Transport Systems: Safety Modeling, Visions and Strategies

This reprint includes papers describing the synthesis of current theory and practice of planning, design, operation, and safety of modern transport, with special focus on future visions and strategies of transport sustainability, which will be of interest to scientists dealing with transport problems and generally involved in traffic engineering as well as design, traffic networks, and maintenance engineers

Learning in a Technology Enhanced World

Specht, M. (2009). Learning in a Technology Enhanced World: Context in Ubiquitous Learning Support. Inaugural Address. September, 11, 2009, Heerlen, The Netherlands: Open University of the Netherlands.In the following sections I will first outline what the current developments and trends in technology for the next five to ten years are and what their potential for enhancing learning is. OUN Second, I will describe how these developments and innovations already today influence the way we communicate, live, and learn. How the generation gap between digital natives and digital immigrants is leading to different perceptions of digital media and their use for learning and teaching. Third, I will outline some research on context and learning. I will describe examples of what I mean when I talk about context and I will give an overview of the usage of context in education and the key effects we can expect from contextualising technology enhancements for learning. What are the variables and design parameters we have to consider when we design contextualized learning in a technology enhanced world? In the fourth part I will introduce the model of ambient information channels that is a structuring metaphor for contextual learning technology. Last, I will highlight some key questions for a future research agenda in the field of contextual learning support and describe some research we are currently working on at the Centre of Learning Sciences and Technologies (CELSTEC) here at the Open University of the Netherlands

Sustainable | Sustaining City Streets

Streets are an integral part of every city on Earth. They channel the people, vehicles, and materials that help make urban life what it is. They are conduits for the oft-taken-for-granted infrastructures that carry fresh water, energy, and information, and that remove excess stormwater and waste. The very air that we breathe—fresh or foul—flows through our street canyons. That streets are the arteries of the city is, indeed, an apt metaphor. But city streets also function as a front yard, linear ecosystem, market, performance stage, and civic forum, among other duties. In their various forms, streets are places of interaction and exchange, from the everyday to the extraordinary. As the editors affirm, the more we scrutinize, share, and activate sustainable approaches to streets, the greater the likelihood that our streets will help sustain life in cities and, by extension, the planet. While diverse in subject, the papers in this volume are unified in seeing the city street as the complex, impactful, and pliable urban phenomenon that it is. Topics range from greenstreets to transit networks to pedestrian safety and walkability. Anyone seeking interdisciplinary perspectives on what makes for good city streets and street networks should find this book of interest

A profile of the elderly admitted to the emergency unit of Groote Schuur Hospital : with particular reference to their health care needs

This study is the first of its kind undertaken at Groote Schuur Hospital. It is an attempt to provide a holistic profile of their elderly patients with a view to encouraging further, more specific research, and to provide information for use in the planning of efficient health care for the aged. The study was based on three premises: (i) there is an interrelationship between the ageing process and disease; (ii) a non-disease-specific approach which focusses on the functional status of elderly patients can be used as a predictor of health services consumption; and (iii) any study which promotes understanding of the dynamics of health care of the elderly must also take into account the ageing process and its effect on a particular population within a specific social context. The research spanned 52 weeks (1 March 1989 - 27 February 1990). A sample of nine patients per week was selected from the total population of patients aged 65 and over admitted to the Emergency Unit of Groote Schuur Hospital. Two adult female researchers, using structured questionnaires, constructed in English and comprising subtests, utilising indexes and scales, interviewed respondents and/or household members in their own homes. Data was also obtained from the hospital files. Although essentially descriptive by nature, use was made of groups in regard to variables such as "first admission" (admission to the Emergency Unit), and "readmission" (a previous overnight admission in the preceding year). Statistical analysis, where indicated, was by means of non-parametric tests

Teaching Learners with Visual Impairment

This book, Teaching Learners with Visual Impairment, focuses on holistic support to learners with visual impairment in and beyond the classroom and school context. Special attention is given to classroom practice, learning support, curriculum differentiation and assessment practices, to mention but a few areas of focus covered in the book. In this manner, this book makes a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the implementation of inclusive education policy with learners affected by visual impairment

Green architecture and sustainability apllied on buildings evaluation systems for"blank" smart cities and "converted" smart cities

Tese de Doutoramento em Arquitetura, com a especialização em Tecnologias e Gestão da Construção apresentada na Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Doutora.O desenvolvimento sucessivo de Cidades Inteligentes pelo mundo, tem criado uma atitude negativa e prejudicial que resulta na dificuldade de atração de habitantes para estes espaços. As novas tecnologias não são suficientemente impulsionadoras para garantir uma taxa de adoção sustentável dentro destas novas cidades. O conceito de Cidades Inteligentes Climáticas visam resolver esta questão tendo em conta aspectos relacionados na base da habitabilidade e da sustentabilidade. Enquanto o papel da arquitetura nas Cidades Inteligentes Climáticas é ainda mais importante do que Cidades Inteligentes, os princípios que se encontram subjacentes na sua concepção e, em última instância, no seu sucesso, não foram ainda sistematicamente estudados e avaliadas. Este trabalho sistematiza e valida as necessidades de Cidades Inteligentes Climáticas e propõe um conjunto de princípios para a sua planificação, concepção e manutenção. As necessidades foram validadas com os casos de estudo da cidade de ‘Songdo City’ em Incheon, na Coreia do Sul, em Ulaanbaatar na Mongólia e em Minsk na Bielorrúsia. Com a definição dos princípios orientadores subjacentes à concepção de Cidades Inteligentes Climáticas, o quadro proposto permitirá que arquitetos, engenheiros, governos, e organizações internacionais afiram soluções a serem implementadas mundialmente. Estes princípios podem ser facilmente implementados em intervenções em cidades europeias, nas cidades emergentes e, em países subdesenvolvidos que estão sujeitos a um mau planeamento estratégico.ABSTRACT: Successive deployments of Smart Cities around the world are hindered by the difficulty in attracting a critical mass of inhabitants. New technology is not enough as a driver to guarantee a sustained adoption rate within the new cities. The concept of Climate Smart City aims at solving this issue by putting aspects related to liveability and sustainability at the centre. While the role of architecture in Climate Smart Cities is even more important than in Smart Cities, the principles that underlie their design and, ultimately, their success, have never been systematically studied and assessed. This research work systematises and validates the needs of Climate Smart Cities and then proposes a framework of principles for their planning, design and maintenance. The needs are validated with field studies of Songdo City in Incheon, South Korea, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Minsk, Belarus. By defining the guiding principles underlying the design of Climate Smart Cities, the proposed framework will also enable architects, engineers, decision-makers and, international organisations to benchmark the solutions to be implemented. These principles can be readily implemented in interventions planned for European cities, emerging cities and, underdeveloped cities subject to poorly strategic planning.N/

Developing an effective speed limit compliance intervention for Nigerian drivers: A study of drivers who work in a fleet company with strong safety culture

Travelling at illegal and/or inappropriate speed continues to be the single biggest factor in road traffic crashes and fatalities in Nigeria. Existing evidence suggests that drivers, particularly those who work in companies with a strong safety culture exhibit different sets of speeding attitudes and behaviours in work and private driving. This research is based on the premise stated above, and the lack of speed-related research in Nigeria. Using Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB: Ajzen, 1991), this thesis investigates the socio-cognitive determinants of speeding behaviour of drivers’ in their work and personal vehicles. It also sought to test and evaluate the efficacy of two speed limit compliance interventions on driver behaviour and safety. Using a multi-method approach, four independent but related studies were carried out. Study 1, a qualitative study hinged on the TPB, elicited the salient beliefs drivers’ held towards speeding. Study 2, a quantitative study inspired by the TPB was used to investigate differences in drivers’ attitudes, and self-reported behaviour in their work and private vehicles. It also measured the effects of the interventions on the TPB constructs. Study 3, an experimental study, tested the efficacy of a smartphone-based advisory Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) application, and TPB-based Speed Awareness Course (SAC) on drivers’ speed choice. Study 4, a prospective survey, examines the acceptability of ISA using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT: Venkatesh et al., 2003). The results provided greater understanding into a range of salient beliefs influencing the speeding behaviour of Nigerian drivers which are peculiar to the socio-cultural context. The findings show the TPB model explained up to 24% of the variance in Intention to comply with speed limits. As predicted, participants reported a higher Intention to comply with speed limits in their work than private vehicle. Drivers’ attitude emerged as the most significant predictor and strongest correlate with Intentions to comply with the speed limit in both work and private vehicle. The TPB was also applied to evaluate changes in drivers’ speeding cognition following experience with the ISA and the speed awareness course. There was no evidence of any substantial changes to any of the TPB constructs following short-term experience with the ISA, and speed awareness course. Also, investigation of the relationship between TPB variables and observed speeding behaviour suggests that higher levels of drivers’ Intentions toward speed limit compliance and Strong Perceived Behavioural Control are correlated with lower levels of objectively measured speeding behaviour. Further, the dichotomous groups of low Intenders and high Intenders had significant differences in their observed speed, with the former more likely to engage in speed limit violations. Findings from the ISA and SAC intervention with regards to speed choice and safety revealed significant reductions in speed violation, reduced mean speeds, and speed variability. The findings have important theoretical and applied implications for the development of better speed limit compliance interventions to improve driving behaviour, and general road safety

SPARC 2018 Internationalisation and collaboration : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2018 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the launch of our Doctoral School, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 100 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to take up this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas from your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers