bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjustment of Maintenance Approach for Improved Operability and Safety of Ship Navigation
Authors: Bukša Ante , Šegulja Ivica , Tomas Vinko
Published: March 2012

By adjusting the maintenance approach towards the significant components of ship’s engines and equipment, through the use of operational data from the ship machinery’s daily reports, higher operability and navigation safety can be achieved. The proposed maintenance adjustment model consists of an operation data analysis and risk analysis. The risk analysis comprises the definition of the upper and the lower risk criterion, as well as the definition of a risk index. If the risk index is higher than the lower risk criterion, the component is significant, while it is not significant and has an acceptable risk index if the risk index is lower than the lower risk criterion. For each significant component with a risk index found to be “unacceptable” or “undesirable”, an efficient maintenance policy needs to be adopted. The assessment of the proposed model is based on data regarding the power engine original operation throughout a 13-year period. The results of engine failure examinations reveal that the exhaust valve is the most vulnerable component with the highest rate of failure. For this reason the proposed model of adjusting the maintenance approach has been tested on the exhaust valve sample. It is suggested that the efforts to achieve higher ship operability and navigation safety should go in the direction of periodical adjustments of the maintenance approach i.e. choosing an efficient maintenance policy by reducing the risk indices of the significant engine components.
KEY WORDS: maintenance adjustment approach, risk analysis, risk index, lower risk criterion, upper risk criterion, significant components, ship navigation
Information Source Quality in Intelligent Transport Systems
Authors: Jelušić Niko , Anžek Mario , Ivanković Božidar
Published: March 2012

Advanced automatic traffic control systems and various other ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) applications and services rely on real-time information from the traffic system. This paper presents the overview and general functions of different information sources which provide real-time information that are used or could be used in ITS. The objective is to formally define the quality of information sources suitable for ITS based on formal models of the traffic system and information sources. The definition of quality encompasses these essential factors: traffic system information that exists or may be requested, user requirements and attributes that describe the information sources. This provides the framework and guidelines for the evaluation of information sources that accounts for relevant factors that influence their selection for specific ITS applications.
KEY WORDS: information source, information source quality, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), automatic traffic control
Threats and New Protection Measures in Inland Navigation
Authors: Kasum Josip , Vidan Pero , Baljak Krešimir
Published: March 2012

The density of navigation in the world waterways is considerable, especially because it is more profitable, when compared to other forms of transport. In this paper the authors propose new measures for security protection of inland waterways and of ships and ports in inland navigation. Because of various kinds of threats in inland waterways navigation it is proposed to develop the International Ship and Port facility Security Code (ISPS) code suited to such navigation. Therefore the working title of the document is proposed as International Ship and Port Facility Security Code in Inland Waterways (ISPSIW).
KEY WORDS: safety, threats, protection, inland navigation
Application of Hydrocyclone and UV Radiation as a Ballast Water Treatment Method
Authors: Kurtela Željko , Komadina Pavao
Published: March 2012

The ballast water exchange methods in open sea are, for the time being, the prevailing procedures accepted by shipowners. However, such methods do not guarantee full efficacy in elimination of allochthonous organisms. Besides, in some navigation zones, in particular in the closed seas, not even the criteria prescribed by international regulations can be fulfilled, i.e. the position of a ship exchanging ballast must be farther than 200Nm from the shore (alternatively 50Nm) at the sea depth exceeding 200m. Numerous research attempts on various treatment methods lead to the conclusion that there is still no scientific opinion on the final choice of methods for wide application on board. The treatment methods, such as hydrocyclone separation in the first stage and UV radiation in the second stage, stand a good chance for application on board. Advantages of such a combined method are in the very application of treatment that can be performed during all stages of ballast water treatment, i.e. loading ballast, voyage in ballast and discharging ballast. In closed seas and on shorter routes the operational advantages of hydrocyclone and UV radiation could be the prevailing factor for application. Within the research on the possible application of ballast water treatment by hydrocyclone and UV radiation, a pilot plant with hydrocyclone cluster and UV device was constructed. The research carried out on the pilot plant installed on board the m/v ‘’Naše more’’ proved the effectiveness of such ballast water treatment method and offered a new approach in using hydrocyclone for the inactivation of organisms by hydrodynamic forces. This approach has largely increased the efficacy of the device and a new method for utilization of hydrocyclone in ballast water treatment on board has been discovered. KEY WORDS: ballast water treatment, hydrocyclone, UV radiation, application of method, pilot plant, hydrodynamic forces
A Mixed Integer Linear Program for the Single Destination System Optimum Dynamic Traffic Assignment Problem with Physical Queue
Authors: Li Shuguang , Zhou Qing-Hua , Ju Yongfeng
Published: March 2012

In order to solve the system optimum dynamic traffic assignment problem, the whole link model with physical queue is used to formulate the single destination system optimum dynamic traffic assignment problem as a mixed linear program. A relationship between the cumulative curves and the wave speed presented by Newell (1993) is used to present a dynamic network model in considering spillback queue. And nonlinear constrains are relaxed into mixed linear constrains; the linear program software is used to solve the system optimum dynamic traffic assignment problem. A numerical example illustrates the simplicity and applicability of the proposed approach.
KEYWORDS: Dynamic System Optimum Traffic Assignment; physical queue; mixed integer linear programming
Real-time Detection of Road Traffic Incidents
Authors: Škorput Pero , Mandžuka Sadko , Jelušić Niko
Published: March 2012

The paper analyses the real-time detection of incidents in road traffic. A general model is presented of an integral road traffic incident management system. The paper presents the major incident detection methods. The detection procedure on open highway sections has been dealt with in particular. Adequate mathematical model has been defined, as the base for the realisation of the estimators of the traffic flow condition variables. The proposed method is the Extended Kalman Filter. The final part of the paper deals with an example for the realisation of the Incident Management Decision Support System (IMDSS).
KEY WORDS: intelligent transport system, incident management system, traffic model in the status space, theory of estimation, extended Kalman filter, automatic incident detection, decision support system
Possibility of Increasing Container Traffic in the Port of Koper Due to Introducing the Sea Motorway
Authors: Horvat Urša
Published: March 2012

The aim of this paper is to present the possibility of introducing the motorway of the sea to the Port of Koper. Based on the present situation in the Port of Koper and the planned extension of the container terminal determined by the development plans of the Port of Koper, the paper presents the increase in the container transhipment due to the introduction of the motorway of the sea and its influence on the hinterland infrastructure.
For this purpose a simulation was introduced which shows the increase in container transhipment and its distribution between the road and railway part of the container terminal until the year 2015. The maximum capacity of the road and railway part of the container terminal presents two critical points which would be reached due to the introduction of the motorway of the sea to the Port of Koper. The consequence would be a change in the distribution ratio of transhipment between road and railway part of the container terminal. This would overturn the desired ratio of 30:70 (road: railway) determined by the guidelines of the White Paper.
KEY WORDS: Motorway of the sea, Port of Koper, container transhipment
Rail Transport - An Important Factor in the Port of Rijeka Development
Authors: Hlača Bojan , Rudić Dušan , Hirnig Saša
Published: March 2012

The economic situation and comparative advantages of the Port of Rijeka are no more than important preconditions of its development and competitive ability. No adequate connection of the Port of Rijeka to its catchment area is possible without a modern rail and road traffic. The researches and analyses of the port hinterland connection current state, the results of which are provided in these documents, clearly indicate the need to upgrade the existing railway tracks and build a new level Rijeka – Zagreb railway line. This line is a vital condition for ensuring both, a strong growth of the port performances and its competitive ability vis-a-vis other neighbouring ports. The level railway line Rijeka – Zagreb with Rijeka railway junction adequately upgraded, should be therefore regarded as strategic traffic project and conditio sine qua non for the future development of the Port of Rijeka. However, no solution of the Rijeka railway junction problem will be possible without finding the right way for better connection of some of the port terminals. When considering the integral solution of the rail traffic in the greater Rijeka Basin, it is important to know that the access to individual port terminals, the connection with the railway in Istria through the Učka Tunnel and connection with the port terminals on the Island of Krk are of great importance for the Port of Rijeka future development. The efforts to recognize the problems in the port environment and define priorities that make the rail transport a key factor of the Port of Rijeka’s future growth, are the main contributions of this study.
KEY WORDS: Port of Rijeka, traffic connections, rail traffic, Rijeka railway junction, development guidelines
Towards a Rule-driven Approach for Updating Dynamic Road Segments
Authors: Jelokhani-Niaraki Mohammad Reza , Alesheikh Ali Asghar , Alimohammadi Abbas , Sadeghi-Niaraki Abolghasem
Published: March 2012

In recent years, the development of the GIS-T (Geographic Information System for Transportation) applications has gained much attention, providing the transportation planners and managers with in-depth knowledge to achieve better decisions. Needless to say, developing a successful GIS for transportation applications is highly dependent on the design of a well-structured data model. Dynamic segmentation (DS) data model is a popular one being used more and more for different GIS-T analyses, serving as a data model that splits linear features into new set of segments wherever its attributes change. In most cases, the sets of segments presenting a particular attribute change frequently. Transportation managers place great importance on having regular update and revision of segmented data to ensure correct and precise decisions are made. However, updating the segmented data manually is a difficult task and a time-consuming process to do, demanding an automatic approach. To alleviate this, the present study describes a rule-based method using topological concept to simply update road segments and replace the manual tasks that users are to carry out. The proposed approach was employed and implemented on real road network data of the City of Tehran provided by the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization (RMTO) of Iran. The practical results demonstrated that the time, cost, human-type errors, and complexity involved in update tasks are all reduced.
KEYWORDS: GIS-T, dynamic segmentation, segment, automatic update, change type, rule
Creation of New Distribution Network – Distribution of Mail in Slovak Republic
Authors: Matis Peter
Published: March 2012

In recent years the providers of logistic services are under big pressure to lower their expenses and improve their quality. One way of accomplishing this task is the centralization of logistic activities. The paper presents possible methods for restructuring the distribution network on the case of Slovak Post p.l.c. By reducing the number of centres for distribution and by creating larger centres one can expect improvement in the process efficiency. There is no simple method to find the optimal distribution network. One possible way to tackle this problem is to use aggregation methods to group customers on the micro and macro levels. Several aggregation methods, including two new ones are presented and compared for the centres’ and delivery districts. New measurements for the quality of aggregation are created and tested on real data using all the discussed aggregation methods.
KEY WORDS: network creation, aggregation, quantitative methods, fuzzy logic, distribution districts
System Dynamics and Theory of Chaos in Freight Rate Forming in Shipping
Authors: Jurčević Marinko , Mitrović Frane , Nadrljanski Mila
Published: March 2012

This paper deals with the application of System dynamics and Chaos theory in shipping using the example of freight rate forming. The development of new technologies, changes in structure and conditions, information accessibility, etc. are only some of the factors that intensify changes in freight rate forming in shipping. Therefore, shipping environment is becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. System dynamics seems to be a tool very suited for modelling of strategic and operational behaviour in shipping business. Due to the complex behaviour of these systems, chaos theory can also help in modelling of processes in shipping. The basic feature of chaotic systems is fine sensitivity in conditions at the beginning, when small change in input value may cause great changes in output values. By applying its concepts to the business process, as well as in freight rate forming in shipping, it prepares the business systems for quick response to the changes in the environment.
KEY WORDS: chaos theory, shipping, freight rate, system dynamics
Planning Model of Optimal Parking Area Capacity
Authors: Maršanić Robert , Zenzerović Zdenka , Mrnjavac Edna
Published: March 2012

The demand for parking services is not a constant one, but rather varies from minimum to maximum. The range between the maximum and minimum demands and the dynamics of changes are the basic factor influencing the required size of the parking area capacity and the respective financial effects. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that the queuing theory can be implemented in defining the optimal number of serving places (ramps) and the required capacity (number of parking spaces) in controlled access parking areas and that the established model can serve in business decision-making in respect to planning and development of the parking area capacity. The presented model has been verified in the example of the “Delta” parking area in the City of Rijeka but this model is particularly valuable as it can be implemented in any controlled access parking areas, i.e., parking areas with toll-bars under current or any other changed future conditions.
KEY WORDS: planning of parking area capacities, optimal parking area capacity, queuing theory, parking area as a queuing system
A Data Mining Approach to Identify Key Factors of Traffic Injury Severity
Authors: Tavakoli Kashani Ali , Shariat-Mohaymany Afshin , Ranjbari Andishe
Published: March 2012

Seventy percent of the traffic crash fatalities of Iran happen on rural roads, and a significant proportion of the rural roads network of this country is constituted of the main two-lane, two-way roads. The purpose of this study is to identify the most important factors which affect injury severity of drivers involved in traffic crashes on these roads, so that by eliminating or controlling such factors an overall safety improvement can be accomplished. Using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART), one of the powerful data mining tools, the crash data pertaining to the last three years (2006-2008) were analyzed. The variable selection procedure was carried out on the basis of Variable Importance Measure (VIM) which is one of the CART method outputs. The results revealed that not using the seat belt, improper overtaking and speeding are the most important factors associated with injury severity.
KEYWORDS: injury severity; traffic safety; data mining; Classification and Regression Trees (CART); Variable Importance Measure (VIM)
Review and Systematization of Efficiency Measurement Methods Used in the Transport Sector
Authors: Markovits-Somogyi Rita
Published: March 2012

Efficiency analysis of transport systems can be carried out using numerous different techniques. Experts generally distinguish them as parametric and non-parametric methods, or else as methods using a production function, an index or not using anything of this kind. Based on the literature and on own research the present paper sets up a clear systematization of these techniques giving a brief summary of their essence while also providing examples of their application in the transport sector. Having elucidated each method, the author also outlines the correlation and the reliability of the techniques and presents a novel view which stresses the importance of links between the different techniques.
KEY WORDS: efficiency measurement, transport, TFP, MPI, SFA, DEA, OCRA
Traffic Demand Forecasting for Port Services
Authors: Jugović Alen , Hess Svjetlana , Poletan Jugović Tanja
Published: March 2012

Successful management of any sea port depends primarily on the harmonisation of transport supply and demand, whereas their incompatibility leads to a number of problems. The port, i.e. its management, through its operation and part of port policy may affect the planning of the construction or modernization of its port facilities. In doing so, the specified planning requires forecasting and quantification of the needs for infrastructural services of specified port, i.e. assessment of traffic demand. Accordingly, the basic problem of research in this paper is forecasting of traffic demand for the port services by applying the appropriate forecasting methods. In order to find ways of solving concrete problems in the port operations the methods for traffic demand forecasting are set by applying the methodology and the presentation of the application of economic forecasting methods. The selected methods of demand forecasting for port services in demand are illustrated and tested on the example of the Croatian largest cargo port, the Port of Rijeka.
KEY WORDS: planning, forecasting, traffic demand, commodity flows, port capacity
Analysis of Implementing Spatial and Traffic Studies in the Development of Physical Planning Documents of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Authors: Krpan Ljudevit
Published: March 2012

The new generation of physical planning documents requires adaptation to new economic and other development plans as well as to new parameters of the modern society development. Therefore, it is necessary to insure high-quality planning foundations which will serve as the basis to determine the basic guidelines of physical plans. This refers especially to the need for integral consideration of the development of traffic and the traffic infrastructure in compliance with the space requirements and possibilities. In order to evaluate the objective parameters of physical and traffic planning, the traffic studies carried out as required for the production of the physical planning documentation of the new generation have been analyzed. The goal of research was to determine the credibility of infrastructure development plans predefined by the documents of physical planning from the region of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. The paper presents the results of initial research carried out for the requirements of producing the Physical and Traffic Integral Study of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the city of Rijeka. According to overall distribution of responses it may be concluded that there is great gap in knowing the procedures of traffic and spatial planning among specialized traffic agencies and the rest of the respondents.
KEY WORDS: physical and traffic planning, urbanism, physical planning documentation, space-traffic interrelation
An Attempt to Attain New Information in Reconstruction of Road Traffic Accidents Applying Digital Image Processing
Authors: Paliska Dejan , Batista Milan , Starin Roman , Fabjan Daša
Published: March 2012

Court expertise dealing with the reconstruction of road traffic accidents often have to take into account the possibility that an accident could have been a set-up. Such suspicions can be eliminated only by considering all the evidence material from the accident scene. In case of photographic material experts come across the missing material, bad lighting, lack of contrast, different angle perspectives, blurring, omitting important details, etc. Therefore, different methods in forensics image processing have been developed. Most of these methods are primarily used in the processing of different types of photographic material, but some can be applied in the field of road accidents analyses. This paper shows the implementation of digital image processing methods used for processing of remotely sensed imagery.
Even though the photographic evidence is incomplete, it is possible to determine the position and dispersion of different materials. This gives the experts additional information that can help in understanding with relatively high probability if the collision between vehicles occured at all and if it did, where. The paper consists of the presentation and description of methods used for digital image processing in a real case study while reconstructing the road accident.
KEY WORDS: road traffic accidents, forensics, induced traffic accidents, image classification, digital image processing
BFS Human Behaviour Model for Traffic Safety
Authors: Molan Marija , Molan Gregor
Published: March 2012

The Butterfly Flower Shower (BFS) Human Behaviour Model describes human behaviour in each demanding, possible accidental situation. The BFS human behaviour model is presented for a traffic situation. The key elements (perception, cognition, reaction) of the human behaviour are identified. Also possible limitations and errors in all elements of human behaviour are presented. The model is presented as the butterfly on the flower under the shower of interventions. The flower is environment describing traffic infrastructure composed of the environment, technology and organization. The body of the butterfly is human cognition with personality and motivation. The left wing of the butterfly is the driver’s perception. The right wing of the butterfly is the driver’s reaction. The butterfly presents the driver, the flower presents the road – the traffic infrastructure and the shower presents the shower of humanization interventions into the traffic infrastructure and into the driver. The drops from the shower are related to identified limitations in the traffic infrastructure and to the driver. They are focused on the improvements of perception, cognition and reaction abilities of the driver also with investments into the traffic infrastructure.
Comparison of Microscopic Drivers' Probabilistic Lane-changing Models With Real Traffic Microscopic Data
Authors: Hoseini Seyyed Mohammad Sadat
Published: March 2012

The difficulties of microscopic-level simulation models to accurately reproduce real traffic phenomena stem not only from the complexity of calibration and validation operations, but also from the structural inadequacies of the sub-models themselves. Both of these drawbacks originate from the scant information available on real phenomena because of the difficulty in gathering accurate field data.

This paper studies the traffic behaviour of individual drivers utilizing vehicle trajectory data extracted from digital images collected from freeways in Iran. These data are used to evaluate the four proposed microscopic traffic models. One of the models is based on the traffic regulations in Iran and the three others are probabilistic models that use a decision factor for calculating the probability of choosing a position on the freeway by a driver. The decision factors for three probabilistic models are increasing speed, decreasing risk of collision, and increasing speed combined with decreasing risk of collision. The models are simulated by a cellular automata simulator and compared with the real data. It is shown that the model based on driving regulations is not valid, but that other models appear useful for predicting the driver’s behaviour on freeway segments in Iran during noncongested conditions.
Monte Carlo Simulation-based Approach to Optimal Bus Stops Allocation in the Municipality of Laško
Authors: Dragan Dejan , Kramberger Tomaž , Lipičnik Martin
Published: March 2012

The paper addresses the problem of optimal bus stop allocation. The aim is to achieve reduction of costs on account of appropriate re-design of the process of obligatory transportation of children from their homes to the corresponding schools in the Laško municipality. The proposed algorithm relies on optimization based on the Monte Carlo simulation procedure. The number of calculated bus stops is required to be minimal possible, which can still assure maximal service area within the prescribed radius, while keeping the minimal walking distances pupils have to go across from their homes to the nearest bus stop and vice versa. The main issues of the proposed algorithm are emphasised and the working mechanism is explained. The presentation of calculated results is given and comparison with some other existing algorithms is provided. The positions of the calculated bus stops are going to be used for the purpose of physical bus stops implementation in order to decrease the current transportation costs.
Procedure for Safe Distance Determination for Minor Movement Accomplishing at Unsignalized Intersections
Authors: Bogdanović Vuk , Dadić Ivan , Papić Zoran , Ruškić Nenad
Published: March 2012

A minor movement performed at unsignalized intersections is one of the most complex and most difficult actions in traffic. Drivers performing a minor movement make decisions based on the estimation of movement parameters of vehicles in the major street. A driver’s estimation depends on subjective estimation of the distance between vehicles in the major street and the gap which exists between them, that is, the time gap in the conflicting flow which is suitable for accomplishing a minor movement. The possibilities of estimation are sometimes limited due to complex traffic conditions, as well as the limited driver’s view. When, during doing a minor movement, a traffic accident happens, in most cases the cause of the accident is the failure to give right-of-way. But, in case when a vehicle from the major street moves at a speed above the limited one, based on the existing analytical procedures, it is impossible to determine the extent of their responsibility. This paper shows the procedure for safe distance determination, necessary for accomplishing a minor movement, as well as the procedure of establishing the driver’s omission, depending on the movement regime and traffic conditions at unsignalized intersections.
Sampling Methodologies and Approaches for Ballast Water Management Compliance Monitoring
Authors: Gollasch Stephan , David Matej
Published: March 2012

The human-mediated transfer of harmful organisms via shipping, especially via ballast water transport, has raised considerable attention especially in the last decade due to the negative associated impacts. Ballast water sampling is important to assess the compliance with ballast water management requirements (i.e. compliance monitoring). The complexity of ballast water sampling is a result of organism diversity and behaviour which may require different sampling strategies, as well as ship design implications including availability of ballast water sampling points. This paper discusses the ballast water sampling methodologies with emphasis on compliance monitoring by the Port State Control officers according to the International Convention on the Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004.
KEY WORDS: maritime transport, compliance control, port state control, ballast water sampling, ballast water management
Managing Rail Traffic on Commuter Lines Based on Dynamic Timetable Application
Authors: Toš Zdravko , Mlinarić Tomislav Josip , Haramina Hrvoje
Published: March 2012

The increase of demand for transport service in rail commuter traffic stipulates higher ratio of consumed infrastructure capacity. In this method of traffic flow even minor deviations from the planned timetable can have negative influence on its stability, and this can result in major reduction of the quality of transport service. This research has defined the commuter rail traffic management system model with the application of real-time timetable rescheduling. It understands the application of the decision support system during the procedure of adjusting the timetable to the real condition in traffic in the form of genetic algorithm defined on the basis of the valid rules for the train and traffic control. Besides, this model in all the commuter trains understands the existence of the driver advisory system which is based on the algorithm for determination of the most favourable running regime with the aim of saving in energy consumption. The paper proves that by applying the proposed model the commuter rail traffic can be improved regarding the increase of the timetable stability and energy-efficient train operation.
KEY WORDS: rail traffic management, genetic algorithm, energy efficient timetabling and train operation
Redefining of the Rijeka Railway Junction
Authors: Vilke Siniša , Šantić Livia , Glad Matija
Published: March 2012

This paper presents and analyses the redefined Rijeka railway junction. The redefined concept of the Rijeka railroad hub in the context of port and railway interdependence dictates the need to find the accommodation of cargo transport to peripheral locations such as: Krasica, Kukuljanovo, Bakar, Ivani, Bršica and capacity for the island of Krk, while passenger transport would be implemented in the urban area. The most important projects related to Rijeka rail transport system are the construction of a new line of high efficiency between Zagreb and Rijeka, and a new railroad through the tunnel of Učka which will link the ports of Rijeka, Koper and Trieste. Together with the reconstruction of cargo stations Rijeka and Brajdica, an extension of the other tracks on the railroads Škrljevo-Rijeka and Rijeka-Opatija/Matulji should be performed as well as the construction of Krasica, Ivani, Tijani and Vrgljevo stations. The construction includes a multipurpose bridge to the Island of Krk and a railway line to the new container terminal as well as the new railway bypass to “elevation 200”.
KEY WORDS: Rijeka railway junction, railway transport system, railway transport, Port of Rijeka
Expenditure Model of Line Ranking in the Public Mass Passengers Transportation System
Authors: Gladović Pavle , Popović Vladimir , Peulić Velibor
Published: March 2012

In all the cities of Serbia that have organized systems of public mass passenger transport (PMPT), over the past several years more and more private transport companies are being included in the network of city and suburban transportation lines. The inclusion of private transport companies in the PMPT system via public tenders should be preceded by the procedure of calculation of the realistic income and system functioning expenses in order to establish possible balances of needs for City Budget subsidies, as well as the elements on Contract of entrusting this vital communal activity of every city. The new principle for determining the total cost of PMPT system functioning, based on line difficulty ranking, has been presented in this paper.
KEY WORDS: expenditure model, price, PMPT system, line, exploitation parameters, evaluation, line rank
Multi-scale Simulation in Railway Planning and Operation
Authors: Cui Yong , Martin Ullrich
Published: March 2012

Simulation methods are widely used in railway planning and operation. However, at the moment there are no applicable solutions in the process simulation for a smooth transition among different infrastructure levels on the basis of a unified structure with consistent algorithm. In this paper, a multi-scale simulation model is designed with consideration of the level of detail of the investigated infrastructure model and the homogeneity of the processes running in the simulation model. A comprehensive and synthesized view of railway planning and operation is therefore obtained. Within the multi-scale simulation model, railway planning and operation processes can be simulated, evaluated and optimized consistently.
KEY WORDS: railway planning, simulation, multi-scale, aggregation, discrete scaling, continuous scaling, homogenous process, inhomogeneous process
Passenger Flows Estimation of Light Rail Transit (LRT) System in Izmir, Turkey Using Multiple Regression and ANN Methods
Authors: Özuysal Mustafa , Tayfur Gökmen , Tanyel Serhan
Published: March 2012

Passenger flow estimation of transit systems is essential for new decisions about additional facilities and feeder lines. For increasing the efficiency of an existing transit line, stations which are insufficient for trip production and attraction should be examined first. Such investigation supports decisions for feeder line projects which may seem necessary or futile according to the findings. In this study, passenger flow of a light rail transit (LRT) system in Izmir, Turkey is estimated by using multiple regression and feed-forward back-propagation type of artificial neural networks (ANN). The number of alighting passengers at each station is estimated as a function of boarding passengers from other stations. It is found that ANN approach produced significantly better estimations specifically for the low passenger attractive stations. In addition, ANN is found to be more capable for the determination of trip-attractive parts of LRT lines.   Keywords: light rail transit, multiple regression, artificial neural networks, public transportation
Motivations for Healthy Lifestyle in Railroad Employees
Authors: Ostan Iztok , Poljšak Borut , Podovšovnik Axelsson Eva
Published: March 2012

The aim of the paper is to present the results of a survey of railroad employees’ motivation for a healthy lifestyle. For this purpose a specific questionnaire was developed. The study was performed on 245 Slovene railroad workers (168 of them blue-collar ones). The great majority (66.9%) were found to be overweight or obese (BMI 25 or more), with no significant difference between blue- and white-collar workers. The great majority of them were in general aware of having unhealthy nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle. Most of the employees felt the need to improve (at least in part) their nutrition (74.7%) and lifestyle (78.0%); the majority (67.8%) also declared that they could adopt a healthier lifestyle despite the constraints of everyday life and work conditions; however, 57.6% said that they had been already putting considerable effort into a healthier nutrition and lifestyle. Thus the effort needed to overcome constraints toward a healthier lifestyle seems to be the key problem: the majority (54.3%) would rather choose walking than running or other intensive forms of exercise; they are not ready to do it for more than one hour per day (60%), and they are not ready to give up permanently food that they like and that is considered unhealthy. The differences in motivations for a healthy lifestyle between blue- and white-collar workers were not significant at the 0.05 level. Further research in this field is needed; however, it seems that the methods of efficient marginal modifications of lifestyle are required. KEYWORDS human resources management, railroad, blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, healthy lifestyle, motivations
Identification of Drivers in Traffic Accidents and Determination of Passenger Position in a Vehicle by Finger Marks
Authors: Trapečar Matej , Lipičnik Martin Ivan , Balažic Jože
Published: March 2012

The following paper aims to illustrate certain investigative activities in the forensic analysis and examination of the scene of traffic accidents. When a traffic accident occurs, the scene must be secured as soon as possible to enable professional and proper forensic investigation. Failure to secure the accident scene might result in losing or contaminating the traces, which makes it more difficult to prove or explain trace evidence in further procedure or even makes such evidence inadmissible. The topic is discussed from the viewpoint of crime scene examination, since analysing and investigating traffic accidents requires a great deal of expertise and attention of the investigators. Complex traffic accidents include feigned accidents, hit-and-run accidents as well as accidents in which the driver and passengers, dead or alive, need to be identified. In identifying the passengers, standard criminal investigation methods as well as police forensic and forensic medicine methods are followed. Such methods include confirming the identities with identity documents, other documents and vehicle ownership, fingerprints, biological traces, fibre traces, contact traces, traces of physical injuries on the driver and passengers, etc. According to the results obtained in fingerprint detection on human skin surfaces, this method can also be applied in confirming physical contact between the driver and the passengers in the accident, e.g. in the event of moving the victims and changing the scene of the accident.   Key words: traffic accidents, accident analysis, driver's identity, passengers' position, finger marks, human skin
Transtorno obsessivo compulsivo em crianças e adolescentes
Authors: Marinho Erika von Söhsten , Junior Esio de Carvalho Coelho , Alves Klécio de Andrade , Ximenes Rosana Christine Cavalcanti , Barreira Alice Kelly , Couto Geraldo Bosco Lindoso
Published: March 2012

O transtorno obsessivo compulsivo (TOC) é um transtorno psiquiátrico crônico que atinge de 1 a 2% da população de crianças e adolescentes, necessitando de uma abordagem adequada durante o atendimentoodontológico devido ao aumento da ansiedade, às medicações utilizadas no tratamento do transtorno e, possivelmente, devido a comportamentos compulsivos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi fazer um levantamentobibliográfico a respeito das principais características do TOC na infância e adolescência e trazer informações importantes para o atendimento odontológico destes pacientes. Após a análise da literatura, ficou claro queo TOC é um transtorno de ansiedade, e, por esta razão, é natural que estes pacientes apresentem-se muito ansiosos durante uma consulta odontológica. Sendo assim, é de grande importância que o odontopediatra tenha conhecimento de técnicas de controle de comportamento e ansiedade adequadas a estes pacientes. Além disso, o profissional deve avaliar possíveis interações com antibióticos, anestésicos e vasoconstrictores, com o objetivo de minimizar os riscos para o paciente. O uso de antidepressivos frequentemente resulta em hipossalivação. O incentivo a uma boa higiene bucal (com vigilância do responsável à compulsão por limpeza) associado ao uso de cremes e géis fluoretados, colutórios antissépticos e visitas frequentes ao dentista podem reduzir a incidência de lesões de cárie rampantes, doença periodontal e outros distúrbios associados à deficiência na produção de saliva.Descritores: Odontopediatria. Transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo. Terapêutica. Adolescente. Criança.
US Abortion Bans and Fertility
Authors: Bell Suzanne O. , Franks Alexander M. , Arbour David , Anjur-Dietrich Selena , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Ben-Michael Eli , Feller Avi , Gemmill Alison
Published: February 2025

Importance

Abortion bans may lead to births among those who are unable to overcome barriers to abortion. The population-level effects of these policies, particularly their unequal impacts across subpopulations in the US, remain unclear.

Objective

To assess heterogeneity in the association of abortion bans with changes in fertility in the US, within and across states.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Drawing from birth certificate and US Census Bureau data from 2012 through 2023 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, this study used a bayesian panel data model to evaluate state-by-subgroup-specific changes in fertility associated with complete or 6-week abortion bans in 14 US states. The average percent and absolute change in the fertility rate among females aged 15 through 44 years was estimated overall and by state, and within and across states by age, race and ethnicity, marital status, education, and insurance payer.

Exposure

Complete or 6-week abortion ban.

Main outcome and Measures

Fertility rate (births per 1000 reproductive-aged females) overall and by subgroups.

Results

There were an estimated 1.01 (95% credible interval [CrI], 0.45-1.64) additional births above expectation per 1000 females aged 15 through 44 years (reproductive age) in states following adoption of abortion bans (60.55 observed vs 59.54 expected; 1.70% increase; 95% CrI, 0.75%-2.78%), equivalent to 22 180 excess births, with evidence of variation by state and subgroup. Estimated differences above expectation were largest for racially minoritized individuals (≈2.0%), unmarried individuals (1.79%), individuals younger than 35 years (≈2.0%), Medicaid beneficiaries (2.41%), and those without college degrees (high school diploma, 2.36%; some college, 1.58%), particularly in southern states. Differences in race and ethnicity and education across states explain most of the variability in the state-level association between abortion bans and fertility rates.

Conclusion and Relevance

These findings provide evidence that fertility rates in states with abortion bans were higher than would have been expected in the absence of these policies, with the largest estimated differences among subpopulations experiencing the greatest structural disadvantages and in states with among the worst maternal and child health and well-being outcomes.
Recognizing and Strengthening the 4 Pillars of US Childhood Vaccine Policy
Authors: Sharfstein Joshua M. , Despres Sarah
Published: February 2025

This JAMA Forum discusses Trump administration nominations for the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, their positions on childhood vaccines, and provides information on the 4 pillars of the US childhood vaccine effort.
Mental Health of Residents of Ukraine Exposed to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Authors: An Jiafu , Wang Tenghui , Chen Bin , Oleksiyenko Anatoly , Lin Chen
Published: February 2025

Importance

Quantifying the association between the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Ukrainians’ mental health is crucial for guiding reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in the postwar period.

Objective

To examine the association between war exposure and civilians’ mental health in both the short and medium term and the potential channels through which these associations occur.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from 7 nationally representative surveys conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology between December 4, 2015, and July 18, 2022. Six surveys were conducted before the war and one during the ongoing conflict in July 2022. Each survey included approximately 2000 respondents aged 18 to 95 years in 110 localities.

Exposure

The magnitude of war damage exposure was represented by an indicator variable set to 1 if an oblast (province) experienced severe war damage and 0 if the damage was moderate at the time of the survey. The classification of severe or moderate damage was based on the economic losses incurred.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were respondents’ self-reported thoughts of suicide and feelings of helplessness, both represented as dummy variables.

Results

The sample included 14 140 respondents, with 3933 (27.8%) exposed to severe war damage and 10 207 (72.2%) to moderate war damage. These included 8174 female respondents (57.8%), with an overall mean (SD) age of 48.9 (16.8) years. The differences in the likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts and feelings of helplessness between areas with severe vs moderate war damage increased by 2.2 percentage points (β estimate, 0.022 [SE, 0.006]; 95% CI, 0.009-0.036) and 4.9 percentage points (β estimate, 0.049 [SE, 0.019]; 95% CI, 0.009-0.088), respectively. Subsample analyses revealed that male respondents were more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts (β estimate, 0.030 [SE, 0.013]; 95% CI, 0.004-0.056), while female respondents were more at risk of feelings of helplessness (β estimate, 0.063 [SE, 0.024]; 95% CI, 0.013-0.113).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study of war exposure, bombing was associated with increased mental health concerns among civilians, including a higher likelihood of suicidal thoughts and feelings of helplessness, which may hinder postwar recovery. These findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize creating job opportunities and ensuring a safe living environment to support citizens’ recovery in the aftermath of conflict.
Endocrine Therapy Interruption, Resumption, and Outcomes Associated With Pregnancy After Breast Cancer
Authors: Ransohoff Julia D. , Lewinsohn Rebecca M. , Dickerson James , Luo Ingrid , Satoyoshi Mina , Ritter Victor , Chavez Rachael , Wheeler Amanda J. , Liang Su-Ying , Kenkare Pragati , Gomez Scarlett L. , Schapira Lidia , John Esther M. , Han Summer S. , Kurian Allison W.
Published: February 2025

This cohort study examines interruption and resumption of endocrine therapy among women with breast cancer who became pregnant.
Stress Release of Single Crystal Arrays Bridged by SAM Interface Toward Highly Mechanically Durable Flexible Perovskite NIR Photodetector
Authors: Yin Xing , Zhao Yingjie , Pei Chaoxin , Wang Zhaokai , Sun Yicheng , Zhang Mengru , Hao Yi , Wei Xiao , Zhao Zishen , Dong Kaixin , Zhao Jinjin , Chen Yu , Song Yanlin
Published: February 2025

Perovskite photodetectors with superior optoelectronic properties, lightweight, and compatibility with flexible substrates have attracted much attention in wearable electronics. However, the large bandgap, inherent brittleness, poor environmental stability, and weak interfacial adhesion interaction between perovskites and substrates hinder the application of near‐infrared (NIR) wearable devices. Herein, a universal strategy to enhance the performance and mechanical stability of flexible perovskite NIR photodetector arrays is demonstrated through a combination of mussel‐inspired self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) bridging interface and precise modulation of the nano‐array size, which enables to significantly increase interfacial adhesion, crystallinity, crystallographic orientation, and reduce mechanical stresses of perovskite single‐crystal arrays. Moreover, inserting paddle‐wheel metal–organic cluster ligands lead to an unprecedented small bandgap of 1.04 eV, enhanced lattice rigidity, and environmental stability for 2D perovskite. The flexible perovskite NIR photodetector arrays with superior mechanical robustness and record NIR performance are revealed with a maximum response wavelength of 1050 nm, a responsivity of 1.66 A W−1, detectivity of 6.19 × 1012 Jones, high fidelity imaging, and extra‐long environmental stability. This work pioneers a new insight into the integration of high‐performance and mechanically durable perovskite flexible wearable devices.