In the last couple of decades, there has been an unparalleled growth in number of people who can afford motorized vehicles. This is increasing the number of vehicles on roads at an alarming rate and existing infrastructure and conventional methods of traffic management are becoming inefficient both on highways and in urban areas. It is very important that our highways are up and running 24/7 as they not only provide a passage for human beings to move from one place to another, but also are the most important mode for intercity or international transfer of goods. There is an utter need of adapting the new world order, where daily processes are driven with the help of innovative technologies. It is highly likely that technological advancements like autonomous or connected vehicles, big data and the Internet of things can provide highway operators with a solution that might resolve unforeseeable challenges. This investigative exploratory research identifies and highlights the impact of new technological advancements in the automotive industry on highways and highway operators. The data for this research was collected on a Likert scale type online survey, from different organizations around the world (actively or passively involved in highway operations). The data was further tested for its empirical significance with non-parametric binomial and Wilcoxon signed rank tests, supported by a descriptive analysis. The results of this study are in line with theoretical and conceptual work done by several independent corporations and academic researchers. It is evident form the opinions of seasoned professionals that these technological advancements withhold the potential to resolve all potential challenges and revolutionize highway operations.

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka det framtida användandet av instrumentpanelen i autonoma personbilar. En lösning presenteras där interiören liknar en tågkupé med säten vända mot varandra kring den nya instrumentpanelen utformad som ett multifunktionellt bord. Genom att undersöka vad konsumenter från fyra olika målgrupper ville sysselsätta sig med i en nivå fem autonom personbil kunde funktioner såsom bildskärmar, tangentbord och förvaringsmöjligheter inkluderas i den nya instrumentpanelen.   För insamling av empiri användes både kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder där semistrukturerade intervjuer och en enkätundersökning genomfördes. Båda metoderna riktade sig till fyra målgrupper av konsumenter: Studenter, barnfamiljer, kortvägspendlare samt resande säljare. För att samla in mycket information på kort tid utfördes metoderna samtidigt och båda metoderna användes för att validera resultatet.   Genom analysen av empirin hittades gemensamma intressen mellan målgrupperna, i båda metoderna, och sammanställde dessa till kundönskemål. Resultatet av analysen visar bland annat att passagerare i autonoma fordon vill ha bra möjligheter till att arbeta, lyssna på musik, docka telefon, laptop eller surfplatta till inbyggda skärmar i bilen samt läsa och skriva email. Det önskas hållare för drycker, avlastningsytor för mat samt kyld förvaring.   Intervjuer med experter från branschen genomfördes för att bistå med utformning- och säkerhetskrav som tillsammans med kundönskemålen gav ett underlag för att generera koncept. Innan konceptegenereringsfasen påbörjades gjordes en brainstorming för att diskutera tekniska lösningar till de framtagna önskemålen. De framtagna koncepten utvärderades med metoden för Pughs konceptvalsmatris där de mättes mot ett referenskoncept. Ett vinnande koncept kunde efter förbättringar utses och presenteras med skisser, produktbeskrivning samt en produktspecifikation.  Arbetet begränsades till att fokusera på att uppfylla kundönskemålen och lämnar många krav runt säkerhet åt framtida vidareutveckling av konceptet. / Contents of this bachelor’s thesis are written in Swedish.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the future use of the instrument panel in autonomous cars. A solution is presented in which the interior resembles a train compartment with seats facing each other around the new instrument panel designed as a multifunctional table. By examining what consumers from four different target groups would want to engage themselves with in a level five autonomous car, features such as monitors, keyboards and storage facilities was included in the new instrument panel.  For the gathering of empirical data, qualitative and quantitative methods was used, where both semi-structured interviews and a survey was conducted. Both methods addressed four target groups of consumers: students, families with children, short-distance commuters and traveling salespersons. To collect much information in a short period of time, the methods were performed simultaneously and both methods were used to validate the result.  The empirical analysis found common interests between the target groups, in both methods and compiled these into customer requests. The result of the analysis shows, among other things, that passengers in autonomous cars want good opportunities to work, listen to music, dock their phone, laptop or tablet too built-in monitors in the car as well as read and write email. They desired holder for drinks, relief surfaces when eating food as well as refrigerated storage.  Interviews with industry experts were conducted to complement with design and safety requirements that, together with customer requests, provided a basis for generating concepts. Before the start of the concept generating phase, a brainstorming was conducted to discuss technical solutions to the desired customer requests. The final concepts were evaluated using the method of Pugh Concept Selection, where they were compared against a reference concept. A winning concept was, after improvements, presented with sketches, product description and a product specification.  The work was limited to focusing on meeting customer requests and leaving many requirements for personal safety to future, further development of the concept.

Todos os dias a quantidade de veículos nas estradas em todo o mundo está aumentando. Este crescimento combinado com a negligência dos motoristas e alguns fatores externos, tais como estradas mal conservadas e condições climáticas adversas resultaram em um enorme aumento na quantidade de acidentes e, conseqüentemente, de mortes. Atualmente muitos grupos de pesquisa e empresas automotivas estão desenvolvendo e adaptando tecnologias que podem ser incorporadas nos veículos para reduzir esses números. Um exemplo interessante dessas tecnologias é a detecção e classificação de obstáculos móveis (veículos, pessoas, etc.) em ambientes urbanos. Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de algoritmos para identificação, rastreamento e previsão de obstáculos móveis, determinação de direções proibidas para tráfego do veículo e cálculo de trajetórias livres de colisões. Para isso, foram utilizados dados do sistema de medidas de distância, SICK LMS 291-S05, para monitorar o ambiente a frente do veículo de teste (um automóvel de passeio modificado). Com base nesses dados foi realizado um tratamento computacional através da técnica de Trackers para classificar todos os obstáculos detectados em duas classes principais: os obstáculos estáticos e móveis. Uma vez identificado o obstáculo, este será acompanhado mesmo no caso em que saia do campo de visão do sensor. Após a classificação dos obstáculos presentes no ambiente, suas posições são analisadas e direções proibidas para tráfego são determinadas peloalgoritmo Velocity Obstacle Approach. Finalmente é aplicada a técnica de cálculo de trajetórias E* que gera um caminho suave e livre de colisões. No caso de algum obstáculo obstruir ou gerar risco de colisão com o caminho gerado é possível recalcular a rota sem que o mapa do ambiente seja novamente completamente analisado. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram a aplicabilidade da metodologia utilizada. O algoritmo de Trackers detectou pedestres e veículos e determinou suas características dinâmicas. O algoritmo Velocity Obstacle Approach conseguiu acompanhar os obstáculos e foi capaz de determinar as direções proibidas e, finalmente, o algoritmo E* foi capaz de gerar trajetórias livre de obstáculos em ambientes desconhecidos. / Every day the number of vehicles on the roads around the world is increasing. This growth combined with the negligence of drivers and some external factors such as poorly maintained roads and adverse weather conditions resulted in a huge increase in the number of accidents and hence casualties. Currently many research groups and automotive companies are developing and adapting technologies that can be incorporated into vehicles to reduce these numbers. An interesting example of these technologies is the detection and classification of moving obstacles (vehicles, people, etc.) in urban environments. This dissertation presents the development of algorithms which main objective are identify, track and predict moving obstacles, determine prohibited directions of traffic and calculate collision free trajectories. In order to accomplish with such task, data from the laser sensor SICK LMS 291-S05 later treated using computational resources such as the Trackers technique was used to monitor the environment ahead of the test vehicle (a modified passenger car). The Trackers technique was used to classify all the hurdles identified in two main classes: static and mobile obstacles. Once the obstacle was identified, this still been followed even if they leave the field of vision sensor. After classification of obstacles in the environment, their positions are analyzed and prohibited for traffic directions are determined by the algorithm Velocity Obstacle Approach. Finally the technique is applied to calculate trajectories of E* that generates a smooth path and free of collisions. If any obstacle block, or create a risk of collision through the generated path, the trajectory can be recalculated without the need to fully re-analyze de environment map. The results demonstrated the applicability of the methodology used. The Trackers algorithm has detected pedestrians and vehicles determining their dynamic characteristics. The algorithm Velocity Obstacle Approach keep up with the obstacles and was able to determine the prohibited directions and, finally, E* the algorithm was able to generate obstacle-free paths in unknown environments.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo propor alguns critérios básicos, para o desenvolvimento de plásticos de engenharia em aplicações, componentes e partes dos veículos chamados populares, particularmente no Brasil, em substituição a partes tradicionalmente usinadas, fundidas ou injetadas em ligas metálicas. A despeito da desconfiança que cerca alguns dos componentes em plásticos que se destinam às aplicações automotivas, (e uma das principais razões para isso, são as elevadas temperaturas presentes em algumas áreas do automóvel), as grandes indústrias do setor não deixam de conceber novos projetos em polímeros de alta performance, para aplicações tidas como críticas em termos de resistência geral. Os chamados plásticos de engenharia são preferivelmente escolhidos devido à sua fácil processabilidade, e sua flexibilidade em propiciar desenhos mais complexos, com boa estabilidade dimensional e uma excelente resistência à corrosão em ambientes de hostilidade química. No passado, as empresas claramente optavam pelos plásticos chamados de termofixos, que hoje estão quase esquecidos ou obsoletos (principalmente devido aos processamentos mais custosos e/ou mais lentos). Hoje são largamente substituídos pelos termoplásticos de engenharia. Atualmente, o consumo de plásticos em alguns carros brasileiros já alcança quase 130 kg de plásticos nos seus interiores e/ou exteriores (como o Ford KA, por exemplo), o que ajuda a reduzir o peso total do automóvel, aumentando a economia de combustível, reduzindo os custos de processos, aliada a uma excelente aparência superficial. Este trabalho versará sobre a possibilidade de se propor critérios mais objetivos na fase inicial de um processo de seleção de plásticos de engenharia (notadamente, poliamidas, acetais, poliésteres, e policarbonato), aumentando a eficácia da escolha e diminuindo custos (evitando erros e economizando tempo), como um guia prático de consulta para engenheiros e profissionais do setor automotivo brasileiro. / The main objective of this paper is to propose some basic economical and objective criteria for the engineering plastics development in applications, components and parts in the low-end cars segment (known in Brazil as popular cars), to replace traditional metallic machined, die-casted or injected parts. In spite of the lack of reliance in plastics components in automotive applications (one of them being the high temperature in the engine area), big industries in the sector always conceive new projects on high performance polymers for applications considered critical because of its general resistance. The named engineering plastics are preferably chosen due to its easy processing, complex design flexibility, with a good dimensional stability and an excellent resistance against corrosion in environments with chemical hostility. In the past, companies clearly selected the called thermo-stable plastics, almost forgotten or obsolete nowadays (mainly due to the high cost and/or slowness on processing). Today they are largely replaced by engineering thermoplastics. Nowadays, the consumption of plastics in Brazilian low-end cars already reached approximately 130 kg of plastics in their interior and/or exterior (like in Ford KA, for example), which helps to reduce total car weight, increasing the saving of fuel, mitigating process costs, besides to an excellent surface appearance. This paper will approach about the possibility of proposing more objective criteria in the initial phase of the engineering plastics selection (notably polyamides, acetals, polyesters, and polycarbonates), increasing the choice efficacy and diminishing costs (avoiding mistakes and saving time), as a practical consulting guide to engineers and professionals from the Brazilian automotive sector.

The thesis topic is creating conditions for successful implementation of alternative fuel technologies in passenger cars on the Czech market. Its goal is to develop a comprehensive concept of proposed measures that would create demand for alternative powertrain. It analyzes current situation of the environmental-friendly vehicles market and examines reasons why consumers have not been purposefully searching for these cars so far. The thesis consists of several coherent blocks. The first one deals with general aspects of innovations and development, energy resources, climate protection and car fleet in the Czech Republic. The second part focuses on new alternative technologies from the viewpoint of energy resources and examines the offer on the local market. The third section includes a consumer research focused on information related to potential customers' preferences and compares economic efficiency and costs of selected technologies. The final part presents proposed ways of accomplishing the main goal, while special attention is given to specific recommendations, which would help to create demand and facilitate promotion among consumers.

The goal of this diploma thesis is analysis impacts of business cycle on automotive industry in the Czech Republic in 2006-2011 with exclusive focusing on passenger cars. Impacts of business cycle on automotive industry in the Czech Republic are researched on domestic demand development for new passenger cars and on production, domestic sales and export of the three biggest czech automobile producers. Impacts of business cycle on domestic demand for new passenger cars are analyzed with helping numbers of first registrations in the concrete car segments. Development of czech demand for new cars and automotive production in 2006-2011 is compared to demand and passenger cars production development in Germany, Japan and in the USA. The analysis shows that czech demand for new cars was influenced by economic situation in the Czech Republic in 2006-2011. Influence of czech business cycle on automotive production in the Czech Republic was much smaller than influence of business cycle on czech demand for new passenger cars in 2006-2011. This fact is due to significant pro-export orientation of czech automotive production.

O objetivo desta dissertação é analisar a viabilidade do transporte marítimo de automóveis novos por cabotagem no Brasil, buscando uma alternativa de transporte, pois atualmente este transporte somente é realizado pelo modal rodoviário. A utilização da cabotagem como transporte de cargas tem aumentado desde a promulgação da Lei de Modernização dos Portos (lei 8.630), em 1993. Nesta mesma época, as fábricas de veículos começaram a passar por um processo de desconcentração geográfica, se deslocando da região Sudeste, e necessitando de transportes mais eficientes. Para observar se tal alternativa é viável economicamente, foi elaborado um estudo de caso e foram usados os dados de uma montadora específica. Esta montadora possui fábricas nos municípios de Camaçari (BA) e de São Bernardo do Campo (SP) e precisa distribuir sua produção em 275 concessionárias espalhadas pelo país. A partir do levantamento e análise dos custos rodoviários e de cabotagem para o transporte de automóveis, foi desenvolvido um modelo de transporte solucionado com o uso de técnicas de programação linear cujas soluções a partir da minimização dos custos de transporte apontaram para o uso ou não da cabotagem. As rotas que apresentaram maiores ganhos econômicos têm como característica uma grande distância entre a fábrica e as concessionárias e uma proximidade dos portos de destino das concessionárias. / This study aims to examine the feasibility of costal shipping of new cars by cabotage in Brazil, searching for an alternative system, since, currently, this transport is performed solely by road transportation. The use of cabotage as cargo transportation has increased since the enactment of the Modernization of Ports Law (Act 8630) in 1993. Since then, automobile makers started to undergo a decentralization process, moving away from the Southeast, and, therefore, requiring more efficient transport. To evaluate the economical feasibility of this alternative, a case study was established and data were collected from a specific auto maker. The auto maker has plants in the cities of Camaçari (BA) and São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and needs to distribute its production to 275 authorized dealers across the country. From the study and analysis regarding road and cabotage costs for car transports, it was developed a transportation model whose solutions using linear programming techniques aim to mitigate transportation costs pointing to the use or not of cabotage. Routes that had greater economic yields are characterized by a large distance between the plant and dealers and proximity to destination ports of dealers.

O objetivo desta dissertação é analisar a viabilidade do transporte marítimo de automóveis novos por cabotagem no Brasil, buscando uma alternativa de transporte, pois atualmente este transporte somente é realizado pelo modal rodoviário. A utilização da cabotagem como transporte de cargas tem aumentado desde a promulgação da Lei de Modernização dos Portos (lei 8.630), em 1993. Nesta mesma época, as fábricas de veículos começaram a passar por um processo de desconcentração geográfica, se deslocando da região Sudeste, e necessitando de transportes mais eficientes. Para observar se tal alternativa é viável economicamente, foi elaborado um estudo de caso e foram usados os dados de uma montadora específica. Esta montadora possui fábricas nos municípios de Camaçari (BA) e de São Bernardo do Campo (SP) e precisa distribuir sua produção em 275 concessionárias espalhadas pelo país. A partir do levantamento e análise dos custos rodoviários e de cabotagem para o transporte de automóveis, foi desenvolvido um modelo de transporte solucionado com o uso de técnicas de programação linear cujas soluções a partir da minimização dos custos de transporte apontaram para o uso ou não da cabotagem. As rotas que apresentaram maiores ganhos econômicos têm como característica uma grande distância entre a fábrica e as concessionárias e uma proximidade dos portos de destino das concessionárias. / This study aims to examine the feasibility of costal shipping of new cars by cabotage in Brazil, searching for an alternative system, since, currently, this transport is performed solely by road transportation. The use of cabotage as cargo transportation has increased since the enactment of the Modernization of Ports Law (Act 8630) in 1993. Since then, automobile makers started to undergo a decentralization process, moving away from the Southeast, and, therefore, requiring more efficient transport. To evaluate the economical feasibility of this alternative, a case study was established and data were collected from a specific auto maker. The auto maker has plants in the cities of Camaçari (BA) and São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and needs to distribute its production to 275 authorized dealers across the country. From the study and analysis regarding road and cabotage costs for car transports, it was developed a transportation model whose solutions using linear programming techniques aim to mitigate transportation costs pointing to the use or not of cabotage. Routes that had greater economic yields are characterized by a large distance between the plant and dealers and proximity to destination ports of dealers.

American urban neighborhoods are a patchwork; the spatial arrangement of types is a reflection of the dominant transportation technology at the time of their development. The earliest suburban areas were made accessible by fixed route systems such as the electric streetcar, followed by the widespread adoption of the automobile; each transportation epoch resulted in characteristic patterns of land use. This study uses aerial photographic coverage of Portland, Oregon from the years 1925, 1936, and 1945, a time of decline for the once popular trolley lines and dramatic increase in automobile usage, to monitor change within the residential areas of Portland's east side over a twenty year period. Classic economic models of the time acknowledged transportation as a force shaping the city; modem ideas in urban planning such as Traditional Neighborhood Design and Transit Oriented Development look to pre-automobile urban form as a means to reduce automobile use and its negative implications. This study uses variables of housing density and street connectivity derived from the aerial photography; the measured values of these variables are then considered for their spatial and temporal distribution using statistical comparisons. The results are compared to ideas within the urban models and current thinking about urban morphology. While generally consistent with the expected patterns, deviations and differences between the two variables are considered for their implications. Models offer a simplified version of the growth of American cities, considering only a few of the many aspects of a dynamic environment. By isolating on these variables of density and connectivity, a greater understanding of their role in arriving at the modem residential urban environment may be reached, and this understanding can add to the discourse in current planning debates.

Rapid progress is being made towards the realization of autonomous cars. Since the technology is in its early stages, human intervention is still necessary in order to ensure hazard-free operation of autonomous driving systems. Substantial research efforts are underway to enhance driver and passenger safety in autonomous cars. Toward that end GreedyHaarSpiker, a real-time vision-based lane detection algorithm is proposed for road lane detection in different weather conditions. The algorithm has been implemented in Python 2.7 with OpenCV 3.0 and tested on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B ARMv8 1GB RAM coupled to a Raspberry Pi camera board v2. To test the algorithm’s performance, the Raspberry Pi and the camera board were mounted inside a Jeep Wrangler. The algorithm performed better in sunny weather with no snow on the road. The algorithm’s performance deteriorated at night time or when the road surface was covered with snow.