Road traffic safety aims to reduce the harm (deaths, injuries, and property damage) resulting from crashes of road vehicles. Harm from road traffic crashes is greater than that from all other transportation modes (air, sea, space, off-terrain, etc.) combined.
Road traffic safety deals exclusively with road traffic crashes – how to reduce their number and their consequences. A road traffic crash is an event involving a road vehicle that results in harm. For reasons of clear data collection, only harm involving a road vehicle is included. A person tripping with fatal consequences on a public road is not included as a road-traffic fatality. To be counted a pedestrian fatality, the victim must be struck by a road vehicle.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sleep Deprived Driving
Sleep deprived driving is the operation of a motor vehicle while being cognitively impaired by a lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents, and it can impair the human brain as much as alcohol can. According to a 1998 survey, 23% of adults have fallen asleep while driving. According to the United States Department of Transportation, male drivers admit to have fallen asleep while driving twice as much as female drivers.
Numerous studies have found that sleep deprivation can affect driving as much, and sometimes more, than alcohol. British researchers have found that driving after 17 to 18 hours of being awake is as harmful as driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05%, the legal limit in many European countries. Men under 30 are more likely to be in an accident caused by sleep deprivation.
Numerous studies have found that sleep deprivation can affect driving as much, and sometimes more, than alcohol. British researchers have found that driving after 17 to 18 hours of being awake is as harmful as driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05%, the legal limit in many European countries. Men under 30 are more likely to be in an accident caused by sleep deprivation.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Graduated driver
Graduated driver licensing systems are designed to provide new drivers of motor vehicles with driving experience and skills gradually over time in low-risk environments. There are typically three steps or stages through which new drivers pass. They begin by acquiring a learner’s permit, progress to a restricted or probationary license, followed by receipt of a full license.
Acquiring a learner’s permit typically requires a minimum age, passing vision and knowledge tests, and parental or guardian permission if below a specified age. Those who hold a learner’s permit must generally drive under the supervision of a licensed driver, have a limited number of passengers in the vehicle, and be free of moving violations and at-fault accidents or crashes for a minimum period of time before moving to the next stage.
Those who receive an intermediate or probationary license may drive without supervision, although driving at certain times, (typically after midnight until around sunrise), may require supervision. Drivers typically are restricted in the number of passengers they may carry and must remain free of moving violations and at-fault accidents for a specified period of time. In some places, drivers with these licenses must have no alcohol in their blood while they are driving.
Receipt of a full license typically requires a specific minimum age, a minimum time period of driving experience, and the passing of a final road test of driving skills.
Acquiring a learner’s permit typically requires a minimum age, passing vision and knowledge tests, and parental or guardian permission if below a specified age. Those who hold a learner’s permit must generally drive under the supervision of a licensed driver, have a limited number of passengers in the vehicle, and be free of moving violations and at-fault accidents or crashes for a minimum period of time before moving to the next stage.
Those who receive an intermediate or probationary license may drive without supervision, although driving at certain times, (typically after midnight until around sunrise), may require supervision. Drivers typically are restricted in the number of passengers they may carry and must remain free of moving violations and at-fault accidents for a specified period of time. In some places, drivers with these licenses must have no alcohol in their blood while they are driving.
Receipt of a full license typically requires a specific minimum age, a minimum time period of driving experience, and the passing of a final road test of driving skills.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Driving pleasure
Driving pleasure is a feeling of enjoyment derived from operating a motor vehicle. Factors known to contribute to driving pleasure include responsiveness of the vehicle to driver manipulation of the controls, which means that the vehicle obeys and executes driver's commands faithfully.
In the vehicle development process, driving pleasure is "the driver's feel for vehicle manipulation under various road conditions.” When designing a car, features that increase driving pleasure and safety may work in opposition, forcing engineers to make choices between the two or find a new solution that accomplishes both.
Forces are due to acceleration, linear and angular. Longitudinal forces are due to acceleration and deceleration, and lateral forces occur while turning act on the driver. These forces can not be easily simulated anywhere other than a vehicle. Lateral force is available only in a four wheeled vehicle, and can be up to 5g in F1 racing. In motorcycles lateral force on the driver is zero even when cornering, due to leaning the bike into a corner to nullify lateral force.
In the vehicle development process, driving pleasure is "the driver's feel for vehicle manipulation under various road conditions.” When designing a car, features that increase driving pleasure and safety may work in opposition, forcing engineers to make choices between the two or find a new solution that accomplishes both.
Forces are due to acceleration, linear and angular. Longitudinal forces are due to acceleration and deceleration, and lateral forces occur while turning act on the driver. These forces can not be easily simulated anywhere other than a vehicle. Lateral force is available only in a four wheeled vehicle, and can be up to 5g in F1 racing. In motorcycles lateral force on the driver is zero even when cornering, due to leaning the bike into a corner to nullify lateral force.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Back Seat Driver
A back seat driver is a passenger in a vehicle who is not in control of the vehicle and appears to be uncomfortable with the skills of the current driver and/or feels the need to tutor said driver.
Some backseat drivers exhibit this type of behavior simply because they feel unsafe or out of control since they are not driving the vehicle and therefore are nervous and jumpy and overly anxious to give suggestions and criticisms regarding the current driver's actions. The Maine Department of Transportation has a web poster "Are you a Good Back Seat Driver?" asking "True or False: Being a Backseat Driver means it is okay to be noisy or distracting to the driver as long as you are giving them safety tips." The Inland Register produced by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane makes use of it in a sermon: "Even our phrase “back-seat driver” reflects this new-found freedom. Which of us who has graduated to the status of driver enjoys a passenger, especially one out of reach in the back seat, which seems to know how to drive better than we do?
A famous example of a back seat driver is Hyacinth Bucket on the British sitcom keeping up Appearances. The term is also used in Backseat Drivers from Beyond the Stars, an episode of Invader Zim A poem "The Backseat Driver" by Parick G Hughes appears in the Northern Ireland BBC Writer's Showcase.
It is even used as a deliberate game. In All things Considered on NPR for July 19, 2006, there is an account of a "Back Seat Driver competition in Forest City, Iowa. ... The event -- in which a driver races backward while blindfolded and instructed by the voice of a companion over an intercom -- is in its eighth year." It has even been noticed by People's Daily.
Some backseat drivers exhibit this type of behavior simply because they feel unsafe or out of control since they are not driving the vehicle and therefore are nervous and jumpy and overly anxious to give suggestions and criticisms regarding the current driver's actions. The Maine Department of Transportation has a web poster "Are you a Good Back Seat Driver?" asking "True or False: Being a Backseat Driver means it is okay to be noisy or distracting to the driver as long as you are giving them safety tips." The Inland Register produced by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane makes use of it in a sermon: "Even our phrase “back-seat driver” reflects this new-found freedom. Which of us who has graduated to the status of driver enjoys a passenger, especially one out of reach in the back seat, which seems to know how to drive better than we do?
A famous example of a back seat driver is Hyacinth Bucket on the British sitcom keeping up Appearances. The term is also used in Backseat Drivers from Beyond the Stars, an episode of Invader Zim A poem "The Backseat Driver" by Parick G Hughes appears in the Northern Ireland BBC Writer's Showcase.
It is even used as a deliberate game. In All things Considered on NPR for July 19, 2006, there is an account of a "Back Seat Driver competition in Forest City, Iowa. ... The event -- in which a driver races backward while blindfolded and instructed by the voice of a companion over an intercom -- is in its eighth year." It has even been noticed by People's Daily.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is a form of automobile operation in which an operator will deliberately behave with contempt towards other drivers and drive in such a manner as to increase the risk of an automobile accident.
Unlike drunk driving, aggressive driving is not usually the result of a drug or chemical, but rather the personality of the person operating the automobile. An aggressive driver may adopt a "King of the Road" attitude and become offended when other drivers engage in such activities as passing or "cutting off" the driver. The aggressive driver will then take the actions of the other driver personally, and seek to retaliate. This normally leads to unsafe driving acts such as reckless speeding or attempting to run someone off a highway.
Aggressive driving can also lead to much more serious crimes, such as manslaughter or murder. An aggressive driver may drive so recklessly as to injure or kill another driver or, in extreme cases, will "hunt another driver down" and then deliberately attempt to harm the person. This is often known as "road rage".
Aggressive driving may, in rare cases, be caused by mental illness. Persons with mental diseases, who are driving, may become confused about where they are and who the drivers around them are. This could lead to fear, panic or other emotions causing the person to start driving aggressively.
Unlike drunk driving, aggressive driving is not usually the result of a drug or chemical, but rather the personality of the person operating the automobile. An aggressive driver may adopt a "King of the Road" attitude and become offended when other drivers engage in such activities as passing or "cutting off" the driver. The aggressive driver will then take the actions of the other driver personally, and seek to retaliate. This normally leads to unsafe driving acts such as reckless speeding or attempting to run someone off a highway.
Aggressive driving can also lead to much more serious crimes, such as manslaughter or murder. An aggressive driver may drive so recklessly as to injure or kill another driver or, in extreme cases, will "hunt another driver down" and then deliberately attempt to harm the person. This is often known as "road rage".
Aggressive driving may, in rare cases, be caused by mental illness. Persons with mental diseases, who are driving, may become confused about where they are and who the drivers around them are. This could lead to fear, panic or other emotions causing the person to start driving aggressively.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Automotive vehicle design
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans. The functional design and development of a modern motor vehicle is typically done by a large team from many different disciplines included in automotive engineers.
Automotive design in this context is primarily concerned with developing the visual appearance or aesthetics of the vehicle, though it is also involved in the creation of the product concept. Automotive design is practiced by designers who usually have an art background and a degree in industrial design or transportation design.
Automotive design in this context is primarily concerned with developing the visual appearance or aesthetics of the vehicle, though it is also involved in the creation of the product concept. Automotive design is practiced by designers who usually have an art background and a degree in industrial design or transportation design.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Delivery of power to the wheels and brakes
The coefficient of friction of rubber on the road limits the magnitude of the vector sum of the transverse and longitudinal force. So the driven wheels or those supplying the most braking tend to slip sideways. This phenomenon is often explained by use of the circle of forces model.
One reason that sports cars are usually rear wheel drive is that power induced oversteer is useful, to a skilled driver, for tight curves. The weight transfer under acceleration has the opposite effect and either may dominate, depending on the conditions. Inducing understeer by applying power in a front wheel drive car is useful via proper use of "Left-foot braking." In any case, this is not an important safety issue, because power is not normally used in emergency situations. Using low gears down steep hills may cause some oversteer.
The effect of braking on handling is complicated by load transfer, which is proportional to the (negative) acceleration times the ratio of the center of gravity height to the wheelbase. The difficulty is that the acceleration at the limit of adhesion depends on the road surface, so with the same ratio of front to back braking force, a car will understeer under braking on slick surfaces and oversteer under hard braking on solid surfaces. Most modern cars combat this by varying the distribution of braking in some way. This is important with a high center of gravity, but it is also done on low center of gravity cars, from which a higher level of performance is expected.
One reason that sports cars are usually rear wheel drive is that power induced oversteer is useful, to a skilled driver, for tight curves. The weight transfer under acceleration has the opposite effect and either may dominate, depending on the conditions. Inducing understeer by applying power in a front wheel drive car is useful via proper use of "Left-foot braking." In any case, this is not an important safety issue, because power is not normally used in emergency situations. Using low gears down steep hills may cause some oversteer.
The effect of braking on handling is complicated by load transfer, which is proportional to the (negative) acceleration times the ratio of the center of gravity height to the wheelbase. The difficulty is that the acceleration at the limit of adhesion depends on the road surface, so with the same ratio of front to back braking force, a car will understeer under braking on slick surfaces and oversteer under hard braking on solid surfaces. Most modern cars combat this by varying the distribution of braking in some way. This is important with a high center of gravity, but it is also done on low center of gravity cars, from which a higher level of performance is expected.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Development of the pallet
The pallet was developed in stages. Spacers were used between loads to allow fork entry, progressing to the placement of boards atop stringers to make skids. Eventually boards were fastened to the bottom to create the pallet. The addition of bottom boards on the skid, which appeared by 1925, resulted in the modern form of the pallet. With the bottom deck, several problems common to the single faced skid were addressed. For example, the bottom boards provided better weight distribution and reduced product damage; they also provided better stacking strength and rigidity. Lift truck manufacturers promoted the idea of using more vertical area of a plant for stock storage.
In size, skids started narrow in order to pass through ordinary doors. As facilities were rebuilt, many organizations optimized their buildings for larger pallets in order to reduce labor costs.
The earliest referenced U.S. patent on a skid is Hallowell's 1924 "Lift Truck Platform."[1] In 1939, Carl Clark patented a recognizably modern pallet, although with steel stringers.In World War II, palleted material handling was rapidly perfected in order to transfer Allied war materials. The patent activity picked up again after the war, as inventors claimed items they improvised for the war effort. The first four direction pallet was claimed in 1945 by Robert Braun.
In size, skids started narrow in order to pass through ordinary doors. As facilities were rebuilt, many organizations optimized their buildings for larger pallets in order to reduce labor costs.
The earliest referenced U.S. patent on a skid is Hallowell's 1924 "Lift Truck Platform."[1] In 1939, Carl Clark patented a recognizably modern pallet, although with steel stringers.In World War II, palleted material handling was rapidly perfected in order to transfer Allied war materials. The patent activity picked up again after the war, as inventors claimed items they improvised for the war effort. The first four direction pallet was claimed in 1945 by Robert Braun.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Driving laws
Vehicle inspection:
Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on transfer of title to a vehicle. If required periodically, it is often termed periodic motor vehicle inspection; typical intervals are every two years and every year.
In some jurisdictions, proof of inspection is required before a vehicle licence or license plate can be issued or renewed. In others, once a vehicle passes inspection, a decal is attached to the windshield, and police can enforce the inspection law by seeing whether the vehicle displays an up-to-date decal. In the case of a vehicle lacking a windshield (e.g., a trailer or motorcycle), the decal is typically attached to the vehicle body.
Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on transfer of title to a vehicle. If required periodically, it is often termed periodic motor vehicle inspection; typical intervals are every two years and every year.
In some jurisdictions, proof of inspection is required before a vehicle licence or license plate can be issued or renewed. In others, once a vehicle passes inspection, a decal is attached to the windshield, and police can enforce the inspection law by seeing whether the vehicle displays an up-to-date decal. In the case of a vehicle lacking a windshield (e.g., a trailer or motorcycle), the decal is typically attached to the vehicle body.
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