scholarly journals Optimized Route to Clear Diverging Diamond Interchange Using Discrete Optimization Method

Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Yan Qi ◽  
Na Cui ◽  
Dave Bergner

Interchanges and intersections are the most complex part of a roadway network and are very challenging for snow plowing operators. The objective of the study is to test if the empirical best plowing route to clear a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) recommended by Clear Roads is also mathematically optimized. A discrete optimization method was employed to find the shortest route. In the study, the DDI is represented as a directed graph model. The task of clearing all lanes is treated as the well-known directed Chinese postman problem, which was then solved by an existing network optimization algorithm upon appropriate modification. The results showed that the best practice plowing route recommended by Clear Roads is one of the computed optimal routes with the Efficiency Index of 2/3. The approach proposed in the study can also be applied to other complex intersections and interchanges and help agencies achieve cost-effective snow control operations.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4649
Author(s):  
İsmail Hakkı ÇAVDAR ◽  
Vahit FERYAD

One of the basic conditions for the successful implementation of energy demand-side management (EDM) in smart grids is the monitoring of different loads with an electrical load monitoring system. Energy and sustainability concerns present a multitude of issues that can be addressed using approaches of data mining and machine learning. However, resolving such problems due to the lack of publicly available datasets is cumbersome. In this study, we first designed an efficient energy disaggregation (ED) model and evaluated it on the basis of publicly available benchmark data from the Residential Energy Disaggregation Dataset (REDD), and then we aimed to advance ED research in smart grids using the Turkey Electrical Appliances Dataset (TEAD) containing household electricity usage data. In addition, the TEAD was evaluated using the proposed ED model tested with benchmark REDD data. The Internet of things (IoT) architecture with sensors and Node-Red software installations were established to collect data in the research. In the context of smart metering, a nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM) model was designed to classify household appliances according to TEAD data. A highly accurate supervised ED is introduced, which was designed to raise awareness to customers and generate feedback by demand without the need for smart sensors. It is also cost-effective, maintainable, and easy to install, it does not require much space, and it can be trained to monitor multiple devices. We propose an efficient BERT-NILM tuned by new adaptive gradient descent with exponential long-term memory (Adax), using a deep learning (DL) architecture based on bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT). In this paper, an improved training function was designed specifically for tuning of NILM neural networks. We adapted the Adax optimization technique to the ED field and learned the sequence-to-sequence patterns. With the updated training function, BERT-NILM outperformed state-of-the-art adaptive moment estimation (Adam) optimization across various metrics on REDD datasets; lastly, we evaluated the TEAD dataset using BERT-NILM training.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2963
Author(s):  
Melinda Timea Fülöp ◽  
Miklós Gubán ◽  
György Kovács ◽  
Mihály Avornicului

Due to globalization and increased market competition, forwarding companies must focus on the optimization of their international transport activities and on cost reduction. The minimization of the amount and cost of fuel results in increased competition and profitability of the companies as well as the reduction of environmental damage. Nowadays, these aspects are particularly important. This research aims to develop a new optimization method for road freight transport costs in order to reduce the fuel costs and determine optimal fueling stations and to calculate the optimal quantity of fuel to refill. The mathematical method developed in this research has two phases. In the first phase the optimal, most cost-effective fuel station is determined based on the potential fuel stations. The specific fuel prices differ per fuel station, and the stations are located at different distances from the main transport way. The method developed in this study supports drivers’ decision-making regarding whether to refuel at a farther but cheaper fuel station or at a nearer but more expensive fuel station based on the more economical choice. Thereafter, it is necessary to determine the optimal fuel volume, i.e., the exact volume required including a safe amount to cover stochastic incidents (e.g., road closures). This aspect of the optimization method supports drivers’ optimal decision-making regarding optimal fuel stations and how much fuel to obtain in order to reduce the fuel cost. Therefore, the application of this new method instead of the recently applied ad-hoc individual decision-making of the drivers results in significant fuel cost savings. A case study confirmed the efficiency of the proposed method.


Networks ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorit S. Hochbaum ◽  
Cheng Lyu ◽  
Fernando Ordóñez

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Yang ◽  
G. H. Huang ◽  
X. S. Qin ◽  
L. Li ◽  
W. Li

A simulation-based fuzzy optimization method (SFOM) was proposed for regional groundwater pumping management in considering uncertainties. SFOM enhanced the traditional groundwater management models by incorporating a response matrix model (RMM) into a fuzzy chance-constrained programming (FCCP) framework. RMM was used to approximate the input–output relationship between pumping actions and subsurface hydrologic responses. Due to its explicit expression, RMM could be easily embedded into an optimization model to help seek cost-effective pumping solutions. A groundwater management case in Pinggu District of Beijing, China, was used to demonstrate the method's applicability. The study results showed that the obtained system cost and pumping rates would vary significantly under different confidence levels of constraints satisfaction. The decision-makers could identify the best groundwater pumping strategy through analyzing the tradeoff between the risk of violating the related water resources conservation target and the economic benefit. Compared with traditional approaches, SFOM was particularly advantageous in linking simulation and optimization models together, and tackling uncertainties using fuzzy chance constraints.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.. Francis-LaCroix ◽  
D.. Seetaram

Abstract Trinidad and Tobago offshore platforms have been producing oil and natural gas for over a century. Current production of over 1500 Bcf of natural gas per year (Administration, 2013) is due to extensive reserves in oil and gas. More than eighteen of these wells are high-producing wells, producing in excess of 150 MMcf per day. Due to their large production rates, these wells utilize unconventionally large tubulars 5- and 7-in. Furthermore, as is inherent with producing gas, there are many challenges with the production. One major challenge occurs when wells become liquid loaded. As gas wells age, they produce more liquids, namely brine and condensate. Depending on flow conditions, the produced liquids can accumulate and induce a hydrostatic head pressure that is too high to be overcome by the flowing gas rates. Applying surfactants that generate foam can facilitate the unloading of these wells and restore gas production. Although the foaming process is very cost effective, its application to high-producing gas wells in Trinidad has always been problematic for the following reasons: Some of these producers are horizontal wells, or wells with large deviation angles.They were completed without pre-installed capillary strings.They are completed with large tubing diameters (5.75 in., 7 in.). Recognizing that the above three factors posed challenges to successful foam applications, major emphasis and research was directed toward this endeavor to realize the buried revenue, i.e., the recovery of the well's potential to produce natural gas. This research can also lead to the application of learnings from the first success to develop treatment for additional wells, which translates to a revenue boost to the client and the Trinidad economy. Successful treatments can also be used as correlations to establish an industry best practice for the treatment of similarly completed wells. This paper will highlight the successes realized from the treatment of three wells. It will also highlight the anomalies encountered during the treatment process, as well as the lessons learned from this treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Rasul ◽  
Jaho Seo ◽  
Shuoyan Xu ◽  
Tae J. Kwon ◽  
Justin MacLean ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadhbh Josephine Byrne ◽  
Eleanor Bailey ◽  
Michelle Lamblin ◽  
Jane Pirkis ◽  
Cathrine Mihalopoulos ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians, accounting for one-third of all deaths in those under 25. Schools are a logical setting for youth suicide prevention activities, with universal, selective and indicated approaches all demonstrating efficacy. Given that international best practice recommends suicide prevention programs combine these approaches, and that to date this has not been done in school settings, this study aims to evaluate a suicide prevention program incorporating universal, selective and indicated components in schools.Methods This study is a trial of a multimodal suicide prevention program for young people. The program involves delivering universal psychoeducation (safeTALK) to all students, screening them for suicide risk, and delivering internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Reframe IT) to those students identified as being at high risk for suicide. The program will be trialled in secondary schools in Melbourne, Australia, and target year 10 students (15 and 16 year-olds). safeTALK and screening will be evaluated using a single group pre-test/post-test case series, and Reframe IT will be evaluated in a Randomised Controlled Trial. The primary outcome is change in suicidal ideation; other outcomes include help-seeking behaviour and intentions, and suicide knowledge and stigma. The program’s cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated.Discussion This study is the first to evaluate a suicide prevention program comprising universal, selective and indicated components in Australian schools. If the program is found to be efficacious and cost-effective, it could be more widely disseminated in schools and may ultimately lead to reduced rates of suicide and suicidal behaviour in school students across the region.


Omega ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.L. Pearn ◽  
K.H. Wang

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