Design of a signal transducer for direct conversion of wheel linear accelerations into tire lateral forces

This paper describes a design of a real-time conversion system of wheel linear accelerations into tire lateral forces. Though the tire lateral forces are important elements for analyzing vehicle dynamic control performances, they cannot be easily measured in real-time owing to the non-linearities of tire dynamics, friction, and slippage on road. In this paper, we propose a practical direct method using wheel linear accelerations in order to estimate tire lateral forces transmitted into the vehicle in real-time. A simplified vehicle model based on force-acceleration analysis is proposed to assure the real-time performance. The acceleration values are obtained using three-axis accelerometers attached on each wheel location. For conditioning and rectifying the acceleration signals, a signal transducer is designed using a digital filter. And in order to investigate the feasibility and real-time performance, a prototype of signal transducer is fabricated using a digital signal processor. The experimental results and performance are validated with the road test results using six-component wheel force transducers.     

Sheet metal forming simulation considering die deformation

Due to environmental concerns and safety regulations in the automotive industry, the development of strong and lightweight cars has been a hot issue in the last decade. One solution for this purpose would be to use high-strength steel (HSS) and advanced high-strength steel (AHSS). These materials can make the car lighter while maintaining the crash resistance of the vehicle. HSS and AHSS have more resistance force in the die structure compared with conventional steel due to their higher yield and tensile strength and thus, these materials have a greater effect on die deformation during the sheet metal forming process. As a result, die deformation can affect the blank sheet’s drawn pattern, strain, and stress as well as springback. This study presents a sheet metal forming simulation that considers die deformation. The simulation process was compared with conventional simulation methods. Our results indicate that the sheet metal forming simulation with die deformation consideration provides useful information on the die structure as well as formability and springback.     

Fuel consumption parameters for realizing and verifying fuel consumption prospect algorithm of vehicle driving route information system

Emissions of CO₂, as the main component of greenhouse gases, and high fuel consumption rates are worldwide problems. To solve them, most car manufacturers have concentrated on developing various techniques to improve the efficiencies of engines and transmissions and ECO-ROUTEs to meet environmental regulations. In this study, an algorithm for determining routes that cause the least fuel consumption was developed. The core of this algorithm is a specific EEC (energy efficiency constant) map containing logic that is able to predict fuel consumption. The accuracy of the algorithm was confirmed by vehicle tests for various driving patterns. Parameters affecting vehicle fuel economy were studied and verified. Improvement in the accuracy of this algorithm was confirmed by applying these parameters to ECO-ROUTE logic.     

In-vehicle display HMI safety evaluation using a driving simulator

Recently, telematics services and in-vehicle display devices such as the CNS (Car Navigation System) have become new causes of traffic accidents. These accidents are caused by ‘Inattention’ from the increase of the driver’s mental workload while he/she is driving. The driver of a vehicle (except for emergency or police vehicles) must not use a hand-held mobile phone while the vehicle is moving. To address this problem, Australia, England, Italy, Brazil and some states in the US have banned the use of hand-held mobile devices during driving. However, there are no restrictions on the use of in-vehicle displays or on the display’s positions. The position of a navigation system in a vehicle should be assessed objectively, and the effect of the position on the driver’s attention should be studied. Some existing research reports that in-vehicle distraction not only leads to reduced speeds and more frequent lane switching, but also more gazing by the driver to the centre of the road. In this study, to develop an assessment method and to propose the proper position of a CNS, an experiment is carried out in a driving simulator environment. Different methods to track the gaze and physical parameters of the driver are used for HMI (Human-Machine Interface) assessment. The experiment is carried out in a driving simulator to observe the glancing distribution during driving according to the position of the navigation system. Fourteen subjects participated in this experiment. Changes in subjects’ physiological signals and glancing distribution rates were collected.     

结构自诊断沥青混凝土路用性能评价研究

通过马歇尔稳定度、冻融劈裂、车辙以及四点弯曲疲劳试验,对比分析评价了结构自诊断沥青混凝土水稳定性、高温稳定性和疲劳特性等路用性能.结果表明:石墨的掺入会在一定程度上降低结构自诊断沥青混凝土水稳定性能,但是由于同时降低了沥青胶浆的温度敏感性,因而对其高温稳定性具有改善作用;与普通沥青混凝土相比,结构自诊断沥青混凝土的疲劳寿命更短;并且疲劳破坏速率呈现出温度依赖性,在同一应变水平下,温度下降时,传导型沥青混凝土的破坏速率加快,疲劳寿命缩短.     

Ground-truthing social vulnerability indices of Alaska fishing communities

Abstract

Community vulnerability is increasingly evaluated through quantitative social indices, typically developed using secondary data sources rather than primary data collection. It is necessary to understand the validity of these indices if they will be used to inform policy and decision making. This paper presents a ground-truthing effort to validate quantitative indices that characterize the well-being of Alaska fishing communities. We utilized ethnographic data collected from 13 representative communities and a capital assets framework to ground-truth the indices, in which qualitative ranks of vulnerability were compared against quantitative indices. The majority (73.8%) of ranks were in complete or moderate agreement and the results indicate that most of the indices are representative of community vulnerability; yet some variables utilized to create the indices could be modified to better reflect realities in Alaska. Indices of commercial fishery engagement and reliance appeared to be more reliable than socio-economic indicators, particularly for smaller fishing communities. We also confirmed that the indices do not capture political, or ecological factors that affect levels of community vulnerability. We conclude that quantitative indices of community vulnerability are useful rapid assessment tools; however, they should be validated, and complemented with ethnographic data prior to their implementation as policy making and management tools.     

Comparison of pedestrian trip generation models

Using Poisson regression and negative binomial regression, this paper presents an empirical comparison of four different regression models for the estimation of pedestrian demand at the regional level and finds the most appropriate model with reference to the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) 2001 data for the Baltimore (USA) region. The results show that Poisson regression seems to be more appropriate for pedestrian trip generation modeling in terms of χ² ratio test, Pseudo R², and Akaike's information criterion (AIC). However, R² based on deviance residuals and estimated log‐likelihood value at convergence confirmed the empirical studies that negative binomial regression is more appropriate for the over‐dispersed dependent variable than Poisson regression. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of changing highway design speed

In an effort to increase the operational efficiency of highways, South Korea has been increasing its design speed recently. However, the use of higher design speed will also increase construction costs. Moreover, increasing the design speed is expected to have an impact on safety. Hence, there is a strong need to demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the cost of having a higher design speed. This study surveyed a sample of design engineers to determine their awareness of the consequences of increasing design speed and their assessment of the right design speed for an actual rural arterial road. In addition to the survey, a case study of three recently upgraded highways was conducted to determine the changes in traffic volumes, speeds, travel times and accidents. The construction costs associated with the upgrades were also reported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.