Shigeru Kashima

Evaluation of Sidewalk Unevenness Based on Wheelchair Traveling Resistance

Differences in the levels and the transverse and longitudinal gradients on sidewalks can seriously hinder the mobility of wheelchair users. On sidewalks where such differences and gradients are minor, the mobility of wheelchair users can be seriously hindered by surface unevenness in the case of rough sidewalks. This paper analyzes the longitudinal profiles of sidewalks in service and torque data for traveling wheelchairs with the goal of proposing a method for evaluating the surface unevenness of sidewalks based on the travel resistance imposed on wheelchairs. A test track with variable gradients and unevenness was traveled by panel members, who were then asked to rate the subjective discomfort of the test track. The study revealed a strong correlation between the surface unevenness values calculated by the proposed method and the discomfort rating offered by the panel members.

A feasibility study on EV-sharing application to residential area and its characteristics

Car sharing has currently become widely adopted throughout Western Europe and North America according to the unique strengths of being an alternative means of transport in reducing number of car ownership, traffic congestion, parking spaces and environmental impacts. However, if this new mobility is applied in a developing city, particularly, Bangkok residential area where traffic and environmental situation are critical, what factors would it need in order to arrive at the success of car sharing application? The aim of this paper is to find whether or not there is the feasibility to apply electric vehicle sharing in Bangkok residential area.

Study of an underground physical distribution system in a high-density, built-up area

Abstract Urban environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious, as a result of traffic congestion and air pollution associated with the unipolar concentration of the population in large cities. Tokyo is a prime example of such an area. A study group concerned with urban environmental problems, focusing on physical distribution systems, has been discussing ways to improve the urban environment by creating new physical distribution systems that would replace automobiles as the major form of transportation used. The systems are based on the concept of “people aboveground, and commodities under ground”. This paper discusses the basic operational methods, cost-effectiveness, impact on society, and problems involved in the introduction of new systems for urban physical distribution. The east and west sides of Tokyos Shinjuku Station are used as a model area.

A methodology of estimation on air pollution and its health effects in large Japanese cities.

The correlation between air pollution and health effects in large Japanese cities presents a great challenge owing to the limited availability of data on the exposure to pollution, health effects and the uncertainty of mixed causes. A methodology for quantitative relationships (between the emission volume and air quality, and the air quality and health effects) is analysed with a statistical method in this article; the correlation of air pollution reduction policy in Japan from 1974 to 2007. This chapter discusses a step-by-step methodology of determining the direct correlation between emission volumes, air quality, and health effects. The relationship between total emissions (NOx, PM) (from both stationary and mobile sources) and air quality (NO2, TSP) was found to be significant. The correlation analysis of emission volume, and air quality suggests that NOx and PM levels worsen according to increases in NO2. When the correlation between the air pollutant and the type of health effect (certified, mortality, recovery, and newly registered) was examined according to the certified area, an inverse relationship was observed. The relationship between air quality (NO2) and health effect was found to be significant. When NO2 worsens, certified patients, mortality rates and newly certified patients increase, according to the data from 1989 to 2007 with dummy variable analysis.

The present condition and the future of EV-sharing in Japan

The author describes how, in the the field of electric vehicle sharing (EV-sharing), experiments are currently being conducted in eight locations in Japan. Furthermore, experiments are also being planned in Fukuoka and Hamamatsu. Moreover, the design of such a scheme is progressing in Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture) which is a tourist resort.

Emission Volume, Air Quality, and Health Effects in Japan: The Cases of Tokyo, Kawasaki, Osaka, Amagasaki, and Kita Kyusyu

This paper aims to verify the causal relationships among emission volume (mobile sources and stationary sources), air concentration, and health effects (1974-2006) in certified areas of Tokyo, Kawasaki, Osaka, Amagasaki, and Kita-Kyusyu, which were certified according to Japanese Pollution-related Health Damage Compensation law. Our first hypothesis was that an increase in the total emission volumes of suspended particulate matter (SPM), NOx, SO2, and CO in these cities corresponded to a deterioration in the air quality. The second hypothesis was that the number of certified patients increases with the deterioration in air quality. To support the results of this correlation, the number of new patients, recovery, and mortality were assessed by a simple general equilibrium model. Finally, the comparability of the estimated results with the track record was estimated on the basis of the presence of high t-values.

Development of a method correcting O-D matrix with biased error using screen line traffic

In a recent report, origin-destination (O-D) matrix based on person trip survey is known for containing biased error. Since most existing models correcting O-D matrix consider only the random error, error derived from biased error remains in the corrected O-D matrix. In this paper, we proposed a mathematical model to correct O-D matrix with biased error by the knowledge of PT survey property. We examine the model computationally by the assumed O-D matrix and road network. As a result, it is made known to be necessary to consider biased error.

A Study on Improvement of Estimation Method for international maritime Freight Flows

A past study by the authors proposed a method to estimate maritime freight flows using metric tons and the twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU). In order to clarify the accuracy of the estimation method, this paper describes the characteristic of the existing freight flow statistics shown in Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong, and the characteristic of the estimation results for those three countries/regions. From the relation between the characteristic of statistics and the characteristic of estimation results, the authors show that the accuracy of the estimation results is not different from existing statistics.