Effects of carbon dioxide inhalation on psychomotor and mental performance during exercise and recovery.

On separate days, 6 highly trained participants performed psychomotor tests while breathing for 60 min 3 carbon dioxide (CO(2)) mixtures (room air, 3% CO(2), or 4% CO(2)) prior to, between, and following two 15-min treadmill exercise bouts (70% VO(2)(max)). Each individual was extensively practiced (at least 4 days) before testing began, and both gas conditions and order of tasks were counterbalanced. Results showed physiological reactions and work-related psychomotor effects, but no effects of gas concentration on addition, multiplication, grammatical reasoning, or dynamic postural balance. These findings help define behavioral toxicity levels and support a re-evaluation of existing standards for the maximum allowable concentrations (also emergency and continuous exposure guidance levels) of CO(2). This research explored the selection of psychometric instruments of sufficient sensitivity and reliability to detect subtle changes in performance caused by exposure to low levels of environmental stress, in this case differential levels of CO(2) in the inspired air.     

Explosion behavior of hydrogen–methane/air mixtures

The effects of enriching natural gas with hydrogen on local flame extinction, combustion instabilities and power output have been widely studied for both stationary and mobile systems. On the contrary, the issues of explosion safety for hydrogen–methane mixtures are still under investigation.In this work, experimental tests were performed in a 5 L closed cylindrical vessel for explosions of hydrogen–methane mixtures in stoichiometric air. Different compositions of hydrogen–methane were tested (from pure methane to pure hydrogen) at varying initial pressures (1, 3 and 6 bar).Results have allowed the quantification of the combined effects of both mixture composition (i.e., hydrogen content in the fuel) and initial pressure on maximum pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and burning velocity. The measured burning velocities were also correlated by means of a Le Chatelier’s Rule-like formula. Good predictions have been obtained (at any initial pressure), except for mixtures with hydrogen molar content in the fuel higher than 50%.     

消防监控界面的语音信号研究

以汉语消防用语为实验材料,结合消防界面使用环境的高噪音特点,通过工效学实验,研究不同长度、内容的语音信号在不同噪音水平下的可懂度。结果表明,人对语音信号的获取与识别受到噪音水平以及信号内容、长度的影响。在不同水平的噪音背景下,语音信号的参数呈现不同的变化趋势。噪音对信号的掩蔽作用显著,其中低音最易被掩蔽。在消防监控界面中,语音信号的适宜语声为女中音。词类信号的适宜语速为5字/秒,普通句的适宜语速为7字/秒,含数字句的适宜语速为6字/秒。实验结果为设计者在消防界面中使用语音信号提供了依据,有助于缓解视觉通道压力,提高信息获取的速度和准确性,从而缩短火情侦察的时间与范围,降低火灾伤亡。     

焊肉位置对连续管冲蚀磨损规律研究

针对连续管在压裂作业时连续管内壁易受冲蚀磨损甚至导致失效的问题,基于液固两相流和冲蚀理论,利用FLUENT软件对比研究了带焊肉的直连续管、360°弯曲连续管、正弦弯曲连续管等连续管的内壁冲蚀磨损以及焊肉位置对360°弯曲连续管的冲蚀磨损规律。研究表明:360°弯曲连续管的最大冲蚀速率较直连续管增加了近22倍,正弦弯曲连续管的最大冲蚀速率较直连续管增加了近264倍;在360°弯曲连续管中,焊肉分布在外侧时连续管所受的最大冲蚀速率较无焊肉增加了约57%,焊肉在连续管内的扭转角度由90°增加到360°时,连续管最大冲蚀速率增加了约277%,建议控制焊肉位置以及焊肉扭转程度以减小冲蚀磨损。     

Exposure to impulse noise at an explosives company: a case study

Impulse noise encountered in workplaces is a threat to hearing. The aim of this study was to assess the occupational exposure to impulse noise produced by detonation of dynamite on the premises of an explosives company. Test points were located on the blast test area (inside and outside the bunker) and in work buildings across the site. Noise propagation measurement was performed during 130 blast tests at nine measurement points. At every point, at least 10 separate measurements of A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (L_Aeq), maximum A-weighted sound pressure level (L_Amax) and C-weighted peak sound pressure level (L_Cpeak) were made. Noise recorded in the blast test area exceeded occupational exposure limits (OELs). Noise levels measured in buildings did not exceed OELs. Results of the survey showed that for 62% of respondents, impulse noise causes difficulties in performing work. The most commonly reported symptoms include headaches, nervousness and irritability.     

The influence of fatigue on muscle temperature

The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared (IR) thermography for assessing muscle fatigue during low effort. Three tests at constant levels of load 5, 15 and 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) lasting 5 min each were performed on a group of 10 men. Temperature and electromyographic (EMG) signal were registered from biceps brachii (BB). Analysis focused on the influence of load on the values and changes in time of muscle temperature. Correlations between temperature and EMG parameters (RMS, MPF and MF) were also analysed. Constant load sustained during the tests resulted in an increase in the temperature of BB. There were statistically significant correlations between temperature and EMG parameters for most subjects. Results of the study suggest that IR thermography can be an alternative or supplementary method for assessing muscle fatigue at low levels of contraction.     

Thermal evaluation of junction and connection boxes in explosion protection

To reliably avoid potential ignition sources and thus ignition of the potentially explosive atmosphere in junction and connection boxes of type of protection Increased Safety ‘e', the self-heating shall not exceed a specified level depending on the temperature class. For the conformity assessment of such products, complex thermal tests are necessary due to the great variety of mounting types and arrangements of terminal blocks in the enclosure, depending on the enclosure size. These tests are very time-consuming for the manufacturer of junction and connection boxes or for the testing laboratory and are therefore associated with considerable costs. To reduce this effort and to ensure a uniform assessment in the conformity evaluation by a certification body, it is therefore essential to create fitting charts depending on the enclosure size.This work introduces a calculation tool by means of systematic investigations on different enclosure sizes and with different assemblies, which enables the calculation of fitting charts with justifiable effort. For this purpose, the maximum temperature in the enclosure was determined as a function of the current and the assembly at 20 ± 5 °C ambient temperature. From this, electrical and enclosure-specific constants such as the maximum permissible current per conductor and a conductor specific factor were determined and combined with an exponential dependence of the power dissipation. It is shown that this relationship is valid for an overtemperature of 40 K for compliance with temperature class T6 up to an ambient temperature of +40 °C. Finally, to verify the reliability of the calculation tool, the results are compared with the enclosure-specific rated value of the maximum power dissipation according to IEC 60079-7, 5.7.     

稻田土壤细菌对重金属镉的氧化应激反应研究

研究重金属镉胁迫下稻田土壤大肠杆菌K12、枯草芽孢杆菌B19及Ralstonia eutropha DKC1中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和ATP酶活性等应激酶活性的短期(46 h)变化.结果表明,不同浓度镉对E.coli K12,B.subtilisB19和R.eutrophaDKC1培养不同时间的SOD、CAT和ATP酶活性均有不同程度的诱导作用,表现在前期、低浓度时激活,后期、高浓度时抑制,体现了不同微生物间的差异以及抗镉潜力的不同.3种指标间接地反映了环境中有毒有害物质的存在,且能在早期较灵敏地指示污染的影响,作为环境受到污染胁迫的细胞生化指标具有一定可行性.     

Methane–air mixtures ignited by CW laser-heated targets on optical fiber tips: Comparison of targets,optical fibers,and ignition delays

Fiber optic systems are being deployed in locations where explosive gas atmospheres are normally present or are present under fault conditions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (NIOSH, PRL) conducted a study of laser safety in potentially flammable environments. Researchers conducted experiments to estimate the mean and standard deviation of laser powers needed to ignite 6% methane–air atmospheres using single mode optical fiber tips covered by two types of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄ and (FeMn)₂O₃) mixed with a ceramic adhesive. The iron oxides, heated by a 1064 nm continuous wave laser, ignited the methane–air mixtures at similar powers. The minimum igniting power and maximum non-igniting power (10 tests) were 407 and 350 mW, respectively, using a 62.5 μm fiber. Laser beams guided by 125 and 80 μm diameter cladding single mode fibers produced similar methane–air igniting powers. Ignition was not observed using coal particles at powers that produced ignition with the iron oxides. Threshold ignition delays using the single mode fiber were approximately proportional to the inverse square of the igniting power. Ignition delays were significantly longer than the reported activation time for a commercial fiber optic power limiter. Comparisons are made with the results of other researchers.     

A study of the influence of muscle type and muscle force level on individual frequency bands of the EMG power spectrum.

The aim of this study was to analyse the electromyographic (EMG) power spectrum indicating differences in the frequency bands of the spectrum resulting from differences in muscle type and force level for the extensor digitorum (ED), palmaris longus (PL) and biceps brachii (BB) muscles. The study was performed on 12 young men as 2 tests different in terms of the type of exerted force (30, 15 and 5% MVC, maximum voluntary contraction). The parameters of the EMG power spectrum were obtained as a result of a division of the EMG power spectrum into ranges determined by border frequencies. The results suggest that (a) frequency bands contained in the 30-80 Hz range and over the frequency of 300 Hz depend on muscle force, and (b) the power spectrum in the frequency range of up to 40 Hz and 60-300 Hz indicates muscle type.     

阻燃抑爆柴油的燃烧性能和排放研究

以-10号军用柴油为基础油配置阻燃抑爆柴油,在WP10.290发动机上进行了台架实验,考察了使用阻燃抑爆柴油时的动力性、经济性和排放性。结果表明:燃用阻燃抑爆柴油相比于燃用-10号军柴会一定程度上降低输出功率和扭矩,动力性能下降2.31%~4.26%;燃用阻燃抑爆柴油时平均质量燃油消耗率较燃用军用柴油时增加了5.74%。体积燃油消耗率与军用柴油相比,平均增加了4.32%;能够降低NO的排放,NO的排放量相较于-10号军柴降低了7%~19%;能够降低排气温度,相比较于-10#军柴,阻燃抑爆柴油的排气温度最大可以降低19.5℃。     

From safety culture to safety orientation: Validation and simplification of a safety orientation scale using a sample of seafarers working for Norwegian ship owners

Measuring safety performance is becoming increasingly important in many high-risk industries such as atomic power, the chemical industry, offshore oil production, air traffic control and construction. Much has been done to study the antecedents/factors that shape the safety culture and safety climate in these types of industries, but almost no research has been conducted into another high-risk industry – shipping. Based on the safety orientation model (SOM) and a review of items and scales used in surveys of safety climate and safety culture, a safety orientation scale (SOS) was developed and refined through the use of multivariate statistics. This study was conducted with a sample of seafarers sailing on Norwegian-owned vessels. A total of 2558 questionnaires were returned from 141 vessels and 16 shipping companies, giving a calculated response rate of 70%.The study showed that replicating previous studies on the sample of seafarers demonstrated a large degree of stability in scales and items across both industries and nations.Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is the most commonly adopted approach to the development of scales of safety climate and culture scale reported in the literature, and factor retention seems to be the most important decision in EFA. In the present study several rules to determine the number of factors and items retained are applied, and a comparison is made of a short form of latent root criterion (SFLRC) and parallel criterion (PC). SFLRC is found to be the superior method for the present data set.Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) did not support the preliminary SOM of 12 dimensions (13 dimensions, since one of the 12 dimensions was split during the CFA procedure); however, a re-specification of the model on the basis of the CFA for four different behavioural measures gave a simplified and well-defined model with seven factors and 22 items.     

The alcohol interlock: an underutilized resource for predicting and controlling drunk drivers

This report summarizes evidence presented during the Third Annual Ignition Interlock Symposium at Vero Beach, Florida, 29 October 2002. The ignition interlock prevents a car from starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is elevated. We review some of our prior work as well as introduce previously unpublished results to demonstrate the manner in which the data recorded by the alcohol ignition interlock device can serve as an advance predictor of future driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol risks. Data used in this current report represent approximately 2,200 ignition interlock users from Alberta, Canada, and about 8,000 interlock users from Quebec, Canada; the Alberta data set contained 5.5 million breath tests and the Quebec data 18.8 million breath tests. All tests are time and date stamped and this information was used to characterize patterns of BAC and vehicle use, and the relationship between BAC elevations and DUI offenses that accumulated after the interlock was removed from the vehicles. Findings from Cox regression (Marques et al., 2003) show that BAC elevations > .02-.04% are more potent predictors of repeat DUI (p < .0001) than even prior DUI (p < .006), usually found to be the strongest indicator of driver risk. Prior DUI obviously has no use for scaling the risk of first-time offenders. Drivers who are both multiple offenders and who have more than a few elevated interlock BAC tests are much more likely to repeat DUI. The timing and pattern of elevated BAC tests provided during the time drivers were required to use an alcohol ignition interlock device are remarkably similar on both a daily basis and an hourly basis when the interlock programs from the two provinces are compared directly. Both provinces had higher rates of elevated tests on Saturday and Sunday, and the fewest elevated tests on Tuesdays. The absolute rate of elevated tests is similar despite the two provinces adhering to different interlock lockout points (.02% Quebec; .04% Alberta). Charts tracking the Monday-Friday timing of elevated BAC tests by hour are nearly identical for both provinces. The most elevated BAC tests occurred between 7 and 9 A.M. Monday to Friday, even though most vehicle start attempts occurred much later in the day. This higher rate of elevated morning BAC likely represents drinking from the prior evening with alcohol not yet cleared from circulation; those with elevated BAC in the early morning were more likely to have a repeat offense even after accounting for prior DUI and the higher overall rate of elevated BAC tests. This is viewed as evidence of a drinking problem that will lead to impaired driving after the controlling function of the interlock is removed. Policy changes are discussed that might take better advantage of interlock information to improve the public response to drunk driving.     

The alcohol interlock: an underutilized resource for predicting and controlling drunk drivers

This report summarizes evidence presented during the Third Annual Ignition Interlock Symposium at Vero Beach, Florida, 29 October 2002. The ignition interlock prevents a car from starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is elevated. We review some of our prior work as well as introduce previously unpublished results to demonstrate the manner in which the data recorded by the alcohol ignition interlock device can serve as an advance predictor of future driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol risks. Data used in this current report represent approximately 2,200 ignition interlock users from Alberta, Canada, and about 8,000 interlock users from Quebec, Canada; the Alberta data set contained 5.5 million breath tests and the Quebec data 18.8 million breath tests. All tests are time and date stamped and this information was used to characterize patterns of BAC and vehicle use, and the relationship between BAC elevations and DUI offenses that accumulated after the interlock was removed from the vehicles. Findings from Cox regression show that BAC elevations >.02-.04% are more potent predictors of repeat DUI (p<.0001) than even prior DUI (p<.006), usually found to be the strongest indicator of driver risk. Prior DUI obviously has no use for scaling the risk of first-time offenders. Drivers who are both multiple offenders and who have more than a few elevated interlock BAC tests are much more likely to repeat DUI. The timing and pattern of elevated BAC tests provided during the time drivers were required to use an alcohol ignition interlock device are remarkably similar on both a daily basis and an hourly basis when the interlock programs from the two provinces are compared directly. Both provinces had higher rates of elevated tests on Saturday and Sunday, and the fewest elevated tests on Tuesdays. The absolute rate of elevated tests is similar despite the two provinces adhering to different interlock lockout points (.02% Quebec;.04% Alberta). Charts tracking the Monday-Friday timing of elevated BAC tests by hour are nearly identical for both provinces. The most elevated BAC tests occurred between 7 and 9 A.M. Monday to Friday, even though most vehicle start attempts occurred much later in the day. This higher rate of elevated morning BAC likely represents drinking from the prior evening with alcohol not yet cleared from circulation; those with elevated BAC in the early morning were more likely to have a repeat offense even after accounting for prior DUI and the higher overall rate of elevated BAC tests. This is viewed as evidence of a drinking problem that will lead to impaired driving after the controlling function of the interlock is removed. Policy changes are discussed that might take better advantage of interlock information to improve the public response to drunk driving.     

Experimental study on thermal runaway risk of 18650 lithium ion battery under side-heating condition

To simulate the heat transfer process between lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), an electric heater with the same size and shape as LIB in this work is used to trigger thermal runaway event. The effect of state of charge (SOC), the power of heater, the cell spacing on thermal behavior of LIB was investigated as well the amount of transferred heat between the heater and LIB was calculated. The results indicate that 50% SOC is an unstable state for LIB, that a stronger jet flame becomes more likely when the SOC of LIB is higher than 50%. Additionally, the increased spacing, lower heating power and SOC can contribute to mitigate the severity of thermal runaway behavior. Further, the dominant path of heat transfer between the heater and LIB will also vary with operating conditions. The heat conduction through air is the main heat transfer path in tests with lower heating power. However, heat radiation will replace heat conduction as the primary heat transfer mode when there is a large temperature difference between the heater and LIB in tests with higher heating power. Understanding the leading heat transfer path between LIBs can provide valuable guidelines for the safety design of lithium-ion battery modules.     

Large scale experiments to study fires following the rupture of high pressure pipelines conveying natural gas and natural gas/hydrogen mixtures

As part of the EC funded Naturalhy project, two large scale experiments were conducted to study the hazard presented by the rupture of high pressure transmission pipelines conveying natural gas or a natural gas/hydrogen mixture containing approximately 22% hydrogen by volume. The experiments involved complete rupture of a 150 mm diameter pipeline pressurised to nominally 70 bar. The released gas was ignited and formed a fireball which rose upwards and then burned out. It was followed by a jet fire which continued to increase in length, reaching a maximum of about 100 m before steadily declining as the pipeline depressurised. During the experiments, the flame length and the incident radiation field produced around the fire were measured. Measurements of the overpressure due to pipeline rupture and gas ignition were also recorded. The results showed that the addition of the hydrogen to the natural gas made little difference to radiative characteristics of the fires. However, the fraction of heat radiated by these pipeline fires was significantly higher than that observed for above ground high pressure jet fires (also conducted as part of the Naturalhy project) which achieved flame lengths up to 50 m. Due to the lower density, the natural gas/hydrogen mixture depressurised more quickly and also had a slightly reduced power. Hence, the pipeline conveying the natural gas/hydrogen mixture resulted in a slightly lower hazard in terms of thermal dose compared to the natural gas pipeline, when operating at the same pressure.     

The relation between emotional intelligence and job performance: A meta‐analysis

This meta‐analysis builds upon a previous meta‐analysis by (1) including 65 per cent more studies that have over twice the sample size to estimate the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI) and job performance; (2) using more current meta‐analytical studies for estimates of relationships among personality variables and for cognitive ability and job performance; (3) using the three‐stream approach for classifying EI research; (4) performing tests for differences among streams of EI research and their relationships with personality and cognitive intelligence; (5) using latest statistical procedures such as dominance analysis; and (6) testing for publication bias. We classified EI studies into three streams: (1) ability‐based models that use objective test items; (2) self‐report or peer‐report measures based on the four‐branch model of EI; and (3) “mixed models” of emotional competencies. The three streams have corrected correlations ranging from 0.24 to 0.30 with job performance. The three streams correlated differently with cognitive ability and with neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Streams 2 and 3 have the largest incremental validity beyond cognitive ability and the Five Factor Model (FFM). Dominance analysis demonstrated that all three streams of EI exhibited substantial relative importance in the presence of FFM and intelligence when predicting job performance. Publication bias had negligible influence on observed effect sizes. The results support the overall validity of EI. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Note: Correction added on 22 July 2010 after first publication online on 29 June 2010. The affiliations for Ronald H. Humphrey and Thomas H. Hawver have been corrected in this version of the article.     

Relationship between neuropsychological tests and driver's license renewal tests in Parkinson's disease

Objective: To determine whether the standard Spanish driving test (ASDE test) was able to identify patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) at risk of unsafe driving and to examine the relationship between the ASDE test and the Useful Field of View (UFOV) as well as with a battery of neuropsychological tests in drivers with PD.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with PD and 33 controls matched by age and education level were included in an observational study. All participants were active drivers and patients with PD underwent study procedures after taking the medication in the “on” period. Subjects with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≤ 24 were excluded. Neuropsychological tests (Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status [RBANS], Trail Making Test [TMT-A and -B], and Block Design test), driving performance tests (ASDE Driver Test and UFOV), and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) were assessed.

Results: The PD group performed significantly worse than healthy controls in the ASDE Motor Coordination tests. No significant differences were observed in anticipation speed, multiple reaction time, concentrated attention, and resistance to monotony. All participants successfully completed the UFOV tests. Statistically significant differences between patients with PD and controls were found in processing speed (UFOV1; P =.03) and more patients with PD were found in the categories of higher driving risk levels (P =.03). In addition, patients with PD showed worse scores than healthy controls in visuospatial capacities (Line Orientation), psychomotor speed (Coding and TMT-A), memory (List Recognition, Story Recall), and executive function (TMT-B). The driving tests (ASDE and UFOV) showed a low sensitivity and a high specificity but a higher percentage of patients in the PD group failed in multiple reaction time, concentrated attention, and resistance to monotony. In addition, 18.9% of patients with PD showed a cutoff of 4 for UFOV risk. In the discriminant analysis, Line Orientation (visuospatial/constructive domain) and Figure Recall (delayed memory) were found to be statistically significant with a rate of correct classification of unsafe drivers with PD of 78.2%. In addition, normal results on the Line Orientation item were associated with a 1.5 times higher probability of non-risky driving in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: At early stages of the disease, about 19% of patients with PD showed difficulties that may affect their driving capabilities. Line Orientation and Figure Recall are useful to alert clinicians to the risk of unsafe driving. For this reason, patients with PD should be evaluated for driving abilities more regularly to determine the extent of deficits that may influence driving performance.     

Combined effects of initial pressure and turbulence on explosions of hydrogen-enriched methane/air mixtures

Hydrogen-enrichment has been proposed as a useful method to overcome drawbacks (local flame extinction, combustion instabilities, lower power output, etc.) associated to turbulent premixed combustion of natural gas in both stationary and mobile systems. For the safe use of hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbon fuels, explosion data are needed.In this work, a comparative experimental study of the explosion behavior of stoichiometric hydrogen-enriched methane/air (with 10% of hydrogen molar content in the fuel) and pure methane/air mixtures is presented. Tests were carried out in a 5 l closed cylindrical vessel at different initial pressures (1, 3 and 6 bar), and starting from both quiescent and turbulent conditions.Results allow quantifying the combined effects of hydrogen substitution to methane, pressure and turbulence on maximum pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise, burning velocity and Markstein lengths.     

Repeatability study of replicate crash tests: A signal analysis approach

Objective: To provide an objective basis on which to evaluate the repeatability of vehicle crash test methods, a recently developed signal analysis method was used to evaluate correlation of sensor time history data between replicate vehicle crash tests. The goal of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of rollover crash tests performed with the Dynamic Rollover Test System (DRoTS) relative to other vehicle crash test methods.

Methods: Test data from DRoTS tests, deceleration rollover sled (DRS) tests, frontal crash tests, frontal offset crash tests, small overlap crash tests, small overlap impact (SOI) crash tests, and oblique crash tests were obtained from the literature and publicly available databases (the NHTSA vehicle database and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TechData) to examine crash test repeatability.

Results: Signal analysis of the DRoTS tests showed that force and deformation time histories had good to excellent repeatability, whereas vehicle kinematics showed only fair repeatability due to the vehicle mounting method for one pair of tests and slightly dissimilar mass properties (2.2%) in a second pair of tests. Relative to the DRS, the DRoTS tests showed very similar or higher levels of repeatability in nearly all vehicle kinematic data signals with the exception of global X′ (road direction of travel) velocity and displacement due to the functionality of the DRoTS fixture. Based on the average overall scoring metric of the dominant acceleration, DRoTS was found to be as repeatable as all other crash tests analyzed. Vertical force measures showed good repeatability and were on par with frontal crash barrier forces. Dynamic deformation measures showed good to excellent repeatability as opposed to poor repeatability seen in SOI and oblique deformation measures.

Conclusions: Using the signal analysis method as outlined in this article, the DRoTS was shown to have the same or better repeatability of crash test methods used in government regulatory and consumer evaluation test protocols.