Showing papers in "Transportation research procedia in 2018"

A method for multi-criteria evaluation of the complex safety characteristic of a road vehicle

Abstract: During the recent years, car makers intensively develop and implement systems of active, passive, post-accident, environmental and fire safety of road vehicles. These devices and systems improve the safety but complicate the design and increase the cost of maintaining the vehicle in the operative condition. That is why there is necessity to evaluate the road vehicle as to the efficiency of operation regarding a number of complex safety characteristics. Solution to this task should be based on evaluating the (relative) importance of particular values for every characteristic considered to be a separate criterion of safety. In order to do that, we need to formulate a system of values for safety characteristics of the road vehicle and develop a formalized mechanism to assess the relative importance of every criterion in the form of a method for multi-criteria evaluation of the complex characteristic of road vehicle safety.

A method for assessing the influence of automated traffic enforcement system parameters on traffic safety

Abstract: Traffic safety is a characteristic feature of road transport systems. It is regarded as a difficult challenge which requires a system approach to the management of the country’s road traffic system. Variability of the street and road network structure and its technical condition over time requires considering such functional features as complexity of the hierarchical structure of road transport systems and technologies exploited in them. The research identifies the factors which affect the functioning of automated traffic enforcement facilities and reviews issues of assessing their parameters affecting traffic safety in the Russian Federation. Therefore, groups of factors which affect the functioning of automated traffic enforcement facilities are identified and research stages are developed. Based on the data obtained, a mechanism for quantitative assessment of the functional efficiency of automated traffic enforcement systems is suggested to ensure traffic safety and management decision-making regarding reduction of the number of accidents in the street and road network. The obtained results related to the influence of automated traffic enforcement system parameters on traffic safety allowed revealing the relationship between those indicators and suggesting measures to improve traffic safety using automated traffic enforcement systems.

Autonomous vehicles: theoretical and practical challenges

Abstract: Autonomous driving is expected to revolutionize road traffic attenuating current externalities, especially accidents and congestion. Carmakers, researchers and administrations have been working on autonomous driving for years and significant progress has been made. However, the doubts and challenges to overcome are still huge, as the implementation of an autonomous driving environment encompasses not only complex automotive technology, but also human behavior, ethics, traffic management strategies, policies, liability, etc. As a result, carmakers do not expect to commercially launch fully driverless vehicles in the short-term. From the technical perspective, the unequivocal detection of obstacles at high speeds and long distances is one of the greatest difficulties to face. Regarding traffic management strategies, all approaches share the vision that vehicles should behave cooperatively. General V2V cooperation and platooning are options being discussed, both with multiple variants. Various strategies, built from different standpoints, are being designed and validated using simulation. Besides, legal issues have already been arisen in the context of highly-automated driving. They range from the need for special driving licenses to much more intricate topics like liability in the event of an accident or privacy issues. All these legal and ethical concerns could hinder the spread of autonomous vehicles once technologically feasible. This paper provides an overview of the current state of the art in the key aspects of autonomous driving. Based on the information received in situ from top research centers in the field and on a literature review, authors highlight the most important advances and findings reached so far, discuss different approaches regarding autonomous traffic and propose a framework for future research.

Problems of calculating the speed of two-wheeled motor vehicles in an accident

Abstract: The majority of countries in the world are experiencing the growing number of two-wheeled motor vehicles (motorcycles, L3 category vehicles etc.). In view of this, the number of victims and badly wounded persons is considerably increasing. Most part of road accidents is the result of certain circumstances which are forming the whole complex of causes and consequences. Determination of actual cause and contributary circumstances which occurred during the road accident is considered to be one of most important tasks regarding road traffic safety. Shortcomings commonly found in traditional methodology of calculating the motorcycle’s "while braking" speed which was developed in 1960-s and is still being used in Russian Federation lie in the fact that motorcycle speed is calculated with reference to skid marks; as a result, calculated speed often becomes "under-estimated". Experience has shown that at the moment of brakes application actual speed of motorcycles is higher than estimated because experts are using the predeterminedly under-estimated, averaged values (i) of steady state deceleration and (ii) of steady state deceleration build-up time. Contact-trace coupling of volume-penetrating nature, i.e. collision (mostly of frontal-cross nature), is causing motorcycle wheel fork deformation which results in wheel-base change. This is accompanied by kinetic energy expenditure for motorcycle deformation (including opposite vehicle deformation) which factor is commonly neglected during collision speed calculation. Most part of kinetic energy contained in the vehicle prior to collision with the barrier is transformed into plastic strain energy while the minority thereof, due to rebound strain, is again transformed into kinetic energy whose reserve is causing the vehicle to be repelled from the barrier. Authors have analyzed experiments during which motorcycles were colliding with non-deformable barriers and scrutinized the problems which were occurring while calculating the speed of two-wheeled motor vehicles during road accident.

A model for justification of the number of traffic enforcement facilities in the region

Abstract: The paper reviews current issues related to introduction of automated traffic enforcement systems into the road infrastructure to perform impartial monitoring of vehicle operation. Mathematical formalizations of street and road network equipment with automated traffic enforcement systems (ATES) upon implementation of administrative procedures for traffic control are proposed. Quantitative indicators related to provision of Russian regions with traffic enforcement facilities are justified. A probability measure of the influence of automated traffic enforcement system availability on traffic with account for their operating features and a developed model for interaction of smart on-board transportation management systems (SOBTMS) with automated traffic enforcement facilities is determined. It will allow ensuring the efficiency of land transport and improving traffic safety due to extension of ATES functional capabilities. A hypothesis for the influence of the number of orders on traffic violations on the accident rate is indicative of a relation between the number of road accidents and ATES parameters. Therefore, an estimate of prospects for development of a system improving traffic safety to the maximum extent can be based on an estimate of changes in the number of vehicles in a region and corresponding calculations of the required number of ATES including stationary and temporary facilities. Using a certain ATES quantity, we could achieve reduction of the accident rate to a certain level. However, extensive measures affecting all life spheres are needed. Conceptual approaches to justification of the number of automated traffic enforcement systems in the street and road network are formulated. Criteria determining efficient functioning of ATES in the street and road network are identified. Implementation of the proposed solutions will allow improving traffic safety in regions of the Russian Federation due to efficient use of automated traffic enforcement systems for detection of administrative offenses in automobile transport.

Stochastic last-mile delivery with crowdshipping

Abstract: For the predicted growth of e-commerce, supply chains need to adapt to new conditions, so that delivery can be fast, cheap and reliable. The key to success is the last-mile product delivery (LMD) – the last stage of the supply chain, where the ordered product is delivered to the final consumer’s location. One innovative proposal puts foundations in a new delivery model where a professional delivery fleet (PF) is supplemented partially or fully with crowdshipping. The main idea of crowdshipping is to involve ordinary people – in our case in-store shoppers – in the delivery of packages to other customers. In return, occasional couriers (OC) are offered a small compensation. In hitherto formulated problems it was assumed that OCs always accept delivery tasks assigned to them. In this paper we consider OCs as independent agents, which are free to reject assignments. The main contribution of the paper is an original bi-level methodology for matching and routing problem in LMD with OCs and the PF. The goal is to use crowdshipping to reduce the total delivery cost in a same-day last-mile delivery system with respect to occasional couriers’ freedom to accept or reject the assigned delivery. We introduce probability to represent each OC’s willingness to perform the delivery to a given final customer. We study the OCs’ willingness to accept or reject delivery tasks assigned to them and the influence of their decision on the total delivery cost associated to both the OCs’ compensation fees and the delivery cost generated by the PF used for the delivery of remaining parcels.

Forecasting of road accident in the DVRE system

Abstract: Methods of forecasting of road accidents in the Driver – Vehicle – Road – Environment (DVRE) system are suggested. The statistical method of forecasting made it possible to evaluate the influence of various factors on the accident rate, resulting in evaluation of efficiency of the proposed measures to improve road safety. The visual method of conflict situations enabled obtaining information on the interaction of the state parameters of subsystems. The methods of potential danger allowed obtaining actual and predicted factors of road accident risks and fatalities in road accidents on the road section under study. The changes in accident rates after implementation of road safety measures have been assessed. An integrated approach to efficient examination of places of concentration of road traffic accidents with account of methods of accident prediction is offered.

Scientific and methodological approaches to the development of a feasibility study for intelligent transportation systems

Abstract: The article addresses the role of the feasibility study in the life cycle of an ITS (intelligent transportation systems) project. The feasibility study of an ITS project is an integral part of project validation, which is conducted according to methods described in this article. Despite the importance of the feasibility study, works dedicated to the formalization of the requirements to such study are just beginning to appear in the technical and legal regulatory framework. The methods considered in this article form the basis for a preliminary national standard.

A method for quantitative assessment of vehicle reliability impact on road safety

Abstract: Russia ranks first among countries of Europe and North America as to fatal road accidents per 100,000 residents. The share of road accidents in the Russian Federation due to operation of malfunctioning vehicles is 3.6% of the total number of road accidents, and it still remains high as compared to European countries. Therefore, relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to take urgent measures for reduction of the number of road accidents occurring due to poor technical condition of vehicles. Reduction of the number of road accidents for this reason is possible by enhancing the operational reliability of vehicles. The purpose of the study is to develop a method for quantitative assessment of the vehicle reliability influence on traffic safety. The method is based on an analysis of the vehicle as a complex technical system, its structural elements having the greatest impact on traffic safety. The method includes calculation of time between failures and time for restoration of subsystems, assemblies and parts, as well as calculation of the probability of failure-free operation. As a result of method application, recommendations to replacement intervals of vehicle elements depending on the required probability of failure-free operation are provided. Key findings are the following. The described method allows assessing the actual reliability of a vehicle and contribution of its individual elements to it. In order to control the reliability by maintenance tools, the method allows determining replacement intervals for vehicle elements depending on the required probability of failure-free operation.

Finite element method for reconstruction of road traffic accidents

Abstract: The article examines the accident rate statistics on the roads of the Russian Federation, analysis of which provides the basis for posing the issue of improving the quality of expert study of road traffic accidents. The theory of the finite element method is studied and an algorithm for simulating road traffic accidents is proposed, which is based on the analysis of deformation damage to a vehicle and calculation by finite element method. The proposed algorithm is used to calculate the vehicle speed during frontal impact with an undeformable obstacle. The result is verified by calculating the fraction of kinetic energy expenditure (ΔЕ) for development of deformations and the speed equivalent to this expenditure by “Crash3” algorithm. The analysis of the obtained data showed high efficiency of the algorithm proposed by the authors.

Study of the impact of type and condition of the road surface on parameters of signalized intersection

Abstract: This paper explores the effects of the road surface type and condition on the traffic flows management mode in case of directive management. The subject matter of the study is the process of traffic flow movement at a signalized intersection. The scope of the study is the method of assessment of effect of the road surface type and condition on the capacity rate of the signalized area and therefore its effects on the traffic flow management mode. Building on the existing scientific data, the authoring team carried out studies in the area of signal control and determined a number of parameters that have an effect on traffic management modes in urban environment. The analysis of papers on the saturation flow value that is used to calculate the parameters of a signalized intersection and experimental findings showed that this value is influenced by the tyre friction coefficient which is the main parameter of the road surface type and condition. It was revealed that these parameters of the road surface have their effect on the parameters of a signalized intersection, i.e. cycle length and timing. The study showed that there is a correlation between this value (friction coefficient) and the capacity of the managed area (saturation flow) resulting in the change of the traffic lights cycle, which is also corroborated by the conducted field experiment on a signalized intersection. Saturation flow rates for the main road surface types and conditions were calculated (dry and wet asphalt, snowy and icy surface). The values of cycle length increase required in case of change of the road surface type or condition were defined.

Sustainable crowdshipping using public transport: a case study evaluation in Rome

Abstract: The paper analyses the willingness to act as a crowdshipper in the case of a last mile B2C e-commerce for pick up/delivery. Specifically, it focuses on crowdshipping services deployed using the public transport network and considering passengers as crowdshippers already moving for other reasons. In fact, this is the most environmental-friendly type of service one can develop given it avoids performing dedicated trips. The paper uses stated preference to identify the most important features associated with the choice of acting as a crowdshipper and discrete choice models to study the underlying behavior. The implementation case study refers to the city of Rome, Italy, and addresses its metro lines, thus understanding and quantifying the effects of this freight transport strategy for e-commerce in an urban context and providing local policy makers a good knowledge base for its future development.

Main Trends and Challenges in Road Transportation Electrification

Abstract: Climate changes and pollution are putting high pressure on finding more sustainable and effective transportation means. After Kyoto Protocol in 1997, Paris Agreement at COP 21 in 2015, and posterior announcements of limitations to internal combustion engine vehicles’ (ICEV) sell and circulation by several key countries and cities are clear demonstrations of this increasing will. It is quite likely that a pure ICEV produced today will not be allowed to freely circulate everywhere during all the extension of its lifetime, especially if it is a diesel car. Therefore, every major car manufacturer is announcing new electrified models for the next years and some of them are stating that all their models will be electrified in less than 5 years. As a consequence of the impressive price decrease and performance improvement of the batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), the typical battery capacity of a regular passenger car rose from 20-24 kWh to 30-40 kWh in just 3 years without significant car price increase. The total cost of ownership (TCO) of the EVs is approaching and will be lower than that of ICEV in less than 5 years. In some cases, the TCO is already lower than that of ICEV. Autonomous cars and the shift from individual car ownership to transportation sharing poses additional challenges. In this paper, the main trends and technical challenges related to the electrification of the road transportation are presented, as well as some defies for the transportation sector.

Short-term prediction for bike-sharing service using machine learning

Abstract: The bike-sharing service has brought many conveniences to citizens and served as an effective supplement to the mass transit system. For docked bike-sharing service, each docking station has the designated location to store bikes and the station could be empty or saturated in different times. Bike-sharing operators generally redistribute bikes between stations by driving trucks according to their experiences which might lead unnecessary human resources It is ineffective for the operators and inconvenient for users to access this service. Therefore, predicting an accurate number of available bikes in the stations is important for both the operators and users. This paper mainly focuses on the short-term forecasting for docking station usage in a case of Suzhou, China. Two latest and highly efficient models here, LSTM and GRU, are adopted to predict the short-term available number of bikes in docking stations with one-month historical data. Random Forest is used to compare as a benchmark. The results show that both RNNs (LSTM and GRU) and Random Forest able to achieve good performance with acceptable error and comparative accuracies. Random forest is more advantageous in terms of training time while LSTM with complex structures can predict better for the long term. The maximum difference between the real data and the predicted value is only 1 or 2 bikes, which supports the developed models are practically ready to use.

Integrated urban freight logistics combining passenger and freight flows – mathematical model proposal

Abstract: The aim of this research is to propose an urban logistics distribution service which benefits from the already installed passenger transport network This service is based upon the concept of integration of the existing passenger transport network with the urban freight process The aim is to reduce the number of fossil combustion powered commercial vehicles traveling within city boundaries, solely for goods transportation, thus contributing to reduce negative effects of urban logistics activities, namely pollution, noise, traffic congestion and accidents Also, integrating goods and passenger flows will promote higher efficiency rates for the passenger transport network and enhance living conditions within major urban centers A mathematical model for the operational planning of the proposed urban logistics distribution service is proposed This model consists of assigning origins loads (or requests) to inbound hubs (bus operator centers), transferring the inbound hubs loads to a bus service, and transferring the bus loads to bus stops, to be collected by micro-logistics operators operating environmentally friendly vehicle fleets The objective is to minimize the total service time while assuring services synchronization along the network and balancing the loads with the system capacities

Air Transport Passengers’ Satisfaction: an Ordered Logit Model

Abstract: Evaluating air transport service quality performance is of crucial importance both for countries’ economic development and airline industry, which has a vital role in countries’ development and competitiveness. The multicultural nature of this industry requires strong effort to offer services with good levels of quality. Airport facilities and services are the first experiences that a passenger receives upon arrival. Therefore, measuring the levels of airport services by evaluating passengers’ satisfaction with them is essential to understand the needs of customers. In this work, we want to propose a tool for measuring airport service quality starting from the judgements expressed by passengers about some service aspects. The data supporting the work refer to the services offered by the Lamezia Terme airport, the most important airport of Calabria, in the South of Italy. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews addressed to departing passengers. Passengers expressed their perceptions according to an ordinal verbal scale about some service factors concerning aspects such as information, security, cleanliness and comfort. We propose an ordered logit model with the aim to investigate on the influence of the various service factors on the overall service quality, by considering passengers’ satisfaction with the service factors and the overall service. Specifically, the model can be adopted for identifying the combinations of the satisfaction levels of the service factors that return the level of overall satisfaction desired by the operator. We propose some models for different groups of users in order to verify the differences in perceptions of service quality.

Estimation of the value of time for automated driving using revealed and stated preference methods

Abstract: In recent years the transportation system, and in particular road vehicles, are becoming increasingly automated and connected. Thus there is the expectation that in the near future there will be fully automated vehicles on roads. Support for road vehicles automation include increased safety, more efficient transport system, as well as increase of the comfort level and enabling users to do other activities while travelling. Especially the last two aspects might potentially change the way people perceive the time spent travelling by car and hence lead to a reduction of the value of time in terms of willingness to pay for saving travel time. Additionally, automation enables new mobility options and access to car use for people who are currently not able or not willing to drive. As a result, mode choice preferences and travel behaviour might change in favour of the individual motorized transport. Understanding these changes is crucial when predicting the impact of automation in the context of developing a sustainable and efficient future transportation system. This study addresses the potential mode choice preference changes once automated driving becomes available. For this purpose, a stated choice experiment for currently available modes of transport and a second experiment on potentially future available alternatives were conducted. Two concepts of automated vehicles are considered – a privately owned vehicle and a vehicle on demand (i.e., a driverless taxi). This paper describes the survey design as well as the methodology used in the study and presents the first results of model estimations using simple multinomial logit for the analysis of the study data. The results suggest a potential reduction in the value of time for automated driving. Solutions for the integration of the results into a microscopic travel demand models as well as further analysis are discussed.

Methods of providing failure-free operation in transport infrastructure objects

Abstract: This paper is addressing three aspects connected with operation of underground facilities which are providing safety of transport infrastructure in large cities. Calculation of load bearing capacity of steel encasements of shallow underground manifolds was performed with the use of initial parameters method. It was demonstrated that use of steel pipes in extra aggressive environment requires assessment of their load bearing capacity change in the course of time. The paper determines permissible life time for culvert conduits made of steel pipes. It was proposed to use hydrojet cementation technology in order to improve stability of enclosing massif. The authors gave assessment of domestically manufactured measuring devices used for monitoring of manifold and massif structures deformation.

Modeling passenger transportation processes using vehicles of various forms of ownership

Abstract: Upon passenger transportation management, control in transport systems largely depends on the efficiency of fleet use provided the maximum satisfaction of customers’ requirements. Under modern conditions, urban passenger transportation is carried out by municipal and private passenger vehicles. The efficiency of control and development of measures on the improvement of passenger transportation quality is achieved by solving a problem of coordinating the joint work of vehicles in organizations with various forms of ownership over the fleet. A general strategy is to achieve maximum operating conditions ensuring economic efficiency and quality of passenger transportation under the condition of transportation process safety. The article describes passenger transportation modeling using vehicles of various forms of ownership, which is the most efficient tool for solving this problem, allowing determining the optimum number of vehicles with account for their capacity in a specific situation, and obtaining the best solution from the set of available solutions to coordinate the operation of passenger vehicles in organizations with various forms of ownership over the fleet.

An Innovative Algorithm to Estimate Risk Optimum Path for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Urban Environments

Abstract: The diffusion of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) requires a suitable approach to define safe flight operations. In this paper, an innovative algorithm able to quantify the risk to the population and to search for the minimum risk path is proposed. The method has two main phases: in the former, a risk-map is generated quantifying the risk of a specific area, in the latter, a path planning algorithm seeks for the optimal path minimizing the risk. The risk-map is generated with a risk assessment method combining layers related to the population density, the sheltering factor, no-fly zones and obstacles. The risk-aware path planning is based on the well-known Optimal Rapidly-exploring Random Tree, with the minimization of the risk cost with respect to the flight time. Simulation results corroborate the validity of the approach.

Cognitive technologies for providing road traffic safety in intelligent transport systems

Abstract: The advantages of using intelligent transport systems (ITS) in urban conditions which enable secure road traffic, reducing the number of road traffic accidents and death rate on roads are considered in this article. The structure and architecture of the urban ITS systems are described: they enable automatizing the processes of gathering context data on road accidents and performing their processing in real time scale with the purpose of dynamic response on changes in transport situation. The description of the theory of cognitive transport systems which is being developed in ITP RAS, which enables increasing the capabilities of traditional ITS with the help of introducing the mechanisms of constant research and self-teaching both into separate transport systems and also into transport infrastructures.

Preliminary weight sizing of light pure-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft

Abstract: The lack of consolidated preliminary design techniques coping with the characteristics of most recent electric and hybrid-electric power plants is often an obstacle for aircraft manufacturers and for owners and operators as well, making the design process less straightforward and hampering comparisons with respect to more traditional designs. In this paper, a technique for the preliminary weight sizing of electric aircraft in the General Aviation category is explained. This is based on existing procedures typical to conventionally-powered aircraft, integrated in a common framework to suitably tackle the issues raised by the peculiar features of electrically-powered aircraft. Then, an expansion of the design method to the case of a series hybrid propulsion system is investigated. Results in virtual environment on a realistic design are also presented.

Challenges in airport digital transformation

Abstract: When it comes to digitization, airports face a multitude of challenges including appropriate IT infrastructure for future resource allocation and automated passenger flow forecast tools. Focusing on improving operations and innovation while enhancing passenger experience, airports use different concepts such as: airport collaborative decision making (ACDM), airport operations center (APOC) and total airport management (TAM), which benefit on new technologies and digital tools. The paper outlines airport digitization trends, the structure through which total airport management is implemented and identifies the changes in airport management determined by new implementation schemes. The authors also analyze the technological challenges determined by the required equipments for the digital transformation of Romanian Henri Coanda airport and propose solutions for check-in area, security, customs control, departure control and passenger assistance services. Ultimately, the impact of implementing the proposed technologies, especially on the experience of the passengers will be examined.

Method of assessing the influence of the moisture content in the braking fluid on the braking system actuation efficiency

Abstract: The paper deals with assessing the influence of the braking fluid composition on the time of braking system actuation. It is justified that this factor should be taken into account in expert investigations of road accidents. The idea behind the research deals with putting forward proposals for improving the method for reconstructing road accidents by taking into account the braking fluid composition which can change during operation, resulting in increasing the time of brake drive actuation and in increasing the stopping distance of a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic braking system. The method of road accident reconstruction by adjusting standard (reference) values of braking parameters with consideration for properties of the braking fluid, affecting the time of deceleration rising up to its maximum and braking time with respect to steady deceleration, is reviewed. Experiments established the influence of the boiling temperature of the braking fluid and the moisture content on the total time of braking system actuation. A coefficient taking into account the influence of these factors on the estimated braking time and stopping distance of a vehicle is proposed and scientifically justified. The value of the paper lies in method application by automobile technical experts for the purposes of improving objectivity of expert evaluation results. The suggested refinements to the method allow improving and expanding the evidence base in road accident reconstruction in terms of the technical possibility to prevent the road accident, related to evaluation of the actual technical condition (as of the moment of the road accident) of the braking system equipped with a hydraulic drive.

Developing principles for building transport networks of conflict-free continuous traffic

Abstract: Urgency of developing principles for building transport networks that help eliminating transport conflicts associated with intersecting transport flows is justified. An analysis is provided for developing approaches and methods for transport conflict studies that enable tracking, revealing and classifying conflicting transport patterns. The concept of traffic continuity is examined. A system to classify transport conflicts that allows describing transport conflicts by types of transport and transportation lines is proposed. Axiomatic principles of traffic continuity are developed including an axiom of target conditions of a mobile transport object, a condition of functional correspondence, and a condition of continuity regarding the functional transition of a mobile transport object. Formalization is carried out for conflict-free and continuous traffic using mathematical logic. A formal principle for building a transport network of conflict-free and continuous traffic is developed. The following notions are introduced: traffic transport resource, traffic continuity, cycle of target conditions, conflict-free traffic pattern.

A fast heuristic for routing in post-disaster humanitarian relief logistics

Abstract: In the last decades, natural disasters have been affecting the human life of millions of people. The impressive scale of these disasters has pointed out the need for an effective management of the relief supply operations. One of the crucial issues in this context is the routing of vehicles carrying critical supplies and help to disaster victims. This problem poses unique logistics challenges, including damaged transportation infrastructure and limited knowledge on the road travel times. In such circumstances, selecting more reliable paths could help the rescue team to provide fast services to those in needs. The classic cost-minimizing routing problems do not properly reflect the relevant issue of the arrival time, which clearly has a serious impact on the survival rate of the affected community. In this paper, we focus specifically on the arrival time objective function in a multi-vehicle routing problem where stochastic travel times are taken into account. The considered problem should be solved promptly in the aftermath of a disaster, hence we propose a fast heuristic that could be applied to solve the problem.

Interaction of subjects having different control paradigms in a common transport space

Abstract: The paper puts forward six control paradigms depending on the type of relations between subsystems in the driver–vehicle–road–objects–environment system. Primary issues of transition to the highest automation levels are listed. They are legal, social, and technological ones. The authors suggest a number of practical recommendations to solve issues of transition to autonomous control.

Collecting travel diaries : Current state of the art, best practices, and future research directions

Abstract: The amount of useful information that can be extracted from travel diaries is matched by the difficulty of obtaining travel diaries in a modern era where the response rate to traditional travel dia ...

Identification of activity stop locations in GPS trajectories by DBSCAN-TE method combined with support vector machines

Abstract: GPS sensors on smart phones facilitate collecting and analyzing spatial-temporal information of the phone holders. Before carrying further analysis on these data, splitting continuous GPS trajectories is necessary in data processing. This paper proposes a two-step methodology (a density-based clustering algorithm in the first step and SVMs (support vector machines) in the second step) to deal with GPS data without speed or acceleration features which are usually used as key attributes in the rule-based methodologies. Entropy is used as an updated constraint to remove the erroneously identified stopping points, which leads to 1.5% improvement in the overall accuracy compared with an earlier version of the methodology. The output from the first step also make the SVMs have a better performance.

System dynamics of process organization in the sphere of traffic safety assurance

Abstract: The paper is devoted to studying trends in organization of traffic safety assurance systems in various countries. The materials in the paper focus on synthesis of management decision support systems in the sphere of traffic safety assurance. Structural and parametric identification of dynamic models for the level of traffic safety management in 8 countries (USA, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Russia) is carried out. Calculation results are presented.