PATH

Development of Integrated Meso/Microscale Traffic Simulation Software for Testing Fault Detection and Handling in AHS

Horowitz, Roberto
2004

In this report, we describe the research carried out under PATH Task Order 4208. The objective of this project was to bridge the gap between the Automated Highway System (AHS) simulators SmartAHS and SmartCAP, by implementing an integrated AHS micro-meso simulation environment for analyzing a large-scale AHS network. In fulfillment of this goal, a meso-microscale traffic simulator was developed that allows a stationary region of microsimulation to be defined within a larger, mesosimulated AHS. This simulator permits analysis of traffic behavior in situations where both vehicle-level (...

Longitudinal Control of Heavy Duty Vehicles: Experimental Evaluation

Yanakiev, Diana
Eyre, Jennifer
Kanellakopoulos, Ioannis
1998

This report describes the results of experimental evaluation of longitudinal control algorithms for commercial heavy vehicles (CHVs). Given the problem of delays in the fuel and brake actuators of automated CHVs, the researchers present improved modeling of air brakes for CHVs, and novel nonlinear algorithms for the longitudinal control of CHVs without intervehicle communication. The significance of these results in terms of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployment is that one of the major obstacles to autonomous vehicle following for CHVs has now been removed The authors also...

SmartBRT: A Tool for Simulating, Visualizing, and Evaluating Bus Rapid Transit Systems

VanderWerf, Joel
2005

Evaluation of BRT systems. SmartBRT is for designed for modeling and simulating hypothetical transit systems, especially those making use of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) technologies and policies. SmartBRT can be used to evaluate new technologies and policies that haven't been fully explored in deployed systems. SmartBRT does not output emissions or cost data. SmartBRT does not calculate the longterm effects of BRT deployment, such as changes in mode choice. To aid in evaluation, SmartBRT provides features for data gathering and statistics. The model report has a complete list of variables that...

A Comparison of Traffic Models: Part 1, Framework

Lo, Hong K.
Lin, Wei-hua
Lawrence, C.
Chang, Elbert
Tsao, Jacob
1996

This report defines a framework for comparing dynamic traffic models. It emphasizes four dimensions: functionality, traffic dynamics, route choice dy namics, and overall network performance. The first dimension compares the models through a check-list of model functions. Regarding the last three comparison dimensions, a total of five networks and twelve scenarios are defined. These test scenarios are designed to accentuate model properties and differences. Also included in the report are a list of performance measures for comparison purpose, and a discussion of the interpretation of...

Truck Scheduling for Ground to Air Connectivity: Final Report

Hall, Randolph W.
Lo, Shih-Che
2002

A critical link in the overnight package business is the on-time arrival of trucks at airport terminals. Truck delays can delay the package sorting and transfer process, which can in turn delay aircraft departures from the local terminal, as well as aircraft departures from hub terminals that depend on timely aircraft arrivals. This report models the airport terminal as a queueing process with random bulk arrivals. The models have been implemented in a web-based decision support tool (Truck to Air Dispatch, TAD, available at the website ger309-pc16.usc.edu), which provides real-time...

Bay Area Simulation and Ramp Metering Study - Year 2 Report

Gardes, Yonnel
Kim, Amy
May, Dolf
2003

As part of the California PATH program, the Paramics microscopic traffic simulation model was evaluated through a pilot application to the I-680 freeway corridor, one of the most highly congested facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The main objective of the project was to test the capability of the model to serve as a tool for evaluating alternative transportation planning and traffic management scenarios. HOV lanes were investigated first on a "simple" network, and later on the existing I-680 corridor. An Application Programming Interface (API) "plugin" designed by Quadstone, which...

The Potential of Using Transit Infrastructure for Air Freight Movement: A Case Study in the Bay Area

Wang, Rui
Lu, Xiao-Yun
Sivakumaran, Karthik
2010

This report examines the impact and feasibility of using urban railway system for freight movement. In particular, using the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system for FedEx Express air cargo movement is analyzed as a case study. Based on the framework constructed in the study of last phase, social impact (externalities), reliability, and infrastructure feasibility are considered. The social cost related to emission, energy consumption/efficiency, impact on road traffic and land use is considered. The reliability issue is examined from two aspects: transportation delay, and emergency...

Adaptive Control for Conventional Modes of Operation of MEMS Gyroscopes

Park, Park
Horowitz, Roberto
Tan, Chin-Woo
2002

This report presents adaptive control algorithms for conventional modes of operation of MEMS z-axis gyroscopes. In an open-loop mode, an off-line self-calibration scheme is proposed for estimating fabrication imperfections and enhancing the performance of a gyroscope operating in open-loop mode. This scheme can be implemented during the initial calibration stage when the gyroscope is turned on, or at regular calibration sessions, which may be performed periodically. An adaptive add-on control scheme is also proposed for a closed-loop mode of operation. This scheme is realized by adding an...

Evaluation of On-Ramp Control Algorithms

Zhang, Michael
Kim, Taewan
Nie, Xiaojian
Jin, Wenlong
Chu, Lianyu
Recker, Will
2001

The control of a traffic corridor, which consists of two major component - freeway system control and arterial street system control, aims to improve flows on both freeway and arterial streets, and has been demonstrated as an effective means to increase the level of service of a corridor system during peak periods. Ramp metering, or ramp control, has been considered to be a very important component of corridor traffic control. Ramp metering is the application of control devices such as metering signals to limit the number of vehicles entering a freeway. The fundamental philosophy of ramp...

Addressing Equity Challenges to Implementing Road Pricing

Taylor, Brian D., PhD
Kalauskas, Rebecca, MA
Iseki, Hiroyuki
2010

Many public officials looking for ways to increase the efficiency, equity, and financial stability of transportation systems are turning to metering road use with electronic tolls.  While tolling today is easier and cheaper than ever, officials face many obstacles to implementing tolling – especially concerning equity.  Accordingly, this paper examines road pricing equity from a variety of perspectives.  We begin by developing an evaluation framework that defines three distinct bases for evaluating equity – free markets, equal opportunities, and equal outcomes....