A New Methodology for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bus Rapid Transit Strategies

Over the last few years, public transportation has become more desirable as capacity of existing roadways failed to keep up with rapidly increasing traffic demand. Buses are one of the most common modes of public transportation with low impact on network capacity, especially in small and congested urban areas. However, the use of regularly scheduled buses as the main public transport mode can become useless with the presence of traffic congestion and dense construction areas. In cases like these, innovative solutions, such as bus rapid transit (BRT), can provide an increased level of service without having to resort to other, more expensive modes, such as light rail transit (LRT) and metro systems (subways). Transit signal priority (TSP), which provides priority to approaching buses at signalized intersections by extending the green or truncating the red, can also increase the performance of the bus service. Understanding the combined impact of TSP and BRT on network traffic operations can be complex. Although TSP has been implemented worldwide, none of the previous studies have examined in depth the effects of using conditional and unconditional TSP strategies with a BRT system. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of BRT without TSP, then with conditional or unconditional TSP strategies. The micro-simulation software VISSIM was used to compare different TSP and BRT scenarios. These simulation scenarios include the base scenario (before implementation of the TSP and BRT systems), Unconditional TSP (TSP activates for all buses), Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind (TSP only activates for buses that are 3 minutes or more behind schedule), Conditional TSP 5 minutes behind (only activates for buses 5 minutes or more behind schedule), BRT with no TSP, BRT with Unconditional TSP, BRT with Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind, and BRT with Conditional TSP 5 minutes behind. The VISSIM simulation model was developed, calibrated and validated using a variety of data that was collected in the field. These data included geometric data, (number of lanes, intersection geometries, etc.); traffic data (average daily traffic volumes at major intersections, turning movement percentages at intersections, heavy vehicle percentages, bus passenger data, etc.); and traffic control data (signal types, timings and phasings, split history, etc.). Using this field data ensured the simulation model was sufficient for modeling the test corridor. From this model, the main performance parameters (for all vehicles and for buses only) for through movements in both directions (eastbound and westbound) along the corridor were analyzed for the various BRT/TSP scenarios. These parameters included average travel times, average speed profiles, average delays, and average number of stops. As part of a holistic approach, the effects of BRT and TSP on crossing street delay were also evaluated. Simulation results showed that TSP and BRT scenarios were effective in reducing travel times (up to 26 %) and delays (up to 64%), as well as increasing the speed (up to 47%), compared to the base scenario. The most effective scenarios were achieved by combining BRT and TSP. Results also showed that BRT with Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind significantly improved travel times (17 – 26%), average speed (30 – 39%), and average total delay per vehicle (11 – 32%) for the main corridor through movements compared with the base scenario, with only minor effects on crossing street delays. BRT with Unconditional TSP resulted in significant crossing street delays, especially at major intersections with high traffic demand, which indicates that this scenario is impractical for implementation in the corridor. Additionally, BRT with Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind had better travel time savings than BRT with Conditional TSP 5 minutes behind for both travel directions, making this the most beneficial scenario. This research provided an innovative approach by using nested sets (hierarchical design) of TSP and BRT combination scenarios. Coupled with microscopic simulation, nested sets in the hierarchical design are used to evaluate the effectiveness of BRT without TSP, then with conditional or unconditional TSP strategies. The robust methodology developed in this research can be applied to any corridor to understand the combined TSP and BRT effects on traffic performance. Presenting the results in an organized fashion like this can be helpful in decision making. This research investigated the effects of BRT along I-Drive corridor (before and after conditions) at the intersection level. Intersection analysis demonstrated based on real life data for the before and after the construction of BRT using the Highway Capacity SoftwareTM (HCS2010) that was built based on the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 2010) procedures for urban streets and signalized intersections. The performance measure used in this analysis is the level of service (LOS) criteria which depends on the control delay (seconds per vehicle) for each approach and for the entire intersection. The results show that implementing BRT did not change the LOS. However, the control delay has improved at most of the intersections\u27 approaches. The majority of intersections operated with an overall LOS C or better except for Kirkman Road intersection (T2) with LOS E because it has the highest traffic volumes before and after BRT construction. This research also used regression analysis to observe the effect of the tested scenarios analyzed in VISSIM software compared to the No TSP – No BRT base model for all vehicles and for buses only. The developed regression model can predict the effect of each scenario on each studied Measures of Performance (MOE). Minitab statistical software was used to conduct this multiple regression analysis. The developed models with real life data input are able to predict how proposed enhancements change the studied MOEs. The BRT models presented in this research can be used for further sensitivity analysis on a larger regional network in the upcoming regional expansion of the transit system in Central Florida. Since this research demonstrated the operational functionality and effectiveness of BRT and TSP systems in this critical corridor in Central Florida, these systems\u27 accomplishments can be expanded throughout the state of Florida to provide greater benefits to transit passengers. Furthermore, to demonstrate the methodology developed in this research, it is applied to a test corridor along International Drive (I-Drive) in Orlando, Florida. This corridor is key for regional economic prosperity of Central Florida and the novel approach developed in this dissertation can be expanded to other transit systems

The degree of Jordanian youth using e-shopping in the light of some demographic variables

This study aimed to determine the degree of Jordanian youth use of e-shopping in light of the variables of gender, place of residence, and economic level, and to achieve the objectives of this study, the electronic shopping scale of Shahzad (2015) was translated and applied to a sample of (700) individuals in the governorates of the region The Jordanian north, consisting of Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash, and Mafraq governorate. The results showed that the degree of Jordanian youth’s use of e-shopping was weak. The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences due to gender, place of residence, and economic level in the responses of respondents to the e-shopping scale

Jurisdiction of the King in Royal Regulations: A comparative Study

This research deals with a very significant topic related to constitutional law, in order to identify the total jurisdictions of the King in the constitutions of four countries with royal political systems: Jordan, Spain, Japan and Norway, and to investigate the comparison between these constitutions, The purpose of this research is to identify the terms of reference of the King approved by the comparative constitutions, in addition, to clarify how the king deposed the judges in the constitutions comparison, and then the statement of the King's authority to issue amnesty and reduction in the comparative constitutions,The importance of this research in contemporary time lies on the existence of the text of the separation of powers in the constitutions, which most of the constitutions seek to dedicate and work through.To achieve this, the study relied on the descriptive analysis method and the comparative approach. This research was divided into two sections, The first section dealt with the King and the independence of the judiciary under the principle of separation of powers. The second section is about the relationship of the King to the judicial authority in the mentioned countries.The study showed that the King's jurisdictions in the compared constitutions focus on the appointment and dismissal of judges, the issuance of amnesties and the reduction of sentences, and there are some differences in the jurisdictions of the King among the constitutions of the four countries. In light of this, the study suggested a number of recommendations that contribute to the development of comparative country constitutions to be more in harmony with each other with regard to the jurisdiction of the King. Keywords: constitutional law, separation of powers, jurisdiction, Royal political systems

The Impact of Direct Teaching Strategy in the Development of Math Skills among a Sample of Students with Learning Disabilities

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the direct teaching strategy on the development of mathematics skills in a sample of students with learning disabilities. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher applied the direct teaching strategy to develop mathematics skills (introduction, presentation, guided practice, independent practice). The researcher prepared a scale for the achievement of mathematics for students of learning difficulties in the fifth grade. The study sample consisted of (20) students who were chosen purposefully from students with difficulties in mathematics enrolled in the resource rooms. The sample was divided into two equal groups: The first experimental and the second control, the results showed a statistically significant difference at the level of statistical significance (α = 0.05) between the arithmetical averages of students' performance on the achievement test in mathematics due to the difference in the study group, and for the benefit of the experimental group who studied using the direct teaching strategy. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences at the level of statistical significance (α = 0.05) between the mathematical averages of the post-performance of the students on the scale in the dimension (mathematical concepts, computational skills, problem solving skills) attributed to the difference in the study group, and for the benefit of the experimental group, the study recommends the use of special education teachers for the strategy of direct teaching in the teaching of mathematics and conduct a study to investigate the effectiveness of teaching strategies in teaching the skills of mathematics to the students with learning difficulties at different age levels. Keywords: Direct Teaching Strategy, Math Skills, Students with Learning Disabilitie

Filter-Wrapper Methods For Gene Selection In Cancer Classification

In microarray gene expression studies, finding the smallest subset of informative genes from microarray datasets for clinical diagnosis and accurate cancer classification is one of the most difficult challenges in machine learning task. Many researchers have devoted their efforts to address this problem by using a filter method, a wrapper method or a combination of both approaches. A hybrid method is a hybridisation approach between filter and wrapper methods. It benefits from the speed of the filter approach and the accuracy of the wrapper approach. Several hybrid filter-wrapper methods have been proposed to select informative genes. However, hybrid methods encounter a number of limitations, which are associated with filter and wrapper approaches. The gene subset that is produced by filter approaches lacks predictiveness and robustness. The wrapper approach encounters problems of complex interactions among genes and stagnation in local optima. To address these drawbacks, this study investigates filter and wrapper methods to develop effective hybrid methods for gene selection. This study proposes new hybrid filter-wrapper methods based on Maximum Relevancy Minimum Redundancy (MRMR) as a filter approach and adapted bat-inspired algorithm (BA) as a wrapper approach. First, MRMR hybridisation and BA adaptation are investigated to resolve the gene selection problem. The proposed method is called MRMR-BA

Digital Models Used in Documenting the Mosaic Areas

Digital models are considered the most important in documenting the mosaic floors tools. So, take advantage of the high capabilities in monitoring and documentation, analysis and manifesting required by the mosaic floors and murals. Also, these digital models dealing with large amounts of spatial and metadata. This means that the use of the large data that is collected from the mosaic floors and electronic transfers, which allows more than one user to access or manage and edit them to give wider dissemination horizon. Consequently, they contribute to the electronic documents for floors mosaic mural. This study shows that the numerical models can be used to perform various analyzes in documenting mosaic flooring. Keywords: Geographic Information System (GIS), spatial support decision-making (SDSS), remote sensing (RS), digital modeling (DM), mosaic floors (MF

Light database encryption design utilizing multicore processors for mobile devices

The confidentiality of data stored in embedded and handheld devices has become an urgent necessity more than ever before. Encryption of sensitive data is a well-known technique to preserve their confidentiality, however it comes with certain costs that can heavily impact the device processing resources. Utilizing multicore processors, which are equipped with current embedded devices, has brought a new era to enhance data confidentiality while maintaining suitable device performance. Encrypting the complete storage area, also known as Full Disk Encryption (FDE) can still be challenging, especially with newly emerging massive storage systems. Alternatively, since the most user sensitive data are residing inside persisting databases, it will be more efficient to focus on securing SQLite databases, through encryption, where SQLite is the most common RDBMS in handheld and embedded systems. This paper addresses the problem of ensuring data protection in embedded and mobile devices while maintaining suitable device performance by mitigating the impact of encryption. We presented here a proposed design for a parallel database encryption system, called SQLite-XTS. The proposed system encrypts data stored in databases transparently on-the-fly without the need for any user intervention. To maintain a proper device performance, the system takes advantage of the commodity multicore processors available with most embedded and mobile devices

Modified Step Variational Iteration Method for Solving Fractional Biochemical Reaction Model

A new method called the modification of step variational iteration method (MoSVIM) is introduced and used to solve the fractional biochemical reaction model. The MoSVIM uses general Lagrange multipliers for construction of the correction functional for the problems, and it runs by step approach, which is to divide the interval into subintervals with time step, and the solutions are obtained at each subinterval as well adopting a nonzero auxiliary parameter ℏ to control the convergence region of series' solutions. The MoSVIM yields an analytical solution of a rapidly convergent infinite power series with easily computable terms and produces a good approximate solution on enlarged intervals for solving the fractional biochemical reaction model. The accuracy of the results obtained is in a excellent agreement with the Adam Bashforth Moulton method (ABMM)

Numerical approach of riemann-liouville fractional derivative operator

This article introduces some new straightforward and yet powerful formulas in the form of series solutions together with their residual errors for approximating the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative operator. These formulas are derived by utilizing some of forthright computations, and by utilizing the so-called weighted mean value theorem (WMVT). Undoubtedly, such formulas will be extremely useful in establishing new approaches for several solutions of both linear and nonlinear fractionalorder differential equations. This assertion is confirmed by addressing several linear and nonlinear problems that illustrate the effectiveness and the practicability of the gained findings

Giant Spontaneous Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm Treated with Covered Stents : Report of a rare presentation and review of literature

We report the case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with a one-month history of a pulsatile mass, with no antecedent trauma or intervention. Imaging showed a large pseudoaneurysm (PSA) of the distal portion of the left superficial femoral artery. The PSA was treated successfully with endovascular placement of covered stents