2,093 research outputs found
Applying Operations Research techniques to planning of train shunting
In this paper, we discuss a model-based algorithmic approach for supporting planners in the creation of shunt plans for passenger trains. The approach provides an example of a mathematical model and a corresponding solution approach for model based support. We introduce a four-step solution approach and we discuss how the planners are supported by this approach. Finally, we present computational results for these steps and give some suggestions for further research.A* search;railway optimization;real world application;routing
A rigidity property of asymptotically simple spacetimes arising from conformally flat data
Given a time symmetric initial data set for the vacuum Einstein field
equations which is conformally flat near infinity, it is shown that the
solutions to the regular finite initial value problem at spatial infinity
extend smoothly through the critical sets where null infinity touches spatial
infinity if and only if the initial data coincides with Schwarzschild data near
infinity.Comment: 37 page
Polyhomogeneity and zero-rest-mass fields with applications to Newman-Penrose constants
A discussion of polyhomogeneity (asymptotic expansions in terms of and
) for zero-rest-mass fields and gravity and its relation with the
Newman-Penrose (NP) constants is given. It is shown that for spin-
zero-rest-mass fields propagating on Minkowski spacetime, the logarithmic terms
in the asymptotic expansion appear naturally if the field does not obey the
``Peeling theorem''. The terms that give rise to the slower fall-off admit a
natural interpretation in terms of advanced field. The connection between such
fields and the NP constants is also discussed. The case when the background
spacetime is curved and polyhomogeneous (in general) is considered. The free
fields have to be polyhomogeneous, but the logarithmic terms due to the
connection appear at higher powers of . In the case of gravity, it is
shown that it is possible to define a new auxiliary field, regular at null
infinity, and containing some relevant information on the asymptotic behaviour
of the spacetime. This auxiliary zero-rest-mass field ``evaluated at future
infinity ()'' yields the logarithmic NP constants.Comment: 19 page
Painleve-Gullstrand Coordinates for the Kerr Solution
We construct a coordinate system for the Kerr solution, based on the zero
angular momentum observers dropped from infinity, which generalizes the
Painleve-Gullstrand coordinate system for the Schwarzschild solution. The Kerr
metric can then be interpreted as describing space flowing on a (curved)
Riemannian 3-manifold. The stationary limit arises as the set of points on this
manifold where the speed of the flow equals the speed of light, and the
horizons as the set of points where the radial speed equals the speed of light.
A deeper analysis of what is meant by the flow of space reveals that the
acceleration of free-falling objects is generally not in the direction of this
flow. Finally, we compare the new coordinate system with the closely related
Doran coordinate system.Comment: 6 pages; v2: new section, matches final published version; v3: sign
error in the expression of the function delta correcte
On smoothness-asymmetric null infinities
We discuss the existence of asymptotically Euclidean initial data sets to the
vacuum Einstein field equations which would give rise (modulo an existence
result for the evolution equations near spatial infinity) to developments with
a past and a future null infinity of different smoothness. For simplicity, the
analysis is restricted to the class of conformally flat, axially symmetric
initial data sets. It is shown how the free parameters in the second
fundamental form of the data can be used to satisfy certain obstructions to the
smoothness of null infinity. The resulting initial data sets could be
interpreted as those of some sort of (non-linearly) distorted Schwarzschild
black hole. Its developments would be so that they admit a peeling future null
infinity, but at the same time have a polyhomogeneous (non-peeling) past null
infinity.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur
Applying Operations Research techniques to planning of train shunting
In this paper, we discuss a model-based algorithmic approach for supporting planners in the creation of shunt plans for passenger trains. The approach provides an example of a mathematical model and a corresponding solution approach for model based support. We introduce a four-step solution approach and we discuss how the planners are supported by this approach. Finally, we present computational results for these steps and give some suggestions for further research
Exploring high-end climate change scenarios for flood protection of the Netherlands
This international scientific assessment has been carried out at the request of the Dutch Delta Committee. The "Deltacommissie" requested that the assessment explore the high-end climate change scenarios for flood protection of the Netherlands. It is a state-of–the art scientific assessment of the upper bound values and longer term projections (for sea level rise up to 2200) of climate induced sea level rise, changing storm surge conditions and peak discharge of river Rhine. It comprises a review of recent studies, model projections and expert opinions of more than 20 leading climate scientists from different countries around the North Sea, Australia and the US
Phase Synchronization in Railway Timetables
Timetable construction belongs to the most important optimization problems in
public transport. Finding optimal or near-optimal timetables under the
subsidiary conditions of minimizing travel times and other criteria is a
targeted contribution to the functioning of public transport. In addition to
efficiency (given, e.g., by minimal average travel times), a significant
feature of a timetable is its robustness against delay propagation. Here we
study the balance of efficiency and robustness in long-distance railway
timetables (in particular the current long-distance railway timetable in
Germany) from the perspective of synchronization, exploiting the fact that a
major part of the trains run nearly periodically. We find that synchronization
is highest at intermediate-sized stations. We argue that this synchronization
perspective opens a new avenue towards an understanding of railway timetables
by representing them as spatio-temporal phase patterns. Robustness and
efficiency can then be viewed as properties of this phase pattern
Crossover from Rate-Equation to Diffusion-Controlled Kinetics in Two-Particle Coagulation
We develop an analytical diffusion-equation-type approximation scheme for the
one-dimensional coagulation reaction A+A->A with partial reaction probability
on particle encounters which are otherwise hard-core. The new approximation
describes the crossover from the mean-field rate-equation behavior at short
times to the universal, fluctuation-dominated behavior at large times. The
approximation becomes quantitatively accurate when the system is initially
close to the continuum behavior, i.e., for small initial density and fast
reaction. For large initial density and slow reaction, lattice effects are
nonnegligible for an extended initial time interval. In such cases our
approximation provides the correct description of the initial mean-field as
well as the asymptotic large-time, fluctuation-dominated behavior. However, the
intermediate-time crossover between the two regimes is described only
semiquantitatively.Comment: 21 pages, plain Te
Conformal geodesics in spherically symmetric vacuum spacetimes with cosmological constant
An analysis of conformal geodesics in the Schwarzschild-de Sitter and
Schwarzschild-anti de Sitter families of spacetimes is given. For both families
of spacetimes we show that initial data on a spacelike hypersurface can be
given such that the congruence of conformal geodesics arising from this data
cover the whole maximal extension of canonical conformal representations of the
spacetimes without forming caustic points. For the Schwarzschild-de Sitter
family, the resulting congruence can be used to obtain global conformal
Gaussian systems of coordinates of the conformal representation. In the case of
the Schwarzschild-anti de Sitter family, the natural parameter of the curves
only covers a restricted time span so that these global conformal Gaussian
systems do not exist.Comment: 51 pages, 12 figures. Minor changes. File updated. To appear in CQ
- …