Holistic Approach to Reduce Rural Roadway Departure Crashes

2013 ◽  
Vol 2364 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Kohinoor Kar ◽  
Richard S. Weeks ◽  
Krishna Satti
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Driver Behavior ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Highway Safety ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Serious Injury

Two-lane rural roadways generate a disproportionate number of fatal and serious injury crashes. Many safety measures to date have reduced crash severity. As roadway design guides have evolved, they have incorporated changes that address safety needs. Advanced vehicle designs have incorporated features that protect occupants. Regulations have addressed risky driver behavior. Technological improvements have reduced emergency response times and transport times to trauma centers. To mitigate rural roadway departure issues, the engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency response (4E) approach has recently been implemented by some highway transportation agencies. Including nonengineering mitigation measures along with engineering mitigations, such as improved roadway and roadside design, and maintenance practices has had positive effects on rural roadway departure crashes. Improved vehicle designs have had positive effects on severity. Improved emergency response has had positive effects on survival rate. Education and enforcement efforts have had positive effects on driver behavior. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act emphasizes an application of the 4E approach with full flexibility in the use of Highway Safety Improvement Program and Highway Safety Program funds. This paper advances a holistic analytical approach by coordinating the use of the 4Es and identifies the need for research to support and validate the proposed optimization approach. A data-driven model is presented for optimizing the allocation of 4E resources at the program level to address rural roadway departure crash issues. The same model can be applied at the project level.

Driver Response Times to Side Road Path Intrusions from SHRP-2 Naturalistic Database

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1525-1529
Author(s):  
Swaroop Dinakar ◽  
Jeffrey Muttart ◽  
Jeffrey Suway ◽  
J.S. Forensics ◽  
Jim Marr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Driver Behavior ◽  
The Other ◽  
Response Behavior ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Emergency Events ◽  
Behavior Systems

In an age where all major manufacturers are trying to get a better understanding of when an emergency response should be triggered, it becomes imperative to learn how humans respond to emergency events. If one can understand driver behavior, systems can be designed around the user to either assist drivers where they fail to perform well or completely eliminate them from the accident avoidance maneuver. In this study, 169 crash and near crash events from the SHRP2 dataset were analyzed. The response behavior of drivers was measured in events where the through drivers’ path was intruded upon by another vehicle perpendicular to its path. Overall, drivers responded significantly faster when the other vehicle failed to stop, and at intersection locations.

Optimization Approach to Highway Safety Improvement Programming

1998 ◽  
Vol 1640 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raktim Pal ◽  
Kumares C. Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Optimal Allocation ◽  
Highway Safety ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Safety Improvement ◽  
Funding Level ◽  
Crash Reduction

A procedure is developed for optimal allocation of highway safety improvement funds. The approach minimizes the total number of crashes in a study area during an analysis period within the constraints of funding resources. The uniqueness of the model lies in its flexibility for considering the effectiveness of safety improvement projects in future years. The model can consider carryover of unspent funds from previous years. The effect of errors involved in estimation of initial investment costs, annual maintenance costs, crash reduction rates, and additional traffic growth factors can be studied. The application of the model is illustrated. The effect of funding level on the effectiveness of the safety improvement program is studied through sensitivity analysis.

Tools to Identify Safety Issues for a Corridor Safety-Improvement Program

2000 ◽  
Vol 1717 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome P. Breyer
Keyword(s):  
Relational Databases ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Highway Safety ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Satellite Systems ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
Safety Improvement

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) recognizes that a new paradigm in highway safety evaluation was brought about by the advent of advanced technologies such as photo log, geographic information systems (GIS), and global-positioning satellite systems. Whereas these technologies are known to serve distinct singular purposes in a highway agency, ADOT has endeavored to explore the possibilities of integrating these technologies for the purpose of providing an all-encompassing perspective of crash history and roadside characteristics in a multimedia display of GIS maps and related photo imagery. The research provides the account of an analytic tool-development process aimed at improving the recognition of highway safety hazards. These hazards might otherwise be apparent if not for the relative complexity of existing relational databases and spatial GIS infrastructure at ADOT. Previous methods of mining data from the ADOT crash databases were limited in functionality as well as in reliability. By promoting the “visualization” of highway safety conditions, the advanced technologies open a wealth of new opportunities in identifying problematic roadside conditions and crash histories. This is expected to lead to an improved economy of implementing safety improvements that are designed properly to mitigate the “real” conditions that can be identified. The research is a companion to the larger, FHWA-sponsored research into establishing a corridor safety-improvement program for Arizona (FHWA Report FHWA-AZ 98-458).

scholarly journals Semi-professionals: emergency response as an additional task in current occupations

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayvan Yousefi Mojir ◽  
Sofie Pilemalm ◽  
Tobias Andersson Granberg
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Response Times ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Network Governance ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Hybrid Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fire Services ◽  
It Support ◽  
Professional Resources

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify occupational groups who can act as semi-professional first responders, in order to shorten the response times to frequent emergencies, and second, to identify related opportunities, challenges and needs of training, emergency supplies and information technology (IT) support. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was taken, combining future workshops, focus groups and an exercise. Network governance was used as an analytical lens. Findings The identified potential groups are security guards, home care personnel, fire services day personnel and facility service personnel. The results show that semi-professionals have a large potential to complement professional resources by carrying out first response or supportive actions vital to the emergency, partly by using already existing cars and equipment. The identified needs include additional basic equipment such as fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, training in basic firefighting, first aid and risk assessment, as well as mobile phone application-based IT support to manage alarms. The major challenges are organisational, economic and juridical, including ambiguities in responsibilities and related insurances. The analysis recognises the new collaboration as a hybrid form of hierarchical government and network governance. Social implications The study suggests that using semi-professional resources can be one of many innovative solutions to recent public sector challenges that have put a huge strain on professional emergency response organisations. Originality/value The study provides a novel view of using semi-professional resources in emergency response, based on the joint perspectives of various occupational groups, and the fire services.

The Practice of Jordanian Banking to Improve Customer Retention

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-60
Author(s):  
Samer Alhawari
Keyword(s):  
Customer Relationship Management ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Customer Retention ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Customer Commitment

Enterprises have become increasingly reliant on digital information to meet business objectives. Significant amounts of information fuel business processes that involve parties both inside and outside of enterprise network boundaries. In response, many banks have recognized the importance of managing customer retention from the perspective of a process approach to positively impact customer retention. This paper adopts a holistic approach that examines the combined effects of customer processes on customer retention. Drawing on this framework, the paper develops several hypotheses regarding the main and interaction effects of customer processes on customer retention. The paper tests these hypotheses based on a sample of data collected from two hundred respondents, drawn randomly from four Jordanian banks working in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The results show that customer commitment has strong positive effects on customer retention. However, findings that effect of customer knowledge creation and customer acquisition on customer retention is weaker than that of customer commitment. The empirical findings help both researchers and practitioners in future customer process and customer retention research. The value of the paper consists in establishing the need of researching and incorporating customer retention process as an important support to keep organizations competitive within the global business environment.

scholarly journals Body Mass Index Change as a Predictor of Biometric Changes following an Intensive Lifestyle Modification Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Drozek ◽  
Alexandria DeFabio ◽  
Randi Amstadt ◽  
Godwin Y. Dogbey
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Lifestyle Modification Program

The initial benefits of lifestyle modification programs such as reduction in chronic and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors have been well documented. However, such positive effects may deteriorate over time following relapse into inactivity. Timely detection of weight regain leading to the deterioration of the accrued benefits could trigger early resumption of intensive lifestyle intervention. To date, no known cost-effective, noninvasive approach for monitoring long-term outcomes has yet been established. The purpose of this study was to determine if body mass index (BMI) change predicted changes in other CVD biometric markers during an intensive lifestyle modification program. This study was an observational, retrospective review of records of participants from the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP). Biomarker changes of participants in this community-based Intensive Therapeutic Lifestyle Modification Program (ITLMP) offered in Athens, Ohio, a rural Appalachian college town, between April 2011 and June 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. BMI, heart rate (Pulse), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and fasting blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and glucose (FBS) were monitored before and after program completion. Data were analyzed using a multivariate general linear model. The sample analyzed consisted of 620 participants (mean age of 52.3±13.0 years, 74.5% female). Controlling for age and gender, BMI change significantly predicted 5 out of the 8 biomarker changes measured [Wilk’s λ = 0.939, F(8,526) = 4.29, p <.0001]. Specifically, a 1-point BMI decrease was associated with 4.4 units decrease in TC, 3.2 units in LDL, 5.3 units in TG, 2 units in SBP, and 1 unit in DBP (all p values < .05). These results suggest that change in BMI may be a useful predictor of change in other CVD biomarkers’ outcomes during and after an ITLMP participation. Tracking BMI, therefore, could serve as a proxy measure for identifying regressing biomarker changes following participation in an ITLMP leading to a timelier reassessment and intervention. Future studies evaluating the value of BMI as a surrogate for highlighting overall cardiovascular health are warranted.

Underwater Noise Pollution From Munitions Clearance and Disposal, Possible Effects on Marine Vertebrates, and Its Mitigation

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 80-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Koschinski
Keyword(s):  
Shock Wave ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Reversed Phase ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Surface Reflection ◽  
Internal Bleeding ◽  
Marine Vertebrates ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
Safety Considerations ◽  
Short Signal

AbstractUnderwater detonations have the potential for serious injury in marine vertebrates such as fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. The high detonation velocity creates a shock wave. The main reason for injury is the extremely short signal rise time combined with a high overpressure. A negative pressure phase generating cavitation shortly after the peak overpressure can increase organ and tissue damage. Due to surface reflection generating a reversed phase replica of the detonation, this phenomenon is very pronounced in shallow waters. Organs most seriously affected by detonations are those with gas/tissue interfaces (e.g., ears, lungs, swim bladders, air sacs, intestines). Observed injuries include disruption of cells and tissues by differential displacement, internal bleeding, embolism, and auditory damage. Furthermore, compression of the thorax by the shock wave initiates a rapid increase in blood pressure, which can cause damage in the brain and ears. In order to protect marine life, all possible attempts should be made to avoid underwater detonations. For detonations that cannot be avoided due to safety considerations, a number of mitigation measures are presented including bubble curtains, scaring devices, visual and acoustic monitoring, and seasonal and spatial planning. However, mitigation measures have varying degrees of efficiency. Low-order detonations are not a real alternative due to the release of toxic munitions constituents to the environment. For each detonation, a proper site- and munitions-specific risk assessment and mitigation strategy must be developed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a quality improvement program to prevent healthcare acquired infections in an acute care hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Laurence Bernard ◽  
Alain Biron ◽  
Anaïck Briand ◽  
Samy Taha ◽  
Mélanie Lavoie-Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Prevention Program ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Acute Care Hospital ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Positive Effects

Objective: The general purpose of the study was to evaluate a specific prevention program and its effects on infection prevention practices as part of continuous improvements in patient safety. Infection prevention is a global priority aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity rates related to infections acquired while under care.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out through a documentation analysis and semi-structured interviews with 13 healthcare professionals working in a healthcare centre where the infection prevention program was developed and implemented.Results: The thematic analysis identified three major axes: perceptions concerning audits and huddles strategies, the positive effects of the program on team building and, finally, its sustainability and continuous improvement.Conclusions: Globally, program enhanced the habits of professionals by developing an accurate perception of infections and the way to manage the related risk. The program Controlling Specific Infections Successful Strategies (CSISS) is seen as effective and sustainable by the participants. It contributes to a collaborative safety culture to reduce nosocomial infection rates.

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