Behavioral pathways in bicycle-motor vehicle crashes: From contributing factors,pre-crash actions,to injury severities

Introduction: This study performed a path analysis to uncover the behavioral pathways (from contributing factors, pre-crash actions to injury severities) in bicycle-motor vehicle crashes. Method: The analysis investigated more than 7,000 bicycle-motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina between 2007 and 2014. Pre-crash actions discussed in this study are actions of cyclists and motorists prior to the event of a crash, including “bicyclist failed to yield,” “motorist failed to yield,” “bicyclist overtaking motorist,” and “motorist overtaking bicyclist.” Results: Model results show significant correlates of pre-crash actions and bicyclist injury severity. For example, young bicyclists (18 years old or younger) are 23.5% more likely to fail to yield to motor traffic prior to the event of a crash than elder bicyclists. The “bicyclist failed to yield” action is associated with increased bicyclist injury severity than other actions, as this behavior is associated with an increase of 5.88 percentage points in probability of a bicyclist being at least evidently injured. The path analysis can highlight contributing factors related to risky pre-crash actions that lead to severe injuries. For example, bicyclists traveling on regular vehicle travel lanes are found to be more likely to involve the “bicyclist failed to yield” action, which resulted in a total 44.38% (7.04% direct effect + 37.34% indirect effect) higher likelihood of evident or severe injuries. The path analysis can also identify factors (e.g., intersection) that are not directly but indirectly correlated with injury severity through pre-crash actions. Practical Applications: This study offers a methodological framework to quantify the behavioral pathways in bicycle-motor vehicle crashes. The findings are useful for cycling safety improvements from the perspective of bicyclist behavior, such as the educational program for cyclists.     

Evaluation of driver performance with a prototype cyber physical mid-block crossing advanced warning system

Introduction: Using connected vehicle technologies, pedestrian to vehicle (P2V) communication applications can be installed on smart devices allowing pedestrians to communicate with drivers by broadcasting discrete safety messages, received by drivers in-vehicle, as an alternative to expensive fixed-location physical safety infrastructure. Method: This study consists of designing, developing, and deploying an entirely cyber-physical P2V communication system within the cellular vehicle to everything (C-V2X) environment at a mid-block crosswalk to analyze drivers’ reactions to in-vehicle advanced warning messages, the impacts of the advanced warning messages on driver awareness, and drivers’ acceptance of this technology. Results: In testing human subjects with, and without, advanced warning messages upon approaching a mid-block crosswalk, driver reaction, acceptance, speed, eye tracking data, and demographic data were collected. Through an odds ratio comparison, it was found that drivers were at least 2.44 times more likely to stop for the pedestrian with the warning than without during the day, and at least 1.79 times more likely during the night. Furthermore, through binary logistic regression analysis, it was found that driver age, time of the day, and the presence of the advanced warning message all had strong, significant impacts with a confidence value of at least 98% (p < 0.02) on the rate at which drivers stopped for the pedestrian. Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that the advanced warning message sent within the C-V2X had a strong, positive impact on driver behavior and understanding of pedestrian intent. Practical Applications: Pedestrian crashes and fatality rates at mid-block crossings continue to increase over the years. Connected vehicle technology utilizing smart devices can be used as a means for communications between pedestrians and drivers to deliver safety messages. State and local city planners should consider geofencing designated mid-block crossings at which this technology operates to increase pedestrian safety and driver awareness.     

Quantified risk assessment on life and property loss from road collision vehicle fires with hydrogen-fueled tank

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles pose hazards different from conventional vehicles. This paper performs a risk assessment on road collision vehicle fires with hydrogen-fueled tank of 70 MPa. The high voltage battery fire caused by road collision can lead to onboard hydrogen release or explosion. Events progressions are analyzed and typical hydrogen consequences are evaluated quantitatively, including hydrogen jet fires and tank catastrophic rupture. Perimeters around the accident scene are proposed for the safety of general public and first responders, respectively. Risks of fatalities, injuries, and damages are all quantified in financial terms to make it possible to combine and compare.     

南宁市区交通环境空气颗粒物中碳组分的污染特征分析研究

含碳颗粒物是大气颗粒物的重要组成部分,对人体健康产生很大的威胁.分别于2012年夏季及2013年冬季在南宁市选取六条主要交通干道采集了PM10、PM2.5样品,分析测定了其中的碳组分.结果表明,碳组分浓度季节变化明显.碳组分在细颗粒物中占有比重比在可吸入颗粒物中大.存在二次有机碳污染.对8种碳组分丰度分析说明南宁市大气颗粒物中碳组分的主要来源是燃煤、机动车尾气及生物质样品燃烧.     

基于Logistic的不同车型碰撞行人事故严重程度致因分析

为定量分析不同车型碰撞行人事故严重程度影响因素,以美国北卡罗来纳州2007-2016年人车碰撞事故数据为样本,将其分为小轿车、SUV、货车碰撞行人事故3类,以事故严重程度为因变量,交通参与者属性、道路、环境条件和事故特征为候选自变量,分别建立累计logistic模型进行对比分析,探究人、车、路和环境因素对人车碰撞事故严...     

汽车环境风洞降雨模拟影响因素研究

目的 研究自然界降雨量与汽车环境风洞模拟降雨量之间的关系,得到中国气象条件的雨量设定经验公式,为汽车环境风洞模拟降雨量的设定提供理论依据。方法 理论分析自然界气象降雨和汽车环境风洞模拟降雨的特点和差异,研究影响汽车环境风洞模拟降雨量的因素。结果 在无风条件下,影响汽车环境风洞降雨量的因素有气象降雨量、前挡风玻璃倾角、雨滴直径和车速等。按照车速将降雨分为汽车停止和汽车行驶2种模式,提出结合中国气象条件的汽车环境风洞模拟降雨量的经验公式。结论 在相同降雨等级下,汽车停止状态下的汽车环境风洞降雨量一般大于车辆行驶状态。在气象降雨量等级为短时中雨时,行驶汽车的雨量设定值与车速呈指数增长关系。     

Age group differences in collision risk

Introduction

The purpose of the current study was to examine differences in factors associated with self-reported collision involvement of three age groups of drivers based on a large representative sample of Ontario adults. Method: This study was based on data from the CAMH Monitor, an ongoing cross-sectional telephone survey of Ontario adults 18 years and older from 2002 to 2005. Three age groups were examined: 18-34 (n = 1,294), 35-54 (n = 2,428), and 55+ (n = 1,576). For each age group sample, a logistic regression analysis was conducted of self-reported collision involvement in the last 12 months by risk factor measures of driving exposure (kilometers driven in a typical week, driving is stressful, and driving on busy roads), consuming five or more drinks of alcohol on one occasion (past 12 months), cannabis use (lifetime, and past 12 months), and driving after drinking among drinkers (past 12 months), controlling for demographics (gender, region, income, and marital status). Results: The study identified differences in factors associated with self-reported collision involvement of the three age groups of adult drivers. The logistic regression model for the youngest group revealed that drivers who reported that driving was stressful at least some of the time, drank five or more drinks on an occasion, and drove after drinking had an increased risk of collision involvement. For the middle age group, those who reported using cannabis in the last 12 months had significantly increased odds of reporting collision involvement. None of the risk factor measures showed significant associations with collision risk for older drivers (aged 55+). Impact: The results suggest potential areas for intervention and new directions for future research.     

Effect of enhanced seat belt reminders on driver fatality risk

Objective

Enhanced seat belt reminders in automobiles have been shown to increase belt use rates by approximately 3 percentage points. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of enhanced seat belt reminders on driver fatality risk.

Method

Data included all passenger vehicle driver deaths and vehicle registration counts in the United States for calendar years 2000-2007. Driver fatality rates per vehicle registration per year were compared for otherwise identical vehicle models with and without enhanced seat belt reminders.

Results

Driver fatality rates were 6% lower for vehicles with enhanced seat belt reminders compared with vehicles without enhanced belt reminders. After adjusting for vehicle age differences, the estimated effect of enhanced belt reminders on driver fatality risk ranged from a 9% reduction for General Motors vehicles to a 2% increase for Honda vehicles. Combining all manufacturers, enhanced belt reminders reduced fatality risk by approximately 2%. Although not statistically significant, the 2% reduction in fatality risk agrees with what should be expected from a 3 percentage point increase in seat belt use rates.

Conclusions

Enhanced seat belt reminders have raised driver belt use rates and reduced fatality rates, but more aggressive systems may be needed for some drivers. It can be inferred that nonfatal injury rates also have been reduced.

Impact on Industry

Manufacturers should be encouraged to put enhanced seat belt reminders on all vehicles as soon as possible.     

北京地区第五阶段在用轻型车OBD监测频率的特征分析

随机采集北京地区200辆满足第5阶段排放标准在用车的车载诊断系统（OBD）的IUPR（OBD监测频率）数据,测试了4种典型车系的在用车在实际道路行驶工况下IUPR各监测项的特征分布,并和NEDC工况下的实验结果进行对比.结果表明：采集数据车辆的OBD系统均能实现对催化器和氧传感器的监控,对EGR和次级氧传感器的监控也可分别达到74%和91%;在用车平均点火循环3.9次才能满足一次目前IUPR的监测条件;各监测项IUPR均值均远大于国五标准限值0.10,但各IUPR监测值分布存在差异,催化转化器和氧传感器的达标率均为92%;实验室NEDC模拟工况基本能实现对各车系机动车尾气排放控制的监测,但4条实际道路测试结果则表明不同车系IUPR监测项分子+1的差异较大;拥堵路况的低速工况下OBD系统难以实现对车辆尾气排放控制系统各监测项的有效监测.因此,需结合北京实际路况进一步完善在用车辆OBD系统的监测条件,实现对北京在用车尾气排放控制系统的有效监控.