Articles tagged with Vehicles
A study analyzing over 3 million EV-related Reddit posts reveals a wide spectrum of viewpoints on electric vehicles. The research found high similarities between political and fringe communities, indicating controversial opinions on environmental impacts.
Researchers at Portland State University created a two-stage stochastic programming model to optimize e-scooter placement, charging, and rebalancing in Tucson. The model uses data from the City of Tucson to answer questions on demand uncertainty, idle periods, and customer satisfaction.
A new analysis suggests that Black and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately affected by traffic-related deaths, and that these disparities are larger than previous estimates show. The study found that travel distances vary among racial/ethnic groups when walking, cycling, or driving, and when these differences in activity levels a...
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder on crime rates in 28 US cities. The study found that homicides and auto thefts increased, while robberies and larcenies declined. The authors suggest that social unrest, economic conditions, and changed police behavior may b...
Researchers at MIT City Science explore the impact of autonomy on shared micro-mobility systems, proposing it as a solution to mitigate challenges such as rebalancing and vehicle oversupply. An agent-based simulation tool assesses fleet performance and user experience, providing insights for informed decisions.
Researchers have developed biodegradable nanovesicles that efficiently encapsulate and deliver PARP1 siRNA to breast cancer tumors in mice, inhibiting oncogene expression and extending survival. The polymersomes, assembled from three biodegradable block copolymers, have strong potential for precision-targeted therapeutic carriers.
New research develops a low-index BaF2 thin film-based microspectrometer technology for LWIR spectral sensing. The study demonstrates the use of flat and stress-free free-standing distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-performance wavelength discrimination in the long-wave infrared region.
A new study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University finds that upscale hotels in Texas benefit most from hosting Tesla charging stations between 2015-2018. The study suggests that the benefits are due to brand alignment and the presence of nearby tourist attractions, which attract customers seeking charging services.
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University have developed a way to synthesize high-performance functionally graded materials with minimized defects. By controlling the mixing gradient of component materials, they improved mechanical properties and eliminated interfacial cracks.
Nearly nine out of 10 people in the UK want self-driving vehicles to be labelled for clear distinction from human-driven vehicles. The survey found that experts tend to downplay concerns, but public scepticism persists, with many uncomfortable with the idea of using or sharing the road with self-driving cars.
A new study found that naming legislation after a victim increases support for the law and its associated punishment, with notable benefits for laws named after African American women. The study used distracted driving as an example and surveyed a national sample of 1,000 U.S. adults.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science propose two new search strategies to reduce the computational cost of rebalancing in bicycle-sharing systems. The approaches focus on finding feasible solutions more efficiently and redefine the problem to minimize solving time.
Researchers found that speeding can decrease fuel economy by 7% and result in an extra 28 cents per gallon at current US fuel prices. They also studied human behavior during the early days of COVID-19 and simulated cosmic collisions to better understand X-ray emissions.
Researchers at Gauhati University studied roadkill on a 64-kilometer stretch of National Highway 715 in India's Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape. They found dramatic mortality rates among frogs, toads, snakes, and lizards, with over 6000 animals killed annually.
Researchers at Clemson University and SSSIHL discovered a novel way to combine curcumin and gold nanoparticles to create an electrode that efficiently converts ethanol into electricity. The discovery brings replacing hydrogen as a fuel cell feedstock one step closer, with potential applications in sensors and supercapacitors.
Researchers propose a modular Mars exploration rover system consisting of four two-wheeled robots that can operate independently or combine in various constellations. The approach enables longer missions and gathers more information about the planet's history and potential habitability.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science analyzed usage patterns of bicycles in four major US cities to improve bicycle sharing system efficiency. They found temporal patterns and similarities between weekdays and weekends, contradicting previous studies.
Researchers discovered that fish generate movable vortex pairs of high- and low-pressure regions to propel themselves forward. This process involves precise control of body fluctuations, which enables the fish to swim with high motion control and flexibility.
A study of drivers with past-year alcohol and cannabis use found that two in five reported driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or both. Simultaneous use was associated with a higher risk of DUI, particularly among young adolescents.
A West Virginia University researcher is studying the American implementation of turbo roundabouts, designed to limit weaving and lane changing movements. The study aims to reduce conflict points and severity of crashes, with a focus on gauging motorists' responses via computerized driving simulations.
A recent study found that combining cannabis and alcohol significantly worsens driving performance compared to using either substance alone. This is because the effects of cannabis on driving are additive to those of alcohol, leading to impaired lane control and increased crash risks.
A new study estimates that nitrogen dioxide from traffic pollution contributes to nearly 2 million cases of pediatric asthma annually. Cleaner air in urban areas has led to a decline in these cases, but more work is needed to curb harmful emissions.
Researchers are exploring how an engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) can compensate for missing protein or swap out genetic mutations that cause vision problems. AAV has been found to be beneficial and is being used as a tool to deliver genes that work as they should.
Researchers have developed heat-resistant piezoelectric sheet sensors that can detect driver impairment, including drowsiness and sudden illnesses. These sensors, attached to seats, can signal a future smart car to take action, potentially preventing accidents.
Researchers have developed a high-resolution radar sensor that can reliably distinguish between cars and pedestrians, providing counts, speed, and direction of each moving target. The sensor outperforms cameras in low-visibility conditions and beats conventional radar by providing a richer picture.
A study by Penn State University and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that electric vehicle sounds can improve pedestrian safety, but with some cases of false negatives at close ranges. Adding sound to electric vehicles increases detection distances beyond minimum safe detection ranges.
A team of scientists used satellite images to track ammonia concentrations in the air above Los Angeles before and during the pandemic lockdown. They discovered that cars may produce up to 95% of this harmful pollutant throughout the city, significantly higher than previous estimates.
Researchers at University of South Australia are developing a world-first product to design traffic lights that absorb kinetic energy, stopping them from crumpling when hit by a vehicle. The technology has the potential to reduce road safety-related costs and injuries worldwide.
Researchers found that vehicles accounted for 60-84% of total NH3 emissions in western Los Angeles, significantly higher than government estimates. This discovery suggests a substantial health impact from vehicle-related ammonia, which has been largely under-recognized and uncontrolled.
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science teamed up with the Fire Department of New York to upgrade FDNY's EMS response operations. They developed an optimization system that minimizes response time, reduces overcrowding, and balances demand and supply of patient intakes at a city-wide level.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that rideshare density near crash sites is associated with decreased odds of alcohol-involved crashes. An increase in one ride per square mile was linked to a 0.2% decrease in such crashes.
Researchers developed an automated technique to search for simulation configurations that lead to severe problems in automated driving systems, excluding unlikely scenarios. The technique efficiently discovers situations with high acceleration and steering operation, increasing the significance and efficiency of testing.
The WVCTSI will deploy a mobile clinical trials unit in West Virginia, addressing health disparities and increasing participation in clinical research. The 39-foot Winnebago will provide on-site clinical trials and follow-up visits to rural residents.
Researchers found that roads can be deadly for species survival, with certain traits like early age of sexual maturity helping some species bounce back from roadkill deaths. However, others like brown and black bears are particularly vulnerable due to late maturity age and small litters.
A new method enables efficient discovery of reliable control system designs comparable to human experts, applicable to 'black box' systems without clear internal behavior. This research aims to reduce design costs and improve safety in various industries.
Researchers at Kobe University have developed a novel power control system for wireless power transfer, enabling precise and efficient energy transfer while reducing circuit components and costs. The system uses resonant frequency tracking and load impedance regulation to minimize power losses.
A new study led by a University of Maine graduate student found that 50% fewer frogs died from vehicle collisions in spring 2020 compared to previous years. This decline was part of a broader reduction in animal road fatalities during the pandemic, similar to findings in other studies worldwide.
The study analyzed data from 680 patients aged 1-17 who were involved in ATV or dirt bike crashes. Helmeted riders had lower rates of neurosurgical consultation, intracranial injury, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, and required fewer neurosurgical procedures compared to unhelmeted riders.
A nationwide study found over 63,000 golf cart injuries in children and adolescents from 2010-2019, with a steady increase each year. The majority of injuries were superficial, but fractures and dislocations also occurred, often in the head and neck region.
Researchers found that OHV drivers' motivations influence the routes they choose, with distinct patterns emerging for different groups. The study's findings can help managers predict which trails are likely to be used and craft targeted messages to promote responsible behavior and conservation-minded practices.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have created microscopic metavehicles that can be controlled and maneuvered using light. By layering an optical metasurface onto a particle and using a light source to control it, the vehicles can move in complex patterns and even transport other objects.
A study by ICTA-UAB finds that implementing teleworking two, three or four days a week would reduce nitrogen dioxide levels by 4%, 8% and 10%. This is achieved through a decrease in traffic-related emissions, with the greatest reduction expected when all employees in the service sector work from home.
ORNL is increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the US agricultural sector through science-based changes in practices. The lab has discovered a single gene that can make crops more drought-tolerant and productive, while also pulling CO2 from the atmosphere.
A North Carolina State University panel of experts assesses AV deployment risks and benefits, predicting substantial benefits if well-regulated. The study's findings suggest regulations could limit urban use of AVs and commercial fleet ownership, reducing risk and increasing benefits.
Researchers found that robots and vehicle automation account for a small percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, with delivery vehicle size and fuel source having larger impacts. A human-driven, battery-powered cargo van has the lowest per-package footprint among analyzed methods.
University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.
Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm that enables drones to navigate complex obstacle courses at high speeds without crashing. The new approach combines simulations with real-world experiments, allowing drones to adapt to challenging aerodynamics and find the fastest routes.
A UK team developed a portable ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients in developing countries. The Field Ventilator can be used beyond COVID-19 to treat various respiratory diseases and patients needing respiratory support.
Researchers found hybrid electric vehicles have twice the vulnerability to supply chain disruptions as gas-powered models, due to volatile battery prices and scarce materials. Long-term supplier contracts and material substitution can mitigate these risks as manufacturers ramp up EV production.
A new study from the University of Ottawa found that Ontario high school students are more likely to drive after consuming cannabis than alcohol, with 10% reporting driving within an hour of cannabis use. The study suggests that educating adolescents about cannabis risks may be effective in reducing dangerous driving behaviors.
A recent study found an association between rideshare use and increased risk of alcohol-associated motor vehicle crash traumas. The research compared traumas and convictions before and after Uber's introduction in Houston, Texas, revealing a significant correlation.
A study published in Spine Journal reveals that most pediatric spinal fractures occur in motor vehicle accidents where seatbelts are not used. The majority of these injuries (63%) occur in teenagers aged 15-17, who are at highest risk for MVA-related spinal fractures. Wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the risk of death and spina...
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that drivers with shift work sleep disorder are three times more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident than those without the condition. The study analyzed real-world driving data and found that shift work sleep disorder increased the risk of traffic crashes by nearly 300%.
Researchers are studying the integration of smart vehicles with smart cities, exploring computing paradigms such as vehicular cloud computing and vehicular fog computing. The goal is to create efficient, safe, and economical transportation systems that can adapt to real-time applications.
A new process has led to the development of high-performance energy absorbing systems that can be used in various applications, including vehicle crash safety, military armoured vehicles, and human body protection. The material's unique nanoscale mechanism enables it to absorb more mechanical energy per gram with good reusability.
Researchers investigate shockwave boundary layer interactions, with a focus on transitional regime experiments and simulations. Better understanding of these interactions could prevent catastrophes in high-speed vehicles.
Scientists at the DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have successfully demonstrated a biocrude conversion process that can operate continuously for over 2,000 hours without losing effectiveness. The process converts various types of biocrude from wastewater and food waste into high-quality renewable diesel fuel.
Cu-based small-pore zeolites have been demonstrated to be promising candidates for NH3-SCR catalysts due to their unique structural features and physicochemical properties. The latest advances in Cu-SSZ-13 applied to the NH3-SCR reaction highlight the significant opportunity presented by zeolite-based catalysts.
The study analyzed 39 variants of lunar human landers, considering key architectural decisions such as number of stages and propellant type. The analysis showed that expendable systems with 2-stage architecture are advantageous, but reusable vehicles with 1-stage or 3-stage systems offer comparable advantages.
Researchers analyzed traffic volume and motor vehicle crash injuries before, during, and after COVID-19-related state-of-emergency orders. The study found a significant decrease in accidents and injuries following the implementation of social distancing policies.