http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/transportation_science/ Transportation Research. From designing the best transportation systems to improving drivers' speed and safety, find research on transportation science here. en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:02 EST Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/transportation_science/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214151144.htm A new study suggests that two influential early studies of cellphone use and crash risk may have overestimated the relative risk of conversation on cellphones while driving. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214151144.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214144758.htm The path of least emissions may not always be the fastest way to drive somewhere. But according to new research, it's possible for drivers to cut their tailpipe emissions without significantly slowing travel time. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214144758.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208173716.htm Shifting a fraction of truck-borne freight onto trains would have an outsized impact on air quality in the Midwest, according to researchers. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208173716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121022.htm The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards create a financial incentive for auto companies to make bigger vehicles that are allowed to meet lower targets, according to a new study. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121022.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130120106.htm Researchers have developed an algorithm that predicts which cars are likeliest to run lights at intersections. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130120106.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103122425.htm Researchers have developed a sensor system integrated into the steering wheel that can monitor the driver's state of health while driving. The driver can use his time behind the wheel for a minor health check. The device might also be used to recognize the onset fainting spells or heart attacks. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:24:24 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103122425.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031121219.htm Researchers have developed a traffic simulator that takes into account real parking policies, the habits of urban drivers, and the movements of traffic inspectors to identify strategies for improvement and test the impact of parking policy changes before they're implemented. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031121219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011112809.htm The end of a California program granting free access to carpool lanes by solo drivers of hybrid cars has unintentionally slowed traffic in all lanes, according to a new report. It turns out that when regular-use lanes became more congested with the addition of more hybrids, the carpool lanes slowed down as well. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011112809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005110229.htm At the push of a button by the driver, control units download the car manufacturer's new software -- such as enhanced map material for the navigation system. To ensure that this data channel is protected from hacker attack, the system needs the right cryptographic key. To date, these keys have been stored in each one of a vehicle's electronic control units. Thanks to a new form of trust anchor, this will be simpler and more economical in the future. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005110229.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920095258.htm Researchers from Berlin traveled 80 km in total as passengers during a test drive of their autonomous car "MadeInGermany" over the weekend. The car is driven by computers - the safety driver behind the steering wheel only monitors the car's behavior. The autonomous car is a conventional VW Passat modified for "drive by wire." Electronic commands from the computer are passed directly to the accelerator, the brakes, and the steering wheel of the vehicle. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:52:52 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920095258.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912144242.htm A new study finds that helicopters that service the drilling platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico crash on average more than six times per year resulting in an average of five deaths per year. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912144242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912143550.htm Researchers have developed SAFEPED, a computer simulation that integrates robots and driver statistics to identify traffic "black spots" and allows traffic planners to analyze and fix dangerous intersections. Based on a theory of human cognition, SAFEPED is far more true-to-life than other computer traffic models. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912143550.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110822121718.htm Efforts to improve traffic safety have been aided by mathematical models that allow researchers to better assess those factors that impact the degree of injury suffered as a result of traffic crashes, researchers say. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110822121718.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110804133602.htm Flashing signal lamps and unfamiliar control elements tend to worry car drivers. Scientists in Germany in cooperation with engineers at Audi AG have developed an Avatar-based Virtual Co-driver System (AviCoS) to support the driver with explicit information on the vehicle in a natural-language dialog -- supported by images and videos -- making cumbersome paging through owner's manuals a thing of the past. Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110804133602.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110728220435.htm Researchers have used drivers' brain signals, for the first time, to assist in braking, providing much quicker reaction times and a potential solution to the thousands of car accidents that are caused by human error. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:04:04 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110728220435.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204412.htm The deployment of speed cameras in urban areas saves vast amounts of money as well as lives, reveals a two-year financial analysis. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727204412.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726111112.htm Scientists have developed a computational model for analyzing the metabolic processes in rapeseed plants -- particularly those related to the production of oils in their seeds. Their goal is to find ways to optimize the production of plant oils that have widespread potential as renewable resources for fuel and industrial chemicals. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726111112.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110725123551.htm Driver-assistance systems help prevent accidents. Quite simply, the more a car knows about its surroundings, the more intelligently it can respond to them. Researchers have now developed an optical sensor for the windshield that can even tell the difference between fog and darkness. Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110725123551.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110708082614.htm If people had access to a fully-fledged system to help them navigate public transport, it could persuade many drivers to switch to their local trains, buses and trams. Researchers in Germany are busy developing an application that will enable passengers to use a cell phone to navigate their way through the public transport network. Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110708082614.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630131826.htm Researchers have produced a map of Edmonton, in the western Canadian province of Alberta, predicting the most likely locations where vehicles will collide with deer. These collisions can be fatal for drivers and their passengers. The hot spots for deer vs. vehicle collisions virtually encircle Edmonton along the city limit, border line. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630131826.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110627095457.htm They see more than the naked eye and could make traffic safer: miniaturized thermal imaging sensors. But they are difficult to manufacture on a commercial scale. Researchers have now developed a new system. On it, special micro-electromechanical systems can be produced – with the correct etching technique. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110627095457.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621093313.htm Driver assistance technologies, such as adaptive cruise control and automatic braking, promise to someday ease traffic on crowded routes and prevent accidents. Proving that these automated systems will work as intended is a daunting task, but computer scientists have now demonstrated it is possible to verify the safety of these highly complex systems. Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621093313.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110617080818.htm A new device developed in Spain allows people with reduced mobility or weakness in the upper torso to drive a vehicle using only one hand. Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:08:08 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110617080818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110614203947.htm Since 2000, there have been 110 million car accidents in the United States, more than 443,000 of which have been fatal -- an average of 110 fatalities per day. These statistics make traffic accidents one of the leading causes of death in this country, as well as worldwide. More progress must be made to achieve the long-term goal of "intelligent transportation": cars that can "see" and communicate with other vehicles on the road, making them able to prevent crashes virtually 100 percent of the time. Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110614203947.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531101023.htm Averting chaos in Europe’s skies will require replacing systems that are up to 50 years old. Air traffic throughout Europe is being reorganized to meet the challenges ahead. Whereas pilots currently communicate verbally with air traffic controllers, this information will be digitalized in the future. One purpose is to make the information available to multiple user groups, such as ground crews. Passengers may see prices drop a bit, and find that their journeys take less time overall thanks to the new technology. Tue, 31 May 2011 10:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531101023.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511111957.htm Less accidents, less fuel consumption, and less traffic jams: Autonomous, computer-controlled vehicles have many advantages in road traffic. In particular, if many cars join to form long convoys. Ten research groups are meeting in Holland to test convoy driving without drivers on an about six-kilometer-long motorway section in the Grand Cooperative Driving Challenge. Wed, 11 May 2011 11:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110511111957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110510141435.htm Statisticians used new methods to looks at how demolishing Seattle's waterfront thoroughfare would affect commuters. They found that relying on surface streets would likely have less impact on travel times than previously reported, and that effects on commute times are highly uncertain. Tue, 10 May 2011 14:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110510141435.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406132022.htm Around 20 percent of trucks on German roads are traveling empty, at a huge cost to the transportation companies concerned. Also from an ecological and traffic-management standpoint, it would be better if such journeys could be avoided. A new auction platform aims to improve truck space utilization. Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406132022.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110328093103.htm The first satellites of the the European navigation system Galileo are to be in position in the year 2012 and start their work. Fraunhofer Galileo Labs are showcasing the first applications that use new, improved possibilities provided by satellite navigation. Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110328093103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110218083711.htm Computer scientists have developed a system making it possible to steer a car with your thoughts. Using new commercially available sensors to measure brain waves -- sensors for recording electroencephalograms (EEG) -- the scientists were able to distinguish the bioelectrical wave patterns for control commands such as "left," "right," "accelerate" or "brake" in a test subject. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110218083711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216110853.htm Researchers have developed the "Service Oriented Timetable," an application to intelligently manage the variables involved in metropolitan train travel. In simulations on the Israel Railway, the application shaved 12 minutes off a typical 60-minute journey. Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:08:08 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216110853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207161845.htm Ever wonder how much fuel you can save by avoiding stop-and-go traffic, closing your window, not using air conditioning or coasting toward stops? Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:18:18 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207161845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207073942.htm Every time a car brakes, energy is generated. At present this energy is not used, but new research shows that it is perfectly possible to save it for later use in the form of compressed air. It can then provide extra power to the engine when the car is started and save fuel by avoiding idle operation when the car is at a standstill. Mon, 07 Feb 2011 07:39:39 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207073942.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110204130315.htm In Spain, it is relatively common to come across gas stations surrounded by houses, particularly in urban areas. Researchers have studied the effects of contamination at gas stations that is potentially harmful to health, which can be noted in buildings less than 100 meters from the service stations. Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110204130315.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201101734.htm Road traffic is one of the main sources of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere, above all when the weather situation favors the creation of winter smog. Vehicle tailpipe emissions are responsible for just less than half of the fine particles, however. The majority of this pollutant is produced by mechanical wear and resuspension of dust due to air turbulence from passing vehicles, as a study by atmospheric scientists has shown. Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201101734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110131133325.htm Municipal "bike-sharing" is increasingly popular, but there have been growing pains -- partly because the projects have been so successful. Researchers are developing a software solution to improve the efficiency of this environmentally friendly transportation innovation. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110131133325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119120542.htm Vehicular traffic flow has been tackled by mathematicians, engineers and physicists alike. Mathematical approaches to study traffic are usually based on the speed, density and flow of vehicles on roadways. Mathematicians now propose a mathematical model of vehicular traffic based on a moving bottleneck caused by a slow-moving vehicle within the flow of cars. Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:05:05 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119120542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110113131444.htm Older drivers could benefit from training programs that put them behind the wheel -- in a driving simulator, with an observer who helps them develop their skills, according to a new article. Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110113131444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110110103741.htm The so-called "superstreet" traffic design results in significantly faster travel times, and leads to a drastic reduction in automobile collisions and injuries, according to researchers who have conducted the largest-ever study of superstreets and their impacts. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110110103741.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110106092034.htm Driving convertible cars with the top open at speeds exceeding 88.5 kilometres per hour (55 miles per hour) may put drivers at increased risk of noise-induced hearing loss, according to new research. Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110106092034.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101216073304.htm Scientists are developing an automated and robust traffic surveillance system, which could make road travel across Europe safer for all. Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101216073304.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101129131809.htm The "synthetic breath" which helps to thoroughly test each newly developed evidential breath analyzer can now be produced even more precisely. The newly developed generator can also be used to produce gas mixtures with other components, for instance, acetone or carbon dioxide, to calibrate appropriate sensors. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:18:18 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101129131809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101123174508.htm Vancouver residents and visitors set records for sustainable travel during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, more than doubling the number of trips typically taken by public transit, biking or walking, according to a new study completed for the City of Vancouver. Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:45:45 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101123174508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116103422.htm The United States is missing significant opportunities to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, and could save lives by implementing a more rigorous, comprehensive program that adopts successful safety practices from other countries, says a new report. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:34:34 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116103422.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101106082635.htm Each year over 40,000 people are killed on Europe’s roads, and 1.7 million injured. The partners of MEDEA+ project CARING CARS aim to drive down these chilling statistics with an innovative system comprising in-car sensors and a wireless infrastructure, capable of monitoring the vital signs of drivers and passengers and sounding an alert if there is a problem linked for example to driver’s fatigue. Sat, 06 Nov 2010 08:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101106082635.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101028074041.htm Police surveillance of seatbelt compliance and speeding is getting a boost thanks to the development of new test equipment by Finnish researchers. Developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the equipment also measures distance between vehicles, road surface condition and calculates traffic emissions. Thu, 28 Oct 2010 07:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101028074041.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101021152347.htm A team of scientists has examined the energy consumption trends of communications equipment in use today and determined that gains in energy efficiency are not keeping pace with traffic growth. One consequence is that energy is going to become an increasingly important problem for communication networks. Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101021152347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101013083307.htm Car drivers must be able to react quickly to hazards on the road at all times. Dashboard-mounted cameras help keep drivers alert. Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101013083307.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101012101924.htm Acoustic specialists have developed a computer model which allows them to calculate noise levels along the entire Swiss rail network. The program describes how much sound is radiated and how it is attenuated. The results will one day show in high precision where residents are particularly exposed to noise and what abatement measures will be most effective in protecting them. Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101012101924.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007132234.htm In research that may surprise off-road riding enthusiasts and safety experts, researchers have found that crashes involving ATVs -- four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles -- are significantly more dangerous than crashes involving two-wheeled off-road motorcycles, such as those used in extreme sports like Motocross. Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007132234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007132012.htm The streets of New York City can be dangerous for bicyclists, but they can be especially risky for young adult male bicyclists who don't wear helmets, have too much to drink, or are listening to music through earphones, a group of investigators report. Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007132012.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101006085231.htm Placing speed cameras on roads reduces the number of road traffic injuries and deaths, concludes a team of researchers from Australia. Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:52:52 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101006085231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101004101903.htm Researchers have designed a real application for maritime surveillance that is able to integrate and unify the information from different types of sensors and data in context through artificial intelligence and data fusion techniques. Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101004101903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100927083819.htm If drivers are yakking on cell phones and don't hear spoken instructions to turn left or right from a passenger or navigation system, they still can get directions from devices that are mounted on the steering wheel and pull skin on the driver's index fingertips left or right, a study found. The study may lead to new navigation devices for motorists, hearing-impaired drivers and blind pedestrians. Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100927083819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100921084744.htm A little green van called ELVIN is whizzing around the University of Warwick as part of a major research project aimed at tackling the safety issues linked to the lack of sound from electric vehicles. Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100921084744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100915094416.htm A new patent may revolutionize traffic control, saving fuel, reducing travel times and emissions, and doing it all without limiting drivers' mobility. This truly "green" idea will have drivers waiting less and help us preserve our environment. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100915094416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901132235.htm Passengers who fly in Developing World countries face 13 times the risk of being killed in an air accident as passengers in the First World. The more economically advanced countries in the Developing World have better overall safety records than the others, but even their death risk per flight is seven times as high as that in First World countries. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901132235.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816095613.htm Gone are the days of basic, glaring lights inside cars to help us find our seatbelts or scramble for a map. Taking cues from research in buildings and offices, today's car designers have started to incorporate gentle ambient interior lighting, potentially enhancing night driving safety as well is increasing the feel good factor about vehicle interiors, according to new research. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816095613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100810151030.htm Scientists are improving the sensitivity of MEMS accelerometers by using an efficient yet simple and manufacturable design, which can be applied in sport, communication, transportation and defense. Amplification techniques developed at his lab can be used for improving the performance of these devices. Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100810151030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100804110212.htm While Americans are much more likely to die on rural highways than urban freeways, a new survey found that they feel much more relaxed and prone to risk-taking on rural highways. Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100804110212.htm