Transport Subsystem Research Articles

Conceptual-innovative and energy-resource management on motor transport

This paper discusses elements of the theory of conceptual-innovation and energy-resource management based on the system concept of technologically innovative providing of resource synergistic transport integration of a discontinuous terminal infrastructure of a transport system (TS) in accordance with transport demand and the systemic requirement of an innovative increase in the energy-resource quality of transportation services (ERQTS). It has been established that for the system enhancement of ERQTS are actual the development of innovation management theory and the implementation of conceptual improvement strategies for a number of subsystem and system factors: transport resources and technical properties, transport technologies, as well as innovative reproduction functions of the motor transport subsystem (MT) and integrative-equifinal functions of the motor transport system (MTS). The existing theory of service commercial management in MT is based on a simplified non-production and empirically conservative paradigm of knowledge about MT as a sphere of transport services (without product description) , therefore it does not fundamentally correspond to the above-mentioned concept of development of MTS and MT. This theory uses computational schemes for virtual transportation and service past costs, so it is non-innovative and technologically degenerate. A theory of conceptual and technologically innovative improvement of ERQTS, as well as the functions of MT and MTS, has been developed. A comprehensive model of the target function of the system-conceptual management of ERQTS is proposed, taking into account the improvement of the MTS and MT functions according to the principle of energy-resource synergy in the transport services life cycle. It takes into account: ways to eliminate the paradoxical fragmentation of types of knowledge about transport operations and processes, improving the properties of a car as a resource-technical means of transport production and reproduction, the essence of transport operations and technologies, as well as dysfunctions of subsystems of MTS.

Conditions of using rail transport in agglomeration services

The functioning of the transport system in cities faces ever-increasing problems, the solving of which requires the involvement of various transport subsystems. Rail transport is one of the ways of displacement, which for years has ensured the transport needs of man and the economy for different distances. In recent years, rail transport is more and more often perceived as a way to implement displacements in urban areas and areas directly adjacent to them. It also often be-comes one of the elements of the transport system in cities, which together with road transport should ensure safe, efficient and economic displacement of people and loads, taking into account the requirements of sustainable planning. An important problem to be solved during the implementation of these movements is to provide access to a properly designed, enabling human functioning in the space of rail and road transport. The article will present technical conditions for selected elements of transport infrastructure in relation to transport nodes and the expectations of potential users of these spaces based on the results of completed pilot surveys.

Performance of heat transport systems: least square method generated correlations of non-dimensional variables

Waste heat and renewable energy are increasingly being recognized as important sources of heat for district heating systems and for industrial clients, and as a means to reduce fossil fuel consumption. One of the most important challenges of using this heat is to transport it from the source to the load in an efficient manner. The objective of this paper is to establish explicit relations between the performance and the essential design variables of a system that includes a heat source, a heat transport sub-system, and a heat load. For this purpose we have used dimensional analysis, a factorial design of experiment methodology with the least square method and obtained linear correlations between two performance indicators (the system effectiveness and its exergy efficiency) and non-dimensional groups which combine the physical and operational characteristics of the system. It has also been shown that the economic desirability of the system as measured by the Internal Rate of Return increases linearly with the system effectiveness. A sensibility analysis has determined the non-dimensional groups which have the most important effect on each performance indicator. The obtained correlations have been applied to solve the following two design problems: (1) find the optimum values of design parameters such as the pipe insulation thickness and the mass flow rate of the heat transport fluid in order to maximize the exergy efficiency of the system and (2) find the optimum distribution of a fixed total thermal conductance in order to maximize the system effectiveness and/or its exergy efficiency.

SUSTAINABILITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF MERCHANT SHIPPING OF UKRAINE IN TERMS OF DIVERSIFICATION OF MARITIME TRADE MARKET

Topicality. Shipping is a global industry, and its prospects are closely linked to the level of economic activity in the world. A higher level of economic growth usually leads to higher output of industrial goods, which in turn stimulates imports and exports. In the conditions of globalization of economic relations, the complicated dynamics of the potential and results of the maritime trade market is formed. In this case, quantitative, qualitative and structural changes both in the industrial infrastructure as a whole, and within the separate subsystems are allocated. The dynamism of this process is becoming the most important factor in the development of maritime transport potential. Therefore, the article deals with the fundamental features of the required response to the set of changes in the global shipping industry.Aim and tasks. The purpose of the article is to clarify the basic laws that determine the competitive directions of the development of commercial shipping in Ukraine in the context of the globalization of international relations, as well as to determine the prospects for the development of the maritime transport subsystem of Ukraine. It is important to identify rigid tendencies and new patterns of balanced and integrated development of the world transport industry and its regional, national and specialized subsystems.Research results. Strengthening and intensification of international integration processes puts a number of issues and problems before the Ukrainian economy. The presented article summarizes and substantiates the actual and important problem of the development of Ukraine's merchant fleet in the conditions of globalization of international relations, proposes a strategy for the formation of production potential for the competitive positioning of the marine transport complex of Ukraine, as well as scientific and practical recommendations for their implementation in the modern conditions of the country's economy.Conclusions. The modern structure of the world market of maritime transport services can be represented as a dynamically developed network of local markets, which intersect and / or do not overlap, whose boundaries form one or another segment of the market. Increasing the role of maritime enterprises in the system of maintaining the efficiency of the international division of labor leads to the emphasis on the national subsystems on the priority development of the fleet and ports. Solving the two-fold task - meeting the needs of the national economy and expanding the export of transport services forms, in the conditions of the availability of investment resources, the direction of development of enterprises of maritime transport. At the same time, the functions of the merchant fleet and ports are expanding and strategies for maintaining competitiveness within the active part of the company's life cycle are implemented, taking into account the uneven economic growth.

Analysis of the development and safety of cycling in Szczecin

The article presents the problem of cycling, which, in spite of positive aspects, is consistent with the development and harmonious functioning of modern urban agglomerations, constitutes a transport subsystem characterized by high number of traffic incidents. The rising trend of accidents and collisions is in the case of highly urbanized areas, where two-wheelers are increasingly popular due to their high mobility, but also relatively low travel and maintenance costs. The analysis takes into consideration the role of maintenance-free rental systems, which contribute to the promotion of comfortable and environmentally friendly means of transport. The example of the Szczecin City Bike "Bike S" was used, which is a civic project gaining increasing support from various social groups and treated as a substitute for public transport.

Life cycle assessment in urban territories: a case study of Dalian city, China

A city comprises different subsystems, such as an industry subsystem, agriculture subsystem, building subsystem, and transport subsystem. With the rapid development of the economy and technology, the urbanization of China has accelerated during the last 10 years, which has caused great pressure on the environmental carrying capacity, and the “5-Year Plans” carried out by Chinese government have intensified environmental protection efforts. Therefore, it is important to quantify the environmental impacts and changing trends of all subsystems, such that money can be used effectively to solve targeted urban environmental problems. The purpose of this study was to adapt the existing life cycle assessment (LCA) method in urban territories and apply the improved method to a Chinese city, Dalian, to assess its environmental impacts, thereby validating the effectiveness of the method. On the basis of the existing territory LCA framework, we revised the land use functions, including regional characteristics, inventory analysis, and impact assessment, and performed a supplementary results’ interpretation of land use functions. Environmental analysis was performed based on the LCA with the ReCiPe method, which allowed us to analyze 12 different categories of environmental impact. LCA was performed based on the ISO14040 standard using the GaBi software. The adapted method was applied to a Dalian city, China, in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2012. The results showed that, over time, the environmental impacts on Dalian have increased, but at a decreasing rate. The environmental impacts of all subsystems have increased rapidly over time, except for the food subsystem. The industry subsystem was the main contributor of environmental impacts and accounted for 80% approximately of the total impact each year. At the same time, tourism and aquatic products also play a significant role in the environment, society, and economy of Dalian. The shortage of water has become a problem that requires attention. The study adapted the existing territory LCA method to highlight regional characteristics in urban territories and applied the improved method to a Chinese city. According to the results, decision makers could identify the subsystem that is the main contributor to targeted environmental problems and improve them accordingly. The quantitative relationship among the environmental impacts of all subsystems and changing trends could benefit decision-making in the future.

Waste management as an effort to improve urban area cleanliness and community income (journal review)

The problem of urban waste has reached a point of concern. Population and economic growth are thought to be the cause of increasing the waste generation. The major problem related to this condition is the increasing of waste production which is not balance with the increase of its management capacity. Based on the Law Number 18 of 2008 that waste management starts from the source by applying the 3R approach (Reduction, Reuse, Recycle). This regulation provides a way which expect the waste management can be better, so that, the level of waste service can be improved and load on landfills (TPA) can be reduced.The cost of garbage collection and transport are 85% of the total waste management cost, so if this is optimized, it will optimize the system as a whole. Subsequent research focuses on how to optimize the garbage collection and transport sub-systems by finding the shortest route of transportation to the landfill by developing a Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) model. The development of an urban area leads to the preparation of the best route is no longer an optimal solution. The complexity of the waste problem is not only related to the technical matters, but also the social and economic problems of the community. So, it is necessary to develop a model of waste management which does not only pay attention to the technical aspects, but also the social and economic. Waste is expected to be no longer a burden, but can also be utilized economically to increase community income.

Tutorials in radiotherapy physics: Advanced topics with problems and solution. Author: PatrickN. McDermott, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, 2016. Paperback 302 pp. Price: $99.95. ISBN 9781482251678.

This book is intended to be a textbook with systematic mathematical descriptions of five advanced topics in medical physics. These topics include Physics in Medical Linacs, Proton Therapy, Convolution and Superposition Dose Computation Algorithms, Dose Calculations with Boltzmann Transport Equation, Tumor Control and Normal Tissue Complication Probability Models. The book establishes fundamental understandings and introduces current advancements in these topics. It contains a great number of high quality images and mathematical equations to enhance the reading experience. There are also problems and questions at the end of each chapter. It should be of interests to the medical physics community. The advanced topics covered in this book are not covered well in traditional medical physics textbooks. This book is written as a synthesis from a large variety of sources so the readers can learn the topics from the book and have the capability to explore further readings. The topics in the book are developed with consistent mathematical notations from fundamental physics knowledge and equations. The topics covered in this book are self-contained study modules which can be used as textbook for graduate medical physics program, physics residency program, or self-study materials for practicing medical physicists. They are advanced topics for medical physicists to understand the current trend and developments in the field. The contents are well-written and illustrated for readers to develop quantitative understanding of the material. Due to its extensive content of the mathematical formulation in each topic, the prerequisite of the book is a bachelor's degree in physics and a graduate-level course in radiological physics. The book covers five topics in medical physics, which are independent of each other. The first chapter discusses the physics of electron acceleration in medical linacs. Maxwell's equation and boundary conditions are applied to develop quantitative understanding of various designs of waveguides. The content focuses on the derivations relevant to the electron acceleration mechanisms exploited by the medical linacs. The second chapter, proton therapy, introduces the history and treatment machine developments of several vendors. The focus is on the physics of the proton accelerators and transport subsystems. The pros and cons of the double scattering and the pencil beam scanning modalities are illustrated. It however does not provide in-depth details on proton treatment planning techniques. Chapter three discusses the popular photon convolution and superposition dose calculation algorithms, which are adopted by most of the commercial treatment planning systems. The major steps of these model-based algorithms are introduced in this chapter, including the calculations of incident energy fluence, kernels, medium heterogeneities and additional electron contaminations. The dose calculation algorithm by Boltzmann transport equation is gaining popularity in the medical physics community. Chapter four illustrates the deterministic transport approach to dose calculations for both photons and electrons. A particular helpful topic on Tumor Control and Normal Tissue Complication Probability Models is covered in chapter five. Not only the basic, but more advanced discussions on serial or parallel organ NTCP model and heterogeneity tumor control model formulations are addressed. The best aspect of this book is that it presents each topic from the perspective of fundamental physics principles and adheres to rigorous standards of mathematical presentation. It avoids superficial and qualitative presentation of core principles. Instead, the details are derived using consistent mathematical notation to facilitate the reading and understanding. This feature is unique from other available textbooks. The topics are all self-contained and up-to-date with the current state of technology development. The entire book provides a concise, easy to follow, bottom up approach to the topics. It is well-written and pleasant to read. The complete and systematic mathematical derivations in the book require the readers to possess a level of physics and mathematics background, including vector calculus, differential equations, advanced undergraduate electricity and magnetism, and matrix algebra to completely follow the materials. Nonetheless, it is a great textbook for individuals to acquire understanding of these advanced topics on a fundamental level. Wei Zou is an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology. Her research interests are advanced techniques in radiation therapy and proton radiotherapy.

City transport as a factor of availability and distribution of activity centres

Labor connections determine territorial unity and spatiotemporal settlement patterns in the structure of city connections. Labor connections define the life of the city, the distribution of the centers of gravity, and the functioning of its main subsystems, the leading one being the transport subsystem. The study is constructed to reveal the trend of settlement (by labor gravitation) based on the effect of the desired choice of workplace location in relation to residence location. The results of the sociological survey allowed establishing the trend of settlement on the basis of the effect of the desired choice. The study discovered a correlation between the values characterizing the topological structure of the plan: a distinctive “scale of settlement” (average shortest distances between the settlement variant and workplace locations) and the internal heterogeneity of the plan (uneven concentration of facilities and their connections). This allows drafting settlement curves for cities without empirical data.

Determinación de los componentes entrópicos de la accidentalidad: el trinomio vehículo/usuario/camino en la metrópoli de Guadalajara, México

Contexto: El reciente incremento de accidentes, percances o siniestros viales en los sistemas urbanos con características metropolitanas ha originado preocupación en las autoridades encargadas de planificar la movilidad y los subsistemas de transporte. Efectivamente, se tiene convergencia que la ocurrencia de este tipo de eventos se aleja de factores puramente estocásticos, sino son resultado de anomalías asociadas con la interacción intrasistémica del vehículo, el usuario y el camino. En este sentido, el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en determinar por medio del análisis sistémico los componentes que están provocando entropía en la segunda metrópoli más importante de México.Método: En este análisis se utilizan los preceptos de la teoría de los sistemas; de tal forma que a través de la triangulación de datos obtenidos in situ y solventados documentalmente se determinan los componentes causales de entropía intrasistémica. Para ello, se elabora una derivación modificada del modelo presión/estado/respuesta que identifica la homeostasia en la que se encuentra el sistema urbano.Resultados: Las altas tasas de exposición obliga al usuario a ocupar el subsistema vial por largos periodos de tiempo, lo cual detona en errores humanos voluntarios e involuntarios complementados con los requisitos laxos para la obtención de permisos de conducción. De aquí, los componentes que producen accidentes engloban en la parte camino a los pavimentos en mal estado, ausencia de señalización, diseño deficiente de intersecciones, entre otras; en la parte del vehículo, fallas mecánicas por vida útil de los componentes internos, marcos normativos flexibles, etc.; en la parte del usuario por incumplimiento de la normatividad, factores fisiológicos entre otros.Conclusiones: Desde el análisis sistémico la movilidad es una temática de estudio valiosa para detectar los desequilibrios en el trinomio vehículo/usuario/camino (V-U-C), que nos lleven a generar medidas preventivas y correctivas que supriman la accidentalidad, la morbilidad y la mortalidad en la metrópolis; o en otros términos para reducir los niveles de entropía en el sistema.

Representação do fenômeno urbano por meio de modelos integrados dos transportes e uso do solo: revisão da literatura e discussão conceitual

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal avaliar a capacidade de modelos operacionais integrados dos transportes e uso do solo (LUTI) em representar o fenômeno urbano, como um passo inicial para ampliar o papel da modelagem no processo de planeja­mento urbano. Atualmente, o uso dessas ferramentas está focado apenas na fase final do planejamento, na avaliação de alternativas, mas podem também ser utilizadas em suas fases mais estratégicas de compreensão da problemática. Oito modelos LUTI, re­presentantes das categorias dos modelos de interação espacial, econométricos e de microssimulação, foram avaliados quanto à sua capacidade de representar as intra e inter-relações entre os subsistemas de transportes, de uso do solo e de atividades, con­siderando suas características de nível de agregação, aleatoriedade e dinamicidade das decisões modeladas. Verificou-se que as bases conceituais desses modelos precisam ser melhor explicitadas para tornar mais claro aos atores, planejadores e modeladores suas premissas e limitações, fazendo com que não só seus resultados, mas também seu processo de construção, com destaque para os esforços de calibração e validação, seja útil para uma melhor compreensão da complexa problemática urbana.

THE EFFECT OF MULTI-TRAILER SYSTEMS ON THE EFFICIENCY OF CONTAINER MOVEMENTS BETWEEN THE SHIP AND THE STACKS AT THE DURBAN CONTAINER TERMINAL

Tractor-trailer units are the primary horizontal transport medium between the ship and the stacking area in container ports, and their efficient operation has a strong influence on loading and unloading rates. This paper presents a comparative study of the vessel loading and unloading procedure at the Port of Durban for conventional tractor-trailer units versus short multi-trailer systems. A discrete event simulation approach was used to model the terminal’s operations using the two types of vehicles, and to analyse the effect on the terminal’s performance and operating costs. The results of the study showed that the current fleet of tractor-trailer units can be replaced by a fleet of multi-trailer systems capable of carrying four twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) each, resulting in equivalent quay crane productivity while reducing the terminal’s operating cost per shift for the horizontal transport subsystem.

Transport, accessibility and distribution of activity centers in a modern city

Labor connections define the life of the city, the distribution of the centers of gravity, and the functioning of its main subsystems, the leading one being the transport subsystem. A methodology based on the analyzed models was developed to address the problems of forecasting and estimating the location of urban development areas. It is based on the study of human (city population) behavior patterns and the underlying nature of the choice of destinations. This allowed establishing the reason for the said choice and, consequently, the formation and direction of the movement of people and traffic. The study is constructed to reveal the trend of settlement (by labor gravitation) based on the effect of the desired choice of workplace location in relation to residence location. The results of the sociological survey allowed establishing the trend of settlement on the basis of the effect of the desired choice. The study discovered a correlation between the values characterizing the topological structure of the plan: a distinctive “scale of settlement” (average shortest distances between the settlement variant and workplace locations) and the internal heterogeneity of the plan (uneven concentration of facilities and their connections). This allows drafting settlement curves for cities without empirical data.

Computer modelling of the influences of a subsystems’ interaction on energetic efficiency of biofuel production systems

Energetic efficiency of biofuel production systems, as well as that of other fuels production systems, can be evaluated on the basis of modified EROEI indicator. In earlier papers, a new definition of the EROEI indicator was introduced. This approach enables the determination of this indicator separately for individual subsystems of a chosen production system, and therefore enables the studies of the influence of every subsystem on the energetic efficiency of the system as a whole. The method has been applied to the analysis of interactions between agricultural, internal transport subsystems, as well as preliminary studies of the effect of industrial subsystem.

Electrostatic transport of regolith particles for sample return mission from asteroids

To achieve reliable and autonomous regolith sampling from asteroids in space, the authors have developed a new sampling system that utilizes electrostatic force. This system consists of electrostatic capture and transport subsystems. Regolith particles on an asteroid are captured through parallel screen electrodes activated by the application of an alternating high voltage. The captured particles are then transported to a collection capsule from side to side basically along the electric flux lines in a zigzag path where an alternating electrostatic field is applied. It has been demonstrated that glass and sand particles can be transported in the horizontal direction that imitates micro-gravity on asteroids. The transport rate was increased by applying a high voltage of appropriate frequency. The demonstrated transport rate was approximately 3 g/min. The configuration of the path was improved to increase the transport performance. Numerical calculation using the discrete element method predicted that the transport of particles is successful if the gravity is less than 0.02-G. The process of sampling particles on asteroids will be easier than that on the Earth, because gravity is extremely low on small asteroids, particles are assumed to be highly charged because of cosmic rays, no air drag is exerted on the particles, and high voltage can be applied in vacuum where no gas discharge occurs.

Linking a transport dynamic model with an emissions model to aid air pollution evaluations of transport policies in Latin America

ABSTRACTConsidering the key role of the transport sector in the economy and its contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) and local air pollutant emissions, the development of integrated techniques to evaluate long-term urban trends should be a top priority for creating a more sustainable society. This paper presents an integrated model for reliable estimation of passenger transport emissions of local pollutants and CO2 using an integrated Land-Use and Transport Interaction (LUTI) model in Bogota (Colombia) between 2010 and 2026. Two additional scenarios are modelled to illustrate the use of the model to evaluate the impacts of possible policy interventions. An alternative system dynamics approach is proposed as part of a structured decision-making process. The methodology uses causal loop diagrams (CLD) from systems dynamics to explain cause-and-effect relations, through linking the transport emissions and transport subsystems. The emissions model considers 11 different vehicle categories in total and emission factors for CO2, NOx, THC and PM2.5 were established using local data collected with portable devices and from other available secondary sources. Adjustment factors were established in order to account for ageing of vehicles, technology improvements and changes in category distributions. The development of a general framework based on dynamic systems for assessing long-term emissions estimations according with the particular transport systems is needed for effective sustainable transport planning. The inclusion of adjustment factors for ageing and technology changes provides more reliable projections and helps identify important long-term trends in the emissions inventory. The scenarios proposed are meant to show the results obtained by the model to assist the decision-making process and do not represent current measures in the city or the best practices available. Due to an increase in the use of the private car transport, CO2 emissions will continue to grow in Bogota despite possible technology improvements. Results show that the use of natural gas in the public transport fleet would imply considerable emission reductions in all studied species, being this an alternative technology while electric buses become financially viable.

A novel suspension-floating-circulating fluidized combustion technology for coal slurry

A novel suspension-floating-circulating fluidized combustion technology is proposed for burning coal slurry fuel in traditional circulating fluidized bed boilers (CFBB). This technology can solve some existing problems in large-capacity CFBB burning coal slurry. The principles of the suspension-floating-circulating fluidized combustion technology were introduced in detail in this paper. A 130 t/h CFBB was retrofitted based on the technology, and the retrofitted system mainly includes a long-distance transport sub-system, a bed-material conveying sub-system with a wind-seal device invented by the authors, a superheater thermoregulation device using a novel temperature regulator, a return loop fluidization facility, and a pneumatic ash conveying sub-system with sealed pump. The achieved performance of the retrofitted CFBB shows that the thermal efficiency is 89.83 %, the combustion efficiency is 96.24 %, and the blending proportion of slurry is 94 %.

Разработка алгоритма прогнозирования отказов подсистем автомобильного пассажирского транспорта

Разработка алгоритма прогнозирования отказов подсистем автомобильного пассажирского транспорта

A framework for measuring transport efficiency in distribution centers

Performances of distribution systems are largely affected by the performances of transport systems. This paper is devoted to the analysis of the efficiency of transport subsystems in distribution centers. Transport is a logistics process with the highest energy consumption. In the transport systems two aspects of measuring efficiency are identified. The first aspect is the fleet efficiency which is related to the higher level of decision making. The second aspect of decision making is the vehicle efficiency as operational level of decision making. The main objective of this paper is to propose models for measuring transport efficiency, as well as to identify main factors that affect transport efficiency. The proposed models are based on Principal Component Analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis approaches. According to the results fleet management system, catchment area, vehicle capacity, the age of vehicles and manufacturers are the basic factors that affect transport efficiency.

A system dynamics approach to scenario analysis for urban passenger transport energy consumption and CO2 emissions: A case study of Beijing

With the accelerating process of urbanization, developing countries are facing growing pressure to pursue energy savings and emission reductions, especially in urban passenger transport. In this paper, we built a Beijing urban passenger transport carbon model, including an economy subsystem, population subsystem, transport subsystem, and energy consumption and CO2 emissions subsystem using System Dynamics. Furthermore, we constructed a variety of policy scenarios based on management experience in Beijing. The analysis showed that priority to the development of public transport (PDPT) could significantly increase the proportion of public transport locally and would be helpful in pursuing energy savings and emission reductions as well. Travel demand management (TDM) had a distinctive effect on energy savings and emission reductions in the short term, while technical progress (TP) was more conducive to realizing emission reduction targets. Administrative rules and regulations management (ARM) had the best overall effect of the individual policies on both energy savings and emission reductions. However, the effect of comprehensive policy (CP) was better than any of the individual policies pursued separately. Furthermore, the optimal implementation sequence of each individual policy in CP was TP→PDPT→TDM→ARM.