Protection of soft targets - verification of the effectiveness of the anti-terrorist barrier

The security of the population and its protection in the context of terrorist attacks is currently one of the major topics of the professional public and security forces. A number of attacks in the last decade have targeted soft targets, which, according to a generally valid definition, can be considered as places with a high concentration of people and a low level of security against violent attacks. In order to ensure maximum effectiveness in protecting soft targets, a number of procedures and methodologies have been developed to determine appropriate measures and their appropriate application. From a technical point of view, these include mechanical barrier systems and elements. It is mechanical barrier elements that are the focus of this article, which uses a selected specific device to present its function, its possible applications, and the issue of testing before use in practice

Dynamic tests of the protective and security barrier system probar

The purpose of this paper is to present a series of dynamic tests for testing the protective and security barrier of the PROBAR system, developed by STRIX Chomutov, a.s., according to the PAS 68:2013 standard. The goal of the tests was to assess how the obstacle resist impacts and whether it can absorb the energy exerted on it. Verification of the mechanical properties of the device was performed in two types of impact configurations. Emphasis was placed on the behaviour of both the obstacle and the vehicle during the impact and in the short time interval after the collision. In terms of criteria for evaluating the impact tests, it can be stated that Test 2 exceeded the Theoretical Head Impact Velocity (THIV) criterion by 20 km h−1, while Test 1 did not exceed the limit value. However, all values for other criteria (ASI, PHD, HIC, 3ms) were within the specified limits, and the safety barrier met the required criteria which allows to be certificated

Application of ontology/conceptual modelling in the context of risk identification at level crossings

This conference paper discusses a new analytical approach to the evaluation of traffic safety at the railway crossings. The new method is based on the use of ontological principles. The ontological tools present a comprehensive decision-making tool, will can be applied to any potential hazardous railway crossing on a road or rail network. The ontology can be considered as a knowledge base that not only stores the data itself, but also defines the relationships between these data, and can therefore be described as a clearly suitable tool for describing risks at level crossings

Protection of soft targets - verification of the effectiveness of the anti-terrorist barrier

The security of the population and its protection in the context of terrorist attacks is currently one of the major topics of the professional public and security forces. A number of attacks in the last decade have targeted soft targets, which, according to a generally valid definition, can be considered as places with a high concentration of people and a low level of security against violent attacks. In order to ensure maximum effectiveness in protecting soft targets, a number of procedures and methodologies have been developed to determine appropriate measures and their appropriate application. From a technical point of view, these include mechanical barrier systems and elements. It is mechanical barrier elements that are the focus of this article, which uses a selected specific device to present its function, its possible applications, and the issue of testing before use in practice

Dynamic tests of the protective and security barrier system probar

The purpose of this paper is to present a series of dynamic tests for testing the protective and security barrier of the PROBAR system, developed by STRIX Chomutov, a.s., according to the PAS 68:2013 standard. The goal of the tests was to assess how the obstacle resist impacts and whether it can absorb the energy exerted on it. Verification of the mechanical properties of the device was performed in two types of impact configurations. Emphasis was placed on the behaviour of both the obstacle and the vehicle during the impact and in the short time interval after the collision. In terms of criteria for evaluating the impact tests, it can be stated that Test 2 exceeded the Theoretical Head Impact Velocity (THIV) criterion by 20 km h−1, while Test 1 did not exceed the limit value. However, all values for other criteria (ASI, PHD, HIC, 3ms) were within the specified limits, and the safety barrier met the required criteria which allows to be certificated

Using the Eye Tracking Method to Determine the Risk of Advertising Devices on Drivers’ Cognitive Perception

The paper focuses on road safety assessment. The main objective was to assess the impact of different types and sizes of advertising devices as a potential distraction for drivers. Distraction of driver’s attention in real traffic was evaluated using the “Wiener Fahrprobe” structured observation method. As a method for reliable data collection, the eye tracking method was used to accurately define the time delay caused by the observation of the advertising device. As part of the assessment of the direct impact on drivers, test runs were carried out with 40 drivers on a pre-defined section of road on which different types of advertising devices were present. As an additional, supporting measurement, a vehicle simulator was also used. From the obtained knowledge it was possible to create a unique classification system that can be used to assess the severity of any installed advertising device in general. In the case of distraction, it was found that dynamic advertising devices attract the most attention than conventional static devices and appear to be a significant risk to road safety

Dynamic tests of the culvert face within crashtests

Severity of a vehicle impact into solid obstacles alongside  the road can be annually illustrated through accident statistics. One example of such solid obstacles is drainage ditch culvert faces. Within the research at the Faculty of Transportation Sciences of the Czech Technical University new equipment has been designed in a form of a modular system of the drainage ditch culvert faces construction. The qualities of this equipment have been tested by means of crash tests with a passenger vehicle Škoda Fabia making use of criteria of biomechanical endurance of the vehicle passengers. The results have been compared with the test carried out by means of a vehicle crash into concrete culvert faces