Pedestrian Behavior at Signalized Intersection Crosswalks: Observational Study of Factors Associated with Distracted Walking, Pedestrian Violations, and Walking Speed

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (35) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan J. Russo ◽  
Emmanuel James ◽  
Cristopher Y. Aguilar ◽  
Edward J. Smaglik
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Signalized Intersections ◽  
Video Data ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Pedestrian Behavior ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Walking Speeds

In the past two decades, cell phone and smartphone use in the United States has increased substantially. Although mobile phones provide a convenient way for people to communicate, the distraction caused by the use of these devices has led to unintended traffic safety and operational consequences. Although it is well recognized that distracted driving is extremely dangerous for all road users (including pedestrians), the potential impacts of distracted walking have not been as comprehensively studied. Although practitioners should design facilities with the safety, efficiency, and comfort of pedestrians in mind, it is still important to investigate certain pedestrian behaviors at existing facilities to minimize the risk of pedestrian–vehicle crashes, and to reduce behaviors that may unnecessarily increase delay at signalized intersections. To gain new insights into factors associated with distracted walking, pedestrian violations, and walking speed, 3,038 pedestrians were observed across four signalized intersections in New York and Arizona using high-definition video cameras. The video data were reduced and summarized, and an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model was estimated to analyze factors affecting walking speeds. In addition, binary logit models were estimated to analyze both pedestrian distraction and pedestrian violations. Ultimately, several site- and pedestrian-specific variables were found to be significantly associated with pedestrian distraction, violation behavior, and walking speeds. The results provide important information for researchers, practitioners, and legislators, and may be useful in planning strategies to reduce or mitigate the impacts of pedestrian behavior that may be considered unsafe or potentially inefficient.

Roadway-Related Truck Crash Risk Analysis: Case Studies in Texas

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (34) ◽  
pp. 20-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Zhao ◽  
Tyrie Goodman ◽  
Mehdi Azimi ◽  
Yi Qi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Crash Risk ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Fatal Crashes ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Police Reports

Since 1994, Texas has had the highest number of fatal crashes involving large trucks in the United States, and this number increased by 82% from 2009 to 2012. Due to the size and weight of large trucks, their crashes usually are very destructive. Although large trucks have a significant impact on traffic safety in Texas, very little analysis has been conducted of the risk factors associated with crashes involving large trucks, especially the roadway-related risk factors. In this paper, the results of a collision-diagram-based analysis are presented for selected areas in Texas where frequent crashes of large trucks occur. First, historical data related to large truck crashes from 2011 through 2015 were extracted and entered into ArcGIS to identify areas within a 0.5-mi radius of where large truck crashes occur frequently, which were named hot spots. Then, based on the results of the identified hot spots, we identified hot areas, that is, areas with clusters of hot spots. Police reports of all of the crashes that occurred in the selected hot areas were then reviewed, and collision diagrams were developed. By analyzing all of the collision diagrams that were developed, five roadway-related risk factors were identified, and potential effective countermeasures were proposed to prevent or mitigate crashes involving large trucks.

Impact of Geometry and Operations on Left-Turn Gap Acceptance at Signalized Intersections with Permissive Indication

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110114
Author(s):  
Boris Claros ◽  
Madhav Chitturi ◽  
Andrea Bill ◽  
David A. Noyce
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Signalized Intersections ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Likelihood Method ◽  
Speed Limit ◽  
Gap Acceptance ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Saturation Flow

Critical and follow-up headways are the foundation for estimating the saturation flow of permissive left-turns at signalized intersections. Current critical and follow-up headways recommended in the 2016 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) are based on limited data collected from five intersections in Texas in the 1970s. This study analyzed over 2,500 left-turning vehicles at 45 intersection approaches, provides insights into gap acceptance parameters, and evaluates the effect of different site-specific factors. Video data were collected and processed from different geographical regions in the United States—Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Using the maximum likelihood method to estimate gap acceptance parameters, the mean critical headway was 4.87 s and the mean follow-up headway was 2.73 s. To account for site-specific characteristics, the effect of several geometric and operational variables on critical and follow-up headway were explored. Through a meta-regression analysis, the posted speed limit and width of opposing travel lanes were found to have a significant effect on gap acceptance parameters. Results showed that with decreasing posted speed limit and width of opposing lanes, critical and follow-up headways also decreased, resulting in greater saturation flows. When site-specific saturation flow estimates were compared with HCM saturation flow estimates, the differences ranged from −30% to +23%. This paper quantifies and illustrates the impact of site-specific characteristics on gap acceptance parameters and saturation flow.

scholarly journals Real-Time Crash-Risk Optimization at Signalized Intersections

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110628
Author(s):  
Passant Reyad ◽  
Tarek Sayed ◽  
Mohamed Essa ◽  
Lai Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Value Theory ◽  
Signalized Intersections ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Crash Risk ◽  
Traffic Signal Control ◽  
Real Time Traffic

Over the past few decades, numerous adaptive traffic signal control (ATSC) algorithms have been proposed to alleviate traffic congestion and optimize traffic mobility using real-time traffic data, such as data from connected vehicles (CVs). However, most of the existing ATSC algorithms do not consider optimizing traffic safety, likely because of the lack of tools to evaluate safety in real time. In this paper, we propose a novel ATSC algorithm for real-time safety optimization. The algorithm utilizes a traditional Reinforcement Learning approach (i.e., Q-learning) as well as recently developed extreme value theory (EVT) real-time crash prediction models. The algorithm was validated using real-world traffic video data collected from two signalized intersections in British Columbia. The results indicated that, compared with an existing fully actuated signal controller, the developed algorithm can significantly reduce the real-time crash risk by 43% to 45% at the intersection’s approaches even at low CVs market penetration rates.

A Commented Synopsis of the Report of the Committee for the National Tire Efficiency Study4

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-93
Author(s):  
Marion G. Pottinger ◽  
Joseph D. Walter ◽  
John D. Eagleburger
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Highway Traffic ◽  
National Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Scrap Tire ◽  
National Highway Traffic Safety ◽  
Fuel Savings ◽  
Time Required

Abstract The Congress of the United States petitioned the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study replacement passenger car tire rolling resistance in 2005 with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The study was initiated to assess the potential for reduction in replacement tire rolling resistance to yield fuel savings. The time required to realize these savings is less than the time required for automotive and light truck fleet replacement. Congress recognized that other factors besides fuel savings had to be considered if the committee’s advice was to be a reasonable guide for public policy. Therefore, the study simultaneously considered the effect of potential rolling resistance reductions in replacement tires on fuel consumption, wear life, scrap tire generation, traffic safety, and consumer spending for tires and fuel. This paper summarizes the committee’s report issued in 2006. The authors, who were members of the multidisciplinary committee, also provide comments regarding technical difficulties encountered in the committee’s work and ideas for alleviating these difficulties in further studies of this kind. The authors’ comments are clearly differentiated so that these comments will not be confused with findings, conclusions, and recommendations developed by the committee and contained in its final report.

Characteristics of Physician Relocation Following Hurricane Katrina

2009 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Kusuma Madamala ◽  
Claudia R. Campbell ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Yu-Hsiang Hsieh ◽  
James James
Keyword(s):  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Introduction: On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States, resulting in the evacuation of more than 1.5 million people, including nearly 6000 physicians. This article examines the relocation patterns of physicians following the storm, determines the impact that the disaster had on their lives and practices, and identifies lessons learned. Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted among licensed physicians reporting addresses within Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated disaster zones in Louisiana and Mississippi. Descriptive data analysis was used to describe respondent characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with physician nonreturn to original practice. For those remaining relocated out of state, bivariate analysis with x2 or Fisher exact test was used to determine factors associated with plans to return to original practice. Results: A total of 312 eligible responses were collected. Among disaster zone respondents, 85.6 percent lived in Louisiana and 14.4 percent resided in Mississippi before the hurricane struck. By spring 2006, 75.6 percent (n = 236) of the respondents had returned to their original homes, whereas 24.4 percent (n = 76) remained displaced. Factors associated with nonreturn to original employment included family or general medicine practice (OR 0.42, 95 percent CI 0.17–1.04; P = .059) and severe or complete damage to the workplace (OR 0.24, 95 percent CI 0.13–0.42; P < .001). Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of physicians remain displaced after Hurricane Katrina, along with a lasting decrease in the number of physicians serving in the areas affected by the disaster. Programs designed to address identified physician needs in the aftermath of the storm may give confidence to displaced physicians to return.

Interest Rate, Foreign Exchange Rate, and Stock Market Development in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Adedoyin Adebowale ◽  
Akindele Iyiola Akosile
Keyword(s):  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Foreign Exchange ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Foreign Exchange Rate ◽  
Market Development ◽  
National Bureau ◽  
Stock Market Development

This research investigated the effect of interest rate and foreign exchange rate on stock market development in Nigeria. This research was centered on two research problems. First, it was whether interest rate had a significant effect on stock market development in Nigeria. Second, it was whether foreign exchange rate had a significant impact on stock market development in Nigeria. The scope of the research covered the period from 1981 to 2017. Data for this period were chosen because it covered pre and post-liberalization periods of Nigerian financial system. This research made use of ex post facto research design. Secondary data were sourced from Nigerian Stock Exchange reports, Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletins, and National Bureau of Statistics publications. Data were collected on Stock Market Capitalization (SMC), Prime Lending Rate (PLR) and Real Exchange Rate (RER) (Nigerian Naira in relation to American Dollars of the United States). Data analysis was carried out with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Cochrane-Orcutt Iterative techniques. The findings reveal that interest rate has a significant negative effect, and foreign exchange rate has a significant positive effect on Nigerian stock market development during the period covered. It is suggested that monetary authorities should strive to formulate policies that will make interest and foreign exchange rates stable, competitive, and at a level that will stimulate the investment of funds in the stock market.

A cutting edge approach to assessing physical activities occurring on sidewalks/streets (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Robert Suminski Jr ◽  
Gregory Dominick ◽  
Philip Sapanaro
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Number Of Individuals

BACKGROUND A considerable proportion of outdoor physical activity is done on sidewalk/streets. For example, we found that ~70% of adults who walked during the previous week used the sidewalks/streets around their homes. Interventions conducted at geographical levels (e.g., community) and studies examining relationships between environmental conditions (e.g., traffic) and walking/biking, necessitate a reliable measure of physical activities performed on sidewalks/streets. The Block Walk Method (BWM) is one of the more common approaches available for this purpose. Although it utilizes reliable observation techniques and displays criterion validity, it remains relatively unchanged since its introduction in 2006. It is a non-technical, labor-intensive, first generation method. Advancing the BWM would contribute significantly to our understanding of physical activity behavior. OBJECTIVE Therefore, the objective of the proposed study is to develop and test a new BWM that utilizes a wearable video device (WVD) and computer video analysis to assess physical activities performed on sidewalks/streets. The following aims will be completed to accomplish this objective. Aim 1: Improve the BWM by incorporating a WVD into the methodology. The WVD is a pair of eyeglasses with a high definition video camera embedded into the frames. We expect the WVD to be a viable option for improving the acquisition and accuracy of data collected using the BWM. Aim 2: Advance the WVD-enhanced BWM by applying machine learning and recognition software to automatically extract information on physical activities occurring on the sidewalks/streets from the videos. METHODS Trained observers (one wearing and one not wearing the WVD) will walk together at a set pace along predetermined, 1000 ft. sidewalk/street observation routes representing low, medium, and high walkable areas. During the walks, the non-WVD observer will use the traditional BWM to record the number of individuals standing/sitting, walking, biking, and running along the routes. The WVD observer will only record a video while walking. Later, two investigators will view the videos to determine the numbers of individuals performing physical activities along the routes. For aim 2, the video data will be analyzed automatically using multiple deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to determine the number of humans along an observation route as well as the type of physical activities being performed. Bland Altman methods and intraclass correlation coefficients will be used to assess agreement. Potential sources of error such as occlusions (e.g., trees) will be assessed using moderator analyses. RESULTS Outcomes from this study are pending; however, preliminary studies supporting the research protocol indicate that the BWM is reliable and the number of individuals were seen walking along routes are correlated with several environmental characteristics (e.g., traffic, sidewalk defects). Further, we have used CNNs to detect cars, bikes, and pedestrians as well as individuals using park facilities. CONCLUSIONS We expect the new approach will enhance measurement accuracy while reducing the burden of data collection. In the future, the capabilities of the WVD-CNNs system will be expanded to allow for the determination of other characteristics captured by the videos such as caloric expenditure and environmental conditions.

Mass School Shootings in the United States: A Novel Root Cause Analysis Using Lay Press Reports

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (13) ◽  
pp. 1423-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris A. Rees ◽  
Lois K. Lee ◽  
Eric W. Fleegler ◽  
Rebekah Mannix
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Root Cause Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Shootings ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Mass Shootings ◽  
Cause Analysis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Root Cause

School shootings comprise a small proportion of childhood deaths from firearms; however, these shootings receive a disproportionately large share of media attention. We conducted a root cause analysis of 2 recent school shootings in the United States using lay press reports. We reviewed 1760 and analyzed 282 articles from the 10 most trusted news sources. We identified 356 factors associated with the school shootings. Policy-level factors, including a paucity of adequate legislation controlling firearm purchase and ownership, were the most common contributing factors to school shootings. Mental illness was a commonly cited person-level factor, and access to firearms in the home and availability of large-capacity firearms were commonly cited environmental factors. Novel approaches, including root cause analyses using lay media, can identify factors contributing to mass shootings. The policy, person, and environmental factors associated with these school shootings should be addressed as part of a multipronged effort to prevent future mass shootings.

scholarly journals Myofascial Release of the Hamstrings Improves Physical Performance—A Study of Young Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 674
Author(s):  
Keisuke Itotani ◽  
Kanta Kawahata ◽  
Wakana Takashima ◽  
Wakana Mita ◽  
Hitomi Minematsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Joint Movement ◽  
Myofascial Release ◽  
Functional Reach Test ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility ◽  
Walking Speeds

Physical performance is mainly assessed in terms of gait speed, chair rise capacity, and balance skills, and assessments are often carried out on the lower limbs. Such physical performance is largely influenced by the strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles. Flexibility of the hamstrings is important because quadriceps muscle activity influences the hip flexion angle. Therefore, hamstring flexibility is essential to improve physical performance. In this study, Myofascial Release (MFR) was applied to the hamstrings to evaluate its effects. MFR on the hamstrings was performed on 17 young adults. Physical function and physical performance were measured before, immediately after, and 5 days after the MFR intervention: finger floor distance (FFD), range of motion (ROM) of the straight leg raising test (SLR), standing long jump (SLJ), squat jump (SJ), functional reach test (FRT), comfortable walking speeds (C-walking speed), and maximum walking speeds (M-walking speed). The results of the analysis show a significant increase in FFD (−2.6 ± 8.9 vs. 0.4 ± 9.4 vs. 2.4 ± 8.9, p < 0.01), SLJ (185.6 ± 44.5 vs. 185.0 ± 41.8 vs. 196.6 ± 40.1, p < 0.01), and M-walking speed (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.6, p < 0.01). This study has shown that MFR for hamstrings not only improves flexibility but also increases M-walking speed and physical performance of the SLJ. As MFR is safe and does not involve joint movement, it may be useful for maintaining and improving performance and flexibility during inactivity and for stretching before exercise.

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