Articles tagged with Vehicles
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A study led by Nationwide Children's Hospital found substantial declines in motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Ohio during the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest drop was seen after the state stay-at-home order, with 55% fewer crash involvements and 47% fewer injuries.
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.
A study by researchers at Penn State found that juvenile white-tailed deer dispersal does not result in added mortality. Contrary to expectations, survival rates of dispersers were comparable to those of non-dispersers, with only two female deer killed by vehicular collision during their movement.
A Swiss research group has developed a novel cancer vaccine strategy utilizing two different viruses to stimulate the immune system against tumor cells. In animal experiments, this approach led to the elimination or slowing down of tumors in 20-40% of cases.
Purdue University scientists create ROUGHIE, a maneuverable underwater glider that can operate silently and efficiently in shallow seas. The glider's unique design allows it to follow complex paths and explore areas inaccessible to other underwater gliders.
A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that inhalation of depleted uranium from exploding munitions did not lead to Gulf War illness. Researchers used high-precision mass spectrometry to analyze veterans' urine samples and found no differences in uranium isotopic ratios between those with GWI and control veterans.
Army researchers studied moral dilemmas involving autonomous machines, revealing that risk and social influence shape decision-making. The study contributes to the development of AI systems that reflect society's ethical standards, facilitating adoption by the Army and acceptance by the general public.
Research from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin shows that dispatch of mobile stroke units is linked to improved survival and reduced risk of disability. STEMOs enable timely thrombolysis and treatment, leading to better functional outcomes for patients.
Researchers at CytoDel developed a precision biotherapeutic that can enter neurons and protect SNARE proteins by inhibiting botulinum neurotoxin's catalytic activity. This non-viral delivery method has potential for treating multiple neurological diseases, including synaptopathies.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new way to model hypersonic flow, allowing for a better understanding of thermal protection systems and heat shields. The research uses quantum physics and machine learning to simulate the interactions between molecules and atoms in extreme environments.
Researchers have created a new method to reduce noise emissions from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) without compromising their flight range or endurance. The method uses high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics codes to obtain information about airfoil boundary layers, enabling the development of quieter air vehicles.
Researchers discovered that squid jet propulsion can be more efficient when considering turbulent flow conditions, revealing clues about how squids maneuver within these environments. The study found symmetry-breaking instability of vortices around the jetter, which affects thrust production and efficiency.
A new study suggests that smartphone acceleration sensors can provide a low-cost measure of road roughness, allowing engineers to prioritize maintenance and reduce costs. This approach could also be used to assess the condition of rural roads in developing countries.
Feitian Zhang and Pei Dong received a $15,000 grant to purchase a remotely operated vehicle with GPS for monitoring microelectronic sensors in aquatic environments. The funding will support their research in aquatic environmental monitoring until August 2021.
A Purdue University team has created a mobile docking system for AUVs, enabling them to perform longer tasks without human intervention. The system uses algorithms to optimize trajectories, allowing robots to autonomously dock mid-mission to recharge and transfer data.
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia demonstrate the effectiveness of virtual driving assessments in identifying safety-critical skill deficits and providing personalized feedback. The tool has been shown to be valid, feasible, and efficient, with a potential to reduce crashes and improve driver safety.
Scientists create controlled dynamics of colloidal rods on a magnetised chip using mathematical coding, increasing efficiency in research and potential applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. The study paves the way for mini-laboratories to study materials and biochemical agents.
Researchers used UAVs to collect NDVI data at the seed increase stage of a CIMMYT wheat breeding program, showing heritable correlations with grain yield. Selection based on NDVI outperformed visual selection, suggesting improved resource-use efficiency and genetic gain.
Research found occupational exposures to pollutants, including burning wood and vehicle exhaust, were associated with abnormal heart function and structure. Long-term exposure to these pollutants may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially among low-income occupations.
A team of international researchers, led by the University of Bern, has created an electrocatalyst that improves the electrochemical reaction in fuel cells without a carbon carrier. This breakthrough technology promises stable fuel cell operation even at higher temperatures and high current density.