Research

23 pages, 6661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for Monitoring Border Crossing Delays with Connected Vehicle Data: United States and Mexico Land Crossings Case Study

by Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jairaj Desai, Enrique D. Saldivar-Carranza and Darcy M. Bullock

Future Transp. 2024, 4(1), 107-129; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp4010007 - 02 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 491

Abstract

International trade is a critical part of the United States economy. Land border crossings between the United States and Mexico accounts for a large proportion of the USD 779 billion in trade between these two countries. Monitoring and managing the operations of these [...] Read more.

International trade is a critical part of the United States economy. Land border crossings between the United States and Mexico accounts for a large proportion of the USD 779 billion in trade between these two countries. Monitoring and managing the operations of these land border crossings is critical for ensuring efficient trade and providing appropriate security. This paper examines the opportunity to use connected vehicle data to monitor the travel time delay of passenger vehicles crossing the border for system level assessment across 26 border crossing locations over an analysis period of 25 days in August 2020. A sample size of 51,341 trips from the US to Mexico and 41,708 trips from Mexico to the US were used in this study. Furthermore, 97% trips to the US and 76% trips to Mexico experienced delays. The average delay was 34 min for trips to the US compared to only 2 min for trips to Mexico. In terms of the predictability of border crossing times, there was also substantial variation by direction. The interquartile range of vehicle delay from the US to Mexico was 2 min, while the interquartile range of delay for vehicles travelling from Mexico to the US was 46 min. Border crossings were also ranked using four performance metrics—trip counts, median delay, delayed trip counts and total delays in vehicle hours. Methods for summarizing delay trends by time of the day and day of the week to identify time windows of interest are also presented. Land border crossing operations have a significant influence on security and economic efficiency. We believe the techniques presented in this paper provide a scalable methodology for providing near real-time factual data on border crossing delays that provide important information for land border transport-managing stakeholders to make informed management decisions that balance security and economic efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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14 pages, 1914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Route Crowd-Shipping System for Sustainable Rapid Delivery: Algorithm, Simulation, and Feasibility Evaluation

by Lior Aronshtam, Benny Sand, Tammar Shrot, Ruth Cohen, Chaya Levin and Hadassa Daltrophe

Future Transp. 2024, 4(1), 1-14; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp4010001 - 27 Dec 2023

Viewed by 735

Abstract

Delivery systems are ubiquitous in today’s economy. However, those systems usually operate through purpose-built vehicles, which are inefficient, expensive, and highly harmful to the environment. We propose an optimal route crowd-shipping (OR-CS) system, a delivery service based on crowd transportation. The [...] Read more.

Delivery systems are ubiquitous in today’s economy. However, those systems usually operate through purpose-built vehicles, which are inefficient, expensive, and highly harmful to the environment. We propose an optimal route crowd-shipping (OR-CS) system, a delivery service based on crowd transportation. The OR-CS system utilizes service points (SPs) and occasional couriers (OCs) to transfer deliveries. Senders drop packages at SPs, while receivers collect them from different SPs. The system is based on a new algorithm that assigns to each package an optimal route. The route is chosen individually for the package and is personally tailored according to the sender’s preferences and to the predefined routes of the OCs. To assess the real-life feasibility of the system, we developed a general simulator that emulates a city environment with authentic service points specifically selected based on desired attributes. The routes of OCs and the origins and destinations of packages were generated using a random process that differed between simulations. The results indicate that the system can be implemented and utilized. In addition, it yields positive results when the number of OCs surpasses a minimum threshold, which is feasible in most cities, given existing traffic loads. By adopting OR-CS, we can expect lowered delivery costs, reduced traffic congestion, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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28 pages, 13129 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for the Identification of Shock Wave Type and Speed in a Traffic Stream Using Connected Vehicle Data

by Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Howell Li and Darcy M. Bullock

Future Transp. 2023, 3(4), 1147-1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3040063 - 01 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1539

Abstract

The concept of traffic shock waves was first theorized by Lighthill and Whitham in 1955. The identification of shock wave type and speed in a traffic stream provides critical information about the queue formation and its dissipation. This information can be utilized by [...] Read more.

The concept of traffic shock waves was first theorized by Lighthill and Whitham in 1955. The identification of shock wave type and speed in a traffic stream provides critical information about the queue formation and its dissipation. This information can be utilized by various stakeholders for traffic management, emergency response, etc. Such information can also be integrated into the travel time prediction models and real-time route diversions for navigation. Past efforts at identifying shock waves used simulation or analysis based on location-based sensors such as loop detectors. This paper describes scalable methodologies for measuring shock wave propagation using Connected Vehicle (CV) data. The techniques to identify the six different types of shock waves are illustrated through case studies from Indiana highways that use both CV data and the corresponding surveillance camera images. The shock wave speeds for each event are estimated using the linear regression model, with most shock wave speed estimates having a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9 or better. Although shock wave speeds vary by traffic flow rates and geometry, the typical backward forming shock wave speeds ranged from 1.75 to 11.76 mph whereas the backward recovery shock wave speeds were observed to be between 5.78 and 16.54 mph. These techniques can be adapted for real-time use to assist traffic management centers with estimating upstream propagation and recovery time. A case study with a car fire is used to illustrate how this shock wave speed data can be used to frame discussions with first responders regarding how reducing incident clearance time can reduce the risk of secondary crashes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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11 pages, 3103 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Climate Change on the Performance of Permafrost Highway Subgrade Reinforced by Concrete Piles

by Yueyue Wang, Ying Zhao, Xuesong Mao and Shunde Yin

Future Transp. 2023, 3(3), 996-1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3030055 - 03 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1011

Abstract

Climate change has a detrimental impact on permafrost soil in cold regions, resulting in the thawing of permafrost and causing instability and security issues in infrastructure, as well as settlement problems in pavement engineering. To address these challenges, concrete pipe pile foundations have [...] Read more.

Climate change has a detrimental impact on permafrost soil in cold regions, resulting in the thawing of permafrost and causing instability and security issues in infrastructure, as well as settlement problems in pavement engineering. To address these challenges, concrete pipe pile foundations have emerged as a viable solution for reinforcing the subgrade and mitigating settlement in isolated permafrost areas. However, the effectiveness of these foundations depends greatly on the mechanical properties of the interface between the permafrost soil and the pipe, which are strongly influenced by varying thawing conditions. While previous studies have primarily focused on the interface under frozen conditions, this paper specifically investigates the interface under thawing conditions. In this study, direct shear tests were conducted to examine the damage characteristics and shear mechanical properties of the soil-pile interface with a water content of 26% at temperatures of −3 °C, −2 °C, −1 °C, −0.5 °C, and 8 °C. The influence of different degrees of melting on the stress–strain characteristics of the soil-pile interface was also analyzed. The findings reveal that as the temperature increases, the shear strength of the interface decreases. The shear stress-displacement curve of the soil-pile interface in the thawing state exhibits a strain-softening trend and can be divided into three stages: the pre-peak shear stress growth stage, the post-peak shear stress steep drop stage, and the post-peak shear stress reconstruction stage. In contrast, the stress curve in the thawed state demonstrates a strain-hardening trend. The study further highlights that violent phase changes in the ice crystal structure have a significant impact on the peak freezing strength and residual freezing strength at the soil-pile interface, with these strengths decreasing as the temperature rises. Additionally, the cohesion and internal friction angle at the soil-pile interface decrease with increasing temperature. It can be concluded that the mechanical strength of the soil-pile interface, crucial for subgrade reinforcement in permafrost areas within transportation engineering, is greatly influenced by temperature-induced changes in the ice crystal structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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13 pages, 439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Develop and Validate a Survey to Assess Adult’s Perspectives on Autonomous Ridesharing and Ridehailing Services

by Justin Mason and Sherrilene Classen

Future Transp. 2023, 3(2), 726-738; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3020042 - 01 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1174

Abstract

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have generated excitement for the future of transportation. Public transit agencies and companies (i.e., Uber) have begun developing shared autonomous transportation services. Most AV surveys focus on public opinion of perceived benefits and concerns of AVs but are not directly [...] Read more.

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have generated excitement for the future of transportation. Public transit agencies and companies (i.e., Uber) have begun developing shared autonomous transportation services. Most AV surveys focus on public opinion of perceived benefits and concerns of AVs but are not directly tied to field implementation of AVs. Experience and exposure to new technology affect adults’ perceptions and level of technology acceptance. As such, the Autonomous RideShare Services Survey (ARSSS) was developed to assess adults’ perceptions of AVs before and after being exposed to AVs. Face validity and content validity were established via focus groups and subject-matter experts (CVI = 0.95). Adults in the U.S. (N = 553) completed the ARSSS, and a subsample (N = 100) completed the survey again after two weeks. An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the ARSSS consists of three factors that can be used to reliably quantify users’ perceptions of AVs: (a) Intention to Use, Trust, and Safety (r = 0.85, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.99); (b) Potential Benefits (r = 0.70, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.97); and (c) Accessibility (r = 0.78, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.96) of AVs. These are key factors in predicting intention to use and acceptance of AVs. Results from the ARSSS may inform the acceptance among users of these AV technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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17 pages, 3048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Influence of Variable Meteorological Conditions on the Performance of the EV Battery and on the Driving Range

by Carlos Armenta-Déu and Baptiste Giorgi

Future Transp. 2023, 3(2), 626-642; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3020037 - 12 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 988

Abstract

The influence of variable weather conditions on the performance of the battery that powers electric vehicles (EV) was studied and analyzed. This paper also deals with the effects that changes in the performance of the battery have on the driving range of the [...] Read more.

The influence of variable weather conditions on the performance of the battery that powers electric vehicles (EV) was studied and analyzed. This paper also deals with the effects that changes in the performance of the battery have on the driving range of the vehicle. An algorithm to evaluate the influence of temperature on the behavior of the battery and on the real driving range of electric vehicles was developed. Our theoretical approach was assessed in experimental tests run under operating conditions that reproduce real situations. A correction factor was obtained to match theoretical and experimental values with an accuracy higher than 98%. A linear relation between driving range and ambient temperature was observed from a simulation process, with a high regression coefficient. The relation shows that the driving range increases with ambient temperature. The ratio of the estimated driving range from the simulation process and the standard value for a reference temperature of 25 °C was obtained. The ratio shows that the global driving range can be increased by up to 29% in high temperatures associated with the summer season, while for very low temperatures, near −30 °C, the global driving range is reduced by 20%. The comparative analysis of the driving range for different temperatures shows that there is a reduction of about 18% for the low range of ambient temperatures, between −15 °C and 5 °C, while for medium temperatures, between 5 °C and 25 °C, the reduction in the driving range is only 4.6%. Finally, tests demonstrated that with a reduction in high temperatures from 25 °C to 35 °C, the driving range only reduced by about 0.4%. For higher temperatures, around 50 °C, the longest driving distance can be achieved, with a higher accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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21 pages, 4280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Secure Traffic Police Remote Sensing Approach via a Deep Learning-Based Low-Altitude Vehicle Speed Detector through UAVs in Smart Cites: Algorithm, Implementation and Evaluation

by Ata Jahangir Moshayedi, Atanu Shuvam Roy, Alireza Taravet, Liefa Liao, Jianqing Wu and Mehdi Gheisari

Future Transp. 2023, 3(1), 189-209; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3010012 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2582

Abstract

Nowadays, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has a wide application in transportation. For instance, by leveraging it, we are able to perform accurate and real-time vehicle speed detection in an IoT-based smart city. Although numerous vehicle speed estimation methods exist, most of them [...] Read more.

Nowadays, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has a wide application in transportation. For instance, by leveraging it, we are able to perform accurate and real-time vehicle speed detection in an IoT-based smart city. Although numerous vehicle speed estimation methods exist, most of them lack real-time detection in different situations and scenarios. To fill the gap, this paper introduces a novel low-altitude vehicle speed detector system using UAVs for remote sensing applications of smart cities, forging to increase traffic safety and security. To this aim, (1) we have found the best possible Raspberry PI’s field of view (FOV) camera in indoor and outdoor scenarios by changing its height and degree. Then, (2) Mobile Net-SSD deep learning model parameters have been embedded in the PI4B processor of a physical car at different speeds. Finally, we implemented it in a real environment at the JXUST university intersection by changing the height (0.7 to 3 m) and the camera angle on the UAV. Specifically, this paper proposed an intelligent speed control system without the presence of real police that has been implemented on the edge node with the configuration of a PI4B and an Intel Neural Computing 2, along with the PI camera, which is armed with a Mobile Net-SSD deep learning model for the smart detection of vehicles and their speeds. The main purpose of this article is to propose the use of drones as a tool to detect the speeds of vehicles, especially in areas where it is not easy to access or install a fixed camera, in the context of future smart city traffic management and control. The experimental results have proven the superior performance of the proposed low-altitude UAV system rather than current studies for detecting and estimating the vehicles’ speeds in highly dynamic situations and different speeds. As the results showed, our solution is highly effective on crowded roads, such as junctions near schools, hospitals, and with unsteady vehicles from the speed level point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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19 pages, 1724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calibration of the Microsimulation Traffic Model Using Different Neural Network Applications

by Irena Ištoka Otković, Tomaž Tollazzi, Matjaž Šraml and Damir Varevac

Future Transp. 2023, 3(1), 150-168; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp3010010 - 02 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2184

Abstract

The efficacy of the application of traffic models depends on a successful process of model calibration. Microsimulation models have a significant number of input parameters that can be optimized in the calibration process. This paper presents the optimization of input parameters that are [...] Read more.

The efficacy of the application of traffic models depends on a successful process of model calibration. Microsimulation models have a significant number of input parameters that can be optimized in the calibration process. This paper presents the optimization of input parameters that are difficult to measure or unmeasurable in real traffic conditions and includes parameters of the driver’s behavior and parameters of Wiedemann’s psychophysical car-following model. Using neural networks, models were generated for predicting travel time and queue parameters and were used in the model calibration procedure. This paper presents the results of a comparison of five different applications of neural networks in calibrating the microsimulation model. The VISSIM microsimulation traffic model was selected for calibration and field measurements were carried out on two roundabouts in a local urban transport network. The applicability of neural networks in the process of calibrating the microsimulation models was confirmed by comparison of the modelled and measured data of traffic indicators in real traffic conditions. Methods of calibration were validated with two sets of new measured data at the same intersection where the calibration of the model was carried out. The third validation was made at the intersection in a different location. The selection of the optimal calibration methodology is based on the model accuracy between the simulated and measured data of traveling time, as well as queue parameters. The microsimulation model provides access to the raw data of observed traffic parameters for each vehicle in the simulation. The dataset of the calibrated model simulation results of all travel times of the selected traffic flow was compared with the dataset of the measured field data to determine whether the data are statistically significantly different or not. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Future Transportation)

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