An investigation of the distribution of gaze estimation errors in head mounted gaze trackers using polynomial functions

Second order polynomials are commonly used for estimating the point-of-gaze in head-mounted eye trackers. Studies in remote (desktop) eye trackers show that although some non-standard 3rd order polynomial models could provide better accuracy, high-order polynomials do not necessarily provide better results. Different than remote setups though, where gaze is estimated over a relatively narrow field-of-view surface (e.g. less than 30x20 degrees on typical computer displays), head-mounted gaze trackers (HMGT) are often desired to cover a relatively wider field-of-view to make sure that the gaze is detected in the scene image even for extreme eye angles. In this paper we investigate the behavior of the gaze estimation error distribution throughout the image of the scene camera when using polynomial functions. Using simulated scenarios, we describe effects of four different sources of error: interpolation, extrapolation, parallax, and radial distortion. We show that the use of third order polynomials result in more accurate gaze estimates in HMGT, and that the use of wide angle lenses might be beneficial in terms of error reduction

Failure mechanisms in alloy of polyamide 6,6/polyphenylene oxide under severe conditions

Toughening mechanisms of a polyamide 6,6/polyphenylene oxide alloy containing an elastomer tested under a slow rate, an impact rate, and a low temperature have been investigated using various microscopy techniques. It is found that the toughening mechanisms of the alloy may change from crazing/shear yielding, to crack bridging/crazing, and to transparticle failure, depending on the testing conditions. Except for the low temperature high strain rate testing condition and in the plane stress region of the crack, the crazing mechanism has been observed in all the conditions we studied. When the testing rate is high, the shear yielding mechanism is suppressed; multiple crazing and particle bridging mechanisms appear to dominate.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44700/1/10853_2004_Article_BF00557130.pd

High load transit line passenger transmission and productiveness efficiencies

Performance of urban transit systems may be quantified and assessed using transit capacity and productive capacity in planning, design and operational management activities. Bunker (4) defines important productive performance measures of an individual transit service and transit line, which are extended in this paper to quantify efficiency and operating fashion of transit services and lines. Comparison of a hypothetical bus line’s operation during a morning peak hour and daytime hour demonstrates the usefulness of productiveness efficiency and passenger transmission efficiency, passenger churn and average proportion line length traveled to the operator in understanding their services’ and lines’ productive performance, operating characteristics, and quality of service. Productiveness efficiency can flag potential pass-up activity under high load conditions, as well as ineffective resource deployment. Proportion line length traveled can directly measure operating fashion. These measures can be used to compare between lines/routes and, within a given line, various operating scenarios and time horizons to target improvements. The next research stage is investigating within-line variation using smart card passenger data and field observation of pass-ups. Insights will be used to further develop practical guidance to operators