Glowworm-inspired robot swarm for simultaneous taxis towards multiple radiation sources

This paper presents a glowworm metaphor based distributed algorithm that enables a collection of minimalist mobile robots to split into subgroups, exhibit simultaneous taxis-behavior towards, and rendezvous at multiple radiation sources such as nuclear/hazardous chemical spills and fire-origins in a fire calamity. The algorithm is based on a glowworm swarm optimization (GSO) technique that finds multiple optima of multimodal functions. The algorithm is in the same spirit as the ant-colony optimization (ACO) algorithms, but with several significant differences. The agents in the glowworm algorithm carry a luminescence quantity called luciferin along with them. Agents are thought of as glowworms that emit a light whose intensity is proportional to the associated luciferin. The key feature that is responsible for the working of the algorithm is the use of an adaptive local-decision domain, which we use effectively to detect the multiple source locations of interest. The glowworms have a finite sensor range which defines a hard limit on the local-decision domain used to compute their movements. Extensive simulations validate the feasibility of applying the glowworm algorithm to the problem of multiple source localization. We build four wheeled robots called glowworms to conduct our experiments. We use a preliminary experiment to demonstrate the basic behavioral primitives that enable each glowworm to exhibit taxis behavior towards source locations and later demonstrate a sound localization task using a set of four glowworms.

Taxis attendant les clients : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 58461

Taxis, bares, sex-shops y farmacias.

Análisis del concepto de distancia dentro de una ciudad. Se propone que el cálculo de esta magnitud tenga en cuenta, tanto la disposición de los edificios, como el sentido de las calles. Así se calculan diferentes tipos de distancias como el espacio recorrido por los taxistas. También se plantea la separación que debe existir entre establecimientos similares. Por un lado aquellos dedicados al ocio como los bingos o los sex-shops, y por otro lado la normativa existente en la distancia mínima que ha de separar a las farmacias.

The socio-cultural impact of the introduction of motorbike taxis in the rural community of Tombel, South West region, Cameroon

“The socio-cultural impact of the introduction of motorbike taxis in the rural community of Tombel, South West region, Cameroon” seeks to bring out the impact of commercial motorbike taxis on the lifestyle of the Bakossi. The principal objective of this research is to show how the introduction of motorbike taxis has modified the lifestyle of the Tombel population. This anthropological research defines the profile of a motorbike taxi rider, his role in society, the perception of the population towards this activity and the impact of this activity on the lifestyle of the rural population of Tombel. This study reveals that motorbike taxi riders are essentially made up of youths from all works of life who earn a living by riding a motorbike taxi on a daily bases for commercial purposes. The revenue earn here goes a long way to sustain the livelihood of the rider and his entourage, becoming an ascension tool into the social ladder. The activity is very dangerous not only for the riders buts also for the passengers because of the risks involved in riding for most of the riders do not have the basic knowledge of the road code. This research also reveals that motorbike taxi has become the preferred means of public transport of most inhabitants of Tombel to the point of monopolising certain destinations. The population of Tombel perceives this activity as an instrument of change that has brought development and progress. But this activity also constitutes a social ill because of the prevalent sexual promiscuity encouraged by the riders. This activity has also gotten a cultural impact on the society, changing perceptions and being involve in rituals. Motorbike taxis have become a force to reckon with in the organisation of the community. They are a “response from below” to the transport crises in Cameroon.

Life cycle assessment as a policy-support tool: the case of taxis in the city of Madrid

This paper examined the potentialities of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as instrument for policy-support. To this respect, the adoption of an initiative within the Madrid Air Quality Plan (AQP) 2011–2015 regarding the substitution of diesel taxis with hybrid, natural gas and LPG alternatives was studied. Four different scenarios were elaborated, a business-as-usual scenario (BAU), the scenario of the AQP, and two extreme-situation scenarios: all-diesel (ADI) and all-ecologic (AEC). Impacts were characterized according to the ILCD methodology, focusing especially on climate change (CC) and photochemical ozone formation (PO). SimaPro 7.3 was used as analysis and inventory-construction tool. The results indicate that the shift to ecologic alternatives reduced impacts, especially those related to CC and PO. For the complete life cycle, reductions of 13% (CC) and 25% (PO) were observed for AQP against BAU (CC:1365 GgCO2, PO:13336 MgNMVOC). Deeper reductions were observed for AEC (CC:34%, PO:59%), while ADI produced slight increases in impacts if against BAU. The analysis of the use-phase revealed that the central and highest speed zones of the city benefit from the adoption of AQP. This is especially evident in zone 7, with reductions of 16% in CC and 31% in PO respectively against BAU (CCzone1:3443 kgCO2/veh·km, POzone7:11.1 kgNMVOC/veh·km).

Desarrollo de una plataforma para el análisis del potencial de electrificación de flotas de taxis

En la actualidad, los vehículos de combustión interna en Estados Unidos emiten 1,7 billones de toneladas de efecto invernadero (principalmente en forma de CO2), contribuyendo así al cambio climático. Este efecto es más significativo en las grandes ciudades, donde la densidad de vehículos y de tráfico es mayor y los efectos sobre la salud son mucho más destacables. Uno de los objetivos prioritarios a nivel mundial para reducir estas emisiones a la atmósfera, consiste en promover la electrificación del transporte. En una primera etapa, la incorporación de vehículos eléctricos en el transporte público supondría una innovadora y ejemplar medida para la sociedad. Pese a sus ventajas, los vehículos eléctricos tienen que superar algunas barreras previas antes de su despliegue a gran escala: principalmente los relacionados con su poca autonomía y su elevado tiempo de recarga. El OBJETIVO de este Trabajo Fin de Grado (TFG) consiste en el desarrollo de una plataforma que permita estudiar la viabilidad técnica de la transición de los vehículos de combustión interna a vehículos eléctricos en una flota de taxis. El proyecto “cabsportting”, en San Francisco (EEUU), monitoriza a los taxis de la compañía Yellow Cabs, almacenando la información geo-temporal extraída de un GPS instalado en cada vehículo así como la ocupación del mismo en una base de datos pública. Utilizando esta base de datos, se estudiarán las distancias diarias recorridas, las distancias recorridas entre las paradas realizadas por los taxis diariamente, las velocidades medias diarias de dichos vehículos, la duración de cada una de las paradas y su localización geográfica. Con toda esta información, se evaluará el grado de electrificabilidad de esta flota de taxis, detallando qué porcentaje de vehículos pueden realizar los trayectos diarios teniendo en cuenta la autonomía de un vehículo eléctrico (VE) y sus posibles recargas intermedias. La herramienta desarrollada en este TFG puede ser utilizada por las distintas administraciones para evaluar la introducción de VEs en otro tipo de flotas urbanas tales como Correos, furgonetas de reparto, flota de recogida de basura, autobuses urbanos, etc.

Taxis as public transit : a bibliography /

Mode of access: Internet.

Aviation safety : air taxis--the most accident-prone airlines--need better oversight : report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Committee on Public Works and Transportation, House of Representatives /

"B-246219"--P. 1.

Die anfange des Postwesens und das Emporkommen der Taxis in Italien.

Thesis (doctoral)--Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat, Bonn.

Estimación del estado de flujo de tráfico mediante técnicas de preprocesamiento y minería de datos : aplicación a Dataset de posiciones GPS de taxis en Porto

[ES]Uno de los elementos de más importancia en la movilidad de las ciudades desarrolladas es la gestión del tráfico rodado. La movilidad tiene una influencia determinante en la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos por diversas razones, entre la que destacan la seguridad, la eficiencia y el impacto medioambiental. Por ello es preciso dotar a los gestores de esa movilidad de herramientas que les permitan disponer de una idea precisa de la situación actual y si es posible, estimaciones del estado futuro. Esas herramientas les facilitan la toma de decisiones y el planeamiento de la movilidad. En este punto concreto se enmarca este Trabajo Fin de Grado...

No cabemos en 9 mil vehículos, hay taxis y buses de 30 años de edad : a la rueda rueda 2

Fondo Margaritainés Restrepo

Implementation of a driving diary intervention to reduce aberrant driving behaviours

Crash data involving taxis indicates that such drivers are over represented in crashes and are one to two times more likely to be involved in a fatality crash. This study reports on the pre intervention survey to provide a baseline measure of the self-reported attitudes and corresponding driving behaviours of a sample of taxi drivers. Results indicate that some taxi drivers willingly admit to engaging in unsafe driving practices. In addition, preliminary results of a post intervention survey revealed that taxi drivers’ safety perceptions, attitude and behaviours improved after completing a Driving Diary intervention.

Non-motorized public transport : a global review and analysis of trends and issues

Over recent decades there has been growing interest in the role of non-motorized modes in the overall transport system (especially walking and cycling for private purposes) and many government initiatives have been taken to encourage these active modes. However there has been relatively little research attention given to the paid form of non-motorized travel which can be called non-motorized public transport (NMPT). This involves cycle-powered vehicles which can carry several passengers (plus the driver) and a small amount of goods; and which provide flexible hail-and-ride services. Effectively they are non-motorized taxis. Common forms include cycle-rickshaw (Bangladesh, India), becak (Indonesia), cyclos (Vietnam, Cambodia), bicitaxi (Columbia, Cuba), velo-taxi (Germany, Netherland), and pedicabs (UK, Japan, USA). --------- The popularity of NMPT is widespread in developing countries, where it caters for a wide range of mobility needs. For instance in Dhaka, Bangladesh, rickshaws are the preferred mode for non-walk trips and have a higher mode share than cars or buses. Factors that underlie the continued existence and popularity of NMPT in many developing countries include positive contribution to social equity, micro-macro economic significance, employment creation, and suitability for narrow and crowded streets. Although top speeds are lower than motorized modes, NMPT is competitive and cost-effective for short distance door-to-door trips that make up the bulk of travel in many developing cities. In addition, NMPT is often the preferred mode for vulnerable groups such as females, children and elderly people. NMPT is more prominent in developing countries but its popularity and significance is also gradually increasing in several developed countries of Asia, Europe and parts of North America, where there is a trend for the NMPT usage pattern to broaden from tourism to public transport. This shift is due to a number of factors including the eco-sustainable nature of NMPT; its operating flexibility (such as in areas where motorized vehicle access is restricted or discouraged through pricing); and the dynamics that it adds to the urban fabric. Whereas NMPT may have been seen as a “dying” mode, in many cities it is maintaining or increasing its significance and with potential for further growth. --------- This paper will examine and analyze global trends in NMPT incorporating both developing and developed country contexts and issues such as usage patterns; NMPT policy and management practices; technological development; and operational integration of NMPT into the overall transport system. It will look at how NMPT policies, practices and usage have changed over time and the differing trends in developing and developed countries. In particular, it will use Dhaka, Bangladesh as a case study in recognition of its standing as the major NMPT city in the world. The aim is to highlight NMPT issues and trends and their significance for shaping future policy towards NMPT in developing and developed countries. The paper will be of interest to transport planners, traffic engineers, urban and regional planners, environmentalists, economists and policy makers.

Non-motorised public transport : the past, the present, the future

Non-motorized public transport (NMPT) involves cycle-powered vehicles that carry several passengers and a small amount of goods; and provide flexible hail-and-ride services. Effectively they are non-motorized taxis. NMPT is widespread in developing countries, where it caters for a wide range of mobility needs. Common forms include cycle-rickshaw (Bangladesh, India), becak (Indonesia), cyclos (Vietnam, Cambodia), bicitaxi (Columbia, Cuba). Over the last 10-15 years there has also been a re-emergence of NMPT in the form of pedicabs in many developed countries because of the operating flexibility of NMPT, its eco-sustainability, and its ability to operate where use of motorized vehicles is restricted. In particular, in cities such as Berlin, London, New York and Vancouver, pedicabs are making the transition from ‘novelty’ to ‘serious’ transport mode. This is creating new transport policy/planning questions about pedicab operation and integration. This paper examines the phenomenon of NMPT and where it is heading. It uses case studies from Asia/Latin America and Europe/North America to examine emerging NMPT issues and possible responses, and how this may affect NMPT in Australia and New Zealand where it is still somewhat a ‘novelty’ but has potential as both an opportunity and a challenge.