Urbanism and Housing

14 Juin Autonomous mobility

Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
2021
The future aim of highly and fully automated vehicles with corresponding drive systems is to free drivers from often tedious tasks, eliminate them as a source of danger, and make more efficient use of infrastructure. They require an almost unimaginably high level of digitalisation, artificial intelligence usage and innovative networking to enable extremely complex systems to emerge. Autonomous vehicles are currently at an early stage of development, planning or even testing. Details of initial authorisations and commercial availability are still far off: sceptics dismiss this as just hype, proponents talk about it soon becoming a reality. This is supported by billions in investment from large countries such as the USA, China, and Germany, as well as gigantic technology and service conglomerates such as Alphabet-Waymo, Uber and leading automobile manufacturers. A realistic timeframe seems to be 20 years until highly automated vehicles penetrate the market, with at least 40 years for fully automated versions. Autonomous shuttles, taxi fleets, computer-guided lorry convoys and traffic on the outskirts of major cities will most likely lead the charge. The small brochure provides a detailed overview of the current challenges on a technical, legal, environmental, and social level, and shows some potential benefits.
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22 Oct A statistical model aiming to the evaluation of materials fatigue effects

Real Academia de Ingenieria (Spain) (RAI)
2009
Introduction and motivation to materials fatigue problems. Models based on stresses. Models based on deformations. Models based on mechanics of the fracture. Damage models and damage accumulation.
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22 Oct Time-domain database-assisted design of tall, flexible structures for wind

Romanian Academy of Technical Sciences (ASTR)
2012
The paper presents the Database-Assisted Design (DAD) framework for the time-domain approach. It then discusses the application of that framework to the analysis and design of tall buildings. The paper notes advantages of DAD in terms of transparency, accuracy, and convenience due to the effective automation of the design process.
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22 Oct Ground-Structure numerical models

Real Academia de Ingenieria (Spain) (RAI)
2011
Modelos numéricos en dinámica suelo-estructura. The book shows some studies about the dynamic behavior of the structures, in which the interfaces with the floor is playing an important role, strongly variable along the time.
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21 Oct Industry 4.0, Urban Development and German International Development Cooperation

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2016
Industry 4.0 has high potential to positively impact the economic development of cities in developing countries and emerging economies. It can help to promote a green urban economy and contribute to sustainable development. However, the success of its potential benefits is also dependent on the appropriate economic and urban framework conditions being in place.
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21 Oct Smart Cities – German High Technology for the City of the Future

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2011
Worldwide urbanization is a crucial challenge of the 21st century. More people are living in regional agglomerations than in rural regions for the first time since 2007; they will add up to 60% in 2030. The stronger the concentration, the more cities and agglomerations will depend on networked technologies. “Smart” technologies offer answers to various requirement areas in this context. Germany has good opportunities to establish itself as a leading provider of innovative package solutions. The statement of the German Academy of Science and Engineering on hand presents which framework conditions have to be created on the part of policy making so as to utilize the potential.
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18 Oct Hans Werthén – One of Sweden’s most prominent industrialists

Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering (IVA)
2015
A pamphlet produced by the Hans Werthén Fund at IVA, 2015, 16 pp.
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18 Oct Energy efficiency and savings in housing and buildings

National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2009
The NATF discusses in this report the options to reduce energy consumption and to divide by 4, in 2040, CO2 emissions in domestic and tertiary buildings. The adapted technologies exist already today. The document recommends multiple specific actions, in particular towards public authorities, companies and professional federations. It underlines the essential necessity of interactions between the housing sector and those of transportation and urbanism.
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18 Oct To free Prometheus – Technologies for humanity

National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2011
In this book, edited on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the NATF, 25 Fellows express their personal viewpoints on a variety of subjects. The 4 main themes are: Human Life “Homo Sapiens”, Man in his Environment, Innovation in its Context, Prospective and Ethical Issues.
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18 Oct The Cost Effective Delivery of Essential Infrastructure

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2011
This report follows on from the earlier joint report by the Academy and Engineers Ireland on “Infrastructure for an island population of 8 million people” published in February 2010.  The report is framed within the context of the current serious economic and social environment on the island of Ireland. Two serious problems confront Ireland and Northern Ireland concerning investment infrastructure: - Lack of available capital - Requirement for sustained investment in critical infrastructure to permit essential economic growth and the maintenance of international competitiveness The report recognises that the current reduction in construction prices presents an opportunity to secure significant reductions in the non-construction costs of projects.  By streamlining processes and procedures for land acquisition, planning, public procurement, institutional arrangements, training, skills, funding and financing mechanisms and through synergies between projects in Ireland and Northern Ireland, major cost reductions can be achieved.
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