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Optimizing Electric Vehicle Charging and Energy Consumption: Routing, Booking, and Real-Time Traffic Integration
Get PDFModern transportation has been revolutionized by smart technology and vehicle automation, and electric vehicles (EVs) are essential to developing connected, eco-friendly, and effective mobility solutions. Green transportation promotion is more crucial than ever as smart cities develop. With their zero emissions and ability to integrate with smart infrastructure, EVs are central to reducing pollution and supporting sustainable travel. However, challenges like efficient route planning, charging management, and travel cost still hinder widespread EV adoption. Overcoming these issues is essential to fully realizing the benefits of EVs in future smart cities. Continued innovation in intelligent routing systems, real-time traffic analysis, and adaptive charging strategies will be crucial. These advancements will ensure that EVs not only meet current transportation demands but also align with long-term sustainability goals. In this context, this thesis addresses the problem of EV routing and charging by calculating energy consumption, managing charging station waiting queues, and considering real-time traffic conditions, all to minimize total travel time. Additionally, it focuses on selecting the optimal charging station based on real-time charging prices and travel time, aiming to reduce the overall travel cost.
This thesis advances beyond existing methodologies by simultaneously addressing the minimization of travel time and total travel cost, as well as the maximization of battery efficiency for electric vehicles, thereby promoting optimal vehicle utilization. To solve these challenges, we first develop a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model that provides exact and rigorous solutions for small-scale instances. Both the travel time minimization and cost minimization problems are mathematically formulated within this MILP framework, enabling optimal decision-making under several constraints.
Furthermore, due to the computational complexity of the MILP model for large-scale instances, we develop two heuristic approaches to ensure scalability. The first, MT2T (Minimizing Total Travel Time), focuses on reducing overall travel time and is capable of handling large-scale scenarios efficiently. The second, MTC (Minimizing Travel Cost), is designed to minimize total travel costs by incorporating real-time charging prices while maintaining computational feasibility for larger networks.
This thesis represents a significant step toward unlocking the full potential of intelligent electric vehicles (IEVs) by optimizing both travel time and total travel cost. Through the proposed approaches, the research offers valuable insights into the efficient utilization of EVs, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable and intelligent transportation systems. By addressing key challenges such as real-time traffic conditions, energy consumption, and dynamic charging costs, this work provides a holistic approach to EV routing and charging. The findings of this thesis can serve as a foundation for future research and practical implementations in smart city transportation planning
Exploring Canadian Social Work Students\u27 Aphobic Attitudes: The Role of Knowledge about Asexuality and Asexual People
Get PDFAphobic attitudes are negative biases and prejudices against asexual individuals that can contribute to aphobic discrimination. While the Canadian Social Work Code of Ethics states that social workers should not discriminate and should provide culturally responsive services to marginalized populations, individually held aphobic attitudes have the potential to diminish one’s ability to provide culturally responsive services to asexual people. This national study examined aphobic attitudes among 326 Canadian social work students, exploring the relationship between knowledge about asexuality and aphobic attitudes, including controlling for demographic factors, social contact with asexuals, and social attitudes that previous research has identified as being predictors of negative attitudes towards asexuals. Knowledge was found to have a negative relationship with aphobic attitudes, including when controlling for demographics, social contact, and other attitudes. The results highlight the value of increasing knowledge about asexuality in social work curricula to promote students’ acceptance of asexuals. The potential applications of these findings are discussed
Don’t Stop Believin’: Emotion Beliefs and Daily Affective Experiences across Adulthood
Get PDFEmotion control beliefs reflect the extent to which people believe emotions “should” and “can” be controlled and have been linked to psychological well-being. Research has yet to examine age-related differences in these beliefs and their daily associations with affective experiences. The present study examines age differences in daily emotion control beliefs and their within-person associations with positive and negative affect. The study used 14-day daily diary data from an adult lifespan community sample (younger adults: 18-36 years old, N = 72; older adults: 66-92 years old, N = 66). The results revealed that older adults reported higher average can beliefs than younger adults, but no age differences were observed for average should beliefs. Further, multilevel models revealed that, in general, having stronger beliefs one cancontrol their emotions was associated with higher positive affect and lower negative affect across age, whereas stronger beliefs one should control their emotions was only associated with higher negative affect in younger adults. Examining daily variations, while both age groups also experienced significant increases in positive affect and decreases in negative affect on days which they believed they could control their emotion more than usual, the daily association with positive affect was stronger among young adults. Further, younger, but not older, adults experienced decreases in positive affect and increases in negative affect on days in which they believed they should control their emotions more than usual, while older adults\u27 affect did not significantly change. These findings add to emotional aging theory and research by highlighting that emotion control beliefs are differentially associated with affective experience on a daily-level, and these associations change across the adult lifespan
The Utility of The Eye Height to Shoulder Width Ratio When Determining the Passability of an Aperture
No full textAperture crossing tasks are commonly used to test an individual’s perception-action integration capabilities. Multiple studies have demonstrated that young adults use body-scaled information to guide behaviours while completing a static aperture task (Franchak & Adolph, 2014; Hackney et al., 2014; Hackney & Cinelli, 2013; Warren & Whang, 1987). However, it remains unclear as to what visual information young adults are using to determine the passability of an aperture. One theory proposed by Fajen (2013), is that young adults use a ratio of their eye height (EH) to shoulder width (SW). To test this theory, eye height manipulation studies have asked participants to make perceptual judgments, which may not reflect actions or had them walk on blocks, which altered their biomechanics. Therefore, the purpose of the thesis was to determine if eye height information is used to inform a person about their body size and is utilized as the driving information source which dictates actions. It was hypothesized that an increase/decrease in eye height would lead to participants’ self-perception of shoulder width (i.e., body size) being larger or smaller respectively and give themselves more or less space to pass through safely when compared to the no manipulation condition. Collision avoidance behaviours were used to determine if a change in perception of body size occurred in two different virtual environmental tasks, those being a static aperture crossing task (Study 1) and a closing gap task (Study 2). Participants across both studies experienced the same three eye height conditions/manipulations, Normal (no EH manipulation), Tall (+30cm to EH), and Small (-30cm to EH). Eye height manipulations occurred in the VE by having the headset view of the VE increase/decrease in virtual eye height based on each participant’s normal eye height without necessarily changing gait biomechanics. Study 1; Fifteen young adults (9 male, 22.3 +/- 1.5) walked along a 7.5m long pathway in virtual reality (VR), towards a goal with an aperture created out of two vertical poles (20cm in diameter) located along the path 5m from the start. The objective of the participants was to reach the goal either by passing through or around stationary poles without rotating their shoulders or colliding with one of the 9-block randomized aperture sizes (ranging from 0.8-1.8x SW). Using head position of the participant, head position at the time of crossing (M-L), critical point, and deviation onset (A-P) were calculated. Study 2; Sixteen young adult participants (10 males; 22.2 +/- 1.6 years) walked along a 7.5m long pathway in virtual reality (VR), towards a goal with a closing doorway (initially opened to 4m wide) located along the path 3.5m from the start. The objective of the participants was to reach the goal square without rotating their shoulders or speeding up to pass through one of 9 door closing speeds relating to each participant\u27s average walking speed (0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.0, 1.2x walking speed). Using head position of the participant, average slow down distance from the doors, and 50% switch point were calculated. Results from both studies revealed that what information source a young adult is utilizing, will depend on the task. The results from study 1 revealed that young adults are utilizing information from their eye height to inform them about their body size while completing a static aperture task. When young adults were in the Tall condition, their self-perception of body size was wider. While the opposite was true for the Small condition, where young adults\u27 collision avoidance behaviours shifted to acting narrower. Interestingly, study 2 did not have the same results, as young adults were not utilizing eye height information when completing the closing gap task. Instead, young adults were utilizing optical variables such as beta angle as the primary information source to determine passability. The results revealed that while completing a static task that relies on body scaled information, eye height information is utilized to inform about body size to drive actions. While during a closing gap task that relies on action-scaled information, body size is disregarded, and optical information such as beta angle is utilized to determine passability
South-South Migration: Examining the Links Between Food Security and Migration from Ghana to Qatar
No full textThis dissertation contributes to the migration-development literature by integrating food security into the analysis of South-South migration. While migration and development have been extensively studied, the connection between migration and food security remains underexplored, particularly in South-South migration contexts. The dissertation highlights the role of migration as both a coping strategy for food insecurity and a source of vulnerability for migrants in the specific context of temporary labour migration between Ghana and Qatar. Addressing this gap, the research examines how migration decisions are influenced by food insecurity in Ghana, the food security challenges faced by Ghanaian migrants in Qatar, and the impact of remittances on the food security of migrant-sending households.
The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Data was collected through 200 household surveys in Ghana and 58 in-depth interviews with migrants in Qatar, alongside five key informant interviews. Quantitative methods, including multinomial regression analysis, were employed to assess household food insecurity using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Qualitative interview data provided contextual insights into the migration-food security nexus, revealing complex and nuanced connections. The research is grounded in a theoretical framework that integrates the Push-Pull Plus (PPP) model, the Aspiration-Capabilities framework, and the concept of translocal households. The PPP model provides a lens to analyze migration as a response to interconnected drivers such as food insecurity, economic hardship, and social networks. The Aspiration-Capabilities framework emphasizes the interplay between individuals’ migration aspirations and their resources or capabilities to act on those aspirations, highlighting structural constraints like poverty and unemployment. The translocal household perspective examines the bidirectional flows of resources and responsibilities across geographically dispersed household members, framing migration and food security as interconnected processes that span origin and destination contexts.
The research identifies key determinants of food insecurity, including household expenditure, educational attainment, and dietary diversity. Increased household expenses and limited dietary diversity were associated with higher odds of food insecurity in Ghanaian households. The key empirical finding is that food insecurity acts as a significant push factor for migration from Ghana to Qatar. Over 80% of migrant households in Ghana were found to be food insecure, with mild to moderate food insecurity being the most prevalent. Households adopt migration as a livelihood strategy to mitigate food insecurity, relying on remittances for food purchases, children’s education, and basic needs. However, remittances do not guarantee complete food security, as challenges related to household structure, income levels, and dietary diversity persist. However, remittances do mitigate the severity of household food insecurity. Female-centred households were particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, reflecting broader gender inequalities in access to resources and decision-making.
In Qatar, Ghanaian migrants experience distinct food security challenges influenced by their immigration status, employment type, and cultural factors. Migrants on company-sponsored visas generally receive regular meals but face limitations in dietary diversity and cultural appropriateness. Freelance migrants, however, face greater food insecurity, struggling to access consistent and nutritious food due to erratic incomes and unpaid food allowances. Cultural dislocation further exacerbates the issue, as many migrants find it difficult to access traditional Ghanaian foods, leading to reliance on less preferred diets. Coping strategies include communal cooking, skipping meals, and consuming inexpensive foods, highlighting the precarious nature of migrant livelihoods in Qatar. The study also underscores the bidirectional relationship between food security in Ghana and Qatar. Migrants’ remittances significantly contribute to improving food security and reducing poverty in Ghanaian households. However, the pressure to remit can exacerbate food insecurity among migrants in Qatar, forcing them to prioritize financial support for their families over their own dietary needs. This dynamic reflects the interconnected nature of translocal households, where resources flow between origin and destination but with varying implications for food security.
In conclusion, this research demonstrates the complex and reciprocal relationship between migration and food security. While migration offers a pathway to improved household food security in Ghana, it simultaneously creates vulnerabilities for migrants in Qatar. By adopting a translocal perspective, this dissertation advances understanding of the migration-food security nexus, providing valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars seeking to address food insecurity in the context of South-South migration. The findings emphasize the need for targeted policies to address the interconnected challenges of food security and migration. Recommendations include enhancing support systems for migrant workers in destination countries, ensuring fair labour practices, and improving access to culturally appropriate foods. In origin countries, policies should focus on addressing the structural drivers of food insecurity, such as unemployment and inadequate agricultural support, while leveraging remittances to promote sustainable livelihoods
Neighbourhood Resilience Planning with Renters in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
No full textThis sequential mixed-methods study demonstrates the co-production of knowledge between academic researchers and local communities. Guided by the resilience planning framework, the study engaged 48 renters from the Beasley neighbourhood of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in identifying stressful and supportive locations using a participatory mapping tool called the “Place Report.” A total of 74 Place Reports were submitted, with most reporting supportive places in or near Beasley. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching domains, and 13 themes related to the use and function of these locations. Places pertaining to food, housing, and physical activity emerged as the most frequently discussed topics. The findings, which also included suggested interventions and local issues, were presented at a resilience planning meeting attended by participatory mapping participants and other community members. This meeting facilitated contextualization of the mapping data and generated further discussion on relevant local issues and potential interventions. Although limitations were noted regarding sample representativeness and participatory mapping tool validity, the study contributed meaningful, community-driven insights for neighbourhood resilience planning within Beasley. The findings are intended to inform local policymakers and community leaders to help address stressors and promote well-being among Beasley residents
No. 44: Tracking Translocality: Food Remittance Narratives in the Africa-Gulf Migration Corridor
No full textThis paper explores the overlooked practice of food-related remittances in the Ghana-Qatar migration corridor, emphasizing their social, emotional, and cultural significance within translocal households. While cash remittances are widely studied, food remitting remains under-researched despite its critical role in sustaining family ties and addressing food insecurity. Drawing on a mixed-methods study involving household surveys in Ghana and interviews with migrants in Qatar, the paper employs a tripartite conceptual framework incorporating gifting, caregiving, and moral economy to analyze migrant remittance narratives. The paper shows that remitting practices are shaped by cultural norms, kinship obligations, and emotional care, often at significant personal cost to migrants. The study also highlights reverse food remittances from Ghana to Qatar as strategies to overcome “culinary estrangement.” This bidirectional flow reinforces identity, belonging, and solidarity across borders
No. 40: Migrant Shelters and Food Insecurity in Mexico City and its Metropolitan Area During the COVID-19 Lockdown
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic dramatically exacerbated vulnerabilities among migrant populations globally, and Mexico was no exception. This paper examines the experiences of four migrant shelters in Mexico City and its metropolitan area during the pandemic lockdown, highlighting how these institutions responded to the twin challenges of public health and food insecurity. The study draws on ethnographic and documentary research to analyse the coping strategies developed by managers and volunteers at the four shelters. These shelters serve diverse and particularly vulnerable groups, including undocumented migrants, women and children fleeing violence, and members of the LGBTTIQ+ community. Despite facing increased demand, reduced donations, and limited support from federal authorities, all four shelters remained operational during the pandemic, innovating their practices to ensure health safety and continued food provision. Strategies included modifying intake procedures, community-led cooking, rationing and adapting donated food, creating sustainable food sources, and seeking new alliances. The paper situates these responses within broader discussions of vulnerability and food insecurity, arguing that the resilience and solidarity displayed by shelter staff and residents during the crisis reveal the limitations of state assistance and the vital role of local actors and civil society. The paper underscores that migrant shelters are not only humanitarian lifelines but also transnational spaces where care, community, and resistance are enacted in the face of systemic neglect and intersecting crises. These experiences offer critical insights into how institutions navigated an unprecedented emergency and responded to the unique needs of mobile and marginalized populations
Episode 2a: CoP Interview: Care at the Core with Sheri Spelic
No full textIn this episode, Brenna interviews Sheri Spelic about her book Care at the Core and what reciprocal learning can happen between post-secondary and K-12 educators. Sheri discusses the importance of curiosity to learning, “school thinking” and rule-breaking, and the importance of care. Sheri asks us to think about who we are in the classroom, who we want to be, and what assumptions underpin the choices we make.https://scholars.wlu.ca/community-of-praxis/1003/thumbnail.jp
Insights from the Second Scarborough Charter Inter-institutional Forum: Attendee Demographics and Program Perceptions
No full textThe Scarborough Charter (2022) on Anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian Higher Education steering committee invited signatories to attend a two-day inter-institutional forum hosted in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in May of 2024.
The Scarborough Charter Inter-institutional Forum was organized under the theme ‘Bridging Black,’ emphasizing the need to bridge the gaps in both learning and action and to build better connections between senior administration, faculty, staff, students, and Black communities at higher education institutions.
This gathering was the second forum in the series, and the first to conduct an evaluation of organizers and attendees.
The feedback garnered from surveys and affinity spaces (i.e., spaces for specific groups to associate safely) was designed to provide direction to future organizers and institutional leaders and policymakers, demonstrating the Scarborough Charter commitment of accountability in addressing anti-Black racism in the post-secondary sector.
This report provides information about who attended the forum in terms of demographic characteristics and roles within attendees’ respective institutions, and general perceptions of the forum sessions. Subsequent reports will include thematic analyses of qualitative text responses from the survey and affinity spaces for students, staff, and faculty