Combining Geographic Information Systems for Transportation and Mixed Integer Linear Programming in Facility Location-Allocation Problems

In this study, we aimed to assess the solution quality for location-allocation problems from facilities generated by the software TransCAD®?, a Geographic Information System for Transportation (GIS-T). Such facilities were obtained after using two routines together: Facility Location and Transportation Problem, when compared with optimal solutions from exact mathematical models, based on Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), developed externally for the GIS. The models were applied to three simulations: the first one proposes opening factories and customer allocation in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil;the second involves a wholesaler and a study of location and allocation of distribution centres for retail customers;and the third one involves the location of day-care centers and allocation of demand (0 - 3 years old children). The results showed that when considering facility capacity, the MILP optimising model presents results up to 37% better than the GIS and proposes different locations to open new facilities.

Risk-taking path choice behaviors under ATIS in transportation networks with demand uncertainty

A new travel time reliability-based traffic assignment model is proposed to investigate the effects of an advanced transportation information system (ATIS) on drivers' risk-taking path choice behaviours in transportation networks with demand uncertainty. In the model, drivers are divided into two classes. The first class is not equipped with ATIS, while the second class is equipped with ATIS. Different risk-taking path choice behaviours of the two classes are studied, respectively. A corresponding mixed equilibrium traffic assignment model is formulated as a variational inequality problem in terms of path flows, which is solved by a heuristic solution algorithm. Numerical results indicate that the ATIS can influence the drivers' risk-taking path choice behaviours and the total system travel time in transportation networks with demand uncertainty. It is also found that under higher demand levels, the benefits of ATIS for network performance enhancement may be more obvious.

A theoretical extraction scheme of transport information based on exclusion models

In order to explore how to extract more transport information from current fluctuation, a theoretical extraction scheme is presented in a single barrier structure based on exclusion models, which include counter-flows model and tunnel model. The first four cumulants of these two exclusion models are computed in a single barrier structure, and their characteristics are obtained. A scheme with the help of the first three cumulants is devised to check a transport process to follow the counter-flows model, the tunnel model or neither of them. Time series generated by Monte Carlo techniques is adopted to validate the abstraction procedure, and the result is reasonable.

Dust transport information and paleoclimatic changes revealed by the loess in Ranwu,south-eastern Xizang

The loess accumulation process has great potential to record patterns of atmospheric circulation change,paleoclimate,and paleoenvironmental evolution.South-eastern Xizang is a climatically sensitive region and here,we analyze a loess profile at Ranwu in order to explore the processes and interactions of dust transport and paleoclimate evolution in the region.Based on parametric grain size end-member analysis,optically stimulated luminescence(OSL)dating,and environmental proxies we show that the Ranwu loess profile comprises five end members(EMs).EM1 represents the fine silt fraction transported by high-altitude westerly winds over long distances;EM2 represents the medium silt fraction accumulated by glacier winds;EM3 is the coarse silt fraction transported by local dust storms under the action of strong glacier winds;EM4 represents the very fine sand fraction transported by strong local dust storms,different wind strengths controls the relative proportion of EM3 and EM4 over time.EM5 is the coarse sand fraction formed from the product of strong weathering of gravels.OSL dating shows loess sedimentation at Ranwu started around 11.16 ka.The prevailing climate was generally warm and wet between 11.6 and 4.2 ka,with four cooling events at 10.50,9.18,7.85,and 6.37 ka.Extensive paleosol development between 8.2 and 4.2 ka,a change to dry and cold climate conditions was favorable for loess formation after 4.2 ka.The palaeoenvironmental changes and abrupt climate events recorded in the Ranwu loess sequence are consistent with Holocene global environmental changes.

Opportunities and challenges of smart mobile applications in transportation

Smart mobile applications are software applications that are designed to run on smart phones, tablets, and other mobile electronic devices. In this era of rapid technological advances, these applications have become one of the primary tools we use daily both in our personal and professional lives. The applications play key roles in facilitating many applications that are pivotal in our today＇s society including communication, education, business, entertainment, medical, finance, travel, utilities, social, and transportation. This paper reviewed the opportunities and challenges of the applications related to transportation. The opportunities revealed include route planning, ridesharing/carpooling, traffic safety, parking information, transportation data collection, fuel emissions and consumption, and travel information. The potential users of these applications in the field of transportation include （I） transportation agencies for travel data collection, travel information, ridesharing/carpooling, and traffic safety, （2） engineering students for field data collection such as travel speed, travel time, and vehicle count, and （3） general traveling public for route planning, ridesharing/carpooling, parking, traffic safety, and travel information. Significant usage of smart mobile applications can be potentially very beneficial, particularly in automobile travel mode to reduce travel time, cost, and vehicle emissions. In the end this would make travel safer and living environments greener and healthier. However, road users＇ interactions with these applications could manually, visually, and cognitively divert their attention from the primary task of driving or walking. Distracted road users expose themselves and others to unsafe behavior than undistracted. Road safety education and awareness programs are vital to discourage the use of applications that stimulate unsafe driving/walking behaviors. Educating the traveling public about the dangers of unsafe driving/walking behavior could have significant safety benefits to all road users. Future research needs to compare accuracies of the applications and provide guidelines for selecting them for certain transportation related applications.