基于存活概率的动态车龄分布模型

城市车辆的年龄组成(简称车龄分布)是体现城市车辆老化程度和确定车辆报废年限的重要指标.目前已有的车龄分布算法要求数据量大,在我国大部分城市很难得到完整的数据.笔者提出一种符合威布尔分布的车辆存活概率算法.该算法根据车辆保有量数据和报废车辆总数(或新车数据)推导出各年的车龄分布,且能够动态预测将来年份的车龄分布.同时,利用北京市小客数据对算法进行了实例应用,证明该法的实用可行性.由于该算法所需数据量小,计算简便,特别适用于我国在用车统计不完备的地区,利用该算法根据有限的数据来推导出当地的车龄分布,具有通用性.该算法的有效性检验和敏感度分析需进一步研究.     

Efficacy of wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation

Empirical evidence for the benefit of so-called wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation, requiring drivers to use vehicle headlamps when windshield wipers are on, is nonexistent. An evaluation of fatal, multi-vehicle crashes during daytime and nighttime in clear and rainy weather was made, for states in the US that have recently enacted such legislation, and for which crash data are available. Results indicate a statistically reliable reduction in the incidence of fatal, multi-vehicle crashes during daytime in these states relative to nighttime, when headlamp use would not be expected to differ before and after enactment of wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation.     

Body-pillar vision obstructions and lane-change crashes

INTRODUCTION: This exploratory study investigated the relationship between vision obstructions from body pillars and lane-change crashes. METHODS: The vision obstructions were quantified by measuring, from the driver's perspective, the horizontal angular sizes and locations of the driver-side A-, B-, and C-pillars. The sample consisted of 21 vehicle models, including 13 passenger cars, 6 SUVs, 1 minivan, and 1 pickup truck. To control for driver differences, going-straight crashes were used for comparison, with the dependent variable being the ratio of lane-change crashes to going-straight crashes. The analysis used North Carolina crash data. RESULTS: The results of a multiple regression indicate that the relative frequency of lane-change crashes tended to increase with both wider A-pillars and with A-pillars located farther away from straight ahead. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The finding supports the hypothesis that visibility obstructions due to A-pillars have safety implications.     

The effects of daylight saving time on vehicle crashes in Minnesota

Introduction: Daylight saving time (DST), implemented as an energy saving policy, impacts many other aspects of life; one is road safety. Based on vehicle crash data in Minnesota from 2001 to 2007, this paper evaluates long- and short-term effects of DST on daily vehicle crashes. Method: To provide evidence to explain the causes of more/fewer crashes in DST, we examine the impact of DST on crashes in four periods of a day: 3 a.m.-9 a.m., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 3 p.m.-9 p.m., 9 p.m.-midnight. The effects of risk and exposure to traffic are also separated. Our statistical models not only include weather conditions and dummy variables for days in DST as independent variables, but also consider traffic volumes on major roads in different periods of a day. Our major finding is that the short-term effect of DST on crashes on the morning of the first DST is not statistically significant. Moreover, it is interesting to notice that while DST per se is associated with fewer crashes during dusk, this is in part offset because it is also associated with more traffic on roads (and hence more crashes). Our path analysis shows that overall DST reduces crashes. Impact on industry: Daylight saving time can lead to fewer crashes on roads by providing better visibility for drivers.     

A study on chest injury mechanism and the effectiveness of a headform impact test for pedestrian chest protection from vehicle collisions

This study was aimed at investigating the injury mechanism of pedestrian chests in collisions with passenger vehicles of various frontal shapes and examining the influence of the local structural stiffness on the chest injury risk by using the headform impact test at the chest contact area of the vehicle. Three simulations of vehicle to pedestrian collisions were conducted using three validated pedestrian finite element (FE) models of three pedestrian heights of 177 (AM50th), 165 and 150 cm and three FE vehicles models representing a one-box vehicle, a minicar and a medium car. The validity of the vehicle models was evaluated by comparing the headform acceleration against the measured responses from headform impact tests. The chest impact kinematics and the injury mechanisms were analyzed in terms of the distribution of the von Mises stress of the ribcage and in terms of the chest deflections. The chest contact locations on the front panel and the bonnet top were identified in connection to the causation of rib fractures. The risk of rib fractures was predicted by using the von Mises stress distribution. The headform impact tests were carried out at the chest contact area on the front panel and bonnet to examine the safety performance with respect to pedestrian chest protection. In simulations of the one-box vehicle to pedestrian collisions, the chest was struck directly by the frontal structure at a high velocity and deformed substantially, since a shear force was generated by the stiff windshield frame. The acceleration of the headform was related to the rib deflections. The injury threshold of the ribcage deflection (42 mm) corresponded to the headform average acceleration of 68 G. In the minicar collision, the chest was struck with the bonnet top and cowl area at a low velocity, and the deformation was small due to the distributed contact force between the chest and the bonnet top. Besides, the ribcage deformation was too small for bridging a relation between the headform accelerations and rib deflections. In the medium car collision, the deformation mode of the chest was similar to that in the minicar collision. The chest collided with the bonnet top at a low velocity and deformed uniformly. The deflection of the ribs had an observable correlation with the headform accelerations measured in the headform impact tests. The frontal shape of a vehicle has a large influence on a pedestrian’s chest loadings, and the chest deformation depends on the size of the pedestrian and the stiffness of the vehicle. The one-box passenger vehicle causes a high chest injury risk. The headform impactor test can be utilized for the evaluation of the local stiffness of a vehicle’s frontal structure. The reduction of the headform acceleration is an effective measure for pedestrian chest protection for specific shapes of vehicles by efficacy in modifying the local structural stiffness.     

Do NHTSA vehicle safety ratings affect side impact crash outcomes?

Introduction: Side impact crash injuries tend to be severe, mainly due to the effects of the mechanism of such crashes. This study addresses the relationship between side impact crash injury severities and side impact safety ratings of the passenger cars involved in such crashes. It is motivated by the lack of research on side impact safety ratings in relation to the real-world crash outcomes. Method: Analysis of Crashworthiness Data System’s (CDS) data show the head and thorax are the most common regions of impact of severe injuries, while the neck is the least. Irrespective of body regions, higher-rated vehicles were found to provide better occupant protection to both younger and older driver age groups. Assessment based on injury severity score (ISS) indicates that higher-rated vehicles have an overall lower average ISS compared to lower-rated vehicles. Results: Ultimately, this study shows that vehicles rated with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new criteria had lower average ISS compared to vehicles rated under the old criteria. The 2011 NHTSA side impact rating criteria being relatively new, it has very few crashes to draw meaningful statistically significant conclusions. However, this paper establishes the fact that vehicles with higher star ratings (under experimental conditions) indeed offer increased occupant protection in the field conditions. Practical applications: Previous studies have found that safety was given priority while buying new vehicles. However, people associated vehicle safety with technologies and specific safety features rather than the vehicle’s crash test results or ratings (Koppel, Charlton, Fildes, & Fitzharris, 2008). The results from this study provide a point of reference for safety advocates to educate the drivers about the importance of considering vehicle safety ratings during a vehicle purchase.     

Road accident fatality risks for “vulnerable” versus “protected” road users in northern Ghana

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a serious epidemic that claims more than a million lives across the globe each year. The burden of RTIs is particularly pronounced in Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. The unfavorable disparity of the burden of road trauma in the world is largely attributable to unsafe vehicles, lack of appropriate road infrastructure, and the predominance of vulnerable road users (VRUs) in developing countries. However, little research exists in northern Ghana to highlight the scale and risk of death among road users.

Objective: The objective of this research was to establish the relative risk of death among road users in northern Ghana.

Methods: Crash data from police reports between 2007 and 2011 were analyzed for the Upper Regions of Ghana. Conditional probabilities and multivariable logistic regression techniques were used to report proportions and adjusted odds ratios (AORs), respectively.

Results: Generally, crashes in northern Ghana were extremely severe; that is, 35% of all injury related collisions were fatal. The proportion of fatal casualties ranged between 21% among victims of sideswipe collisions and 41% among pedestrians and victims of rear-end collisions. Though males were 6 times more likely to die than females overall, females were more likely to die as pedestrians (90% of all female casualty deaths) and males were more likely to die as riders/drivers (78% of all male casualty deaths). Pedestrians were 3 times more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] = 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4 to 4.1) compared with drivers/riders. Compared with drivers, the odds of death among cyclists was about 4 times higher (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI, 2.3 to 5.6) and about 2 times higher among motorcyclists (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.2). Compared with casualties aged between 30 and 59 years, children under 10 years and those aged 60 years and above were independently 2 times more likely to die in traffic collisions.

Conclusion: Provision of requisite road infrastructure is vital for the safety of VRUs in northern Ghana. Cycle paths and lanes (for cyclists) as well as sidewalks (for pedestrians) in particular will separate VRUs from motorists and improve their safety. Enforcement of traffic laws particularly regarding helmet use, speeding, and alcohol use will be beneficial. Introduction of the demerit points system in the enforcement of traffic regulations may have significant deterrent effects on road users who have the penchant for violating traffic regulations. Road safety education is also required to create responsible road users.     

人员非均匀分布条件下的疏散引导方向优化算法研究

在紧急疏散中,疏散引导标识或疏散引导人能够帮助人员快速找到最近出口,有效减少疏散时间。疏散引导标识或人的引导方向一般是根据建筑布局情况预先进行设计,当前位置的引导方向指向最近的疏散出口。本文综合考虑了建筑布局及人员分布情况,提出了人员非均匀分布条件下的疏散引导方向优化算法。该算法以Togawa疏散时间经验公式作为估价函数,通过多次迭代的方法,求解疏散引导方向的优化值。以双出口的疏散场景为例,利用疏散软件Legion对优化前后疏散引导方向下的疏散时间进行了比较分析。结果表明,优化后的疏散引导方向能够引导人员充分利用疏散出口,疏散时间较仅考虑建筑布局所设计的疏散引导方向的模拟值降低了近四分之一,大大提高了疏散效率。     

西安市PM2.5污染的时空分布

为探索PM2.5的分布规律及其影响因素,对2013年西安市13个监测站点的全年ρ(PM2.5)数据进行了统计与整理.分析了ρ(PM2.5)的时空分布,采用聚类分析、小波变换研究了ρ(PM2.5)的区域分布特征与年际变化及突变特征,并对相关因素进行了探讨.结果表明,西安市ρ(PM2.5)在时间分布上具有冬高夏低的特点,而在空间分布上则以市人民体育场和草滩监测点所在区域为ρ(PM2.5)高值中心;ρ(PM2.5)在空间上可分为3大类,纺织城监测点单独为1类,经开区与草滩监测点为2类,另外10个监测点为3类,聚类效果的相关系数为0.7994,显示聚类效果较好;在ρ(PM2.5)年际变化中,除了6月和7月以外,其他月份ρ(PM2.5)均值为147.29 μg/m3,日照时间短和静风是导致ρ(PM2.5)发生突变的主要气象因素.     

基于时空分布特征的煤层瓦斯测压准确性研究

为获得真实可靠的现场实测煤层瓦斯压力,实现煤层突出灾害等级科学评价和精准防治,通过理论分析、数值模拟和现场验证相结合的方法,以双重孔隙介质为基础,根据煤层瓦斯流动模型和瓦斯压力恢复曲线,分析煤层瓦斯压力测定的时空分布及准确性,并以桃园煤矿Ⅱ1采区10煤层为例,开展工程验证.研究结果表明:当基质瓦斯压力与裂隙瓦斯压力处于...     

The effects of minimum legal drinking age 21 laws on alcohol-related driving in the United States

Objective

To examine trends in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related crashes among people younger than 21 in the United States and to review evidence on the effects of minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws.

Methods

Trends in alcohol-related crashes and alcohol consumption among young people were examined, and studies on the effects of lowering and raising the drinking age were reviewed.

Results

MLDA laws underwent many changes during the 20th century in the United States. Since July 1988, the MLDA has been 21 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Surveys tracking alcohol consumption among high school students and young adults found that drinking declined since the late 1970 s, and most of the decline occurred by the early 1990 s. These were the years when states were establishing, or reinstating, a MLDA-21. Among fatally injured drivers ages 16-20, the percentage with positive BACs declined from 61% in 1982 to 31% in 1995, a bigger decline than for older age groups; declines occurred among the ages directly affected by raising MLDAs (ages 18-20) and among young teenagers not directly affected (ages 16-17). Almost all studies designed specifically to gauge the effects of drinking age changes show MLDAs of 21 reduce drinking, problematic drinking, drinking and driving, and alcohol-related crashes among young people. Yet many underage people still drink, many drink and drive, and alcohol remains an important risk factor in serious crashes of young drivers, especially as they progress through the teenage years. Stepped-up enforcement of MLDA and drinking and driving laws can reduce underage drinking. Recent efforts to lower MLDAs to 18 and issue licenses to drink upon completion of alcohol education have gained local and national media attention. There is no evidence that alcohol education can even partially replace the effect of MLDA-21.

Conclusions

The cause and effect relationship between MLDAs of 21 and reductions in highway crashes is clear. Initiatives to lower the drinking age to 18 ignore the demonstrated public health benefits of MLDAs of 21.

Impact on Industry

Lowering the drinking age to 18 will increase highway crash deaths among young people.     

基于事故死亡弹性和云模型的危化企业事故时空分布及其致因分析

为客观反映某一地区的本质化安全程度,运用事故死亡弹性指标和云模型,探究危险化学品企业事故的时空分布规律及其致因。基于既有统计指标,提出兼顾事故起数、死亡人数的评估指标(事故死亡弹性);将事故死亡弹性视为不确定性概念,采用云模型分析2000—2011年山东省危化品企业事故时空分布的均匀性和稳定性,并分析事故的直接原因。结果表明:在时间尺度上,4月份事故严重程度最高,且分布呈现很大的不稳定性,6月份事故严重程度最低,12月份事故严重度分布最为稳定;在空间尺度上,鲁西南地区事故严重程度分布不均匀性和不稳定性最大,鲁中地区的事故不均匀性较小且稳定;易燃易爆化学品为事故主要致因物,操作错误、忽视安全、忽视警告为导致事故的主要不安全行为。