Integrated and adaptive traffic signal control for diamond interchange : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mechatronics Engineering at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

New dynamic signal control methods such as fuzzy logic and artificial intelligence developed recently mainly focused on isolated intersection. Adaptive signal control based on fuzzy logic control (FLC) determines the duration and sequence that traffic signal should stay in a certain state, before switching to the next state (Trabia et al. 1999, Pham 2013). The amount of arriving and waiting vehicles are quantized into fuzzy variables and fuzzy rules are used to determine if the duration of the current state should be extended. The fuzzy logic controller showed to be more flexible than fixed controllers and vehicle actuated controllers, allowing traffic to flow more smoothly. The FLC does not possess the ability to handle various uncertainties especially in real world traffic control. Therefore it is not best suited for stochastic nature problems such as traffic signal timing optimization. However, probabilistic logic is the best choice to handle the uncertainties containing both stochastic and fuzzy features (Pappis and Mamdani 1977) Probabilistic fuzzy logic control is developed for the signalised control of a diamond interchange, where the signal phasing, green time extension and ramp metering are decided in response to real time traffic conditions, which aim at improving traffic flows on surface streets and highways. The probabilistic fuzzy logic for diamond interchange (PFLDI) comprises three modules: probabilistic fuzzy phase timing (PFPT) that controls the green time extension process of the current running phase, phase selection (PSL) which decides the next phase based on the pre-setup phase logic by the local transport authority and, probabilistic fuzzy ramp-metering (PFRM) that determines on-ramp metering rate based on traffic conditions of the arterial streets and highways. We used Advanced Interactive Microscopic Simulator for Urban and Non-Urban Network (AIMSUN) software for diamond interchange modeling and performance measure of effectiveness for the PFLDI algorithm. PFLDI was compared with actuated diamond interchange (ADI) control based on ALINEA algorithm and conventional fuzzy logic diamond interchange algorithm (FLDI). Simulation results show that the PFLDI surpasses the traffic actuated and conventional fuzzy models with lower System Total Travel Time, Average Delay and improvements in Downstream Average Speed and Downstream Average Delay. On the other hand, little attention has been given in recent years to the delays experienced by cyclists in urban transport networks. When planning changes to traffic signals or making other network changes, the value of time for cycling trips is rarely considered. The traditional approach to road management has been to only focus on improving the carrying capacity relating to vehicles, with an emphasis on maximising the speed and volume of motorised traffic moving around the network. The problem of cyclist delay has been compounded by the fact that the travel time for cyclists have been lower than those for vehicles, which affects benefit–cost ratios and effectively provides a disincentive to invest in cycling issues compared with other modes. The issue has also been influenced by the way in which traffic signals have been set up and operated. Because the primary stresses on an intersection tend to occur during vehicle (commuter) peaks in the morning and afternoon, intersections tend to be set up and coordinated to allow maximum flow during these peaks. The result is that during off-peak periods there is often spare capacity that is underutilised. Phasing and timings set up for peaks may not provide the optimum benefits during off-peak times. This is particularly important to cyclists during lunch-time peaks, when vehicle volumes are low and cyclist volumes are high. Cyclists can end up waiting long periods of time as a result of poor signal phasing, rather than due to the demands of other road users being placed on the network. The outcome of this study will not only reduce the traffic congestion during peak hours but also improve the cyclists’ safety at a typical diamond interchange

NOVEL OPTIMAL COORDINATED VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS USING DIFFERENTIAL EVOLUTION TECHNIQUE

This paper investigates a Distributed Generators (DG) connected to distribution networks offer multiple benefits for power networks and environments in the case of renewable sources. Nevertheless, if there is not an appropriate planning and control strategy, several issues, such as voltage rise problems and increased power losses, may happen. In order to overcome such disadvantages, in this paper, a coordinated voltage control method for distribution networks with multiple distributed generators is proposed. This method is based on a differential evolution DE approach to obtain the optimal setting points for each control component. Furthermore this proposed method considers both of time-varying load demand and production, leading to not only an improvement in the voltage profile but also to optimally minimize the active power loss

EFFECT OF REDUCED CARBON SUPPLY ON ENHANCED BIOLOGICAL PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL AND DENITRIFICATION

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

Analyses of Thin-Walled Sections under Localised Loading for General End Boundary Conditions – Part II: Buckling

Thin-walled sections under localised loading may lead to buckling of the sections. This paper briefly introduces the development of the Semi-Analytical Finite Strip Method (SAFSM) for buckling analyses of thin-walled sections under localised loading for general end boundary conditions. This method is benchmarked against the Finite Element Method (FEM). For different support and loading conditions, different functions are required for flexural and membrane displacements. In Part 1- Pre-buckling described in a companion paper at this conference, the analysis provides the computation of the stresses for use in the buckling analyses in this paper. Numerical examples of buckling analyses of thin-walled sections under localised loading with different end boundary conditions are also given in the paper in comparison with the FEM

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF ORAL SUSTAINED-RELEASE RANITIDINE DELIVERY SYSTEM BASED ON BACTERIAL NANOCELLULOSE MATERIAL PRODUCED BY KOMAGATAEIBACTER XYLINUS

Objective: The short biological half-life (2-3 h) and low bioavailability (50 %) of ranitidine (RAN) following oral administration favor the development of a controlled release system. This study was aimed to develop and in vitro evaluate oral sustained-release RAN delivery system based on the bacterial nanocellulose material (BNM) produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus (K. xylinus) from selected culture media. Methods: BNMs are biosynthesized by K. xylinus in the standard medium (SM) and coconut water (CW). RAN was loaded in BNMs by the absorption method. The structural and physicochemical properties of BNMs and BNMs-RAN were evaluated via swelling behavior, FTIR, and FESEM techniques. Moreover, the effect of BNMs on RAN release profile and release kinetics was analyzed and evaluated. Results: The amount of loaded RAN or entrapment efficacy for BNM-CW is higher than for BNM-SM. The BNM-SM-RAN and BNM-CW-RAN exhibited a decreased initial burst release system followed by a prolonged RAN release up to 24 h in relation to the commercial tablets containing RAN. The RAN release from these formulations was found higher in the SGF medium than that of in SIF medium. RAN released from these formulations was found to follow the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and diffusion sustained drug release mechanism. The sustained release of RAN from BNM-SM-RAN was slower than for RAN from BNM-CW-RAN, but the mechanism of sustained RAN release was the same. Conclusion: Oral sustained-release RAN delivery system based on BNMs was successfully prepared and evaluated for various in vitro parameters. The biopolymers like BNM-SM and BNM-CW could be utilized to develop oral sustained RAN release dosage form

Analyses of Thin-Walled Sections under Localised Loading for General End Boundary Conditions – Part I: Pre-Buckling

The Semi-Analytical Finite Strip Method (SAFSM) for pre-buckling analysis of thin-walled sections under localised loading has been developed for general end boundary conditions. For different boundary conditions at supports and loading point, different displacement functions are required for both flexural and membrane displacements. As the stresses are not uniform along the member due to localised loading, the pre-buckling analysis also requires multiple series terms with orthogonal functions. This paper briefly summaries the displacement functions used for different boundary conditions. In addition, the theory of the SAFSM for pre-buckling analysis of thin-walled sections under localised loading with general end boundary conditions is developed. The analysis is benchmarked against the Finite Element Method (FEM) using software package ABAQUS/Standard. The results from this pre-buckling analysis are deflections (pre-buckling modes) and membrane stresses which are used for the buckling analysis described in Part 2 - Buckling in the companion paper

Design of new cold rolled purlins by experimental testing and Direct Strength Method

New cold roll formed channel and zed sections for purlins, namely UltraBEAM™2 and UltraZED™2, have been developed by Hadley Industries plc using a combined approach of experimental testing, finite element modelling and optimisation techniques. The new sections have improved strength to weight ratio by increasing the section's strength through the use of stiffeners in the section webs. The European standard, Eurocode 3 [1], uses the traditional Effective Width Method to determine the strength of a cold formed steel member. However, the design of the new sections UltraBEAM™2 and UltraZED™2 using this method is very complicated in calculating the effective section properties as these sections contain complex folded-in stiffeners. In addition, the incorporation of competing buckling modes such as distortional buckling of these sections can be difficult to analyse. To overcome difficulties of using Eurocode 3 or such a standard with the Effective Width Method for determining the strength of these sections, the Direct Strength Method is adopted in this paper. Four-point beam bending tests were carried out to determine the buckling and ultimate bending capacities of the UltraBEAM™2 and UltraZED™2 sections. Results from both experimental testing and Finite Element analysis were initially used as validation for the design using the Direct Strength Method. The Direct Strength Method's results were then compared with the experimental test results for a broader data in which the UltraBEAM™2 and UltraZED™2 sections had a range of different width-to-thickness ratios. It showed an excellent agreement between test and Direct Strength design values suggesting that the Direct Strength Method is a powerful tool for the design and optimisation of the new cold roll formed channel and zed purlins.N/

AN EVIDENCE FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF ANAMMOX PROCESS IN NITROGEN REMOVAL FROM GROUNDWATER

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

Thermal treatment of polyvinyl alcohol for coupling MoS2 and TiO2 nanotube arrays toward enhancing photoelectrochemical water splitting performance

Solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, using semiconductor photo-electrodes, is considered a promising renewable energy source and solution for environmental sustainability. Herein, we report polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a binder material for combining MoS2 and TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) to improve PEC water splitting ability. By a thermal treatment process, the formation of the π conjunction in the PVA structure enhanced the PEC performance of MoS2 /TNAs, exhibiting linear sweeps in an anodic direction with the current density over 65 µA/cm2 at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Besides, the photoresponse ability of MoS2 /TNAs is approximately 6-fold more significant than that of individual TNAs. Moreover, a Tafel slope of 140.6 mV/decade has been obtained for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of MoS2 /TNAs materials. © 2021 by the authLicensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerla

Some preliminary results of paleo-tsunami study in the coastal region of the Nghe An province, Vietnam

In the coastal region of the Nghe An province, the geomorphology is characterized by appearances of fields of arca granosa with placura placenta and hills of placura placenta with arca granosa, namely: The hills of placura placenta with the arca granosa shells in the Quynh Van and Nghi Tien communes; the fields of arca granosa with the placura placenta: deep-seated in the Quynh Nghia, Dien Chau and along the Nghi Yen coast  which have age of 4,500 - 4,300 yrs.; The appearance of the placura placenta-arca granosa shell’s fields and hills which do not originate from either marine transgression in the Holocene epoch, tectonic movement or artificiality; Our results suggest that there were three tsunami events occurring in the past during the periods of 4,500 - 4,300; 4,100 - 3,900 and 900 - 600 yrs., respectively in the region