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Realistic composite vehicles with 2, 3, 5 and 9 axles, consisting of a truck with one or two trailers, are addressed in this paper by computational models for vehicle–bridge interaction analysis.

The vehicle–bridge interaction (VBI) models are formed by sets of 2-D rigid blocks interconnected by mass, damping and stiffness elements to simulate their suspension system. The passage of the vehicles is performed at different speeds. Several rolling surface profiles are admitted, considering the maintenance grade of the pavement. The spectral density functions are generated from an experimental database to form the longitudinal surface irregularity profiles. A computational code written in Phyton based on the finite element method was developed considering the Euler–Bernoulli beam model.

Several models of composite heavy vehicles are presented as manufactured and currently travel on major roads. Dynamic amplification factors are presented for each type of composite vehicle.

The VBI models for compound heavy vehicles are 2-D.

This work contributes to improving the safety and lifetime of the bridges, as well as the stability and comfort of the vehicles when passing over a bridge.

The structural response of the bridge is affected by the type and size of the compound vehicles, their speed and the conservative grade of the pavement. Moreover, one axle produces vibrations that can be superposed by the vibrations of the other axles. This effect can generate not usual dynamic responses.

It is now becoming apparent that the prevalent “stock‐push” approach in the automotive industry of building vehicles against a long‐term forecast and fulfilling the large majority of orders from existing stock is no longer a viable proposition. Pressure from rising stock levels in the market and the discounts needed to sell these vehicles is forcing the vehicle manufacturers to rethink their sourcing strategy in favour of “build‐to‐order” systems. More responsive order fulfilment at vehicle manufacturer level however will have wide implications on the component supply and logistics subsystems. Based on findings of the 3DayCar research programme, this paper aims at assessing whether current logistics systems are capable of supporting such a “build‐to‐order” approach. Based on empirical evidence of benchmarks covering three million annual vehicle movements in the UK vehicle distribution system, key constraints in current vehicle distribution logistics will be established, and the cost and environmental impact of more responsive logistics will be assessed.

The purpose of this study is to examine the growing energy consumption pattern and emissions due to increasing vehicular density in the Vellore district. The transport demand in Indian cities has increased substantially over the past few years. Increasing household incomes and economic development in cities have added to this growing demand.

The growth of Vellore town currently is such that in a short period of time, the development is likely to engulf the entire district as one big city, as it happened for Chennai. It is at a transitional stage where it is possible to bring about certain policy changes to prevent the catastrophic effects of urbanization. To test the objectives of the study, statistical and mathematical tools such as mean, coefficient of variation, correlation and regression models are used. Growth of vehicle population in Tamil Nadu in general and Vellore in particular are analyzed by computing the percentage rate of change and trend rate of growth.

A study of the past four years shows a tremendous growth in the number of two-wheelers, while the number of buses has declined. The study also shows that public transport fuel consumption is < 20 per cent of the overall fuel consumption. The emission of all greenhouse gases is rising and it shows a linear growth. The increase in emission of CO₂ is most alarming.

The diversity of sources that have been combined together implies a consequent reduction in accuracy. Data from different sources had different geographical boundaries (state, district, region and country). Thus, the data had to be translated to the relevant geographical area by using proportionality ratio. This manipulation does impact on the accuracy of the used data.

This article provides a framework that can inform decisions makers on consequences in the absence of timely intervention and policy changes.

Road transport is an inherently complex sector as it deals with a very large number of individual vehicles and factors of influence. The findings have implications for government in general and policy-makers in particular. This article puts together data of a particularly vulnerable region at a time when policy changes could bring about lasting beneficial effects. This region has not been included in any previous research.

Keeping pace with the new proprietary products offered each year are the new raw materials from which many of these are formulated.

Interactions between stainless steel and silver and gold based thick film conductors and YBa2Cu3O7 thick film superconductors were studied by SEM and EDX. The stainless steel reacted with the superconducting layer, forming a Ba‐Fe‐O compound on the interface, while BaO‐depleted YBa2Cu3O7 compound transformed into insulating Y2BaCuO5 compound. When YBa2Cu3O7 is fired on a gold thick film conductor, a thin layer of Y2BaCuO5 compound forms between the conductor and the superconducting film. In the case of a thin Ag conductor, BaO diffused through the silver film and reacted with alumina ceramic to the depth of a few μm. When a thicker silver layer (40–50 μm) was used, diffusion did not occur.

The aim of this study is to identify and describe the factors associated with Nissan Company's electric vehicle (EV) development. In addition, Nissan's different commercialization strategies toward EV and HEV development will be discussed.

This study uses a descriptive case study approach to provide a deep understanding of successful or failed projects of Nissan. In this term, the company's green car development between 1996 and 2012 will be analyzed. Based on the market presence, Nissan's electric vehicle production trend is divided into two different generations with different characteristics. The gap between these two generations has a structural effect on the current state of Nissan's EV development.

One key factor behind Nissan's success and lead in the current electric vehicle market is the long-term experience with specific type of market structure, which has nurtured the company with a strong green vehicle development capability. The study shows that the electric vehicles market gap acted as a catalyst for later Nissan's successful cases. Also, the authors demonstrate how the dramatic shifts in Nissan strategies helped the company to revitalize its leadership as an electric car guru.

This study provides a better insight into the importance of early stage commercialization strategies in the re-born market of eco-friendly vehicles.

I gather that this paper was given its somewhat pretentious title in an endeavour to emphasize the practical approach which it was hoped I should bring to this subject this evening. How far I shall be able to live up to this hope I hesitate to say. I realize that the arrangement of information in your libraries presents a very practical problem and that it is very much of a practical issue with you what form of arrangement you shall choose for your catalogues and materials. Some of you, I believe, have not solved the problem at all and others of you are dis‐satisfied with the solution which you have found. Only a very few enviable geniuses have found the complete solution to their own particular problems.

Building a culture of safety in transportation is not dissimilar from building a culture of safety in health. Public health is widely known for protecting the public from diseases through milk pasteurization and chlorination of drinking water, and from injuries by implementing environmental and occupational safeguards and fostering behavioral change. Lifestyle and environmental changes that have contributed to the reductions in smoking and heart disease can also help change driving, walking and cycling behaviors, and environments. Stimulating a culture of safety on the road means providing safe and accessible transportation for all. The vision for a culture of traffic safety is to change the public’s attitude about the unacceptable toll from traffic injuries and to implement a systems approach to traffic injury prevention as a means for improving public health and public safety. Framing the motor vehicle injury problem in this way provides an opportunity for partnerships between highway safety and public health to improve the culture of safety.