Transport Technology Research Articles

Recent Progress on Computation‐Guided Catalyst Design for Highly Efficient Nitrogen Reduction Reaction

AbstractElectrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) for ammonia synthesis has attracted great interest in recent years, which presents a carbon‐free alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch process. Besides, NRR also provides a promising coverage route of renewable energy since NH3 is considered the second generation of hydrogen energy while possessing established technologies of liquefaction, storage, and transport. However, there are long‐term challenges in catalyst design for NRR due to its low intrinsic activity and unsatisfied selectivity. Fortunately, by conducting extensive explorations in this field, much progress is achieved in boosting the NRR performance. Herein, from a view of the atomic/electronic level, three promotion effects are summarized for NRR (i.e., electron effect, geometry effect, and ligand effect), which tackle the challenges of activity and selectivity. Representative studies with taking fully advantages of the promotion effects are reviewed, which realized remarkable NRR performance. Finally, the future research directions and prospects are discussed. It is highly expected that this review will enable the advancement of NRR catalysts and promote the further development of electrochemical NRR.

DETERMINATION OF GRAVITY COAL SHOOT GEOMETRICS FOR A COAL MINE

This article presents the results of scientific research carried out by the authors in the field of transportation technology in industrial transport. The application of a gravity coal intake device designed to lower coal from the upper horizon to the averaging warehouse of the lower horizon of a coal mine is considered. The velocities of the uniform movement of the load along the gravitational angle are determined depending on the angle of inclination. The numerical integration algorithm is implemented in the software environment of the Scilab application program. The results of calculating the speed of movement from the current value of the descent depth, for the required descent depth of 40 meters and for placement options in various sections of the section at the angles of inclination of the acceleration sections of 30, 40 and 45 degrees are presented. The main geometric parameters of the gravitational coal intake device for a coal mine are determined from the condition of limiting the speeds of coal movement. The design of the gravitational coal intake must be performed based on the condition at the beginning of accelerated movement, then movement at a steady speed and then slow motion to the required speed of coal exit from the coal intake at the required speed of 2 m/sec. The presented research results allowed us to determine the main parameters of the gravitational device (coal intake) proposed for use in the cyclic flow scheme of the «Molodezhny» coal mine of «Kazakhmys Corporation» LLP. Keywords: coal mine, cyclic flow technology, coal transportation, gravity device, coal intake.

A hybrid fennec fox and sand cat optimization algorithm for clustering scheme in VANETs

The popularity of intelligent vehicles with cutting-edge vehicular applications has fueled the rapid expansion of Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) in recent years. VANETs are a network of vehicles designed to exchange and explore real-time data using a well-developed and effectively organized data transport technology. However, the major issue of dynamic topology and cluster stability always has an impact on choosing an optimal path between the cars. At this point, an intelligent clustering technique in VANETs that handles dynamic topology and cluster stability is critical for efficient route selection between vehicular nodes. This is an NP-hard issue that can be effectively solved using an intelligent nature-inspired algorithm that can discover near-optimal solutions in the search space. An Intelligent Hybrid Fennec Fox and Sand Cat Optimization Algorithm (HFFSCOA) -Based Clustering Scheme is proposed in this paper as a novel route clustering optimization strategy that takes grid size, orientation, velocity node density, and communication range into account while achieving its goal. This HFFSCOA contributed to the route clustering process, which determines dependable and optimal routes between vehicular nodes for the purpose of building and evaluating ideal Cluster Heads (CHs) in the network. HFFSCOA's findings clearly demonstrated its usefulness and efficacy in terms of the number of vehicles, network size, changeable communication ranges, and number of clusters built in the network. The statistical results of HFFSCOA also confirmed an enhanced cluster Optimization rate of 56.21% and an increased cluster stability of 92.34.

A multi-criteria decision-making framework for sustainable road transport systems: Integrating stakeholder-cost-environment-energy for a highway case study in United Arab Emirates

Existing lifecycle assessment models narrowly concentrate on limited parameters, disregarding system ecology and multi-stage stakeholder integration with sequestered analyses. Assimilation of new transport technologies with traditional design-bid-build decision-making paradigm should acknowledge sustainability triple-bottom-line social, cost, and environmental impacts, across all lifecycle stages for a system-wide optimisation. This study presents a multilevel framework to evaluate road transport system projects utilising 1) stakeholder engagement for flexibility in establishing key performance indicators, 2) passenger surveys to identify what encourages mode choice towards public transport, 3) microsimulation models, lifecycle cost and lifecycle analysis for quantitative assessment, 4) analytic hierarchy for qualitative assessment, and finally 5) multi-criteria modelling with stakeholder expert group preferences. Framework is applied to a 5-lane dual carriageway project in Abu Dhabi, analysing eight virgin and recycled material-based and public transport service alternatives. Study revealed the significance of saved user time, reduced fuel consumption during use phase and vehicle operational costs as the highest lifecycle impact generators. The total sustainability performance across the lifecycle for all alternatives was affected by traffic gridlock formation due to traffic growth in later years and lack of traffic load reduction strategies. Results showed that an autonomous vehicle-based bus rapid transit service coupled with recycled material to construct the road significantly reduced lifecycle cost (51.1%), energy (55.6%) and pollutant (54.5%-CO2, 49.7%-NOx, 24.1%-PM) burdens. It exhibited effectiveness of system choice using lifecycle assessment over the typically fragmented project planning and evaluation approach. Overall, framework exhibited robustness against unit cost and LCI uncertainties, fuel distribution assumptions, discount rate, and indicator weights variations based on priorities of different stakeholder groups.

Research on the Characteristics of Flow Velocity of a Piped Car when Starting in a Straight Pipe Section under Different Loads

It is of great significance to explore the flow velocity characteristics of piped cars when they are started under different loads. In this paper, the flow velocity characteristics of the water flow around a piped car when it is started in the straight pipe section are studied through physical experiments. The masses of the piped cars are 1.5 kg, 1.9 kg, and 2.3 kg, respectively. The results show that, with the increase in the load of the pipeline car, the axial flow velocity in the front section increases, the absolute values of radial flow velocity and circumferential flow velocity increase, and the gradient of flow velocity increases. The positive radial flow velocity and negative circumferential flow velocity regions increase, and the distribution of positive and negative radial flow velocities and circumferential flow velocities is obvious. The gradients of axial, radial, and circumferential flow velocities in the annular section all increase, and the contour spacing becomes smaller and more densely distributed. The absolute values of the radial and circumferential flow velocities increase. The regional demarcation of axial flow velocity in the rear section is more obvious, and the average value of axial flow velocity in the high-flow-velocity area behind the vehicle increases. Additionally, the gradient of flow velocity increases. The absolute values of radial velocity and circumferential velocity increase, the gradient of velocity increases, and the velocity distribution is obviously regional. This study supplements and improves the theoretical study of a piped car when it is started and has certain reference value for the research and application of the hydraulic transport technology of the barrel-loading pipeline.

Smart logistics nodes: concept and classification

ABSTRACT This paper presents the Smart Logistics Node concept, which combines the physical infrastructure of logistics nodes with digital systems to enhance collaboration. The Smart Logistics Node benefits from data sharing, supporting infrastructure, and Connected and Automated Transport (CAT) technologies. Based on a literature review on logistics nodes and CAT, we propose a general classification of Smart Logistics Nodes distinguishing upon the node function, degree of organisational (de-)centralisation, digital integration, and infrastructure support for automated driving. Then, we classify sixteen logistics nodes and find that high digital integration is common while automation is lacking. Further automation entails mixed traffic on public roads and requires organisational changes that do not always align with current business models. Our work supports the adoption of emerging technology at logistics nodes and the comparability of business cases. Ultimately, node authorities can use our concept and classification to draw a roadmap to develop CAT capabilities.

If you build it, who will come? Exploring the effects of rapid transit on residential movements in Metro Vancouver

As cities across the world embrace the benefits of rapid transit technology and invest in the expansion of existing infrastructure or plan for the introduction of new lines, the differences in both benefits and externalities that bus rapid transit (BRT) and rail rapid transit (RRT) bring remain unclear. This study aimed to address that gap and understand whether there was a distinction in impacts on the residential migration of households in different income and residential tenure groups as the result of BRT and RRT projects. This was achieved by exploring the effects of both modes in the same metropolitan region—metro Vancouver. This study used three BRT and three RRT lines that were in service for all or part of the 20 years spanning 1996 through 2016 to assess the rates of in-movement of households by income in Census Tracts (CTs) within 800 meters (½-mile) of a given rapid line. Our analysis suggested that areas adjacent to the Expo-Millennium RRT Corridor saw fewer in-movers between the 2001 Census and the 2016 Census than the areas without rapid transit infrastructure, while the same was true for the CTs affected by BRT lines and that had a larger than average share of new housing while holding everything else (e.g., housing supply) constant. While we did not find evidence to state that the presence of rapid transit infrastructure disproportionately affected any one of the income groups, our analysis suggested that there were more affluent renters moving in along the RRT and BRT lines. At the same time, the share of low-income renters that moved into areas close to rapid transit lines remained relatively stable. This research added a unique perspective to the debate cities and transport agencies have been experiencing with respect to decisions around the investment into different transport technologies and contributed to the argument for the need to carefully plan and provide rapid transit infrastructure together with affordable and diverse housing options.

UHD Database Focus on Smart Cities and Smart Transport

“Smart city” refers to a modern solution to organizing a city’s services, using cloud technologies to collect and evaluate large amounts of data, including data from camera systems. Smart city management covers several areas that can be implemented separately, but only their combination can realize the overall desired smart city function. One of the core areas of smart city automation is smart city transport. Transportation is a crucial system in any city, and this is why it needs to be monitored. The primary objective of this publication is to generate top-notch 4K UHD video sequences that are solely dedicated to showcasing smart cities and their transportation systems. The resulting comprehensive database will be made accessible to all professionals in the field, who can utilize it for extensive research purposes. Additionally, all the reference video sequences will be transcoded into various quality settings by altering critical parameters like the resolution, compression standard, and bit rate. The ultimate aim is to determine the best combination of video parameters and their respective settings based on the measured values. This in-depth evaluation will ensure that each video sequence is of the highest quality and provides an unparalleled experience for the service providers offering the service. The video sequences captured will be analyzed for quality assessments in smart cities or smart transport technologies. The database will also include objective and subjective ratings, along with information about the dynamics determined by spatial and temporal information. This will enable a comparison of the subjective evaluation of a selected sample of our respondents with the work of other researchers, who may evaluate it with a different sample of evaluators. The assumption of our future research is to predict the subjective quality based on the type of sequence determined by its dynamicity.

Codified and reflexive policy coordination: how successful are Dhaka City’s policies for a successful sustainable passenger transport transition?

Abstract Critical to achieving the global net zero objective, transport transitions require multi-domain policies to coordinate and cohere. Different policy domains involve actors with diverse priorities and perspectives, complicating coordination. Policy coordination is particularly challenging for the Global South governments given their dependence for external financial and technological resources, and weaker institutions. Drawing on transport transition and policy coordination literature, this research studied the low-emission transport policies of Dhaka City, Bangladesh from 2000 to 2021. The study found that policy frameworks and institutional arrangements were established to enable local and global actors (development partners) to coordinate to support transport transitions. The development partners were engaged in mobilizing resources, transferring low-emission transport technologies and local capacity development. However, these policies were focused on politically prioritized supply-side solutions (e.g. metro-rail), without sufficient coherence with land use and housing policies. Also, they did not adequately consider local need-based low-emission transport alternatives such as walking and cycling; unintended policy effects and boundary-spanning challenges. Based on the findings, we propose codified and reflexive policy coordination concepts to describe discrete but mutually reinforcing mechanisms to support effective policy coordination. Codified coordination is enacted by formal policy frameworks and institutional arrangements and reflexive coordination is by formal evaluation of policy interventions. This framework proposes a new approach to examine coordination between multi-domain policies that are required to cohere to advance transport transitions. In practice, it can potentially guide the adoption of coordinated policies to drive transport transitions.

A REVIEW OF BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN LOGISTICS AND LAST-MILE DELIVERY

Due to the ongoing arrival of individuals, large urban areas are expanding while the daily life within them becomes increasingly demanding. These cities' authorities confronted many challenges in providing necessities for their citizens, such as water and food supply, energy, public transportation, road infrastructure, healthcare services, waste management, recycling, and storage facilities. Cities embrace novel technologies and innovative approaches to cope with these evolving circumstances. Cyber-physical systems, digitization, networking, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and blockchains are valuable tools that enable the efficient functioning of smart cities. The subject matter of this article is very complex and covers several disciplines, such as management, transport, and information technologies. Few have mastered the necessary knowledge in all these areas. The authors wish that this multi-dimensional presentation of the current situation will be helpful to those who deal with the organization of life in cities, logistics, or the application of information technologies in business organizations, but also ordinary citizens who are not yet familiar with these problems. The article should allow the reader to see the complexity of last-mile delivery and encourage it to use its potential to get involved in solving this problem.

Research and innovation paving the way for climate neutrality in urban transport: Analysis of 362 cities on their journey to zero emissions

The EU Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities is an ambitious initiative aiming to involve a wide range of stakeholders and deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. We analysed the information submitted in the expressions of interest by 362 candidate cities. The majority of the cities’ strategies for climate neutrality include urban transport as a main sector and combine the introduction of new technologies with the promotion of public transport and active mobility. We combined the information from the EU Mission candidate cities with data from the CORDIS and TRIMIS databases, and applied a clustering algorithm to measure proximity to foci of H2020 funding. Our results suggest that preparedness for the EU Mission is correlated with research and innovation activities on transport and mobility. Horizon 2020 activities specific to transport and mobility significantly increased the likelihood of a city to be a candidate. Among the various transport technology research pathways, smart mobility appears to have a major role in the development of solutions for climate neutrality.

Women and the Bicycle in D. H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow and The Lost Girl

Informed by mobility studies, this essay offers a fresh perspective on the transition of D. H. Lawrence’s position from pre-war pro-feminism to post-war anti-feminism by exploring how The Rainbow and its companion piece The Lost Girl represent one of the most gendered transport technologies of Lawrence’s time—the bicycle. In depicting cycling as a form of female agency, the pre-war novel The Rainbow enunciates a progressive, modern view of women as independent and self-determined subjects. By contrast, in presenting cycling as antithetical to femininity, the post-war novel The Lost Girl perpetuates traditional gender norms.

Sustainable Societal Transformation: Shaping Renewable Energy Technologies in Transport

Traditional transportation systems are increasingly scrutinized for their environmental footprint, driving the need for sustainable alternatives. Recent developments in renewable energy technologies have paved the way for Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Biofuels, Solar-Powered Vehicles, and Hybrid Systems, all of which offer environmentally-friendly solutions. However, the successful integration of these technologies into existing transport systems presents challenges such as infrastructure development, policymaking, public perception, and societal acceptance. Sustainable transportation encompasses more than technology and economics. It addresses societal inclusivity, environmental conservation, and long-term viability. Social equality ensures equitable access to transport, economic considerations highlight short-term costs and long-term benefits, and health and well-being are affected by sustainable transportation patterns. Community engagement, though challenging, is essential to craft locally tailored solutions and foster a collective sense of ownership. These facets form the foundation for a greener, healthier, and more inclusive transport system. The global shift towards renewable transport technologies is multifaceted, integrating political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal dimensions. Using the PESTEL method, the complex transition towards renewable transport technologies can be understood, especially in contexts like Ukraine. Given its unique socio-political landscape, Ukraine's move towards sustainable transport is influenced by multiple factors, including international climate agreements, economic restructuring, public perception, and technological advancements. Ukraine's transport sector, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, has the potential to transform using its abundant renewable resources. Tapping into these resources can offer numerous benefits, though technological and infrastructural challenges persist. Strategic investments and embracing renewable technologies are key for Ukraine to build a sustainable transport and societal framework.

The impacts of municipal solid waste collection and transport technologies in smart cities: trends and challenges

The impacts of municipal solid waste collection and transport technologies in smart cities: trends and challenges

О теоретических основах транспортной технологии

The article proposes to consider transport technology from a more general perspective when both the essence of technological solutions and patterns are better demonstrated. The new systems approach is presented as a methodology for building efficient and sustainable transport systems. It is shown that system adaptability creates so-called dynamic reserves which ensure system stability without large actual reserves. The essence of the interaction of structural elements is considered. It has been proven that it is impossible to calculate their parameters without taking into account mutual influence in isolation from the imposed function as well. The justification is given that it is possible to display the structure, function and interaction of random and controlled processes only using simulation modeling as the most correct calculation method.

ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ НА АВТОМОБИЛЬНОМ ТРАНСПОРТЕ

The possibility of using digital technologies in road transport is considered. The main advantages and disadvantages are given, as well as the transport industries in which they are applicable.

Methodological features of the development of intelligent information technology for the transportation process in railway transport

The article presents methodological features of the development of intelligent information technology (hereinafter referred to as IIT) for implementation in the transportation process in railway transport. The purpose of this study is to integrate intelligent information technology into the railway transportation process using the IDEF0 functional modeling methodology. The implementation of IIT will ensure monitoring of the condition of wagons and cargo from the moment of loading to the moment of unloading along the entire route. Methods: Analysis of the current state of the subject area, synthesis of solutions, mathematical modeling, provisions of the theory of automatic control are applied. Results: World experience in the use of intelligent technologies in railway transport was analyzed, a diagram of a control system for the process of accepting a car for transportation and a mathematical model of the problem that IIT solves was developed. The role of IIT in the transportation process is determined using the IDEF0 functional modeling methodology. The importance of integrating IIT into the process of freight transportation by rail in increasing their efficiency through the use of new methods is shown.

Improving the Quality of the Air and Implementing into Effective Pollution Mitigation Methods

This review paper explores the impact of air pollution on human health, focusing on indoor and outdoor air quality. It highlights the importance of pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, which contribute to diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. The paper also examines sources and types of air pollutants, including industrial activities, transportation, and natural events. It presents a comparative analysis of air quality issues across different regions, highlighting the complexities and severity of pollution. The paper examines pollution control technologies for industry and transport, innovative approaches like hydrogen fuel utilization and intelligent transportation systems. It also discusses the influence of regulatory standards on indoor environmental quality and the challenges posed by regional differences. The paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on air quality management and encourages the development of more robust pollution control measures.

The Role of Transport, ICT and Power Infrastructure in the Ethiopian Economy

Infrastructure development plays an important role in reducing poverty, assuring food security and sustainable development of a country. One of the key challenges hindering the economic growth of developing countries is the lack of proper transport, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and energy sector infrastructures. This research aims to examine the importance of transport, ICT and power sector in Ethiopia’s economic growth and identify the main challenges these sectors have been facing based on data obtained from different secondary sources such as websites of the World Bank and Trading Economics, official reports, and published works. Descriptive statistical analysis was implemented to describe the secondary data obtained, while graphs, tables, and charts were used to visualise the results. Despite the difficulties in establishing and sustaining necessary infrastructure, research indicates that the growth of Ethiopia’s economy is largely attributed to infrastructure development. Furthermore, year after year, progress has been made in each sector of development, though there are still obstacles to overcome. Poor quality of road, transport and ICT infrastructure have been key factors of poor development in the country. There is an imbalance between the power needed and the available power. Given Ethiopia’s abundance of resources, the country must continue to prioritise infrastructure development.

Using digital twins to manage traffic flows

This paper explores the use of digital twins for traffic flows. Explores how digital twins can be applied to effectively manage traffic flows, including improving road safety, optimizing vehicle flow, and improving overall transportation system performance. Discusses the various technologies used to create digital twins, as well as the methods and algorithms that can be used to analyze data and make decisions based on information obtained from digital twins. The article also discusses the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of digital twins for traffic flows, as well as possible directions for future research. This article provides useful information and recommendations for professionals in the field of transport management and technology, as well as for solving problems in the field of traffic flows.