Perceptions of safety on a shared road: Driving,cycling, or walking near an autonomous vehicle

Introduction: While improved safety is a highly cited potential benefit of autonomous vehicles (AVs), at the same time a frequently cited concern is the new safety challenges that AVs introduce. The literature lacks a rigorous exploration of the safety perceptions of road users who will interact with AVs, including vulnerable road users. Addressing this gap is essential because the successful integration of AVs into transportation systems hinges on an understanding of how all road users will react to their presence. Methods: A stated preference survey of the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan statistical area (Phoenix MSA) was conducted in July 2018. A series of ordered probit models was estimated to analyze the survey responses and identify differences between various population groups with respect to the perceived safety of driving, cycling, and walking near AVs. Results: Greater exposure to and awareness of AVs are not uniformly associated with increases in perceived safety. Various attitudinal factors, level of AV automation, and other intrinsic and extrinsic factors are related to safety perceptions of driving, walking, and cycling near AVs. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, income, employment, and automobile usage and ownership, have various relationships with perceived safety. Conclusions: Cycling near an AV was perceived as the least safe activity, followed by walking and then driving near an AV. Both similarities and differences were observed among the factors associated with the perceived safety of different travel alternatives. Practical Applications: Public perception will guide the development and adoption of AVs directly and indirectly. To help maintain control of public perception, transportation planners, decision makers, and other stakeholders should consider more deliberate and targeted messaging to address the concerns of different road users. In addition, more careful pilot testing and more direct attention to vulnerable road users may help avoid a backlash that could delay the rollout of this technology.     

汽车道路试验安全管理体系建设研究

为了保障汽车道路试验安全、提高安全管理水平,设计提出汽车道路试验安全管理体系(SMS)总方案。根据OHSAS 18001和安全标准化规范的特点分析,论证了融合两种体系建立道路试验SMS的适用性。并从政策与目标、风险管理、安全保证和安全促进四个模块阐述了该体系的搭建思路、框架内容和搭建步骤。最后,以某自主品牌车企研发中心道路试验的应用情况为例进行效果评估,结果表明:汽车道路试验SMS能有效防控风险、提升试验安全管理水平。     

综合管廊内火灾自动报警探测器实验研究

为了能够有效提升综合管廊内火灾自动报警系统的准确性和可靠性,本文采用火灾实体试验的方法,通过对各类型火灾自动报警探测器响应时间的情况进行分析和比较,研究综合管廊电力舱内常用探测器的性能。研究结果表明:接触式缆式线型感温火灾探测器可以较早的探测到电缆温度异常变化的现象,可用于早期预警。点型感烟探测器对烟粒子浓度较为敏感,可用于综合管廊电力舱室的空间探测。分布式光纤型感温火灾探测器对明火温度的变化较为敏感,作为空间型的火灾探测器比较可靠。     

隧道救援站通风网络优化设计及人员疏散研究*

为确定铁路隧道救援站最佳通风结构,对烟道布置提出合理建议,采用计算流体力学（CFD）的方法,对铁路隧道救援站通风网络进行优化设计。同时,采用模拟计算的方法对救援站人员疏散进行模拟分析,确定救援横通道布置及防护门开度设置的合理性。研究结果表明:在同等通风参数工况设置下,采用多节点排烟竖井结构后各救援横通道流量分配更均匀,救援站压力平衡性更好,通风效率可提升15%;通过疏散模拟证实,在长560 m的紧急救援站范围内设置10条疏散横通道,横通道设1.7 m宽的逃生门能够满足疏散要求。     

隧道与横通道交叉角对火灾烟气蔓延影响机制研究

为探索隧道与横通道交叉角对火灾烟气蔓延的影响机制,采用FDS数值模拟,研究横通道与隧道不同交叉角情况下火灾烟气温度、浓度、烟气层高度等的变化规律,建立开启火源下风向横通道时隧道内烟气最高温度修正公式,提出烟气纵向蔓延恢复长度的概念,并探讨其影响规律。 结果表明:隧道和横通道交叉角越小,隧道内同一位置烟气层高度越高,当交叉角由90°降低到30°时,烟气层高度最大增加32%;烟气纵向蔓延恢复长度与交叉角及通风速率呈正相关,而与火源功率几乎无关。研究结果对隧道通风排烟系统设计及相关标准的制定具有参考意义。     

中义隧道片理化玄武岩段大变形控制技术研究*

为进一步探究高地应力隧道软岩大变形控制技术,以中义隧道主洞片理化玄武岩段为工程背景,提出大变形Ⅰ型支护、大变形Ⅱ型支护、大变形Ⅱ型支护（围岩加固）3种大变形控制方案,以现场试验段监测为辅助验证,采用数值仿真对3种控制方案的控制效果进行对比分析。结果表明:适宜的支护成环时间具有减缓大变形的作用;在衬砌各部位累计最大变形控制方面,控制方案3较其他方案衬砌最大变形最少减小20.8%,且变形时程曲线最终收敛;围岩最大日变形量控制方面,经过开挖断面的进一步优化以及边墙部位塑性区围岩自承能力的提高,控制方案3最大日变形量较其他支护方案至少减小20.8%。结果显示控制方案3能够稳定控制片理化玄武岩大变形,且效果最好,研究结果可为类似工程提供设计依据。     

基于OpenFOAM的综合管廊舱内燃气泄漏扩散数值模拟

为实现综合管廊燃气泄漏扩散的精确高效模拟分析,进而为综合管廊燃气泄漏事故的安全防控提供技术支撑,利用OpenFOAM对城市地下综合管廊舱内燃气泄漏扩散进行数值建模计算,研究分析通风受限空间内的燃气泄漏扩散规律,并结合对应急响应时间的分析验证了通风策略的有效性。研究结果表明:气体射流作用与浮升力作用是影响综合管廊燃气泄漏扩散浓度分布的重要因素,采取合理的通风措施可有效加速燃气的流动与扩散,缩短燃气泄漏报警响应时间,有利于燃气泄漏事故应急决策与应急救援的快速实施。     

纵向通风对隧道竖井排烟影响的模拟研究

通过开展小尺寸实验以及FDS数值模拟实验,研究纵向通风对不同高度竖井的排烟影响并确定最佳通风风速。通过分析纵向通风风速、竖井高度对吸穿现象、边界层分离的影响规律,讨论了吸穿现象的临界条件。小尺寸实验中纵向通风风速考虑了0.096 m/s、0.226 m/s、0.356 m/s、0.485 m/s、0.629 m/s五种工况,竖井高度考虑了0.133 m、0.2 m、0.333 m、0.533 m四种工况。实验结果表明:当纵向通风风速为0.096 m/s、0.226 m/s、0.356 m/s(对应实际风速0.37 m/s、0.87 m/s、1.38 m/s)时,可抑制吸穿现象,但烟气边界层分离现象随着风速的增加而加剧。吸穿现象临界判据F_(critical)=1.5在本文所测试的纵向通风条件下不再适用,但Ri′_(critical)=1.5依然适用。数值模拟结果表明:当竖井高度为1 m、1.5 m、2 m时,排烟量随纵向通风的增加而降低,而当其为3 m、4 m、5 m时,排烟量先上升后降低,在测试风速为1.5 m/s时达到最高值。     

Prevalence of alcohol among nonfatally injured road accident casualties in two level III trauma centers in northern Ghana

Background: Alcohol use is pervasive among motorists on the road in Ghana; however, we do not know the extent to which this behavior is implicated in road accidents in this country.

Objectives: The main objective of this research was to establish the prevalence of alcohol in the blood of nonfatally injured casualties in the emergency departments (EDs) in northern Ghana.

Method: Participants were injured road traffic crash victims, namely, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers seeking treatment at an ED. The study sites were 2 level III trauma centers located in Wa and Bolgatanga. Participants were screened for alcohol followed by breath tests for positive participants using breathalyzers.

Results: Two hundred and sixty-two accident victims visited EDs, 58% of whom were in Wa. Among the victims, 41% were hospitalized and 57% experienced slight injuries. The vast majority (76%) of the casualties were motorcyclists, 13% were pedestrians, 8% were cyclists, and 2% were drivers. Casualties who had detectable alcohol in their blood were predominantly vulnerable road users. In all, 34% of participants had detectable blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and the mean BAC for all casualties who tested positive and could give definitive BACs was 0.2265 (226 mg/dl). The prevalence of alcohol use was 53% among cyclists, 34% among motorcyclists, 21% among pedestrians, and 17% among drivers. Male casualties were more likely to test positive for alcohol than females. In addition, the prevalence of alcohol was significantly higher among injured casualties in Bolgatanga compared to Wa.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of alcohol use among nonfatally injured casualties in northern Ghana and injury severity increased with BAC. AUDIT screening in the hospital, alcohol consumption guideline, road safety education with an emphasis on minimizing or eliminating alcohol consumption, and enhanced enforcement of the BAC limit among motorists are recommended.     

Changes in motorcycle-related injuries and deaths after mandatory motorcycle helmet law in a district of Vietnam

Objective: Our study measured the change in head injuries and deaths among motorcycle users in Cu Chi district, a suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City.

Methods: Hospital records for road traffic injuries (RTIs) were collected from the Cu Chi Trauma Centre and motorcycle-related death records were obtained from mortality registries in commune health offices. Head injury severity was categorized using the Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS). Rate ratios (RRs) were used to compare rates pre- and post-law (2005/2006–2009/2010). Cu Chi's population, stratified by year, age, and sex, was used as the denominator.

Results: Of records identifying the transportation mode at the time of injury, motorcyclists accounted for most injuries (3,035, 87%) and deaths (238, 90%). Head injuries accounted for 70% of motorcycle-related hospitalizations. Helmet use was not recorded in any death records and not in 97% of medical records. Males accounted for most injuries (73%) and deaths (88%). The median age was 28 years and 32 years for injuries and deaths, respectively. Compared to the pre-law period, rates of motorcycle injuries (RR = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49–0.58), head injuries (RR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.31–0.39), severe head injuries (RR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34–0.63), and deaths (RR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53–0.89) significantly decreased in the post-law period.

Conclusions: Rates of head injuries and deaths among motorcycle riders decreased significantly after implementation of the mandatory helmet law in Vietnam. To further examine the impact of the motorcycle helmet law, including compliance and helmet quality, further emphasis should be placed on gathering helmet use data from injured motorcyclists.