2018
Authors
Dias, D; Amorim, JH; Sa, E; Borrego, C; Fontes, T; Fernandes, P; Pereira, SR; Bandeira, J; Coelho, MC; Tchepel, O;
Publication
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
The aim of this research is the implementation of a GPS-based modelling approach for improving the characterization of vehicle speed spatial variation within urban areas, and a comparison of the resulting emissions with a widely used approach to emission inventory compiling. The ultimate goal of this study is to evaluate and understand the importance of activity data for improving the road transport emission inventory in urban areas. For this purpose, three numerical tools, namely, (i) the microsimulation traffic model (VISSIM); (ii) the mesoscopic emissions model (TREM); and (iii) the air quality model (URBAIR), were linked and applied to a mediumsized European city (Aveiro, Portugal). As an alternative, traffic emissions based on a widely used approach are calculated by assuming a vehicle speed value according to driving mode. The detailed GPS-based modelling approach results in lower total road traffic emissions for the urban area (7.9, 5.4, 4.6 and 3.2% of the total PM10, NOx, CO and VOC daily emissions, respectively). Moreover, an important variation of emissions was observed for all pollutants when analysing the magnitude of the 5th and 95th percentile emission values for the entire urban area, ranging from -15 to 49% for CO, -14 to 31% for VOC, -19 to 46% for NOx and -22 to 52% for PM10. The proposed GPS-based approach reveals the benefits of addressing the spatial and temporal variability of the vehicle speed within urban areas in comparison with vehicle speed data aggregated by a driving mode, demonstrating its usefulness in quantifying and reducing the uncertainty of road transport inventories.
2018
Authors
Bandeira, JM; Fernandes, P; Fontes, T; Pereira, SR; Khattak, AJ; Coelho, MC;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Abstract
The introduction of eco-routing systems has been suggested as a promising strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and criteria pollutants. The objective of this study is to scrutinize the impacts of an eco-routing guidance system on emissions through the use of a case study in a commuting corridor. This research aims at assessing the potential environmental benefits in terms of different pollutant emissions. Simultaneously, it addresses the extent of variations in system travel time (STT) that each eco-routing strategy implies. The methodology consists of three distinct phases. The first phase corresponds to the adjustment of a microsimulation platform of traffic and emissions with empirical data previously collected. Second, to volume-emission-functions (VEF), developed based on the integrated modeling structure. Final, to different scenarios of traffic flow optimization performed at the network level based on a simplified assignment procedure. The results show that if the traffic assignment is performed with the objective to minimize overall impacts, then the total system environmental damage costs can be reduced up to 9% with marginal oscillations in total STT. However, if drivers are advised based on their own emissions minimization, total system emissions may be higher than under the standard user equilibrium flow pattern. Specifically, environmentally friendly navigation algorithms focused on individual goals may tend to divert traffic to roads with less capacity affecting the performance of the remaining traffic. This case study brings new insights about the difficulties and potentials of implementing such systems.
2018
Authors
Monjardino, J; Barros, N; Ferreira, F; Tente, H; Fontes, T; Pereira, P; Manso, C;
Publication
IFAC PAPERSONLINE
Abstract
Lisbon is one of the European cities where NO2 and PK10 legal limit values are still exceeded, leading to an Air Quality Plan applicable up to 2020. The developed work combined a detailed emission inventory, monitoring data, and modelling in order to assess if the proposed emission abatement scenarios, focused on the road transport sector, were able to tackle exceedances. A maximum decrease of 14% for PM10 concentrations was achieved, and of 21% for NO2, providing compliance. PM10 smallest reduction is related with higher weight of regional background sources, while for NO2 local traffic has more influence on concentrations.
2018
Authors
Fontes, T; Li, PL; Barros, N; Zhao, PJ;
Publication
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Abstract
Air quality traffic-related measures have been implemented worldwide to control the pollution levels of urban areas. Although some of those measures are claiming environmental improvements, few studies have checked their real impact. In fact, quantitative estimates are often focused on reducing emissions, rather than on evaluating the actual measures' effect on air quality. Even when air quality studies are conducted, results are frequently unclear. In order to properly assess the real impact on air quality of traffic-related measures, a statistical method is proposed. The method compares the pollutant concentration levels observed after the implementation of a measure with the concentration values of the previous year. Short- and long-term impact is assessed considering not only their influence on the average pollutant concentration, but also on its maximum level. To control the effect of the main confounding factors, only the days with similar environmental conditions are analysed. The changeability of the key meteorological variables that affect the transport and dispersion of the pollutant studied are used to identify and group the days categorized as similar. Resemblance of the pollutants' concentration of the previous day is also taken into account. The impact of the road traffic measures on the air pollutants' concentration is then checked for those similar days using specific statistical functions. To evaluate the proposed method, the impact on PM2.5 concentrations of two air quality traffic-related measures (M1 and M2) implemented in the city of Beijing are taken into consideration: M1 was implemented in 2009, restricting the circulation of yellow-labelled vehicles, while M2 was implemented in 2014, restricting the circulation of heavy-duty vehicles. To compare the results of each measure, a time-period when these measures were not applied is used as case-control.
2018
Authors
Homayouni, SM; Fontes, DBMM;
Publication
Metaheuristic Algorithms in Maritime Operations Optimization
Abstract
Metaheuristic Algorithms in Maritime Operations Optimization focuses on the seaside and port side problems regarding the maritime transportation. The book reviews and introduces the most important problems regarding the shipping network design, long-term and short-term scheduling and planning problems in both bulk and container shipping as well as liquid maritime transportation. Application of meta heuristic algorithm is important for these problems, as most of them are hard and time-consuming to be solved optimally.
2018
Authors
Dalmarco, G; Barros, AC;
Publication
Contributions to Management Science
Abstract
The widespread use of internet is changing the way supply chain echelons interact with each other in order to respond to increasing customer requests of personalized products and services. Companies acquainted with the concept of industry 4.0 (i4.0) embrace the use of internet to improve their internal and external processes, delivering the dynamic and flexible response customers want. This chapter aims to discuss how supply chains may benefit from the adoption of i4.0 technologies by their partners and highlights some of its implementation challenges. Eight technologies cover most of i4.0 applications: additive manufacturing; big data & analytics; cloud computing; cyber-physical systems; cyber security; internet of things; collaborative robotics; and visual computing. At individual level, technologies such as additive manufacturing, collaborative robots, visual computing and cyber-physical systems establish the connectivity of a certain company. However, the integration of the whole supply chain, based on the principles of i4.0, demands that information provided by each company (Big Data) is shared through a collaborative system based on Cloud Computing and Internet of Things technologies. To safely share useful information, Cyber Security techniques must be implemented in individual systems and cloud solutions. Summing up, even though the adoption of i4.0 demands an individual initiative, it will only raise the supply chain’s competitive advantage if all companies adapt their manufacturing and supply chain processes. The main advantage foreseen here is based on an improved communication system of the whole supply chain, bringing consumers closer to the production process. © 2018, Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature.
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