Accurate estimation of the load weight of freight trains is crucial for ensuring safe, efficient and sustainable rail freight transports. Traditional methods for estimating load weight often suffer from limitations in accuracy and efficiency. In recent years, machine learning algorithms have gained significant attention and use cases within the railway industry due to their strong predictive capabilities for classification and regression tasks. This study aims to present a proof of concept in the form of a comparative analysis of five machine learning regression algorithms: Polynomial Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, Regression Trees, Random Forest Regression, and Support Vector Regression for estimating the load weight of freight trains using simulation data. The study utilizes two comprehensive datasets derived from train simulations in GENSYS, a simulation software for modeling rail vehicles. The datasets encompasses various driving condition factors such as train speed, track conditions and running gear configurations. The algorithms are trained and evaluated on these datasets and their performance is evaluated based on the root mean squared error and R2 metrics. Results from the experiments demonstrate that all five machine learning algorithms show promising performance for estimating the load weight. Polynomial regression achieves the best result for both of the datasets when using many features of the datasets are considered. Random forest regression achieves the best result for both of the data sets when a small number features of the datasets are considered. Furthermore, it is suggested that the methodical approach of this study is examined on real world data from operating freight trains to assert the proof of concept in a real world setting. / Noggrann uppskattning av godstågens lastvikt är avgörande för att säkerställa säkra, effektiva och hållbara godstransporter via järnväg. Traditionella metoder för att uppskatta lastvikt lider ofta av begränsningar i noggrannhet och effektivitet. Under de senaste åren har maskininlärningsalgoritmer fått betydande uppmärksamhet och användningsfall inom järnvägsindustrin på grund av deras starka prediktiva förmåga för klassificerings- och regressionsproblem. Denna studie syftar till att presentera en proof of concept i form av en jämförande analys av fem maskininlärningalgoritmer för regression: Polynom regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, Regression träd, Random Forest Regression och Support Vector Regression för att uppskatta lastvikten för godståg med hjälp av simuleringsdata. Studien använder två omfattande dataset konstruerade från tågsimuleringar i GENSYS, en simuleringsprogramvara för modellering av järnvägsfordon. Dataseten omfattar olika körfaktorer såsom tåghastighet, spårförhållanden och vagns konfigurationer. Algoritmerna tränas och utvärderas på dessa dataset och deras prestanda utvärderas baserat på root mean squared error och R2 måtten. Resultat från experimenten visar att alla fem maskininlärningsalgoritmerna visar lovande prestanda för att uppskatta lastvikten. Polynom regression uppnår det bästa resultatet för båda dataset när många variabler i datan beaktas. Random Forest Regression ger det bästa resultatet för båda dataset när ett mindre antal variabler i datan beaktas. Det föreslås det att det metodiska tillvägagångssättet för denna studie undersöks på verklig data från aktiva godståg för att fastställa en proof of concept på en verklig världsbild.

[pt] Spoken Dialogue Systems (SDS s) são sistemas baseados em computadores desenvolvidos para fornecerem informações e realizar tarefas utilizando o diálogo como forma de interação. Eles são capazes de reconhecimento de voz, interpretação, gerenciamento de diálogo e são capazes de ter uma voz como saída de dados, tentando reproduzir uma interação natural falada entre um usuário humano e um sistema. SDS s provém diferentes serviços, todos através de linguagem falada com um sistema. Mesmo com todo o desenvolvimento nesta área, há escassez de informações sobre como avaliar a qualidade de tais sistemas com o propósito de otimização do mesmo. Com dois destes sistemas, BoRIS e INSPIRE, usados para reservas de restaurantes e gerenciamento de casas inteligentes, diversos experimentos foram conduzidos no passado, onde tais sistemas foram utilizados para resolver tarefas específicas. Os participantes avaliaram a qualidade do sistema em uma série de questões. Além disso, todas as interações foram gravadas e anotadas por um especialista.O desenvolvimento de métodos para avaliação de performance é um tópico aberto de pesquisa na área de SDS s. Seguindo a idéia do modelo PARADISE (PARAdigm for DIalogue System Evaluation – desenvolvido pro Walker e colaboradores na AT&T em 1998), diversos experimentos foram conduzidos para desenvolver modelos de previsão de performance de sistemas de reconhecimento de voz e linguagem falada. O objetivo desta dissertação de mestrado é desenvolver modelos que permitam a previsão de dimensões de qualidade percebidas por um usuário humano, baseado em parâmetros instrumentalmente mensuráveis utilizando dados coletados nos experimentos realizados com os sistemas BoRIS e INSPIRE , dois sistemas de reconhecimento de voz (o primeiro para busca de restaurantes e o segundo para Smart Homes). Diferentes algoritmos serão utilizados para análise (Regressão linear, Árvores de Regressão, Árvores de Classificação e Redes Neurais) e para cada um dos algoritmos, uma ferramenta diferente será programada em MATLAB, para poder servir de base para análise de experimentos futuros, sendo facilmente modificado para sistemas e parâmetros novos em estudos subsequentes.A idéia principal é desenvolver ferramentas que possam ajudar na otimização de um SDS sem o envolvimento direto de um usuário humano ou servir de ferramenta para estudos futuros na área. / [en] Spoken Dialogue Systems (SDS s) are computer-based systems developed to provide information and carry out tasks using speech as the interaction mode. They are capable of speech recognition, interpretation, management of dialogue and have speech output capabilities, trying to reproduce a more or less natural spoken interaction between a human user and the system. SDS s provide several different services, all through spoken language. Even with all this development, there is scarcity of information on ways to assess and evaluate the quality of such systems with the purpose of optimization. With two of these SDS s ,BoRIS and INSPIRE, (used for Restaurant Booking Services and Smart Home Systems), extensive experiments were conducted in the past, where the systems were used to resolve specific tasks. The evaluators rated the quality of the system on a multitude of scales. In addition to that, the interactions were recorded and annotated by an expert. The development of methods for performance evaluation is an open research issue in this area of SDS s. Following the idea of the PARADISE model (PARAdigm for DIalogue System Evaluation model, the most well-known model for this purpose (developed by Walker and co-workers at AT&T in 1998), several experiments were conducted to develop predictive models of spoken dialogue performance. The objective of this dissertation is to develop and assess models which allow the prediction of quality dimensions as perceived by the human user, based on instrumentally measurable variables using all the collected data from the BoRIS and INSPIRE systems. Different types of algorithms will be compared to their prediction performance and to how generic they are. Four different approaches will be used for these analyses: Linear regression, Regression Trees, Classification Trees and Neural Networks. For each of these methods, a different tool will be programmed using MATLAB, that can carry out all experiments from this work and be easily modified for new experiments with data from new systems or new variables on future studies. All the used MATLAB programs will be made available on the attached CD with an operation manual for future users as well as a guide to modify the existing programs to work on new data. The main idea is to develop tools that would help on the optimization of a spoken dialogue system without a direct involvement of the human user or serve as tools for future studies in this area.

This work deals with designing and testing of new acoustic features for analysis of dysprosodic speech occurring in hypokinetic dysarthria patients. 41 new features for dysprosody quantification (describing melody, loudness, rhythm and pace) are presented and tested in this work. New features can be divided into 7 groups. Inside the groups, features vary by the used statistical values. First four groups are based on absolute differences and cumulative sums of fundamental frequency and short-time energy of the signal. Fifth group contains features based on multiples of this fundamental frequency and short-time energy combined into one global intonation feature. Sixth group contains global time features, which are made of divisions between conventional rhythm and pace features. Last group contains global features for quantification of whole dysprosody, made of divisions between global intonation and global time features. All features were tested on Czech Parkinsonian speech database PARCZ. First, kernel density estimation was made and plotted for all features. Then correlation analysis with medicinal metadata was made, first for all the features, then for global features only. Next classification and regression analysis were made, using classification and regression trees algorithm (CART). This analysis was first made for all the features separately, then for all the data at once and eventually a sequential floating feature selection was made, to find out the best fitting combination of features for the current matter. Even though none of the features emerged as a universal best, there were a few features, that were appearing as one of the best repeatedly and also there was a trend that there was a bigger drop between the best and the second best feature, marking it as a much better feature for the given matter, than the rest of the tested. Results are included in the conclusion together with the discussion.