Pedestrian demand modelling of large cities: an applied example from London

This paper introduces a methodology for the development of city wide pedestrian demand models and shows its application to London. The approach used for modelling is Multiple Regression Analysis of independent variables against the dependent variable of observed pedestrian flows. The test samples were from manual observation studies of average total pedestrian flow per hour on 237 sample sites. The model will provide predicted flow values for all 7,526 street segments in the 25 square kilometres of Central London. It has been independently validated by Transport for London and is being tested against further observation data. The longer term aim is to extend the model to the entire greater London area and to incorporate additional policy levers for use as a transport planning and evaluation tool

Framework for real time behavior interpretation from traffic video

© 2005 IEEE.Video-based surveillance systems have a wide range of applications for traffic monitoring, as they provide more information as compared to other sensors. In this paper, we present a rule-based framework for behavior and activity detection in traffic videos obtained from stationary video cameras. Moving targets are segmented from the images and tracked in real time. These are classified into different categories using a novel Bayesian network approach, which makes use of image features and image-sequence- based tracking results for robust classification. Tracking and classification results are used in a programmed context to analyze behavior. For behavior recognition, two types of interactions have mainly been considered. One is interaction between two or more mobile targets in the field of view (FoV) of the camera. The other is interaction between targets and stationary objects in the environment. The framework is based on two types of a priori information: 1) the contextual information of the camera’s FoV, in terms of the different stationary objects in the scene and 2) sets of predefined behavior scenarios, which need to be analyzed in different contexts. The system can recognize behavior from videos and give a lexical output of the detected behavior. It also is capable of handling uncertainties that arise due to errors in visual signal processing. We demonstrate successful behavior recognition results for pedestrian– vehicle interaction and vehicle–checkpost interactions.Kumar, P.; Ranganath, S.; Huang Weimin; Sengupta, K

北九州市における低炭素都市モビリティデザインのための歩行者のプロフィール・活動・環境に関する研究

By understanding the walking experience, the importance of walking in sustainable urban development could be comprehended. A tool for urban planning was proposed so that an urban area could be improved to become a walk-able area.北九州市立大

Certainty and Critical Speed for Decision Making in Tests of Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Systems

This paper starts with depicting the test series carried out by the Transportation Active Safety Institute, with two cars equipped with pedestrian automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. Then, an AEB analytical model that allows the prediction of the crash speed, stopping distance, and stopping time with a high degree of accuracy is presented. The model has been validated with the test results and can be used for real-time application due to its simplicity. The concept of the active safety margin is introduced and expressed in terms of deceleration, time, and distance in the model. This margin is a criterion that can be used either in the design phase of pedestrian AEB for real-time decision making or as a characteristic indicator in test procedures. Finally, the decision making is completed with the analysis of the behavior of the pedestrian lateral movement and the calculation of the certainty of finding the pedestrian into the crash zone. This model of certainty completes the analysis of decision making and leads to the introduction of the new concept of “critical speed for decision making.” All major variables influencing the performance of pedestrian AEB have been modeled. A proposal of certainty scale in this kind of tests and a set of recommendations are given to improve the efficiency and accuracy of evaluation of pedestrian AEB systems

Learning from Experiments: An Evaluation Plan for CMAQ Projects

The Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Program (CMAQ), established in 1991 by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) to provide about $1 billion per year to fund transportation projects that improve air quality, is intended both to support traditional transportation control measures and to encourage innovation in developing new strategies and technologies for controlling emissions from transportation sources. While the program has indeed encouraged some innovative approaches to local transportation and air quality problems, critics see it as a diversion of funds that could more usefully be devoted to conventional highway improvement projects. The current debate in Congress over the reauthorization of ISTEA and, specifically, the CMAQ provisions, is hampered by the lack of detailed information about the achievements of previous CMAQ projects and a plan for evaluating future projects. Resolution of this debate could be aided by emphasizing the role of CMAQ projects as natural experiments and developing a plan to conduct them. The purpose of this paper is to outline a strategy of analysis and data collection that will facilitate evaluation of CMAQ projects. This paper argues that the lack of emphasis (in all but the largest projects) on project evaluation can be explained by the public goods nature of information. Because local implementing agencies bear the costs of evaluation, while the benefits are enjoyed primarily by other jurisdictions in planning their transportation and environment projects, too little evaluation is conducted. At present, much of the potential usefulness of CMAQ projects to planners is dissipated because there is little systematic learning. Indeed, a project could succeed as an experiment if learning took place, even if it failed to improve air quality. This paper examines the kinds of data collected now in CMAQ programs in comparison with the kinds of data that would permit more effective program evaluation, particularly ex post evaluation, i.e., analysis of what actually resulted from the implementation of the individual project. In many cases, data-gathering should concentrate on observable outcomes that can clearly be attributed to the project and yet bear some relationship to air quality or congestion, either established by previous empirical study or by model results. A method is proposed for collecting the requisite data for each of several important types of CMAQ projects. To assure that the data are collected and evaluated will also require changes in the way in which CMAQ is administered, including the dedication of some portion of CMAQ funds for evaluating completed projects. The biggest change may be the need to develop measures of "success" and identify "control cases" against which to judge the success of the experiment.

Sustainable Smart Transportation System: Through the Lens of a Smart City in an Emerging Country

Environmental and social sustainability continue to challenge urban development agendas, especially in emerging markets. Past literature on the topic of smart, sustainable cities has focused relatively less on developing countries – however, during the transient phase, such economies undergo several stages of development which this paper endeavors to investigate. The goal is to define key dimensions essential for evolving existing urban sites into a sustainable ecosystem. In this context, this study puts forward a framework consisting of five pillars: Scalability, Connection, Availability, Productivity, and Environment (SCAPE) to guide the implementation of sustainable cities in developing and tropical countries

University of Malaya Research Bulletin, Volume 17, Number 1, 2017

Previously known as IPPP UM Research Bulleti

Assigning Liability in an Autonomous World

Liability laws currently in use rely on a fault-based system that focuses on a causal connection between driver actions and the resulting road accident. The role of the driver is set to reduce with the emergence of autonomous vehicles, so how will liability adapt to meet the needs of an autonomous world? The paper discusses possible frameworks of liability that could be implemented in the future, and accentuates the importance of the causal aspects of the current framework in the new system

Master Plan: Circulation element suggestions for implementation

This is the Consultant’s report to the Master Plan Circulation Group, which is a subgroup of the Master Plan Committee. It attempts to supplement and amplify the information provided in the Master Plan of March 21, 2001, and create an effective circulation system balancing the automobile with the pedestrian, bicycle, and bus. The report is in agreement with the Master Plan and proposes steps for implementation along with minor changes to the plan