Transport In Metropolitan Areas Research Articles

Deep Learning Model for Short-Term Origin–Destination Distribution Prediction in Urban Rail Transit Network Considering Destination Choice Behavior

Urban rail transit (URT) has emerged as a crucial mode of transportation in metropolitan areas. For the effective operation of expanding URT networks, accurate short-term origin–destination (OD) demand distribution predictions are essential. This study introduces a novel deep-learning-based model for predicting short-term OD distribution in extensive networks, taking destination choice behaviors into account. First, we perform a comprehensive analysis of station passenger flows and OD flows from both temporal and spatial dimensions. Then, we develop the origin–destination distribution prediction (ODDP) model, combining the destination choice model (DCM) with the deep learning model (DLM). The DCM aims to understand OD distribution patterns from a behavioral perspective by transforming real-time inflows into OD distributions. Meanwhile, the DLM, employing attention and convolution layers, effectively captures the intricate temporal and spatial dynamics of passenger flows. Our model is evaluated using data from the Guangzhou Metro network in China, showing significant enhancements in prediction accuracy, model interpretability, and overall robustness. The implementation of our model promises substantial benefits for the operational efficiency of URT systems.

Multi-criteria assessment and ranking framework for the potential of cargo cycle operation: Using New York city as an example

Making deliveries in crowded urban areas can be challenging for commercial vehicles, producing additional negative externalities. In recent years, cargo cycles, including bicycles and tricycles, either man-powered or electric-powered, are considered as a promising alternative for making last leg delivery. However, research on this mode is largely lacking. This research proposes a multi-criteria assessment framework to evaluate the potential index of implementing cargo cycles, using New York City (NYC) as an example. The new framework integrates consideration of both the supply and the demand sides. Cargo cycle network density, linkage ratio, circuitry, and topography are all considered. The paper also redefines accessibility and incorporates land-use patterns and freight demand factors into the assessment for the first time. A multi-criteria ranking process is developed to derive road network potential by considering all dimensions of measurements. The results from this work show the ideal places for cargo cycle operations, and can be used to guide the planning of cargo cycle system implementation, promoting sustainable freight transportation in metropolitan areas.

Linear programming model for scheduling bus rapid transit in Lagos State, Nigeria

The amount of time users have to wait influences their mode of transportation choice. Commuters don’t like to wait in the bus station, especially when the weather is terrible and for the purpose of keeping appointments. Scheduling buses to the various bus terminals will meet the commuter’s needs. The aim of the study is to reduce the waiting time of commuters at bus station and to assign buses to each route. A mathematical model called linear programming (LP) was developed to schedule buses to improve the smooth process of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The linear programming model was applied to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) data in Lagos State. The proposed method generated three (3) shifts from 6 – 11am in the morning, 11 – 4pm in the midday and 4 – 9pm in the evening subject to two (2) shifts of fifteen (15) hours to reduce the number of hours buses operate per day and also allocated buses for each route for weekdays with five (5) hours per each shift instead of seven (7) hours buses operated per shift. A properly implemented strategy would significantly decrease passengers' long waits at bus stops, reduce the breakdown of buses, man-hours lost, and allows commuters to meet their various schedule for works, meetings, and other assignments.

Analysis of the accessibility of connecting transport at High-speed rail stations from the perspective of departing passengers

Accessibility assessment of High-speed rail (HSR) should not be limited to station-to-station analysis, since “first and last mile” transport is crucial. Economic costs, time value, and travel time volatility significantly impact travel decisions but are underexplored. We conducted a multidimensional analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the accessibility of HSR stations from the perspective of departing passengers. With data collected from the API of navigation software, measurement methods for static characteristics of accessibility, including time accessibility, economic accessibility, and generalized travel cost accessibility, and dynamic characteristics, were proposed. In terms of dynamic characteristics, the daily fluctuation and long-period fluctuation of travel time were quantified using coefficients of variation. The empirical analysis was carried out for three cities with different scales and transportation system compositions, which are Chengdu, Mianyang, and Leshan. Results reveal significant time and economic accessibility advantages for private and public transport, respectively. The time value at the equilibrium point of the generalized travel cost between the two modes is higher in larger cities, reflecting greater reliance on public connecting transport in metropolitan areas. Private transport has a greater accessibility advantage in the areas of the HSR station away from the core city, while public transport has a more prominent advantage in other cases. Negative correlation is observed between daily fluctuations and linear distance, with public transport exhibiting weaker but more extreme fluctuations. During peak hours, private transport displays greater volatility towards the core urban area. These findings have important policy implications for HSR station location decisions and the planning and operation of connecting transport.

Come Fly With Me

Automated Urban Air Mobility will enhance passenger transportation in metropolitan areas in the near future. Potential passengers, however, have little knowledge about this mobility form. Therefore, there could be concerns about safety and low trust. As trajectories are essential information to address these concerns, we evaluated seven path visualizations in an online video-based study (N=99). We found that a path line visualization was rated highest for trust and perceived safety. In a follow-up virtual reality study (N=24), we evaluated the effects of this visualization and of other air traffic flying by. We found that the participants looked at the path line more often when other air traffic was present and that the path line increased trust and predictability of the air taxi's future path.

GIS Analysis of Adequate Accessibility to Public Transportation in Metropolitan Areas

The public transport system plays an important role in a city as it moves people from one place to another efficiently and economically. The public transport network must be organized in a way that will cover as many places and as much of the population as possible, and support the city’s growth. As one of Australia’s largest capital cities, Melbourne is growing and expanding its metropolitan area to reflect the growth in population and an increased number of activities. To date, little research has been conducted to determine the accessibility and adequacy of public transport taking into consideration the blank spot areas, the number of public transport options for each area, the population density within specific geographical areas, and other issues. In this study, a new measurement model is developed that examines public transport in residential areas and the extent to which it is adequate for the various local government areas (LGAs). An accessibility approach is adopted to evaluate the accessibility of different types of public transportation in residential areas in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The results show that in most LGAs, the number of blank spots will decrease as the population density increases. This indicates that residents in lower-density areas will have less accessibility to public transportation. However, there is no indication that there is a greater level of services (such as more night-time and weekend public transportation services) in the high-density areas. This research is significant as it will point to and help to improve the areas with inadequate public transportation and other issues, taking into consideration their geographical locations and population density.

Conceptual design and sizing optimization based on minimum energy consumption of lift-cruise type eVTOL aircraft powered by battery and fuel cell for urban air mobility

In conceptual studies and prototypes of aerial vehicles for Urban Air Mobility, batteries are generally adopted as only energy sources. However, batteries have a long charging time that is not suitable for consecutive flights, and a low energy density that limits the range and flight time of the aircraft. For this reason, the hybrid propulsion solution consisting of a battery and a fuel cell has attracted attention in aviation in recent years. This study proposes the conceptual design of a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft for passenger transportation in metropolitan areas by the synergic optimization of the aircraft configuration and the sizing of the propulsion system aimed at minimizing the power request in cruise. In the proposed conceptual design method, VTOL type aircraft is powered by either the battery or the fuel cell according to the flight phase. A multivariate nonlinear optimization problem using as goal the minimization of the fuel cell size is solved. The optimal values of battery size, wing loading, aspect ratio, endurance speed, aircraft weight, maximum lift coefficient, disk loading, rotor solidity, and zero-lift drag coefficient are determined from the solution of the optimization problem.

Developing Customer-Based Measures of Overall Transportation Service Quality in Colorado: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches

Measurement of customers’ perceptions of service quality is crucial to successful service management This article focuses on the measurement of service quality in Colorado’s transportation system, including all transportation modes, transportation infrastructure issues, and special emphasis on public transportation in metropolitan areas. It discusses quantitative and qualitative approaches to transportation service quality measurement. The study also contrasts the results of quantitative and qualitative measurements and methodologies for assessing transportation service quality. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for the use of these methodologies by transportation planners, especially those operating in the public transportation sphere.

Full Implementation of Electric Mobility in a Countryside Region of Spain

The ongoing spread of electric sustainable mobility is transforming the local ways of transport in metropolitan areas. This is meant to be extended outside of big cities in the near future thanks to new technological developments. Little towns should adapt to these changes, as they are located geographically far from the big cities and are generally characterized by low economic and demographic indicators. Hence, little towns must keep pace with these changes in mobility to avoid being isolated from the main cities in a country. People living in the countryside usually move toward big cities for various reasons, either related to work or living necessities. Therefore, it must be possible to conduct usual displacements through the use of electric vehicles (EVs), i.e., reaching the destinations and supplying the batteries through charging infrastructures. This paper studies the full implementation of electric mobility applied in the case of Cuenca, a city located in middle Spain. A brief geographical context is provided, together with the routes and destinations of interest considered. Then, different EVs are considered and an analytical vehicle model is provided. The model was exploited to simulate the electrical energy demand to reach the destinations chosen; the results allow comparing the performances offered by different types of EVs. This aspect is then considered as the basis to propose further upgrades in the charging infrastructures where needed, to comply with the widespread use of electric mobility.

A human exposure-based traffic assignment model for minimizing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) intake from on-road vehicle emissions

An exposure-based traffic assignment (TA) model and accompanying analysis framework have been developed to quantify primary and secondary fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure due to modeled on-road vehicle flow on a regional network at a high spatial resolution. The Chicago Metropolitan Area transportation network is used to demonstrate the model’s decision-informing power. The study compares the spatially distributed exposure impacts due to traffic emissions of two TA optimization scenarios: a baseline user equilibrium with respect to travel time (UET) and a novel system optimal with respect to pollutant intake (SOI). The UET and SOI scenarios are developed through the use of (a) the TA model used for obtaining vehicle flow patterns and characteristics including emissions, (b) a source-receptor matrix for PM2.5 developed through a reduced-complexity air quality model to quantify primary and secondary PM2.5 concentrations across the exposure domain, (c) spatial analysis for assessing exposure profiles at the census tract level, and (d) a health impact model to quantify exposure damages. The SOI scenario yields a 9% – 10% total reduction in exposure damages, with the most impacted census tracts benefiting from up to 20% – 30% of reductions, but leads to a 16% increase in travel time costs. Further reduction to PM2.5 exposure by the SOI is hindered by network constraints, where travel demand in populous areas around the network must still be satisfied. The model can be used to systematically quantify the mitigation potential of different transportation exposure reduction strategies, to assess the exposure impacts of newly developed transportation infrastructure, and to address the equity implications of PM2.5 exposure from traffic, all under realistic system behavior and bounded by actual system constraints.

Design and Implementation of an ML and IoT Based Adaptive Traffic-Management System for Smart Cities.

The rapid growth in the number of vehicles has led to traffic congestion, pollution, and delays in logistic transportation in metropolitan areas. IoT has been an emerging innovation, moving the universe towards automated processes and intelligent management systems. This is a critical contribution to automation and smart civilizations. Effective and reliable congestion management and traffic control help save many precious resources. An IoT-based ITM system set of sensors is embedded in automatic vehicles and intelligent devices to recognize, obtain, and transmit data. Machine learning (ML) is another technique to improve the transport system. The existing transport-management solutions encounter several challenges resulting in traffic congestion, delay, and a high fatality rate. This research work presents the design and implementation of an Adaptive Traffic-management system (ATM) based on ML and IoT. The design of the proposed system is based on three essential entities: vehicle, infrastructure, and events. The design utilizes various scenarios to cover all the possible issues of the transport system. The proposed ATM system also utilizes the machine-learning-based DBSCAN clustering method to detect any accidental anomaly. The proposed ATM model constantly updates traffic signal schedules depending on traffic volume and estimated movements from nearby crossings. It significantly lowers traveling time by gradually moving automobiles across green signals and decreases traffic congestion by generating a better transition. The experiment outcomes reveal that the proposed ATM system significantly outperformed the conventional traffic-management strategy and will be a frontrunner for transportation planning in smart-city-based transport systems. The proposed ATM solution minimizes vehicle waiting times and congestion, reduces road accidents, and improves the overall journey experience.

A Simultaneous Magnanti-Wong Method to Accelerate Benders Decomposition for the Metropolitan Container Transportation Problem

When shipping ports are colocated with major population centers, the exclusive use of road transport for moving shipping containers across the metropolitan area is undesirable from both social and economic perspectives. Port shuttles, an integrated road and short-haul rail transport modality, are thereby gaining significant interest from governments and industry alike, especially in the Australian context. In “A Simultaneous Magnanti-Wong Method to Accelerate Benders Decomposition for the Metropolitan Container Transportation Problem,” Perrykkad, Ernst, and Krishnamoorthy explore the mathematics behind the optimal integration of road and port shuttle modalities for container transportation in metropolitan areas, including proofs of NP harness, a Benders decomposition, and an extensive computational study. Critically, to accelerate their Benders decomposition the authors develop the simultaneous Magnanti-Wong method: an extension of the classical Magnanti-Wong acceleration that preserves this problem's important network substructure. In addition to the problem at hand, this technique shows promise more generally for Benders decompositions with special subproblem structure.

The Effect of Heat Events on Prehospital and Retrieval Service Utilization in Rural and Remote Areas: A Scoping Review.

It is well-established that heatwaves increase demand for emergency transport in metropolitan areas; however, little is known about the impact of heat events on demand for prehospital retrieval services in rural and remote areas, or how heatwaves are defined in this context. Papers were eligible for inclusion if they reported on the impact of a heat event on the activity of a prehospital and retrieval service in a rural or remote area. A search of PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases was undertaken on August 18, 2020 using search terms related to emergency medical transport, extreme heat, and rural or remote. Data relevant to the impact of heat on retrieval service activity were extracted, as well as definitions of extreme heat. Two papers were identified, both from Australia. Both found that heat events increased the number of road ambulance call-outs. Both studies used the Excess Heat Factor (EHF) to define heatwave periods of interest. This review found almost no primary literature on demand for prehospital retrieval services in rural and remote areas, and no data specifically related to aeromedical transport. The research did recognize the disproportionate impact of heat-related increase in service demand on Australian rural and regional health services. With the effects of climate change already being felt, there is an urgent need for more research and action in this area.

A Comparison into the Factors Affecting Urban Rail Systems: Local, Express, and High-Speed Rail in Tunnels at a Great Depth in a Metropolitan Area

In this study, the factors influencing the choice of the type of urban railroad transportation in the metropolitan areas of Korea were analyzed. As the populations of metropolitan areas are expanding, the importance of rail transportation, which has a high travel reliability in terms of travel time, has increased, and various types of railroad systems have emerged accordingly. This study was focused on the choice behavior of travelers on local and express trains that use the same track and differ only in the number of stations and operating times. To compare the choice behavior of travelers between local and express trains, factors such as the waiting time on the platform and the in-car travel time were considered. We also investigated the system choice behavior for an existing express subway and high-speed rail trains in tunnels at a great depth in terms of horizontal access time (walking), vertical access time, in-vehicle travel time, and travel fare. For a high-speed rail built underground at a great depth of 50 m, the stated preference survey was designed, and data were collected in consideration of the Great Train Express being promoted in the Seoul metropolitan area by the Korean government. The results of this study are expected to be considered important data for improving the rail system design from the user’s perspective to increase the demand for urban rail transportation in metropolitan areas.

Job-Related Factors And Productivity Of Labour In The Nigerian Public Sector: The Case Of Lamata

Productivity has a sustained demonstrable influence on business and political processes and outcomes in all climes. This study explores how the public sector in Nigeria can create ‘decent jobs’ which are more productive and rewarding in all senses. The adopted methodology was positivism which involves figurative or quantitative investigation and communication of observed phenomena. Based on this approach, a questionnaire was designed to gather information from fifty (50) staff in the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). Data was analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics, and the Pareto chart and Kano’ Product/Service attribute classification mechanism. The findings were indicative of dominant factors such as opportunities for learning and development (µ=4.4), gifts at special periods (µ=4.7), and pay and rewards (µ=4.5). It was recommended that organizational and institutional policy drivers should continually consider these factors as expressed in the direct and group expectations of the employees in the policy-making and review processes.

Determinants of individual vehicle type choice and energy consumption in a heavy traffic metropolis of Southeast Asia featuring the case of Metro Manila

Sustained economic growth with insufficient public transport in metropolitan areas encourages private vehicle dependency, thereby increasing petroleum oil consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) production. One way to mitigate these issues is to encourage private vehicle users to own smaller fuel-efficient vehicles. This paper intends to explore determinants (i.e., socio-economic characteristics, travel behavior, vehicle attributes and purchasing conditions, vehicle and gas prices, and built environment characteristics) of individual vehicle type owners and energy consumption in Metro Manila. The data sample of 846 observations and a copula-based joint discrete-continuous framework were employed. The findings highlighted that individuals using bank auto loans are more likely to choose SUVs than cars, thereby consuming more energy. Furthermore, people located in high population density areas and those with road-based public transport line dense areas prefer cars to SUVs. An increase in gas and vehicle cost contributes to energy saving and discourages SUV dependency. The developed models were also applied for a “what-if” scenario analysis to quantify the competing options as an innovative perspective for crafting proactive transportation policies. Understanding the determinants of vehicle type ownership and energy consumption is the precursor of designing consistent transportation policies to mitigate petroleum oil consumption and mobile emissions.

Design of Passenger\xa0Aerial Ropeway for Urban Environment

Aerial ropeway is an effective alternative to the conventional modes of land public transport in metropolitan areas and cities. Construction of passenger aerial ropeways in urban environment is a very costly enterprise in terms of engineering and economics, and requires significant financial resources. This article is aimed at the development of the design method of the passenger aerial ropeway, ensuring the reduction in its construction cost. For this purpose, the individual components of the construction cost are considered, and the approximate calculation dependencies are proposed. It is shown that the cost of the aerial ropeway is mainly influenced by the installation step, height of intermediate towers and carrying rope tension. The task of the conditional nonlinear optimization of the given parameters is formulated and solved in the research. This task ensures the minimum cost of the aerial ropeway. The optimization task is done by taking into account possible limitations on the ropeway laying in the severely urbanized environment (the terrain, urban infrastructure arrangement, altitude performance of the urban development, technical characteristics of the carrying rope, etc.). Implementing the solution findings of the given optimization task makes it possible to significantly reduce the construction cost of aerial ropeways in urban environment.

Bi-level multi-objective traffic network optimisation with sustainability perspective

Recent technological advancements provide a level of mobility never seen before to modern societies. Sustaining today’s economy and societies depend on maintaining this mobility. However, this mobility also causes undesirable effects, especially in high urban population areas. Even though, higher priority is given to public transport in metropolitan areas, road network is still an important part of everyday commute and should be planned and managed with great care. In this study, we propose an optimisation methodology that would help the traffic authorities to better predict the results of strategic management decisions in a realistic traffic model. We formulate a bi-level multi-objective traffic optimisation model with a sustainability perspective. The upper level of the proposed model considers the traffic authority’s management strategies while the lower level considers the traffic users’ decisions. The lower level is modelled using the Stochastic User Equilibrium since it allows more realistic results than the deterministic one. A case study is provided to illustrate the proposed model. The proposed methodology provides an avenue for understanding the trade-offs among conflicting objectives and for designing an environmentally and socially sustainable transportation system. More importantly, it builds the foundation for an intelligent traffic management decision support system.

ORGANISATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN METROPOLITAN AREAS

The article discusses the problem of organisation of public transport in metropolitan areas as a task of self-government units. The comparative analysis of the manners of organising and integrating public transport in selected metropolitan areas in Poland shows weaknesses and strengths of these applied manners, especially organizational solutions used in the analyzed examples concerning unified tariffs and coordination of various means of transport. The Polish law provides for three types of models for public transport organisation – metropolitan unions, communal unions and communal agreements. At this moment no metropolitan unions have been established so there are no practical experiences in this matter. Two existing conurbations (Silesia Metropolitan Area and Gdańsk Metropolitan Area) organise public transport on the basis of a communal union, whereas in other Polish metropolitan cities (i.e. Warsaw) the instrument of communal agreements is being used. On the other hand the example of London shows that also other legal entities (regional authorities) may be responsible for organising public transport. The size of a metropolitan area and the applied legal model should not influence the functioning of public transport. Nevertheless, the organizational solutions used in the presented transport systems show that the legal framework can make a difference. This article can contribute to an in-depth study on the organization of public transport in metropolitan areas which could lead to the use of good practices in various cities and changes in the Polish law.

Development of public passenger transport - the role and place of public passenger transport in metropolitan areas

Development of public passenger transport - the role and place of public passenger transport in metropolitan areas