Projects / Programmes
Modelling and simulations in traffic and maritime engineering
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.19.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Traffic systems |
|
| 2.03.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T003 |
Technological sciences |
Transport technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.01 |
Engineering and Technology |
Civil engineering |
traffic accidents, port systems, computer simulations, intermodal terminals, forecasting, safety, risk assessment , shipbuilding, marine simulator, bottom wash, spilling, maritime accidents
Researchers (14)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The aim of the proposed multidisciplinary programme is the development and the upgrade of theories, algorithms and computer programmes, which are intended for deeper understanding of various phenomena and processes, and for solving different practical problems in the fields of transport and maritime traffic. It has to be pointed out that almost all interventions and changes in the traffic and maritime systems are very difficult, and consequently related with significant costs. In addition, they also have a long term influence onto the economy and society as whole. Before their performance it is therefore crucial to make an analysis of all the influential factors, and then to make the appropriate choice. The best help is provided with the analyses, performed by modelling and simulations. The programme framework will be targeted onto the fields, where the suggested team members already have significant experience. The fields of research are listed below:
1 Traffic and Maritime Systems
The development of the methods for optimizing the operation of port systems
The research of the development model of intermodal terminals
The development of the econometric model for the transhipment forecast in ports
The research of possible transfers regarding the usage of new energy-generating products in traffic
2 Traffic Safety and Risk Analyses in Traffic
The research and the development of traffic system safety models, their randomness, possibilities for their forecast, and risk analyses
The research and the upgrade of the current computer programmes for tunnel traffic monitoring, and the support in emergency operations on the extraordinary events
The identification of safety criteria, and the development of evacuation models in ecological traffic accidents
The development of new models and the upgrade of the current computer programmes for the research of road-traffic accidents, predominantly with the possibility of accuracy assessment result, and the possibility of optimal data entry generation, that reduce the discrepancies between the factual and simulated course of the incident
The development of models regarding the influence of strong wind on the driving stability of different road vehicles, focusing chiefly on the development of numeric models for the assessment of aerodynamic parameters of the vehicles dependent on their geometry and related with the ways and course of wind blowing
3 The Dynamics of Vessels and Their Environmental Influence
The development of methodologies for the designing of ports, port terminals and seaways (from the navigational point of view)
The development of methods for the remote detection of marine pollution
The development of new models and computer programmes intended for the simulation of the spill of hazardous liquids in the branched offshore and port areas, for the lifting of sediments under the ship's propeller, and for the influence of strong wind onto the movement of ships in ports
The research or parametric resonance of vessels
Significance for science
The target of this research programme is the field of research of complex and often unpredictable traffic systems and subsystems that have become very crucial in today’s world, and are therefore representing constituent parts of policies and trends of the future sustainable development regarding today’s strained economic situation and energy supply security, and the environmental impact of energy-generating products (climate change etc.).
Research would be carried out in connection with international, predominantly European projects (the Seventh Framework Programme), and with the new research programme Horizon 2020, involving the following priority tasks:
- Safe, clean and efficient energy
- Intelligent, environmentally friendly and comprehensive traffic system
- Climate change mitigation measures, resource efficiency and raw materials
- Safe societies
- etc.
Horizon 2020, the EU research and innovation programme, supports the goals of climate and energy resources sustainability 2020 with the research of technological and economic aspects of energy supply, efficiency, and low carbon technologies. The research projects represent an important element in connecting research achievements and social decision making that is crucial for the knowledge-based society of the future. The research conducted by the programme research team is of great importance for the applicability of scientific achievements in the development of models and programme tools for the research of traffic systems, traffic planning and design, energy consumption in traffic and for the choice of strategies of sustainable development at the regional level. The results of the work done so far have justified the goals of research, and this is proven by already finished applied research projects in the frame of Slovenian research programmes in the EU. Active participation in international projects is also expected in the future.
The research in traffic forecast and its optimization, especially in port systems is following the trends of research undertaken in the world at the moment. The presumed results should enable better understanding of the applicability of cointegration and structural models in identifying the connections between individual ports and their transhipment forecast.
The use of research results in the preparation of main strategic documents, the reduction of the use of energy and its costs in traffic, the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions, and safety assurance have a positive impact on the development of science.
The research on ecological disasters in traffic will significantly contribute to the development of methodology for the analyses of safety and in clear defining of criteria that will be useful in decision making regarding the placement of traffic systems in the environment. The research in traffic infrastructure will also contribute to the improvement or safety methods, to the reduction of management costs and to the optimized energy consumption.
The reliability of numeric models for the simulation of the course of traffic accidents is primarily dependent on the reliability of initial data entries. The majority of models enables that a user can get only a limited assessment of reliability from the retrieved data. The improved models which are going to be developed will try to obtain more reliable solutions with the inclusion of the assessment of reliability obtained by a much bigger number of initial data entries. The improved model will also consider environmental impacts (especially caused by wind) that have so far been very simplified in the present programme solutions.
With modernized equipment at disposal the contribution to the development of methods and methodologies of modelling in maritime traffic will continue providing models for the assessment of contaminated discharges form ships, for the comprehensive approach toward the detection and identification of polluters at
Significance for the country
The development of transport and maritime traffic has a significant impact on the development of the economy therefore the Slovenian programme team would keep upgrading its knowledge while constantly staying in touch with the world trends. In this way it will be able to offer professional support in sustainable development of Slovenia in the fields of transport and maritime traffic.
Special attention will still be dedicated to the development of the Port of Koper and its better integration in the Slovenian and European traffic and logistic network. Good operation of port facilities has a big impact on the operation of all other activities and this includes lots of human and financial resources. One of the key challenges of the Port of Koper is assuring safety also for the biggest ships at the entry to the port. Due to larger capacities for transhipment more maritime traffic is expected in the near future, and that will have an additional impact on safety in the region.
Bigger container ships are intrusive, since they are causing resedimentation of sludge containing the exceeded concentration of mercury. Finding the balance between the benefits and environmental impacts of the maritime undertaking is of very significant socio-economic and cultural importance not only for the coastal region but also for the whole Slovenia. Recently, more ships traffic comprising biggest passenger ships is noticed, and due to the high number of passengers greater safety risks are caused. A special issue is also the protection of the cultural and technical heritage, lying at the bottom of the sea in the vicinity of anchoring spots where it is constantly exposed to the impacts of anchoring and leaching due to the propulsion of the big ship’s propellers. The team members are constantly providing advice and training in the system that is ensuring safety at sea and providing environmental excellence (Civil Protection, Slovenian Maritime Administration, Supervisory Service for the Protection of Coastal Waters, Maritime Police, Slovenian Army and the Office for the protection of the sea at the Port of Koper).
The research results in the fields of traffic safety and risk analysis will enable to study the energy-generating, environmental and economic impacts considering different scenarios of the development of traffic infrastructure. These results will also be used in the future for the preparation of the professional basis containing the key systematic issues used in the strategic and programme documents of Slovenia, and in meeting the requirements from the current and future European directives.
There are numerous preliminary designs for the completion of traffic infrastructure in the neighbouring countries and in Slovenia. For instance, the European Commission is in favour of the construction of gas terminals in the Adriatic Sea supporting the energy independence and diversity of energy supply. The research work related with the proposed new traffic infrastructure provides support for the independent decision making involving the diversity of environmental impacts during normal operation and in case of emergency.
The majority of the Slovenian population uses road network on a daily basis, and road tunnels are due to the uneven relief of the country its constituent parts. In daily migration people are exposed to higher safety risks. Goods in transport are also exposed to similar risks. Research will contribute to better understanding of traffic conditions, to the education and training of the operating staff in traffic control centres, and to providing higher level of safety considering acceptable environmental impacts and optimized costs.
Traffic accidents represent one of the main causes of injuries and death among the young population. The costs related with the hospital treatment of the injured people, and with the hearing procedures dealing with the accidents could be extremely high, therefore it is important to strive for better und
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
