bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How the Interface of Self-driving Cars Influences the Road-crossing Behavior and Subjective Evaluation of Pedestrians of Different Ages
Authors: Liu Yung-ching , Chen Yu-jie
Published: June 2024

As self-driving technology progresses, there's a crucial need to ensure safe interactions between pedestrians and vehicles. This study delves into how pedestrians of varying ages respond to different vehicle speeds and communication interfaces. The experiment encompasses three age groups (older adults, young adults, children), two vehicle speeds (40 km/hr, 60 km/hr), and six interface variations. Findings highlight those older adults exhibit poorer crossing behaviors, while children's decision times mirror those of young adults, albeit with slower walking speeds impacting safety. Notably, all age groups favor interfaces over no interface, with text-based or text combined with symbols interfaces emerging as the most effective in subjective evaluations and crossing behaviors. These insights offer invaluable guidance for optimizing pedestrian safety in the realm of autonomous vehicles.
Sense of safety for pedestrians and autonomous vehicles
Authors: Lou Yijun , Luo Yan
Published: June 2024

As the electric vehicle industry continues to progress, vehicles equipped with active driving capabilities are becoming increasingly prevalent on the road. The widespread commercialization of advanced autonomous vehicles necessitates the resolution of their capacity to interact with other road users in a safe, precise, and efficient manner. In the daily accident the mortality rate among pedestrians and cyclists constitutes 26% of all accidents, which is a significant statistic that most previous studies have focused on, particularly on the interaction between autonomous vehicles and vehicle occupants. However, research into how autonomous vehicles interact with pedestrians outside the vehicle is comparatively scarce. The academic community, primarily focused on the vehicle kinematics of eHMI and the characteristics of unmanned automobile traffic environments, has conducted extensive research and analysis. This article aims to utilize the richness of survey data to provide insight into the intuitive feelings of pedestrians when interacting with unmanned vehicles in the absence of traffic infrastructure. This article aims to provide insight into pedestrian feelings when interacting with unmanned vehicles and proposes a model for safe interactions in the absence of traffic infrastructure.
Assessing the Impact of Driver Assistance Technology: A Review of Non-Crash and Crash Studies
Authors: Lennox Kristin , Scully Iiona , Yanes Julio , Cades David
Published: June 2024

Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), sometimes referred to as partial automation systems, control both longitudinal and lateral motion of a vehicle under driver control and supervision. Level 2 systems are increasingly common in commercially available vehicles, and there has been extensive study of the potential impact of these systems on crash risk. Historically, studies of these systems have used proxies for crash risk, such as driver behavior and attentiveness, to predict the eventual influence of these systems on real-world crash rates. However, recently, real-world crash studies have been conducted for L2 systems from multiple manufacturers. This paper provides a review of both non-crash and crash-based evaluations of Level 2 systems, including a new analysis of crash data published by Tesla. Overall, while non-crash assessments of Level 2 systems have been mixed, all crash studies published to date point to a reduction in risk associated with such systems. This review also suggests improvements to non-crash studies that may increase their predictive value.
“Pay attention to that aggressive vehicle”: The effect of Aggressive Vehicle Warning Systems on driving behavior and perceived workload
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2024

Aggressive driving is a common issue in daily life and brings negative impacts on traffic efficiency and road safety. Advances in connected vehicle technology facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and allow drivers to better understand the intentions and behaviors of surrounding vehicles, providing new ideas for addressing the challenges posed by aggressive driving. In a driving simulator experiment, the present study aimed to explore the effect of aggressive vehicle warning systems (AVWSs) on driving behavior and perceived workload during hazard events. AVWSs access vehicles’ driving styles based on their past behaviors and present visual-auditory messages when it perceives the driving style of a nearby vehicle as aggressive. Eighteen drivers participated in the experiment and were randomly assigned to two groups, one with messages from the AVWS (AVWS group) and the other without messages (baseline group). Each driver experienced three types of hazard events caused by surrounding aggressive vehicles: braking, lane-changing, and traffic rules violations at intersections. The results indicated that the AVWS could orient drivers’ attention to the aggressive vehicle in advance, thereby reducing their risk of being involved in collisions in unpredictable intersection events and reducing their response time in emergency braking events. Drivers in the AVWS group also perceived a lower level of mental workload and frustration than those in the baseline group when experiencing hazard events. However, caution should be taken when there are conflicts between the message and the actual situation, such as vehicles with non-aggressive driving styles exhibiting aggressive driving behavior. The findings of this study may provide some implications for the design of driving assistance systems, especially in intelligent vehicles.
Understanding drivers' interaction with traffic environments - A traffic semantic approach
Authors: Karlsson Marianne , Johansson Mikael
Published: June 2024

The pilot study approached traffic environments as semantic constructions to explore the meaning-making processes that shape road users' perceptions of and interactions with traffic environments. Conducted in a basic driving simulator, the study involved eight participants who viewed a pre-recorded video of a driven route, paused at six pre-defined traffic situations. Throughout the session, participants were encouraged to think aloud, and at each interval, they completed a questionnaire. Three interdependent contextual spheres were identified which influenced the participants’ perception and interpretation of the situations, risks involved, and how they would plan their actions: (a) the broader geographical area; (b) the specific traffic site encompassing dynamic traffic elements (i.e. other road users) and non-dynamic infrastructural elements (road layout, speed bumps, signage, etc.), and (c) the individual and their attributes (e.g. driving experience) as well as their earlier familiarity with the type of - or the specific - traffic site.
Analysis of Bus Driver Actions for Development of Automated Bus Passenger Safety System - Bowtie Analysis-
Authors: Hashimoto Naohisa , Yanbin Wu , Masuda Masaki
Published: June 2024

One of the key advantages of Level 4 automated buses is the potential for unmanned operation. To achieve this, two essential tasks must be addressed: controlling the bus and ensuring passenger safety. This study focuses specifically on passenger safety and the development of a safety system for automated buses. Initially, we investigated the tasks typically performed by bus drivers by observing their actions from when a passenger boards to when they disembark. For each task, we utilized bowtie analysis, examining them from five perspectives: hazard source (cause), prevention of occurrence, hazard source (consequences), impact mitigation, and harm. Tasks are categorized into three situations: door opening and closing, driving, and when starting. In each situation, every task is analysed using bowtie analysis. This approach results in a visual representation of tasks with identified threats, consequences, mitigations, and preventive measures. We will show a comprehensive explanation of all results and discussions derived from the analysis, utilizing real recorded driver’s data to enhance clarity. The primary challenge in developing the system to manage these tasks instead of relying on a bus driver lies in determining how the system will interact with passengers and the extent to which it can ensure passenger safety through the passenger safety system.
Redundant Brake Lights Design: Impact on Reaction Times of the Following Driver
Authors: Wang Dongyuan , Wilborn Ashley , Miller Vanessa
Published: June 2024

This study investigated whether redundant vehicle braking light configurations reduce brake response time (RT). Brake lights play a crucial role in enhancing visibility and are instrumental in preventing rear-end collisions. Previous research conducted in laboratory and practical settings consistently highlights the effectiveness of redundant signals. Some modern car models feature a cross-configuration for their brake lights, forming an 'X' shape when the brake pedal is applied, intuitively signifying to stop. The study assessed the effectiveness of brake light configurations between traditional braking signals with a brighter red appearance and redundant signals (with an additional ‘X’ shape). Participants viewed a rear-end picture of a vehicle (either a schematic-car or real-car picture) with different brake light configurations simulating a car-following condition. They were instructed to press a right-side button to model the use of a gas pedal in a car-following condition. However, they were to release the right-side button and press the left-side button when the brake lights illuminated from the car in front. The results revealed that participants exhibited quicker reactions in the real-car picture condition than the RT in the schematic-car condition, indicating a more immediate response and a heightened sense of urgency associated with the real-car representation. More importantly, both release RT and stop RT in the simultaneous redundant brake lights condition were faster than in the traditional single-signal brake lights condition. Additionally, this advantage of the redundant effect was noticeable only when two redundant signals were simultaneously presented and were larger in the schematic-car condition. The findings suggest that incorporating redundant signals in brake light design can reduce braking response times and, consequently, lower the risk of rear-end collisions. Future research should examine this redundant effect in high-fidelity simulators or real driving conditions.
X-ray Analysis on the Difference in Ride Comfort Affected by Increased Number of Air Bladders in Car Seats
Authors: Choi Woojin , Shin Jueun , Kim Sunwoong , Moonjun Sohn
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the impact of increasing air bladder numbers in car seats on ride comfort through X-ray analysis. It assesses how these changes affect the driver's lumbar support, exploring the relationship between seat design and comfort. Participants, with varied demographics, were tested using seats with different air bladder counts. Utilizing X-ray imagery, the study compares spinal alignment in different sitting positions. Results showed that seats with more air bladders significantly enhanced comfort. This suggests that more air bladders in car seats can improve driver support and reduce discomfort, contributing valuable insights for automotive seat design.
Perceived comfort prediction by occupant package layout and vehicle seat engineering factors
Authors: Kim Sunwoong
Published: June 2024

Perceived comfort is one of the most important factors in automotive engineering, but it is also a very complex and difficult to define. Consumer survey and expert evaluation is the mostly used to determine the subjective comfort level. As tech-nology advances, engineering becomes increasingly important during the design review phase.The aim of this study is to define a conceptual framework of the consumers’ per-ceived comfort, which is related to various engineering factors, and to develop a ML-model (Machine Learning model).Totally, 23 variables were determined by various objective measured data from vehicle and vehicle seat as independent variables. Each variable was defined through data conversion and calculation after measuring the physical properties and the geometric characteristics of the vehicle seat, and the characteristics of the sitting package. Totally, 11 variables were defined by various subjective evalua-tion data as dependent variables.Sedans and SUVs from various segments were included in the dataset for devel-opment of the machine learning model.Postscript.This paper is a follow-up study for my previous paper which published by AHFE2023, paper no. 326.Developing the machine learning model is almost developed, however, requires little bit more time. The estimated date of the finish is around end of this year. Current model has over 0.8 of r-square values, but we try to various methods to develop the optimal prediction model. In some cases, it is possible to use several different methods to each engineering purpose. The final result will be included in this paper.
Optimized Design of Road Street Furniture for Pedestrian Traffic - Smart Zebra Crossings
Authors: Shi Qian , Luo Yan , Wang Tao
Published: June 2024

The evolution of pedestrian crossings, also known as zebra crossings, traces back to their initial purpose of separating people, horses, and carriages with stepping stones to their current design of striped patterns accommodating mixed traffic of cars and pedestrians. Its development history shows the process of improving tools to meet the needs of the times, underscored by the continuous updating of facilities and equipment driven by the relentless advancement of science and technology through the ages. Under severe weather conditions such as nighttime, rainy days, and smoggy days, the reduced visibility of zebra crossings increases the risk of collisions between pedestrians and motor vehicles. The author proposed the idea of light beam wall zebra crossing based on the current smart zebra croosings. Surveys from pedestrians and drivers were collected to evaluate the pros and cons of smart zebra crossings and gauge public interest in their personalized and aesthetic design.The survey results indicate that all respondents agree that illuminated zebra crossings are beneficial to both pedestrians and drivers. Most also agree that well-designed zebra crossings can enhance the pleasure of travel. However, they also express concerns that smart zebra crossings may have disadvantages such as high costs, high maintenance expenses,and potential failures that may not function properly. Based on these findings, it is crucial to select illuminated tile materials for smart zebra crossings and found ways to control cost. The author proposed a method to offset some costs by displaying advertisements on light beam walls of smart zebra crossings. Additionally, the personalized design of zebra crossings aims to provide citizens with a more aesthetically pleasing experience, enhancing their sense of safety and happiness. The comprehensive experience of smart zebra crossings attracts footfall to nearby commercial areas. Smart zebra crossings can be seen as a lever to create a City Walk-friendly urban intelligent transportation landscape that supports urban development.
Experiences of upright sleeping in a vehicle: the preferred back rest angle
Authors: Vledder Gerbera , Sabater Compomanes Rebeca , Singh Utkarsh , Kılıç Halil , Smulders Maxim , Song Yu , Vink Peter
Published: June 2024

In many vehicles passengers are sleeping. Groenesteijn et al.(2014) reported that on medium to long distance train trips, the second most time was spend on ‘staring or sleeping’. Bouwens et al. (2017) report that the majority of passengers sleep during a flight, while this activity has the lowest comfort score. The likelihood of resting and sleeping during a commute automated vehicle trip is also high (Wilson et al., 2022). Usually this sleeping is a nap, as Faraut et al. (2017) defined a nap as any sleep period with a duration of less than 50% of the average major sleep period of an individual. Discomfort while taking this nap might be caused by the upright sitting position. Studies by Nicholson and Stone (1987), Aeschback et al. (1994), Hayashi and Abe (2008) and Roach et al. (2018) show that the larger the recline angle of the seat ('flatter'), the better the sleep efficiency. A flat bed is preferred. However, a flat bed is often not possible due to space and economic reasons. In this study we tried to discover what back rest angle is acceptable for an upright sleep. The study was carried out using six customized chairs of which the backrest could be positioned in five different angles (110º, 120º, 130º, 140º, 150º) and an additional 180º bed was added as a reference (a horizontal stretcher). Sleeping was facilitated by for instance, a good temperature, darkness, blankets and cushions. 16 participants were asked to try to sleep six times for a duration of 90 minutes to facilitate at least one sleep cycle, each person starting in a different backrest angle and having a different order. Questions on sleep comfort and comfort in general (on a scale 0-10, 0 being no comfort and 10 extreme comfort) were asked after the sleep. The results show that overall comfort was low (below 6) for 110 and 120 degrees and it was significantly better at 130 degrees or more. The same trend was shown for the sleeping comfort. In conclusion, a conclusive statement based on sleep quality is hard to give, but in terms of comfort a backrest angle of 120 degrees or less is unacceptable for a nap. Suggesting that for a short napping situation a minimum of a 130 degree recline should be available. To improve sleep comfort in 110 and 120 degree recline; neck support, lower back and lower leg support are the main attention points.
A mixed-method approach for assessing passengers’ perspectives of autonomous urban ferries
Authors: Pantelatos Leander , Andreas Alsos Ole , Saghafian Mina , Smogeli Øyvind , Lera Stclair Asun
Published: June 2024

Autonomous urban ferries may become a new solution for future urban public transport. The perception of users and their attitudes plays a vital role in the acceptance and use of autonomous technologies. In this method article, we present a mixed-method approach to assess users’ perspectives on autonomous urban ferries. The method is based on citizen engagement and consists of four sessions with a broad range of representative public transport users. The sessions are (1) information and table discussions, (2) an immersive virtual mixed-reality simulation of a ferry trip in a full-scale ferry mock-up, (3) a ferry trip onboard a working autonomous prototype ferry, and (4) reflective table discussions. The method collects rich and multidimensional data which can be used to inform researchers and practitioners on how to study passengers’ perspectives on public autonomous transport solutions.
Strategies to Improve BIM Usage Among Professionals In The Construction Industry
Authors: Fatai Ogunbayo Babatunde , Aigbavboa Clinton , Adekunle Samuel
Published: June 2024

BIM is an emerging technology in the construction sector used by construction professionals for the collaborative process of using a computer-generated model that manages information for the entire construction project lifecycle. This study assesses strategies to improve BIM usage among professionals in the construction industry. Structured questionnaires were distributed through systematic random sampling techniques to 70 construction professionals within Gauteng province in South Africa to collect data on factors affecting BIM usage among professionals in the construction industry. Data collected through the questionnaire were computed using a descriptive statistical approach. Through the use of a statistical data equation, a valid mean item score was determined in the study. The result of the study indicated that providing continuous training, BIM skills development programmes, Education of construction personnel, effective implementation of acquired BIM skills, and embracing the BIM requirements in the construction supply chain were the highest-ranked strategies to improve BIM usage among professionals in the construction industry. The study concluded that professionals in the construction industry should consider attending local and international workshops on BIM to better understand new areas in its applications for construction activities.
Systematic Review of the Application Challenges of Virtual Reality for Facilities Management in the South African Construction Industry
Authors: Raimi Oluwaseun , Fatai Ogunbayo Babatunde , Aigbavboa Clinton
Published: June 2024

Amidst global disruptions in the construction industry, the adoption of innovative technologies is imperative for enhancing efficiency and productivity. Virtual Reality (VR) emerges as a crucial tool in transforming Facilities Management (FM) communication and providing immersive experiences. However, the South African construction industry faces specific challenges, including the cost of VR equipment, lack of standardization, specialized skills requirement, and limited awareness among facilities managers. Addressing these challenges is essential for unlocking VR's potential in construction FM. This study employs a systematic review methodology to shed light on these challenges, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of financial barriers, standardization issues, the need for specialized skills, and awareness gaps. Recommendations encompass cost reduction, standardized applications, training programs, and awareness campaigns. Despite challenges, VR presents opportunities to revolutionize South African construction FM, with advancing technology and successful implementations expected to drive accessibility and demand for tailored solutions in the future.
Validating critical factors affecting national safety incentives policy for the construction industry in developing countries
Authors: Elizah Ogundipe Kunle , Aigbavboa Clinton , Fatai Ogunbayo Babatunde
Published: June 2024

A national safety incentive policy is a mix of policy instruments and strategies outlining the rules, templates, and standard procedures for designing and implementing safety incentives within a country. Through a Delphi study, this study assesses critical factors affecting the development of a national safety incentives policy for the construction industry in developing countries using Nigeria as a case study. A qualitative technique was adopted using the Delphi technique to select a representative sample of expert panellists for the study. The Delphi findings indicate fifteen (15) identified factors affecting the development of a national safety incentives policy in Nigeria. Of these fifteen (15) identified factors, six (6) had a very high impact (VHI: 9.00 – 10.00), four (6) had a high impact (HI: 7.00 - 8.99), and the remaining three (3) factors recorded a medium impact (MI: 5.00 - 6.99). The study's key findings reveal that the leading critical factors affecting developing countries, including Nigeria, in developing a national safety incentives policy include weak institutional framework, occupational safety and health agency’s corrupt practices, stakeholders’ absence in policy development, insufficient government budget for occupational safety and health agency, ineffective H&S code of practice, absence of national safety incentive vision, political influence on occupational safety and health enforcement agency, inadequate regulatory framework, ineffective occupational safety and health policy enforcement, and ineffective occupational safety and health policies. This study concluded by calling for a standalone national safety incentive policy that will holistically support the implementation of safety incentives within the construction industry.
Empowering Sustainable Urban Futures: Exploring the Temporary Use of Community In-Between Spaces
Authors: Wu Duan , Lei Haoyue , Zhu Mingjie , Ma Yuhong
Published: June 2024

In the pursuit of sustainable built environments, this paper delves into the innovative realm of Temporary Use (TU) strategies within communities in-between spaces. Urban spaces evolve entities and the efficient utilization of transitional spaces which holds immense potential for fostering community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience. This paper, using the case study method, aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of TU practices, emphasizing their role in redefining the dynamics of urban living.Under the framework of TU, the research team conducted several on-field projects to explore and test the impact of TU in the KIC community in Shanghai from 2022 to 2023. From these cases, this discourse encompasses diverse perspectives, ranging from different types of TU and discusses their strategies and sustainable impact. By scrutinizing these case studies and ongoing projects, we aim to decipher the strategies that transform leftover or in-between spaces into vibrant community hubs. These spaces present opportunities for fostering social cohesion, promoting sustainable practices, and catalyzing economic development. This paper not only contributes to academic discourse but also provides practical guidance for policymakers and urban planners striving to create resilient, vibrant, and sustainable urban environments.
A fresh glance at environmental ergonomics: a systematic review of human-environment interaction concepts and approaches
Authors: Duca Gabriella
Published: June 2024

The WHO's European Charter on Environment and Health emphasizes the importance of a clean and harmonious environment for good health and wellbeing, considering various factors such as physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic elements. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the role of physical space in relation to people's wellbeing and tasks, highlighting the impact of the environment on psychophysical health and human-system interactions. It focuses on the concept of environmental ergonomics, which analyzes how environmental features can support or hinder human activities and the wellbeing of its inhabitants. The paper also discusses the shift in the understanding of how spatial and environmental qualities influence wellbeing over time, emphasizing the need for clarity on various factors such as satisfaction, aesthetics, ergonomics, and performance. Furthermore, it outlines a twofold approach to assessing and designing people-centered physical spaces, considering both technical variables and spatial experience. The paper provides a systematic review of key concepts to build a sort of tool kit for the environmental ergonomist, ranging from affordance and usability, mental models and wayfinding, urban landscape, topophilia and placemaking, Post Occupancy Evaluation, multisensory, biophilia, neuroarchitecture. Finally, practical examples of environmental ergonomics application are presented, such as: healing environments, buildings for people with specific needs, environments to reduce human error, buildings to move in, emergency evacuation, smart buildings and smart cities, environments for healthy living, environments for learning and creativity.
Appraising Construction Practitioners' Preparedness to Mitigate Climate Change in Nigeria: The Way Forward
Authors: Ebekozien Andrew , Aigbavboa Clinton , Samsurijan Mohamad , Ahmed Mohamed , Adekunle Samuel , Akinradewo Opeoluwa , Awo-osagie Andrew
Published: June 2024

Studies have shown continuous global warming and climate change may threaten construction stakeholders, including construction practitioners especially in developing countries like Nigeria. There is a paucity of literature regarding construction practitioners’ preparedness to mitigate climate change. Hence, Thus, this study explored construction practitioners’ preparedness level to mitigate climate change in Nigeria. A qualitative research method was adopted through face-to-face interviews. The researchers engaged 17 participants from Abuja and Benin City, and saturation was achieved. The study analysed collated data manually and presented findings in the thematic pattern. Findings reveal that Nigerian construction practitioners’ level of preparedness is weak and may have challenges coping with the impacts of climate change on the industry. This is an on-going study. Therefore, as part of the study’s contribution, feasible and integrated regulatory policies should be encouraged to mitigate the impacts of climate change on practitioners. This includes climate change sensitisation, prioritising practices to achieve sustainable project transformation, and integrating climate change interventions.
Prism Glasses Reduce Aerodynamic Drag in Time Trial Cycling on The Velodrome
Authors: Matthys Dries , Lippens Siemen , Verwulgen Stijn
Published: June 2024

In the highly competitive world of cycling time trials, reducing aerodynamic drag is the most important instrument to increasing performance. This study explores the effects of using prism glasses, already used by climbers, to prevent overstraining neck muscles while securing another climber above, as a new tool to decrease aerodynamic drag in cycling time trials. The prism glasses shift a person’s vision with 45°, allowing the cyclist to keep their head tucked and pointed downwards, while still being able to see the road ahead. This study compared this downward, more ergonomic position with the glasses with an upright time trial head position in five high level cyclists on an indoor velodrome. The setup and methodology of the study was approved by the ethical commission of the University of Antwerp, allowing for the cyclists to ride on the velodrome at high speeds of 45 km/h with the glasses. The study revealed significant improvements in aerodynamic drag (CdA) for participants when wearing prism glasses while obtaining a downward head position, compared to the normal upward head position during cycling. Participants showed reductions in CdA ranging from 2.1% to 3.3% compared to normal racing position. Results were confirmed across all participants with frontal area tracking on a static indoor bike trainer (FAAST-trainer pro), where cyclists held an identical position to the one during the velodrome tests. Participants were able to comfortable use the glasses at high speeds in straight sections, however not in corners. The balance of the ride is affected by the glasses, but the learning curve proved to be steep for the participants in this study.
Cognitive effects of using the modified fun forms of falling method in measuring the susceptibility to body injuries during a fall in children
Authors: Gąsienica Walczak Bartłomiej , Zachwieja Judyta
Published: June 2024

The child's first experience in the development of his postural functions is a fall. At the core of this phenomenon is a loss of balance. Our previous findings have proven that in the course of motor activity of children aged 2 to 6, two-year-olds will make the fewest mistakes when falling and colliding with the ground. The fourth year of life is the moment when this number increases from year to year. The aim of the study is to recommend a modified fun forms of falling (FFF-M) method for children to diagnose susceptibility to body injuries during a fall (SFI). We examined 86 children (boys and girls) aged: 4 years (n = 22); 5- (n = 30); 6- (n = 34). A modification of the SFI research method based on fun forms of falling involves the introduction of three elements: (1) accurate recording of the duration of each FFF; (2) while playing 'puddle with obi' (obi means judo belt), subjective estimation of the force used (L-light, M-medium, H-high) - this is the conventional level B, i.e. the force causing the fall is located at the height of the center of gravity; (3) more accurate estimation of collision errors with the ground (supporting with hands, rolling onto the back, hitting the head). The shortest session lasted 14 minutes, the longest 30 minutes. Fun form at level ‘a’ (localization of force below the center of gravity) lasted the shortest (3 min), and at level ‘c’ (localization of force above the center of gravity or together with criteria ‘a’, but identical FFF) lasted the longest (19 min). During FFF at level ‘b’, medium use of force to throw the child off balance was predominant. Children from all age groups were most likely to make upper limb errors during FFF (on average: 16 four-year-olds; 20 five-year-olds, 24 six-year-olds). Head impacts were observed in 1 four-year-old, 3 five-year-olds, and 3 six-year-olds. One child from each age group made no mistakes (0%) during FFF, and one child made mistake every time (100%). The conjunction of the research results (duration of the session, subjectively estimated strength, accurate estimation of errors during a fall) with the directive to simplify the diagnosis authorizes the recommendation of FFF 'puddle with obi' as a sufficient criterion for diagnosing the SFI phenomenon in children from two to six years of age. However, the assumption should be made that the evaluation should be based on the results of careful observation of at least 5 child falls.
Human Factors Safety Management Issues in Marine and Pipeline Accident Investigations
Authors: Johnston Derek , Garcia Anne , Lyons Sara
Published: June 2024

Implementing a safety management system (SMS) in commercial maritime or pipeline operations is a proactive way to identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks prior to getting underway or commencing operations. An effective SMS is tailored to a specific company or vessel through standard procedures or processes to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, and to proactively identify and mitigate emergent safety issues.Examination of an organization’s SMS that was in place prior to an accident is an integral part of the transportation accident investigation process for marine and pipeline modes. Human factors and human performance are critical inputs to an effective SMS. Processes to mitigate risk and prevent human error are often captured in a company’s SMS. When casualties do occur, the SMS provides a critical insight from which to begin gathering and analyzing evidence.Accident investigation results, including the probable cause, contributing factors, and safety recommendations, can prove useful for continuous improvement of the organization and throughout the industry. In addition, lessons learned may have larger implications across transportation modes and impact the public at large.
Protecting the First Responders: Improving FR situational awareness through multi-modal interfaces leveraging the ubiquitous personal smartphone
Authors: Knecht Christian , Kanth Kosuru Ravi
Published: June 2024

First responders (FRs) in disaster scenarios often lack access to real-time, context-specific information, which is crucial for maintaining situational awareness. To address this issue, we introduce PathoVIEW, an innovative interface ecosystem built around a smartphone app, that leverages the ubiquitous availability of such devices for everyone and especially the localization feature for delivering context-aware alerts. PathoVIEW provides vital and relevant information local to the First Responder in a vast disaster scenario. It also includes the use of audible feedback and other technologies that could be coupled with the phone over Bluetooth such as smartwatches or a vest with vibration motors for warning the FR about situations in their proximity. The system's feedback mechanisms are designed to be adaptive, responding to the FRs' roles, their distance from potential hazards, and the nature and severity of the threats. Thus, providing a novel way to deliver information specific to the situation and location of the FR. PathoVIEW relies on a centralized common information exchange platform that addresses the challenges of sharing data across different agencies, which can be restricted by various regulations and the diversity of tools in use. By leveraging FIWARE Smart Data Models, PathoVIEW is able to function independently of the Incident Management Systems (IMS) that organizations may employ, promoting compatibility and ease of integration. In addition to active stakeholder involvement in the design and development process to ensure a relevant solution, the system was evaluated in large-scale simulated exercises in four European countries. The FR used and interacted with PathoVIEW in close conjunction with their current systems and processes. The feedback from the FR indicated that PathoVIEW was beneficial for enhancing communication, coordination, and situational awareness. The ease of use and the seamless integration in their existing context-of-use validated the user acceptance and the FR expressed a high interest in utilising the PathoVIEW system in actual disaster response situations.
Occupational health and safety risk management with help of ARIS software: Case Study
Authors: Kangilaski Taivo , Kaugerand Jaanus
Published: June 2024

It is the responsibility of every company to support and ensure a safe and healthy workplace. To achieve this goal, companies require software that can assist in managing their occupational health and safety (OH&S) systems. Recognizing that procuring specialized software may not be cost-effective for all companies, this article proposes an alternative approach. We suggest configuring the basic functionality of Software AG's ARIS software, commonly used for Enterprise Architecture management, to meet the necessary requirements for OH&S management. This approach aims to provide an affordable solution for companies seeking to enhance workplace safety without the need for dedicated OH&S software.
Use of smartphones in construction projects: Proposal for a worker monitoring system to avoid safety risks
Authors: Del Carmen Rey Merchán María , López Arquillos Antonio , Antonio Fernández Madrigal Juan , Manuel Gómez De Gabriel Jesús
Published: June 2024

Smartphones can play a significant role in enhancing safety at construction sites. They can contributes to safety in Communication and Emergency Response, access to safety Information, navigation and Location Services, or wearables technologies. Although smartphones can greatly contribute to safety, it's important to establish and enforce policies regarding their use to ensure that they do not become distractions that compromise safety on the construction site. In the current research, a safety system to monitor smartphone use by construction workers has been developed. The system detects the use of smartphone through an Inertial Measurement Unit, to track the motion and orientation of workers, providing valuable data for safety monitoring. The system was shown to be easy to configure and highly robust and reliable.
Process improvement with AI in service industry: case studies
Authors: Kocerova Svetlana , Kalkis Henrijs , Roja Zenija
Published: June 2024

To be competitive in the market and deliver results in the long-term perspective, service industry companies are using different techniques for process improvement and optimization. One of the most used business efficiency improvement techniques is Lean methodology. With a development of technologies and referring to industrial revolution 5.0, implementation of Lean approach and process improvement provide most effects by adding artificial intelligence (AI) and other related technologies to classic Lean instruments. The aim of the research is to study real case studies in the service industry and evaluate pre-requirements of possibility to implement process improvement using AI technologies in service delivery and evaluate the degree of human support that is required during and after implementation of measures. Research is focusing also on factors that support or limit use of technology for full automation of processes, discovering both short-term and long-term perspectives in different level manual processes. Systematic literature review, content analysis, empirical refinement and validation are used as research methods for this paper. Empirical study and validation involve both IT and Lean practitioners. Main results show that process improvement with AI provides higher efficiency and quality increase for service industry companies. The level of automation depends on many factors and in particular on the initial process embracing and introducing Lean instruments.
Psychological Impacts of Different Organizational Cultures Toward Telecommuting on Workers
Authors: Doi Toshihisa
Published: June 2024

This study focused on the culture and policies regarding telecommuting autonomy in companies and aimed to examine the impact of these policies on telecommuting. Specifically, the author investigated the effects of employees' perceptions of company policies and culture regarding telecommuting on their satisfaction, work engagement, stress reactions, and subjective productivity. A web-based survey was performed on 300 employees who regularly telecommute. Respondents were divided into three groups based on their ratings of questions about the company's policy toward telecommuting. Differences in satisfaction, work engagement, stress reaction, and subjective productivity were compared among the three groups. The results suggest that satisfaction declines in the group with the least autonomy. The results also suggest that engagement increases in the group perceived to be the most proactive in implementing telecommuting.
Trust and satisfaction in the airline: Retention of skilled employees during COVID-19
Authors: OKABE Noriko
Published: June 2024

The airline industry has been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, airline workers' job stability has become uncertain, and many have suffered job instability. Thus, the employees might perceive role ambiguity. Conversely, the role of customer service employees is essential as they can add value to the products and services in the organization. According to previous studies, employees' perception of role ambiguity reduces trust in the organizations and task performance. The author explores how customer service employees' "positive emotion strategic behavior" and "negative emotional effects" played a role in increasing and decreasing the propensity of trust toward their company. The findings show that positive emotion strategic behavior, such as the employees' ''surface acting and deep acting", serve as trust repair and provide a valuable antidote in the workplace. Conversely, negative emotional effects, such as emotional exhaustion due to role ambiguity, devastate employees' intrinsic motivation.
Power to the citizens: Factors fostering satisfaction with citizen participation in urban planning
Authors: Kreusslein Maria , Günther Madlen
Published: June 2024

Urban planning constitutes a pivotal role in the daily routines of citizens, exerting a substantial influence on their overall quality of life. Consequently, the involvement of citizens in these planning processes is imperative. Citizen participation is a promising tool for bolstering acceptance of implemented urban planning measures. At the moment, considerable attention is directed toward the integration of virtual reality (VR) in the realm of urban planning and participation. However, the efficacy of this method seems contingent upon specific conditions or target user groups. Thus, it is crucial to differentiate the formats and methods suitable for approaching user groups at various stages to elicit a high level of satisfaction with participation, thereby ensuring enduring positive effects for future citizen engagement.This study aims to formulate a model of citizen participation in urban planning, elucidating the factors influencing satisfaction with participation and the subsequent willingness to engage in future planning processes. A comprehensive literature review identified the following factors impacting satisfaction and future willingness to participate: 1) Participation level, 2) Participation format, 3) Time of participation, and 4) Personal characteristics. In terms of participation level, informative procedures furnish participants with factual information but confer limited decision-making power. Deliberative processes, on the other hand, foster communication, discussion, and opinion formation, affording participants greater influence. Collaborative processes emphasize concrete cooperation and joint solution finding through activities such as research, analysis, and design. Regarding participation format, a dichotomy exists between analogue (e.g., citizen consultation hours, residents' meetings, face-to-face surveys) and digital (e.g., online meetings, virtual reality visualization, online voting) methods. Engagement can be initiated at different stages of the planning process, including the early planning stage, start, implementation phase, or project conclusion. Additionally, individual factors such as age, gender, norms, motives, and convictions have been identified in numerous studies as influencing participation satisfaction and willingness.This model, integrated into the NUMIC2.0 project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, investigates determinants of citizen participation in urban and regional planning. The model incorporates the identified aspects and constructs from the literature review, offering insights into the factors influencing successful citizen participation. Advantages and disadvantages of diverse methods and approaches for specific user groups will be outlined within the paper. The model is intended to provide the municipalities with a basis for selecting suitable methods, engagement levels and participation times tailored to the respective target groups. Future research should focus on validating the model.
Hand Vibration Threshold Mapper (HaViThreMa): a Haptic Vibration System
Authors: Silva Emanuel , Lisboa Isabel , Matias Tiago , Gomes Rui , Carvalho Adriano , Cardoso Paulo , Costa Nelson
Published: June 2024

This paper describes the design aspects of a system created to assess vibration perception thresholds (VPT). i.e., the minimum thresholds of mechanical vibration that humans can perceive on their hands. The system can carry out these assessments on various areas of the hand, such as the fingertips and the palm, and assessments are conducted according to pre-established psychophysical protocols. The technical specifications of this system, referred to as Hand Vibration Threshold Mapper (HaViThreMa), are discussed throughout this paper, as well as its advantages and disadvantages when compared with similar systems that have already been used in other studies. The HaViThreMa uses piezoelectric actuators to produce vibration stimulus, and can acquire VPT data from one area while, at the same time, also delivering stimuli to one or more other areas. When carrying out assessments on multiple areas of the hand, this platform allows these areas to be tested in a randomized order, reducing subjects’ expectations regarding the location in which the next stimulus will be actuated, and increasing data consistency. By making use of these capabilities to design and carry out psychophysical studies, the information obtained from the gathered VPTs can help elaborate guidelines on how to better use piezoelectric actuators to design more effective Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs).