MDES, University of Cincinnati, 2020, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design

Transportation design and transportation planning have been working independently from each other in the past century. Designers have focused on developing vehicles, and planners have focused on developing infrastructure, both in a stable paradigm of roads for cars. By 2040, autonomous vehicles (AVs), hyper-connectivity and a shared economy will drastically change the current transportation paradigm (Corwin, Jameson, Pankratz, et al., 2016). These factors will increase the complexities of cities and infrastructure by introducing new types of vehicles, requiring designers to incorporate methodologies from the planning field to meet the needs of the population, and planners to consider new types of vehicles in their methodologies. Further, the corridor between Cincinnati and Dayton is projected to grow in population and employment by over 20% in 2040 (2040 OKI Regional Transportation Plan, 2012), and the current transportation infrastructure plan for 2040 by the OKI (Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Regional Council) will not accommodate the projected needs of the region. This thesis project proposes the conceptual configuration of a mass transit system between Cincinnati and Dayton in 2040 based on integrating transportation design and transportation planning methodologies. Preliminary results from this proposal show that the careful coordination of design and planning methodologies, applied in a student mobility system project are very effective. This thesis' main area of impact is Design Education, with impacts in Planning education, by promoting collaborative future mobility studios with integrated methodologies to propose relevant solutions. Future areas of impact include the Workplace, where professional designers and planners trained under the new mobility paradigm can integrate both methodologies, and can then shape the Built environment referring to the proposal's implementation, making better arguments in a field where a large-scale stakeholder involvement proc (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Juan Antonio Islas Munoz M.A. (Committee Chair); Na Chen Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

Master of Science in Engineering (MSEgr), Wright State University, 2016, Electrical Engineering

Fuzzy logic control of a Hyperloop is carried out in this thesis. Hyperloop is being described hypothetically as a fifth mode of mass transportation and is a registered trademark of Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX). To inspire others to help in its development and make it a reality, the Hyperloop is being explored as open-source technology by SpaceX. In this thesis a near friction-less track is constructed and is fixed inside a tunnel. External fans are used to produce air pressure inside the tunnel to propel the vehicle down the track. Fuzzy Logic Control is used to stop the vehicle at a desired location. The objective is to stop the vehicle at various end point positions. It is assumed that the vehicle is traveling at or near the desired velocities before the Fuzzy Logic Controller become active. The results show that the Fuzzy Logic Controller is able to effectively stop the vehicle at or near the desired end point positions given a very dynamic and highly non-linear environment.

Committee: Kuldip Rattan Ph.D. (Advisor); Marian Kazimierczuk Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Gross Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Engineering; Transportation

Master of City and Regional Planning, The Ohio State University, 2016, City and Regional Planning

The purpose of this study is to explore emerging research and planning concepts in conjunction with practical case studies to yield specific insights into promoting transit-oriented development (TOD). As it relates to TOD, this thesis focuses on public sector strategies, including public-private partnerships. Each of the case study cities exhibit unique contexts, including varying degrees of market strength, existing transit ridership, and funding capacity. The TOD solutions that these case study cities implement, the focus of this thesis, are shaped by and for those unique contexts. A review of literature will examine a broad array of sources that shed light on transit-oriented development practices in similar contexts. This discussion draws from specific examples of innovation in finance, policy, design, and planning; as well as a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages. Following the literature review, this study will analyze the historical evolution of transportation and transit policy, including federal and state-level programs. The crux of this study is ten (10) case study cities that transcend several fixed-guideway types (heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, streetcar) and markets of varying size and strength. Findings on significant strategies that yield results within these case studies will be organized into benchmarks and best practices, intended as a uniquely contextual resource for emerging cities aspiring to incorporate transit-oriented development into planning for sustainable development.

Committee: Kimberly Burton (Advisor); Rachel Kleit PhD (Committee Chair) Subjects: Architectural; Architecture; Area Planning and Development; Civil Engineering; Land Use Planning; Public Policy; Sustainability; Transportation; Transportation Planning; Urban Planning

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2011, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning

Currently, mass transit systems can benefit many communities, and mass transit systems are more accessible than they have ever been. However, without an effective decision support system to evaluate the effects of mass transit, many communities will be reluctant to spend resources on the system despite the inherent benefits. Tools and technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can effectively evaluate mass transit systems. For this thesis, CommunityViz, a GIS-based decision support system software, is used to analyze two mass transit systems, a streetcar and a bus rapid transit, and the effects those mass transit systems have on a community. The decision support system created for this thesis allows the creation of alternate mass transit routes, aiding in optimal route placement and the comparison of multiple routes. The system also incorporates a series of alterable assumptions which grants the user the flexibility to represent numerous scenarios with a single operation. By using this decision support system, community leaders can support their decisions regarding mass transit with hard data to garner the assistance and support needed to implement mass transit systems

Committee: Xinhao Wang PhD (Committee Chair); Francis Russell MArchBA (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning