Vehicle Collision Research Articles

Roadside habitat: Boon or bane for pollinating insects?

Pollinators, which provide vital services to wild ecosystems and agricultural crops, are facing global declines and habitat loss. As undeveloped land becomes increasingly scarce, much focus has been directed recently to roadsides as potential target zones for providing floral resources to pollinators. Roadsides, however, are risky places for pollinators, with threats from vehicle collisions, toxic pollutants, mowing, herbicides, and more. Although these threats have been investigated, most studies have yet to quantify the costs and benefits of roadsides to pollinators and, therefore, do not address whether the costs outweigh the benefits for pollinator populations using roadside habitats. In this article, we address how, when, and under what conditions roadside habitats may benefit or harm pollinators, reviewing existing knowledge and recommending practical questions that managers and policymakers should consider when planning pollinator-focused roadside management.

Veterinary High-Stakes Immersive Simulation Training With Repeat Practice Following Structured Debriefing Improves Students' Ability to Cope With High-Pressure Situations.

Immersive simulation is used increasingly in medical education, and there is increasing awareness of the impact of simulation scenarios on emotional state and cognitive load and how these impact learning. 1 There is growing awareness of the requirement to equip veterinarians with skills for managing high-pressure environments and provide training on human factors. Veterinary students participated in a high-fidelity immersive simulation of a road traffic collision involving multiple casualties. The students took part in the same simulation twice, the second time after a debrief. Each participant's emotional state and cognitive load were assessed after participating in each simulation. Each participant was asked to score the effect of pressure on their performance. One hundred twenty-five students participated and demonstrated a higher cognitive load with more positive emotional states during the second scenario after the completion of a structured debrief and discussion focusing on pressure relief techniques (cognitive load - ¯ μ Scenario run 1 = 4.44 ± 1.85 [SD], ¯ μ Scenario2 = 5.69 ± 1.74 [SD]). Most (63%) participants described being in a low-performance state of frazzle during the first scenario compared with most (61%) who described being in a high-performance state of flow during the second. Immersive simulation scenarios, with structured debriefing, may allow the measurement of emotional state and cognitive load in participants. Furthermore, this study suggests that curriculum training in human factors and pressure relief techniques, coupled with immersive simulation and debrief, may improve future performance in high-stakes and high-pressure scenarios.

Dynamic Risk Assessment and Control Framework for Work Zone and Its First Implementation under Simulation Environment

The number of road maintenance operations in China is increasing. Work zones can interfere with everyday driving and bring significant safety hazards to the throughput vehicles and construction personnel. However, there is currently a lack of effective methods to conduct a dynamic risk assessment of work zones and provide control guidance when necessary. Therefore, this study proposes a dynamic risk assessment and control framework for the work zones. The framework adopts a closed-loop control and dynamic monitoring architecture. A massive amount of microscopic data on vehicles’ behavior is obtained based on advanced data collection technologies (including multicamera multiobject tracking, naturalistic driving, and microscopic traffic simulation). Traffic conflicts between single vehicle and two- or multivehicle are detected using vehicle behavior analyzing technology and the surrogate safety assessment model. A comprehensive assessment index, i.e., UTECN (unit total equivalent conflict number), is established that can consider the severity and possibility of accidents caused by conflicts based on the vehicle collision energy theory, probability theory, and risk management theory. A risk assessment standard is established based on the level of safety service. The framework is first implemented in a simulation environment, and its feasibility and effectiveness are verified by taking a work zone of Shanghai Waihuan Expressway S20 as a case study. The result shows that the framework has good practicality. Under a moderate traffic level, the risk of the work zone can be assessed within 20 minutes. It can be quickly and effectively controlled at an acceptable level after several iterations, which is of great significance for ensuring the safety of life and property of throughput vehicles and construction personnel within the work zone.

Education, incentive, and engineering-based interventions to promote the use of seat belts.

Education, incentive, and engineering-based interventions to promote the use of seat belts.

Incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of sciatic nerve injury in acetabular fractures: a retrospective cross-sectional study

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors of the sciatic nerve injury in patients with acetabulum fractures and assess its prognosis.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional review was conducted on 273 patients with acetabulum fractures who were treated between January 1st, 2017, and December 30th, 2019. The medical records and radiographs of these patients were analyzed.ResultsThe overall nerve injury rate was 7.7% (21 of 273 cases), with 3.1% (8 of 273 cases) occurring because of the initial injury and 12.8% (13 of 101 cases) as post-operative complications. Among those with nerve injuries, 95.2% (20 of 21 cases) were males and the average age of the patients was 31.5 (SD 9.5) years. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collisions with 55.7% (152 of 273 cases), and the most common fracture pattern associated with nerve injury was posterior column and posterior wall fracture with 31.6% (6 of 21 cases). Hip dislocation was found in 16.5% (14 of 21 cases) of patients with nerve injury. The Kocher Langenbeck approach was the most common approach used for patients with post-operative nerve injury, and the prone position was significantly associated with sciatic nerve injury during the operation. Of all patients with nerve injury, 52% (11 of 21 cases) had fully recovered, 29% (6 of 21 cases) had partially recovered, and 19% (4 of 21 cases) had no improvement. The average follow-up was 15 months.ConclusionThis study emphasizes the incidence of sciatic nerve injuries in individuals with acetabulum fractures and highlights key risk factors, including hip dislocation, posterior column, and posterior wall fractures. It is noteworthy that the Kocher Langenbeck approach and the prone position may contribute to iatrogenic nerve injuries. Encouragingly, over half of the patients who suffered nerve injuries achieved full recovery, while nearly one-third experienced partial recovery. These findings underscore the vital significance of recognizing and addressing these risk factors in clinical practice.

Pre-hospital mortality among pediatric trauma patients in Nova Scotia.

Limited data exist on pre-hospital pediatric trauma mortality in Canada. The Nova Scotia Trauma Registry is a provincial population-based registry that captures data from the Medical Examiner Service. This study examined the characteristics of pediatric trauma patient mortality in the pre-hospital and in-hospital settings. We conducted a cohort study of major pediatric traumas recorded in our provincial database from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2018. Characteristics of pre-hospital and in-hospital deaths were compared with t tests and Chi-square analyses. Multivariate regression modeling was used to identify predictors of pre-hospital mortality. The geographic distribution of pre-hospital trauma was assessed using choropleth maps. We identified 1,258 pediatric traumas, resulting in 217 deaths (137 pre-hospital, 80 in-hospital). Males accounted for 62.7% of fatalities. The 15-17 age group accounted for most deaths in both groups (pre-hospital 61.3%; in-hospital 41.3%). Injuries sustained in rural areas resulted in 74.7% of all deaths. For both groups, blunt trauma was the predominant injury type and motor vehicle collisions, the most prevalent injury mechanism. Patients who died pre-hospital had a higher mean age (13.3 vs. 10.7, p = 0.002) and a greater proportion were intentional injuries (23.4% vs. 15%; p = 0.02). Urban residency was more frequently observed in in-hospital deaths (57.5% vs. 36.5%, p < 0.001). Pre-hospital mortality was associated with increasing age (OR 1.1), higher injury severity score (OR 1.1), and intentional injury (OR 15.6). Over 10% of major pediatric traumas resulted in pre-hospital death, primarily from motor vehicle collisions in rural areas. Compared to in-hospital mortality, patients who died pre-hospital were older with more severe injuries and more likely to have intentionally injured themselves. These results underscore the importance for emergency physicians and EMS systems to consider geographic factors and injury patterns, advocate for improved injury prevention programs, mental health supports, and delivery of on-scene critical care services.

Optimal lane-changing and collision avoidance strategy for intelligent vehicles in high-speed driving environments

This paper proposes an optimal lane-changing and control strategy to solve the collision avoidance of intelligent vehicles in highway driving. A quintic polynomial lane-changing trajectory model is established in the Frenet frame, and the trajectory planning problem is transformed into the optimisation problem of lane-changing target coordinates. To consider the multiple environmental factors on vehicle lane-changing, the feasible region of the lane-changing target point was generated based on the lateral acceleration limitation and the safe distance constraints. The performance evaluation indexes were established, considering efficiency, comfort, lateral slip, and lane offset. The multi-objective optimisation problem is solved in the feasible region, and the optimisation results were applied to the collision detection process. In addition, considering the nonlinear characteristics of tire force caused by sudden lateral movements of vehicles at high-speed, a vehicle dynamics model based on the Magic Formula is established, and Model Predictive Control is applied to track the expected trajectory. Simulation results show that this strategy can plan suitable lane-changing trajectories in high-speed working conditions and achieve vehicle collision avoidance.

Assessing the Potential for Legal Liability to Create Incentives for Agencies to Reduce Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in Canada and the United States

Despite proven effectiveness in reducing motorist crashes involving wildlife, systematic inclusion of wildlife-mitigation measures during highway planning and projects continues to vary by jurisdiction in the United States and Canada. Some agencies invest significant resources to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs), while others invest few or no resources. Various factors have been identified as relevant in explaining why some jurisdictions are more proactive than others in addressing WVCs. This analysis builds on existing literature by comparing select legal decisions in the United States and Canada regarding public authority liability for failures to remediate known WVC hot spots, with the goal of assessing the potential role of liability in creating incentives for government decision makers to systematically address motorist crashes involving animals.

Proposal for nationwide registration of injuries or fatalities in wheelchair user motor vehicle passengers in Japan.

One consequence of population aging is an increase in the number of older wheelchair users. They often board the motor vehicle from the rear for moving. Recently, wheelchair user vehicle passengers have involved in motor vehicle collisions and died. A three-point seatbelt does not adequately fit most wheelchair user passengers because of the way that the wheelchair is constructed. Therefore, owing to the movement of the body immediately after the collision, the wheelchair user passengers attacked their body to the interior of the vehicle or suffered from the intrusion of the lap belt into the abdomen, subsequently suffered from severe head, chest or abdominal injuries. According to the review of all fatal motor vehicle collisions in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, which has a population of approximately 1.4 million, from 2017 to 2022, the rate of wheelchair users in fatal motor vehicle passenger increased from 3.6% in 2017 to 2019 to 7.8% in 2020 to 2022. Therefore, there is a risk that substantial numbers of wheelchair user passengers involved in motor vehicle collisions will die. However, in Japan, there are no official statistics on the involvement of wheelchair user passengers in motor vehicle collisions. Therefore, we propose a nationwide registration of injuries and fatalities in wheelchair user passengers. Investigating the mechanisms of injury in wheelchair user passengers would contribute to the development of safety measures, especially for restraint systems. Established preventive measure would contribute to the decrease of fatally or severely injured motor vehicle collision passengers.

АНАЛИЗ ОСОБЕННОСТЕЙ ЛОКАЛИЗАЦИИ И РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ ВО ВРЕМЕНИ ЧАСТОТЫ АВАРИЙНЫХ СТОЛКНОВЕНИЙ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ СРЕДСТВ В КРУПНОМ РОССИЙСКОМ ГОРОДЕ

The article presents the results of studying the localization of one type of road accidents (RA) - collisions of motor vehicles (at intersections and stretches of the city's road network) and their distribution over time (monthly throughout the year and in a daily rhythm). It is established that there is a certain specificity of the distribution of collisions of vehicles over time. This specificity must be taken into account when solving the tasks of managing the processes of ensuring road safety.

Blunt Aortic Injury and a Liver Laceration after a Motor Vehicle Collision

An 80 year old male restrained driver was involved in a motor vehicle collision when his vehicle struck a tree. The patient was transported to a level 1 trauma center. He was alert and able to follow commands. He gave a past history of hypertension and hypothyroidism. His medications included dilantin and thyroxine but he could not recall the names of the blood pressure medications. The initial vital signs were as follows: Blood pressure – 145/85, Pulse – 73, Respiration -20. The oxygen saturation was 92%. The Glasgow coma Scale score was 15.

Resuscitation with pre-hospital blood products in adults with trauma-related haemorrhagic shock: the RePHILL RCT

Background The treatment of traumatic haemorrhagic shock has been transformed through better haemorrhage control, use of tranexamic acid and use of blood products. The improved survival seen from these strategies has stimulated an interest in pre-hospital transfusion. Objectives To determine if the clinical effectiveness of resuscitation with red blood cells and lyophilised plasma was superior to 0.9% saline for improving tissue perfusion and reducing mortality in adults with haemorrhagic shock following major trauma. Design A multi-centre, allocation concealed, open-label, parallel group, randomised controlled trial (with internal pilot). Setting The trial was conducted in four civilian pre-hospital critical care services who operated within the National Health Service (NHS) England Major Trauma Networks. Participants Adults (aged ≥16 years) who had sustained traumatic injuries, were attended by a pre-hospital emergency medical team and were hypotensive (systolic blood pressure &lt;90 mmHg or absence of radial pulse) as a consequence of traumatic haemorrhage were eligible for inclusion. The exclusion criteria were known or apparently &lt;16 years, blood administered on scene prior to arrival of the RePHILL team, traumatic cardiac arrest where (1) the arrest occurred prior to arrival of the team and/or (2) the primary cause is not hypovolaemia, refusal of blood product administration, known Jehovah’s Witness, pregnancy, isolated head injury without evidence of external haemorrhage, prisoners in the custody of HM Prison and Probation Service. Interventions Participants were randomised to receive up to either two units each of red blood cells and lyophilised plasma or up to 1 L 0.9% saline. Treatment was administered through the intravenous or intraosseous route. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was a composite of episode mortality and/or impaired lactate clearance. The secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome. Results From 6 December 2016 to 2 January 2021, pre-hospital medical teams randomised 432 participants to red blood cell/lyophilised plasma (n = 209) or 0.9% saline (n = 223) out of a target sample size of 490. Most participants were white (62%), males (82%), median age 38 (interquartile range 26 to 58), involved in a road traffic collision (62%) with severe injuries (median injury severity score 36, interquartile range 25 to 50). Prior to randomisation participants had received on average 430 ml crystalloid fluids and tranexamic acid (90%). The primary outcome occurred in 128/199 (64.3%) of participants randomised to red blood cell/lyophilised plasma and 136/210 (64.8%) randomised to 0.9% saline [adjusted risk difference –0.025% (95% confidence interval –9.0% to 9.0%), p = 0.996]. The event rates for the individual components of the primary outcome, episode mortality and lactate clearance were not statistically different between groups [adjusted average differences −3% (−12% to 7%); p = 0.57 and −5% (−14% to 5%), p = 0.33, respectively]. Limitations Recruitment stopped prematurely due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future work Identify the characteristics of patients who may benefit from pre-hospital blood products and whether alternative transfusion regimens are superior to standard care. Conclusions The trial did not demonstrate that pre-hospital red blood cell/lyophilised plasma resuscitation was superior to 0.9% saline for trauma-related haemorrhagic shock. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN62326938. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (NIHR award ref: 14/152/14) and is published in full in Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 11, No. 2. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Chronic neuropathic pain components in whiplash-associated disorders correlate with metabolite concentrations in the anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: a consensus-driven MRS re-examination.

Whiplash injury (WHI) is characterised by a forced neck flexion/extension, which frequently occurs after motor vehicle collisions. Previous studies characterising differences in brain metabolite concentrations and correlations with neuropathic pain (NP) components with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have been demonstrated in affective pain-processing areas such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, the detection of a difference in metabolite concentrations within these cortical areas with chronic WAD pain has been elusive. In this study, single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), following the latest MRSinMRS consensus group guidelines, was performed in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and occipital cortex (OCC) to quantify differences in metabolite concentrations in individuals with chronic WAD with or without neuropathic pain (NP) components. Healthy individuals (n = 29) and participants with chronic WAD (n = 29) were screened with the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire (DN4) and divided into groups without (WAD-noNP, n = 15) or with NP components (WAD-NP, n = 14). Metabolites were quantified with LCModel following a single session in a 3 T MRI scanner within the ACC, DLPFC, and OCC. Participants with WAD-NP presented moderate pain intensity and interference compared with the WAD-noNP group. Single-voxel MRS analysis demonstrated a higher glutamate concentration in the ACC and lower total choline (tCho) in the DLPFC in the WAD-NP versus WAD-noNP group, with no intergroup metabolite difference detected in the OCC. Best fit and stepwise multiple regression revealed that the normalised ACC glutamate/total creatine (tCr) (p = 0.01), DLPFC n-acetyl-aspartate (NAA)/tCr (p = 0.001), and DLPFC tCho/tCr levels (p = 0.02) predicted NP components in the WAD-NP group (ACC r 2 = 0.26, α = 0.81; DLPFC r 2 = 0.62, α = 0.98). The normalised Glu/tCr concentration was higher in the healthy than the WAD-noNP group within the ACC (p < 0.05), but not in the DLPFC or OCC. Neither sex nor age affected key normalised metabolite concentrations related to WAD-NP components when compared to the WAD-noNP group. This study demonstrates that elevated glutamate concentrations within the ACC are related to chronic WAD-NP components, while higher NAA and lower tCho metabolite levels suggest a role for increased neuronal-glial signalling and cell membrane dysfunction in individuals with chronic WAD-NP components.

Статистичний аналіз дорожньо-транспортних пригод у Тернопільській області та заходи щодо зниження аварійності

The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics, causes, and consequences of road traffic accidents (RTAs) in the Ternopil region over the past five years. This analysis seeks to identify the primary types of RTAs, determine the most frequent causes, and propose effective measures to reduce the number of accidents and their severity. By understanding these factors, we aim to enhance road safety and minimize the socio-economic impacts associated with RTAs in this region. In this study, a comprehensive statistical analysis of RTAs in the Ternopil region was conducted. This analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of accidents, which reached 2547 cases in 2023, an 11% rise compared to 2022. The primary types of accidents identified include collisions (50%), hitting obstacles (19%), hitting stationary vehicles (16%), and pedestrian accidents (8%). The study found that the highest mortality rates occur in pedestrian accidents (34%) and vehicle collisions (33%). Key causes of RTAs were identified as violations of maneuvering rules (40%), speeding (23%), failure to maintain a safe distance (10%), driving under the influence of alcohol (7%), and violations at intersections (5%). Based on these findings, several recommendations were made to enhance road safety. These include the implementation of artificial road bumps, installation of traffic lights with adjustable timers, additional road signs, high-visibility and illuminated pedestrian crossings, and the use of surveillance cameras to monitor compliance with traffic rules and identify violators. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of developing and implementing methodologies for predicting accident rates using statistical methods and conflict zone analysis, as well as calculating accident-related economic and environmental losses to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed measures. This study underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures in the Ternopil region. Implementing the recommended strategies and methodologies will significantly reduce the number of RTAs, enhance overall road safety, decrease the risks of injuries and fatalities, and lower the economic costs associated with road traffic accidents. These findings provide a clear roadmap for policymakers and road safety authorities to take actionable steps towards a safer road environment.

Comparative Assessment of FRP Composite Materials in Structural Applications under Low-Velocity Impact Loads: A Review

Fiber-reinforced polymer materials (FRPs) have been investigated as enhancing materials for various structural members against impact loading. This study reviews and highlights the impact resistance properties of structural members strengthened with different composite strengthening materials, explicitly focusing on vehicle collisions with bridge elements. While most existing research concentrates on the effectiveness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) against impact loads, this study explores the performance of alternative materials. Comparative studies, including assessing aramid fiber-reinforced polymer (AFRP) versus CFRP, suggest that AFRP exhibits superior anti-impact mechanical properties, including enhanced energy-absorbing capacity. However, contradictory findings necessitate further investigation. Moreover, Dyneema® fiber-reinforced polymer (DFRP) emerges as a promising alternative with superior anti-impact mechanical properties compared to CFRP. Despite this potential, DFRP has not yet found widespread application in structural contexts. This research aims to bridge existing gaps in understanding practical applications for strengthening materials against impact loading. The presentation will include quantitative insights into the comparative performance of different materials and discuss the findings’ potential implications for future structural engineering applications.

Responsibility Evaluation in Vehicle Collisions From Driving Recorder Videos Using Open Data

Responsibility Evaluation in Vehicle Collisions From Driving Recorder Videos Using Open Data

A macroscopic traffic flow modelling and collision avoidance using B-spline and Physics-Informed Neural Network approaches

The macroscopic model, such as the Lighthill-Whitham-Richards (LWR), has been extensively studied and applied to various homogeneous traffic problems. However, numerical methods have been widely used with good performance. The outcome of this work is the proposal of a one-dimensional speed-density model. We applied both the B-spline collocation and the Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) methods to solve this model. The results clearly demonstrated that the B-spline method outperforms the PINN method in terms of accuracy. These results were then used firstly to compare it with thus obtained with a microscopic urban mobility simulator (SUMO) and secondly to visualize collision phenomena which are crucial for public safety. To manage collisions, the Intelligent Driver Model (IDM) was implemented. This integrated approach highlights the effectiveness of our density-speed model, coupled with advanced solving and control techniques, in enhancing the understanding and management of traffic.

Prevalence of Whiplash Associated Disorders among Interstate Bus Drivers in A Nigerian Town

Background: Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD), is considered the most common outcome of non-catastrophic motor vehicle collisions. Objectives: The study determined the prevalence of WAD among interstate bus drivers in Ondo town, Ondo State, Nigeria and the relationship between the WAD and some sociodemographic variables Method: The study involved 110 bus drivers recruited purposefully from across the three bus parks in Ondo town. A questionnaire to assess sociodemographic data, driving history and prevalence of neck pain and its association with whiplash injuries was distributed among the bus drivers to complete and retrieved shortly after. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The alpha level was set at p&lt;0.05 of significance. Result: The results showed that WAD among the respondents had a point prevalence of 13 (11.8%) and 12 months prevalence of 25 (22.7%). There was no significant association between the usage of seatbelts and the 12-month prevalence (P=0.352) as well as the point prevalence (P=0.621). There was a significant relationship between the impact of the whiplash disability and the age of the drivers (P=0.016). There was no significant relationship between the duration of distance driving and the impact of WAD-associated disorders. (P=0.872). Conclusion: It was concluded that out of ten bus drivers, one may have a point prevalence of WAD while two bus drivers out of ten may have a 12-month prevalence of whiplash-associated disorders. The impact of WAD might increase as the age of a driver increases.

Optimized path planning and scheduling strategies for connected and automated vehicles at single-lane roundabouts.

This paper focuses on the cooperative driving challenges of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at single-lane roundabouts. First, a geometric path planning method is proposed for CAVs navigating a single-lane roundabout. Based on this method, a vehicle roundabout model is established. Four potential traffic scenarios for CAVs are established, and the optimal arrival times at conflict points are analyzed. By correlating the optimal arrival times at conflict points with the optimal entry times into the roundabout, the multi-vehicle coordination problem in complex intersections is simplified to a speed control issue during entry. Utilizing the principles of optimal control and Pontryagin minimization, two speed optimization strategies are proposed. Finally, MATLAB is employed for simulation analysis. The results indicate that the control strategy proposed in this paper enables the system to clearly identify potential conflicts between vehicles and implement an optimal control strategy, ensuring that vehicles can navigate the roundabout efficiently in terms of time and fuel without collisions. Additionally, the minimum time interval is established at 0.2 seconds to completely prevent vehicle collisions. In this study, the fusion problem involving two vehicles at a single conflict point is further expanded to encompass multiple vehicles at multiple conflict points. Thus, the efficient scheduling of multiple vehicles in single-lane roundabouts is realized.

Impact of urban road characteristics and natural landscapes on animal vehicle collisions: A case study in Nanjing

Impact of urban road characteristics and natural landscapes on animal vehicle collisions: A case study in Nanjing