Impact of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems on Urban Traffic Network Conditions

This research deals with the investigation of the advanced driver assistance systems impact on urban traffic network conditions through the use of a traffic network simulation model. Information obtained through microscopic simulation was used as input to a network traffic simulation and assignment model (SATURN). SATURN was applied to the road network of the greater Athens area in an attempt to investigate the impact of two ADAS systems [variable speed limiter (VSL) and adaptive cruise control (ACC)] for different combinations of flow and market penetration levels. It was observed that the ADA systems' impact increases proportionally with the market penetration of these systems and that as traffic flow level increases, the average speed increase becomes smaller (when all other parameters remain unchanged). Furthermore, it appears that ACC offers better network efficiency results than VSL (up to twice as significant) and the benefits of a combined ACC and VSL system are only marginally better than the ACC system alone. The proposed methodology and the related findings can support system developers and policy makers in the process of further ADAS development and promotion

The long road to automated trucking: Insights from driver focus groups

With the rapid progress of automated driving technology, self-driving vehicles are on the horizon. In this study, we look at what is likely to be the first implementation of a form of automated driving on public roads, i.e., truck platooning, where virtually connected trucks drive at short headways to save fuel and associated emissions. With progressing technology, we may see platoons with drivers resting while being in the truck or even platoons in which not all trucks require drivers. Hence, platooning technology has a significant impact on the jobs of truck drivers. Driver acceptance of this emerg- ing technology is therefore an important factor in the implementation of platooning and, consequently, automated driving in general. In this study, we explore the range of per- spectives that exist among drivers by conducting focus groups in the Netherlands. These discussions indicate that drivers foresee that platooning will eventually become a reality but believe it will have a negative impact on the quality of their work and their job satisfaction

Advanced driver assistance systems : an overview and actor position.

This paper shows some details and acceptability aspects of three types of systems which are part of a comprehensive State of the Art review on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: Navigation, Advanced Cruise Control & Stop and Go, and Intelligent Speed Adaptation systems. It was concluded that luxury car drivers considered the warning type of Intelligent Speed Adaptation acceptable and expected this to have a positive impact on road safety, and that truck drivers found the navigation functionality most attractive in general, and Advanced Cruise Control & Stop and Go functionality on motorways and rural roads. (Author/publisher

Lysosome Biogenesis and Autophagy

Lysosomes degrade biological components acquired by endocytosis, the major cellular pathway for internalization of extracellular material, and macroautophagy. This chapter presents an overview of these two major degradative intracellular pathways, and highlights the emerging cross talks between them, in healthy and diseased conditions. The pathways to lysosomes include the biosynthetic transport routes, endocytic pathways, and the autophagy pathways. The central actors of the autophagy process are the ATG genes. Based on their organization in complexes and interactions, the ATG genes have been divided into many functional clusters that compose the core autophagy machinery. Cross talk between the endocytic and autophagic pathways occurs at many levels: transcriptional regulation, protein sharing, and compartmental connections. The chapter focuses on the fusion and fission events between compartments of the endolysosomal system and autophagic membranes, respectively. Lysosome-related disorders are caused by mutations in genes encoding for proteins that directly affect lysosomal functioning, including lysosomal hydrolases and lysosomal membrane proteins