Approaches for a 3D assessment of pavement evenness data based on 3D vehicle models

Pavements are 3D in their shape. They can be captured in three dimensions by modern road mapping equipment which allows for the assessment of pavement evenness in a more holistic way as opposed to current practice which divides into longitudinal and transversal evenness. It makes sense to use 3D vehicle models to simulate the effects of 3D surface data on certain functional criteria like pavement loading, cargo loading and driving comfort. In order to evaluate the three criteria mentioned two vehicle models have been created： a passenger car used to assess driving comfort and a truck-semitrailer submodel used to assess pavement and cargo loading. The vehicle models and their application to 3D surface data are presented. The results are well in line with existing single-track （planar） models. Their advantage over existing 1D/2D models is demonstrated by the example of driving comfort evaluation. Existing ＂geometric＂ limit values for the assessment of longi- tudinal evenness in terms of the power spectral density could be used to establish corre- sponding limit values for the dynamic response, i.e. driving comfort, pavement loading and cargo loading. The limit values are well in line with existing limit values based on planar vehicle models. They can be used as guidelines for the proposal of future limit values. The investigations show that the use of 3D vehicle models is an appropriate and meaningful way of assessing 3D evenness data gathered by modern road mapping systems.

Micro grid for All India Institute of Medical Sciences,Madurai

In 2018,the Government of India approved the establishment of the New All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS)in Thoppur,Madurai,Tamil Nadu,India.As the most important amenity for continuing primary care and rescue response is a healthcare facility,a secure electricity supply becomes an imperative necessity.Hence,as the energy supplier for the new AIIMS,Madurai,this paper proposes a microgrid combined with the utility grid.The microgrid consists of a 4-MW photovoltaic system,a 1.8-MW wind-turbine energy-conversion system,a backup diesel generator capable of meeting the forecasted maximum demand and a 1-MW battery energy-storage system.The AIIMS Microgrid will have a service providing a capacity of 20 MVA following integration with the utility grid.The proposed microgrid would be the first attempt at healthcare facilities in India since its first day of work to ensure the availability of electricity.It would have a 9.8%return on investment,a 13.6%internal rate of return and a payback period of 6.75 years once it is operational,as well as an attractive levelized cost of energy(LCOE)of USD 0.07547/kWh.It would provide an environmentally friendly atmosphere by avoiding an annual emission of 6261132 kg of carbon dioxide,27362 kg of sulphur dioxide and 12838 kg of nitrogen oxides as compared to power supplied entirely from the utility grid.

Limits to Resources,Economic Growth and Happiness

Terrible scenario for the future aspect of our society was issued by ＂The Limits to Growth＂. Basic problems that we confront are the restricted natural resources and the environment. Regarding the resources, the overall average of the reserve/production ratio is predicted to fall below 10 years by 2040. Aggressive developments of mines based on the sense of urgency for metal resources cause strong conftiction with the environment and the people living there. Resultantly, urban mine becomes more realistic than before. From the view point of ecological foot print, 5.3 globes are needed if all the people living in the world attain the affluent life same as USA. On the other hand, it is clear that we can get larger utility by smaller goods if our scale of satisfaction is reduced. We have to notice that happiness is our ultimate purpose, economy and industry are intermediate, and natural resources support the all from the basis.