title: Tephrochronology: principles, functioning, application

authors: Lowe, David J.

subjects: Tephrochronology

abstract: Tephrochronology is a unique method for linking and dating geological, palaeoecological, palaeoclimatic or archaeological sequences or events. The method relies firstly and fundamentally on stratigraphy and the law of superposition, which apply in any study that connects or correlates deposits from one place to another. Secondly, it relies on characterising and hence identifying or „fingerprinting‟ tephra layers using either physical properties evident in the field or those obtained from laboratory analysis, including mineralogical examination by optical microscopy or geochemical analysis of glass shards or crystals (e.g., Fe-Ti oxides, ferromagnesian minerals) using the electron microprobe and other tools. Thirdly, the method is enhanced when a numerical age is obtained for a tephra layer by (1) radiometric methods such as radiocarbon, fission-track, U-series, or Ar/Ar dating, (2) incremental dating methods including dendrochronology or varved sediments or layering in ice cores, or (3) age-equivalent methods such as palaeomagnetism or correlation with marine oxygen isotope stages or palynostratigraphy. Once known, that age can be transferred from one site to the next using stratigraphic methods and by matching compositional characteristics, i.e., comparing ‘fingerprints’ from each layer. Used this way, tephrochronology is an age-equivalent dating method.

text: Tephrochronology: principles, functioning, application Tephrochronology is a unique method for linking and dating geological, palaeoecological, palaeoclimatic or archaeological sequences or events. The method relies firstly and fundamentally on stratigraphy and the law of superposition, which apply in any study that connects or correlates deposits from one place to another. Secondly, it relies on characterising and hence identifying or „fingerprinting‟ tephra layers using either physical properties evident in the field or those obtained from laboratory analysis, including mineralogical examination by optical microscopy or geochemical analysis of glass shards or crystals (e.g., Fe-Ti oxides, ferromagnesian minerals) using the electron microprobe and other tools. Thirdly, the method is enhanced when a numerical age is obtained for a tephra layer by (1) radiometric methods such as radiocarbon, fission-track, U-series, or Ar/Ar dating, (2) incremental dating methods including dendrochronology or varved sediments or layering in ice cores, or (3) age-equivalent methods such as palaeomagnetism or correlation with marine oxygen isotope stages or palynostratigraphy. Once known, that age can be transferred from one site to the next using stratigraphic methods and by matching compositional characteristics, i.e., comparing ‘fingerprints’ from each layer. Used this way, tephrochronology is an age-equivalent dating method.

year: 2011

title: Effects of raised safety platforms (RSPs) on travel time and traffic delay at roundabouts

authors: Singh, Dharmendra

subjects: Raised Safety Platform

abstract: Raised safety platforms (RSPs) are vertical deflection devices that utilise vertical acceleration to slow vehicle operating speeds down to safe systems-compliant speeds. These devices are not as jarring for drivers as a traditional judder bar and are specifically designed for motorist comfort when traveling at a safe and appropriate speed. RSPs have been specifically identified through the Austroads Guide to Traffic Management and New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Standard Safety Intervention Toolkit as a key safe systems safety intervention.

RSPs are also part of best practice guidance and are designed to slow vehicle speeds enough so that when people make mistakes, they have time to react and avoid a crash. If a crash were still to happen it is kinetic impact energy which determines the severity outcome of a crash is lower. At lower speeds the likelihood of a death or serious injury occurring as a result is drastically reduced.

Safe Systems is a road safety philosophy that requires industry practitioners to provide a more forgiving road system reducing the harm to the human body in the event of a crash. Safe systems have four key pillars safe roads and roadside, safe speeds, safe vehicles, and safe road users. Safe speeds are the areas within which RSPs sit.

Although there are proven safety benefits of RSPs through various literature sources there is still a common user perception that these devices cause a decrease in operational efficiency. Literature is also light on this topic and in cases where past literature is available, they seem to contradict with each other. Some user arguments are that RSPs create congestion at intersections resulting in an increased travel time.

The aim of this thesis report was to provide data-based clarity on the effects of the RSP on travel time and traffic delay at roundabouts to help clarify this area of knowledge gap. This report also seeks to understand effects on traffic speed, crashes, queue lengths, and LOS at roundabouts as a result of RSPs.

This report specifically focuses on roundabouts due to a lack of roundabout-related operational literature as the majority of RSP applications have been at signalised intersections. It should be noted that RSPs are still a new and emerging idea for Australia and New Zealand (NZ). RSPs are a widely used safety intervention in European countries such as the Netherlands.

Investigation in this paper has been done through a review of the literature and quantitative assessment of a sample of sites through microsimulation traffic modeling using Multimodal Traffic Simulation Software. Based on the findings of this paper it is identified that there is a negligible change in traffic delay and a decrease in travel time as a result of RSPs at roundabouts.

The findings of this research shows that RSPs create smoother traffic flow, and safer and better gap selection for vehicles entering a roundabout resulting in improved or the same efficiency for the intersection when compared to pre RSP operation. Some increases in queue lengths was evident on the approach to RSPs and this could relate to driver perception of an increase in congestion. There is no evidence from this paper that supports this as the overall LOS remains unchanged or is improved.

This paper also found that speeds dropped notably on approach to RSPs which resulted in a change in driver psychology where drivers were yielding more at the slower speed. Crash data also showed a decreasing trend in the number of crashes and their severity following RSP installation across all the sites studied. These finding also support past literature on RSP speed and crash reductions.

text: Effects of raised safety platforms (RSPs) on travel time and traffic delay at roundabouts Raised safety platforms (RSPs) are vertical deflection devices that utilise vertical acceleration to slow vehicle operating speeds down to safe systems-compliant speeds. These devices are not as jarring for drivers as a traditional judder bar and are specifically designed for motorist comfort when traveling at a safe and appropriate speed. RSPs have been specifically identified through the Austroads Guide to Traffic Management and New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Standard Safety Intervention Toolkit as a key safe systems safety intervention.

RSPs are also part of best practice guidance and are designed to slow vehicle speeds enough so that when people make mistakes, they have time to react and avoid a crash. If a crash were still to happen it is kinetic impact energy which determines the severity outcome of a crash is lower. At lower speeds the likelihood of a death or serious injury occurring as a result is drastically reduced.

Safe Systems is a road safety philosophy that requires industry practitioners to provide a more forgiving road system reducing the harm to the human body in the event of a crash. Safe systems have four key pillars safe roads and roadside, safe speeds, safe vehicles, and safe road users. Safe speeds are the areas within which RSPs sit.

Although there are proven safety benefits of RSPs through various literature sources there is still a common user perception that these devices cause a decrease in operational efficiency. Literature is also light on this topic and in cases where past literature is available, they seem to contradict with each other. Some user arguments are that RSPs create congestion at intersections resulting in an increased travel time.

The aim of this thesis report was to provide data-based clarity on the effects of the RSP on travel time and traffic delay at roundabouts to help clarify this area of knowledge gap. This report also seeks to understand effects on traffic speed, crashes, queue lengths, and LOS at roundabouts as a result of RSPs.

This report specifically focuses on roundabouts due to a lack of roundabout-related operational literature as the majority of RSP applications have been at signalised intersections. It should be noted that RSPs are still a new and emerging idea for Australia and New Zealand (NZ). RSPs are a widely used safety intervention in European countries such as the Netherlands.

Investigation in this paper has been done through a review of the literature and quantitative assessment of a sample of sites through microsimulation traffic modeling using Multimodal Traffic Simulation Software. Based on the findings of this paper it is identified that there is a negligible change in traffic delay and a decrease in travel time as a result of RSPs at roundabouts.

The findings of this research shows that RSPs create smoother traffic flow, and safer and better gap selection for vehicles entering a roundabout resulting in improved or the same efficiency for the intersection when compared to pre RSP operation. Some increases in queue lengths was evident on the approach to RSPs and this could relate to driver perception of an increase in congestion. There is no evidence from this paper that supports this as the overall LOS remains unchanged or is improved.

This paper also found that speeds dropped notably on approach to RSPs which resulted in a change in driver psychology where drivers were yielding more at the slower speed. Crash data also showed a decreasing trend in the number of crashes and their severity following RSP installation across all the sites studied. These finding also support past literature on RSP speed and crash reductions.

year: 2024

title: Kōauau auē, e auau tō au e! The Kōauau in Te Ao Māori.

authors: Komene, Jo'el

subjects: Kōauau

abstract: In recent years there has been a revival of interest in traditional Māori musical instruments, including the kōauau. This thesis studies kōauau informed by a Māori framework, giving weight to traditional Māori knowledge and practices, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of the instrument in its origins and its functions. The thesis defines the kōauau and how it is distinct from other taonga pūoro in its physical characteristics. It then presents the traditions associated with the kōauau which link its origins to the atua and their natural world, especially Raukatauri, together with other traditions from many rohe throughout Aotearoa.  The thesis describes the traditional tools and methods of construction, the role of atua in the construction process, materials used for kōauau, how they were embellished, and their use as adornments. The techniques for playing kōauau are analyzed, and there is a discussion of the occasions on which kōauau were played, and the purposes of performing on kōauau. The thesis also presents the texts of several traditional waiata kōauau. A number of traditional kōauau in storage at the Auckland Museum were able to be examined to confirm and extend documentary evidence about materials, construction methods, and embellishment. The discussion also comments on the quot;voicesquot; for those kōauau in the museum collection that could be sounded. The decline in kōauau performance during the twentieth century is outlined, and there is a summary of successful efforts in the later twentieth century to revive taonga pūoro, including kōauau. The thesis brings together in concise form much scattered information so that current and future performers with kōauau are able to give full consideration to its place in te ao Māori.

text: Kōauau auē, e auau tō au e! The Kōauau in Te Ao Māori. In recent years there has been a revival of interest in traditional Māori musical instruments, including the kōauau. This thesis studies kōauau informed by a Māori framework, giving weight to traditional Māori knowledge and practices, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of the instrument in its origins and its functions. The thesis defines the kōauau and how it is distinct from other taonga pūoro in its physical characteristics. It then presents the traditions associated with the kōauau which link its origins to the atua and their natural world, especially Raukatauri, together with other traditions from many rohe throughout Aotearoa.  The thesis describes the traditional tools and methods of construction, the role of atua in the construction process, materials used for kōauau, how they were embellished, and their use as adornments. The techniques for playing kōauau are analyzed, and there is a discussion of the occasions on which kōauau were played, and the purposes of performing on kōauau. The thesis also presents the texts of several traditional waiata kōauau. A number of traditional kōauau in storage at the Auckland Museum were able to be examined to confirm and extend documentary evidence about materials, construction methods, and embellishment. The discussion also comments on the quot;voicesquot; for those kōauau in the museum collection that could be sounded. The decline in kōauau performance during the twentieth century is outlined, and there is a summary of successful efforts in the later twentieth century to revive taonga pūoro, including kōauau. The thesis brings together in concise form much scattered information so that current and future performers with kōauau are able to give full consideration to its place in te ao Māori.

year: 2009