Abstract

The architecture of the Ouargla Ksar has long been recognized as an example of adaptation to harsh climate in the deep desert of Algeria. Over the last few decades, it has undergone some changes in its initial urban structure, due to accelerated and uncontrolled modern urbanization, that had negative implications and devaluation of its thermal characteristics. This article tries to understand the bioclimatic concept of adaptation of this Ksar and assess to what extent its morphological transformation has impacted its microclimatic conditions. This assessment is made through a comparative study between two different areas: one untransformed and the other transformed. A referential weather station situated in the suburbs was also exploited for consolidation of comparison. The investigation was undertaken using site measurements and observations.

Abstract

Introduction: This paper describes the modification and development of methodologies to assess the impacts of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) applications for Vulnerable Road users (VRUs) in the domains of safety, mobility and comfort. This effort was carried out in the context of the VRUITS project whose aim was to produce results at the EU-28 level. Methods: An existing safety methodology was modified to take into account specific VRU aspects. The mobility and comfort assessments methodologies were developed in the project. Results: The safety, mobility and comfort methodologies were applied to ten ITS applications for VRUs. The first innovation determined how the nine safety mechanisms for ex-ante analysis of ITS applications, including direct and indirect effects, can incorporate the important characteristics of the VRU groups (pedestrians, cyclists and Power-Two-Wheeler riders) in the analysis. The second innovation developed a conceptual model for mobility and comfort. Thirdly, the estimation of quantitative effects, using literature, empirical findings and expert judgement, was developed. Conclusions: The new safety, mobility and comfort assessment methodologies were applied to calculate the respective effects for VRUs using ITS. These results are ex-ante findings, as very few to no empirical results for ITS applications for VRUs are available. In order to improve the accuracy of the estimates, there is a need for better standardized data and at the European level. Finally, validation of the methods could be done in the future field operational tests focusing on measuring user behavior. © 2017, The Author(s). Document type: Article

Abstract

simulator study has been conducted demonstrating a positive effect on airsickness by utilizing a 3D artificial Earth-fixed visual pattern. Participants were exposed to the same turbulent physical aircraft motion in a simulator three times in a row, each time using a different visual cue. In one condition only the interior of the simulator cabin was visible. In another condition an Earth-fixed star field moving opposite the simulator cabin was projected in front of the participant. In a third condition the same star field was used, however with additional anticipatory information by means of a rollercoaster like track showing the trajectory to go. Participants were asked for their misery and joyfulness ratings at fixed time instants using an 11-points misery scale (no problems-vomiting) and joyfulness scale (unpleasant-pleasant). The results showed that viewing an Earth-fixed visual frame moving instantaneously opposite the cabin motion did reduce motion sickness significantly by a factor of 1.6, thereby improving comfort. This condition could be applied in air transport, where often a monitor is available in the back of the seat ahead. The largest effect, i.e., a reduction by a factor of 4.2 was realized by adding anticipatory information. Although it is not possible to predict the effect of turbulence on the aircraft motion yet, an anticipatory display might already be applicable in other domains, such as at sea by using a wave radar and a ship motion model. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.