Articles tagged with Transportation
A new drive system with individual gearbox control on each wheel improves wheel grip and enables exact speed compensation when cornering. This allows vehicles to move safely in challenging terrains, such as steep slopes and uneven ground. The technology is suitable for emission-free drives and preserves the conventional drivetrain.
Researchers developed a novel framework to capture dynamic nature of social networks, finding that scattered seeds of connections only grow when nourished, while policy restrictions can cut network growth by almost one-third.
Researchers investigated whether cut flowers from Africa could spread livestock viruses through tiny biting midges. While no midges were found in packaging or transport areas, the study highlights potential risks and suggests measures to reduce them.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that nearly a quarter of MA drivers run through the red light at pedestrian hybrid beacons. Drivers also often stop too soon or fail to slow down during flashing yellow phases, causing confusion and potential safety issues.
MIT researchers developed a new framework that helps engineers design complex systems explicitly accounting for uncertainty. The framework allows them to model the performance tradeoffs of a device with many interconnected parts, each of which could behave in unpredictable ways. This approach can help engineers develop complex systems ...
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals that community involvement is a powerful driver of acceptance among people with poor health. The research found that increasing the density of stops in residential areas can make demand-responsive transport more accessible to those with limited mobility. The study's findings suggest that...
A study found that longer commutes and smaller living spaces are associated with poor sleep health among Tokyo residents. Housing choices that balance location and size may help improve sleep health, according to researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University.
A new study by Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) reveals that transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Portland metro area generate significantly fewer car trips than previously estimated. At affordable housing sites, car trips were reduced to only a quarter to two-fifths of expected rates.
A recent study published in the Journal of Safety Research found that rented e-bikes have an eight times higher crash risk than rented e-scooters, calculated based on trip distance. The researchers used GPS data to compare micromobility in seven European cities and found a surprising result.
Researchers from Shandong Technology and Business University survey the latest AI-powered techniques to fill in missing traffic data gaps. The study categorizes and compares leading data imputation methods, offering a clear roadmap for researchers and city planners to improve traffic management and smart city operations.
A new study from the University of Michigan analyzed 35 different vehicle combinations and found that EVs have lower emissions over their lifetime than any other vehicle type in every county in the contiguous US. The lowest emission vehicle class was the compact sedan BEV with a range of 200 miles.
A transportation system management and operations data exchange solution will be developed by SwRI for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The platform aims to enhance mobility, safety, and infrastructure management in the region. It will serve as a regional clearinghouse for real-time transportation system data.
Scientists at Yokohama National University have created a device that uses acoustic levitation and a squeeze film to move objects without friction, enabling fast and precise transport of small parts. The device was tested on an inclined surface and showed successful movement with weights up to 43 grams.
A large-scale modeling study led by MIT researchers reveals that dynamically adjusting vehicle speeds can cut annual city-wide intersection carbon emissions by 11-22%. Implementing eco-driving measures could also result in a 25-50% reduction in CO2 emissions if only 10% of vehicles adopt the technology.
The Illinois Tech EV Readiness Community Awards celebrate local governments leading the transition to electric vehicles, with a focus on energy innovation and sustainability. The university's campus-wide transformation showcases its resilience and sustainability as a model for urban energy systems of the future.
A study found that users who exchanged daily walking steps for digital train tickets increased their walking by an average of 626.2 steps/day. Those using shopping coupon incentives walked 715.2 steps/day more on average than non-users. The results suggest effective promotion of active travel through well-designed mHealth apps.
A Safe Systems Approach emphasizes that road users, designers, operators, policymakers, administrators, and healthcare professionals all have a role to play in reducing fatalities. By adopting this approach, countries can realize significant success in eliminating roadway deaths, but full commitment from stakeholders is necessary.
The Michigan Air Mobility Research Corridor will test advanced air mobility technologies, including battery-powered aircraft and autonomous systems. The corridor, spanning 40 miles from Ann Arbor to Detroit, aims to enable safe and efficient flight testing.
A comprehensive report cataloging the most widespread and damaging drought events since 2023 reveals food, water, energy crises and human tragedies. The 'Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025' report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of drought's impacts on lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
A new study confirms that dockless bike-sharing significantly increases household consumption, especially in dining-out expenses, by 3.9-6.8%. This boost is attributed to reduced commuting costs, increased leisure time, and improved access to lifestyle services.
A new process using seawater and recycled soda cans can produce green hydrogen with a low carbon footprint comparable to other green hydrogen technologies. Researchers found that the overall emissions of this method are on par with those of fossil-fuel-based processes, making it a scalable and sustainable option for energy production.
Researchers analyzed two years of data on electric buses in Ithaca, finding batteries consume 48% more energy in cold temperatures. Short-term strategies include storing buses indoors and limiting door opening time to improve performance.
A new study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that teen drivers who practiced more had 30% fewer crash or near-crash incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 82 teen drivers monitored for 22 months, revealing that supervised driving experiences and safety education are crucial for reducing novice driver risks.
Aston University researchers are investigating the use of AI in creating greener cities, exploring policy tools to reduce emissions and optimize transportation. The project aims to develop decision-support tools for policymakers to improve urban infrastructure management and reduce environmental hazards.
Researchers at UCF used a combination of emerging technologies to evaluate the safety of concrete bridges. By combining infrared thermography, high-definition imaging and neural network analysis, they can quickly identify defects and prioritize repairs.
A new study from the Hebrew University explores middle-class parents in Israel who choose to live car-free due to personal values like promoting children's independence and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These 'outlier' families offer valuable insights into reducing society's dependence on private vehicles, highlighting instrumental ...
A study by researchers at Incheon National University found that pedestrian and roadside facilities have a substantial direct effect on crash outcomes, particularly for run-off crashes. The team suggests prioritizing these modifiable operational features in road safety strategies to improve safety.
A synthetic lichen system developed by Texas A&M researchers enables concrete to heal itself without outside intervention. This innovation uses cyanobacteria and filamentous fungi to produce crack-filling minerals, setting it apart from previous self-healing concrete endeavors.
A systematic review reveals that spatio-temporal big data applications in transportation resilience studies are most developed in quantitative assessment, but significant gaps remain in real-time monitoring and early warning systems. The study identifies the need for improved data integration frameworks and interdisciplinary cooperatio...
A new AI-powered training platform is being developed to simulate pipeline incidents and provide real-world scenarios for pipeline operators. The platform will use artificial intelligence to create a realistic environment where teams can practice handling hazardous conditions and responding to emergencies.
A study of over 500 schools in Canada found that 98% exhibit risky driving behaviors, including double parking and not obeying traffic controls. The authors suggest improvements to the built environment and parental education to address this serious issue.
Risky driving by parents and motorists during school drop-offs is a widespread issue, with 98% of elementary schools witnessing unsafe behavior. Experts suggest improvements to the built environment around schools to address this serious concern.
The study combines LoRa with distributed machine learning to optimize network connectivity for efficient transportation systems. It improves network efficiency and reliability by employing innovative spreading factor models and K-means algorithms.
The DISCO6G project enables network infrastructures to detect their environment while communicating, crucial for applications in transport and healthcare. IMDEA Networks is advancing ISAC systems with ultra-precise synchronization and low-power solutions for autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, and smart cities.
Researchers have made progress in understanding how Streptococcus pneumoniae constructs its capsule, a critical target for vaccine development. The study identified three categories of transporters that facilitate sugar building block transport, with relaxed specificity transporters posing potential risks to bacterial growth.
Researchers at PSU used ODOT's push-button data to estimate pedestrian counts, develop a workflow for integrating traffic counts into the enterprise system, and explore applications in pedestrian infrastructure planning. The new dashboard allows agencies to analyze usage patterns and prioritize upgrades at high-demand locations.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has been awarded a $1 million NASA grant to develop safety systems for drones and unmanned flying vehicles. The project aims to create an adaptive safety assurance architecture through extensive simulations and experimental testing, making future advanced air mobility vehicles smarter and safer.
Researchers from the University of Warsaw have shown that Navier-Stokes equations can be generalized to quantum systems, specifically quantum liquids with restricted particle motion. This discovery opens up new possibilities for research into transport in one-dimensional quantum systems.
The University of Michigan is merging its transportation safety research with automated vehicle testing to improve roadway safety. The move marks the institution's 60th anniversary and includes Mcity, a public/private partnership test facility, to develop connected and automated vehicle technologies.
A recent UBC study found that there's a 26% annual chance of space rocket junk re-entering the atmosphere and passing through a busy flight area, highlighting the potential for uncontrolled debris to disrupt flights. The researchers emphasize the need for policymakers to take action to address this issue.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers has developed a model that can help municipalities choose optimal locations for bike lanes, minimizing congestion and increasing cycling ridership. The model uses traffic and commuter mobility data to predict the impact of bike lane expansion on driving travel time and emissions.
A new study by Gwendolyn Purifoye found that Black men are targeted with aggression on buses and trains, leading to erosion of their sense of dignity and self-worth. The researchers observed repeated avoidance behaviors by non-Black passengers and surveillance by authority figures.
Chemists at Ohio State University have developed a novel way to capture and convert carbon dioxide into methane, utilizing nickel-based catalysts and reducing the need for massive amounts of energy. This breakthrough could pave the way for more efficient climate mitigation technologies and help close the carbon cycle.
Goethe University has awarded two prizes, 'Public Service Fellowship' to human geographer Martin Lanzendorf and 'New Horizon' to the Science Garden team, recognizing their commitment to sustainability and social impact. The prizes are intended to motivate university employees and focus attention on important topics.
A recent study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) research project examines changes in energy consumption in the European transport sector during and after the pandemic. Europeans have reduced car use, but increased air travel frequency, with varying trends across countries.
A new study from Virginia Tech shows large language models can assess human-made environments using street-view images, similar to traditional methods. LLM-based performance offers a more accessible tool for users in small to medium-sized cities, making it easier to manage smart urban infrastructure.
Researchers have developed a reconfigurable three-dimensional integrated photonic processor specifically designed to tackle the subset sum problem, a classic NP-complete challenge. The processor operates by allowing photons in a light beam to explore all possible paths simultaneously, providing answers in parallel and demonstrating hig...
Researchers use machine learning to analyze optimal bike lane placement in Toronto, balancing accessibility for all with overall efficiency. Key findings include a trade-off between equity and utility, with essential routes like Bloor West's bike lanes serving neighbourhoods far from their endpoints.
Cities with high-performing streetcar systems prioritize transporting people to desired locations, while those that focus on economic development often experience poor performance. The study highlights the importance of focusing on passenger attraction and coordinated fare policies for successful streetcar systems.
A new study reveals a significant increase in e-bike and powered scooter injuries between 2019 and 2022, with rates rising by 293% and 88%, respectively. The research highlights the need to improve micromobility injury surveillance and identify strategies for cities to promote safe user practices.
A study using machine learning to analyze patents and job task descriptions found that AI is likely to augment rather than replace many jobs. The most impacted occupations included orthodontists, security guards, and air traffic controllers.
A study by MIT researchers found that EV charging stations increase annual spending at nearby businesses by an average of $1,500 in 2019 and $400 from 2021 to 2023. The impact is particularly pronounced for businesses within 100 yards of charging stations and in low-income areas.
A California study found that over 50% of ride-hailing trips replaced more sustainable forms of transportation or created new vehicle miles, highlighting the need to improve the sustainability of ride-hailing services. The study also identified disparities in trip cancellations among low-income and minority groups.
A new MIT study analyzes airline safety trends over the past few decades and finds that commercial flight has become roughly twice as safe each decade since the 1960s. The study estimates that passengers are about 39 times safer than they were in the 1968-1977 period, with a 1 in 13.7 million risk of fatality per boarding.
A new study finds that exposure to particulate matter 2.5 microns or bigger rises by about 2.4 percent when daily travel patterns are taken into account. The research also reveals demographic disparities in exposure levels, with income and ethnicity playing a significant role.
A new study found that federal regulations aimed at improving heavy-duty truck energy efficiency could lead to a 20% reduction in energy savings. The increased cost of trucking makes it cheaper for shippers to use trucks instead of rail, resulting in higher overall energy consumption.
Eötvös Loránd University researchers develop first large-scale autonomous drone traffic solution, combining route planning and bio-inspired flocking models to avoid conflicts and manage remaining issues. The system can handle up to 5000 drones in two dimensions with varying speeds and priorities.
New studies from Chalmers University of Technology suggest that hydrogen-powered aircraft could meet the needs of 97% of intra-Nordic flights and 58% of Nordic passenger volume by 2045. A novel heat exchanger technology has shown promise in reducing fuel consumption by almost eight percent.
Schrag is studying the history of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, a $74,999 National Endowment for the Humanities-funded research project. The study explores the project's impact on transportation and development in Northern Virginia.
Researchers analyzed over 7,000 formal and informal bus routes across 36 cities and 22 countries. They found that informal transport systems self-organize to reach or exceed the efficiency level of centrally-planned services. The routes are often straight in central areas with fewer detours, making them efficient and profitable.