6% at 6 years, 95% CI: 37.7-85.0). Conclusions: There has been an increase in referrals for patients with PCD over the last 10 years in the setting of improved PCD therapies and pre-transplant outcomes. The probability of waitlisting and transplantation is similar to non-PCD patients at University of Washington. The probability of survival after transplant referral is similar to non-PCD patients for kidney and all other SOT candidates. Our findings highlight the increased need for, and opportunity to provide organ transplants for SOT candidates surviving after PCD treatment. Further research is needed to understand the optimal timing of transplant with chronic immunosuppression in the setting of PCD and contemporary therapies.

Public transport crowding valuation in a post-pandemic era

AbstractIt is important to understand how public transport passengers value on-board crowding since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main contribution of this study is to derive the crowding valuation of public transport passengers in a post-pandemic era entirely based on observed, actual passenger route choices. We derive passengers’ crowding valuation for the London metro network based on a revealed preference discrete choice model using maximum likelihood estimation. We find that after the passenger load on-board the metro reaches the seat capacity, the in-vehicle time valuation increases by 0.42 for each increase in the average number of standing passengers per square metre upon boarding. When comparing this result to a variety of crowding valuation studies conducted before the pandemic in London and elsewhere, we can conclude that public transport passengers value crowding more negatively since the pandemic. Furthermore, we found a ratio between out-of-vehicle time and in-vehicle time of 1.94 pre-pandemic and of 1.92 post-pandemic, based on which we conclude that the relative waiting/walking time valuation did not significantly change since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study results contribute to a better understanding on how on-board crowding in urban public transport is perceived in a European context since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DEVELOPMENT OF PROPELLER POWERED VEHICLE

— Many experiments have been conducted on wind-driven vehicles in the last decade, and wind-driven vehicle systems have moved faster along their paths than wind. Here, the car is powered by an aircraft propeller that is used. Therefore, we called it a "propeller-driven engine." This concept comes from merging the propulsion and automobile fields. A propeller-driven car is one type of simple power vehicle. This vehicle can be used as a ground vehicle. In the current scenario, the construction of a vehicle is a very difficult challenge because of its complex design, which requires considerable time and precaution. It cannot be constructed by a single engineer or an expert. A propeller-powered vehicle is one of the solutions to these problems. In defense, shifting a vehicle is a very complex task, and the propeller power car is the solution for which it can be easily dismantled and assembled. The propellerpowered car has a simple design. A vehicle carries 100 kg of weight, and its seating capacity is one. A propel-driven vehicle operates as a three-wheeler vehicle using aircraft propeller thrust. A propeller is placed in the rear section of the car, which gives power to the car. Propellers generate thrust by rotating an airfoil in a circle, which generates thrust by accelerating the airflow backward away from the propeller. The construction of a vehicle is less timeconsuming and easier to assemble.

Elements and Dimensions of Emergencies Preparedness and Response among Large Worship Centres in South-South Region of Nigeria

Good emergency response plans help ensure that appropriate actions are taken to minimize the effects of any loss. Considering the recent emergency events involving worship places in Nigeria, the study examined the emergency response preparedness measures in large worship centres in the South-South State capitals of Nigeria. With focus on worship centres with seating capacity above 1500, the study selected worship centres such as Full Life Christian Centre (Uyo), Living Faith Church (Port Harcourt), Salvation Ministry (Yenagoa) and Christ Embassy Summit (Benin) for the study. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design based on questionnaire for data collection and analysis was done through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v.21) using the descriptive (frequency count and table) and inferential statistics (analysis of variance-ANOVA). The result of the analysis indicated that worship centres agreed to have appointed personnel for risk monitoring and emergency team (92.9%) and established a proper and functioning communication protocol with the relevant government sector (86.1%). However, the worship centres have not developed initial response monitoring framework to facilitate timely preparation and monitoring in case of crisis (67.2%) and lack a written contingency plan, response and emergency preparedness document that is publicly available (58.0%). The statistical analysis of the study indicated that worship centres showed significant difference in protocols between the Church and the Government for requesting/accepting international assistance (where p < 0.05, p = 0.014). overall, the worship centres showed significant level of emergency preparedness and response; however, there is need for integrated approach towards infrastructural development planning towards optimizing their emergency capabilities.