Health Of Drivers Research Articles

Acceleration Analysis of Tubular Constrained Damping Engine Mount

Trackless vehicles have been widely used for the underground mining in many coal-rich countries. However, their vibration is violent and this vibration could affect the driver's health and reduce the working efficiency. Therefore, how to solve this question about the vibration and shock has become an urgent and important thing. In this paper, a type of tubular constrained damping engine mount is designed and first used in the underground trackless vehicles. This tubular damping structure is made of three layers, the external and internal layer are made of steel and the middle layer of natural rubber is sandwiched between them. To know about the vibration-reducing performance of the new designed mounts, the real vehicle test was performed under two working conditions. The results show that the two rear mounts could obtain good vibration isolation effect, whereas the performance are sometimes poor in a certain direction for the two front mounts because of the vibration energy coupling in different directions. Further research is to optimize the parameters of the tubular constrained damping engine mount to make the vibration energies from different directions decoupled.

Development of Real-Time Driver's Health Detection System by Using Smart Handle

The number of vehicle accidents due to driver's drowsiness continues to increase. Therefore, prompt and effective detection for driver's health during driving is crucial to improvement of traffic safety. A set of real-time healthdetection system built-in a smart handle for driver is proposed in the research. By monitoring driver’s biological signals, including respiration, hand gripping force, photoplethysmogram (PPG), and electrocardiogram (ECG), driver's health condition (drowsiness) is able to be detected via the developed algorithm. Meanwhile the driver's state of arrhythmia can be diagnosed too. The test results indicate that the developed real-time driver’s health detection system can effectively monitor not only the state of vigilance but also the state of arrhythmia of a driver.

Effects of operation type and handle shape of the driver controllers of high-speed train on the drivers' comfort

The design of a high-speed train controller affects the driver's health, operating performance and even safety. Understanding the effects of the design factors on the physical ergonomics of a high-speed train driver controller is essential for optimizing performance and safety. This study experimentally investigated the role of the operation type and handle shape on the physical ergonomics of a driver controller for a high speed train. Two controllers and six handles with pyriform shape, T-shape, sphere shape, cylinder shape and conical frustum shape were used in the experiment. The results indicated that a controller of the sagittal rotation operation type could significantly reduce the workload of the upper limbs compared to a horizontal rotation operation type controller. The handle shape had significant effect on the wrist angles, hand pressures and subjective assessment scores of upper limb fatigue, wrist discomfort and palm discomfort. The handle shape influenced the wrist angles and hand pressures depending on how the participants held the handle. The results demonstrated that the preferred operation type was rotation in the parasagittal plane and that the handle shape should be convenient for operating with a downward-facing palm posture. Among the tested shapes, the pyriform shape and T-shape were considered to be preferable.

Seatbelt use and seat preference among pregnant women in Sapporo, Japan, in 2013.

This study was performed to determine the rate of pregnant occupants in motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and the frequency of seatbelt use in pregnancy in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted at seven centers located in Sapporo, targeting all 3952 women in gestational weeks 35-37 during the study period between June 2013 and January 2014. Information was collected on parity, driver's license, seatbelt use, seat preference, carrying Mother and Child Health Handbook when going out, and experience of occupant MVA during current pregnancy. Women who reported always using a seatbelt were classified as always seatbelt users (ASU). A total of 2420 women who were given questionnaires provided responses (response rate, 61%). Seventy women (2.9%) reported having experienced an occupant MVA during the current pregnancy. MVA rate was significantly lower for ASU than non-ASU (2.6% [55/2097] vs 4.6% [15/323], respectively, P < 0.0001), and for ASU women preferring the rear seat than for other women (1.3% [6/451] vs 3.3% [64/1969], respectively, P = 0.0282). MVA rate tended to be lower for women preferring the rear seat than the front seat (1.7% [10/575] vs 3.3% [60/1845], respectively, P = 0.0637). The number of ASU, 94% (2286/2420) before pregnancy, decreased significantly to 87% (2097/2420) after the current pregnancy (P < 0.0001). The careful attitude of pregnant women toward driving safety may be associated with reduced risk of MVA in pregnancy. There is a need for an intensified campaign to promote seatbelt use among pregnant women.

Using three-phase theory-based formative research to explore healthy eating in Australian truck drivers

In Australia, fruit and vegetable consumption is lower than recommended while discretionary foods (i.e., foods high in fat, sugar, and salt) are eaten in excess. Long-haul truck drivers are a group at risk of unhealthy eating but have received limited attention in the health literature. We aimed to examine long-haul truck drivers eating decisions in order to develop theory-based and empirically-driven health messages to improve their healthy food choices. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior, three-phased formative research was conducted using self-report surveys. Phase 1 (N = 30, Mage = 39.53, SDage = 10.72) identified modal salient beliefs about fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and limiting discretionary choices (DC). There were nine behavioral and seven normative beliefs elicited for both FV and DC; while nine and five control beliefs were elicited for FV and DC, respectively. Phase 2 (N = 148, Mage = 44.23, SDage = 12.08) adopted a prospective design with one week follow-up to examine the predictors of FV and DC intention and behavior. A variety of behavioral and control beliefs were predictive of FV and DC intention and behavior. Normative beliefs were predictive of FV intention and behavior and DC intention only. Phase 3 (N = 20, Mage = 46.9, SDage = 12.85) elicited the reasons why each belief is held/solutions to negative beliefs, that could be used as health messages. In total, 40 reasons/solutions were identified: 26 for FV and 14 for DC. In summary, we found that specific behavioral, normative and control beliefs influenced FV and DC eating decisions. These results have implications for truck driver's health and provide formative research to inform future interventions to improve the food choices of a unique group who are at risk of unhealthy eating behaviors.

Timeaxis Design of Health Monitoring Seat System Using M Method and SysML

This paper describes the design of Health Monitoring Seat System, a safety device that prevents health related traffic accidents. The current system can only prevent drowsy driving, and cannot consider individual differences. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to design a new system that optimizes to an individual, and provides functions that work towards the driver's health condition. To realize this system, the Timeaxis Design, a concept incorporating the viewpoint of time into the theory and methodology of design, is introduced. The perspective of Timeaxis Design, enables the design of a system undergoing several development stages necessary for realizing this system. The system undergoes three development stages: STAGE I (existing technologies), STAGE II (developing technologies), and STAGE III (conceptual technologies). In order to design the system, the driver's physical and psychological health conditions must be put into concern. Therefore, the M Method and SysML is used in the designing process. The M Method is a design method that can describe the relationship of the physical and psychological element of a human. The SysML is a graphical modeling language that visualizes the development process of a system. As a result, three subsystems: “Data analysis system”, “Monitoring system”, and “Seat system” that construct this system are proposed. Furthermore, by considering the Timeaxis Design, the road map for the technological development of this system is derived.

Driver Warning Assistant for Monitoring Heart Rate and SpO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Using Mobile Phones

Nowadays both mobile phones and vehicles are playing an important role in our lives, because these two industries have met an amazing development during the recent years. Also, steady progress has been made in the medical sensors field and the increasing capacity of wireless communication has led to the emergence of new methods for health monitoring. This paper presents a system for real-time monitoring of the driver's health. The proposed driver warning assistant is composed of a wearable low-power sensor that dynamically monitors the vital parameters of the driver and the measured data are sent via Bluetooth wireless communication protocol. Data processing, data management and communication and the human computing interfacing are implemented using a smart phone running an Android operation system. Experimental results associated with physiological parameters which have been measured are also included in the paper.

Driver fatigue and drowsiness monitoring system with embedded electrocardiogram sensor on steering wheel

Real time driver health condition monitoring system with drowsiness alertness was proposed. A new embedded electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor with electrically conductive fabric electrodes on the steering wheel of a car was designed to monitor the driver's health condition. The ECG signals were measured at a sampling rate of 100 Hz from the driver's palms as they stay on a pair of conductive fabric electrodes located on the steering wheel. Practical tests were conducted using an embedded ECG sensor with a wireless sensor node, and their performance was assessed under non-stop 2 h driving test. The ECG signals were measured and transmitted wirelessly to a base station connected to a server PC in personal area network environment. The driver's health condition such as the normal, fatigued and drowsy states was analysed by evaluating the heart rate variability in the time and frequency domains.

The Analysis of Electric Vehicle Ride Comfort Test Simulation Based on the Adams/Car

According to the national standard on electric vehicle model, pulse input test and random input test were conducted. The results show that: at different speeds through the triangular bump, its maximum acceleration is far less than 31.44m2/s, there is no harm to the driver's health; random input road ride comfort simulation trials has similar results, with the improving speed, the acceleration rms value of the driver's seat increases, but the driver will not feel uncomfortable. In addition, it was analyzed the influence of front and rear suspension spring stiffness and vibration-damper damping on the vehicle ride comfort, and increasing or decreasing of each parameter affect the trend on the vehicle's ride comfort.

Effect of shock vibrations due to speed control humps to the health of city bus drivers

Speed Control Humps (SCH) are used to slow down the vehicles and improve traffic safety. While passing over the humps, the drivers of public transport buses are exposed to shock vibrations. An analysis of the effects of shock vibrations to the health of a city bus driver, while passing over three types of SCHs, is made by simulation, using an original oscillatory model with five degrees of freedom (DOF). The evaluation is carried out using the method and criteria accepted by ISO 2631-5 standard. The assessment of the effects of shock vibrations to the health of the bus driver on public transport line 26 in Belgrade is also made. While passing over a rounded profile, the driver's health is more affected at lower bus speeds (15 km/h), even as over flat platform, harmful effects are more significant at higher speeds (over 40 km/h). If the bus on the line 26 is driven over humps at 40 km/h, harmful effects to the driver's health occur at the age of 50. By driving at or under 30 km/h, the driver can almost avoid harmful effects at all. Key words: ISO 2631-5 standard, shock vibrations, city bus, driver's health, simulation.

Effect of shock vibrations due to speed control humps to the health of city bus drivers

Speed Control Humps (SCH) are used to slow down the vehicles and improve traffic safety. While passing over the humps, the drivers of public transport buses are exposed to shock vibrations. An analysis of the effects of shock vibrations to the health of a city bus driver, while passing over three types of SCHs, is made by simulation, using an original oscillatory model with five degrees of freedom (DOF). The evaluation is carried out using the method and criteria accepted by ISO 2631-5 standard. The assessment of the effects of shock vibrations to the health of the bus driver on public transport line 26 in Belgrade is also made. While passing over a rounded profile, the driver's health is more affected at lower bus speeds (15 km/h), even as over flat platform, harmful effects are more significant at higher speeds (over 40 km/h). If the bus on the line 26 is driven over humps at 40 km/h, harmful effects to the driver's health occur at the age of 50. By driving at or under 30 km/h, the driver can almost avoid harmful effects at all. Key words: ISO 2631-5 standard, shock vibrations, city bus, driver's health, simulation.

Real-time physiological and vision monitoring of vehicle driver for non-intrusive drowsiness detection

This study presents a novel approach to detect driver's drowsiness by applying two distinct methods in computer vision and image processing. The objective of this study is to combine both methods under one single profile instead of relied solely on a detection method to enhance the driver's drowsiness detection resolution. Therefore a non-intrusive drowsy-monitoring system is developed to alert the driver if driver falls into low arousal state. In physiological part, photoplethysmography (PPG) is analysed for its changes in signals waveform from awake to drowsy state. Meanwhile, eyes pattern or motion in image processing is addressed to detect driver fatigue. Genetic algorithm with template-matching approach is designed to detect eye region and estimate the drowsiness in different metric standard based on eyes behaviour. Moreover, PPG drowsy signals are integrated with eyes motion to derive the final probability model for delivering valid and reliable drowsiness detection system. Indeed, the proposed system provides high competitive edge over existing arbitrary drowsiness detection system where the driver's health and mental states can be monitored in real-time without constraints.

A hybrid Kano-fuzzy AHP method for measuring customer satisfaction: A case study of transportation system

Article history: Received January 15 2011 Accepted 8 April 2011 Available online 10 April 2011 An increase competition on today's economy has created motivation for many organizations to look for different alternatives on better serving the customers. There are always some budget limitations on any customer relationship method, which leads us to prioritize different alternatives. In this paper, we present an empirical method based on an integrated Kano and fuzzy analytical hierarchy procedure to rank suitable alternatives. The proposed model of this paper uses a questionnaire survey to gather customer's opinions and implements the method for a real-world case study of transportation planning. The questionnaire includes 37 questions distributed among 976 passengers for two trips in Iran. The results indicate that driver's physical and mental health, buss equipments with GPS functionality and familiarity of drivers with road and road's conditions play important role on choosing a transportation company. © 2011 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in bus and truck drivers in Kashan, Iran

BackgroundBus and truck drivers are apparently more involved in metabolic syndrome and its complications due to their working conditions. The related impacts are not only harmful for driver's health, but also may endanger others. The present research was carried out to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among bus and truck drivers in Kashan, a city in Iran.MaterialsIn 2007, 429 bus and truck male drivers were enrolled to this cross sectional study to examine the metabolic syndrome using ATPIII criteria. Statistical tests including Chi-Square test, T-student test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data.ResultsPrevalence of metabolic syndrome in subjects was 35.9%. Hypertension and diabetes were seen in 42.9% and 7% of the drivers respectively. Body mass index (BMI) in 41% of the drivers within the range of 25-30 was considered overweight and 23% of them were found to be obese. High triglyceride (53.4%) and low HDL-C levels (48.7%) were more common than other components of metabolic syndrome. A significant positive correlation was seen between BMI, diabetes, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001); but there was no positive correlation between metabolic syndrome and smoking (p < 0.06).ConclusionHigh prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other relevant risk factors for coronary heart diseases (CHD) were detected among the drivers. Based on these findings, it is recommended to consider training programs, establish pertinent health regulations, and focus on the metabolic syndrome complications in high risk group to improve and maintain their quality of life and to promote their public health.

Do Memory-Impaired Drivers and Their Family Members Agree on Driving Ability and Behaviors?

It is estimated that approximately one-third of people with dementia continue to drive. Compared with the general driving population, drivers with dementia are at an increased risk of unsafe motor vehicle operation. Self-screening is often the basis for self-regulation of driving. It is not known how well self-screening as a predominant strategy works for drivers with memory impairment. This descriptive study explored the perceptions of 22 dyads of drivers with memory impairment and their family members through 44 structured telephone interviews within 4 months after specialized driving assessment to gain insights into their level of agreement on the driver's health, functioning, and critical driving behaviors. Drivers and family members were in fair agreement about current driving patterns and driver self-regulation (such as avoiding driving at night, in bad weather, or in unfamiliar areas). However, when reports of functional ability (such as vision, strength, and flexibility) were compared, drivers rated their fitness more highly than those abilities were rated by their family members on most measures. Moreover, there was poor agreement between drivers and family members on reported occurrence of driving behaviors suggestive of impairment in critical driving skills. These results have implications for health care and other professionals engaged in determining driver fitness. The findings suggest limited value in self-screening or in family reports when assessing fitness to drive in persons with memory impairment. Professionals should exercise caution in relying on reports from family members or drivers, especially with respect to reported driving fitness and driving behaviors.

Implications of Vision Testing for Older Driver Licensing

Objectives. A range of medical conditions can lead to visual impairments either through effects on the eye or the visual pathways and brain. The prevalence of visual impairment increases with age. Furthermore, research evidence has shown that aging is related to a number of other processes that can lead to changes in cognitive functioning and sensory perception that may adversely affect driving (Marottoli and Drickamer, 1993; Stelmach and Nahom, 1992). This combination of factors is thought to contribute to older driver crash risk (Hakamies-Blomqvist, 1993; Stutts et al., 1998). Licensing authorities are the primary entity responsible for monitoring the medical fitness of their license holders. While it is important for licensing bodies to identify drivers who have conditions that place them at a heightened risk for crashes, at the same time, they should not unfairly restrict the mobility of disabled or aging drivers. Therefore, it is important that the licensing criteria for visual fitness to drive are based on scientific evidence establishing their effectiveness and predictive value for poor driving performance and unaceptable crash risk. The aim of this paper is to assess whether current licensing guidelines are consistent with the available scientific evidence on the effect of visual impairment on driving with a specific focus on older drivers. Methods. This article describes current licensing guidelines for vision from selected Western jurisdictions and reviews the available scientific evidence on visual impairment and driving performance on which such licensing decisions are based. Results. The findings of the review indicate that the predictive values of the vision tests commonly used for licensing decisions by the selected authorities are inconclusive. Discussion. The functional attributes of vision currently assessed for licensing do not adequately explain unsafe driving performance. Differences were observed across vision requirements for the selected jurisdictions, possibly reflecting the equivocal and inconclusive findings linking specific visual functions and impairment with crash risk. Setting benchmarks or performance thresholds on selected visual tests may be problematic for older drivers in particular, who are most vulnerable to underperforming. Driving involves a complex set of skills, and it is proposed that decisions about vision for safe driving need to be considered in the context of the driver's overall health and other functional abilities.

ANALYSIS OF DRIVING SEAT VIBRATIONS IN DIFFERENT TRANSFER CONDITIONS

The vibration transmitted through the seat of a four-wheel drive tractor, developing 179 kW, and equipped with front suspension axle and shock absorber for the implement, were measured and analysed according to the ISO standard. Several tests were carried out in different conditions considering: type of operation (transfer with and without mounted implement); type of track (conglomerate bituminous road, country lane); connected and disconnected suspension and/or shock absorber; and forward speeds. For the transfer on bituminous conglomerate road, it was observed that the suspension always reduces acceleration av, in both tests without and with implement, for all the considered forward speeds. For the tests conduced on country lane, the front axle suspension involved a reduction of the acceleration, but it was less evident than on the road Results showed that the forward speed and the mass distribution were the most important factors on tractor behaviour influencing the driver comfort. The daily exposure time which could compromise the driver's health increased from 2.5 to 8 h decreasing the speed from 3.06 to 2.22 m/s during transfer in country lane without implement. In the other condition the time exposure is approximately more than a working day

PM—Power and Machinery: Innovative Systems to reduce Vibrations on Agricultural Tractors: Comparative Analysis of Acceleration transmitted through the Driving Seat

The vibration transmitted through the seat of a four-wheel drive tractor, developing 92 kW at the p.t.o., and equipped with front suspension axle and shock absorber for the implement, were measured and analysed according to the ISO standard. Several tests were carried out in different conditions considering: type of operation (transfer with and without mounted implement, ploughing, harrowing); type of track (conglomerate bituminous track, macadam dirt track, country lane); connected and disconnected suspension and/or shock absorber and a range of forward speeds. In the transfer test on track, the vehicle suspension caused an average acceleration reduction of about 15%, and it could reach 30%. The shock absorber displayed a variable behaviour depending on the test condition; it could cause both attenuation and amplification, although the combination with the suspension often involves a high average reduction in acceleration (24%). In the soil tillage tests, the suspension could cause a substantial reduction in acceleration (up to 36%), but only in some conditions. With reference to the benefit for the driver due to the acceleration attenuation involved by the systems, it is important to note that, during soil tillage, the vehicle suspension could compromise the driver's health through an increase in daily exposure time of about 50% during ploughing and of more than 100% during harrowing.

Body size and risk of breast cancer.

The relation between body size and breast cancer remains uncertain, particularly with regard to differences between pre- and postmenopausal women. The authors examined whether height, weight, body mass index, and weight change were associated with breast cancer risk among pre- and postmenopausal women. This population-based case-control study included women aged 20-74 years (n = 6,548) who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 1988-1991 in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. Similarly aged control women (n = 9,057) were selected at random from driver's license files and Health Care Financing Administration files. Height, weight, and information on other breast cancer risk factors were ascertained by telephone interview, and logistic regression was used to estimate multivariate-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Among premenopausal women, the adjusted odds ratio for the upper quintile group of height relative to the lowest was 1.36 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.76). The heaviest premenopausal women had a lower risk (odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, 95% CI 0.70-1.10). Among postmenopausal women, the adjusted odds ratios were higher for the upper quintile categories of both height (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.11-1.45) and weight (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.37-1.79). Weight gain since ages 18 and 35 years was associated with increased postmenopausal breast cancer risk, and risk was lower in women who had lost weight. These findings suggest that programs to avoid weight gain merit study as a means to reduce risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

The association of body size and large bowel cancer risk in Wisconsin (United States) women.

Body size is associated with the risk of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. To evaluate the association of body size with large bowel cancer, height and weight measurements were ascertained by telephone interview from 779 Wisconsin (United States) women with newly reported diagnoses of carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Controls (n = 2,315) interviewed for this case-control study were selected randomly from Wisconsin driver's license files and Health Care Financing Administration files. The effects of weight and height were examined using multiple logistic regression to control for potential confounding variables. In this study, weight adjusted for height increased the risk of colon cancer (odds ratio [OR] for 72.57-148.33 kg cf 36.29-58.05 kg = 1.4, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.9) but did not increase the risk of rectal cancer. Height did not influence risk for cancer of either the colon or the rectum. Left-colon subsite analysis showed especially strong associations with current weight and with percent change in weight since age 18. These data suggest that a dose-response relationship exists between body size and risk of colon cancer in women; body size did not appear to influence risk of rectal cancer.