Analysis of Driver's Decelerating Strategy in a Car-following Situation

This report describes a decelerating driver-model expressed by driving mode transition in car-following situations. The assumptions for constructing the model are that decelerating strategy of a driver is classified into several simple driving modes and that a driver changs his driving modes based on his perceptible characteristics and experiential rules. Deceleration action is divided into three states; following, standing and braking, which are applied to the model. The model has two paths for driver's decelerating action, one of which is selected by the driver based on the perceptible characteristics and experiential rules. The suitability of the model has been experimentally verified.     

Estimation of left-turning vehicle maneuvers for the assessment of pedestrian safety at intersections

Improving pedestrian safety at intersections remains a critical issue. Although several types of safety countermeasures, such as reforming intersection layouts, have been implemented, methods have not yet been established to quantitatively evaluate the effects of these countermeasures before installation. One of the main issues in pedestrian safety is conflicts with turning vehicles. This study aims to develop an integrated model to represent the variations in the maneuvers of left-turners (left-hand traffic) at signalized intersections that dynamically considers the vehicle reaction to intersection geometry and crossing pedestrians. The proposed method consists of four empirically developed stochastic sub-models, including a path model, free-flow speed profile model, lag/gap acceptance model, and stopping/clearing speed profile model. Since safety assessment is the main objective driving the development of the proposed model, this study uses post-encroachment time (PET) and vehicle speed at the crosswalk as validation parameters. Preliminary validation results obtained by Monte Carlo simulation show that the proposed integrated model can realistically represent the variations in vehicle maneuvers as well as the distribution of PET and vehicle speeds at the crosswalk.     

改善乘坐舒适度的措施

介绍了为改善下一代新干线车辆的乘坐舒适度所采取的措施,包括改善转向架技术参数、采用新型振动控制系统以及新型车体倾摆控制系统等。以上措施可以改善车辆在直线上和曲线上运行时的横向和垂向乘坐舒适度。     

铸造复合化技术与铸铁接合技术的动向

介绍了铸造复合化技术的发展新动向,着重阐述了压力浇注法、离心铸造法等新技术、新工艺;同时还叙述了铸铁接合技术的新进展;指出铸造复合化技术将对多功能铸件和复合化铸件的推广应用作出贡献。     

New Control Technique for Maximizing Braking Force on Antilock Braking System

In this paper, we propose a new control strategy for an antilock braking system (ABS) to maintain the braking force at maximum. The popularization of the ABS that prevents the wheels from locking has resulted in an improvement of the vehicle stability and shortening of the braking distance. Further improvement is anticipated if the maximization of the braking force is realized. We found an interesting phenomenon in which the characteristics of the resonance system composed of the vehicle body and the wheel and road surface reflects the slip condition of the road surface. Using this phenomenon, we realized a control method for maintaining the maximum value of the braking force.