Road Course Research Articles

Selected aspects of multicriteria analysis in the design of bypass roads

The multicriteria analysis is a method of supporting the decision process in a situation where there are many road alignment variants analyzed. The paper presents two examples of choosing the most beneficial variant for bypassing a town, located in the course of regional roads. The analysis was conducted basing on normalization methods by Van Delft and Nijkamp, Weitendorf, Peldschus and the weight of the considered criteria. The considered criteria describing the analyzed variants are usually expressed in different units. The use of normalization is necessary to achieve the comparability of the criteria.

Type A shipping package harmonic assessment methodologies

Response to incident vibrations is a design aspect assessed during the development of Type A fissile shipping packages. Not only are expected transport induced vibrations evaluated for package structural integrity, but also to ensure the integrity of the unirradiated fuel assembly. Such incident vibrations include, but are not limited to, expected transport induced vibrations, and single pulse shock inputs occurring at relatively high frequencies. The regulatory requirement to ensure that there is no deterioration in the effectiveness of any closure devices or in the structural integrity of a Type A fissile shipping package is governed by TS-R-1 as well as 10CFR71·71. In addition to regulatory requirements, the fissile Type A contents, more specifically the fresh fuel assembly, have design specifications that require shipping and handling acceleration loads remain below a design threshold. Other structural design considerations include supplemental vibration damping system(s) tuned for package design features and transport conveyance interfaces which may induce vibrations. A test program was developed and executed to fully assess the Westinghouse Traveller fresh fuel shipping package harmonic characteristics considering regulatory and fuel assembly requirements. Road course testing, vibration shaker table testing and port handling simulation/drop tests with production Traveller shipping packages were utilised for evaluation. The testing also provided valuable data to determine the proper material selection for shock mitigating materials, their configuration within the shipping package, and identifying resonance frequencies associated with the shipping package design structure. Once an in-depth understanding of the packaging and fuel assembly’s harmonic response to shipping and handling induced vibrations and single pulse shocks was established, an optimised suspension system design configuration to dampen those incident vibrations was realised.

Auto racing comes of age: a transatlantic view of the cars, drivers and speedways, 1900-1925

The first quarter of the 20th century was a time of dramatic change in auto racing, marked by the move from the horseless carriage to the supercharged Grand Prix racer, from the gentleman driver to the well-publicized professional, and from the dusty road course to the autodrome. This history of the evolution of European and American auto racing from 1900 to 1925 examines transatlantic influences, early dirt track racing, and the birth of the twin-cam engine and the straight-eight. It also explores the origins of the Bennett and Vanderbilt races, the early career of America's Speed King Barney Oldfield, the rise of the speedway specials from Marmon, Mercer, Stutz and Duesenberg, and developments from Peugeot, Delage, Ballot, Fiat, and Bugatti. This informative work provides welcome insight into a defining period in motorsports.

Improved Key Based Security Framework for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are a subgroup of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) with the distinguishing property that the nodes are vehicles like cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. This implies that node movement is restricted by factors like road course, encompassing traffic and traffic regulations. Nodes are expected to communicate by means of North American DSRC standard that employs the IEEE 802.11p standard for wireless communication. To allow communication with participants out of radio range, messages have to be forwarded by other nodes (multi-hop communication).A web based secure registration process that allows a user to create an account with RSUs. During the registration, users provide all required information that enables them to have the benefit of secure connectivity starting from the first packet that they send to the RSUs. We propose a novel cryptographic function that enables users and RSUs to apply the required security level of exchanged messages by adjusting the number of iterations of the function. We derive a set of encryption keys that are used to encrypt the next packet from part of the data in the current packet.

Resource Consumption and Simulator Driving Performance Using Adaptive Controls

This research seeks to understand the usability of portable assistive driving devices as it relates to driver performance and safety. Through the use of a computer-based simulation, two sets of hand controls were tested in an environment containing driving hazards. Ten participants drove an ambulance through two sessions of high-demand, hazardous scenarios in a computer-based driving simulator. Participants drove one session with each of the two available portable hand control devices. From each of these driving sessions, driving performance metrics were measured in the form of time-to-complete, number of damage-inflicting collisions, percentage of vehicle damage accrued by the end of the drive, and percentage of road course completed. Data were also collected from a posttest survey about which hand control device participants preferred using. Results demonstrated no significant differences between hand control devices with regard to course completion, amount of damage sustained to vehicle, or number of collisions. However, a trend was identified for preference of hand control based on experience, regardless of driving performance. Although the objective results of this study were not significant, the study leads to interesting avenues of future research regarding preference as well as the need for larger populations of individuals with disabilities in simulation studies.

Incentives on the Starting Grid in Formula One Racing

Starting a race in first place, pole position, is the goal of every race driver. This is even more pronounced in Formula One (F1) racing as the road courses they race are more difficult to pass on, providing an additional advantage to starting on the pole. However, their unique standing starts also create a bottleneck at the first turn, which often leads to contact between cars. Because F1 cars are not designed to make contact, this contact can greatly impact a driver’s position on the track. We find that there are certain positions on the starting grid that are more likely to make contact with other drivers than other positions. Specifically the starting position with the highest odds to make contact at the first turn is position 10. This creates the incentive for drivers to avoid this position, which means if they are unable to qualify higher than this position, the incentive exists for drivers to intentionally adjust their behavior to avoid these high-risk (of making contact) positions.

Measuring vehicle impacts on snow roads

The snow roads at McMurdo Station are the primary transport corridors to move personnel and material from the airfields servicing intra- and inter-continental air traffic for resupply. Thus, they are a critical transportation component and are particularly susceptible to deterioration during the warmest parts of the austral summer when above-freezing temperatures can occur for several days at a time. This study served to explore methodology that could quantify the impact of various vehicles, tires, driving speeds and maneuvers on the snow road conditions. Basic maneuvers were used to isolate the impact of turning, acceleration, braking and speed using spirals, circles, and straight-line testing on a flat, smooth snow pavement. In addition, a road course was set up to include corners and roughness using portions of the active snow roads for more realistic conditions. Measurements included snow surface strength both in and between tire tracks, tire track rut depth and width, and the height and width of the resulting snow piles adjacent to the tire tracks. Results indicate the impacts of driving speed and vehicle type including the importance of the tire and suspension components for preserving the road surfaces through the melt season. Since this type of testing had not been done on snow before, or using these vehicle types, the experiments yielded valuable guidance regarding what types of maneuvers, test surfaces, and measurements could most easily differentiate performance.

Effect of Advance Yield Markings and Symbolic Signs on Vehicle–Pedestrian Conflicts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made walkable communities a priority. Pedestrian safety is key to the success of this objective. Pedestrians are at especially high risk when traversing unsignalized, marked crosswalks located either midblock or at T-intersections, especially when a vehicle adjacent to the driver is blocking the view of a crossing pedestrian. Several treatments have been proposed to reduce crashes at such crosswalks in such situations. Two experiments were conducted in the town of Greenfield, Massachusetts, to assess the effectiveness of advance yield markings on drivers’ scanning for pedestrians and to study their yielding behavior. Advance yield markings consist of a line of white triangles 20 to 50 ft in advance of the crosswalk together with a sign indicating that drivers should yield at the markings. The first experiment was an observational one involving a staged pedestrian attempting to use the crosswalk, and the second experiment was an in-vehicle field study conducted on an open road course in Green-field. Results demonstrated that advance yield markings coupled with the vacating of parking spots immediately adjacent to the crosswalk to clear the line of sight of approaching vehicles improved yielding compliance. In addition, when advance yield markings and warning signs were present, drivers approaching the crosswalk were more likely to scan areas to the sides of the roadway at crosswalks in anticipation of a pedestrian's entering the crosswalk.

2A1-C01 歩行機能が低下した高齢者における移動支援機器に関する検討(福祉ロボティクス・メカトロニクス(1))

We suggest a four-wheel type electric power-assistant personal mobility for care prevention. We have experimented for twenty healthy elderly people using this equipment. The purpose of this experimental is to evaluate the physical load of user by the oxygen uptake values while they are running a flat road course and an 8% slope course respectively. The new personal mobility is useful for transportation support of elderly people and contributes to maintaining and improving physical function.

Incentives on the Starting Grid in Formula One Racing

Starting a race in first place, pole position, is the goal of every race driver. This is even more pronounced in Formula One (F1) racing as the road courses they race are more difficult to pass on, providing an additional advantage to starting on the pole. However, their unique standing starts also create a bottleneck at the first turn, which often leads to contact between cars. Because F1 cars are not designed to make contact, this contact can greatly impact a driver’s position on the track. We find that there are certain positions on the starting grid that are more likely to make contact with other drivers than other positions. Specifically the starting position with the highest odds to make contact at the first turn is position 10. This creates the incentive for drivers to avoid this position, which means if they are unable to qualify higher than this position, the incentive exists for drivers to intentionally adjust their behavior to avoid these high-risk (of making contact) positions.

Milestones indicating distances from Moesia Inferior

Milestones are special pillars typically inscribed with information which helped travelers during ancient times to move from one place to another. Initially, they contained only little geographic information. In time they become instruments of communication and propaganda, the text of inscriptions is becoming more elaborate including all the titles and genealogy of the emperor who built or repaired the road or other kind of data. Among the information provided to travelers was the distance measured in milia passuum (1 MP = 1480m) from one place to the nearest locality. Although important it is not always specified. Sometimes neither the distance! In Lower Moesia were so far discovered 31 such milliaria. They are the subject of the present contribution. Most of them were identified in situ confirming distances recorded on ancient itineraries or had contributed to the reconstruction of the course of the ancient roads within the province.

A Brief Discussion on Settlement Pattern of Ancient Village in Jiajiazhuang

Ancient settlement refers to an agriculture-based village formed by surrounding natural environmental conditions, with agriculture as the main economic activity. As the product of natural adjustment, utilization and transformation, settlement is the crystallization of human cultural development, which significantly reflected local economic development level, local customs, etc. Based on field investigation and analysis of relevant literatures, the paper generalized overall pattern and development course of ancient post road in Jiajiazhuang, and summarized overall layout and functional characteristics of dwellings and temples in Jiajiazhuang with Guoshiqi Courtyard and Temples to the Three Progenitors (Sanhuang Miao) as examples. The paper is of profound significance to the understanding of dwelling architectures in Shanxi, and restoration and protection of ancient settlement.

Application of WebGIS in Process Management of Highway Bridge

According to Road Course management characteristics, this System was built based upon WebGIS technology , SVG technology, Ajax technology and database technology. This paper discussed the main designment solution of this system and to realize bridge CAD map to ZommIn, ZommOut, Pan, Theme, Edit function and so on。

Runners Greatly Underestimate Sweat Losses Before and After a 1-hr Summer Run

The purpose of this study was to determine how accurately runners estimate their sweat losses. Male (n = 19) and female (n = 20) runners (41 ± 10 yr, VO2max 57 ± 9 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1) from the southeastern U.S. completed an ~1-hr run during late summer on a challenging outdoor road course (wet bulb globe temperature 24.1 ± 1.5 °C). Runs began at ~6:45 a.m. or p.m. Before and after running, participants filled race-aid-station paper cups with a volume of fluid they felt would be equivalent to their sweat losses. Total sweat losses and losses by percent body weight differed (p < .01) between men (1,797 ± 449 ml, 2.3% ± 0.6%) and women (1,155 ± 258 ml, 1.9% ± 0.4%). Postrun estimates (738 ± 470 ml) were lower (p < .001) than sweat losses (1,468 ± 484 ml), equaling underestimations of 50% ± 23%, with no differences in estimation accuracy by percentage between genders. Runners who reported measuring changes in pre- and postrun weight to assess sweat losses within the previous month (n = 9, -54% ± 18%) were no more accurate (p = .55) than runners who had not (n = 30, -48% ± 24%). These results suggest that inadequate fluid intake during runs or between runs may stem from underestimations of sweat losses and that runners who do assess sweat-loss changes may be making sweat-loss calculation errors or do not accurately translate changes in body weight to physical volumes of water.

Predictive mathematical model of time saved on descents in road cycling achieved through reduction in aerodynamic drag area

This paper presents empirically-based simulation results of descent time to completion in road cycling. A mathematical model is formulated to predict time saved on road cycling descents where a cyclist’s position is static through manipulation of aerodynamic drag area, system parameters and initial conditions. Road cyclists often adopt drastic static riding positions on long descents in order to minimize aerodynamic drag and optimize performance, measured as race time to completion. In those riding positions bicycle control is compromised and the risk of fall and injury increases. The aims of this study were to empirically determine whether there is a difference in aerodynamic drag area associated with the ‘Top-Tube’ descending riding position compared to ‘Normal’ descending riding position, and to investigate the effect of the difference on time to completion of road descents. Two elite male Australian time-trial cyclists were tested in an open jet wind tunnel. Drag force was measured using a force platform and a custom air bearing drag measurement system at 50 Hz at wind velocity of 15.6 m/s. Athletes were tested in their ‘Normal’ descending position and in the ‘Top-Tube’ position. Based on Newtonian–Lagrangian equations of motion of the cyclist–bicycle system, an analogue mathematical model as a non-linear Riccati ordinary differential equation was developed to enable prediction of velocity and time to completion of a road cycling course descent of known length and gradient as measures of performance for an athlete of known mass and empirically determined drag area in a descending position. Previously, proposed models of cycling performance have been based on physiological, anthropometric, and mechanical power output. No general closed-form time-to-completion mathematical model for cycling was found in the literature. Analytical solutions allow for a concise investigation of a dynamical system model behaviour that is not as readily available with a numerical solution. Wind tunnel testing showed up to 25% reduction in drag area for changes to cyclists riding position from their ‘Normal’ to the ‘Top-Tube’ dropped descending position. The analytical solution to the nonlinear Riccati differential equation showed that large time savings as a result of reduction of drag area can be made on road cycling race descents. In the example scenario simulated here, 29.2 s may be saved on a 5 km descent of 10% gradient with 25% reduction in aerodynamic drag area (CdA). The ‘Top-Tube’ riding position is associated with a large reduction in aerodynamic drag area in road descents compared to conventional descending riding position. Our model enables the prediction of time to completion on descents. This may assist cyclists to assess the trade-off between undertaking increased risk associated with drastic rider descending position and the potential for improved performance in the context of race tactics and strategy.

Even Moderate Visual Impairments Degrade Drivers' Ability to See Pedestrians at Night

To determine the effect of moderate levels of refractive blur and simulated cataracts on nighttime pedestrian conspicuity in the presence and absence of headlamp glare. The ability to recognize pedestrians at night was measured in 28 young adults (M = 27.6 years) under three visual conditions: normal vision, refractive blur, and simulated cataracts; mean acuity was 20/40 or better in all conditions. Pedestrian recognition distances were recorded while participants drove an instrumented vehicle along a closed road course at night. Pedestrians wore one of three clothing conditions and oncoming headlamps were present for 16 participants and absent for 12 participants. Simulated visual impairment and glare significantly reduced the frequency with which drivers recognized pedestrians and the distance at which the drivers first recognized them. Simulated cataracts were significantly more disruptive than blur even though photopic visual acuity levels were matched. With normal vision, drivers responded to pedestrians at 3.6- and 5.5-fold longer distances on average than for the blur or cataract conditions, respectively. Even in the presence of visual impairment and glare, pedestrians were recognized more often and at longer distances when they wore a "biological motion" reflective clothing configuration than when they wore a reflective vest or black clothing. Drivers' ability to recognize pedestrians at night is degraded by common visual impairments, even when the drivers' mean visual acuity meets licensing requirements. To maximize drivers' ability to see pedestrians, drivers should wear their optimum optical correction, and cataract surgery should be performed early enough to avoid potentially dangerous reductions in visual performance.

Measuring the Classic Marathon Course

The Classic Marathon Course in the greater Athens area is an important cultural heritage item, both tangible and intangible, as it also signifies the mentality of the ancient Greeks of the 5th c. BC. Moreover it is one of the more difficult Marathon courses in the modern era and for that reason many runners desire to compete on this course. Road courses are measured by certified experts using internationally approved methods. In this paper an alternative method for measuring the Classic Marathon Course using photogrammetric methodology is presented. The course is surveyed in a stereoscopic environment and therefore the measurement is performed directly in 3D space. Its accuracy is thoroughly investigated and its performance is compared to the approved conventional method and assessed for its efficiency and accuracy.

GDynamic stiffness and transmissibility of commercially available wheelchair cushions using a laboratory test method

Evidence suggests that wheelchair (WC) users are exposed to unhealthy levels of vibration during WC use. Health risks associated with vibration exposure include vertebral disc degeneration and back pain, which may consequently decrease the function and independence of WC users. Some evidence suggests that the cushions used in WCs may amplify vibrations, although conclusive evidence has not been presented in the literature. This study evaluated and compared the transmissibility of commercially available WC cushions with two laboratory test methods: (1) direct measurement of transmissibility while human subjects propelled a WC over a road course with different cushions and (2) characterization of cushions with a material testing system (MTS) combined with mathematical models of the apparent mass of the human body. Results showed that although dynamic characterization of WC cushions is possible with an MTS, the results did not correlate well with the transmissibility obtained in the WC road course. Significant differences were found for transmissibility among the cushions tested, with the air-based cushions having lower transmissibility than the foam- or gel-based cushions.

J027034 介護予防及び運動療法用4輪型電動アシストパーソナルモビリティの開発

In this study, we have development of four-wheel electric power-assisted personal mobility to support going out such as the elderly person who had a decline in the function of legs or the elderly person that a walk function decreased. This equipment, a safely reliable and physical burden is small, and there is movement going out easily while moving lower limbs. In order to check the performance of mobile support equipment, we have experimented for six healthy male subjects using this equipment. The purpose of this experimental is to evaluate the physical load of user by the oxygen uptake values and heart rate while they are running a flat road course and 8% slope course. These results can be used for the development of mobile support equipment and evaluation methods.

A geotouristic proposal for Amendolara territory (northern ionic sector of Calabria, Italy)

The Calabria Region is one of the most interesting areas in the world for the extraordinary variety of structural and geomorphologic configurations, an interest which reflects primarily the complex geological processes that characterise it. Moreover, in the Amendolara, geological resources represent both scientific and cultural values and together define the geodiversity significance of this territory. Such geological resources therefore represent an important part of the cultural component because they are connected to historical events. On-site and photo-aerial investigations were carried out in the Amendolara area, allowing us to develop a thematic map in which the “geomorphologic memory places” could be identified. These were divided into geosites (typically geological and geomorphological sites) and geoarchaeological sites (the “Hermit caves” specifically). All geosites were identified, mapped and described in conformance with the “Italian geosites inventory method”. The adoption of a GIS software system allowed us to both obtain a geotourism map as a final output and integrate potential environmental factors as these represent a significant added value to social structures in the area. A conceptual geotourism route has been developed which will contribute to and provide a framework for the development of eco-sustainable tourism. This route commences with the oldest lithologies and geological features, and continues down slope towards coastal areas which are characterised by the earliest record of human interactions in the territory. This linear trail design is preferred to a loop trail as it provides better continuity between morpho-geological and historical features. The route is very simple for visitors as it follows the course of main roads and the beginning, the intermediate stops and the end all correspond to well-known places. This proposal offers a useful support to planning-management decision-making processes, as the destruction of “geomorphologic–geoarchaeologic monuments” would result in an enormous loss to future generations.