Evaluation of countermeasures for red light running by traffic simulator–based surrogate safety measures

Objective: The conflicts among motorists entering a signalized intersection with the red light indication have become a national safety issue. Because of its sensitivity, efforts have been made to investigate the possible causes and effectiveness of countermeasures using comparison sites and/or before-and-after studies. Nevertheless, these approaches are ineffective when comparison sites cannot be found, or crash data sets are not readily available or not reliable for statistical analysis. Considering the random nature of red light running (RLR) crashes, an inventive approach regardless of data availability is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of each countermeasure face to face.

Method: The aims of this research are to (1) review erstwhile literature related to red light running and traffic safety models; (2) propose a practical methodology for evaluation of RLR countermeasures with a microscopic traffic simulation model and surrogate safety assessment model (SSAM); (3) apply the proposed methodology to actual signalized intersection in Virginia, with the most prevalent scenarios—increasing the yellow signal interval duration, installing an advance warning sign, and an RLR camera; and (4) analyze the relative effectiveness by RLR frequency and the number of conflicts (rear-end and crossing).

Results: All scenarios show a reduction in RLR frequency (?7.8, ?45.5, and ?52.4%, respectively), but only increasing the yellow signal interval duration results in a reduced total number of conflicts (?11.3%; a surrogate safety measure of possible RLR-related crashes). An RLR camera makes the greatest reduction (?60.9%) in crossing conflicts (a surrogate safety measure of possible angle crashes), whereas increasing the yellow signal interval duration results in only a 12.8% reduction of rear-end conflicts (a surrogate safety measure of possible rear-end crash).

Conclusions: Although increasing the yellow signal interval duration is advantageous because this reduces the total conflicts (a possibility of total RLR-related crashes), each countermeasure shows different effects by RLR-related conflict types that can be referred to when making a decision. Given that each intersection has different RLR crash issues, evaluated countermeasures are directly applicable to enhance the cost and time effectiveness, according to the situation of the target intersection. In addition, the proposed methodology is replicable at any site that has a dearth of crash data and/or comparison sites in order to test any other countermeasures (both engineering and enforcement countermeasures) for RLR crashes.     

A study of stopping propensity at matured red light camera T-intersections

PROBLEM: This paper evaluates the stopping propensity of drivers at matured in-service red light camera (RLC) signalized T-intersections after a number of years of camera operation. METHOD: A special-purpose data logger working in conjunction with loop sensors was used to gather traffic parameters, vehicle stopping/crossing movements, and signal phases at camera (treatment) and noncamera (comparison) approaches. Logistic modeling was employed to determine the stopping/crossing decisions of civilian vehicle drivers in response to the onset of yellow (amber) with traffic and the associated situational and behavioral variables, including their interactions. SUMMARY: The propensity to stop at camera approaches was about 17 times more than at noncamera approaches. This finding strongly affirmed the positive effect of RLC in encouraging drivers to stop. The likelihood to stop was about 6.5 times higher for an approach that faces an opposing right-turn conflict immediately after the onset of red. Higher stopping propensity was also more prevalent during weekdays and in periods of low traffic volumes. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The findings provided an objective measure on the effectiveness of RLC that would be useful to evaluate intersections for camera installation as well as on the implementation and operational aspects of RLC program.     

“Cu核-Cu2O壳”粒子可见光催化降解酚类废水的研究

以对硝基苯酚溶液为模拟废水,用自制的"Cu核-Cu2O壳"粒子对其进行光催化氧化试验,考察了光照时间、催化剂用量、对硝基苯酚的初始质量浓度、溶液的pH值和光源等对降解过程的影响。结果表明,对硝基苯酚溶液质量浓度为40 mg.L-1,催化剂投加量为2g.L-1,光照120min后降解率达到95%,降解反应符合一级反应动力学。与其他同类光催化剂相比,"Cu核-Cu2O壳"粒子具有较高的光催化活性,而且光催化过程中有氢氧自由基产生,对对硝基苯酚的降解较彻底。     

焦化黄血盐吸收塔填料自燃原因分析

焦化黄血盐系统内的吸收塔在停产检修补充填料——铁刨花期间，经常发生铁刨花自燃现象，这是严重的事故隐患。结合武钢焦化公司黄血盐工艺特点，对其自燃原因作了详细分析，提出了避免此类事故发生的措施。     

光污染与城市建设

随着我国城市建设的不断发展,产生了一种新的城市环境污染光污染.由于对其缺乏足够的重视和研究,光污染问题日益严重.指出了光污染产生的原因和光污染的定义及分类,从对人、交通安全、生态环境、天文观测和能源利用5个方面分析了光污染的危害,最后从城市建设的角度,提出了光污染的防治措施.     

Effects of red light camera enforcement on fatal crashes in large U.S. cities

Objective

To estimate the effects of red light camera enforcement on per capita fatal crash rates at intersections with signal lights.

Methods

From the 99 large U.S. cities with more than 200,000 residents in 2008, 14 cities were identified with red light camera enforcement programs for all of 2004-2008 but not at any time during 1992-1996, and 48 cities were identified without camera programs during either period. Analyses compared the citywide per capita rate of fatal red light running crashes and the citywide per capita rate of all fatal crashes at signalized intersections during the two study periods, and rate changes then were compared for cities with and without cameras programs. Poisson regression was used to model crash rates as a function of red light camera enforcement, land area, and population density.

Results

The average annual rate of fatal red light running crashes declined for both study groups, but the decline was larger for cities with red light camera enforcement programs than for cities without camera programs (35% vs. 14%). The average annual rate of all fatal crashes at signalized intersections decreased by 14% for cities with camera programs and increased slightly (2%) for cities without cameras. After controlling for population density and land area, the rate of fatal red light running crashes during 2004-2008 for cities with camera programs was an estimated 24% lower than what would have been expected without cameras. The rate of all fatal crashes at signalized intersections during 2004-2008 for cities with camera programs was an estimated 17% lower than what would have been expected without cameras.

Conclusions

Red light camera enforcement programs were associated with a statistically significant reduction in the citywide rate of fatal red light running crashes and a smaller but still significant reduction in the rate of all fatal crashes at signalized intersections.

Impact on Industry

The study adds to the large body of evidence that red light camera enforcement can prevent the most serious crashes. Communities seeking to reduce crashes at intersections should consider this evidence.     

车路协同下信号控制交叉口两难区问题改善方法

为降低两难区对信号控制交叉口交通安全的影响,针对车路协同环境下交通信息获取方式及交叉口区域车辆运行特点,提出信号控制交叉口两难区问题改善方法。在分析各种两难区问题改善措施的适用性基础上,确定车路协同环境下信号控制交叉口两难区问题改善方法的工作流程,综合运用车速引导、动态绿灯时间延长和黄灯时间调整等3种措施降低车辆进入两难区的概率,并提出主要参数计算方法。运用Vissim软件进行仿真试验,结果表明,笔者建立的两难区问题改善方法能使车辆闯红灯次数平均降低78.1%,且改善效果在低峰流量时优于高峰流量时。     

Perceptions of implied hazard for visual and auditory alerting signals

Visual and auditory alerts are increasingly important and have many applications, particularly in the presentation of hazard information in transportation and many industrial systems. This paper is concerned with the factors that govern the relative effectiveness of alerting signals involving various combinations of visual and auditory signals. The visual variables were colour, flash rate, and flash mode, combined with or without an auditory alarm. It was found that the subjects associated different levels of hazard with different alerting light colours, flash rates, flashing modes, and with combinations of auditory and visual alerts. A red flashing light was perceived as the most effective hazard warning colour, with yellow and blue warning lights indicative of less hazardous situations. The faster the flash rate, the greater is the hazard perceived. A flash rate of 60 fpm (flashes per minute) was not as effective as the rates of 180 and 240 fpm, and 240 fpm was the most effective. This implies that hazard warning signal should flash at well above 60 fpm. Having a breakup in the flashing pattern so as to provide a double or triple flash mode also increases the effectiveness of the signal. There were significant interactions between the alert variables used. The difference in perceived hazard levels for the colours blue and yellow were statistically non significant, but blue was more effective in conveying hazard message than yellow at the high flash rates. When accompanied with auditory alarms, blue and yellow were perceived to convey the same perception level of hazard as red without auditory alarms. The effect of colour on perceived hazard was also found to vary with flash mode. As compared to either visual signal alone or a visual signal with other types of acoustic alarms, a siren type of auditory alarm was found more effective for eliciting perception of hazards. There was evidence that presenting alerting signal in triple-flash mode and at high flash rate could be annoying and might not help improving hazard awareness.     

整装催化转化器中CO氧化的数值模拟

研究整装催化转化器中CO氧化的起燃过程.建立了起燃过程数学模型,通过数值计算,分析和讨论了起燃过程中温度的变化,气流性质和催化剂性质各种参数对转化器起燃性能的影响.结果表明,在起燃过程中,壁温峰值的位置逐渐向催化剂入口处移动;固相导热系数在反应点火前后对壁温峰值位置的影响不同;增大CO浓度、增大气体流速、降低气体温度会延迟催化剂的起燃;缩短催化剂长度、增大孔密度有利于起燃.参数分析有助于反应器的设计和建模.     

Examining driver behavior using data gathered from red light photo enforcement cameras

INTRODUCTION: To develop an effective driver assistance system that can prevent red light violations, it is important to have a thorough understanding of contributing factors and circumstances surrounding such violations. METHODS: Red light violation behavior was examined using about 47,000 violation records that were captured by photo enforcement cameras from 11 signalized intersections in the city of Sacramento, California, over a four-year period. This examination identified factors with strong correlation to red light running behavior. RESULTS: Key findings based on Sacramento's red light violation records include: (a) younger drivers showed a higher tendency of running the red light and were more likely to commit such a violation at speeds above the posted speed limit; (b) off-peak time period between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. had lower violation counts, but red light violators in this time frame had a higher propensity of racing through intersections at high speeds; (c) also during the time period between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., violators showed a higher probability of entering intersections two or more seconds after the onset of red light; and (d) violators were less likely to cross high traffic-volume intersections with speeds greater than the posted speed limit. DISCUSSION: Sacramento's data suggest that some red light violators might have committed such an offense unintentionally. The top three violation speeds were all below 20 mph and more than 94% of red light runners crossed intersections within 2 seconds after the onset of the red light. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: In the next several years, studies will be executed to assess whether a red light violation warning system can reduce "unintentional red light running" such as drivers who made incorrect judgment regarding the adequate time to clear the intersection and inattentive motorists who fail to observe the presence and status of the red light.     

光污染及其防治

对光污染问题作了介绍.光污染是一种新型的环境污染,它包括白亮污染、人工白昼和彩光污染.光污染具有极大的危害性,包括危害人体健康、生态破坏、增加交通事故、妨碍天文观测、给人们生活带来麻烦、浪费能源等.必须采取相应的措施积极预防,包括建立相关法律法规、加强建设规划和管理手段.     

滇池水体除藻材料的除藻作用试验研究

利用昆明地区的粘土矿制作新型轻质除藻材料,试验研究该材料对滇池湖水中藻类的除藻及净化作用.实验室小试(20 L)结果表明,该除藻材料放入滇池水样实验70 d后,水质明显好转,藻类去除率可达95.8%,CODMn、TN及TP的去除率分别为34.4%、81.5%、28.2%.在滇池湖边300 m2水面围栏扩大试验结果显示,除藻材料放入试验区水体10 d后,水体中藻类含量明显减少,水体透光率从55%增加到80%,水质状况也有很大改善.研究结果表明,该材料具有良好的湖泊水体除藻及净化作用,有必要对其开展进一步的深入研究.     

Red light: A novel,non-pharmacological intervention to promote alertness in shift workers

Introduction: Night work requires inversion of the natural, diurnal human activity-rest cycle and is associated with decreased alertness and some measures of performance, reduced safety, adverse health effects, and chronic disruption of the melatonin cycle that has been associated with increased risk for several major diseases. Previous studies show that red light exposures at night can promote alertness and improve performance while not negatively affecting melatonin secretion. Method: This ongoing crossover, mixed (within- and between-subjects) design field study is testing the efficacy and acceptance of red light delivered to day-shift and night-shift workers using personal light glasses while they are at work. Each participant experienced three lighting interventions at the eyes: red light (50 lx, 630 nm, the treatment intervention), blue light (50 lx, 460 nm, the positive control intervention), and dim white light (10 lx, 3,000 K, the placebo control). During the interventions, participants underwent visual performance testing, submitted salivary melatonin and cortisol samples, and provided subjective reports of sleepiness, sleep disturbance, and general health over the 20-week protocol. Due to the ongoing nature of the study, only the performance and subjective reports are presented here. Results: Preliminary results indicate that response times were improved by the red and blue interventions, but not accuracy and hit rates. Blue light was associated with improvements to self-reported sleep disturbances compared to dim light. Conclusions: These field results partially support our laboratory results that showed a positive effect of red light for promoting alertness and certain performance outcomes during the day and at night. Practical Applications: Red light may be used to improve response times in shift workers. Continued research will elucidate the lighting interventions’ effects on melatonin and objective sleep measures (actigraphy).     

不同碳源及光照对小球藻生长和产油脂的影响

考察了3种碳源(葡萄糖、NaHCO3和乙酸钠)在不同初始质量浓度和光照条件下对小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)生长和产油脂的影响。采用OD680和生物量来评价小球藻的生长情况;以溶剂浸提法提取生物油脂,并以油脂质量分数和油脂产量来描述产油脂特性。结果表明,经过9 d的培养,3种碳源中葡萄糖是最佳有机碳源。由其培养的小球藻生长速率最快,由NaHCO3培养的小球藻的生长效果不如葡萄糖,而乙酸钠不利于小球藻的生长。随着光照的增强,小球藻光合效率提高,生物量逐渐提高,5 000 lx最利于小球藻的生长,而1 600 lx最利于小球藻油脂的积累。研究表明,光照5 000 lx下,初始质量浓度为15 g/L的葡萄糖作为碳源是小球藻适宜的生长和产油条件,获得了3.17 g/L的最大生物量和1.025 g/L的最大油脂产量。     

表面隔油膜对轻质固体灭火剂隔热性能的影响

通过对自行研制的轻质固体灭火剂隔热性能的测试 ,研究了表面隔油膜对隔热性能的影响。发现表面膜的存在在一定程度上降低了灭火剂的隔热性能 ,但一定厚度的灭火剂的隔热性能能满足隔热灭火的需要     

基于C-OWA算子和证据理论的船舶夜航光环境安全评价

为了更好地保障船舶夜航安全,基于船舶夜航光环境的特殊性和船舶夜航的风险性,构建船舶夜航光环境证据理论评价模型。首先,建立以信号灯误导、眩光干扰、频闪污染、光导致疲劳等4个决策层为基础的船舶夜航光环境评价指标体系;其次,运用C-OWA算子处理专家对指标的决策数据,判断光环境对船舶夜航安全的影响程度;最后,将证据理论模型应用于大连大窑湾港的夜航光环境中。结果表明:该光环境安全性高,对船舶夜航安全的影响小。构建的模型为港口、航道以及其他船舶夜航光环境水域安全评价提供了一定的参考依据。     

Influence of light zones on drivers' visual fixation characteristics and traffic safety in extra-long tunnels

Objective: Special light zone is a new illumination technique that promises to improve the visual environment and improve traffic safety in extra-long tunnels. The purpose of this study is to identify how light zones affect the dynamic visual characteristics and information perception of drivers as they pass through extra-long tunnels on highways.

Methods: Thirty-two subjects were recruited for this study, and fixation data were recorded using eye movement tracking devices. A back-propagation artificial neural network was employed to predict and analyze the influence of special light zones on the variations in the fixation duration and pupil area of drivers. The analytic coordinates of focus points at different light zones were clustered to obtain different visual fixation regions using dynamic cluster theory.

Results: The findings of this study indicated that the special light zones had different influences on fixation duration and pupil area compared to other sections. Drivers gradually changed their fixation points from a scattered pattern to a narrow and zonal distribution that mainly focused on the main visual area at the center, the road just ahead, and the right side of the main visual area while approaching the special light zones. The results also showed that the variation in illumination and landscape in light zones was more important than driving experience to yield changes in visual cognition and driving behavior.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that the special light zones can help relieve drivers' vision fatigue to some extent and further develop certain visual stimulus that can enhance drivers' attention. The study would provide a scientific basis for safety measurement implementation in extra-long tunnels.     

The Crash Compatibility of Cars and Light Trucks

This paper investigates the compatibility of cars, light trucks, and vans (LTVs) involved in traffic crashes. An analysis of U.S. crash statistics shows that, although LTVs currently account for approximately one–third of registered U.S. passenger vehicles, collisions between cars and LTVs account for over one–half of all fatalities in light vehicle–to–vehicle crashes. In these crashes, 81 percent of the fatally injured are found to be occupants of the car. These statistics suggest that LTVs and passenger cars are incompatible in traffic crashes, and that LTVs are the more aggressive of the two vehicle classes. The fundamental incompatibility between cars and LTVs is observed even when the analysis is restricted to collisions between vehicles of model year 1990 or later - indicating that, despite the availability of newer safety countermeasures, e.g., airbags, the incompatibility between cars and LTVs will persist in future fleets. Through examination of crash test results, field crash statistics, and vehicle measurements, the paper explores the design imbalances between cars and LTVs, e.g., mass, stiffness, and geometry, which lead to these severe crash incompatibilities.     

芳纶1414在光辐射下的安全化研究进展

芳纶1414是重要的高性能芳香族聚酰胺纤维且在个体防护领域应用非常广泛,但在光老化作用下力学性能下降非常明显,从而影响其使用寿命。本文从耐光性研究、耐光性能评价方法、耐光防护三个方面综述了芳纶1414在光辐射下的稳定性和安全化研究进展。耐光性研究方面,国内外对于芳纶1414在光辐射下的损伤机理的解释,尚难达成一致;耐光性能评价方法方面,现有的评价方法不能直观地反映出光老化作用对织物实际性能的影响情况,从防弹性能的保留率角度对其耐光性能进行评价是未来研究的方向;耐光防护方面,溶胶-凝胶法是目前应用最为广泛的织物抗光老化整理方法,但该法也仅限于对芳纶织物表面处理,对里层纤维的紫外防护有限,如何提高芳纶织物整体抗紫外性能需进一步深入研究。