Electronic Fare Collection Systems in Public Transits: Issues, Challenges and Way-Forward

With an estimated 174 million in 2013, Nigeria is faced with innumerable challenges. One of such challenges is ensuring that public transit systems within its metropolitan areas are fast and effective. Our system of interest is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This paper looks at the present challenges in deploying Electronic Fare Collection Systems for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Lagos state, Nigeria.  The study sampled commuters with questionnaires administered using a simple random sampling technique. The study also interviewed a representative of the Electronic Fare Collection System Technology Provider (e-Purse). Findings revealed commuter’s adoption of Electronic Fare Collection System remains low due to amongst other factors a lack of knowhow on the smart card usability. We propose an extended technical requirement for the Fare Collection system as well as modifications of the Lagos BRT policies that will ensure its effectiveness.                             

AN AUTOMATED ENERGY BILL METERING SYSTEM BASED ON GSM TECHNOLOGY

The measurement of the energy consumed by residential and commercial buildings by utility provider is important in billing, control, and monitoring of the usage of energy. Traditional metering techniques used for the measurement of energy are not convenient and is prone to different forms of irregularities. These irregularities include meter failure, meter tampering, inaccuracies in billing due to human error, energy theft, and loss of revenue due to corruption, etc. This research study proposed the design and construction of a microcontroller-based electric energy metering system using the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network. This system provides a solution to the irregularities posed by the traditional metering technique by allowing the utility provider have access to remote monitoring capabilities, full control over consumer load, and remote power disconnection in the case of energy theft. Proteus simulation software was used to model the system hardware and the software was obtained by using embedded C programming and visual basic. It was observed that the system could remotely take accurate energy readings, provided full control over consumer loads and execute remote disconnection in case of energy theft. The system provides high performance and high accuracy in power monitoring and power management.   &nbsp

Performance of MPLS-based virtual private networks and classic virtual private networks using advanced metrics

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is effective in managing and utilizing available network bandwidth. It has advanced security features and a lower time delay. The existing literature has covered the performance of MPLS-based networks in relation to conventional Internet Protocol (IP) networks. But, too few literatures exist on the performance of MPLS-based Virtual Private Networks (VPN) in relation to traditional VPN networks. In this paper, a comparison is made between the effectiveness of the MPLS-VPN network and a classic VPN network using simulation studies done on OPNET®. The performance metrics used to carry out the comparison include; End to End Delay, Voice Packet Sent/Received and Label Switched Path's Traffic. The simulation study was carried out with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as the test bed. The result of the study showed that MPLS-based VPN networks outperform classic VPN networks

Comparative analysis of the performance of various active queue management techniques to varying wireless network conditions

This paper demonstrates the robustness of active queue management techniques to varying load, link capacity and propagation delay in a wireless environment. The performances of four standard controllers used in Transmission Control Protocol/Active Queue Management (TCP/AQM) systems were compared. The active queue management controllers were the Fixed-Parameter Proportional Integral (PI), Random Early Detection (RED), Self-Tuning Regulator (STR) and the Model Predictive Control (MPC). The robustness of the congestion control algorithm of each technique was documented by simulating the varying conditions using MATLAB® and Simulink® software. From the results obtained, the MPC controller gives the best result in terms of response time and controllability in a wireless network with varying link capacity and propagation delay. Thus, the MPC controller is the best bet when adaptive algorithms are to be employed in a wireless network environment. The MPC controller can also be recommended for heterogeneous networks where the network load cannot be estimated

Stability Analysis of Model Regenerative Chatter of Milling Process Using First Order Least Square Full Discretization Method

Regenerative chatter is an instability phenomenon in machining operation that must be avoided if high accuracy and greater surface finish is to be achieved. It comes with its own consequences such as poor surface finish, low accuracy, excessive noise, tool wear and low material removal rate (MRR). In this paper, an analytical method base on first order least square approximation full-discretization method is use for the stability analysis on the plane of axial depth and radial depths of cut. A detail computational algorithm has been developed for the purpose of delineating stability lobe diagram into stable and unstable regions using mathematical models. These algorithms enabled the performance of sensitivity analysis. From the results axial depth of cut enhances the unstable region and suppresses the stable region. This means that inverse relationship exists between the axial and limiting radial depths of cut thus highlighting the need to determine the maximum value of their product for achieving maximized MRR thereby reducing the chatter in the milling process. It is also seen that the peak radial depths of cut occasioned by the lobbing effects occur at fixed spindle speeds irrespective of the axial depth of cut. Similarly, the rise in spindle speed enhances the stable region and suppresses the unstable region. This means that for us to have chatter-free milling process, parameters like axial and radial depths of cut should be carefully selected together at high machining speed. With these behaviour, one can locate the productive spindle speed at which the lobbing effects occur and depths of cut combination for the operator

Production Quality and Operation Management as a Sustainable Tool for Advance Development of the Food and Beverages Manufacturing Industry in Nigeria

Manageability has gotten a significant measure of interest and has been assigned to the board. As a contextual investigation, this paper presents a survey of articles focusing on the meaning of creation and the activities of executives in the manageability of the assembling business, with a specific focus on fossil fuel by-products involving the food and drink industry. This study reviewed current articles that cut across production quality, operation management, and tools for the sustainable development of food and beverages in manufacturing industries. The papers are arranged and examined by the three fundamental areas of activities of the board (issue, execution methodology, and improvement). The concentrate additionally dissects the papers as indicated by whether they address the importance of the activity the board manages towards Nutrition, Health, and Wellness Company, which will be the case study. From this research, it was observed that the activity of the executives shows up as a pertinent variable in all center areas of supportable assembly research; however, the bearing and strength of its effect remain dubious. The research looks at how administrators can effectively manage the problems associated with fossil fuels through products and quality nutrition, health, and wellness of the company for both consumers and employees