Flow of traffic on freeways and limited access highways can be represented as a series of kinemetic waves. Solutions to these systems of equations become problematic under congested traffic flow conditions, and under complicated (real-world) networks. A simplified theory of kinematics waves was previously proposed. Simplifying elements includes translation of the problem to moving coordinate system, adoption of bi-linear speed-density relationships, and adoption of restrictive constraints at the on- and off-ramps. However, these simplifying assumptions preclude application of this technique to most practical situations. This research explores the limitations of the simplified theory of kinematic waves. First this research documents a relaxation of several key constraints. In the original theory, priority was given to on-ramp merging vehicles so that they can bypass any queue at the merge. This research proposes to relax this constraint using a capacity-based weighted fair queuing (CBWFQ) merge model. In the original theory, downstream queue affects upstream traffic as a whole and exiting traffic can always be able to leave as long as it gets to the diverge. This research proposes that this diverge constraint be replaced with a contribution-based weighted splitting (CBWS) diverge model. This research proposes a revised notation system, permitting the solution techniques to be extended to freeway networks with multiple freeways and their ramps. This research proposes a generalization to permit application of the revised theory to general transportation networks. A generalized CBWFQ merge model and a generalized CBWS diverge model are formulated to deal with merging and diverging traffic. Finally, this research presents computational procedure for solving the new system of equations. Comparisons of model predictions with field observations are conducted on GA 400 in Atlanta. Investigations into the performance of the proposed CBWFQ and CBWS models are conducted. Results are quite encouraging, quantitative measures suggest satisfactory accuracy with narrow confidence interval.

This research develops and evaluates an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) model using a Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication system (referred to as the GATIS-V2V model) with the off-the-shelf microscopic simulation model, VISSIM. The GATIS-V2V model is tested on notional small traffic networks (non-signalized and signalized) and a 6X6 typical urban grid network (signalized traffic network). The GATIS-V2V model consists of three key modules: vehicle communication, on-board travel time database management, and a Dynamic Route Guidance System (DRGS). In addition, the system performance has been enhanced by applying three complementary functions: Autonomous Automatic Incident Detection (AAID), a minimum sample size algorithm, and a simple driver behavior model. To select appropriate parameter ranges for the complementary functions a sensitivity analysis has been conducted. The GATIS-V2V performance has been investigated relative to three underlying system parameters: traffic flow, communication radio range, and penetration ratio of participating vehicles. Lastly, the enhanced GATIS-V2V model is compared with the centralized traffic information system. This research found that the enhanced GATIS-V2V model outperforms the basic model in terms of travel time savings and produces more consistent and robust system output under non-recurrent traffic states (i.e., traffic incident) in the simple traffic network. This research also identified that the traffic incident detection time and driver's route choice rule are the most crucial factors influencing the system performance. As expected, as traffic flow and penetration ratio increase, the system becomes more efficient, with non-participating vehicles also benefiting from the re-routing of participating vehicles. The communication radio ranges considered were found not to significantly influence system operations in the studied traffic network. Finally, it is found that the decentralized GATIS-V2V model has similar performance to the centralized model even under low flow, short radio range, and low penetration ratio cases. This implies that a dynamic infrastructure-based traffic information system could replace a fixed infrastructure-based traffic information system, allowing for considerable savings in fixed costs and ready expansion of the system off of the main network corridors.

This thesis descries the evolution and testing of a fully portable, inductive loop vehicle counter system. As a component of the NFS Embedded Distributed Simulation for Transportation System Management project, the system's cellular modem transmits real-time data to servers at Georgia Institute of Technology. From there, the data can be fed into simulations predicting travel behavior. Researchers revised both the detector circuit, and the temporary, reusable loop pad several times over multiple rounds of field testing. The final tested version of this system demonstrates the efficacy of uncommonly small inductive loops. When paired with a reliable data transmission channel, the system was shown to capture nearly 96% of actual through traffic.

The city of Shanghai was transformed from a treaty port of around half a million people when the British first arrived after the end of the Opium War to become the most populous, prosperous, and cosmopolitan metropolis in China by the early 20th century. The development of public transportation systems contributed significantly to the urban expansion and growth of the city, as well as in reshaping the city's identity. This dissertation examined the impact of public transportation on the urban landscape of Shanghai by focusing on three major issues: "tradition versus modernity", state and society relations, and the relationship between technology and society. As a divided city governed by three separate political jurisdictions, Shanghai offered a unique perspective in understanding the roles public transportation and urban planning played in changing a city's layout. This dissertation addressed the specific differences in the development of urban infrastructure and its impact on population growth, mobility and accessibility, and economic prosperity of the British controlled International Settlement, the French Concession, and the Chinese city. The first half of the dissertation analyzed the roles in which "traditional" man-powered vehicles such as the wheelbarrow, sedan chair, horse-drawn carriage, and rickshaw played, before delving into the arrival of "modern" machine-powered vehicles such as automobiles, trams, trolleys, and buses in the early 20th century. Each form of transportation vehicle is discussed for its specific role, and the type of clientele it catered. This dissertation argued that man-powered vehicles and machine-powered vehicles did not necessarily compete with each other for passengers, as each type of vehicle served its specific purposes and clients. Public transportation; just like food, clothing, or housing is a form of material culture where one's socioeconomic or class status is revealed by the type of transport one chooses. Because the different types of vehicles did not directly compete with each other, they all saw significant increases in ridership. The 'tradition versus modernity" theme is aimed at addressing the bigger picture of "continuity and change", where Shanghai was transformed by foreign influences yet at the same time it still retained traditional Chinese characteristics to form a complex identity. The second half of the dissertation dealt with state and society relations, and the relationship of technology and society. The issue of public versus private responsibility is addressed with historical analysis of government orchestrated urban planning and the private sector providing the services to fulfill the people's needs and demands. In focusing on these two themes, this dissertation argued that technology has inherent political agenda attached to it, as government policies specifically created areas of the city which had better public transportation infrastructure, which led to these parts of the city being more commercially prosperous and vibrant than others. Routes, lines, and stops were designated with specific political purposes in mind, and public transportation accessibility contributed to the uneven economic developments across the city. The Greater Shanghai Project of 1927-1937 was a specific attempt by the Chinese government to create a new city center that could shift the population away from the foreign concessions into the Chinese territories. This dissertation argued that this campaign would not have been feasible even without the Japanese attack due to insufficient public funds. The findings in this dissertation will hopefully add to the scholarship on the history of Shanghai and the history of technology in China.

Urban transportation networks are inefficient due to sub-optimal use by travelers. One approach to counter the increase in urban transportation demand is to provide better information to travelers, which would allow them to make better use of the network. Existing traveler information systems do this to a certain extent, but are limited by the data available and the scope of their implementation. These systems are vertically integrated and closed so that using any external elements for analysis, user interfacing etc. is difficult. The effects of such traveler information systems are reviewed via a comparative analysis of case studies available in the literature. It is found that information availability has a definite positive effect, but the social and environmental benefits are difficult to quantify. It is also seen that combining data by integrating systems can lead to additional uses for the same data and result on better quality of service and information. In this thesis, a regional platform for multi-modal traveler information is proposed that would support the development of traveler information systems. The architecture incorporates a central processing and storage module, which acts as an information clearinghouse and supports receiving, managing and sending data to and from multiple sources and interfaces. This setup allows sharing of data for analysis or application development, but with access control. The components are loosely coupled to minimize inter-dependencies. Due to this, the source, analysis, user interface and storage components can be developed independently of each other. To better develop the requirements and understand the challenges of the proposed concept, a limited implementation of the system is designed for the midtown Atlanta region, incorporating multiple data sources and user interfaces. The individual elements of the system are described in detail as is the testing and evaluation of the system.

Originally presented as the author's Thesis--Technische Hochschule Aachen, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

M. Tech. Electrical Engineering. / Presents an IPv6-based mobility support scheme for vehicular scenarios. The focus of this study is on modelling of an efficient network layer handover scheme suitable for vehicular network environments. In order to achieve this, a Vehicular Fast handovers for Mobile IPv6 (VFMIPv6) network layer protocol has been proposed.

Ο ρόλος των Ευφυών Συστημάτων Μεταφορών είναι η βελτίωση της οδικής ασφάλειας, μέσω της έγκαιρης ανίχνευσης συμβάντων και της αποτελεσματικής διαχείρισης της κυκλοφορίας. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η έρευνα αυτή εστιάζει στην ανάλυση της σχέσης μεταξύ ενός καθημερινού σοβαρού φαινομένου της κυκλοφορίας, όπως το κυκλοφοριακό πλήγμα (shockwave) και τα οχήματα που κινούνται σε σχηματισμό cluster, μέσω του κυκλοφοριακού πλήγματος. Για να σχηματιστεί ένα cluster απαιτείται δύο ή περισσότερα οχήματα να περιλαμβάνονται στην ακολουθία οχημάτων είτε λόγω της εγγύτητάς τους είτε λόγω της σχετικής τους απόστασής από άλλα οχήματα. Ξεκινώντας με βίντεο κυκλοφοριακής στον αυτοκινητόδρομο I-94, Minnesota, USA, οι τροχιές των οχημάτων εξήχθησαν. Τα αποτελέσματα χρησιμοποιήθηκαν στη συνέχεια προκειμένου να καθοριστούν μεταβλητές όπως χρονοαπόσταση, ταχύτητα, επιτάχυνση για τρεις ομάδες οχημάτων, το Cluster, η ομάδα Πριν το Cluster και η ομάδα Μετά το Cluster. Η σχέση μεταξύ αυτών των ομάδων μελετήθηκε και αποτυπώθηκε σε γραμμικές συναρτήσεις με πολλαπλές ανεξάρτητες μεταβλητές. / The role of Intellignet Transportation Systems is to enhance traffic safety, through timely detection of incidents and effective traffic management. In this framework, this research focuses into analyzing the relationship between a daily severe traffic phenomenon such as shockwave and vehicles which move in cluster formation through the shockwave. For a cluster to be formed it is required for two or more vehicles to be included either because of their closeness or because of their relative distance from other vehicles on the link. Starting with video recordings of traffic flow on I-94, Minnesota, USA, vehicles trajectories were extracted. The results were then used in order to define variables such as vehicles space and time headway, velocity, acceleration for three groups of vehicles; the Cluster, the Before Cluster group and the After Cluster group. The relationship between these groups was studied and was modeled in linear functions with multiple variables.

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής αποτελεί η θεωρητική και υπολογιστική προσομοίωση της πτήσης ατμοσφαιρικής καθόδου υψηλών ταχυτήτων, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στις υπερυπερηχητικές ταχύτητες και την αεροδυναμική και θερμοδυναμική ανάλυσή της. Η μεθοδολογία που ακολουθείται έχει ως κύριο σκοπό την πρόβλεψη του ίχνους επιστροφής υπερυπερηχητικών οχημάτων στη Γη, με δεδομένο οι ταχύτητες πτήσης να φτάνουν τα 15000 m/s (αριθμός Mach ~ 40) και οι θερμοκρασίες ανακοπής τους 15000 Κ. Στην εργασία αυτή ακολουθείται μεθοδολογική προσέγγιση και συστηματική βιβλιογραφική έρευνα στον επιστημονικοτεχνικό τομέα της αεροδυναμικής υπερθέρμανσης, που υφίστανται Υπερυπερηχητικά Οχήματα (Υ/Ο), κατά την πτήση τους στην ατμόσφαιρα. Η ανάλυση της υπερυπερηχητικής ροής, των θερμικών φορτίων και οι μέθοδοι θερμοθωράκισης των Υ/Ο αναπτύσσονται τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες και εξελίσσονται συνεχώς, αλλά μέχρι και σήμερα (2008), προκύπτουν αστοχίες, κυρίως κατά την επανείσοδό τους στην ατμόσφαιρα από το διάστημα. Για την προσομοίωση της υπερυπερηχητικής πτήσης καθόδου στην ατμόσφαιρα γίνεται μελέτη και ανάλυση των θερμοχημικών ιδιοτήτων και παραμέτρων, οι οποίες χαρακτηρίζουν τα ροϊκά πεδία στις υψηλές ταχύτητες και υψηλές θερμοκρασίες. Ο προσδιορισμός των μεταβαλλόμενων ροϊκών συνθηκών, των θερμοδυναμικών ιδιοτήτων και μεγεθών μεταφοράς θα συμβάλλει στις θεωρίες μοντελοποίησης και υπολογισμού της υψηλής θερμικής καταπόνησης, της σύστασης του υπέρθερμου αέρα και της υψηλής θερμοκρασίας του στην εξωτερική επιφάνεια του θερμομονωτικού τοιχώματος οχημάτων υψηλών ταχυτήτων, κατά την πτήση τους στην ατμόσφαιρα της Γης. Στα πλαίσια αυτά αναπτύσσονται υπολογιστικοί αλγόριθμοι προσομοίωσης και επιτυχούς πρόβλεψης του ατμοσφαιρικού ίχνους καθόδου οχημάτων υπερυπερηχητικής μεταφοράς. Τα βασικά αεροδυναμικά χαρακτηριστικά των ανωστικών οχημάτων στις υψηλές ταχύτητες υπολογίζονται με κατάλληλη προσαρμογή της κλασσικής Νευτώνειας Ροής στις υψηλές ταχύτητες και επιβεβαιώνονται με πειραματικά δεδομένα αεροδυναμικών μετρήσεων σε αεροσήραγγες υψηλών ταχυτήτων της NASA. Επιπλέον στη διατριβή ενσωματώνονται μοντέλα προσομοίωσης των ιδιοτήτων συμπεριφοράς του υπέρθερμου αέρα ως πραγματικού αερίου σε συνθήκες θερμοδυναμικής ισορροπίας σε ακραίες ροϊκές συνθήκες (υψηλές ταχύτητες, υψηλές πιέσεις και χαμηλές πυκνότητες). Πιο συγκεκριμένα γίνεται ανάλυση της μεταβαλλόμενης σύστασης και των ιδιοτήτων του αέρα (θερμοδυναμικά μεγέθη και μεγέθη μεταφοράς) στις πολύ υψηλές θερμοκρασίες του υπέρθερμου ροϊκού πεδίου. Η μελέτη αυτή θα οδηγήσει στην εξαγωγή ενός νέου μοντέλου υπολογισμού της μεταφερόμενης θερμικής ροής στην περιοχή ανακοπής υπερυπερηχητικών οχημάτων, το οποίο επιβεβαιώνεται τόσο με διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένα θερμικά μοντέλα (όπως αυτό των Fay-Riddell) όσο και με υπολογιστικές προσομοιώσεις άλλων ερευνητών. Η μεθοδολογία που ακολουθείται θα αποτελέσει τη βάση για την εξαγωγή ενός νέου θεωρητικού μοντέλου υπολογισμού της θερμοκρασίας του αέρα στην επιφάνεια του θερμοθώρακα του υπερυπερηχητικού οχήματος. Η αποτελεσματικότητα της προτεινόμενης μεθοδολογίας, με το συνδυασμό κινηματικής και αεροθερμοδυναμικής ανάλυσης σε ενιαίο υπολογιστικό αλγόριθμο, αποδεικνύεται και ενισχύεται μέσω της εφαρμογής των ανωτέρω μοντέλων προσομοίωσης σε βαλλιστικό (διαστημικός θαλαμίσκος Απόλλων) και ανωστικό (Σύστημα Διαστημικής Μεταφοράς, γνωστό ως Διαστημικό Λεωφορείο Space Shuttle) υπερυπερηχητικό όχημα. Τα αποτελέσματα της προτεινόμενης μεθόδου συγκρίνονται, αξιολογούνται και πιστοποιούνται με παρόμοια από διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένα υπολογιστικά συστήματα και πειραματικά δεδομένα μετρήσεων σε υπερυπερηχητικές αεροσήραγγες οχημάτων υψηλών ταχυτήτων. Μέσα στις επόμενες δεκαετίες, η εξέλιξη των υπερυπερηχητικών συστημάτων μεταφοράς θα είναι ραγδαία και ιδιαίτερα ελκυστική από τεχνολογικής πλευράς με ελπιδοφόρα μηνύματα για "γήϊνες" μετακινήσεις με υψηλές ταχύτητες σε σύντομους χρόνους, αλλά και πιθανές μετοικήσεις ανθρώπων-αστροναυτών σε άλλους πλανήτες του ηλιακού συστήματος. Έτσι η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, αξιοποιώντας τις προόδους που έχουν συντελεστεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, εκτιμάται ότι συμβάλλει ουσιαστικά στο ακόμα υπό εξέλιξη – για τα ελληνικά δεδομένα πρωτόγνωρο – επιστημονικό πεδίο της Υπερυπερηχητικής Αεροθερμοδυναμικής, και στην ανάπτυξη μεθοδολογίας για τον αεροθερμοδυναμικό σχεδιασμό υπερυπερηχητικών οχημάτων. Το προτεινόμενο σύνθετο μοντέλο κινηματικής και θερμοδυναμικής υπολογιστικής ανάλυσης και η μεθοδολογία που ακολουθείται έχει ισχύ και εφαρμογή στην πλειονότητα των περιπτώσεων των υπερυπερηχητικών πτήσεων στη γήινη και, με κατάλληλες προσαρμογές, σε οποιαδήποτε πλανητική ατμόσφαιρα. Βεβαίως, η προτεινόμενη μεθοδολογία έχει περιθώρια εξέλιξης και ανάπτυξης, προκειμένου να βελτιωθεί η απόδοσή της με την εισαγωγή και νέων στοιχείων, αλλά και να διευρυνθεί το φάσμα των δυνατών εφαρμογών της. / The object of the present doctoral thesis constitutes the theoretical and calculating simulation of high-speed atmospheric flightmotion, with particular emphasis in hypersonic speeds and aerodynamic and thermodynamic analysis. The methodology that is followed has as main aim the prediction of return flight trace of hypersonic vehicles in Earth’s ground, assuming the speeds of flight to reach the 15000 m/s (Mach number ~ 40) and stagnation temperatures the 15000 K. In this work are followed methodological approach and systematic bibliographic research in the scientific field of aerodynamic overheating that suffers Hypersonic Vehicles(H/V) at their flight in Earth’s atmosphere. The analysis of hypersonic flow, thermal loads and new methods for thermal protection systems of H/V are developed the last decades and are evolved continuously, but until today (2008) resulting failures mainly at their reentry in atmosphere from the interval. For the simulation of the atmospheric hypersonic flight motion become study and analysis of thermodynamic properties and parameters, that characterize the flow fields in high speeds and high temperatures. The determination of altered flow conditions, thermodynamic properties and transport magnitudes will contribute in the theories of modelling and high thermal strain calculations, in the constitution of overheating air and it’s high temperature determination in the external surface of heat insulation wall of high-speed vehicles at their flight in Earth’s atmosphere. In this work are developed calculating algorithms of simulation for the successful prediction of atmospheric flight motion of hypersonic transport vehicles. The basic aerodynamic characteristics of lifting vehicles in high speeds are calculated with suitable adaptation of classic Newtonian Flow in high speeds and are confirmed with experimental data of aerodynamic measurements in high speed wind-tunnels of NASA. Moreover in this thesis are incorporated models for the simulation of properties of overheating air behaviour as real gas in thermodynamic balance in extreme flow conditions (high speeds, high pressures and low densities). Particularly becomes analysis of the altered constitution and properties of air (thermodynamic magnitudes and transport magnitudes) in very high temperatures on hypersonic flow field. This study will lead to the export of a new model for the transported thermal stagnation region calculations of hypersonic vehicles, which is confirmed so much with internationally recognized thermal models (as that of Fay-Riddell) and with calculating simulations of other researchers. The methodology that is followed will constitute the base for the export of a new theoretical model for high temperature air calculations in thermal protection systems surface of hypersonic vehicles. The effectiveness of proposed methodology, with the combination kinematic and aerothermodynamics analysis in united calculating algorithm, is proved and confirmed via the application of above simulation models on ballistic (Apollo Command Module) and lifting (Space Transportation System, known as Space Shuttle) hypersonic vehicles. The results of proposed method are compared, evaluated and certified with similarly by internationally recognized calculating systems and experimental data of measurements in hypersonic wind-tunnels for high speed vehicles. In the next decades, the development of hypersonic transportation systems will be rapid and particularly attractive from technological side with hopeful messages for “earthy” transfers with high speeds in short times, but also likely persons-astronaut missions in other planets of solar system. Thus the present doctoral thesis, developing the progress that has taken place in the past few years, is appreciated that it contributes substantially in still under development - for the Greek data unusual - scientific field of Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics, and in the growth of methodology for the aerothermodynamic construction of hypersonic vehicles. The proposed complex model of kinematic and thermodynamic calculating analysis and it’s methodology that is followed have influence and application in the majority of cases of hypersonic flights in earthy and, with properly adaptations, in anyone planetary atmosphere. Of course, the proposed methodology has margins of development and growth in order to improve her efficiency with the import of also new elements and also extended the spectrum of her possible applications.

The direct exposure to fire is not the most immediate threat to passengers&amp / #8217 / life in case of fire in an underground transportation system. Most of the casualties in fire are the results of smoke-inhalation. Numerical simulation of fire and smoke propagation provides a useful tool when assessing the consequence and deciding the best evacuation strategy in case of a train fire inside the underground transportation system. In a station fire the emergency ventilation system must be capable of removing the heat, smoke and toxic products of combustion from the evacuation routes to ensure safe egress from the underground transportation system station to a safe location. In recent years Computational Fluid Dynamics has been used as a tool to evaluate the performance of emergency ventilation systems. In this thesis, Computational Fluid Dynamics technique is used to simulate a fire incidence in underground transportation systems station. Several case studies are performed in two different stations in order to determine the safest evacuation scenario in CFDesign 7.0. CFD simulations utilize three dimensional models of the station in order to achieve a more realistic representation of the flow physics within the complex geometry. The steady state and transient analyses are performed within a simulation of a train fire in the subway station. A fire is represented as a source of smoke and energy. In transient analyses, a fast t2 growth curve is used for the heat release rate and smoke release rate. The results of the studies are given as contour plots of temperature, velocity and smoke concentration distributions. One of the case studies is compared with a code well known in the discipline, the Fire Dynamics Simulator, specifically developed for fire simulation. In selection of the preferred direction of evacuation, fundamental principles taken into consideration are stated.