Mode choice model for public transport, which integrates structural equation model (SEM) and discrete choice model (DCM) with categorized latent variables, was presented in this paper. Apart from identifying those important latent variables that affect mode choice for public transport, the objective of this study was also to develop an improved disaggregative model that better explains travel behavior of those decision‐makers in choosing public transport. After extensive observations, selective latent variable sets which consist of latent variable components were chosen together with explicit variables in formulating the utility functions. Data collected in Chengdu city, China, were used to calibrate and validate the model. Results showed that the impact of fare on mode choice of public transport escalated in the SEM‐DCM integrated model compared with the traditional logit model. The goodness of fit for the integrated model with latent variable sets is 0.201 higher than that of the traditional logit model, which proves that latent variables have an obvious impact on mode choice behavior, and the SEM‐DCM integrated model has higher accuracy and stronger explanatory ability. The results are especially helpful for public transport operators to achieve higher mode share split by improving the service quality of public transport in terms of providing more convenience and better service environment for public transport users.

Pulling force is the summation of resistance forces along a pultrusion die. Its mechanism is complicated because the impregnated resin inside the compressed fiber reinforcement changes from a liquid to a gel, and finally to a solid in the die. Two methods, a ‘mat tracer’method and a ‘short die length’ method, were used to determine the pulling force distribution. Results show that the downstream part of the die contributes little to the pulling force. In order to predict the resistance force in both the injection die and the heating die, two models were developed in this study. A friction measurement device was designed to measure the friction coefficient between the composite and the mold surface. The effect of process variables, such as temperature, resin conversion, normal force, and line speed, on the friction coefficient was investigated and a friction coefficient model was proposed based on the experimental results. A volume change model of vinylester resin was also developed to predict the thermal expansion–polymerization shrinkage during curing. The parameters of the model were determined by dilatometry, thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

This study is focused on an evaluation of public transit coordination between public bus and railway under different operation strategies between two operators. The policies of the operators in a multimodal and multi-operator transit system are categorised into three different strategies, namely cooperation, competition and independence. Each strategy is analysed in three coordination scenarios of non-coordination, common headway coordination and integer-ratio headway coordination, for the off-peak period. The objective is to assess the most advisable coordination method under respective operation policy. The objective functions in non-coordination and common headway coordination scenarios are nonlinear programming problems, and that for integer-ratio headway coordination is a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem due to the integer property of the ratio between headway of bus and headway of rail. An optimisation software AIMMS is employed to solve these objective functions. Results showed that in an integrated multimodal and multi-operator transit system, integer-ratio headway coordination can be an efficient and feasible method in coordination operations and furthermore, a policy of cooperation between the operators is an efficient strategy that can reduce the total cost of transit system while improving coordination; whereas a policy of competition between operators is the least efficient when making coordination operations within each operator's scope.

This paper develops a model for evaluating optimal coordination of a multimodal and multioperator transit system. The core logic of the modeling is to minimize the total cost for both transit operators and users. Hence, the objective function is the total cost which consists of operator cost and user cost. The models, which take the form of feedback equilibrium, were solved using the outer approximate algorithm provided in computer software. Sensitivity analysis and statistical analysis were carried out to make comparisons of optimal cost components under different operator policies. The results indicated that optimal coordination strategies would be a cooperation policy between operators in an integer-coordination approach in the special situation similar to Singapore transit system.

Bus running state is always influenced by traffic flow. Traffic flow state evolution directly leads to the variation of bus speed, thereby affecting bus progress. Some investigations implied that there is a certain relationship between the bus speed and other traffic vehicle speed on the road. However, the relationship is different due to individual forms of road cross-sections, the number of lanes, and the traffic flow characteristics. Based on this mechanism and the forecast of road traffic flow data provided by ITS, a state recognition-based model for travel time prediction is proposed, and three running states are introduced in the model. Finally, the bus travel time predicted by the proposed model are assessed with real-world data collected from bus route number 53 in Wuxi city. Results show that the proposed model outperforms the history data-based model, especially when the bus running state falls unstable; the model achieves satisfactory performance.