Incorporation of neural network analysis into a technique for automatically sorting lightweight metal scrap generated by ELV shredder facilities

In an attempt to improve the technique of automatic sorting of lightweight metal scrap by sensing apparent density and three-dimensional shape, realized by the combination of a three-dimensional (3D) imaging camera and a meter to weigh a moving object on a conveyor belt, neural network analysis was integrated into the scrap identification algorithm, and its effect on the sorting accuracy of this technique was examined using approximately 1750 pieces of scrap sampled at three different end-of-life vehicle (ELV) shredder facilities. As a result, the newly developed algorithm, in which an unknown fragment is identified by passing through two discriminant analyses and one neural network analysis, was demonstrated to greatly decrease the time required for data analysis to prepare the identification algorithm without reducing the sorting accuracy. The average sorting accuracy for a mixture of three types of lightweight metal fragments was found to be 85%, based on the fact that the fist-sized fragments of cast aluminum, wrought aluminum, and magnesium sampled at the three ELV shredder facilities had similar apparent densities and 3D shapes. It was also suggested that still higher sorting performance is possible by repeating the procedure of modifying the database and re-learning of the neural network in the identification algorithm.     

Green Composites as Panacea? Socio-Economic Aspects of Green Materials

Much academic research and industrial development explores new ways to create greener and environmentally friendlier chemicals and materials for a variety of applications. A significant part of this work focuses on the development, processing and manufacturing, recycling and disposal of green plastics, adhesives, polymer composites, blends and many other industrial products from renewable resources. Natural fibres offer the potential to deliver greater added value, sustainability, renewability and lower costs especially in the automotive industry. Further research involves the fibre crop production. The ever-increasing volume of scientific literature refers with enthusiasm to the potential of natural fibres in technological, economic and ecological terms. This enthusiasm tends to also expand to the areas of human life and socio-economic development for the fibre crop growers and their communities. However, there is very little debate or evidence to support statements about the assumed advantages for the affected population in rural areas. We argue that despite the predicted new boom in the demand of natural fibres, it is unlikely that this will represent a real improvement in the quality of life of crop fibre growers and their communities. This paper examines the experience of Mexico as a case study and argues that only through consistent political will and co-operation between governments, industry, scientists, consumer groups and local communities, as well as a suitable economic strategy such as local subsidies, a truly sustainable economic development, social equity and improved environmental quality will be achieved for tens of thousands of natural fibre growers.     

Users’ acceptance of private automated vehicles: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: This research systematically reviewed relevant studies on users’ acceptance of conditional (Level 3) to full (Level 5) automated vehicles when such vehicles are to be used privately (herein referred to as ‘private automated vehicles or private AVs). Method: The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and was undertaken in three databases: APA PsycINFO, Transport Research International Documentation, and Web of Science. Articles were required to focus on individuals’ acceptance of private SAE Level 3–5 AVs. Acceptance was defined as individuals’ attitudes towards or intentions and/or willingness to use AVs in the future. A total of 2,354 articles were identified in the database search. Thirty-five articles were included in the review, six of which included multiple studies and/or comparison groups. Results: Most studies (n = 31) applied self-reported measures to assess user acceptance together with a range of psychosocial factors predicting such acceptance. The meta-analytic correlations revealed that perceived behavioral control, perceived benefits/usefulness, perceived ease of use, and subjective/social norms had significant positive pooled relationships with attitudes and intentions. Trust and sensation seeking also had significant positive pooled correlations with intentions, while knowledge of AVs had a significant and negative pooled correlation with intentions. Age did not show any significant pooled relationship with attitudes, intentions, or willingness. Conclusions: The findings obtained from the systematic review and meta-analysis provide support for psychosocial models to aid understanding of users’ acceptance of private AVs. Practical applications: Examining acceptance of AVs after participants have experienced these vehicles on closed tracks or open roads would advance contemporary knowledge of users’ intentions to use these vehicles in the future. Further, experiencing these vehicles firsthand may also help with addressing any perceived barriers reducing acceptance of future use of private AVs.     

Analyzing the safety impact of longer and heavier vehicles circulating in the European market

Introduction: The European Union (EU) has developed different strategies to internalize the costs of excessive motor traffic in the road freight transport sector. One of these is a relaxation of restrictions on the size and load capacity of trucks that circulate between member States and a proposal has been made for Longer and Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) to be allowed to circulate across borders. LHVs are the so-called “megatrucks” (i.e., trucks with a length of 25 meters and a weight of 60 tonnes). Megatrucks have allowed to circulate for decades in some European countries such as Norway, Finland, and Sweden, world leaders in traffic accident prevention, although the impact that cross-border traffic would have on road safety is still unknown. Methods: This article provides an econometric analysis of the potential impact on road safety of allowing the circulation of “megatrucks” throughout the EU. Results: The findings show that countries that currently allow megatrucks to circulate present lower traffic accident and fatality levels, on average. Conclusions: The circulation of this type of vehicle is only advisable in countries where there is a certain degree of maturity and demonstrated achievements in the field of road safety. Practical applications: European countries that have allowed megatruck circulation obtaining better road safety outcomes in terms of accidents, although the accident lethality rate seems to be higher. Consequently, introducing megatruck circulation requires a prior proper preparation and examination.     

Evaluation of ambient air quality in Guangzhou, China

On the basis of the reported air quality index （API） and air pollutant monitoring data provided by the Guangzhou Environment Monitoring Stations over the last twenty-five years, the characteristics of air quality, prominent pollutants, and variation of the average annual concentrations of SOE, NOE, total suspended particulate （TSP）, fine particulates （PM10）, CO and dustfall in Guangzhou City were analyzed. Results showed that TSP was the prominent pollutant in the ambient air environment of Guangzhou City. Of the prominent pollutants, TSP accounted for nearly 62%, SOE 12.3%, and NOx 6.4%, respectively. The average API of Guangzhou over 6 years was higher than that of Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai, and lower than that of Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou. Concentrations of air pollutants have shown a downward trend in recent years, but they are generally worse than ambient air quality standards for USA, Hong Kong and EU. SOE and NOx pollution were still serious, impling that waste gas pollution from all kinds of vehicles had become a significant problem for environmental protection in Guangzhou. The possible causes of worsening air quality were also discussed in this paper.     

GPS导航定位技术在环境应急监测车载系统中的应用

主要论述了车载GPS导航定位技术的系统原理以及车载监控导航系统在环境应急监测车辆导航、监控等方面的应用和对环境应急监测车中的车载监控导航系统和监控车载系统设计,并重点介绍了车载监控导航系统的设计与实现,该系统将400 m超短波通信网与GPS相结合,利用超短波方式、扩频电台数据传输功能,实现环境应急监测车辆与环境污染源监控中心的双向数据传输,以实施对监测车辆运行状态、安全状态、技术状态的监控,以此提升污染源自动监控能力建设,及时准确地完成应尽监测工作。     

基于VMAS四川省在用点燃式轻型车尾气污染削减预测

针对四川省在用车辆尾气污染情况开展了详细的调查研究,结果表明四川省机动车尾气污染中约71.3%的CO、68.6%的HC、95.3%的NOx和99.2%的PM均来自于汽车尾气。同时分析得出简易瞬态工况法是在用车辆尾气排放控制的有效控制方法,有利于四川省大气环境质量的改善,经预测采用简易瞬态工况法以及简易瞬态工况法排放标准后可使四川省在用点燃式轻型车尾气排放的CO削减约28.76%~50.48%,HC+NOx削减约1.53%~23.24%。     

北京市公交车内噪声监测与分析

公交车内噪声环境是影响驾驶员、售票员以及乘客乘车环境的重要物理因素.鉴于此,选取了北京3类15辆公交车进行了测量与分析.结果显示,北京公交车内噪声LAeq最高达到了79.6dB(A),噪声污染级最高达到91.9dB(A),交通噪声指数最高达96.3dB(A).显示北京公交车内噪声污染较为严重.此外对不同测点位置、不同类型车辆的噪声水平进行了方差分析.测点位置、车辆类型以及其交互效应均不存在显著差异(P＞0.05).频谱分析显示,车内噪声以低频为主,且呈现出显著的线性特征.铰链式公交车的部分高频成分较为显著.进一步计算发现NCB值均较高,车内存在较显著隆隆声和振动感,铰链式车辆的NCB值也显著高于其他两类公交车.为降低公交车内噪声强度,防止司售人员和乘客所处声环境的进一步恶化,建议相关部门采取有效措施进行控制.     

车用LNG气瓶的定期检验技术

针对车用液化天然气（LNG）气瓶定期检验的特殊要求,制定出定期检验项目及相应的检验方法。重点对车LNG气瓶静态蒸发率的测试方法进行研究,并给出评判标准。研究成果为车用LNG气瓶的安全应用提供保障,为车用LNG气瓶定期检验标准的制定提供理论依据。