Wireless communication systems have been broadly applied in various complicated traffic operations to improve mobility and safety on roads, which may raise a concern about the implication of the new technology on vehicle emissions. This paper explores how the wireless communication systems improve drivers’ driving behaviors and its contributions to the emission reduction, in terms of Operating Mode (OpMode) IDs distribution used in emission estimation. A simulated work zone with completed traffic operation was selected as a test bed. Sixty subjects were recruited for the tests, whose demographic distribution was based on the Census data in Houston, Texas. A scene of a pedestrian’s crossing in the work zone was designed for the driving test. Meanwhile, a wireless communication system called Drivers Smart Advisory System (DSAS) was proposed and introduced in the driving simulation, which provided drivers with warning messages in the work zone. Two scenarios were designed for a leading vehicle as well as for a following vehicle driving through the work zone, which included a base test without any wireless communication systems, and a driving test with the trigger of the DSAS. Subjects’ driving behaviors in the simulation were recorded to evaluate safety and estimate the vehicle emission using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released emission model MOVES. The correlation between drivers’ driving behavior and the distribution of the OpMode ID during each scenario was investigated. Results show that the DSAS was able to induce drivers to accelerate smoothly, keep longer headway distance and stop earlier for a hazardous situation in the work zone, which driving behaviors result in statistically significant reduction in vehicle emissions for almost all studied air pollutants (p-values range from 4.10E-51 to 2.18E-03). The emission reduction was achieved by the switching the distribution of the OpMode IDs from higher emission zones to lower emission zones.
Implications: Transportation section is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Many studies demonstrate that the wireless communication system dedicated for safety and mobility issues may contribute to the induction in vehicle emissions through changing driving behaviors. An insight into the correlation between the driving behaviors and the distribution of Operating Mode (OpMode) IDs is essential to enhance the emission reduction. The result of this study shows that with a Drivers Smart Advisory System (DSAS) drivers accelerated smoothly and stopped earlier for a hazardous situation, which induce the switch of the OpMode IDs from high emission zones to lower emission zones. 相似文献
Despite biological invasions being a worldwide phenomenon causing significant ecological, economic, and human welfare impacts,
there is limited understanding regarding how environmental managers perceive the problem and subsequently manage alien species.
Spanish environmental managers were surveyed using questionnaires to (1) analyze the extent to which they perceive plant invasions
as a problem; (2) identify the status, occurrence, and impacts of noxious alien plant species; (3) assess current effort and
expenditure targeting alien plant management; and, finally, (4) identify the criteria they use to set priorities for management.
In comparison to other environmental concerns, plant invasions are perceived as only moderately problematic and mechanical
control is the most valued and frequently used strategy to cope with plant invasions in Spain. Based on 70 questionnaires
received, 193 species are considered noxious, 109 of which have been the subject of management activities. More than 90% of
species are found in at least one protected area. According to respondents, the most frequently managed species are the most
widespread across administrative regions and the ones perceived as causing the highest impacts. The perception of impact seems
to be independent of their invasion status, since only half of the species identified as noxious are believed to be invasive
in Spain, while 43% of species thought to only be casual aliens are causing a high impact. Records of management costs are
poor and the few data indicate that the total actual expenditure amounted to 50,492,437 € in the last decade. The majority
of respondents stated that management measures are insufficient to control alien plants due to limited economic resources,
lack of public awareness and support, and an absence of coordination among different public administrations. Managers also
expressed their concern about the fact that much scientific research is concerned with the ecology of alien plants rather
than with specific cost-efficient strategies to manage alien species. 相似文献