Effects of head restraint and seat redesign on neck injury risk in rear-end crashes

Automobile insurance claims were examined to determine the rates of neck injuries in rear-end crashes for vehicles with and without redesigned head restraints, redesigned seats, or both. Results indicate that the improved geometric fit of head restraints observed in many newer vehicle models are reducing the risk of whiplash injury substantially among female drivers (about 37% in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable), but have very little effect among male drivers. New seat designs, such as active head restraints that move upward and closer to drivers' heads during a rear impact, give added benefit, producing about a 43% reduction in whiplash injury claims (55% reduction among female drivers). Estimated effects of Volvo's Whiplash Injury Prevention System and Toyota's Whiplash Injury Lessening design were based on smaller samples and were not statistically significant.     

Impact of rest-break interventions on the neck and shoulder posture of symptomatic VDU operators during prolonged computer work

There is limited research on the effects of different types of rest-break interventions for visual display unit (VDU) operators on neck and shoulder postures. This study examined the effect of rest-break interventions on the neck and shoulder postures of symptomatic VDU operators during prolonged computer work. Thirty subjects were randomly and equally assigned to breaks with stretching, breaks with dynamic movement and passive breaks. Subjects performed the typing task for 60 min and received 3-min breaks after 20 min of work. The craniovertebral and forward shoulder angles were obtained from a 3D motion analysis system. Results showed that there were no significant differences in the craniovertebral and forward shoulder angles among any types of rest breaks. It can be concluded that the three types of rest-break interventions had positive effects on neck and shoulder posture during prolonged computer terminal work.     

Influence of seat foam and geometrical properties on BioRID P3 kinematic response to rear impacts

As the primary interface with the human body during rear impact, the automotive seat holds great promise for mitigation of Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD). Recent research has chronicled the potential influence of both seat geometrical and constitutive properties on occupant dynamics and injury potential. Geometrical elements such as reduced head to head restraint, rearward offset, and increased head restraint height have shown strong correlation with reductions in occupant kinematics. The stiffness and energy absorption of both the seating foam and the seat infrastructure are also influential on occupant motion; however, the trends in injury mitigation are not as clear as for the geometrical properties. It is of interest to determine whether, for a given seat frame and infrastructure, the properties of the seating foam alone can be tailored to mitigate WAD potential. Rear impact testing was conducted using three model year 2000 automotive seats (Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet S-10 pickup, and Pontiac Grand Prix), using the BioRID P3 anthropometric rear impact dummy. Each seat was distinct in construction and geometry. Each seat back was tested with various foams (i.e., standard, viscoelastic, low or high density). Seat geometries and infrastructures were constant so that the influence of the seating foams on occupant dynamics could be isolated. Three tests were conducted on each foam combination for a given seat (total of 102 tests), with a nominal impact severity of Delta V = 11 km/h (nominal duration of 100 msec). The seats were compared across a host of occupant kinematic variables most likely to be associated with WAD causation. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between seat back foams for tests within any given seat. However, seat comparisons yielded several significant differences (p < 0.05). The Camaro seat was found to result in several significantly different occupant kinematic variables when compared to the other seats. No significant differences were found between the Grand Prix and S-10 seats. Seat geometrical characteristics obtained from the Head Restraint Measuring Device (HRMD) showed good correlation with several occupant variables. It appears that for these seats and foams the head-to-head restraint horizontal and vertical distances are overwhelmingly more influential on occupant kinematics and WAD potential than the local foam properties within a given seat.     

Head injuries in airbag-equipped motor vehicles with special emphasis on AIS 1 and 2 facial and loss of consciousness injuries

OBJECTIVES: Safety of the airbag supplemental restraint system (airbag) is a well-known concern. Although many lives are saved each year through airbag use, injuries continue to occur, especially to the head. Airbag safety research has focused primarily on severe injuries, while minor and moderate injuries have been largely ignored. METHODS: In this study, 205,977 injury cases from the 1995 to 2001 National Automotive Sampling System (NASS)/ Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) were surveyed to determine the prevalence of AIS 1 and 2 facial and brain loss of consciousness (LOC) injuries and determine if these injuries are a concern. The query was focused on frontal impacts in vehicles equipped with airbags. Only occupants wearing appropriate seatbelts were included in this study so that the airbag would provide occupant protection under optimal conditions. Of the 205,977 injury cases studied, 2.4% met this criterion. RESULTS: From the data gathered, the trends seem to indicate an increase in these specific injuries, both in terms of the total number and the proportion to all injury cases. In 1995, AIS 1 and 2 head injuries accounted for 96.5% of all head injuries caused by airbags. By 2001, the percentage had risen 3.0% to 99.5%. Injuries occurring in vehicles equipped with first-generation versus second generation airbags were compared, and data seem to suggest that there is a higher rate of minor and moderate head injuries when occupants are in second-generation airbag-equipped vehicles, even when appropriate lap and shoulder belts are used. CONCLUSIONS: The short timeframe surveyed prevents drawing meaningful conclusions about statistical significance, but the graphical representations of the data in this study underscore an urgent need for further investigation based on current trends in order to understand the issue of minor and moderate head injury prevention in regard to airbags.     

Influence of age-related stature on the frequency of body region injury and overall injury severity in child pedestrian casualties

OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to evaluate the influence of age-related stature on the frequency of body region injury and overall injury severity in children involved in pedestrian versus motor vehicle collisions (PMVCs). METHODS: A trauma registry including the coded injuries sustained by 1,590 1- to 15-year-old pedestrian casualties treated at a level-one trauma center was categorized by stature-related age (1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-15 years) and body region (head and face, neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvic content, thoracic and lumbar spine, upper extremities, pelvis, and lower extremities). The lower extremity category was further divided into three sub-structures (thigh, leg, and knee). For each age group and body region/sub-structure the proportion of casualties with at least one injury was then determined at given Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) severity levels. In addition, the average and distribution of the Maximum Abbreviated Injury Score (MAIS) and the average Injury Severity Score (ISS) were determined for each age group. The calculated proportions, averages, and distributions were then compared between age groups using appropriate significance tests. RESULTS: The overall outcome showed relatively minor variation between age groups, with the average +/- SD MAIS and ISS ranging from 2.3 +/- 0.9 to 2.5 +/- 1.0 and 8.2 +/- 7.2 to 9.4 +/- 8.9, respectively. The subjects in the 1- to 3-year-old age group were more likely to sustain injury to the head, face, and torso regions than the older subjects. The frequency of AIS 2+ lower extremity injury was approximately 20% in the 1- to 3-year-old group, but was twice as high in the 4- to 12-years age range and 2.5 times as high in the oldest age group. The frequency of femur fracture increased from 10% in the youngest group to 26% in the 4- to 6-year-old group and then declined to 14% in the 10- to 15-years age range. The frequency of tibia/fibula fracture increased monotonically with group age from 8% in the 1- to 3-year-old group to 31% in the 13- to 15-year-old group. CONCLUSIONS: While the overall outcome of child pedestrian casualties appears to be relatively constant across the pediatric stature range considered ( approximately 74-170 cm), subject height seems to affect the frequency of injury to individual body regions, including the thorax and lower extremities. This suggests that vehicle safety designers need not only account for the difference in injury patterns between adult and pediatric pedestrian casualties, but also for the variation within the pediatric group.     

Analysis of risk factors affecting driver injury and crash injury with drivers under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and non-DUI

Objective: The objective of this research was to study risk factors that significantly influence the severity of crashes for drivers both under and not under the influence of alcohol.

Methods: Ordinal logistic regression was applied to analyze a crash data set involving drivers under and not under the influence of alcohol in China from January 2011 to December 2014.

Results: Four risk factors were found to be significantly associated with the severity of driver injury, including crash partner and intersection type. Age group was found to be significantly associated with the severity of crashes involving drivers under the influence of alcohol. Crash partner, intersection type, lighting conditions, gender, and time of day were found to be significantly associated with severe driver injuries, the last of which was also significantly associated with severe crashes involving drivers not under the influence of alcohol.

Conclusions: This study found that pedestrian involvement decreases the odds of severe driver injury when a driver is under the influence of alcohol, with a relative risk of 0.05 compared to the vehicle-to-vehicle group. The odds of severe driver injury at T-intersections were higher than those for traveling along straight roads. Age was shown to be an important factor, with drivers 50–60 years of age having higher odds of being involved in severe crashes compared to 20- to 30-year-olds when the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

When the driver was not under the influence of alcohol, drivers suffered more severe injuries between midnight and early morning compared to early nighttime. The vehicle-to-motorcycle and vehicle-to-pedestrian groups experienced less severe driver injuries, and vehicle collisions with fixed objects exhibited higher odds of severe driver injury than did vehicle-to-vehicle impacts. The odds of severe driver injury at cross intersections were 0.29 compared to travel along straight roads. The odds of severe driver injury when street lighting was not available at night were 3.20 compared to daylight. The study indicated that female drivers are more likely to experience severe injury than male drivers when not under the influence of alcohol. Crashes between midnight and early morning exhibited higher odds of severe injury compared to those occurring at other times of day.

The identification of risk factors and a discussion on the odds ratio between levels of the impact of the driver injury and crash severity may benefit road safety stakeholders when developing initiatives to reduce the severity of crashes.     

Chest injuries of elderly postmortem human surrogates (PMHSs) under seat belt and airbag loading in frontal sled impacts: Comparison to matching THOR tests

Abstract

Objective: The goal of the study was to develop experimental chest loading conditions that would cause up to Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2 chest injuries in elderly occupants in moderate-speed frontal crashes. The new set of experimental data was also intended to be used in the benchmark of existing thoracic injury criteria in lower-speed collision conditions.

Methods: Six male elderly (age >63) postmortem human subjects (PMHS) were exposed to a 35?km/h (nominal) frontal sled impact. The test fixture consisted of a rigid seat, rigid footrest, and cable seat back. Two restraint conditions (A and B) were compared. Occupants were restrained by a force-limited (2.5?kN [A] and 2?kN [B]) seat belt and a preinflated (16?kPa [A] and 11?kPa [B]; airbag). Condition B also incorporated increased seat friction. Matching sled tests were carried out with the THOR-M dummy. Infra-red telescoping rod for the assessment of chest compression (IRTRACC) readings were used to compute chest injury risk. PMHSs were exposed to a posttest injury assessment. Tests were carried out in 2 stages, using the outcome of the first one combined with a parametric study using the THUMS model to adjust the test conditions in the second. All procedures were approved by the relevant ethics board.

Results: Restraint condition A resulted in an unexpected high number of rib fractures (fx; 10, 14, 15 fx). Under condition B, the adjustment of the relative airbag/occupant position combined with a lower airbag pressure and lower seat belt load limit resulted in a reduced pelvic excursion (85 vs. 110?mm), increased torso pitch and a substantially lower number of rib fractures (1, 0, 4 fx) as intended.

Conclusions: The predicted risk of rib fractures provided by the THOR dummy using the C_max and PC Score injury criteria were lower than the actual injuries observed in the PMHS tests (especially in restraint condition A). However, the THOR dummy was capable of discriminating between the 2 restraint scenarios. Similar results were obtained in the parametric study with the THUMS model.     

Peculiar effect of acylamino and cyan groups on thermal behavior of 2-(1-cyano-1-methylethyl)azocarboxamide

2-(1-Cyano-1-methylethyl)azocarboxamide (CABN) is a representative of new-type azo initiator in the radical polymerization industry. The peculiar water and oil soluble characters make it a versatile rising star for the industry to initiate the polymerization of monomers in either polar or nonpolar solvents based continuous phases. This paper decodes the effect of acylamino and cyan groups on thermal stability and hazards of CABN via advanced thermokinetic analysis and numerical simulation. Initially, simultaneous thermogravimetric analyzer was employed to evaluate the thermal stability of CABN and its two structurally similar azo compounds (azos), azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and azodicarbonamide (AC). Followed with calorimetric experiments by differential scanning calorimetry, the effect of two functional groups on thermal behavior parameters, such as decomposition temperature, melting point, and heat of decomposition was estimated. The results indicated that the acylamino group can improve the thermal stability of CABN but with bulkier heat release. Ultimately, through the medium of thermokinetic analysis, the thermal hazard of AIBN, CABN, and AC was simulated based on auto-ignition and thermal explosion theory. The research results would provide references for the synthesis of new-type azo initiators and process safety parameters to the polymerization industry.     

Modelling the relationship of driver license and offense history with fatal and serious injury (FSI) crash involvement

Introduction: Previous research has indicated that increases in traffic offenses are linked to increased crash involvement rates, making reductions in offending an appropriate measure for evaluating road safety interventions in the short-term. However, the extent to which traffic offending predicts fatal and serious injury (FSI) crash involvement risk is not well established, prompting this new Victorian (Australia) study. Method: A preliminary cluster analysis was performed to describe the offense data and assess FSI crash involvement risk for each cluster. While controlling demographic and licensing variables, the key traffic offenses that predict future FSI crash involvement were then identified. The large sample size allowed the use of machine learning methods such as random forests, gradient boosting, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. This was done for the ‘all driver’ sample and five sometimes overlapping groups of drivers; the young, the elderly, and those with a motorcycle license, a heavy vehicle license endorsement and/or a history of license bans. Results: With the exception of the group of drivers who had a history of bans, offense history significantly improved the accuracy of models predicting future FSI crash involvement using demographic and licensing data, suggesting that traffic offenses may be an important factor to consider when analyzing FSI crash involvement risk and the effects of road safety countermeasures. Conclusions: The results are helpful for identifying driver groups to target with further road safety countermeasures, and for showing that machine learning methods have an important role to play in research of this nature. Practical Application: This research indicates with whom road safety interventions should particularly be applied. Changes to driver demerit policies to better target offenses related to FSI crash involvement and repeat traffic offenders, who are at greater risk of FSI crash involvement, are recommended.     

地铁换乘车站客流疏运模拟及风险分析（1）-T型车站

地铁系统日常运行时承载着大规模客流,特别是地铁换乘车站,应对的是两条或者更多条线路客流的集聚和换乘,突发大客流容易造成运营安全事故。文章针对地铁客流疏运的宏观疏运组织和微观个体行为的耦合过程。分析提出了换乘车站大客流疏运风险分析的基本要素和步骤,并给出了疏运风险分析方法及需要关注的主要指标。基于智能个体和矢量空间模拟技术,建立了地铁大客流疏运模拟方法。结合某T型地铁换乘车站,对地铁换乘的客流运动过程进行了模拟仿真,分析了空间使用率、乘客滞留情况、空间人员瞬时密度、换乘时间和换乘距离等指标,辨识了客流高风险位置。文章提出的模拟方法和结论可为国内外类似车站制定客流组织方案及通道设计提供参考。     

钙钛矿型复合氧化物用于汽车尾气催化净化的研究进展(一)

综述了钙钛矿型汽车催化剂的研究进展.和过渡金属简单氧化物相比,钙钛矿型复合氧化物(ABO3)在热稳定性、化学稳定性和结构稳定性方面具有一定的优越性,因而表现出更高的催化活性.在满足容限因子的条件下,有多种元素可以形成钙钛矿结构的化合物.通常,B位离子决定了钙钛矿型化合物的催化活性,A位离子是影响化合物结构和B位离子价态的重要因素.当A位离子或B位离子被不同价态的离子取代时,通过形成氧离子空穴或者形成混合价态来保持化合物的电中性.氧空穴的形成或B位离子价态的变化使得化合物具有更高的活性.贵金属和钙钛矿型化合物结合,不仅可以有效防止贵金属的烧结,同时也提高了钙钛矿型化合物的催化活性.     

基于GM（1，N）灰模型预测企业主动性安全投入

本文基于GM（1,N）灰模型对企业主动性安全投入总量进行预测,研究把企业安全整体情况或整体表现作为一个“灰系统”对待时,依据该系统的特征量,来对企业主动性安全投入进行预测,为我国企业进行安全投入时提供决策依据。     

从南方雪灾谈我国应急管理的未来发展

2008年新年伊始,我国南方大部分地区出现了建国以来罕见的低温、雨雪和冰冻天气,给人民群众的生产、生活造成了极大的影响。这场灾害导致灾区基础设施遭受严重的破坏,对中国煤电油运的综合保障能力提出了严峻的挑战,打乱了社会经济的正常运行秩序。我们必须科学地认识此次灾害的性质与特点,认真汲取经验和教训,提高我国应急管理的能力和水平。     

优化GM(1,N)模型在交通噪声预测中的应用和精度分析

背景值是影响GM(1,N)模型模拟精度和预测精度的重要因素.传统灰色系统多因素GM (1,N)模型对背景值采用梯形法求积,误差较大.为了提高GM(1,N)模型的精度,基于数值分析中的逼近思想,采用数值积分中的Newton-Cores公式和Gauss-Legendre公式对背景值进行修正求积.理论分析表明该方法能够有效地提高模型的预测精度.然后将经过优化的GM(1,N)模型应用到城市道路交通噪声的预测上,模型预测值的平均误差从2.913％降低到了1.108％.应用实例表明优化后的GM(1,N)模型精度比原始GM(1,1)模型精度有较大提高,验证了该优化方法的实用性和有效性,且该方法为提高模型的预测精度提供了新的途径.     

时间因素对钻屑瓦斯解吸指标K1值测定的影响分析

针对时间因素对钻屑瓦斯解吸指标K1测定结果的影响,采用恒温瓦斯放散试验深入分析钻屑瓦斯解吸指标K1测定理论的准确性,总结因时间因素导致K1值测定误差所带来的现场问题。研究结果表明:K1值的测定误差与时间关系密切,测定启动时间越晚,误差越大;测定启动时间由第1 min延后至第2 min,绝对误差和相对误差最大值分别增加0.081 cm3/(g·min1/2)和2.20%;高瓦斯压力条件矿井或煤层的局部高瓦斯压力区域、构造煤发育区的钻屑瓦斯解吸指标K1值测定结果偏低,测定误差偏大。研究结果可为煤与瓦斯突出预测水平的提升提供技术支撑。     

基于B样条曲线的GM(2,1)动态组合预测模型应用

突发事件具有较强的随机性,且在对某类突发事件的预测研究过程中,往往会出现研究数据样本少或数据缺失的情况。运用工程技术中3次B样条插值和GM(2,1)预测模型对这种情况进行分析、研究,建立基于3次B样条曲线的GM(2,1)动态组合预测模型,在高质量弥补数据缺失的同时,也使预测结果体现局部动态性和全局性的特点。运用该模型对广东省雷电灾害指数进行实证分析,结果显示,预测结果的等级误判率为11%,2010年的灾害指数等级预测区划分布结果与实际情况相吻合。     

Influence of new generic frequencies on the QRA calculations for land use planning purposes in Walloon region (Belgium)

In Europe, the article 12 of the “Seveso” Directive focuses on land use planning (LUP) around major hazard plants and imposes to keep a sufficient distance between a major hazard plant and populated areas. In Belgium, the LUP is treated at the regional level. The regional authority defines the policy and manages the LUP according to the quantified risk. The quantified external risk, around each Seveso company in the Walloon Region, is assessed by a unique technical expert, the Faculté Polytechnique de Mons, by means of a full probabilistic approach (QRA). This QRA methodology uses accident generic frequencies published by the Flemish Region (Aminal, 2004). In 2009-2010, the quantification of the external risk of the 90 walloon Seveso plants will be completed, based on this set of generic frequencies. However, the Flemish Region recently published a new set of generic frequencies (LNE, 2009), which, in some cases, are quite different of the previous ones for some equipment. This paper discusses the influence of the new frequency data on the quantified risk. An overview of the changes induced by the new set of data will be presented, as well as their impact on the already defined "consultation zones" in which decisions are made concerning the compatibility of the land use and the intensity of risk.     

煤矿事故预测的马尔可夫SCGM(1,1)c模型的建立与应用

煤矿安全是煤矿生产的重要保障,煤矿事故预测是煤矿安全评价和决策的基础。结合灰色SCGM(1,1)_c预测模型和马尔可夫链理论的优点,根据煤矿生产的特殊条件,提出了基于马尔可夫链的SCGM(1,1)_c预测模型。首先利用灰色SCGM(1,1)_c预测模型对我国1990—2010年的煤矿事故百万t死亡率进行初次预测,然后根据初次预测结果,利用残差模型对SCGM(1,1)_c模型预测结果进行修正。最后在修正模型的基础上,运用马尔可夫SCGM(1,1)_c模型对我国2011—2013年煤矿事故百万t死亡率进行了预测,并对两种模型的预测误差进行了对比分析。结果表明,马尔可夫SCGM(1,1)_c预测模型既能揭示煤矿事故百万t死亡率变化的总体趋势,又能克服随机波动性数据对预测精度的影响,具有较强的工程实用性。     

基于灰色系统GM(1,N)模型的高炉炉尘量的预测

应用灰色系统GM(1,N)模型对高炉冶炼时产生的炉尘量进行预报,以等维新息建模方式建模,同时结合GM(1,N)残差模型对预测值进行修正,以提高预测精度,使相对误差小于3％的命中率达到83．6％,给生产提供相关技术支持,以通过具体操作来达到固体废物减量化的目的。