Abstract

Accident detection systems help reduce fatalities stemming from car accidents by decreasing the response time of emergency responders. Smartphones and their onboard sensors (such as GPS receivers and accelerometers) are promising platforms for constructing such systems. This paper provides three contributions to the study of using smartphone-based accident detection systems. First, we describe solutions to key issues associated with detecting traffic accidents, such as preventing false positives by utilizing mobile context information and polling onboard sensors to detect large accelerations. Second, we present the architecture of our prototype smartphone-based accident detection system and empirically analyze its ability to resist false positives as well as its capabilities for accident reconstruction. Third, we discuss how smartphone-based accident detection can reduce overall traffic congestion and increase the preparedness of emergency responders. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

Potential problems are identified which may impact the planning, organization, and operation of nuclear waste transportation systems serving federal repositories. These system-level problems have the potential of seriously interfering with the overall OWI Transportation/Logistics Study objective of having a viable nuclear waste transportation system in 1985. This report includes recommended action and priority judgments to address these problems and minimize their impact. The potential problems identified as most important have consequences which may impact the overall state of future preparedness for transporting nuclear waste. Other important concerns relate to the imposition of unnecessarily severe and costly restrictions on nuclear waste transportation, public and carrier acceptance, and the involvement of interested parties in planning and decision-making. The major recommendation of this report is that the planning and development of the waste transportation system should be controlled by a central planning activity which anticipates the impact of uncertainties and undesirable events. (ERA citation 03:054708) Document type: Report