Transportation Engineering Commons^™

Camera Viewpoint Invariant Vehicular Traffic Segmentation And Classification, Jeffrey B. Flora

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The goal of this intelligent transportation systems work is to develop a computer vision method that is view angle independent for segmenting and classifying vehicular traffic on highway systems. In order to achieve this goal, this work implements an algorithm for vehicle segmentation, feature extraction, and classification using the existing Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) infrastructure on networked traffic cameras. The VDOT traffic video is analyzed for vehicle detection and segmentation using an adaptive Gaussian mixture model algorithm. Speed estimation is performed using a single camera calibration. Size and shape features from morphological properties and texture features from histogram of …

Generic Incident Model For Investigating Traffic Incident Impacts On Evacuation Times In Large-Scale Emergencies, Andrew J. Collins, Peter Foytik, Erika Frydenlund, R. Michael Robinson, Craig A. Jordan

VMASC Publications

Traffic incidents cause a ripple effect of reduced travel speeds, lane changes, and the pursuit of alternative routes that results in gridlock on the immediately affected and surrounding roadways. The disruptions caused by the secondary effects significantly degrade travel time reliability, which is of great concern to the emergency planners who manage evacuations. Outcomes forecast by a generic incident model embedded in a microscopic evacuation simulation, the Real-Time Evacuation Planning Model (RtePM), were examined to quantify the change in time required for an emergency evacuation that results from traffic incidents. The incident model considered vehicle miles traveled on each individual …

Lessons In On-Campus And Distance Learning Delivery Of An Introductory Naval Architecture Course, Jennifer G. Michaeli

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This paper describes the author’s experiences in multi-mode (face-to-face and online) delivery of an introductory-level course on the topic of Naval Architecture geared towards anaudience of engineering and engineering technology undergraduate students with no previousmaritime background. The goal of this course is to expose talented undergraduate engineering students to the marine industry and to prepare those interested in pursing a career in this field with an introductory understanding of the complex nature of designing and building ships and other marine vessels. This course was offered in Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 to a group of engineering and engineering technology students. …

Parallel Implementations Of The Frank-Wolfe Algorithms For The Traffic Assignment Problem, Shawn Eugene Allen

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Transportation planners seek to understand how to best invest limited resources for future transportation network development. The traffic assignment problem is one algorithm of great importance to planners because it provides insight into how traffic will flow within the network. The Frank-Wolfe algorithm is a traditional solution method for this optimization problem, but it has been characterized by its slow rate of convergence and poor computational performance. This thesis examines and implements several modern advancements in this algorithm which are designed to improve the rate of convergence.

In addition to algorithm changes, another method to improve the performance of an …

The Role Of Proximity In Reducing Auto Travel: Using Vmt To Identify Key Locations For Development, From Downtown To The Exurbs, Robert B. Case

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to discover the VMT impact of each level of proximity in order to help government identify key locations for housing development, and thereby lower VMT and reduce dependence on foreign oil. By discovering the VMT impact of each level of proximity, this dissertation provides a) the first known means of calculating the proximity-based VMT benefit of subject locations by individual proximity level, and b) the new finding that it is likely that high VMT benefit can be achieved at moderate proximity levels acceptable to many households, enabling representative governments to be politically successful while …

Large-Scale Incidents Modeling And Network Simulation, Yichi Zhang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Traffic incidents on urban freeways are a major source of congestion and travel time uncertainty. In particular, large-scale incidents have longer durations and need more incident response resources. As such, large-scale incidents deserve more attention by practitioners and researchers. The objective of this study is to analyze large-scale incidents and explore their correlates and implications for traffic operations. An innovative analysis method, based on a 2008 incident data set from the Hampton Roads Traffic Operation Center (HRTOC) in Hampton Roads, Virginia was developed (N=59176). This study defined large-scale incidents as having a two hour minimum duration, based on guidance from …

Simulation Modeling And Analysis Of Complex Port Operations With Multimodal Transportation, Mariam Kotachi, Ghaith Rabadi, Mohammad F. Obeid

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

World trade has been increasing dramatically in the past two decades, and as a result containers exchange has grown significantly. Accordingly, container terminals are expanding to meet this increase and new container ports have opened. Ports with one or more container terminals are considered complex systems in which many resources, entities and transporters interact to achieve the objective of safely moving containers delivered by ships inland as well as loading containers delivered by trucks and rail onto ships. Ports with multimodal transportation systems are in particular complex as they typically operate with ships arriving to one or more terminals, multiple …

Path Clearance For Emergency Vehicles Through The Use Of Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communication, Craig Jordan, Mecit Cetin, R. Michael Robinson

VMASC Publications

The study described in this paper evaluated and tested a new strategy to enable emergency response vehicles (EVs) to navigate through congestion at signalized intersections more efficiently. The proposed strategy involves the use of vehicle-to-vehicle communication to send messages to alert vehicles to the approach of the EV and to provide specific instructions on maneuvering to allow the EV to proceed through congested signalized intersections as quickly as possible. This movement is achieved by creation of a split in the vehicle queue in one lane at a critical location to allow the EV to proceed at its desired speed but …

Impact Of Data Resolution On Peak Hour Factor Estimation For Transportation Decisions, Jan-Mou Li, Lee D. Han, Chung-Hao Chen

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Inductance loop detection systems serve as a primary data source to contemporary traffic information systems. Measures like 20-second or 30-second average velocity, flow, and lane occupancy can be aggregated from individual loop detector actuation sampled at 60 Hz typically. Practically, these measures would sometimes be further aggregated into a much lower, e.g. 15-minute, resolution and then the raw data were lost. Valuable traffic information like flow variation may be distorted when the lower resolution aggregation is practiced. A biased conclusion could be drawn from a data integration system consisted of this kind of distortions. Three approaches estimating a peak hour …

Demand Responsive Signal Control Strategy (Drsc) Incorporating Queue Length Information In Real-Time Signal Control, Rahul Rajbhara

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Most of the existing vehicle detection systems, namely inductive loops, video cameras etc. are incapable of measuring the queue lengths at signalized intersections. However, with the advent of modern technology, newer detection methods such as probe vehicles equipped with wireless communications (Connected Vehicles), particularly under the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration [52), and radar detection currently provide this capability [53). This thesis presents a Demand Responsive Signal Control Strategy (termed as DRSC) for an isolated signalized intersection. The control strategy incorporates real-time queue length information (obtained from probe vehicles) into the signal control logic. Demand based maximum green time for each upcoming/new …

Clearing Paths For Emergency Vehicles Using Shock Wave Theory And Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communication, Craig Austin Jordan

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A new strategy to enable an EV to navigate through congestion at signalized intersections more efficiently has been developed and is presented in this thesis. The proposed strategy involves communicating control messages to vehicles to change their driving behavior and to traffic signals to change their timing plans so that EV s can proceed through congested intersections as quickly as possible. To achieve this, specific vehicles are instructed to hold their positions to create a split in the vehicle queue at a critical location in one lane. The split allows the EV to change lanes and proceed unimpeded at its …

Integrating Probe Vehicles And Stationary Detector Data To Construct Accurate Cumulative Curves To Study Bottlenecks, Khairul Azfi Anuar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Advancements in sensors technologies have given researchers and practitioners access to an immense amount of traffic data from multiple types of sensors. However, because of the diversity of the data types, developing a relationship between the different data sources can be challenging. To further complicate the issue, the presence of error or noise makes it difficult to infer any reliable conclusions from the data. To develop a relationship between different data sources, a new methodology is proposed in this thesis for fusing stationary detector data and probe vehicle data to construct an accurate cumulative curve. To remove or to reduce …

Project-Risk Management And Decision Analysis In Maritime Maintenance And Repair, Michael C. Plumb, C. Ariel Pinto, Rafael Landaeta, Resit Unal, Thomas Murphy

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights regarding the implementation of using Project Risk Management (PRM) and Decision Analysis (DA) in managing projects for complex systems such as maritime vessels. The PRM approach apprehends many forms of risk both internal and external within a given project and assists the manager in determining the level of importance of each individual project phase and component to optimize project success. Ship Maintenance and Repair project decision-making requires that risk management and risk analysis techniques be applied in order to guide management in making better decisions to meet ship service life perspective. …

Distribution Analysis Of Freight Transportation With Gravity Model And Genetic Algorithm, Jun Duanmu, Peter Foytik, Asad Khattak, R. Michael Robinson

VMASC Publications

The application of a gravity model in freight modeling work on both short-haul and long-haul trips is discussed. A commodity-based gravity model was developed to assess the distribution of freight by long-haul trucks in southeastern Virginia. Although gravity models have been used extensively in transportation studies, little work has been done to address the special characteristics of freight transportation, such as the definition of friction factors and the differences between long-haul and short-haul trips. Results of a recent study of these and similar problems provide valuable insight into freight distribution modeling. A new calibration method that used a genetic algorithm …

Impact Of Intercity Tolls In Portugal – An Environmental Perspective, Jorge Bandeira, Margarida Coelho, Miguel Pimentel, Asad Khattak

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Alternative road pricing schemes are promising strategies to alleviate congestion and other environmental problems related to urban and regional road transportation. However, in practice, environmental issues are not often taken into account, especially at regional level. In 2010, due to the financial crisis in Portugal, several tolls were introduced in some motorways that were previously financed by the government. One of these cases was the A29 motorway, which connects the cities of Aveiro and Oporto. After the introduction of tolls about 50% of the Average Daily Traffic shifted to alternative routes or modes. This paper discusses the impact that tolls …

Evacuee Route Choice Decisions In A Dynamic Hurricane Evacuation Context, R. Michael Robinson, Asad Khattak

VMASC Publications

Very high traffic volumes may lead to extensive congestion during hurricane evacuations. Evacuation planners reduce this congestion by careful planning for multiple hurricane scenarios and assignment of evacuation routes and timing. This planning may be for naught if obstructions block key roadways. An advanced traveler information system (ATIS) may be used to guide evacuees to alternate routes, but how effective will that guidance be? Should the use of alternate routes be encouraged? How are drivers likely to respond to delays and information? Will information shorten or improve the reliability of travel times in emergency conditions? Integration of a dynamic evacuation …

Solving The Vehicle Re-Identification Problem By Using Neural Networks, Tanweer Rashid

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Vehicle re-identification is the process by which vehicle attributes measured at one point on a road network are compared to vehicle attributes measured at another point in an effort to match vehicles without using any unique identifiers such as license plate numbers. A match is made if the two measurements are estimated to belong to the same vehicle. Vehicle attributes can be sensor readings such as loop induction signatures, or they can also be actual vehicle characteristics such as length, weight, number of axles, etc. This research makes use of vehicle length, travel time, axle spacing and axle weights for …

Towards Reducing Traffic Congestion Using Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control On A Freeway With A Ramp, George Arnaout, Shannon Bowling

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Purpose: In this paper, the impact of Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) systems on traffic performance is examined using microscopic agent-based simulation. Using a developed traffic simulation model of a freeway with an on-ramp - created to induce perturbations and to trigger stop-and-go traffic, the CACC system’s effect on the traffic performance is studied. The previously proposed traffic simulation model is extended and validated. By embedding CACC vehicles in different penetration levels, the results show significance and indicate the potential of CACC systems to improve traffic characteristics and therefore can be used to reduce traffic congestion. The study shows that …

Selection Of Source And Use Of Traffic Information In Emergency Situations, R. Michael Robinson, Asad Khattak

VMASC Publications

The access and the use of advanced traveler information systems (ATISs) by drivers during normal commuting have been extensively assessed and analyzed. Emergency managers and transportation officials have extended the results of studies of ATIS use under routine conditions to emergency scenarios under the assumption that drivers' responses to information under emergency conditions mimic those seen under normal driving conditions. A recent survey of potential hurricane evacuees suggests the need to revisit this assumption. Results indicate that although commercial radio reports and variable message signs continue to be the sources of traffic information cited the most frequently, other information sources …

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks, Syed R. Rizvi, Stephan Olariu, Christina M. Oinotti, Shaharuddin Salleh, Mona E. Rizvi, Zainab Zaidi

Computer Science Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have recently been proposed as one of the promising ad hoc networking techniques that can provide both drivers and passengers with a safe and enjoyable driving experience. VANETs can be used for many applications with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. In the United States, motor vehicle traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for all motorists between two and thirty-four years of age. In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 33,808 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. The US Department of Transportation (US-DOT) estimates that …

Using Micro-Simulation To Evaluate Transit Signal Priority For Lrt Operations In A Downtown Environment, Faisal Mahmud

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Transit Signal Priority or TSP is an operational strategy that facilitates the movement of transit vehicles such as buses, light rail or streetcars, through traffic-signal controlled intersections. The benefits of TSP operations include improved schedule adherence and improved transit travel times with minimal impact to normal traffic operations. New advances in Global Positioning Systems, detection and communication, and control strategies have helped overcome many problems with early systems and increased interest in implementing TSP for Light Rail Transit (LRT) and other transit operations. The increased capabilities of these advanced systems have led to a dramatic increase in operational and planned …

Route Change Decision Making By Hurricane Evacuees Facing Congestion, R. Michael Robinson, Asad Khattak

VMASC Publications

Successful evacuations of metropolitan areas require overcoming unexpected congestion that reduces traffic flows. Congestion may result from accidents, incidents, or other events that reduce road capacity. Traffic professionals and emergency managers may promote deviations from planned routes to bypass an area of congestion and speed mass exit. However, some route changes may actually reduce traffic flow rates, and in these cases decision makers may want to discourage use of alternate routes. By using results of a behavioral survey of potential hurricane evacuees, this study identifies variables associated with the decision to alter routes and also identifies frequently used information sources. …

Investigating The Factors That Influence Injury Severity During Large Truck Crashes, Irina Olegovna Hoag

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Large trucks and passenger cars share the transportation infrastructure. The diversity of mass, size and maneuverability of vehicles on roads makes truck involved collisions very dangerous and causes injury and fatality of drivers and passengers. Considering that large trucks are usually traveling for a long distance and cross country, Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) collected data to analyze and predict injury or fatality from a set of predictor (independent) variables. Data were collected at 24 sites in 17 States and 2,284 vehicles were involved in crashes and have up to 1,000 variables for each crash. Sixty-nine percent of these …

Using Geographically Weighted Regression Models To Analyze Crash Harm, Libin Zheng

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Society pays a high cost for collisions in terms of property damage, injuries and loss of life. This paper has two objectives. One is to examine various factors associated with harm caused by highway collisions. Both global OLS and local GWR models are provided to identify specific variables influencing crash harm. Another objective is to demonstrate the use of a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) method in this complex safety problem, which can estimate models for each crash location and show spatial variation. The results show that the GWR model is a significant improvement on the OLS model; the test for …

A Hurricane Evacuation Route System Real-Time Monitoring And Distribution Of Load, Anup Khanal

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Hurricane evacuation is one of the major steps in diminishing the devastating effects of hurricanes on lives and properties. The challenge in evacuating a large number of people in a short time is the severe congestion faced in the transportation network, leading to long delays and shortages. Standard hurricane evacuation plans focus on how to best utilize the main arteries. The research challenge is to not overload the fastest routes and to utilize all the routes efficiently. The evacuation routing system proposed in this thesis focuses on distributing the traffic load throughout the network, utilizing alternative routes not considered in …

Implementation Requirements For The Notice Architecture In Vehicular Communications, Dusadee Treeumnuk

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Many studies have been focusing on Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networking (VANET) in order to increase the quality of traffic and life on the road. An important aspect in vehicular communications is maintaining the privacy and security of VANET. NOTICE is an emerging architecture promising efficient traffic notification as well as strong immunity to malicious attacks, leading to improvement of safety and reduction of traffic congestion on roadways. To enable secure traffic notification, the NOTICE system employs vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication rather than vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication like in traditional VANET. The infrastructure consists of sensor belts which are embedded in the roadway and …

Development And Validation Of A Dynamic Model Of The Maglev Transportation System At Old Dominion University, Ajinkya Deodhar, Sebastian Bawab, Aravind Hanasoge

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

A dynamic model of the vehicle/guideway coupled with a controller is developed for the maglev demonstration system currently being developed at ODU, using the MAthematical DYnamic MOdeling software - MADYMO. The fundamental characteristics of the vehicle and guideway are obtained from detailed finite element analyses using MSC-NASTRAN. As a result, the vehicle is modeled in MADYMO as a 21- degree-of-freedom spring-mass-damper system. A three span concrete guideway is modeled using 3D solid Hex8 elements. The air gap is modeled as a penetration of the magnets into the guideway. Decentralized colocated PD controllers are used for controlling the penetration of each …

The Reflective Mariner An Approach For Ecdis Training And Operational Usage, Scott W. Muller

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The emergence of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) on the bridge of modem vessels offers the possibility of improving the safety and efficiency of maritime operations. Despite its benefits, improper use of ECDIS relegates the watch officer to passive monitoring, which in tum places the mariner "out of the control loop" in the assessment of vessel control functions and equipment malfunctions. It is therefore vital to train mariners to be active in their ECDIS monitoring. This thesis presents a training strategy aimed at developing the "Reflective Mariner": an approach to help mariners maintain their active use of …

Effects Of Initial Seated Position On Whiplash In Low Speed Rear-End Impacts Comparison And Study Using The Tno Rear Impact Dummy (Trid) Model, Manjunath P. Venkataramana

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Despite numerous investigations devoted to its scrutiny, injury causing mechanism associated with rear-end impact collision producing injury such as Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) has remained a mystery. Several criteria have been proposed to predict the injury causing mechanism, but none have been universally accepted. The challenge lies in determining a set of testing procedures representative of real-world collisions, wherein the results obtained are not only the same as human testing, but remain consistent with various subjects and impact conditions. It is hypothesized that one of the most important considerations is the effect of initial seated position (ISP).

This thesis can …

Academic Fleet Renewal- Two Years Later, Larry Atkinson

CCPO Publications

(First paragraph) In November 2000, I wrote a Soapbox article on fleet renewal for Sea Technology. It is a little unsettling to see how slowly ideas move towards implementation. Nevertheless, we are making progress. In this editorial I will note a bit of that progress and try to guess where we will be in two more years.