Policy challenges of increasing automation in driving

The convergence of information and communication technologies (ICT) with automotive technologies has already resulted in automation features in road vehicles and this trend is expected to continue in the future owing to consumer demand, dropping costs of components, and improved reliability. While the automation features that have taken place so far are mainly in the form of information and driver warning technologies (classified as level I pre-2010), future developments in the medium term (level II 2010–2025) are expected to exhibit connected cognitive vehicle features and encompass increasing degree of automation in the form of advanced driver assistance systems. Although autonomous vehicles have been developed for research purposes and are being tested in controlled driving missions, the autonomous driving case is only a long term (level III 2025 +) scenario. This paper contributes knowledge on technological forecasts regarding automation, policy challenges for each level of technology development and application context, and the essential instrument of cost-effectiveness for policy analysis which enables policy decisions on the automation systems to be assessed in a consistent and balanced manner. The cost of a system per vehicle is viewed against its effectiveness in meeting policy objectives of improving safety, efficiency, mobility, convenience and reducing environmental effects. Example applications are provided that illustrate the contribution of the methodology in providing information for supporting policy decisions. Given the uncertainties in system costs as well as effectiveness, the tool for assessing policies for future generation features probabilistic and utility-theoretic analysis capability. The policy issues defined and the assessment framework enable the resolution of policy challenges while allowing worthy innovative automation in driving to enhance future road transportation.     

Motorcycle fatalities in Malaysia

Malaysia has the highest road fatality risk (per 100,000 population) among the ASEAN countries and more than 50% of the road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. This study has collected and analysed data from the police, government authorities, and national and international research institutes. Only fatality data are used due to the severe underreporting of severe injuries (up to 600%) and slight injuries (up to 1400%). The analysis reveals that the highest numbers of motorcycle fatalities occur in rural locations (61%), on primary roads (62%) and on straight road sections (66%). The majority are riders (89%), 16 to 20 years old (22.5%), and 90% of the motorcycles are privately owned. Of those involved in fatal accidents, 75% of the motorcyclists wear helmets, and 35% do not have proper licences. The highest number of fatalities by type of collision is ‘angular or side’ (27.5%). Although fatal motorcyclist crashes mostly involve ‘passenger cars’ (28%), motorcyclists are responsible for 50% of the collisions either by crashing singly (25%) or with other motorcyclists (25%). While male motorcyclists predominate (94% of fatalities), female motorcyclists aged 31 to 70, possessing ‘no licence’, not wearing helmets and travelling during the day, account for a higher percentage than male motorcyclists. Malaysia must acquire more motorcycle exposure data and establish an injury recording system and database based on hospital-records. To reduce motorcycle fatalities, it first has to understand why young male motorcyclists are prone to fatal crashes in the evenings and on weekends on rural primary roads, especially on straight road sections.     

Experimental Study on Volume Change Indices of Bentonite Soils

Introduction Bentonites are used as barrier and backfillingmaterials in many countries for storing the high leveltoxic wastes[1-4]. The clays have several advantageousproperties with regard to the hydro-mechanical re-quirements; for exmple, low permeability, highswelling capability and good thermal conductivity aresome of the features. Determination of swelling prop-erties of bentonites is important and has been carriedout by many researchers[5,6]The volume change behavior of bentonites ispri…     

The relationship between urban street networks and private motorized trips at the city level

There are factors that impact car usage in urban areas, such as density, diversity and design, but there have been few studies that examine the relationship between street network factors and car usage at the city level (macro level). This paper focuses on this relationship by introducing urban street network variables, such as blocks per area, nodes per block and length of roads and motorways, as independent variables and the percentage of daily trips by private motorized modes as the dependent variable. The street network in this study includes interconnecting lines and points that present streets, roads, motorways, intersections and blocks. The strength of the relationship in this study is found using multiple linear regression. The findings of this research indicate that an increase in car usage is correlated with an increasing number of blocks per area, number of nodes per block and length of motorways. In addition, because the urban street network is the result of macro-scale planning decisions, considering this relationship can lead to better planning decisions.     

铁路行车事故救援理论与技术体系探讨

目前对铁路行车事故救援的研究众多，但均停留于救援装备、事故分析、技术方法的层面上。而未能从系统机理、救援原理、体系结构的角度对其研究内容及研究框架予以界定。针对上述问题，本文沿着救援体系规划、救援管理、救援实施这一纵向思维轴，系统地构建了铁路行车事故救援的研究体系，并将其划分为理论体系、技术体系及管理实施体系，并在此基础上对各子体系间相互关系及各体系的具体研究内容与框架结构进行了分析确定，从而从空间架构上形成铁路行车事故救援研究体系。该体系的建立为我国铁路现场事故救援体系的规划、设计、管理与实施提供参考与依据。     

LARGE SIGNAL DISCRETE-TIME MODEL FOR PARALLELED BUCK CONVERTERS

Introduction　　 In recent years,due to the rapid advances ofcomputer and communication,the power suppliesmust provide high current up to hundreds of am-peres and still have high efficiency and reliability.Under such requirements,multimodule- parallelingstructure is usually used and the load current isequally shared. The practical implementation ofthese distributed converters system is not alwaysstraightforward and various control problems arisebecause of undesirable interaction among subsys-t…     

Reducing the probability of ship grounding: which measure to undertake?

The analytic hierarchy process has been used to elicit the knowledge of maritime transport stakeholders, such as seafarers, authorities, insurers and academics, regarding human factors and risk-reducing measures for ship groundings. Measures against human fatigue, alcohol abuse, language barriers, poor bridge management and safety climate have been compared with regard to costs and benefits. The measures are discussed in the context of large ships on a voyage of at least 24 h containing Bridge Resource Management. The study shows that stakeholders consider the costs of the measures to reduce human fatigue at sea surpass the benefits. Measures against alcohol abuse are regarded as the most cost–benefit efficient. Also, the stakeholders consider the watch scheme 8–4–4–8 to be less fatiguing than the 12–12 watch scheme. In addition, the results of the study support previous findings that inadequate manning levels contribute the most to human fatigue within the bridge management team.     

Common patterns in aggregated accident analysis charts from human fatigue-related groundings and collisions at sea

Research has shown that there are potentially disastrous outcomes of human fatigue at sea. The conditions in which the seafarers have to operate are becoming more and more demanding. The study in this article attempts to aggregate accident charts derived from in-depth studies of human fatigue-related accidents to determine common patterns of interlinked fatigue factors. The accidents are analyzed by means of the Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM), which in the article has been modified for maritime accidents. The main fatigue factors identified are ‘shift work’, ‘irregular working hours’, ‘inadequate task allocation’, and ‘excessive demands’. The study reveals several differences between ship collision and grounding accidents and their corresponding fatigue factors. Human fatigue-related collision accidents are characterized by wrong/badly timed decisions, misconceptions, and poor communication between the vessels. Right before the collision the crew is often panicking and mistakes are easily made. In human fatigue-related groundings, the conditions are often monotonous and the navigating officer has either overlooked the upcoming seabed or simply fallen asleep. Safety climate issues are also identified as important contributors to human fatigue.     

Multi-response optimization of diesel engine performance parameters using thumba biodiesel-diesel blends by applying the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis

This paper presents an experimental study that involves an application of the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis to determine the optimum factor level to obtain optimum multiple-performance characteristics of a diesel engine run with different low-percentage thumba biodiesel-diesel blends. Four factors, namely, low-percentage thumba biodiesel-diesel blend, compression ratio, nozzle opening pressure and injection timing were each considered at three levels. An L₉ orthogonal array was used to collect data for various engine performance- and emission-related responses under different engine loads. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and grey relational analysis were used for data analysis. The results of the study revealed that the combination of a blend consisting of 30% thumba biodiesel (B30), a compression ratio of 14, a nozzle opening pressure of 250 bar and an injection timing of 20° produces maximum multiple performance of a diesel engine with minimum multiple emissions from the engine.     

军船雷达目标有效截面预报和缩减研究(英文)

Radar cross section(RCS) is the measurement of the reflective strength of a target.Reducing the RCS of a naval ship enables its late detection,which is useful for capitalizing on elements of surprise and initiative.Thus,the RCS of a naval ship has become a very important design factor for achieving surprise,initiative,and survivability.Consequently,accurate RCS determination and RCS reduction are of extreme importance for a naval ship.The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the theoretical background and engineering approach to deal with RCS prediction and reduction for naval ships.The importance of RCS,radar fundamentals,RCS basics,RCS prediction methods,and RCS reduction methods for naval ships is also discussed.