Getting that Sinking Feeling: Analysis and Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Three National Parks along the East Coast, USA

Due to global climate change, sea level rise (SLR) has become a threat for future generations, but the extent of this danger is unknown. To help understand the possible effects of SLR on the east coast of the United States, we studied three national parks: Acadia National Park (ACAD), Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS) and Everglades National Park (EVER). We predicted that ACAD would be less affected by SLR than ASIS and EVER due to the construction of its beach profile. By measuring the beach profile, we found that Sand Beach in ACAD was reflective with an average slope of 3.2 cm/m while South Ocean Beach in ASIS had an intermediate morphology with an average slope of 1.57 cm/m. The Snake Bight Channel beach in EVER was dissipative and had no slope. Using historical Landsat imagery from 1984 to 2016, we estimated that ACAD’s water area increased by 1.61%, that ASIS’s water area increased by 2.47%, and that the EVER’s water area decreased by 0.22% between 1992 and 2011. Using RCP scenarios from the latest IPCC report, we estimated future inundation levels in each park along with the percent change between the best and worst-case scenarios. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, ACAD had 1.36 km2 of inundation, ASIS had 37.11 km2, and EVER had 366.47 km2. ACAD had the highest percent change between the worst and best RCP scenario at 15.70%. ASIS had a slightly smaller percent change at 14.25% and EVER had even less at 10.42%. This study suggests that continued SLR will cause national parks billions of dollars in property damage and the loss of their inherent ecological value

A Descriptive Analysis Of Factors Contributing To Bus Drivers’ Performances While Driving: A Case Study In Malaysia

This paper presents the factors contributing to a bus driver’s performance. A bus driver’s performance is important in ensuring the smoothness and safety of a journey. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population was the bus drivers along the east coast of Malaysia (Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan). The data for the research was collected by using a questionnaire

Conceptual design of semi-automatic wheelbarrow to overcome ergonomics problems among palm oil plantation workers

An ergonomics problem is one of the main issues faced by palm oil plantation workers especially during harvesting and collecting of fresh fruit bunches (FFB).Intensive manual handling and labor activities involved have been associated with high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among palm oil plantation workers.New and safe technology on machines and equipment in palm oil plantation are very important in order to help workers reduce risks and injuries while working. The aim of this research is to improve the design of a wheelbarrow, which is suitable for workers and a small size oil palm plantation.The wheelbarrow design was drawn using CATIA ergonomic features. The characteristic of ergonomics assessment is performed by comparing the existing design of wheelbarrow. Conceptual design was developed based on the problems that have been reported by workers. From the analysis of the problem, finally have resulting concept design the ergonomic quality of semi-automatic wheelbarrow with safe and suitable used for palm oil plantation workers

A Study on Lean Manufacturing Implementation in Malaysian Automotive Component Industry

Lean manufacturing is an extended version of the Toyota Production System (TPS). It was highlighted as the best practice in the 21st century. Therefore, top and senior management in manufacturing firms are encouraged to adopt and adapt lean principles and practices in running their respective firms. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the extent of lean manufacturing perception and implementation in the Malaysian automotive component industry. A survey questionnaire was developed to collect top and senior management views with respect to their perception, judgement and opinion on twenty four lean manufacturing (LM) practices. This preliminary survey was conducted at 30 Malaysian automotive component manufacturing firms. The survey results show that a large majority of respondents have a high perception of the importance of lean manufacturing practices. However, it was found that their actual LM implementation is still on the low side. In this study, the non-parametric test was used to analyze the level of perception and implementation of the twenty four LM practices. The analysis of the survey results revealed that there are significant differences between the level of perception of the importance of LM practices and their actual implementation

Lean Manufacturing Perceptions and Actual Practice Among Malaysian SME’s in Automotive Industry

Stiff business challenges and product competition faced by automotive component manufacturers has forced them to look into lean manufacturing (LM). Presently there are more than 100 LM practices. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are not able to implement all LM practices due to financial, expertise and skill constraints. Therefore, in this study the authors investigated the level of perception and actual practice within 24 LM practices, regarding actions believed feasible to be implemented in SMEs. In addition, the authors gathered LM information sources, reasons for implementing LM and its benefits to SMEs. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 35 SMEs involves in manufacturing automotive components. The majority of SMEs have a high perception of the importance of LM practices but in reality are not undertaking them. The SMEs mainly received their LM information from their customers, and they strongly believe that LM practices could improve their long-term business sustainability and competitiveness in the market place

Critical success factors for implementing lean manufacturing in Malaysian automotive industry

The challenges faced by automotive manufacturers had made them looked into Lean Manufacturing (LM) which was implemented by Toyota Motor a long time ago. In Malaysia, the two main car manufacturers are PROTON and PERODUA; these two manufacturers offer good opportunity to large local companies and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the automotive component manufacturing industry. The main objective of this study is to explore and investigate the level of perceptions on the importance and extent of practice with respect to 13 Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for LM implementation. To perform this study, a survey instrument that consists of 13 CSFs and 78 items was developed and distributed to local companies. The comparison was carried out on each of these CSFs based on perception, number of years and company size. The statistical analysis using the Kruskal Wallis test had identified four basic critical success factors for both SMEs and large companies with respect to the perception on the importance and extent of practice. Further study probes into the outcomes of the exploration on feasible LM practices

Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Of Malaysian Taxi Drivers

During their whole working time, taxi drivers are usually seated. Additionally, longterm exposure to whole-body vibration while driving may lead to diseases and adverse health conditions such as lower-back pain. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between measurable whole-body vibration and lower-back pain. This study was conducted on two highways: Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway and the North– South Highway. A tri-axial seat accelerometer was placed at the point of contact between the driver and the seat pad. The assessment of whole-body vibration measurement is according to ISO 2631-1. Excessive whole-body vibration has been evidenced as leading to lower-back pain. Taxi drivers are recommended to drive no more than the allowable exposure limit. In this study, the whole-body vibration does not exceed the allowable exposure limit. Therefore, the taxi drivers in this study do not have lower back pain

The Taguchi Approach in Optimizing Environmental Factors Affecting Productivity in the Automotive Industry

The objective of this study is to determine the dominance effects of environmental factors such as illuminance, humidity and WBGT on operators’ productivity in the Malaysian automotive industry. A case study was carried out at an automotive components assembly factory. The environmental factors examined were the illuminance (lux), humidity and WBGT of the surrounding workstation area. Two sets of representative data including the illuminance, humidity and WBGT level and production rate were collected during the study. The production rate data were collected through observations and survey questionnaires while the illuminance level was measured using photometer model RS 180-7133, and the humidity and WBGT level were measured by using Quest Temp apparatus and humidity. The Taguchi method was utilized to find the sequence of dominant factors that contributed to the productivity of the operator at that specified production workstation. The study reveals that the dominant factor that contributed to the productivity was humidity, followed by illuminance and WBGT

Bio-mechanics analysis of instep kicking among Malaysian football players

In Malaysia, football (soccer) is becoming more professional. Past studies showed that the main cause of low quality games among Malaysian football players is lack of good kicking technique. Instep kicking technique is frequently used for a short, accurate passing and for shooting a goal. Generally, the instep kick uses the shoe laces to strike the ball. The three main objectives of this study were to investigate: influence of approach angle; distance of supporting leg from the ball; and ball internal pressure. These aspects were found to have a significant effect on the average angular velocity of the knee on the kicking leg. Six subjects using dominant right leg and free from any injury were selected to take part in this study. Data collection was performed by taking pictures using 3-D video focusing at the lower body part (i.e. from waist to ankle). Markers were attached to the lower part of the body, prior to the subject making a kick. Results of the study were calculated by using Response Surface method (RSM), which showed three parameters, namely: approach angle, distance of the supporting leg from the ball and the ball internal pressure have significant effects in producing high quality instep kick. The best results were generated by RSM for 53.6 approach angle, 8.8 cm distance of supporting leg from the, 0.9 bar internal ball pressure, and the knee angular velocity at 779 deg/s

Optimization of temperature level to enhance worker performance in automotive industry

Problem statement: Production of automotive parts is among the largest contributor to economic earnings in Malaysia. The dominant work involve in producing automotive part were manual assembly process. Where it is definitely used a manpower capability. Thus the quality of the product heavily depends on worker's comfort in the working condition. Temperature is one of the environmental factors that give significant effect on the worker performance. Approach: Temperature level and productivity rate were observed in automotive factory. An automotive manufacturing firm was chosen to observe the temperature level and worker's productivity rate. The data were analyzed using Artificial Neural Network's analysis (ANN). ANN analysis technique is usual analysis method used to form the best linear relationship from the collected data. Results: It is apparent from the linear relationship, that the optimum value of production (value≈1) attained when temperature value (WBGT) is 24.5°C. Conclusion: Optimum value production rate (value≈1) for one manual production line in that particular company is successfully achieved. Through ANN method, the optimum temperature level for the optimum manual workers' performance manage to be predicted