Articles tagged with Roads
Researchers have analyzed over a thousand images of snow to study its optical properties. The findings show promise in improving avalanche safety and autonomous car technology, but more data is needed.
Researchers created a simulation model to analyze the impact of coastal management activities on barrier islands' vulnerability to sea-level rise. The model shows that natural processes can create and maintain barriers, but human efforts to protect communities can disrupt these processes.
A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that wind farms only use a small fraction of the land they are built on. The research also showed that wind turbines sited near existing roads can produce energy seven times more efficiently than those developed from scratch.
A new study reveals that retention ponds and wetlands can significantly reduce the amount of tyre particles entering aquatic environments, with an average reduction of 75%. The research found that tyre wear particles outweigh other forms of microplastics, but are also removed in greater quantities.
A team of researchers developed an AI-powered computer vision model to detect Brazilian wild animals on roads and warn drivers in real-time. The system uses roadside cameras and portable computers to identify species such as anteaters, wolves, and tapirs, with the potential to save lives and reduce roadkill.
A new study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that one-third of ride-share drivers have been involved in a crash while working. The survey revealed that drivers are uniquely susceptible to crashes caused by cellphone use, tiredness, and driving on unfamiliar roads.
A new traffic signal concept, known as the 'white phase,' uses autonomous vehicles to expedite traffic flow at intersections. The concept has been shown to improve travel time for both pedestrians and vehicles, especially when autonomous vehicles make up a higher percentage of traffic.
A new biomarker developed by researchers at Monash University and the University of Birmingham can accurately detect when someone has not slept for 24 hours. The test has a 99.2% probability of being correct and could inform future tests to identify sleep-deprived drivers, reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities.
A new study from Columbia University finds that communities severed by roads and traffic in NYC experience a larger number of collisions, including pedestrian and cyclist injuries. The Community Severance Index developed for this study can help identify areas requiring targeted interventions.
Researchers used data from 9,300 miles of Greek roads to develop a machine-learning model predicting crash sites. The model identified key features such as abrupt speed limit changes and incomplete lane markings as predictors of crashes. The study's findings have implications for improving road safety globally.
A new study found that urban environment, road types, and crosswalk access play a major role in determining who gets blamed for crashes. Pedestrians were more likely to be blamed on roads with high traffic speeds and few crosswalks, while drivers were more likely to be faulted in areas with pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
A new study by University of Massachusetts Amherst engineers highlights the disproportionate impact of poorly maintained roads on residents in disadvantaged communities. The research found that these communities are twice as likely to have poor roads, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher costs for drivers.
A new machine learning approach combines computer vision with deep-learning algorithms to pinpoint problem areas in concrete structures. The system enables efficient identification and inspection of cracks using autonomous robots, reducing the overall inspection workload.
Researchers found that permeable pavements can capture tire-associated chemicals, resulting in a 68% average reduction of the toxic contaminant 6PPD-quinone. The technology has vast potential to protect salmon populations and human health.
Researchers found that people with OSA were more likely to use multiple strategies to stay alert while driving, which can indicate excessive sleepiness. This study suggests that asking about these coping strategies in the clinic could help doctors identify patients at risk of driving incidents and advise them appropriately.
Researchers studied user perceptions and requirements for remote driving in L4 AVs, highlighting the importance of clear communication and reliable teleoperation systems. The study found that users support remote driving as a failsafe mechanism but raise concerns about cybersecurity, privacy, and performance.
The US East Coast is experiencing subsidence rates of up to 5 mm/year, affecting 2.1 million people and 867,000 properties. Rising groundwater extraction and sediment compaction are common causes, while some areas like the Chesapeake Bay experience differential subsidence, posing significant risks to structures.
A new study reveals that accelerating sea level rise will exacerbate existing social inequality in coastal areas, with minority populations facing the most severe burdens. Rising sea levels disrupt transportation networks and roads, leading to increased isolation and reduced access to essential services.
Researchers developed a 360-degree head-up display system that can project holographic representations of road obstacles, improving road safety. The system uses LiDAR data to create accurate and dynamic information about potential hazards.
A computer vision system developed by University of Malaga engineers estimates vehicle speeds in real time using a single camera, reducing complexity and costs. The algorithm, published in Neurocomputing, aims to improve vehicle safety and has potential applications in autonomous driving and driver assistance.
Researchers developed an adaptable machine learning algorithm to measure driver 'workload' using driving performance signals, enabling real-time adjustments to in-vehicle systems for enhanced safety and user experience. The system can respond to changes in the driver's behavior, status, road conditions, or characteristics.
George Mason University's Sustainable Geotransportation Infrastructure research team is collecting data on a roadway site in Minnieville, Virginia, constructed with reclaimed asphalt pavement and virgin aggregate. The data will help confirm the long-term performance of this unique roadway design and inform VDOT's roadway specifications.
A recent UGR study found that parental engagement is positively associated with safer driving styles among young people. Close supervision may lead to anxiety, but also more caution behind the wheel. The study also reveals gender differences in parental involvement and role modeling.
A new deep learning-based detection system has been developed by INU researchers to improve the detection capabilities of autonomous vehicles. The system, aided by IoT technology, generates bounding boxes and confidence scores for visible obstacles using point cloud data and RGB images as input.
The study found significant variation in maximum allowable GVW limits for timber trucking across countries, with Japan having the strictest limits. Road transport accounted for 89% of total industrial roundwood moved over long distances, and average transportation costs ranged from 4-24 euros per tonne. The results highlight the need f...
A recent study published in Journal of Vestibular Research found that Motorist Disorientation Syndrome (MDS) is not solely caused by vestibular dysfunction, but also related to visual dependency and anxiety. The research identified 18 patients with severe symptoms, leading to changes in driving habits for 17 of them.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a gaming strategy to strengthen vital infrastructure against malevolent attacks, aiming to ensure safety, health, and lives during emergencies. By identifying critical roads and intersections, they can reinforce them to minimize disruption.
A Graz University of Technology study found that e-scooter helmets can reduce head injuries by up to 44% and that a speed limit can bring more safety. The study also identified the importance of banning e-scooters on pavements and footpaths, which can significantly reduce serious injuries.
A proof-of-concept study demonstrates the viability of using lasers to melt lunar soil into a solid substance for paving. The technique could be used to mitigate dust issues and facilitate transport on the Moon by creating roads and landing pads.
The University of Missouri's Missouri Work Zone Safety Center of Excellence aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in highway work zones through research and outreach. The center will focus on integrating emerging technologies, data analysis, and countermeasures to address distracted driving and other safety concerns.
Researchers found that huckleberry patches and forestry road density significantly affect grizzly bears' mortality risk. Securing critical food resources through reduced human access near roads is crucial for bear conservation.
A study of five case studies reveals the benefits of incorporating ecological connectivity into environmental assessments. The research emphasizes the need for guidance on conducting connectivity analyses and monitoring project impacts.
A novel AI system developed by City University of Hong Kong improves predictive accuracy in dense traffic, reducing latency and increasing efficiency. QCNet achieves speed and accuracy in predicting road users' movements, even with long-term predictions, making autonomous driving safer and more human-like.
A UCLA study found that ants' nest structures are influenced by their foraging strategies and environmental conditions, rather than evolutionary history. The researchers suggest that designing roads with dedicated lanes for trucks traveling to logistics hubs could improve traffic congestion.
Researchers at the University of Surrey are developing thermo-active road solutions that could reduce carbon emissions and improve road safety. The new technology uses geothermal energy to regulate road surface temperatures, reducing damage from extreme weather.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that connected vehicles improve travel time through intersections, but automated vehicles without connectivity actually increase wait times. The study suggests that incorporating vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is crucial for optimizing traffic flow.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that poverty, low health literacy, cultural beliefs, lack of infrastructure, and political issues hinder diabetes self-management for Haitian migrants. The researchers suggest targeted interventions, such as community gardens and healthcare education through local priests.
A study by Ohio State University researchers uses mobile cameras installed on campus buses to count vehicles, detect objects in the road, and track movements. The AI-powered YOLOv4 model provides accurate measurements with high spatial and temporal coverage, which could enhance current traffic systems and improve efficiency.
A new study suggests that with careful management, road salt concentrations in US lakes may stabilize below EPA-set thresholds to protect aquatic life. Reducing road salt application rates could yield additional environmental and economic benefits without threatening road safety.
A new algorithm developed by UBC researchers can map the safest route with the lowest possible risk of a crash, incorporating real-time crash risk data. The study found that the fastest routes are not always the safest, highlighting the importance of considering safety and efficiency when choosing directions.
A historic study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that e-scooter riders face significant safety risks from infrastructure, environmental factors, and their own behaviors. Transitions between surfaces proved to be the riskiest, with riders facing nearly 60 times more likelihood of a crash or near-crash experience.
A Michigan Medicine study in Texas found that 61.4% of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, but one-third of caregivers have concerns about their care recipient's ability to drive safely. Researchers emphasize the need for open discussions between caregivers and healthcare professionals to ensure safety.
The VVE method allows for testing of driverless cars in a perfectly safe environment, enabling the car to learn to avoid collisions and increase pedestrian safety. By replacing high-resolution sensor output with simulated data, researchers were able to show that the autonomous driving system behaves as if it's driving on real roads.
A study by Flinders University researchers found that short exposure to wind farm and road traffic noise triggers a small increase in waking from slumber, fragmenting sleep patterns. However, wind farm noise wasn't more disruptive to sleep than road traffic, which was slightly more disruptive at higher audio levels.
A specially designed garden, rain garden, can capture toxic tire chemicals associated with tires entering waterways by more than 90%. Researchers tested a Vancouver rain garden and found that it captured about 75% of the chemical, preventing it from entering salmon-bearing streams.
A computational psychological model predicts subtle behaviors in real traffic, such as hesitating before crossing and speeding up to deny pedestrians a crossing opportunity. The model accurately simulates 32 pairs of participants interacting as driver and pedestrian in a driver-pedestrian simulator.
Researchers have developed a simulation of how people behave on roads based on cognitive theories, accurately reproducing pedestrian and driver behaviors in common scenarios. The model predicts complex underlying cognitive mechanisms that contribute to the difficulty in creating self-driving vehicles.
A WVU researcher is developing a data-driven approach to enhance roadway maintenance operations, incorporating AI analysis of real-time data from sensors on consumer cars and roadside observation stations. The goal is to minimize time and resources spent on less affected roadways, reducing winter maintenance costs and time.
A new Dartmouth study projects a 52% increase in extreme precipitation events in the Northeast by the end of the century. The region is expected to experience more frequent heavy rainfall events, with winter and spring contributing most to this projected increase.
A new study found that older drivers who use substances are up to four times more likely to be at fault in a car crash. The research team suggests implementing risk awareness campaigns tailored for older adults and other measures such as improved road visibility, automatic safety features and licensing requirements.
The WVU SMARTER center aims to improve mobility in rural areas through self-driving cars, ride-sharing services, and bike sharing. The center will develop infrastructure and technology barriers to ensure accessibility for all people.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles will significantly raise the global demand for battery-grade critical metals, leading to supply chain disruptions. By mid-century, the need for lithium could more than double, while nickel demand is expected to eclipse other critical metals.
A study by researchers from BirdLife International, WWF, and the University of Cambridge found that 80% of key biodiversity areas (KBAs) on land contain infrastructure, which is a significant driver of threats to biodiversity. The prevalence of infrastructure in KBAs is likely to increase due to planned developments.
Scientists developed a modeling technique to study urban traffic flows and verified it with real-world data from Shanghai. They discovered that Zhonghuan Road is a potential bottleneck that could lead to cascading failure of the entire urban traffic system.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new type of metamaterial concrete that can be designed to have specific attributes like brittleness, flexibility, and shapeability. This material can generate electricity and can also be used to monitor damage inside concrete structures or earthquakes, reducing their impact o...
A new open-source tool called TILE2NET uses aerial imagery and image-recognition to create complete maps of sidewalks and crosswalks. The tool has been trained on 20,000 aerial images from Boston, Cambridge, New York City, and Washington, recognizing 90% or more of all sidewalks and crosswalks in these cities.
Researchers have developed a chloride-free salt mixture that can melt snow and ice on roads for seven to eight years. The new asphalt additive, made from waste products and polymers, provides effective winter road safety without the downsides of traditional salt-based solutions.
A new approach, called the white phase concept, uses autonomous vehicles to control traffic flow at intersections, reducing fuel consumption and travel time. The system informs human drivers through a clearly identifiable signal, improving safety and efficiency.
Research warns that ice roads will become unsustainable as the climate warms, threatening remote communities and industry. The thickness of ice needed to support transport trucks varies by region, with some areas experiencing a 90% decline in safe days of ice.
Researchers studied deer and elk behavior around a wildlife tunnel, finding they were less likely to use the crossing after displaying a 'vigilant' response to passing vehicles. The study suggests designers should focus on animals' perceptions of their environment when building wildlife crossings.