Applied High Resolution Traffic Controller Data Outcome Based Performance Measures With Gate-Down Confirmation Circuit

Author(s):  
Thomas M. Brennan ◽  
James R. Sturdevant ◽  
Darcy M. Bullock

Track clearance green phases are used at railroad preempted intersections to provide time to clear the railroad tracks of highway vehicles before a train arrives. This paper describes preemption performance measures developed in Indiana that use high resolution, real-time traffic signal event data, and a gate-down confirmation circuit at an active railroad crossing. These performance measures are used to quantitatively assess the synchronization of the track clearance phase with the railroad gate position. Performance measure plots from over 4,000 preemption events over six months are presented. The lessons learned from the assessment of these performance plots are described along with changes made to the test site during the study period. The paper concludes with recommendations for incorporating a highway-railroad synchronization performance measure using the start of railroad active warning time as a surrogate gate-down confirmation circuit.

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1163-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjani Krishnan ◽  
Joan L. Luft ◽  
Michael D. Shields

Performance-measure weights for incentive compensation are often determined subjectively. Determining these weights is a cognitively difficult task, and archival research shows that observed performance-measure weights are only partially consistent with the predictions of agency theory. Ittner et al. (2003) have concluded that psychology theory can help to explain such inconsistencies. In an experimental setting based on Feltham and Xie (1994), we use psychology theories of reasoning to predict distinctive patterns of similarity and difference between optimal and actual subjective performance-measure weights. The following predictions are supported. First, in contrast to a number of prior studies, most individuals' decisions are significantly influenced by the performance measures' error variance (precision) and error covariance. Second, directional errors in the use of these measurement attributes are relatively frequent, resulting in a mean underreaction to an accounting change that alters performance measurement error. Third, individuals seem insufficiently aware that a change in the accounting for one measure has spillover effects on the optimal weighting of the other measure in a two-measure incentive system. In consequence, they make performance-measure weighting decisions that are likely to result in misallocations of agent effort.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2882
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Shane R. Cloude ◽  
Joanne C. White

In this paper, we consider a new method for forest canopy height estimation using TanDEM-X single-pass radar interferometry. We exploit available information from sample-based, space-borne LiDAR systems, such as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) sensor, which offers high-resolution vertical profiling of forest canopies. To respond to this, we have developed a new extended Fourier-Legendre series approach for fusing high-resolution (but sparsely spatially sampled) GEDI LiDAR waveforms with TanDEM-X radar interferometric data to improve wide-area and wall-to-wall estimation of forest canopy height. Our key methodological development is a fusion of the standard uniform assumption for the vertical structure function (the SINC function) with LiDAR vertical profiles using a Fourier-Legendre approach, which produces a convergent series of approximations of the LiDAR profiles matched to the interferometric baseline. Our results showed that in our test site, the Petawawa Research Forest, the SINC function is more accurate in areas with shorter canopy heights (<~27 m). In taller forests, the SINC approach underestimates forest canopy height, whereas the Legendre approach avails upon simulated GEDI forest structural vertical profiles to overcome SINC underestimation issues. Overall, the SINC + Legendre approach improved canopy height estimates (RMSE = 1.29 m) compared to the SINC approach (RMSE = 4.1 m).


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Crismely A Perdomo ◽  
Vepuka E Kauari ◽  
Elizabeth Suarez ◽  
Olajide Williams ◽  
Joshua Stillman ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose The literature demonstrates how utilizing evidence-based, standardized stroke care can improve patient outcomes; however, the contribution of electronic medical record (EMR) systems may also impact outcomes by ensuring utilization and compliance with established stroke performance measures, facilitating and improving documentation requirements, and standardizing approach to care. In 2008, documentation in patients’ medical records was done in combination of paper and a template free EMR. Originally, the EMR was used for order entry, then transitioned to full electronic documentation in 2009. At that time we implemented our stroke templates and performance measures based on regulatory standards. We hypothesized that the stroke template implementation would help us achieve performance measure criteria above state benchmarks as set out by the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH). Methods Implementation was phased in [over 18 months], initially using a template that only included neurological assessment and free text fields for stroke measures. By July 2010, existing templates were modified and additional stroke templates were implemented to meet new regulatory requirements and meaningful use criteria. Retrospective data review was conducted for performance comparison between 2008 -- one year prior to EMR/template implementation -- and 2010. In Quarter 1 of 2011 EMR was also implemented in the Emergency Department (ED). Data was reviewed for compliance with stroke measures. Results Documentation compliance substantially improved between 2008 and Quarter 1 2011: Compliance for these measures has been maintained ≥ 85% since November 2010, ≥ 90% Q1 2011 Conclusions The EMR implementation of stroke templates and performance measures can produce substantial improvement in performance measure compliance. Future steps will include automated documentation alerts to retrieve information and real time discovery of missing documentation for concurrent quality review and improvement


2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Scheipers ◽  
Christian Perrey ◽  
Stefan Siebers ◽  
Christian Hansen ◽  
Helmut Ermert

The application of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for computer-aided diagnostic systems is reviewed. A statistical framework is presented and different methods of evaluating the classification performance of computer-aided diagnostic systems, and, in particular, systems for ultrasonic tissue characterization, are derived. Most classifiers that are used today are dependent on a separation threshold, which can be chosen freely in many cases. The separation threshold separates the range of output values of the classification system into different target groups, thus conducting the actual classification process. In the first part of this paper, threshold specific performance measures, e.g., sensitivity and specificity; are presented. In the second part, a threshold-independent performance measure, the area under the ROC curve, is reviewed. Only the use of separation threshold-independent performance measures provides classification results that are overall representative for computer-aided diagnostic systems. The following text was motivated by the lack of a complete and definite discussion of the underlying subject in available textbooks, references and publications. Most manuscripts published so far address the theme of performance evaluation using ROC analysis in a manner too general to be practical for everyday use in the development of computer-aided diagnostic systems. Nowadays, the user of computer-aided diagnostic systems typically handles huge amounts of numerical data, not always distributed normally. Many assumptions made in more or less theoretical works on ROC analysis are no longer valid for real-life data. The paper aims at closing the gap between theoretical works and real-life data. The review provides the interested scientist with information needed to conduct ROC analysis and to integrate algorithms performing ROC analysis into classification systems while understanding the basic principles of classification.


Author(s):  
Jill Braun ◽  
Stuart Clouston

On May 21, 2009, the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advisory Bulletin (PHMSA-2009-0148) entitled, “Potential for Low and Variable Yield, Tensile Strength and Chemical Compositions in High Strength Line Pipe” [1] recommending that pipeline operators investigate whether recently constructed pipelines contain pipe joints not meeting the minimum specification requirements (74FR2390). Based on PHMSA’s technical reviews, high resolution deformation tool inspection combined with comprehensive infield verification has been recommended in accordance with the “Interim Guidelines for Confirming Pipe Strength in Pipe Susceptible to Low Yield Strength,” issued by PHMSA in September 2009[2]. Kern River Gas Transmission Company (Kern River) underwent a detailed program of engineering and assessment in order to proactively demonstrate compliance with the interim guidelines. This paper discusses the process, inspection results and infield verifications performed by the pipeline operator. In particular, detailed consideration to the methodology of detection and assessment of potential pipeline expansions is presented with discussion on the special considerations needed for low level anomaly identification, reporting and verification of expansions as defined in the PHMSA guidelines. High resolution caliper analysis approaches developed for this particular application are discussed and appropriate techniques are recommended that consider the effects of possible asymmetry of expansions and impact of other deformations such as ovality. Field verification practices and findings are reviewed in detail with particular focus on the challenges facing the pipeline operator in resolving both tool and in-field measurement errors that can significantly impact the number of identifiable candidate expansions for verification. In conclusion, an overview of the assessment criteria and field activity to comply with the PHMSA interim guidelines are presented along with the lessons learned from the analysis, verification and remediation steps that may assist other pipeline operators as they address these newly established regulatory requirements.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moira Pryhoda ◽  
Rachel Wathen ◽  
Jay Dicharry ◽  
Kevin Shelburne ◽  
Bradley Davidson

The objective of this research was to determine if three alternative shoe upper closures improve biomechanical performance measures relative to a standard lace closure in court-based movements. NCAA Division 1 and club-level male athletes recruited from lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and rugby performed four court-based movements: Lateral Skater Jump repeats (LSJ), Countermovement Jump repeats (CMJ), Triangle Drop Step drill (TDS), and Anterior-Posterior drill (AP). Each athlete performed the movements in four shoe upper closures: Standard Closure, Lace Replacement, Y Wrap, and Tri Strap. Ground contact time, peak eccentric rate of force development (RFD), peak concentric GRF, peak concentric COM power, eccentric work, concentric work, and movement completion time were measured. Tri Strap saw improvements in four of seven biomechanical variables during CMJ and LSJ and one variable during TDS. Lace Replacement delivered improvements in one performance measure during CMJ, LSJ, and AP, and two variables in TDS. Y Wrap improved performance in three performance measures during LSJ and impaired performance in two measures during CMJ and three measures during AP. Tri Strap provided the most consistent performance improvements across all movements. This study allowed for the mechanical properties of the shoe lower to remain consistent across designs to examine if an alternative shoe upper closure could enhance performance. Our results indicate that increased proprioception and/or mechanical properties due to the alternative closures, especially Tri Strap, improves athlete performance, which concludes that the design of the shoe upper is an essential consideration in shoe design.


Author(s):  
Charles R Siegel ◽  
Anjan Chakrabarti ◽  
Lewis Siegel ◽  
Forrest Winslow ◽  
Thomas Hall

Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a highly morbid public health problem. Despite improving practices and clear guidelines, mortality from this condition remains high at 90%, with survivors often suffering from poor neurologic outcomes. To determine the feasibility of quality improvement collaboratives to narrow gaps between evidence-based practice and patient care for OHCA, we conducted a pilot study of the AHA Resuscitation Collaborative. Methods: Eight emergency medical service agencies participated in the quality improvement collaborative pilot project. We identified several OHCA performance measures to assess the quality of care, guide collaborative activities, and monitor change in performance over time. Over the course of four learning sessions, participants were trained in quality improvement and performance measurement, analyzed performance measure results, and shared successes and challenges. Results: Five remaining agencies underwent the process outlined in Figure 1. Adherence to performance measures, including compression rate compliance (Figure 2), improved over the course of the collaborative. Compression rate compliance in Figure 2 corresponds to the process improvement efforts of the Chesapeake Fire Department with achievement of goals for optimal range of chest compression rate between 100 and 120 compressions per minute during resuscitations. Conclusion: As demonstrated in Virginia, the collaborative approach was an effective framework to improve OHCA care. Improvement in performance measures, the evident commitment of dedicated peers and colleagues, consistent collaboration, and the effective diffusion of best practices all support the continued use of this model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 181-212
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Glover ◽  
Hao Xue

ABSTRACT Teamwork and team incentives are increasingly prevalent in modern organizations. Performance measures used to evaluate individuals' contributions to teamwork are often non-verifiable. We study a principal-multi-agent model of relational (self-enforcing) contracts in which the optimal contract resembles a bonus pool. It specifies a minimum joint bonus floor the principal is required to pay out to the agents, and gives the principal discretion to use non-verifiable performance measures to both increase the size of the pool and to allocate the pool to the agents. The joint bonus floor is useful because of its role in motivating the agents to mutually monitor each other by facilitating a strategic complementarity in their payoffs. In an extension section, we introduce a verifiable team performance measure that is a noisy version of the individual non-verifiable measures, and show that the verifiable measure is either ignored or used to create a conditional bonus floor.


Author(s):  
Mara Madaleno ◽  
Elisabete S. Vieira ◽  
João P. C. Teodósio

Using a sample of 47 Portuguese and Spanish firms for the period 2010 to 2017, the authors study the relationship between female presence on board and firm's accounting (ROA and ROE) and market-based (MTB and Tobin's Q) performance. They find that women on the board of directors is positively related to firm's performance, as well as the gender of the CFO and the proportion of women on the listed key professionals, when we consider the market measures of performance, not being so consistent for accounting performance measures. Results were sensitive to the performance measure used. The results reinforce the political options of European Commission gender established quotas, revealing that in the Iberian countries these quotas are not being effectively implemented, even if results suggest that women on board in fact exert positive influence over market performance. This also led us to think that financial markets may also react in a positive way when the CFO of the company is a woman instead of a man, despite the sample limitations both in terms of gender and number of firms.


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