Smart driving assistance systems : designing and evaluating ecological and conventional displays

In-vehicle information systems have been shown to increase driver workload and cause distraction; both are causal factors for accidents. This simulator study evaluates the impact that two designs for a smart driving aid and scenario complexity has on workload, distraction and driving performance. Results showed that real-time delivery of smart driving information did not increase driver workload or adversely affect driver distraction, while having the effect of decreasing mean driving speed in both the simple and complex driving scenarios. Important differences were also highlighted between conventional and ecologically designed smart driving interfaces with respect to subjective workload and peripheral detection

Smart driving aids and their effects on driving performance and driver distraction

In-vehicle information systems have been shown to increase driver workload and cause distraction; both of which are causal factors for accidents. This simulator study evaluates the impact that two designs for a smart driving aid, and scenario complexity have on workload, distraction and driving performance. Results showed that real-time delivery of smart driving information did not increase driver workload or adversely effect driver distraction, while having the effect of decreasing mean driving speed in both the simple and complex driving scenarios. Subjective workload was shown to increase with task difficulty, as well as revealing important differences between the two interface designs

Official Interventions and Occasional Violations of Uncovered Interest Party in the Dollar-DM Market

This paper presents a model of exchange rate determination in which the forward premium anomaly emerges as the result of unanticipated central bank interventions in the foreign exchange market. Deviations from uncovered interest parity (UIP) therefore represent neither unexploited profit opportunities nor compensation for bearing risk. In simulations, the model generates a forward premium anomaly and matches several other notable features of US-German data. Additional empirical support is obtained from an analysis of Fed and Bundesbank interventions in the dollar--DM market where it is found that the forward premium anomaly intensifies during those times when a central bank intervenes.

Secondary resurfacing of the patella in total knee arthroplasty

Anterior knee pain following primary total knee arthroplasty is common and can be difficult to treat satisfactorily. We reviewed 28 consecutive patients (29 knees) who underwent secondary resurfacing of the patella for persistent anterior knee pain and report on the results. Mean follow-up was 28 months (range12-61) with no cases lost to follow-up. Oxford knee scores, range of motion, the patient's assessment of outcome and overall satisfaction were recorded. Seventeen out of 19 (59%) felt their knee was better following patellar resurfacing, 10 out of 29 (34%) felt it was the same and two out of 29 (7%) felt it was worse. There was a significant improvement in Oxford knee scores (p < 0.001) and significant increase in patient satisfaction (p < 0.001) following secondary resurfacing. While secondary resurfacing of the patella does not provide the solution for every case of anterior knee pain following total knee joint replacement, in greater than 50% of cases it can be effective at relieving symptoms and in this series carries a low risk of worsening symptoms or complications

Official Interventions and Occasional Violations of Uncovered Interest Parity in the Dollar-DM Market

This paper presents a model of exchange rate determination in which the forward premium anomaly emerges as the result of unanticipated central bank interventions in the foreign exchange market. Deviations from uncovered interest parity (UIP) therefore represent neither unexploited profit opportunities nor compensation for bearing risk. In simulations, the model generates a forward premium anomaly and matches several other notable features of US-German data. Additional empirical support is obtained from an analysis of Fed and Bundesbank interventions in the dollar—DM market where it is found that the forward premium anomaly intensifies during those times when a central bank intervenesForward premium anomaly, foreign exchange intervention

Ecological interface design for eco-driving

Eco-driving issues are of high priority at the moment. Research suggests that a change in driving style can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by around 15% in many cases. In response to this need, the UK Foot-LITE project developed an in-car feedback system to encourage safer and greener driving behaviours. In order to balance positive behaviour change against the potential negative effects of distraction, an Ecological Interface Design approach was adopted. The current paper presents an overview of the humancentred design process adopted in the Foot-LITE project, as well as a review of other similar systems on the market

Uniform Silicon Isotope Ratios Across the Milky Way Galaxy

We report the relative abundances of the three stable isotopes of silicon, $^{28}$Si, $^{29}$Si and $^{30}$Si, across the Galaxy using the $v = 0, J = 1 \to 0$ transition of silicon monoxide. The chosen sources represent a range in Galactocentric radii ($R_{\rm GC}$) from 0 to 9.8 kpc. The high spectral resolution and sensitivity afforded by the GBT permit isotope ratios to be corrected for optical depths. The optical-depth-corrected data indicate that the secondary-to-primary silicon isotope ratios $^{29}{\rm Si}/^{28}{\rm Si}$ and $^{30}{\rm Si}/^{28}{\rm Si}$ vary much less than predicted on the basis of other stable isotope ratio gradients across the Galaxy. Indeed, there is no detectable variation in Si isotope ratios with $R_{\rm GC}$. This lack of an isotope ratio gradient stands in stark contrast to the monotonically decreasing trend with $R_{\rm GC}$ exhibited by published secondary-to-primary oxygen isotope ratios. These results, when considered in the context of the expectations for chemical evolution, suggest that the reported oxygen isotope ratio trends, and perhaps that for carbon as well, require further investigation. The methods developed in this study for SiO isotopologue ratio measurements are equally applicable to Galactic oxygen, carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio measurements, and should prove useful for future observations of these isotope systems.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables. Published in The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 839, Issue

Safe driving in a green world : a review of driver performance benchmarks and technologies to support ‘smart’ driving

Road transport is a significant source of both safety and environmental concerns. With climate change and fuel prices increasingly prominent on social and political agendas, many drivers are turning their thoughts to fuel efficient or ‘green’ (i.e., environmentally friendly) driving practices. Many vehicle manufacturers are satisfying this demand by offering green driving feedback or advice tools. However, there is a legitimate concern regarding the effects of such devices on road safety – both from the point of view of change in driving styles, as well as potential distraction caused by the in-vehicle feedback. In this paper, we appraise the benchmarks for safe and green driving, concluding that whilst they largely overlap, there are some specific circumstances in which the goals are in conflict. We go on to review current and emerging in-vehicle information systems which purport to affect safe and/or green driving, and discuss some fundamental ergonomics principles for the design of such devices. The results of the review are being used in the Foot-LITE project, aimed at developing a system to encourage ‘smart’ – that is safe and green – driving

Improving driver behaviour by design: a cognitive work analysis methodology

Within the European Community both the environmental and safety costs of road transport are unacceptably high. ‘Foot-LITE’ is a UK project which aims to encourage drivers to adopt ‘greener’ and safer driving practices, with real-time and retrospective feedback being given both in-vehicle and off-line. This paper describes the early concept development of Foot-LITE, for which a Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) was conducted. In this paper, we present the results of the first phase of CWA – the Work Domain Analysis, as well as some concept interface designs based on the WDA to illustrate its application. In summary, the CWA establishes a common framework for the project, and will ultimately contribute to the design of the in-vehicle interfac