Transportation Purposes Research Articles

Értékteremtés a közlekedésben a határmenti közlekedési közszolgáltatások fejlesztésével

The territories and borders of the countries in Europe changed a lot during the last century, which had a positive effect on some states and a negative effect on others, but in all cases it can be said that it led to a reorganization of territorial processes. In addition to Hungary’s territorial loss, it does not have a border region where the new state border would not have split a naturally formed region in two. Borders, among other things, by eliminating transport options, turned the border areas into „backwaters”, which led to their devaluation. The aim of the research is to prove that the specific aspect of value creation is the creation of cross-border transport, within this, the realization of transport accessible to everyone by creating the availability of public transport services. The purpose of cross-border transport is to improve the situation of two peripheral areas that exist side by side, but are incapable of lasting cooperation with each other due to the lack of transport connections. The first stage of connections is the existence of the infrastructure, on which certain activities can be carried out, such as individual modes of transport, organized group transport and goods transport. However, the existence of public transport or public transport services occupies a special place in the formation of regions. During the research, in addition to the state of the infrastructure, different public transport services were mapped and compared, and the value-creating power of public transport services was verified by comparing social and economic phenomena.

Effect of the suspended block’s weight on the nonlinear dynamics of a non-ideal magnetic levitation model connected to an energy harvester

Magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) technology over the years has attracted significant attention, not just for transportation purposes – as in MAGLEV trains and vehicles, but also for energy harvesting purposes. This paper presents a detailed study of a non-ideal magnetic levitation system, emphasizing the potential for energy harvesting while taking into account the weight of the oscillating suspended block in the middle. Geometry of axis translation is used to account for the new consideration of the middle block’s weight. Both numerical simulations using Runge-Kutta method and analytical solution through the method of multiple scales are utilized to study the system’s behavior. Numerical results confirm resonance behaviors of the middle block and electrodynamic shaker, supported by phase plane and Poincare maps describing system stability under varying conditions. Through the analytical findings, the study considers the system’s response to mechanical-electrical damping variations and center magnet mass changes. Parametric variations reveal subtle effects on system dynamics, showing the relationship between damping, mass, and the oscillation amplitude. Moreover, power output analyses indicate that, at the presence of internal resonance, the power is approximately three times more than the case of absence of internal resonance. Overall, incorporating weight yields better power output, making the way for future research development in system design and application.

Stawanie się miejskim rowerzystą. Biografie mobilności dojeżdżających do pracy rowerem

This article presents the results of semi-structured interviews with eight individuals whose primary or significant mode of transportation in the city is the bicycle. The purpose of the analysis was to describe the trajectory of becoming an urban cyclist. During the interview, three stages of bicycle use emerged: childhood, high school, and college and work. These stages were somewhat more clearly separated by interviewees, who were also able to distinguish periods of cycling and noncycling. At the same time, the beginning of a new stage may represent one of the key moments when survey participants may give up cycling (especially the start of high school) or take up the activity anew (e.g., children entering a period of greater independence). In addition, the start of cycling for transportation purposes may be easier to think about for those accustomed to physical activity, and especially for those cycling for recreational or sporting purposes. The city’s bike-sharing system can be a significant factor in initiating the practice of cycling for people who did not own bicycles and/or have not used them for many years.

Assessment of weather-driven travel behavior on a small-scale docked bike-sharing system usage

Bike-sharing systems play a crucial role in encouraging sustainable transportation, and understanding their usage characteristics is essential for enhancing their contribution to urban mobility. This research seeks to investigate how weather conditions impact the utilization of a small-scale docked bike-sharing system. The study employed Generalized Linear Mixed Effects (GLME) models to analyze interactive events, using categorized weather parameters to represent various weather conditions. Several models were developed to comprehensively understand distinct travel behaviors and identify significant weather variables affecting the frequency of bike trips for transportation and leisure purposes. The findings reveal that rain had a significant deterrent effect on leisure cycling, particularly on weekdays. Cold and hot weather conditions exhibited a more pronounced impact on weekday bike trips, while weekend bike trips appeared to be less influenced by weather variables. The fall season was found to be the least favorable for leisure trips, while winter was determined to be the most unfavorable for transportation trips. Furthermore, hot days in the summer season negatively impacted bike usage only on weekdays. These insights have important implications for the development of a more resilient bike-sharing system, particularly in small-scale contexts. They provide valuable recommendations for tailored strategies to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions, thereby fostering an increase in usage of bike-sharing systems for both leisure and transportation purposes.

Enhancing PVA mulching films: Leveraging modified lignin as a bio-based crosslinking agent for improved mechanical strength, UV barrier, and biodegradability

In contemporary agriculture, eco-friendly mulching films present a promising alternative to conventional plastic mulching films. However, their potential is constrained by challenges related to limited biodegradation and barrier performance. Addressing these limitations, innovative lignin-carboxylated materials were employed as bio-based crosslinking agents to enhance diverse properties in the fabrication of PVA films. Alkali lignin was modified with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) to enhance its chemical reactivity. The abundance of carbonyl groups in modified lignin (Lig-DTPA) plays a significant role in establishing strong compatibility with PVA through covalent bonds. This interaction yielded remarkable enhancements, elevating both tensile strength and tensile modulus by an impressive 50.9 % and 60.1 %, respectively. The introduction of Lig-DTPA at 3 % into the PVA composite films resulted in excellent UV-blocking properties. Moreover, at 3 % ratios, the presence of lignin became visibly dispersed as clear spots across the film, indicating a relatively uniform state within the matrix. The study revealed a direct correlation: as the lignin content increased, the film exhibited heightened water solubility and enhanced biodegradability. The PVA/Lig-DTPA film displays promising potential for utilization as a mulching film material, offering anti-ultraviolet functionality and a high degradation rate. Furthermore, its versatility extends to potential applications in packaging materials, including seedling bowls, transplanting pots, and coating films for transportation purposes.

Assessment of horse breeding and husbandry practices in southwest Ethiopia: Its implication to design breeding program

Ethiopian horses are multipurpose horses that have socioeconomic significance for smallholder farmers. However, studies regarding their husbandry practices have received little attention. Thus, the current study was conducted to assess the horse husbandry practices in the southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires from a total of 196 randomly selected respondents. The general linear model and frequency procedures of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS 9.0) were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, while indices were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2016. Most of the respondents from the Telo district were illiterate, while the percentage of literate farmers was greater in the Gesha and Masha districts. The within-household flock structure and level of importance were dominated by cattle and sheep, followed by horses. The horses were used for transport, draft power, and breeding purposes. In terms of shelters, the horses in the Telo district stayed in shelters, while the horses in the Masha district stayed in forests during both the dry and wet seasons. However, the majority of the horses in the Gesha district were sheltered during the wet season, while they were left to stay in the forest during the dry season. The respondents provided supplementary feed and water to their horses while the water point was located within a kilometer distance. Government and private veterinary shops were the primary sources of veterinary services. Farmers sold their horses at the local market. Castration was performed to minimize aggressiveness. Body size, conformation, and temperament were used as sire selection criteria. An increasing trend in horse population size due to increased farmer interest was observed. In the studied areas, horses were found to be highly important to the livelihood of the farmers. However, horse husbandry practices were led by a considerably greater number of illiterate farmers. Moreover, horse management activities, including the housing of horses, need more attention. Therefore, successive awareness-raising campaigns, including the introduction of formal schooling, are recommended to improve the horse breeding and husbandry practices. Moreover, breeding programs with the aim of genetic improvement and conservation need to be designed to optimize the sustainable utilization of the horses.

WALKING FOR HEALTH & WELLBEING: THE EFFECT OF STEP FREQUENCY

Walking as a mode of transport and recreation to get more active and stay fit. People of all ages can benefit from walking, evaluation of earlier research in this field shows that a study of walking specifically among those with different health challenges in Malaysia is lacking. This paper sets out to identified whether individual, environmental and social factors influence walking in neighbourhood, which is the objectives: to examine whether people in a neighbourhood walk during the week, to identify whether people who have health problems walk more or not at all, and to examine the relationship between people’s frequency of walk and their physical wellbeing. Data from 410 adults of between 18 and 60 years of age are analysed using a multiple linear regression analysis technique. Overall, the findings reveal that the respondents regularly walk despite their health status as none of them (0.00%) have assessed their health as being poor to begin with. Nevertheless, there is a significant correlation between self-reported health states and walking (X=22.519, p0.05), and their frequency of walk (X= 22.673, p0.05). The results indicate that 19.40% of the respondents walk regularly on a weekday compared to 21.20% on the weekend only, and 18.20% during both weekday and weekend. This study suggests that the neighbourhood must be safe, and the built environment is conducive and appropriate for proper walking. These factors are pertinent considerations for both housing developers and state policies to implement to initiate and promote more walking for physical wellbeing, recreation as well as for transportation purposes.

Transport disadvantage and social inclusion: Exploring the role of smartphone use for transport purposes

The link between transport disadvantage and social exclusion is now firmly-established. Smartphones emerge as an integral part of daily life with a strong potential to influence this link by improving people’s capacity to access transport information and availability, and enabling direct connections with others in society. However, the role of smartphone use for transport purposes in influencing people’s daily mobility and quality of life remains under-studied, in part impeding a more concrete discourse on how it can be better evaluated and considered in policymaking. This study seeks to shed light on the above issue through probing into the interrelationships among smartphone use, transport disadvantage and social inclusion, and their relation to subjective well-being. Using Beijing as a case study, we tested a series of hypotheses through structural equation models (SEM). Our findings highlighted potentially bidirectional interactions between smartphone use and transport disadvantage. By and large, smartphone use for both normal purposes and new modes can help mitigate transport disadvantage, and this may further stimulate more smartphone use as a proactive solution. Furthermore, the link between smartphone use for new modes and transport cost, and their consequent effect on social inclusion and subjective well-being were found to vary between low- and high-income groups. Findings suggest that smartphones and smart apps should be carefully integrated in policymaking to reduce the risk for people of being socially excluded due to a lack of transport options and improve subjective well-being.

Analysis of Plastic Forming During Rolling of Al1050-AZ31-Al1050 Layered Composites for Transport Purposes

Analysis of Plastic Forming During Rolling of Al1050-AZ31-Al1050 Layered Composites for Transport Purposes

Underwater Mediterranean image analysis based on the compute continuum paradigm

Human activity depends on the oceans for food, transportation, leisure, and many more purposes. Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface, but most of them are unknown to humankind. This is the reason why underwater imaging is a valuable resource asset to Marine Science. Images are acquired with observing systems, e.g. autonomous underwater vehicles or underwater observatories, that presently transmit all the raw data to land stations. However, the transfer of such an amount of data could be challenging, considering the limited power supply and transmission bandwidth of these systems. In this paper, we discuss these aspects, and in particular how it is possible to couple Edge and Cloud computing for effective management of the full processing pipeline according to the Compute Continuum paradigm.

Energy consumption, structural transformation and related carbon dioxide emissions of rural households on the Tibetan plateau

The use of solid fuels presents a dual challenge for rural household energy systems: transitioning to cleaner energy sources while reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Particularly in the Tibetan Plateau (TP), which is highly sensitive to global climate change, addressing rural household energy consumption, structural changes, and related CO2 emissions is crucial for implementing targeted measures. Based on household-level survey data, this study analyzes the quantitative and structural changes in energy consumption patterns among rural households on the TP from 2001 to 2021, as well as their related CO2 emissions. The results indicate that: (1) Yak dung is the primary fuel for rural households on the TP and a major contributor to direct household emissions. (2) While cooking has shifted considerably towards a modern clean energy structure, heating continues to rely on solid fuels such as firewood, yak dung, and coal. (3) Commercial energy used by high-income groups for agriculture, transportation, and other purposes has resulted in an overall increase in total household energy consumption and related CO2 emissions. Policymakers must implement more effective measures to accelerate the transition to cleaner, modern energy sources for heating and cooking purposes.

Implications of changing the base raw material – the case of license plate manufacturing

ABSTRACT License plates to uniquely identify vehicles mainly use aluminum as the base material. Currently, there is no distinction of different use cases of license plates, such as short-time usage for test drive and transportation purposes that do not need such long-lasting materials not only from cost but also from sustainability perspectives. This paper presents a methodology to select the best material for different use cases under the holistic consideration of specifically defined criteria as to material properties, sustainability aspects, and supply chain implications. We show that there are several candidate materials for different use cases that stick out by changing the importance of these numerous criteria. In addition, the paper delves deeper into the sustainability aspect by means of a comprehensive System Dynamics model. We show that a scenario in which the company picks up used license plates by relying on a logistics service provider to get them delivered to an external recycling service provider yields the best results.

Planning the customer service process of a logistics company based on implementing green technologies

The peculiarities of planning environmentally oriented customer service for a logistics company based on implementing "green" technologies are discussed in the article. It has been researched that planning is an integral part of the successful management of any company, especially in the logistics sector, where customer satisfaction and operational efficiency are key factors. Under modern conditions, to respond to customer requests, logistics companies must take into account the impact of their activities on the environment and implement appropriate methods to minimize the negative impact on the environment, and accordingly, the process of planning customer service in a logistics company should include an environmental component. Given this, the importance of integrating environmental factors and business processes at each stage of planning to ensure sustainable development of a logistics company based on forming a cyclic approach to planning environmentally oriented customer service is substantiated. The method of iterative planning that allows a logistics company not only to improve the quality of customer service but also to integrate environmental practices into its activities, which meets the modern requirements of sustainable development and social responsibility of business has been established. The developed model of environmentally-oriented planning of customer service combines business processes of logistics service and "green" technologies, transforms the operational efficiency of a logistics company in the context of sustainable development, substantiates the integration of environmentally sustainable solutions at all stages of the logistics chain - from initial planning to the final delivery of goods to consumers. To support the proposed model, the implementation of Power-to-X technology is recommended, which allows the conversion of excess renewable energy into energy specifically for logistics and transportation purposes. The implementation of this measure enables the logistics company to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency, to form a comprehensive approach to the development and integration of environmentally friendly technologies in the company's logistics operations to increase efficiency and competitiveness. It is emphasized that the proposed model demonstrates a comprehensive approach to building a highly efficient and at the same time environmentally sustainable logistics system of the company by integrating innovative "green" technologies.

Intelligent non-destructive measurement of coal moisture via microwave spectroscopy and chemometrics

The rapid and non-destructive measurement of coal moisture content is essential in the coal industry for production, transportation and utilization purposes. Existing measurement methods have still drawbacks, such as being time-consuming, producing destructive samples and yielding unstable outcomes. To address these issues, this paper explored the utilization of broadband microwave spectrum for intelligent coal moisture measurement. A multi-type outliers detection method based on the Monte-Carlo cross-validation (MCCV) strategy was used to prevent masking effect of microwave spectra. In order to effectively extract microwave spectral features and establish correlations with coal moisture, a novel neural network model, UC-PLSR, is proposed by combining U-Net, Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) algorithm. Furthermore, a design scheme/case of a microwave measurement device for coal moisture was presented, offering guidance for the development of rapid coal moisture measurement instruments or on-site measurement systems. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed model outperformed traditional chemometrics methods, achieving superior prediction accuracy and generalization capability with R2 = 0.8756, MAE = 1.2523 and RMSE=1.6560.

A quantified planning method of local public transport services for expanding residents’ activity opportunities

The purpose of public transport is to expand activity opportunities of residents. Many public transport planning methods focus on the needs of residents. However, residents can adapt to the environment and form limited needs in areas with low public transport service levels, such as rural areas. Therefore, it is important to focus on activity opportunities (various states of people (being) and actions (being able)) rather than needs. The authors constructed a method for local public transport planning that focuses on activity opportunities; however, the variables and solutions of the model were abstract and thus did not reach the stage of practical application. Therefore, this study aimed to put into practical use a supporting method for local public transport planning. This method consists of a “measurement model for activity opportunity,” in which a given bus service and the ability to use it are variables, and an “evaluation model for planning alternatives” that incorporates a social relationship function and disparity principle. Through a case analysis in a rural area to which this method was applied, its usefulness was verified, and it was confirmed that it can contribute to public transport planning to increase activity opportunities.

A bio-inspired strategy inspired by an elephant trunk to grip granules

Abstract The utilization of granular materials for transportation purposes has the potential to mitigate superfluous expenditures associated with the transportation process. Nevertheless, granular materials exhibit distinct flowability characteristics under specific circumstances, which can lead to challenges such as instability maintenance, intricate grasping tactics, and reduced efficiency throughout the grasping process. Hence, the grasping pattern of the trunk of the African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) was observed. Drawing inspiration from the aforementioned concept, this paper put forth a compelling approach centered around an air-powered flexible gripper platform comprising four distinct gripping stages. Our objective is to explore the correlation between the quantity of items and the supplementary pressure required to achieve successful gripping, while considering variations in object dimensions. This study has the potential to provide novel insights for enhancing the efficacy of granular material transportation through improved gripping mechanisms.

Impact of Aircraft Noise and Compliance with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment on Hearing Impairment in Pilot Cadets at Indonesian Civil Pilot Academy - Banyuwangi

Noise in the workplace is a health issue in several countries. Similarly, in the aerospace industry, advanced aircraft, whether for civilian transportation or military purposes, pose risks due to exposure to aircraft noise, which passengers are continuously subjected to at relatively higher intensities and for prolonged periods. The problem of this research is to identify, reduce, and prevent the impact of aircraft noise and compliance with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on hearing impairment among cadet pilots at the Indonesian Aviation Academy in Banyuwangi. The research objective includes collecting medical records of 57 cadets, measuring aircraft noise levels, and conducting a questionnaire survey. The method used in this study is descriptive quantitative, with 57 respondents. Data analysis was performed to determine the compliance of cadets with PPE usage at the Indonesian Aviation Academy in Banyuwangi. The results show that the noise produced by the aircraft operated by the academy exceeds the permissible noise level (PNL), and the questionnaire results indicate low compliance with PPE usage. However, medical record data reveal that the majority of cadets still have normal hearing, with only 12.3% or 7 respondents categorized as having mild hearing impairment. These findings imply a positive and significant influence of aircraft noise level and PPE compliance on hearing impairment among trainees.

Flame retardant characteristics of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: A thematic review

AbstractGlobally, with the advancement of industrialization and globalization, the automotive sector has drastically increased for transportation and commercial purposes. Hence, to maximize efficiency and minimize the weight of automobiles, the automotive and aerospace industries have welcomed synthetic fibre‐reinforced composites, vastly replacing conventional metals. Despite the superior performance, the usage of synthetic fibre composites has led to the massive dumping of automotive waste in landfills, making the land unfit for future purposes. Therefore, natural fibre‐reinforced composites (NFRCs) quickly replace synthetic fibres with their unique features, such as being lightweight, biodegradable, and non‐toxic, en routing a new path towards a sustainable environment. Though NFRCs are finding new applications in various industries, researchers are trying to enhance their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties to make them synergic composites. However, with the presence of cellulose, lignin, and wax, natural fibres become highly responsive toward flammability, limiting their use in various emerging applications. As the subject of the flammability of NFRCs has a limited amount of literature, the current review article aims to address the current flammability studies and strategies adopted to improve the flame‐retardant characteristics of NFRCs exclusively. Also, this review covers the factors and influence of different types of flame‐retardant fillers adopted to improve the flame retreatant characteristic of NFRCs and their mechanism. Additionally, this review article summarises various official and laboratory flame‐testing techniques such as radial panel test (RPT), cone calorimetry, and limited oxygen index (LOI) adopted to characterize the flammable properties of NFRCs.Highlights Natural fiber biocomposites are becoming a potential candidate for structural and interior applications in the automotive and aircraft industries. Flammability becomes a major alarm as it concerns with the safety of passengers. The flammability behavior of natural fiber composites is extensively discussed. Mechanisms, factors, and selection of flame‐retardant materials are reviewed to improve the flame‐retardant characteristics. The influence of surface treatments, fiber content, and flame‐retardant nanofillers are also elaborately discussed. Advanced flame testing techniques were conversed with pictorial representation.

Validation on fly ash DEM microparameters based on coarse-grained method

The computational efficiency of the discrete element simulation process is often a limiting factor. However, the use of the coarse-grained method, which employs dimensional analysis to amplify particles, significantly improves computational efficiency. This research utilizes the coarse-grained method to amplify particles and examines the impact of linear models on the mechanical of fly ash. By examining parameters such as magnification, stiffness, sliding friction coefficient, and rolling friction coefficient, we establish the relationship between fly ash cohesion, internal friction angle, and microscopic parameters in discrete element method (DEM) simulation. The simulation results demonstrate that the shear strength of fly ash increases as magnification, stiffness, and sliding friction coefficient increase. The rolling friction coefficient, on the other hand, has minimal effect on shear strength. The elastic potential energy of the system is unaffected by magnification, with stiffness inversely proportional to adaptable potential power. However, sliding and rolling friction coefficients positively impact adaptable potential power. Furthermore, this study proposes a practical simplification method for amplification of materials with small particle sizes. The comparison between numerical simulation and experimental data yields consistent results. As a result, this study provides a foundation for the application of large-scale fly ash transportation, storage, and other engineering purposes.

Enhancing Efficiency and Safety in Self-Guided Logistics Vehicles: A Comprehensive Analysis and Integration of Hardware and Control Systems

Self-guided logistics vehicles have become increasingly popular in various industries and warehouses for material lifting and transportation purposes. These automated systems have proven to be valuable in both small-scale production lines and large areas. However, challenges persist in the field of logistics, where industries and factories face difficulties in efficiently transporting materials. In response to these challenges, self-guided vehicles have been employed, but issues such as collisions with obstacles, material falls, and rigid path constraints have been observed. This project aims to address these challenges by implementing hardware safety precautions and incorporating routing and scheduling capabilities to enhance system automation. The article presents a comprehensive analysis of hardware safety precautions and highlights key features including sensors, actuators, and control systems, which contribute to the overall efficiency and smooth operation of the self-guided logistics vehicle system. By integrating these elements, the system can overcome obstacles, ensure material safety, and adapt to changing traffic conditions, thereby optimizing logistics operations in industries and warehouses.