Search Results (3)

Currently, several traffic conflict indicators are used as surrogate safety measures. Each indicator has its own advantages, limitations, and suitability. There are only a few studies focusing on fixed object conflicts of highway safety estimation using traffic conflict technique. This study investigated which conflict indicator was more suitable for traffic safety estimation based on conflict-accident Pearson correlation analysis. First, a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle was used to collect multiple continuous high-precision videos of the Jinan-Qingdao highway. The vehicle trajectory data outputted from recognition of the videos were used to acquire conflict data following the procedure for each conflict indicator. Then, an improved indicator T_i was proposed based on the advantages and limitations of the conventional indicators. This indicator contained definitions and calculation for three types of traffic conflicts (rear-end, lane change and with fixed object). Then the conflict-accident correlation analysis of TTC (Time to Collision)/PET (Post Encroachment Time)/DRAC (Deceleration Rate to Avoid Crash)/T_i indicators were carried out. The results show that the average value of the correlation coefficient for each indicator with different thresholds are 0.670 for TTC, 0.669 for PET, and 0.710 for DRAC, and 0.771 for T_i, which T_i indicator is obviously higher than the other three conventional indicators. The findings of this study suggest TTC often fails to identify lane change conflicts, PET indicator easily misjudges some rear-end conflict when the speed of the following vehicle is slower than the leading vehicle, and PET is less informative than other indicators. At the same time, these conventional indicators do not consider the vehicle-fixed objects conflicts. The improved T_i can overcome these shortcomings; thus, T_i has the highest correlation. More data are needed to verify and support the study. Full article

Because the inside of a road tunnel is a closed strip, the driving environment changes suddenly at the tunnel entrance and exit, which is why accidents occur more frequently in tunnels than elsewhere. Based on visual psychology, reverse-perspective-illusion deceleration lines (RPIDLs) and visual-intervention deceleration devices (VIDDs) were designed to control vehicle speeds near the entrance and in the middle of a tunnel, respectively. Then, to assess the speed-controlling performance of the RPIDLs and VIDDs for vehicles in a long downhill tunnel, laser velocimeters were used to measure the vehicle speeds at different observation points in the tunnel before and after implementing the RPIDLs and VIDDs. The results show that the RPIDLs and VIDDs decreased the average vehicle speed and controlled its dispersion effectively. The 60 m RPIDLs improved the traffic safety in the tunnel without lessening the passing ability therein. The slash-line VIDD had no obvious effect on the maximum vehicle speeds in the middle of the tunnel. Both the 90° fold-line VIDD and the four-yellow–four-white VIDD decreased the maximum vehicle speeds significantly. The 60 m RPIDLs and the 90° fold-line VIDD gave the best deceleration effect on vehicles near the entrance and in the middle of the tunnel, respectively, and controlled the average speed and its dispersion effectively. Full article

The Buddha recognized addiction problems and advised his followers accordingly, although this was not the primary focus of his teachings. Thailand and Japan, which have long-standing Buddhist traditions, have developed Buddhist influenced responses to addiction. With its emphasis on craving and attachment, an understanding of the workings of the mind, as well as practices to work with the mind, Buddhism lends itself as a rich resource to assist addiction recovery. The twelve step movement has been an impetus to making use of ideas and practices from Buddhism. In particular, mindfulness, has started to be used to support addiction recovery, with promising results. Exploration of other areas of Buddhism is beginning, and may provide additional benefit in the future. Full article