Showing papers on "Fleet management published in 1994"

Simulation verifies queuing program for selecting loader-truck fleets

Abstract: Proper equipment selection can yield substantial savings in time and cost. MicroCYCLONE simulation package is used to verify the FLEET queuing program. FLEET models multiloader‐truck systems using exponential distribution at steady state. A few FLEET assumptions are redefined to closely model real‐world construction processes. Graphical solutions illustrate effects of the cycle‐time modeling and transient state on multiloader‐truck fleet selection. FLEET is shown to be an accurate model of the steady‐state, multiloader‐truck process if exponential distribution did accurately fit load‐ and travel‐time distributions. But, erlang or beta distribution more closely fits actual load and travel times in construction. Modeling load and travel times of loader‐truck fleets with exponential, instead of beta, distribution results in underestimation of production and overestimation of unit cost by 4–7%. Simulation results of a more accurate model that uses beta distribution and considers transient state, in addition t...

Efficiency of trucks in road construction and maintenance: an evaluation with data envelopment analysis

Abstract: This paper focuses on the performance of trucks involved in road construction and maintenance, and operated by the regional agencies of the Norwegian public roads administration. The performance is evaluated from the productive efficiency point of view. The framework is that of a deterministic non-parametric (DEA) approach to efficiency measurement. In this context several important issues are addressed: efficiency ranking and distribution among trucks, the importance of an appropriate output measure, impact of regional characteristics and the significance of the make and model of the trucks. A substantial variation in efficiency measures across trucks is found. These variations are dependent on regional specifications i.e. coastal regions are significantly different from inland regions. The distribution according to sizes as measured by output is, however, even across units. Neither the make nor the vintage of truck influences performance. A regional differentiation reveals that coastal regions perform better when output is measured by transportation distance in kilometers while inland regions get higher scores when output is measured by effective hours in production. (A)

Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 14

Abstract: Designed for use as a desk-top reference, the data book represents an assembly and display of statistics and information that characterize transportation activity, and presents data on other factors that influence transportation energy use. The purpose of this document is to present relevant statistical data in the form of tables and graphs. Each of the major transportation modes is treated in separate chapters or sections. Chapter 1 compares US transportation data with data from other countries. Aggregate energy use and energy supply data for all modes are presented in Chapter 2. The highway mode, which accounts for over three-fourths of total transportation energy consumption, is dealt with in Chapter 3. Topics in this chapter include automobiles, trucks, buses, fleet vehicles, federal standards, fuel economies, and high-occupancy vehicle lane data. Household travel behavior characteristics are displayed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 contains information on alternative fuels and alternatively-fueled vehicles. Chapter 6 covers the major nonhighway modes: air, water, and rail. The last chapter, Chapter 7, presents data environmental issues relating to transportation.

Demonstration of zinc/air fuel battery to enhance the range and mission of fleet electric vehicles: Preliminary results in the refueling of a multicell module

Abstract: We report progress in an effort to develop and demonstrate a refuelable zinc/air battery for fleet electric vehicle applications. A refuelable module consisting of twelve bipolar cells with internal flow system has been refueled at rates of nearly 4 cells per minute refueling time of 10 minutes for a 15 kW, 55 kWh battery. The module is refueled by entrainment of 0.5-mm particles in rapidly flowing electrolyte, which delivers the particles into hoppers above each cell in a parallel-flow hydraulic circuit. The concept of user-recovery is presented as an alternative to centralized service infrastructure during market entry.

The project FRUIT: a goal-oriented approach to traffic management in Frankfurt am Main and the Rhine-Main region

Abstract: This article describes the FRUIT (FRankfurt Urban Integrating Traffic management) project. This project has developed approaches for implementing an integrating strategy of traffic management within an exploration and feasibility study based on a defined goal concept. This approach establishes which measures within traffic management, what new types of Advanced Transport Telematics (ATT) are useful, and which need to be altered. The ATT methods investigated include: a) access control and road pricing; b) parkingmanagement; c) integrated schedules for public transport systems; d) freight and fleet management; and e) driver information systems. The project identified 22 operational measures which appeared to be feasible for Frankfurt am Main. It then provided an evaluative comparison of these 22 measures, using the utility value analysis method. Project proposals using these measures were then developed and ranked according to their degree of priority.

Intelligence on board: modern approach to transit fleet management

Abstract: GSI Gesellschaft fuer Systemtechnik und Informatik mbH, Salem, is the German supplier of the intelligent transportation system (ITS) which is a modular construction set for enhanced fleet navigation, operations information and management, vehicle dispatching and service restoration, and passenger service in public transportation This paper focuses on the specific ITS approach of providing the fully vehicle autonomous operation through utilizing as much intelligence as possible on board the vehicles The emphasis is not on completeness but focused on those components which may be referred to as of latest technology gaining increasing importance and significance in current applications >

Analytical fleet maintenance management

Abstract: Written for all supervisors and managers with direct or indirect responsibility for vehicle maintenance management, this book describes practical, cost-effective principles and practices that can be used in daily work operations. The book illustrates how the implementation of these cost effective principles results in better continuous control of vehicle maintenance. All fleet management personnel - not just those involved with vehicle maintenance - will be able to use this information to realize productivity savings and improvement of their fleet's performance.

Simulation model for evaluating the performance of emergency response fleets

Abstract: A simulation model for evaluating the performance of an emergency response fleet of an electric utility company is presented. The proposed model considers the spatial, temporal, and severity distribution of calls and has the capability to simulate alternative configurations of service districts and dispatching policies of the emergency response fleet. A nonstationary Poisson process is used to simulate the temporal distribution of service calls, whereas discrete simulation is employed for the spatial and severity distribution of the service calls. A mixed planar and network model is used to calculate the shortest travel time between the service calls and the location of emergency response vehicles. The model is validated on the basis of historical data. It is used to evaluate the relationship between fleet size and total incident service time and to compare alternative configurations of service districts for the same fleet size and dispatching policy.

Precursors of demand for alternative-fuel vehicles: results from a survey of 2,000 fleet sites in california

Abstract: This research explores factors which influence demand for light-duty alternative-fuel vehicles among commercial and governmental fleets. The data are derived from a large, comprehensive 1994 survey of more than 2,000 fleet sites in California. A model is developed to predict near-term adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles using variables in three categories: (1) fleet site characteristics, including on-site refueling, average annual miles traveled, vehicle duty cycles, and fleet size; (2) organizational decision making attributes; and (3) perceived awareness that a fleet site is subject to legislation that requires the use of alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs). This third factor, AFV mandates, is the most important, but a number of fleet site characteristics are also significant precursors of AFV demand.

Structure of a simple but effective bus fleet management system

Abstract: This paper describes the structure of an installed prototype real-time bus fleet management system. The automatic vehicle monitoring and control (AVMC) system is composed from three modules (a) the in-vehicle communications, (b) centralised communication network, and (c) route management computer system. Here we report on the simplicity and efficacy of the system.

Radiopositioning of mobiles in a densely built up urban area and applications to ratp bus fleet management and passenger information

Abstract: The RATP has carried out a programme of successful experiments on a device for locating the position of mobiles, using the GPS (Global Positioning Service) satellite system. Its accuracy, all things considered, is about 10 m. The system's initial application will be in relation to the bus network (4000 vehicles) for matters of personal security, being able to provide a precise location for a bus in an emergency situation, for bus traffic flow regulation and for passenger information purposes. Brief details are provided of: a) the system architecture; and b) a study to evaluate the accuracy of the system. Brief details of each of the applications are also provided. These include: a) the ORGAS (Operational Route Global Assistance System) system; and b) the ALTAIR system, which regulates bus movements and provides a passenger information service. For the covering abstract see IRRD 868006.

Self-service electric cars: a new public transport?

Abstract: An efficient alternative to the use of private automobiles in terms of resource sharing, to the taxi in terms of availability and cost, and to car pool in terms of flexibility, is the concept of public car sharing: a single car is used several times during the day by different users. This concept is popular in France currently and should bring two advantages: a net reduction in the number of cars (and therefore parking spaces) in a given area, and a reduction in air and noise pollution with the use of electric cars. This public transportation is based on a fleet of electric vehicles, a central management system and an information and fare collection system. A vehicle may be in any of four states (identified by a display) (1) in use; (2) reserved; (3) available for use; and (4) not operative (charging or needing maintenance).

Dgps emergency location system for vehicles

Abstract: This paper describes an emergency location system under development which transfers an automatic alert message from a crashed vehicle via the emergency call center to rescue personnel. The alert is initiated by a crash sensor within the vehicle. In Stuttgart, the mobile part of the DGPS-based emergency location system has been integrated in several vehicles. The full system is being tested within a field trial of a DRIVE pilot project called STORM (Stuttgart Transport Operation by Regional Management). The results of these tests are summarized in this paper. The integration of the system into fleet management applications is also considered.

The socrates projects: an overview of progress in the att programme

Abstract: SOCRATES stands for "System Of Cellular RAdio for Traffic Efficiency and Safety". The paper assesses the status of the development of SOCRATES systems in Europe, providing an update on what many consider to be the technology with the greatest potential for successfully achieving the realisation of an Integrated Road Transport Environment (IRTE). Using SOCRATES, computers in vehicles receive detailed up-to- the-minute information about traffic conditions. Drivers receive guidance on the best routes and relevant information to help them complete their journeys. SOCRATES services will integrate with public transport and parking information in order to help to use the complete transport infrastructure most efficiently. Other services available using SOCRATES will include an emergency call facility and fleet management applications. The trials described include: a) RHAPIT; b) APPLE; and c) TANGO (Traffic information And Navigation for GOthenburg). (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 868006.

Automating incident management with gis technology

Abstract: The proposed Automated Incident Management (AIM) plan provides support for incident management operations as well as for planning and analysis for incident management. A prototype application has been designed by Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), which has been customized to provide fleet management capabilities to the Motorists Assistance Program (MAP) of the Harris County, Texas. With this application the operator in the MAP control center can track incidents and service patrol vehicles as well as dispatch the vehicles to incident sites. The road network in the GIS map for the AIM plan includes freeways, frontage roads, and major and minor arterials. The database consists of the county roadway inventory, hourly volumes, travel speeds, and emergency services such as hospitals, police, and fire stations. Referencing the database is supported by the names of roads and intersecting streets as well as by latitude and longitude values.

Vehicle replacement costing with age and budget constraints.

Abstract: This paper presents an approach to vehicle replacement decision making for different types of vehicles in a vehicle fleet subject to budget and average fleet age constraints. The approach overcomes some weakness of traditional methods (e.g. life cycle costing methods) that concentrate on only one type of vehicle. A 0–1 integer programming model is developed and a corresponding heuristic algorithm is proposed for vehicle replacement decision making for the whole vehicle fleet, incorporating the budget and average fleet age constraints. The calculation of annualised equivalent costs involves the residual value of a vehicle which is a function of used years and completed kilometres of the vehicle. The introduction of the residual value function eliminates the difficulty in choosing different life spans for annualised equivalent cost comparisons.

The greening of local fleets

Abstract: The article discusses how as the demands facing fleet adiministrators will accelerate during the 90s, environmental issues will dominate the agenda. It is noted that because of new regulations, the nature of vehicles and their fuel will soon change. There will be more electric vehicles, more vehicles using compressed natural gas, and, for gasoline-powered vehicles, more stringent internal control mechanisms for emissions and gasoline chemical composition. Vehicle emission testing programs are discussed, as well as legal actions for violation of environmental laws. Third party claims are discussed, as well as court cases that have eroded the historical protection afforded to governments by the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Comments are made on the Clean Water Act, and waste management.

The SOCRATES projects: progress towards an integrated road transport environment

Abstract: The paper assesses the status of the development of SOCRATES (System Of Cellular Radio for Traffic Efficiency and Safety) systems in Europe, providing an update on the technology of an integrated road transport environment. Using SOCRATES, computers in vehicles receive detailed up-to-minute information about traffic conditions. Drivers receive guidance on the best routes and relevant information to help them complete their journeys. SOCRATES services will integrate with public transport and parking information in order to help to use the complete transport infrastructure most efficiently; other services available using SOCRATES include an emergency call facility and fleet management applications. >