Automated tailgating cuts pollution
Researchers found that platooning with four vehicles reduces drag, saves fuel and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Cars in a platoon experience lower drag coefficients as they move closer together.
Roads
Articles tagged with Roads
'Smart' traffic boxes could help monitor roads, save money
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed software that enables smart traffic boxes to detect road incidents more efficiently, reducing communication costs by up to 90% and achieving accuracy rates of over 90%. This innovation aims to help transportation authorities identify incidents more effectively, thereby reducing conges...
Road traffic accidents: the young people's pandemic
Young males are disproportionately affected by road traffic accidents, with those under 25 nearly three times more likely to die than women in the same age group. The World Health Organisation reports an estimated 1.2 million annual deaths worldwide due to RTAs.
Elephant highways of death
A new study reveals that forest elephants are being pushed into remote depths of national parks due to heavy poaching for ivory near roadways. Protected areas, however, are critical to elephant survival, with some areas experiencing increased abundance despite road access.
Forest elephants at risk from the illegal ivory trade
A new study warns that forest elephants are facing intense poaching pressure due to the illegal ivory trade. The researchers found only 1,900 elephants remaining in Salonga National Park, with the probability of encountering them increasing with distance from roads.
Abandoning net neutrality discourages improvements in service
A University of Florida study found that abandoning net neutrality discourages internet service improvements, with broadband providers collecting fees from content providers. The study suggests that consumers who pay for preferential treatment will have faster loading times, while those who don't may experience slower speeds.
Better designed roadway intersections can boost older drivers' performance
Researchers found that wider road shoulders, right-turn lanes, and angle intersections no sharper than 90 degrees enhance driving skills in both older and younger drivers. The study used a one-hour road course to test the Federal Highway Administration's guidelines for highway design.
New highways carry pathogens and social change in Ecuador
A new study by the University of Michigan found that the construction of new highways in rural Ecuador is linked to higher rates of diarrheal diseases and a breakdown of traditional social structures. The roads, which connect previously isolated villages, bring new people and bacteria, leading to increased infection rates.
A road is more than a road
The University of Vermont is introducing a new systems education project to reform its engineering curriculum, emphasizing the connection between traffic and social, environmental, and economic factors. The project aims to equip students with skills to analyze complex problems and provide solutions that consider multiple perspectives.
Car manufacturers acting in the interest of profits rather than safety in poor countries
A recent study published in Injury Prevention calls for increased vigilance on car manufacturers' commitment to road safety initiatives. The research analyzed word frequency analysis of road safety documents from the Global Road Safety Partnership and found that commercial interests often conflict with evidence-based recommendations.
Tibetan refugees face human rights abuses: Study
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals high rates of physical and mental hardship among Tibetan refugees crossing the Himalayan range. Researchers found over half faced persecution at the hands of Chinese and Nepalese authorities, with reports of torture, extortion, and sexual assault.
Children living near major roads face higher asthma risk
A recent study has found that children living within 75 meters of a major road are at a 50% greater risk of having had asthma symptoms in the past year. The research also showed that higher traffic volumes on roads were related to increased rates of asthma, with risk decreasing further away from the road.
How does your city grow? A view of urban sprawl from outer space
Researchers used high-altitude and satellite images to track land use changes nationwide, finding that more recent residential development is not any more scattered than in 1976. The study found that climate, topography, access to groundwater, roads, and municipality type play a role in urban sprawl patterns.
Study indicates speed cameras could curb US road deaths
A recent study recommends a large-scale test of speed camera networks in the US to curb road deaths. Small increases in travel speeds resulted in over 42,000 annual road deaths in the 1990s. Implementing speed control policies like those in the UK could have reduced US road deaths by 16-25%.
NIST assists with testing crash avoidance system
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has designed preliminary test procedures to measure the performance of the Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS). The IVBSS aims to detect and warn drivers of potential crashes at different speeds and in various driving situations. NIST will observe contractor tests and...
K-State civil engineering department awarded federal funding for transportation center
The K-State civil engineering department will focus on cost-effective preservation of rural roads and infrastructure for safe operation and agricultural product movement. The new center aims to address unique challenges in rural areas, including aging population, terrorist threats, and disease outbreaks.
Rural roads in Southeast are deadliest in nation
The Southeast's rural two-lane highways are the deadliest roads in the nation, according to a recent Georgia Institute of Technology study. The most frequent crashes occurred on these highways, especially in wooded areas where drivers ran off the road and hit trees.
New easy-read road signs based on PSU research
A new typeface called Clearview has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for use on public roads in the US and Canada. The Clearview typeface offers a 20% improvement in legibility and recognition with the same size sign as currently used, reducing driver confusion and increasing safety.
'Aggregate and the Environment'
The book provides detailed explanations of procedures used to manage and minimize environmental impacts of aggregate mining, processing, and transportation. It also highlights successful reclamation projects that convert mined areas into beneficial uses such as recreation areas and natural habitats.
Ecologists help keep death off the roads
Researchers found that 70% of collisions occurred on just 7.7% of roads in the study area, highlighting the need for animal-friendly infrastructure. In another case, conservationists in Germany must reduce road mortality to make reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx effective.
Law-enforcement could substantially reduce fatal traffic crashes
A study published in The Lancet found that law enforcement can substantially reduce fatal traffic crashes by 35% lower risk of fatalities after a conviction. Enforcement policies, including penalty points for driving convictions, show greater reductions in fatal crashes than mandatory vehicle improvements.
Doctors focus on pupil size for safety of laser vision correction
A study by Dr. Scott MacRae found that larger pupils are more likely to experience problems with laser vision correction surgery, emphasizing the need for surgeons to consider a wider treatment zone and caution when treating patients with dilated pupils.
Roads pave the way for weed invasions
Researchers found that improved roads convert natural habitats to roadside areas, allowing non-native weeds to spread into adjacent ecosystems. In contrast, native plants thrive closer to roads with typical grassland soils.
How far to the nearest road?
A study found that 20% of all land area in the US is within 127 meters of a road, while 50% is within 382 meters. This highlights the significant ecological impact of roads on forest ecosystems.
Paving roads can increase weed invasions
A study found that road improvement leads to significant increases in non-native plant cover, favoring invasive species. Cheatgrass and other weeds spread more along paved roads than primitive roads, converting natural habitat to roadside habitats.
Alaska oil and gas exploration good and bad for area life
The study found that roads, damage to tundra, and animal population decline are significant concerns. The report concludes that a balance must be reached between economic development and environmental protection in the North Slope region.
A new tool to help keep US roads ice- and snow-free
A new web-based system is being tested to improve winter road treatment. The Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) uses computer models to project hour-by-hour weather and road conditions up to two days in advance. This allows users to make informed decisions about road treatments, potentially saving lives and reducing costs.
Children in deprived areas three times more likely to be hit by a car
A report by Imperial College London reveals that children in deprived areas are disproportionately affected by road accidents, with rates three times higher than expected. The study recommends implementing traffic calming measures and speed management strategies to reduce injuries and inequality.
Driving lessons in schools could increase teenage road deaths
A UK government road safety programme could actually increase the number of teenagers who die on roads in the UK. Driver education programmes in schools and colleges may lead to earlier licensing and more drivers on the road, increasing road deaths.
Amazon roads may lead to peril for rainforest
A new study predicts that Brazil's planned road network will lead to widespread devastation of the Amazon rainforest, releasing more greenhouse gases and increasing forest fires. The researchers' models suggest that up to 1 million acres of rainforest could be lost annually.
New study shows bison don’t favor groomed roads in Yellowstone National Park
A recent study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management reveals that bison do not favor using groomed roads for traveling, contrary to a long-held assumption. In fact, most bison travel less than 1 kilometer on groomed terrain and instead follow natural corridors and streambanks.
Popular music meets space program at NASA Marshall Open House on Saturday, May 20
Visitors to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will enjoy live performances by country, rock, pop, and gospel artists while exploring rocket firings, space exhibits, and facility tours. The event also features appearances by NASA astronauts and real space flight hardware.
Jays and cars don't mix
Researchers found that Florida scrub-jays nesting along roadsides die at a higher rate than those on non-road territories, with up to half of new breeders dying in their first two years. The roadside death rate is particularly high for young fledglings and newly arrived breeders.
Roads affect 20% of U.S. land
A study by Harvard University's Richard Forman estimates that US roads directly affect the ecology of nearly 20% of U.S. land, blocking animal migrations and spreading non-native species. Traffic noise also reduces bird populations, making it harder for them to communicate with their young.
Road dust: Rural vehicles emit more pollutants than urban ones
A study by Washington University's Air Quality Laboratory found that rural vehicles emit between 200-300 milligrams of particulate matter per mile traveled, while urban vehicles emit between 30-40 milligrams. This measurement, known as ppvm, could help environmental agencies better address air quality challenges.
Road dust - something to sneeze about
Research finds that road dust kicked up by traffic can be a source of airborne allergens, including pollen, animal dander, and molds. Residential areas with roadside vegetation are more affected than industrial locations.
In public session: panel to evaluate plasticizers for possible reproductive, developmental risks
The NIH is evaluating seven widely used plasticizers for their potential reproductive and developmental effects. A panel of scientific experts will meet to assess the chemicals' impact on human health.
Future Of West Tied To Saving, Not Extracting, The Land
Western towns' healthiest economies focus on environmental quality and tourism, rather than resource extraction. Thriving towns like Kremmling, Colo., have seen growing populations and revitalized economies due to their natural beauty and lower costs.
Good Manners Put The Brakes On "Road Rage"
A study by Professor Geoffrey Underwood found that police presence is the least anger-provoking and discourtesy is the greatest trigger for road rage. Drivers who experienced near accidents reported increased anger levels, particularly when they were not at fault.
Behind The Scenes In The Pacific Northwest Flooding
The USGS has prioritized flood-level data to emergency-management teams, providing information on past floods, likelihood of recurrence, and flood effects. Field crews have repaired telemetry equipment, despite interrupted real-time transmission, and will study landslides to determine cause and effect.
Tire Chip Research Focuses On Fire And Ice
Researchers are finding ways to repurpose old tires by using them in the construction of roads and retaining walls. Tire chips have been used successfully in three major new bridges in southern Maine and sections of three Maine roads, showing significantly less frost heave than conventionally built sections.
CU-Boulder Students To Excavate Ancient Pueblo Site In Four Corners
The excavation, led by CU-Boulder and the Southwest Heritage Foundation, aims to answer questions about how the Chacoan system operated and how these sites were established. The Bluff Great House appears to be architecturally similar to great houses at Chaco Canyon.