bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Alternative Development Undersupplied?
Authors: Cao Xinyu
Published: January 2009

Previous studies suggest that there is an unmet demand for pedestrian-and transit-oriented development. However, most of these studies used the stated-choice method, which has many inherent disadvantages. Further, combining conflicting residential attributes into hypothetical situations may distort consumer choices. By using data of Northern California movers, a new study adopted an alternative approach to exploring this issue, namely, examining the priority of transportation and land-use preferences in residential choice and the discrepancy between preferences for and perceptions of these attributes. It was found that preferences for accessibility to transportation systems and different land uses are secondary in residential choice, movers’ perceptions of accessibility attributes on average exceed their preference for corresponding attributes, and a small share of movers experienced dissonances of all accessibility characteristics but proximity to workplace. Therefore, the study fails to support the argument of the undersupply of alternative development.
Microsimulation of Residential Land Development and Household Location Choices
Authors: Zhou Bin (Brenda) , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: January 2009

Microeconomic theory and disaggregate spatial data are applied to pursue market equilibrium of single-family residential development. Mixed logit models and notions of price competition are used to simulate household location choices for three different household segments, assuming job sites of household members are known. Consistent with bid–rent theory, housing market equilibrium was reached in an iterative fashion. The spatial allocation of new households in the Austin, Texas, region illustrates the potential shape of things to come, with endogenously determined home prices and demographic distributions, based on job access. As expected, positive spatial autocorrelation in home prices and household distributions is observed.
Tracking Size, Location, and Interactions of Businesses
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: January 2009

Firms are key drivers of urban growth along with households, yet data on businesses and commercial vehicle movements can be difficult to obtain. An understanding of firm behavior over time is critical in anticipating urban futures and addressing transportation, land use, and other concerns. Firm birth and death, migration, and location choice are defining events in a firm's life cycle, and a study of firm evolution requires estimating and applying models for each. Such an exercise is hindered primarily by a lack of quality microdata for businesses. A basic framework is proposed for modeling firm demographics by using a micro-simulation approach. Year 2005 employment point data for the Austin, Texas, region and 7 years of aggregate data from the Statistics of U.S. Businesses have been used to simulate firm entry, exit, and evolution over time and space. A Markov process is used to anticipate firm growth and contraction, along with logit and Poisson models for firm location choice. Austin's commercial vehicle survey data are used to estimate commercial trip generation and distribution models, and applications of these are tied to forecasts of firm counts by location over time. Simulation results for both low- and high-growth scenarios suggest an increasing movement of firms toward central zones.
Transit Path Building
Authors: Kurth David L. , Childress Suzanne , Sabina Erik , Ande Sreekanth , Cryer Lee
Published: January 2009

Two basic options exist for modeling transit path choice in the travel forecasting process: (a) a detailed mode choice model and (b) deterministic procedures underlying transit multipath, path-building algorithms. These two options require different approaches to transit path building, mode choice, and transit assignment. Modeling decisions regarding transit path-building techniques and the amount of transit path choice incorporated into mode choice models directly affect the ability of travel models to consistently model mode choice and transit use. Options and their implications are presented for transit path building and mode choice. An analysis is presented of the success of alternate transit path-building techniques in reproducing known transit paths as reported by transit users in Denver, Colorado; analysis of several commonly used transit path-building validation techniques is also given. Suggestions are made for interface transit path choice and transit path building on the basis of the results of the empirical transit path-building tests. Two primary suggestions applicable to current planning processes are made. First, transit path choice should be performed in only one component of the forecasting process, such as transit path building or mode choice, to minimize inconsistencies in the modeling process. Second, disaggregate measures such as prediction success tables comparing modeled boardings to reported boardings for individual observations of transit trips should be compiled for validation of transit networks and transit path-building procedures.
Solving the Sequential Travel Forecasting Procedure with Feedback
Authors: Boyce David , O'Neill Christopher R. , Scherr Wolfgang
Published: January 2009

Travel forecasters generally understand that an iterative solution of the sequential travel forecasting procedure is required to bring specific model inputs and outputs into consistent agreement. In particular, the congested interzonal travel time inputs to the trip distribution and mode choice steps should equal the user-equilibrium travel times obtained from the assignment step. The process of achieving consistency is called solving the sequential procedure with feedback. The Capital District Transportation Committee of Albany, New York, maintains a travel forecasting model with 1,000 traffic analysis zones. This model was used to evaluate feedback procedures for three applications drawn from its planning activities. Three alternative feedback solution procedures were applied to the model: (a) naïve or direct feedback (no averaging of trip matrices or link flows), (b) averaging of trip matrices with constant weights, and (c) the method of successive averages (MSA) applied to trip matrices. The convergence of the feedback procedures was measured by comparing the results as follows: total misplaced flow (trip matrices), relative gap (route-based user-equilibrium traffic assignments), and root squared error (travel cost matrices). The test results showed that (a) averaging of trip matrices by using constant weights converges to a single, stable solution with consistent travel costs; (b) a single pair of weights is most effective for all three applications; (c) neither naïve feedback nor MSA is as effective as use of constant weights; and (d) the relative gaps of the traffic assignment reach values of less than 10-7. Tests with different models and software systems are needed to generalize the findings.
Development and Application of Mobility Monitoring Process and Guidebook for Small to Medium Communities
Authors: Eisele William L. , Crawford Jason A.
Published: January 2009

Transportation professionals in growing small to medium-sized communities (SMSCs) struggle with congestion issues. SMSCs are defined as communities with a population of less than 200,000. Extensive resources and literature are dedicated to measuring, monitoring, and improving large urban area congestion, but resources are scarce for SMSCs. Guidance is needed for SMSCs’ practitioners to identify, measure, and alleviate congestion better before the problems escalate. A research project sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation sought to develop and test a framework suitable for monitoring mobility in SMSCs. Practitioners including staff of state departments of transportation and staff of their partnering agencies (e.g., metropolitan planning organizations, municipalities, and counties) interested in mobility monitoring in SMSCs will find the research products valuable resources. The development of a six-step mobility monitoring framework and its application in two SMSCs are presented. The framework was developed to be user-friendly. The mobility monitoring process was conducted in Bryan–College Station and Huntsville, Texas. Methods to communicate results to a wide audience are given. Several graphical techniques are presented and discussed, including intraday directional traffic volumes and travel rate indices within a corridor. Available resources to assist practitioners performing mobility monitoring in SMSCs are noted.
Synthesized Through-Trip Models for Small and Medium Urban Areas
Authors: Han Yang , Stone John R.
Published: January 2009

The estimation of through trips is an important component of travel demand models for small and medium communities, which are home to about 75% of U.S. residents. Many of these communities have sizable through trips and may not have resources to conduct external surveys to develop through-trip tables. The current through-trip models for communities with populations of less than 50,000 are updated, and a new, two-phase through-trip model for medium areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000 is developed. In Phase 1, one regression model estimates the percentage of through-trip ends at each external station. In Phase 2, two regression models estimate the distribution of the through-trip ends among external stations for small and medium communities. The models have acceptable goodness of fit and validated model assumptions. The introduction of new economic and geographic factors improves the model's predictive power compared to that of previous models. The model is straightforward and efficient compared to expensive external surveys. It can be embedded into the standard travel demand forecasting process. It appears transferable to other small and medium urban areas.
Internet Portal for Participation of Large Groups in Transportation Programming Decisions
Authors: Lowry Michael B. , Nyerges Timothy , Rutherford G. Scott
Published: January 2009

An Internet portal for public participation in transportation programming decisions is described. The Internet portal supports participation of large groups (e.g., 100 or more people) through cutting-edge online deliberation tools and a strategic process that fosters meaningful public involvement. The portal is described in the context of a five-step process that has been designed for a particular programming decision situation called a local option transportation tax. A transportation agency could develop a similar process for other programming decisions, such as the creation of a transportation improvement program. The portal can be used by an agency to create a program or merely as a focus-group activity or polling exercise. Various tools used by the portal and the five-step process are described with the help of selected screenshots of the user interface.
Shifting Modes of Travel to National Parks
Authors: Nelson Bonnie , Taylor Valerie , Nabti Jumana
Published: January 2009

The Muir Woods Shuttle is a three-summer (2005–2007) pilot public transit route designed to transport visitors to Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County, California. The shuttle was developed by the County of Marin and the National Park Service and is funded through an FHWA earmark. More than 700,000 people visit Muir Woods every year, primarily in private automobiles; automobile congestion significantly affects park resources and visitor experience. Goals for the shuttle include reducing vehicular parking impact and demand at the park, reducing vehicular traffic in the park, and reducing congestion on nearby roads. Nelson\Nygaard has conducted evaluations of shuttle performance for all three pilot years to make service enhancement, marketing, and funding recommendations for future service. Evaluation is based on extensive original data collection including ride checks, onboard passenger surveys, and nonpassenger visitor surveys for four weekends per summer. Improvements added in 2007 such as increased frequency and an expanded service area were a direct result of the 2005–2006 studies. Results from evaluations of 2005–2006 service indicate strong demand for public transit to Muir Woods. Almost 14,600 trips (one-way) were made on the shuttle between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2006, representing a 140% increase in ridership over 2005, despite the round-trip charge of $2 added in 2006. In 2006, unlike 2005, ridership was high from the beginning of the season. Evaluation continued through the summer of 2007 with additional focus on identifying sources of funding to continue this very successful service.
Office Decisions to Change Location
Authors: Elgar Ilan , Miller Eric J. , Habib Khandker M. Nurul
Published: January 2009

Firm mobility is one of the processes a firm can go through during its time of operation. When aggregated, the mobility decisions of numerous individual firms affect the spatial distribution of economic activity and employment as well as the outputs of the transportation system in urban areas. Models of mobility of office business establishments that use hazard modeling and competing risk formulations are presented. These formulations explicitly account for the effect of the duration of the firm in its current location as well as forecast what type of stress or push factor (e.g., lack of space or excessive cost in its current location) will make the firm relocate. The results indicate that combining general hazard modeling with competing risk models could provide a foundation for modeling mobility decisions of firms as well as for estimating thresholds for the locations to which the firm may choose to move.
Safety-Conscious Planning in Midsized Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Gaines Danena Lewis , Meyer Michael D.
Published: January 2009

Midsized metropolitan areas (200,000 to 600,000 population) face challenges and transportation planning issues different from those faced by larger metropolitan areas. This is especially true in the area of safety-conscious planning (SCP). Conflicting organizational cultures and limited staff and technical tools are major challenges in SCP efforts for midsized metropolitan areas. Midsized metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) were surveyed, and three case studies of midsized metropolitan areas were prepared to understand better the challenges and opportunities facing SCP in such a context. The national survey and case studies focused on long-range planning, data collection, human resources, technical analysis, and collaboration aspects of SCP as applied today. The majority of midsized MPOs have incorporated safety considerations into their long-range transportation plans, but some midsized MPOs are more proactive than others in the quantitative analysis of project safety outcomes. The institutional and technical issues faced by midsized MPOs can be overcome by identifying a safety champion in the management ranks, encouraging state departments of transportation to provide midsized MPOs with more tools and training in SCP, promoting a stronger relationship between the governor's safety representative and the MPO, and creating a more comprehensive forum for collaboration among safety professionals.
Pay-as-You-Drive Strategies
Authors: Zantema J. , van Amelsfort D. H. , Bliemer M. C. J. , Bovy P. H. L.
Published: January 2009

The safety and accessibility effects of pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) strategies were simulated with a transportation model and compared. PAYD is an insurance policy for car owners in which, to reflect crash risk better, the insurance premium is paid per kilometer actually driven. With more advanced monitoring technologies, the PAYD insurance premium can be differentiated further to reward safe driving behavior with a lower premium. This more differentiated concept of PAYD is currently being tested in a real-life pilot. As part of this pilot, a modeling study was performed to assess the possible network (safety) effect of large-scale implementation of PAYD. Seven PAYD strategies were investigated with different kilometer-based insurance premium differentiations (road category differentiations, time differentiations, age differentiations). The network effects appear to vary greatly, depending on the design of the PAYD strategy. The most common effects found in this model study are mode shifts and trip making (elastic demand effect) and route shifts. To improve traffic safety, the best strategy would be to differentiate premium to reflect safety—that is, higher fees for unsafe road categories and nighttime driving—most effectively and apply it to all drivers. This way, drivers optimize toward the lowest cost and highest traffic safety. Total crash reduction is estimated to be more than 5% with the model, resulting in a reduction of 60 fatalities and more than a 1,000 injured by traffic each year in the Netherlands.
Examination of Factors Affecting Driver Injury Severity in Michigan's Single-Vehicle–Deer Crashes
Authors: Savolainen Peter , Ghosh Indrajit
Published: January 2009

Michigan is plagued by more than 60,000 deer–vehicle crashes on an annual basis. Although the majority of these crashes result in property damage only, a substantial number lead to significant injuries and fatalities, illustrating the need for a better understanding of the many interrelated factors that affect crash severity. A database of all single-vehicle deer–vehicle crashes (DVC) reported to Michigan law enforcement agencies between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005, was used to estimate a multinomial logit model of driver injury severity. Results revealed a number of driver, vehicle, and environmental factors that significantly influenced injury severity. Younger drivers were more likely to be injured as a result of a DVC, a possible indication of a lack of appropriate skills or knowledge on the part of these drivers when they encounter deer on the roadway. Female drivers were found to be at an increased risk of injury, as were drivers who had a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Seatbelt and airbag usage were found to be the most effective means of reducing the likelihood of severe injuries, although airbags did increase the likelihood of minor injuries. Impacting deer head-on and avoiding run-off-the-road collisions were also found to reduce the propensity of injury. Educational and enforcement initiatives, such as the “Don't Veer for Deer” campaign, may provide a cost-effective means of combating the DVC problem.
Detection of Road Hazards by Novice Teen and Experienced Adult Drivers
Authors: Lee Suzanne E. , Klauer Sheila G. , Olsen Erik C. B. , Simons-Morton Bruce G. , Dingus Thomas A. , Ramsey David J. , Ouimet Marie Claude
Published: January 2009

Previous laboratory and simulator research has indicated that hazard detection skills and abilities are less developed among novice drivers compared with experienced adult drivers. Novices tend to miss some relevant cues and may be less able to process important elements in the environment while driving. It was hypothesized that novices would have lower hazard detection skills and would react less appropriately to hazards than older and more experienced drivers. Three hazard perception scenarios were simulated on a test track, and data were collected on newly licensed teen drivers (within 2 weeks of licensure) and a comparison group of adults. The scenarios included a hidden stop sign, hidden pedestrian, and hidden pedestrian with lane closure (this last included a text-messaging task). Discrete quantitative performance metrics were evaluated for this analysis, including the following: (a) Did the participant glance at the potential hazard (e.g., stop sign, pedestrian)? (b) Did the participant stop (for the stop sign scenario)? (c) Did the participant show signs of indecision, caution, or awareness (for all hazards)? Significant differences between teen drivers and more experienced adult drivers were found in a combined hazard detection analysis. Results indicated that the adult drivers observed hazards and demonstrated overt recognition of hazards more frequently than the teen drivers did. Results indicated that a large portion of teen drivers failed to disengage from peripheral task engagement in the presence of hazards. The results will be compared with naturalistic data for the same set of drivers to see whether these test track results are predictive of real-world behavior.
Effect of Passenger Age and Gender on Fatal Crash Risks of Young Drivers
Authors: Fu Haoqiang , Wilmot Chester G.
Published: January 2009

The effect of passenger age and gender on young driver fatal crash risk was studied with police-reported crash data in Louisiana from 1999 to 2004. Young drivers were divided into three age groups—16, 17, and 18 to 20 years of age—by gender. Passengers were grouped into 15 to 17 and 18 to 20 years of age by gender. A series of analyses of young drivers and young passengers was conducted to study their risks of being involved in fatal crashes. Relative risks and crash rates were used to measure crash risk. The analyses followed step-by-step disaggregation of driver and passenger characteristics, including the number of passengers, passenger age, and passenger age and gender for each driver age and gender group. It was found that young drivers are negatively affected by young passengers, especially from their own peer age groups. However, the presence of adult passengers reduces their fatal crash risks. Sixteen-and 17-year-old drivers have similar fatal risk patterns that are much higher than and different from those of 18- to 20-year-old drivers; 16- and 17-year-old drivers are associated with the highest fatal crash risks when driving with their same gender and age group passengers, with male-to-male driver–passenger combination having higher fatal crash risk than female-to-female driver–passenger combination. As age progresses, fatal crash risk differences between male and female young drivers also increase.
Investigation of Actual and Perceived Behavior of Older Drivers on Freeways
Authors: Vardaki Sophia
Published: January 2009

Actual performance of older drivers was investigated on tasks such as freeway driving, exit finding, lane changing, and freeway entering and exiting and correlated with driver (performance) self-assessment. The focus is on safe driving and potentially compensatory behavior being exhibited by older drivers; for this, results of an on-road experiment with 40 older drivers were used. Results indicated that compensation on the freeway is correlated to decreased performance in various driving dimensions; some performance problems revealed in the present study might be corrected by training in proper ways to adapt and in safe driving practices. Results regarding the analysis of actual driving performance on the freeway and perceived self-assessed performance indicate that older drivers are aware of their performance inadequacies on the freeway and reveal some drivers’ perception for improvements in the design of freeway exits. These findings are of particular importance in freeway design and older driver education and assessment.
Contribution of Behavioral Aspects of Older Drivers to Fatal Traffic Crashes in Florida
Authors: Alam Bhuiyan Monwar , Spainhour Lisa K.
Published: January 2009

Fault in a set of fatal traffic crashes that occurred on state roadways in Florida, primarily in the year 2000, was examined. A case-study approach by a team of trained investigators was taken to examine data compiled from a variety of sources, including traffic homicide reports and crash scene photographs. Crash types were identified in which older drivers were significantly over- and underrepresented in fault. Finally, for crashes in which older drivers were at fault, various contributing factors were identified, including driver errors. Older drivers were overrepresented in fault by a factor of 1.37 compared with younger drivers in the data set. Older drivers were significantly overrepresented in fault in left turn crashes versus oncoming traffic and cross-traffic. Consistent with other work, older drivers were responsible for more intersection than nonintersection crashes. Among other factors, misjudging speeds of other vehicles, failure to observe other vehicles, disregarding traffic signals, and improper (disallowed) left turns were the major driver errors in intersection crashes. Sudden loss of control and driving under the influence of alcohol were the major contributing factors in nonintersection crashes. Approximately 10% of crash contributing factors indicated confusion, inappropriate action, or illegal maneuvers, with more than two-thirds of these cases being attributed to drivers aged 75 years and older. Another important finding of the study is that investigating officers have a tendency to frequently use the term “failure to yield right-of-way,” rather than identifying more specific contributing factors.
Effects of Age on Spinal Rotation during a Driving Task
Authors: Reimer Bryan , D'Ambrosio Lisa A. , Coughlin Joseph F. , Puleo Rozanne M. , Cichon Jaclyn E. , Griffith John Daniel
Published: January 2009

Many older adults experience declines in their flexibility, which in turn can affect their safe operation of a vehicle and their driving performance. Previous research has shown that reduced trunk flexibility is associated with greater accident risks. To explore further questions about and measures of spinal flexibility, differences in spinal flexibility between younger and older drivers were explored in two contexts: a stretching exercise and a real driving maneuver. Results indicated that younger drivers had on average greater stretch spinal flexibility than older drivers, but that during the driving maneuver, study participants did whatever necessary, such as bracing themselves on the seatback or steering wheel, to overcome any flexibility limitations to complete the driving task. Using a multivariate regression mode, the degree of spinal rotation in the stretch and driving tasks were significantly affected by age and by the use of the vehicle to brace while rotating. In the stretch tasks, self-reported health and driving frequency were jointly statistically significant predictors of degree of rotation. In terms of driving, however, the use of bracing suggests that drivers may have evolved strategies to compensate for any physical limitations they may experience to continue driving.
Simulation Framework for Analysis of Elderly Mobility Policies
Authors: Kanaroglou Pavlos , Mercado Ruben , Maoh Hanna , Páez Antonio , Scott Darren M. , Newbold Bruce
Published: January 2009

The population in developed countries is aging. Literature has paid minimal attention to the effects that population aging may have on transport demand and sustainability. These effects are believed to be more pronounced in urban areas. A policy framework is presented. It can be used as a template for the development and evaluation of policies that directly or indirectly relate to the effect of population aging on transport in urban areas and thereby inform the planning process. A component of the proposed policy development framework is an urban transport simulation model that is used to simulate policy scenarios over time. Integrated Model for Population Aging Consequences on Transportation (IMPACT) is a conventional transport simulation model coupled with a powerful demographic model that has the potential to project the population of traffic analysis zones over time, as it takes into account vital statistics (births, deaths) and migration rates. Two types of policies were investigated. The first regards elderly driver's license renewal; the second is related to new housing development policies. The results indicate that such a system can produce results that can inform policy regarding elderly automobility.
Improving Crash Reporting
Authors: Bailey Linda , Huft Dave
Published: January 2009

Crash report rates from tribal lands in South Dakota are generally low relative to the number of crashes estimated for those areas. The number of actual crashes on tribal lands in South Dakota was quantified for 2005 to describe the barriers to better crash reporting from tribal lands and to suggest remedies for poor crash reporting. The research team visited all nine reservations and worked with law enforcement agencies to retrieve crash data for 2005, as available. Seven hundred thirty-seven crashes were documented in some fashion by tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement agencies, although only 52 were reported with enough detail to be included in the South Dakota Accident Reporting System. After visiting the law enforcement offices for each reservation, the research team met with tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officials to discuss possible improvements to reporting. Three major ideas emerged from these discussions. The first was training for law enforcement officers on the crash forms and the crash-reporting process for South Dakota. The second concerned software solutions for internal tribal data processing and making the crash report form easier to complete. Finally, the political issues involved in crash reporting represent a significant barrier to improvement and are tied primarily to the overall relationship between tribes and the State of South Dakota. On the basis of the information gathered as part of the study, the research team made recommendations to the State of South Dakota for improving crash reporting from tribal lands.
Evaluating the Conversion of All-Way Stop-Controlled Intersections into Roundabouts
Authors: Vlahos Evdokia , Polus Abhishai , Lacombe Dan , Ranjitkar Prakash , Faghri Ardeshir , Fortunato Bernard R.
Published: January 2009

Roundabouts are becoming increasingly popular in the United States and have been considered for use at intersections facing operational or safety problems. A comparative analysis was performed on all-way stop-controlled (AWSC) intersections and roundabouts on the basis of aaSIDRA software after calibration against local conditions in Delaware and Maryland. A decision support system was developed in the form of a knowledge-based expert system on the basis of the results of the analysis to evaluate the performance of AWSC intersections and their potential success if converted into roundabouts. The results of the comparative analysis are in line with some previous researchers’ findings that AWSC intersections always perform worse than signal-controlled or roundabout type intersections under the same set of traffic conditions and geometric limitations.
Comparing Safety at Signalized Intersections and Roundabouts Using Simulated Rear-End Conflicts
Authors: Saccomanno Frank F. , Cunto Flávio , Guido Giuseppe , Vitale Alessandro
Published: January 2009

The safety implications of adopting roundabouts in place of conventional signalized intersections have not been adequately assessed. A microscopic simulation model was used to compare the pattern of traffic conflicts at roundabouts with conflicts for signalized intersections. Three indicators of safety performance were defined: (a) time to collision (TTC), (b) deceleration rate to avoid the crash (DRAC), and (c) crash potential index (CPI). For each indicator, traffic conflict profiles were obtained in terms of number of vehicles in conflict and number of conflicts per vehicle for selected directional maneuvers. The exposure time to conflict for each maneuver and vehicle was also determined. Twelve combinations of geometric and traffic attributes (traffic scenarios) were simulated over a 15-min period. The results suggested that roundabouts yield reduced exposure times to rear-end conflicts compared with signalized intersections. On average, signalized intersections also reflected increased number of vehicles in conflict and percentage of vehicles in conflict compared with roundabouts. This relationship was found to be independent of input volumes and pavement surface condition and applied consistently to all safety indicator measures (TTC, DRAC, and CPI).
Driver Characteristics Associated with Knowledge of Correct Roundabout Negotiation
Authors: McKnight Gregory A. , Khattak Aemal J. , Bishu Ram
Published: January 2009

The period immediately after roundabout construction is the most critical in terms of safety because of relatively higher levels of driver confusion, especially when new roundabouts are constructed in cities where none existed before. Drivers may have limited or no knowledge of correct roundabout negotiation. Although public information and educational efforts before and after roundabout opening can reduce driver confusion, no information is available in the literature on the characteristics of drivers that pose a higher potential for confusion at roundabouts. Drivers’ knowledge of correct roundabout negotiation was assessed and related to their characteristics to identify groups for targeted or prioritized dissemination of roundabout negotiation information. A survey was conducted soliciting information from drivers in five Nebraska cities. The conclusion was that there are identifiable groups of drivers that differ in their knowledge of correct roundabout negotiation. Those with relatively higher levels of knowledge were drivers (a) who were familiar with roundabouts; (b) who drove specialty vehicles such as police, bus, fire truck, or the like; (c) who were younger; and (d) who were male. Drivers who admitted not wearing seatbelts when driving showed a greater potential for incorrectly negotiating roundabouts. As to targeted or prioritized dissemination of information, efforts toward increasing roundabout awareness among nonspecialty vehicle drivers and older drivers should be undertaken.
Use of Physical Devices for Calming Traffic along Major Roads through Small Rural Communities in Iowa
Authors: Hallmark Shauna L. , Hawkins Neal , Fitzsimmons Eric , Resler Jon , Plazak David , Welch Tom , Petersen Eric
Published: January 2009

Many rural communities have developed around highways or major county roads. As a result, the main street through small rural communities is often part of a high-speed rural highway. Highways and county roads are characterized by high speeds outside the city limits and then transition into a reduced-speed section through the rural community. Consequently, drivers passing through the community may enter at high speeds and then maintain those speeds throughout. Traffic calming in small rural communities along major roadways is common in Europe, but the United States does not have experience with applying traffic calming outside of major urban areas. Seven different low-cost traffic treatments were implemented and evaluated in five rural Iowa communities. Two of the treatments physically affected the roadway cross-section. A speed table was placed along the major road (County Highway E-23) in Gilbert, Iowa, and longitudinal channelizers were used to create a center island narrowing along County Highway R-38 in Slater, Iowa. Before and after speed studies were conducted. Speed studies were conducted at 1, 3, 9, and 12 months after installation of the treatments to evaluate their effectiveness over time. Both treatments successfully reduced mean speed, 85th percentile speed, and fraction of vehicles traveling 5, 10, 15, and 20 mph over the posted speed limit; reductions were sustained over time.
Dynamic Variable Speed Limit Strategies for Real-Time Crash Risk Reduction on Freeways
Authors: Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Cunningham Ryan J. , Gayah Vikash V. , Hsia Liang
Published: January 2009

Recent research at the University of Central Florida involving crashes on I-4 in Orlando, Florida, has led to the creation of new statistical models capable of determining the crash risk on the freeway in real time. The potential benefits of variable speed limit (VSL) implementation for reducing the crash risk along the freeway at different loading scenarios was studied. VSL strategies were used in a networkwide attempt to reduce rear-end and lane-change crash risks where speed differences between upstream and downstream vehicles were high. The idea of homogeneous speed zones also was introduced in this study to determine the distance over which variable speed limits should be implemented from a station of interest. This idea is unique because it is the first time a dynamic distance has been considered for VSL implementation. This study shows that VSL is an effective crash prevention strategy when the freeway is operating in uncongested conditions. Specifically, in free-flow conditions and conditions approaching congestion, VSL can be used to reduce crash risk and prevent crash occurrence. It was also confirmed that the effects of crash migration increase as the level of congestion increases, and specific implementation techniques were found to better resist those effects. VSL was not found to effectively reduce crash risk in congested situations. This finding is sustained with logic and is supported by previous research.
Safety Effects of Automated Speed Enforcement Programs
Authors: Thomas Libby J. , Srinivasan Raghavan , Decina Lawrence E. , Staplin Loren
Published: January 2009

Automated speed enforcement programs were evaluated worldwide to ascertain the effectiveness of such programs at achieving safety benefits. Unlike previous reviews on this topic, a critical review process was used to determine the most likely range of probable safety effects of fixed and mobile automated speed enforcement programs. Among the 90 studies from 16 countries that were initially identified as potential safety evaluation studies, 13 met the criteria for detailed methodological review. On the basis of evidence from the best-controlled evaluation studies, injury crash reductions in the range of 20% to 25% appear to be a reasonable estimate of site-specific safety benefit from conspicuous, fixed-camera, automated speed enforcement programs. No conclusions were reached regarding site-specific effects of mobile enforcement programs. Estimates of systemwide crash reductions likely attributable to covert, mobile speed enforcement programs were based on different subsets of crashes (daytime casualty crashes and daytime speed-related crashes) and were limited to two studies, but also were in the range of 20% to 25%.
Analysis of Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras in Charlotte, North Carolina
Authors: Cunningham Christopher M. , Hummer Joseph E. , Moon Jae-Pil
Published: January 2009

The effects of a mobile automated speed enforcement system in Charlotte, North Carolina, were examined. Limited focus groups were conducted to characterize resident and professional attitudes, opinions, and beliefs regarding such a speed program. Overall, opinions were positive. The system, consisting of three mobile units, was implemented along 14 corridors. Two separate analyses were conducted on data collected from January 2000 to December 2005. Findings from a previous study done for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program were updated. The first, and primary, analysis was a before-and-after analysis of collisions. This study used Hauer's comparison group methodology. Three different collision data sets were analyzed: total collisions, data accounting for regression to the mean, and data for five heavily enforced corridors. On the basis of the analysis, the impact of regression to the mean appears to be negligible. The results indicate that the camera program likely reduced collisions in corridors with automated enforcement. The second analysis observed whether compliance with posted speed limits was enhanced. Mean speeds, median speeds, 85th percentile speeds, and percentages of drivers more than 10 mph over the speed limit were analyzed. The analyses found speed reductions caused by the camera program. On the basis of these findings, it was recommend that the City of Charlotte continue the automated speed enforcement program. Other agencies considering speed camera programs can benefit from the knowledge gained in Charlotte.
Effect of Truck Lane Restrictions on Four-Lane Freeways in Mountainous Areas
Authors: Fontaine Michael D.
Published: January 2009

Several states have implemented truck lane restrictions in an attempt to improve safety and mobility on freeways. These restrictions have typically prohibited trucks from traveling in the median lane of freeways that have more than three lanes per direction. Virginia has recently implemented a new type of truck restriction that prohibits trucks traveling more than 15 mph below the posted speed limit from the left lane on four-lane interstate segments. This new restriction is primarily used in mountainous areas of the state where truck climbing lanes may be warranted but are not present. The results of a safety and operational evaluation of these truck lane restrictions were documented. Crash data were examined at 19 sites with restrictions. Likewise, operational data were collected at four sites with restrictions to assess compliance and the extent to which slow-moving trucks were impeding traffic flow. The safety analysis shows some positive trends in crash rates after implementation of the restrictions, but only the overall number of fatal and injury crashes showed a statistically significant decline. Although compliance with the restrictions was generally good, a number of slow-moving vehicles, including passenger cars, were still found to be impeding traffic in the left lane.
Fighting With a Weed: Water Hyacinth and the State in Colonial Bengal, c. 1910-1947
Authors: Iqbal Iftekhar
Published: January 2009

The water hyacinth occupied a dominant space in the public sphere of Bengal during the last three decades of British colonial era. The remarkable spread of this Amazonian aquatic weed contributed to agrarian decline and distress, and divided the government and the public on the question of whether the pest should be completely eradicated or be subject to scientific research for profitable utilisation. The idea of complete eradication was gradually replaced by efforts towards utilisation. In the end, however, neither complete eradication nor fruitful utilisation was possible. This essay explores the dynamics of failure to strike a solution to the problem of invasive species in the form of water hyacinth through an examination of the competing domains of bureaucracy, science and private commercial interests in a colonial context.
Treatment outcome with a second generation combination chemotherapeutic regimen m-BACOD and with a standard regimen chop for advance diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in elderly patients
Authors: Hai Abdul , Hossain Sarder Mahmud , Nasiruzzaman AK
Published: January 2009

doi:10.3329/jafmc.v4i2.1841 JAFMC Bangladesh Vol.4(2) 2008 27-32
Moyamoya Disease: An uncommon cause of young stroke
Authors: Khan Sharif Uddin , Rahman Kazi Mohibur , Hoque Md Azharul , Alam Md Badrul , Siddiqui Md Mahmudur Rahman , Wahab Luna , Haque Badrul , Daisy Selina , Mohammad Quazi Deen , Faruque Md , Islam AEM Mazharul
Published: January 2009

doi:10.3329/jafmc.v4i2.1843 JAFMC Bangladesh Vol.4(2) 2008 33-37
Elaboration, Counterpoint, Transgression: Music and the Role of the Aesthetic in the Criticism of Edward W. Said
Authors: FRY KATHERINE
Published: January 2009

This article examines the role of the aesthetic in the criticism of Edward Said through a reading of two lesser-explored texts, Musical Elaborations (1991) and On Late Style (2006). It explores how, by drawing upon ideas from Gramsci and Adorno, Said advocates a convergence of social and aesthetic approaches to musical analysis and criticism. Although critical of some of the tensions arising from Said's varying perspectives on music and society, the article suggests that we can nonetheless detect a distinctive ideology of the aesthetic in Said's writings on music. It argues that Said's ideas on the temporal or narrative structure of certain musical works or performances function, within his wider thinking, as an aesthetic paradigm for undermining fixed identity and linear or totalizing narratives. Thus Said's reflections on music do not simply retreat from social and political concerns, but rather elaborate a utopian thinking regarding the interface between criticism and the aesthetic.
Lacan's ‘Of the Gaze as Objet Petit a’ as Anamorphic Discourse
Authors: SCOTT MARIA
Published: January 2009

This article makes the case for a symmetry between the form and content of Lacan's 1964 seminars on vision in The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis. As well as theorizing anamorphosis, or visual resistance, as a model of the dialectic between the eye and the gaze, the seminars function to lure and frustrate their auditor-readers. This reading, supported by Lacan's references to his own discourse as a labyrinth and network of threads, shows how a policy of syntactic ambiguity and apparent contradiction seems to inform the logic of the seminars on vision, such that the gaze defies understanding as surely as it resists the eye. The article proposes that this structure of mise-en-abyme, discussed as hypnotic even within the discourse on the gaze, is designed to captivate auditor-readers. Elements within the seminars, as well as Lacan's ‘post-face’ to the published edition, suggest that the discourse is addressed to our unconscious.
New Concepts in Breast Cancer Emerge from Analyzing Clinical Data Using Numerical Algorithms
Authors: Retsky Michael
Published: January 2009

A small international group has recently challenged fundamental concepts in breast cancer. As a guiding principle in therapy, it has long been assumed that breast cancer growth is continuous. However, this group suggests tumor growth commonly includes extended periods of quasi-stable dormancy. Furthermore, surgery to remove the primary tumor often awakens distant dormant micrometastases. Accordingly, over half of all relapses in breast cancer are accelerated in this manner. This paper describes how a numerical algorithm was used to come to these conclusions. Based on these findings, a dormancy preservation therapy is proposed.
RELIGIOUS PLURALISM AS A FACTOR OF IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Nikiforova Basia
Published: January 2009

This article deals with religious pluralism as a factor of identity development. Multiculturalism is the key term used in describing and debating the national, cultural and religious pluralism in post‐modern societies. The paper draws attention to the significance of the religious factor within existing multicultural contexts, as well as highlights some of the implications of religious pluralism might have for identity. The author offers to look on the new vision of identity as a potential way of its development and to analyze the changing of identity's criteria and borders. The religious pluralism is analysed in the context of such tendencies as the multicultural and multi‐religious communities as a result of mass migration.
Optimising learning using flashcards: Spacing is more effective than cramming
Authors: Kornell Nate
Published: January 2009

The spacing effect—that is, the benefit of spacing learning events apart rather than massing them together—has been demonstrated in hundreds of experiments, but is not well known to educators or learners. I investigated the spacing effect in the realistic context of flashcard use. Learners often divide flashcards into relatively small stacks, but compared to a large stack, small stacks decrease the spacing between study trials. In three experiments, participants used a web‐based study programme to learn GRE‐type word pairs. Studying one large stack of flashcards (i.e. spacing) was more effective than studying four smaller stacks of flashcards separately (i.e. massing). Spacing was also more effective than cramming—that is, massing study on the last day before the test. Across experiments, spacing was more effective than massing for 90% of the participants, yet after the first study session, 72% of the participants believed that massing had been more effective than spacing. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.