Examining the Impact of Adverse Weather on Travel Time Reliability of Urban Corridors in Shanghai

Travel time reliability (TTR) is widely used to evaluate transportation system performance. Adverse weather condition is an important factor for affecting TTR, which can cause traffic congestions and crashes. Considering the traffic characteristics under different traffic conditions, it is necessary to explore the impact of adverse weather on TTR under different conditions. This study conducted an empirical travel time analysis using traffic data and weather data collected on Yanan corridor in Shanghai. The travel time distributions were analysed under different roadway types, weather, and time of day. Four typical scenarios (i.e., peak hours and off-peak hours on elevated expressway, peak hours and off-peak hours on arterial road) were considered in the TTR analysis. Four measures were calculated to evaluate the impact of adverse weather on TTR. The results indicated that the lognormal distribution is preferred for describing the travel time data. Compared with off-peak hours, the impact of adverse weather is more significant for peak hours. The travel time variability, buffer time index, misery index, and frequency of congestion increased by an average of 29%, 19%, 22%, and 63%, respectively, under the adverse weather condition. The findings in this study are useful for transportation management agencies to design traffic control strategies when adverse weather occurs.

A Two-Class Stochastic Network Equilibrium Model under Adverse Weather Conditions

Adverse weather condition is one of the inducements that lead to supply uncertainty of an urban transportation system, while travelers’ multiple route choice criteria are the nonignorable reason resulting in demand uncertainty. This paper proposes a novel stochastic traffic network equilibrium model considering impacts of adverse weather conditions on roadway capacity and route choice criteria of two-class mixed roadway travellers on demand modes, in which the two-class route choice criteria root in travelers’ different network information levels (NILs). The actual route travel time (ARTT) and perceived route travel time (PRTT) are considered as the route choice criteria of travelers with perfect information (TPI) and travelers with bounded information (TBI) under adverse weather conditions, respectively. We then formulate the user equilibrium (UE) traffic assignment model in a variational inequality problem and propose a solution algorithm. Numerical examples including a small triangle network and the Sioux Falls network are presented to testify the validity of the model and to clarify the inner mechanism of the two-class UE model under adverse weather conditions. Managerial implications and applications are also proposed based on our findings to improve the operation efficiency of urban roadway network under adverse weather conditions.

Design and Fabrication of Semi Automatic Coconut Copra Electric Dryer

In India Coconut is the major plantation crop in the states of Tamilnadu, kerala, Karnataka, Kongan region of Maharastra and Andaman and Nicobar Islands for entire seasons. Copra is the major product from the coconut cultivation earning higher income of small and medium livelihoods. The approval of copra quality is mainly based on how well the copra got dried. Open drying or other conventional methods is the major process of making copra. In adverse weather condition, rainy season the drying process will be very challenging. Many dryers are made and used currently was affordable to medium and large scale copra producers. Those dryers also having limitations in size, high initial cost and nature dependency. There is very few attempt made for Small and individual household copra producers. This paper mainly focuses on how to dry-up the copra in all climate conditions. An electric handy dryer is designed to dry up the coconut copra and other grains. It mainly helps the small scale farmers as a handy dryer unit to dry-up the copra, those who are using coconut as a way of income. Based on the experiments conducted the electric dryer removed high moisture content than forced convection and direct sun dryers.

Superhydrophobic Asphalt Pavements: Surface Improvement

The most adverse weather condition for road safety happens when there is water, snow, or ice on the road surface because their presence highly decreases friction. Therefore, it is essential to drain or repel them quickly. If the water drops are repelled from the surface or the ice/snow formation is avoided with the application of superhydrophobic coatings, roads become safer. In order to functionalize the asphalt mixtures used in road pavements, nano/micromaterials, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), TiO2, and SiO2, among others have been applied by spraying coating. The mixes are usually characterized by the water contact angle, and the surface roughness is typically assessed by optical and electron analysis. This research work aims to present a brief overview of superhydrophobic asphalt mixtures.

Profitability analysis of papaya cultivation in some selected areas of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to depict the overall economics of papaya cultivation in four districts namely Tangail, Jashore, Bandarban and Rajshahi. The objectives of the study were to examine the cost structure, resource use productivities, profitability and the problems of papaya production. A total of 152 farmers taking 38 from each district were selected randomly. Data were collected through a pre-tested interview schedule during January-March, 2017. The per hectare use of human labour, plant protection, manures and fertilizer were found to be maximum at Jashore whereas, the per hectare use of saplings was found to be maximum at Tangail district. The per hectare cost of cultivation of papaya was high at Jossere (365405) followed by Tangail (Tk.334261), Rajshahi (Tk.319754), and Bandarban (Tk. 272664). The average per hectare yield were maximum at Jossere (62MT) followed by Rajshahi (55MT), Tangail (54MT) and Bandarban (52MT). Per hectare gross margin was the highest at Tangail (Tk. 802797) followed by Bandarban (Tk. 658441), Jashore (Tk. 536346) and Rajshahi (Tk.471298). Per hectare net return was highest at Tangail (Tk.633738) followed by Bandarban (Tk.507335), Jossere (Tk.346594) and Rajshahi (Tk.302747). The overall benefit cost ratio was 2.39 which indicates papaya cultivation was profitable in Bangladesh. The yield of papaya would increase by 0.0407, 0.125, 00.0627, 0.0863 and 0.3785 % if papaya farmers apply 1% additional human labour, seedlings/saplings, fertilizer, improved variety, and dummy for loamy soil. Attacks on viral disease, adverse weather condition, non-availability of reliable seed, lack of irrigation facilities, lack of technical knowledge and problems in marketing of papaya were the major constraints of papaya cultivation in the study areas. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(1): 115-126, March 2019

Modeling head-on crash severity on NCDOT freeways: a mixed logit model approach

This study employs a mixed logit model approach to evaluate contributing factors that significantly affect the severity of head-on crashes. The head-on crash data are collected from Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) from 2005 to 2013 in North Carolina. The effects that vehicle, driver, roadway, and environmental characteristics have on the injury severity of head-on crashes are examined. The results of this research demonstrate that adverse weather, young drivers, rural roadways, and pickups are found to be better modeled as random-parameters at specific injury severity levels, while others should remain fixed. Also, the model results indicate that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, grade or curve roadway configuration, old drivers, high speed limit, motorcycles will increase the injury severity of head-on crashes. Adverse weather condition, two-way divided road, traffic control, young drivers, and pickups will decrease the injury severity of head-on crashes.

Providing 4P's in Extraordinary Management Services in Whatever Weather Condition

Using the properties management in Park Island, Hong Kong, as a case study, the purpose is to focus on illustrating the significance of providing 4P’s “Proactive, Protective, Professional and Passionate” in extraordinary properties management services in whatever weather condition and on whenever situation. Design/Methodology/Approach - This paper used the Super Typhoon Mangkhut in Sept 2018 in Park Island, Hong Kong, as a case study to illustrate the professionalism exhibited in Park Island, Kai Shing Management Services Limited. The deep thoughts and feelings from residents were quoted and analyzed. Authors conducted twenty-five in-depth semi-structured interviews. Findings - The inspiring real life experiences from respondents who have been living in Park Island were quoted. It has been reflecting the “PARK ISLAND" spirit and demonstrating the significance of professionalism and extraordinary service performance for crisis management after super typhoon Mangkhut signal No. 10 was hoisted. Providing 4P’s “Proactive, Protective, Professional and Passionate” in extraordinary properties management services in whatever weather condition and on whenever situation can gain the trust, respect, appreciation and gratitude from residents to professional property management practitioners. Practical implications – Based on the insights gained from interviewees, providing 4P’s –“Proactive, Protective, Professional and Passionate” in extraordinary properties management services in whatever weather condition and on whenever occasion can exceed residents’ expectations and enhance the reputation of the property management company. Originality/value - This paper urges for the fundamental service philosophy and attitude exhibited from the property management practitioners to deal with crisis management during the adverse weather condition. This paper uses the Super Typhoon Mangkhut in Sept 2018 in Park Island, Hong Kong, as a case study, and the aim of such an episode is to arouse all the properties management companies to strive the best to meet and exceed residents’ needs in whatever weather condition and on whenever occasion.