Response of Vertical Drains in Soft Subgrade under Cyclic Rail Loading. Soft formations (subgrade) can become unstable when subjected to heavy and repeated (cyclic) train loading. This project aims to investigate the cause and mechanisms of undrained instability of soft subgrade soil beneath rail embankments, and to assess the effectiveness of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) in stabilising such soils. The role of PVDs to enhance track performance will be quantified via rigorous mathematical ....Response of Vertical Drains in Soft Subgrade under Cyclic Rail Loading. Soft formations (subgrade) can become unstable when subjected to heavy and repeated (cyclic) train loading. This project aims to investigate the cause and mechanisms of undrained instability of soft subgrade soil beneath rail embankments, and to assess the effectiveness of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) in stabilising such soils. The role of PVDs to enhance track performance will be quantified via rigorous mathematical techniques complementing a computer-based numerical model, which can be validated by laboratory and field data. It will deliver tangible outcomes for accurately predicting the long-term settlements in soft foundations over prolonged train loading while extending the life span of modern railroad infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Hybrid Pile-Drain System to Stabilise Railways Built on Soft Soils. Australian coastal soils often pose significant challenges in the design and construction of railways. The project aims to develop a novel hybrid system of pipe piles & prefabricated vertical drains installed to prevent soft foundation soil (subgrade) from excessive yielding under prolonged cyclic loading by heavy-haul trains. Using large-scale physical model simulations and field trials supported by numerical analysis of soil-p ....Hybrid Pile-Drain System to Stabilise Railways Built on Soft Soils. Australian coastal soils often pose significant challenges in the design and construction of railways. The project aims to develop a novel hybrid system of pipe piles & prefabricated vertical drains installed to prevent soft foundation soil (subgrade) from excessive yielding under prolonged cyclic loading by heavy-haul trains. Using large-scale physical model simulations and field trials supported by numerical analysis of soil-pile-drain interaction mechanisms, this innovative concept will be examined to establish a user-friendly design methodology. For rail operators, the outcomes will generate substantially reduced maintenance costs, while extending the longevity of track infrastructure to ensure faster and heavier trains of the future. Read moreRead less
DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE RAPID DETECTION SYSTEM OF DIESEL VEHICLES WITH HIGH LEVEL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS. Diesel vehicle exhaust is a significant source of air pollution leading to major human health problems. However, only a small fraction of vehicles with high exhaust emissions cause the majority of this pollution. Initially, this research will develop a model of dispersion of pollutants into the environment immediately after emission. This model will be the scientific foundation for ....DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE RAPID DETECTION SYSTEM OF DIESEL VEHICLES WITH HIGH LEVEL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS. Diesel vehicle exhaust is a significant source of air pollution leading to major human health problems. However, only a small fraction of vehicles with high exhaust emissions cause the majority of this pollution. Initially, this research will develop a model of dispersion of pollutants into the environment immediately after emission. This model will be the scientific foundation for the development of an efficient and economical rapid detection system for those vehicles with high exhaust emissions. The major outcome is to improve air quality and lower the occurrence/severity of airborne pollution induced health effects.Read moreRead less
Reduced fuel consumption through aerodynamic optimisation and the development of a new fuel consumption model for inter-modal trains in Australia. This project aims to improve intermodal freight train efficiency by developing new experimental and computational analytical techniques leading to aerodynamic optimisation and improved fuel consumption models. The aerodynamics solutions will be widely applicable to other rail and ground transportation modes.
AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF BUS EMISSION IMPACTS AT AND AROUND BUS STATIONS AND BUSWAYS FOR TRANSPORT AND LAND USE PLANNING. Buses are one of the two most common forms of public transport in Australia, with bus fleet and service coverage increasing, yet the effect on human health and the environment of the emissions from these vehicles is unknown. This research will develop a comprehensive model of bus emission impacts in and around bus stations and along bus corridors for use in exposure and risk as ....AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF BUS EMISSION IMPACTS AT AND AROUND BUS STATIONS AND BUSWAYS FOR TRANSPORT AND LAND USE PLANNING. Buses are one of the two most common forms of public transport in Australia, with bus fleet and service coverage increasing, yet the effect on human health and the environment of the emissions from these vehicles is unknown. This research will develop a comprehensive model of bus emission impacts in and around bus stations and along bus corridors for use in exposure and risk assessment, integrated transport and land use planning and policy setting. This research will provide a scientific foundation for developing future directions for the management of public transport to minimize the impact of emissions on the public and the environment.Read moreRead less
A Human Factors Approach to the Design of Visual Information in the Highway Environment. Visual information in the highway environment affects drivers' perception, behaviour, and accident propensity. Using a range of methods and approaches, issues of key importance in road design will be addressed, e.g. (1) how increasing visual clutter in the road environment affects accident-producing behaviour, (2) how certain road situations create particular problems for the increasing number of older drive ....A Human Factors Approach to the Design of Visual Information in the Highway Environment. Visual information in the highway environment affects drivers' perception, behaviour, and accident propensity. Using a range of methods and approaches, issues of key importance in road design will be addressed, e.g. (1) how increasing visual clutter in the road environment affects accident-producing behaviour, (2) how certain road situations create particular problems for the increasing number of older drivers, and (3) how the road environment can be redesigned to reduce fundamental perceptual errors made by drivers. The proposal will generate new guidelines for how future road design can be optimised to minimise crash rates.Read moreRead less
Investigating Transport Disadvantage, Social Exclusion and Well Being in Metropolitan, Regional and Rural Victoria. This project strengthens national approaches to a pervasive Australian problem; fringe urban and rural communities who are excluded from life opportunities due to lack of transport. Evidence suggests this problem is growing as fuel costs rise, the population ages and rural/fringe urban migration continues. Australia spends Billions annually to address these issues but Australian ....Investigating Transport Disadvantage, Social Exclusion and Well Being in Metropolitan, Regional and Rural Victoria. This project strengthens national approaches to a pervasive Australian problem; fringe urban and rural communities who are excluded from life opportunities due to lack of transport. Evidence suggests this problem is growing as fuel costs rise, the population ages and rural/fringe urban migration continues. Australia spends Billions annually to address these issues but Australian research exploring the nature of behaviours and links between transport problems and life opportunities is limited. This project fills this important knowledge gap in an Australian project that will advance world knowledge in this growing international research field. Findings will better focus Australia's approach to increasingly challenging transport futures.Read moreRead less
Scalable urban traffic control framework driven by distributed information. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework for investigating the role of information interactions between traffic signal settings and choices made by road users. Traffic control is one of the oldest and most cost-effective solutions for the worsening congestion problem in many metropolitan areas. However, through addressing fundamental mathematical challenges, further gains can be achieved to improve traffic ....Scalable urban traffic control framework driven by distributed information. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework for investigating the role of information interactions between traffic signal settings and choices made by road users. Traffic control is one of the oldest and most cost-effective solutions for the worsening congestion problem in many metropolitan areas. However, through addressing fundamental mathematical challenges, further gains can be achieved to improve traffic control and combat congestion. The expected outcome will be insights into the use of information and algorithms that can provide efficient, robust and safe traffic network management.Read moreRead less
Understanding impact of autonomous vehicles on behaviour and interactions. Understanding impact of autonomous vehicles on behaviour and interactions. This project aims to explore three human factor issues critical to the successful deployment of automated vehicles: factors influencing driver choice of automated vehicle control; interactions between automated and manually controlled vehicles; and driver detection, recognition, and reaction to automated vehicle system failures. Automated vehicles ....Understanding impact of autonomous vehicles on behaviour and interactions. Understanding impact of autonomous vehicles on behaviour and interactions. This project aims to explore three human factor issues critical to the successful deployment of automated vehicles: factors influencing driver choice of automated vehicle control; interactions between automated and manually controlled vehicles; and driver detection, recognition, and reaction to automated vehicle system failures. Automated vehicles are predicted to be transformative, but their ultimate success and expected societal benefits will depend on drivers’ trust in them and on how people choose to use and interact with them. Insights from this research should prepare our society for more automated vehicles on the roadways.Read moreRead less
Predictive Analytics and Real-time Traffic Control for Urban Corridors. This project aims to develop predictive data analytics and real-time traffic control and safety models for multimodal management of urban corridors, serving two salient objectives: (1) optimising person-throughput of multimodal traffic; while (2) minimising safety risks for all modes. The outcome will be an automated, sensor-based platform to monitor traffic flows from all modes and make proactive and coordinated control dec ....Predictive Analytics and Real-time Traffic Control for Urban Corridors. This project aims to develop predictive data analytics and real-time traffic control and safety models for multimodal management of urban corridors, serving two salient objectives: (1) optimising person-throughput of multimodal traffic; while (2) minimising safety risks for all modes. The outcome will be an automated, sensor-based platform to monitor traffic flows from all modes and make proactive and coordinated control decisions in real-time. The expected benefits are profound; the developed algorithms and platform will significantly reduce traffic congestion, travel delays and safety risks for all modes of transport, especially for vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians and cyclists).Read moreRead less