Controlling Congestion in Al-Seeb Highway Using Ramp Metering (Case Study)

This paper represents a case study of traffic congestion within a section on Al Seeb Street highway due to the on-ramp merging of vehicles that causes a bottleneck in the mainline road. It studies the efficiency of installing ramp metering within a ramp within the selected study zone. This is done by simulating the collected data using Vissim software by drawing three one-hour-long scenarios;the first scenario reflects the data collected for 30 minutes duration and is used as a base scenario to draw the other two scenarios, which are reflected as factored-up scenarios to create a situation observed in the early morning in the study zone at 6:00-7:00 in which slowing down of speeds exist, and breakdown is raised in working days. The two factoring-up scenarios were as follows: one without ramp metering and the other without ramp metering. Each scenario was calibrated and run five times with random seeds, and then the average was considered. The simulation examines the ability of RM to smooth traffic in mainline and reduce queuing on on-ramp roads within the selected study zone by comparing the performance of the network for the scenarios and comparing them in terms of the overall delays, number of stops and the average speeds for the vehicles within the mainline. The results showed a good performance reflected by the scenario with ramp metering with a reduction of the overall delay, a decrease in stops number and an increase of the average speed were achieved. For the base scenario, a visualization (video extracted from Vissim software) was extracted, showing no need to install RM with an associated table showing a number of stops equal to zero with an average speed of 102.74 km/h and a total delay of 6045 seconds. For the second scenario with no RM, a visualization was extracted showing a slowing down of speeds for vehicles within the mainline while vehicles merging from the on-ramp and need to be controlled with a table showing a number of stops equal to 16 and an average speed equal to 58 km/h and a total delay of 916,874 seconds. For the third scenario with RM, a visualization was extracted showing good control of the second scenario with a table showing the number of stops equal to 6, an average speed equal to 61 km/h and a total delay equal to 484,466 seconds. Ten literatures in regard to this study have been reviewed. The data collected are quantitative, which are collected using an indirect manual counting method and then the data is used to feed the software for simulation.

Intelligent Energy Utilization Analysis Using IUA-SMD Model Based Optimization Technique for Smart Metering Data

Smart metering has gained considerable attention as a research focus due to its reliability and energy-efficient nature compared to traditional electromechanical metering systems. Existing methods primarily focus on data management,rather than emphasizing efficiency. Accurate prediction of electricity consumption is crucial for enabling intelligent grid operations,including resource planning and demandsupply balancing. Smart metering solutions offer users the benefits of effectively interpreting their energy utilization and optimizing costs. Motivated by this,this paper presents an Intelligent Energy Utilization Analysis using Smart Metering Data(IUA-SMD)model to determine energy consumption patterns. The proposed IUA-SMD model comprises three major processes:data Pre-processing,feature extraction,and classification,with parameter optimization. We employ the extreme learning machine(ELM)based classification approach within the IUA-SMD model to derive optimal energy utilization labels. Additionally,we apply the shell game optimization(SGO)algorithm to enhance the classification efficiency of the ELM by optimizing its parameters. The effectiveness of the IUA-SMD model is evaluated using an extensive dataset of smart metering data,and the results are analyzed in terms of accuracy and mean square error(MSE). The proposed model demonstrates superior performance,achieving a maximum accuracy of65.917% and a minimum MSE of0.096. These results highlight the potential of the IUA-SMD model for enabling efficient energy utilization through intelligent analysis of smart metering data.

Iterative learning control approach for ramp metering

An iterative learning control scheme is developed to the traffic densitycontrol in a macroscopic level freeway environment. With rigorous analysis, the proposed intelligentcontrol scheme guarantees the asymptotic convergence of the traffic density to the desired one. Thecontrol scheme is applied to a freeway model, and simulation results confirm the efficacy of theproposed approach.

Discrete Particle Simulation of Gas-Solid Flow in Air-Blowing Seed Metering Device

In this paper,the gas and seed flow characters in the air-blowing seed metering device are investigated by using the coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method(CFD-DEM)in three dimensions(3D).The method of establishing boundary model based on the computer-aided design(CAD)drawing,has been used to build the boundary model of seed metering device.The 3D laser scanning technique and multi-element method are adopted to establish the particle model.Through a combined numerical and experimental effort,using 3D CFD-DEM software,which is based on the in-house codes,the mechanisms governing the gas and solid dynamic behaviors in the seed metering device have been studied.The gas velocity field and the effect of different rotational speeds and air pressures on the seeding performance and particle velocity have been studied,similar agreements between numerical and experimental results are gained.This reveals that the 3D CFD-DEM model established is able to predict the performance of the air-blowing seed metering device.It can be used to design and optimize the air-blowing seed metering device and other similar agriculture devices.

Robust Non-fragile PID Controller Design for the Stroke Regulation of Metering Pumps

This job focuses on the stroke regulation of a class of high-precision metering pumps.A parametertuning method of robust non-fragile PID（proportional-integral-derivative）controllers is proposed with the assumption that a PID controller has additive gain perturbations.An H-infinite robust PID controller can be obtained by solving a linear matrix inequality.This approach can guarantee that the closed-loop control systems is asymptotically stable and the H-infinite norm of the transfer function from the disturbance to the output of a controlled system is less than a given constant to attenuate disturbances.The simulation case shows that the control performance of the proposed strategy is significantly better than the traditional PID approach in the situation with perturbations of controller parameters.

Embedded TLS 1.2 Implementation for Smart Metering & Smart Grid Applications

Digital networked communications are the key to all Internet-of-things applications, but especially to smart metering systems and the smart grid. In order to ensure a safe operation of systems and the privacy of users, the transport layer security （TLS） protocol, a mature and well standardized solution for secure communications, may be used. We implemented the TLS protocol in its latest version in a way suitable for embedded and resource-constrained systems. This paper outlines the challenges and opportunities of deploying TLS in smart metering and smart grid applications and presents performance results of our TLS implementation. Our analysis shows that given an appropriate implementation and configuration, deploying TLS in constrained smart metering systems is possible with acceptable overhead.

A Prepaid Smart Metering Scheme Based on WiMAX Prepaid Accounting Model

Prepaid energy meters have been widely adopted by utilities in different countries across the world as an innovative solution to the problem of affordability and consumption management. However, the present smart card based systems have some inherent problems like added cost, low availability and lack of security. In the future Smart Grid paradigm, use of smart meters can completely overhaul these prepaid systems by introducing centralized accounting, monitoring and credit-control functions using state-of-the-art telecommunication technologies like WiMAX. In this paper we pro-pose a prepaid smart metering scheme for Smart Grid application based on centralized authentication and charging using the WiMAX prepaid accounting model. We then discuss its specific application to Demand Response and Roam-ing of Electrical Vehicles.

Effects of the precipitation of stabilizers on the mechanism of grain fracturing in a zirconia metering nozzle

The mechanism of grain fracturing in a zirconia metering nozzle used in the continuous casting process was studied. The phase composition, microstructure, and chemical composition of the residual samples were studied using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and electron probe. Results revealed that the composition, structure, and mineral phase of the original layer, transition layer, and affected layer of the metering nozzle differed because of stabilizer precipitation and steel slag permeation. The stabilizer MgO formed low-melting phases with steel slag and impure SiO2 on the boundaries（pores） of zirconia grains; consequently, grain fracturing occurred and accelerated damage to the metering nozzle was observed.

Design of Metering Device Key Parts of Pneumatic Grass Seeder

Based on the mechanical and physical properties study of forage grass seeds, multi-line with one-device type metering device was designed. It was composed of adjustable screw, stirrer, metering device housing and central metering sheave and so on. The sowing rate can be set by turning the screw to change the working length of the central metering sheave relative to the metering device housing. The stirrer inside of the sheave housing is used to prevent seeds overhead. And metering of different sizes of seed is adjusted by changing the position of internal components of the slot wheel mechanism. Innovative design on the structure of the central metering sheave was finished. According to the structure parameters and physical characteristic parameters, different seed sowing rate of per hectares was calculated. And then the working length scale of the central metering groove wheel was made. And there is a one-to-one correspondence between scale values and sowing quantity per hectare of different kinds of seed.

Investigation into the Independent Metering Control Performance of a Twin Spools Valve with Switching Technology-controlled Pilot Stage

In hydraulic area,independent metering control(IMC)technology is an effective approach to improve system efficiency and control flexibility.In addition,digital hydraulic technology(DHT)has been verified as a reasonable method to optimize system dynamic performance.Integrating these two technologies into one component can combine their advantages together.However,few works focused on it.In this paper,a twin spools valve with switching technologycontrolled pilot stage(TSVSP)is presented,which applied DHT into its pilot stage while appending IMC into its main stage.Based on this prototype valve,a series of numerical and experiment analysis of its IMC performance with both simulated load and excavator boom cylinder are carried out.Results showed fast and robust performance of pressure and flow compound control with acceptable fluctuation phenomenon caused by switching technology.Rising time of flow response in excavator cylinder can be controlled within 200 ms,meanwhile,the recovery time of rod chamber pressure under suddenly changed condition is optimized within 250 ms.IMC system based on TSVSP can improve both dynamic performance and robust characteristics of the target actuator so it is practical in valve-cylinder system and can be applied in mobile machineries.

Residential PV capacity estimation and power disaggregation using net metering measurements

As the intermittency and uncertainty of photovoltaic(PV)power generation poses considerable challenges to the power system operation,accurate PV generation estimates are critical for the distribution operation,maintenance,and demand response program implementation because of the increasing usage of distributed PVs.Currently,most residential PVs are installed behind the meter,with only the net load available to the utilities.Therefore,a method for disaggregating the residential PV generation from the net load data is needed to enhance the grid-edge observability.In this study,an unsupervised PV capacity estimation method based on net metering data is proposed,for estimating the PV capacity in the customer’s premise based on the distribution characteristics of nocturnal and diurnal net load extremes.Then,the PV generation disaggregation method is presented.Based on the analysis of the correlation between the nocturnal and diurnal actual loads and the correlation between the PV capacity and their actual PV generation,the PV generation of customers is estimated by applying linear fitting of multiple typical solar exemplars and then disaggregating them into hourly-resolution power profiles.Finally,the anomalies of disaggregated PV power are calibrated and corrected using the estimated capacity.Experiment results on a real-world hourly dataset involving 260 customers show that the proposed PV capacity estimation method achieves good accuracy because of the advantages of robustness and low complexity.Compared with the state-of-the-art PV disaggregation algorithm,the proposed method exhibits a reduction of over 15%for the mean absolute percentage error and over 20%for the root mean square error.

Ratio K: a New Way of Metering and Evaluating the Risk and Return of Stock Investment

Although widely used, both the Markowitz model and VAR (Value at Risk) model have some limitations in evaluating the risk and return of stock investment. By the analysis of the conceptions of risk and return, together with the three hypotheses of technological analysis, a novelty model of metering and evaluating the risk and return of stock investment is established. The major indicator of this model , risk-return ratio K, combines the characteristic indicators of risk and return. Regardless of the form of the risk-return probability density functions, this indicator K can always reflect the risk-return performances of the invested stocks clearly and accurately. How to use the model to make optimum investment and how to make portfolio combined with clustering analysis is also explained.

Exploiting the Cellular Infrastructure for Data Transmission in Smart Metering Systems

To implement the access and backhaul networks for Smart Metering (SM) systems various technologies are combined with the existing communications infrastructure. This paper deals with data transmission in SM systems, focusing on how the existing cellular networks infrastructure is employed to implement SM access communication networks. The analysis aims at analyzing the role of the cellular communications infrastructure taking into account the spatial distribution and installation points of the smart meters, the urban and topological characteristics of the SM deployment areas and the common practice so far followed by the utilities. It is demonstrated that cellular communications, either exclusively or combined with power line communications, enable immediate and scalable deployment of SM access communication networks at low installation cost, thus constituting the basic option for the implementation of smart metering.

Queue Storage Design for Metered On-Ramps

Queue storage at a metered freeway on-ramp is an essential design element for metered on-ramps to prevent on-ramp queue from extending beyond on-ramps.In this paper,various existing methodologies that are used to size the queue storage at metered on-ramps were first reviewed.It was found that queue storage sized using 7%of peak hour on-ramp demand is widely accepted in practice.A limited dataset collected in California helps provide some reality check for this method.It is recommended that queue storage be recognized as an indispensable design element at metered on-ramps,and detailed sizing guidance be developed in the highway geometric design policy of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials(AASHTO).

Effects of temperature-gradient-induced damage of zirconia metering nozzles

The effects of temperature-gradient-induced damage of zirconia metering nozzles were investigated through analysis of the phase composition and microstructure of nozzle samples. The analysis was carried out using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy after the samples were subjected to a heat treatment based on the temperatures of the affected, transition, and original layers of zirconia metering nozzles during the continuous casting of steel. The results showed that, after heat treatment at 1540, 1410, or 1300A degrees C for a dwell time of 5 h, the monoclinic zirconia phase was gradually stabilized with increasing heat-treatment temperature. Moreover, a transformation to the cubic zirconia phase occurred, accompanied by grain growth, which illustrates that the temperature gradient in zirconia metering nozzles affects the mineral composition and microstructure of the nozzles and accelerates damage, thereby deteriorating the quality and service life of the nozzles.

Vacuum and Air Flow for 2QXP-1 Vacuum Precision Seed Metering

Vacuum precision seed metering is the key part of vacuum seed planter. Planting performance of planter is affected by vacuum and air flow which are important parameters for choosing fan. Effects of qualification percent and miss percent on air chamber vacuum 3, 4, 5 and 6 kPa were studied at different operating speeds. The results showed that operating performance of the seed metering was excellent when air chamber vacuum was 5 and 6 kPa, which air flow was 7.4-8.0 m3·s-1 and 8.0-8.8 m3·s-1 , respectively.

Analysis and Research on Low-Cost and Non-Intrusive Power Metering Chip

Metering technology is one of the core technologies of the smart power grid. The overall metering solution and related products have a wide market space in the whole process of power production, which bring new opportunities for power distribution development from automation to intelligentialize, and provide technical supports for the power metering system platform. Because of the importance of metering products and their market demand, this paper focuses on the design of a simple power metering chip with low-cost, low-precision and non-invasive, so as to lay the foundation for the development and practical technology accumulation of power metering products. The design achieves low cost by reducing the acquisition accuracy, simplifying the collection and sampling methods. This paper studies the chip accuracy, sampling methods, collection methods, and the inference of the chip characteristics requirements.

Simulation Analysis of Characteristics for Independent Metering Control System Based on Downstream Compensation

Aiming at the shortcomings of the separate meter in and separate meter out?hydraulic system, a new type of independent metering control system is proposed by referring to the principle of load-sensing system. The valve group unit in the system is designed, and the AMESim/Matlab cosimulation model of the component and system is established. The actuator speed control, energy consumption and anti-flow saturation characteristics of the system are discussed. The simulation result shows that the system proposed in this article can achieve?better performances.

Secure Communication Networks in the Advanced Metering Infrastructure of Smart Grid

In this paper, a security protocol for the advanced metering infrastructure （AMI） in smart grid is proposed. Through the AMI, customers and the service provider achieve two-way communication. Real-time monitoring and demand response can be applied because of the information exchanged. Since the information contains much privacy of the customer, and the control messages need to be authenticated, security needs to be ensured for the communication in the AM1. Due to the complicated network structure of the AMI, the asymmetric communications, and various security requirements, existing security protocols for other networks can hardly be applied into the AMI directly. Therefore, a security protocol specifically for the AMI to meet the security requirements is proposed. Our proposed security protocol includes initial authentication, secure uplink data aggregation, secure downlink data transmission, and domain secrets update. Compared with existing researches in related areas, our proposed security protocol takes the asymmetric communications of the AMI and various security requirements in smart grid into consideration.

An Ad-Hoc Low Cost Wireless Sensor Network for Smart Gas Metering

The monitoring of power consumption has become of a great interest in recent years as well as the innovative technologies available to realize Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have experienced a great growth. While smart metering technologies for electric energy are already established, as sensors power supply comes directly from power lines, WSN nodes for gas metering should necessarily be equipped with long life batteries. The presented work describes a new prototypal low cost WSN designed ad hoc for gas smart metering. The network has a star topology: each sensor node can be completely integrated with standard reed relay gas meter, and it is capable to measure the gas consumption. The information is sent to the central node (the Access Point, AP) through an RF links. The sensor nodes have been designed with custom electronics and a proprietary firmware, in order to work with a common 3.6 V lithium battery which is able to ensure a life period of about 10 years for each node. Only the AP must be connected directly to electric power. The AP is connected through the RS-232 interface to a control embedded PC equipped with a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) framework: it stores all the information coming from each node in a coherent database and allows authorized users to check the network status using a web interface. The WSN is self-learning and it is capable to detect new nodes joining the network without altering the normal operative flow. Moreover e-mail and SMS alerts can be activated to alert if a node is disconnected from the network or some problems occur. A first prototype of the WSN has been already tested achieving good results.