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Alyson Lyon, Executive Leadership Coach, explains what stress is, and how to handle personally and professionally. SAE Members can view the full version by logging into the Member Connection. Not a Member? Join us today at sae.org/join.

Abstract Truck platooning comprises a number of trucks equipped with automated lateral and longitudinal vehicle control technology, which allows them to move in tight formation with short following distances. This study is an initial step toward developing an understanding of the occupant injury risks associated with the multiple sequential impacts between truck platoons and roadside safety barriers, regardless of whether the crash is associated with a malfunction of automated control or human operation. Full-scale crash impacts of a tractor-trailer platoon into a concrete bridge guardrail were simulated for a specific Test Level condition according to the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) standards. The model of the bridge barrier was developed based on its drawings, and material properties were assigned according to literature data.

Patents granted recently to Mr. Rode have changed the industry capability to adjust and verify wheel-end bearings on trucks. Until now it was believed1 that there was nothing available to confirm or verify the most desirable settings of preload on these bearings. The new, breakthrough invention is a tool and spindle-locking nut that permit quick and accurate wheel bearing adjustment by utilizing direct reading force measurement. Bearings can be set to either SAE recommended preloads or specific endplay settings. The author has been working on bearing adjustment methods for industrial applications for over forty years, and considers these inventions to be his most important breakthrough for solving this elusive bearing adjustment problem. Consistent wheel bearing preload adjustment was not possible before, even though it was widely known to achieve the best wheel performance as noted in SAE specification J2535 and re-affirmed in 2006 by the SAE Truck and Bus Wheel Subcommittee.

Transport Canada, through its ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles program, retained the services of the National Research Council Canada to undertake a test program to examine the operational and human factors considerations concerning the removal of the side mirrors on a Class 8 tractor equipped with a 53 foot dry van semi-trailer. Full scale aerodynamic testing was performed in a 2 m by 3 m wind tunnel on a system component basis to quantify the possible fuel savings associated with the removal of the side mirrors. The mirrors on a Volvo VN780 tractor were removed and replaced with a prototype camera-based indirect vision system consisting of four cameras mounted in the front fender location; two cameras on either side of the vehicle. Four monitors mounted in the vehicle - two mounted on the right A-pillar and two mounted on the left A-pillar - provided indirect vision information to the vehicle operator.

Due to recent infrastructural development and emerging competitive automotive markets, there is seen a huge shift in customer’s demand and vehicle drivability pattern in commercial vehicle industry. Now apart from ensuring better vehicle durability and best in class tyre life and fuel mileage, a vehicle manufacturer also has to focus on other key attributes like driver’s safety and ride comfort. Thus, for ensuring enhanced drivability, key parameters for ensuring better vehicle handling includes optimization of bump steer and brake steer. Both bump steer and brake steer are vehicle’s undesirable phenomenon where a driver is forced to constantly make steering wheel correction in order to safely maneuver the vehicle in the desired path.

According to research studies, epidemics such as SARS, COVID-19 spread have caused huge negative impacts on population, health and the economy around the globe. The outbreak places a huge burden on international health systems that were already straining to address AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and a host of other conditions. Research has proven that incase infected person is not traced timely then the spread of infection in society will take the shape of large-scale community transmission. Most of the infections spread because they got unnoticed by the infected person. One part of the access checker scans is a person’s body temperature by measuring infrared radiation emitted by their skin. Fever screening by infrared thermal imaging has become more widespread following the SARS infection, and particularly during the pandemic H1N1 and COVID-19 outbreak. Skin temperature is measured without contact by monitoring the emitted infrared radiation.

We have recently obtained experimental data and used them to develop computational models to quantify occupant impact responses and injury risks for military vehicles during frontal crashes. The number of experimental tests and model runs are however, relatively small due to their high cost. While this is true across the auto industry, it is particularly critical for the Army and other government agencies operating under tight budget constraints. In this study we investigate through statistical simulations how the injury risk varies if a large number of experimental tests were conducted. We show that the injury risk distribution is skewed to the right implying that, although most physical tests result in a small injury risk, there are occasional physical tests for which the injury risk is extremely large. We compute the probabilities of such events and use them to identify optimum design conditions to minimize such probabilities.

Computational finite element (FE) modeling of real world motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) is valuable for analyzing crash-induced injury patterns and mechanisms. Due to unavailability of detailed modern FE vehicle models, a simplified vehicle model (SVM) based on laser scans of fourteen modern vehicle interiors was used. A crash reconstruction algorithm was developed to semi-automatically tune the properties of the SVM to a particular vehicle make and model, and subsequently reconstruct a real world MVC using the tuned SVM. The required algorithm inputs are anthropomorphic test device position data, deceleration crash pulses from a specific New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test, and vehicle interior property ranges. A series of automated geometric transformations and five LSDyna positioning simulations were performed to match the FE Hybrid III’s (HIII) position within the SVM to reported data. Once positioned, a baseline simulation using the crash test pulse was created.

This paper presents an analysis of coupled longitudinal and lateral dynamics of a 4×4 hybrid-electric off-road vehicle (HEV) with two passive driveline systems, including drivelines with (i) an interaxle open symmetrical differential in the transfer case and (ii) a locked transfer case, i.e., positive engagement of two axles. The axle differentials are open. As the study proved, lateral dynamics of the 4×4 HEV, characterized by the tire side forces, vehicle lateral acceleration, yaw rate and tire gripping factors can be impacted by the tire longitudinal forces, whose magnitudes and directions (positive-negative) strongly depend on the driveline characteristics. At the same time, the tire side forces impact the relation between the longitudinal forces and tire slippages.

ERTS is a computer controlled golf car whose primary functional goal is autonomous real-world navigation. Its mission is to serve as a platform for collaborative research in diverse areas of cognitive robotics, human-computer interaction, among others, as well as basic research in embedded and real-time systems. This purpose demands a highly flexible platform on which it is relatively easy to configure and access resources ranging from vehicle components to sensor hardware. One avenue we are exploring toward this end is a uniform file-space interface, based in the Plan 9 operating system that originated at Bell Labs, and more recently, the work of Brown and Pisupati. They extended the approach for embedded and system-on-chip applications. We advocate synchronous design methods, where applicable, as this presents a more tractable model for students and researchers with higher experimental aims.

In order to build a useful and comfortable in-car human machine interface systems, the information presentation method should be easy to understand (low mental workload) and one should be able to respond with ease to the information presented (low response workload). We are making efforts to establish an evaluation method that would differentiate between mental workload and response workload. Here, we present the results of our trial using brain waves measurements (Eye Fixation Related Potentials). We focus on the relation between P3 latencies and drivers response workload compared to mental workload in a task involving eye movements. Previous experiments showed that P3 latency correlates strongly with the amount of information presented. The current experiment shows that P3 latencies seem to be independent to the type of response the subject is requested to perform.

Abstract Brake systems are one of the essential components of vehicles ensuring the safety of roads and passengers as well as accident prevention. Faulty brake systems, however, can cause inevitable accidents. Fatality analysis reporting system of NHTSA (National Highway Transport Safety Association) has reported that heavy and light trucks, which are obliged to be equipped with dual-circuit air brake system, were, respectively, involved in 8.8% and 38.0% of fatal crashes in the United States, during 2017. Number of heavy vehicle accidents due to complete failure of brake system is far less than accidents due to deficiencies such as worn out brake linings, out-of-adjustment push rod strokes, and leak in the circuits. Severe leakages due to ruptured air hoses or punctured reservoir are highly unlikely to be replenished by compressor and would be distinguished through pressure indicator.

As electronics is increasingly penetrating automotive subsystems for both passenger and commercial vehicle, need for providing control solutions meeting stringent automotive requirements on one hand and delivering first time right solution based on frugal implementation on another hand is increasingly being felt. Reuse of proven building blocks is one of the key design techniques automotive engineers have been adopting over the years, and automotive embedded systems are no exception. To meet such expectations, vehicle OEMs desire a common Electronic Control Unit (ECU) architecture wherever possible. However as on date, most of the tier-1 suppliers provide different ECU architectures for both 12 Volt and 24 Volt applications. Key challenges are use of common interfaces for output and input devices as well as a common power-supply design which meets 8 to 36 volt requirements. This paper describes the hurdles and solutions for meeting this requirement.

In this fast-paced world sustainability makes us to rush behind our jobs and spend little time to maintain our healthy life. As we enjoy the benefits of the technological developments, we are forced to combat against diseases which are also increasing day by day. To reduce the consumption of electricity with reduction in environmental impact for its generation is studied to find the solution. Though we have modern medicines to cure these diseases, the side effects created by the modern medicines pushes us towards our traditional system of medicines to get rid of these diseases and get prevented from them. In recent days, Nilavembu decoction (Nilavembukudineer), a siddha formulation played a major role in combating the dengue fever. Even though decoction (kudineer) is one of the best forms of medicine having more bio-availability, it needs more fuel for preparation.

This study attempts to predict the effect of visual impairment from simulated levels of splash and spray on target vehicle identification distances. Five levels of hand held spray simulation frames were used to compare image digitization methods with visual performance (Snellen acuity or contrast sensitivity) assessment to predict a drivers ability to identify an oncoming target vehicle. The image digitization process was found to be highly correlated with actual target vehicle identification distances. Additionally, very high correlations were found between Snellen acuity and contrast sensitivity and identification distance. There did not seem to be any great difference in predictive power of either method of visual performance assessment over the other.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the branch of computer science committed to attaining and exceeding the intelligence of the human brain, primarily by innovative software technology. Following significant accomplishments in all phases of human endeavor are proof of its potential: medical diagnostics and treatments, military weapon and space technology, learning and teaching, plus manufacturing and expert systems, robotics, etc. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of AI applications, tools and techniques and to assist and encourage renewed initiative in research, development and applications of AI enhanced expert systems and robotics for the benefit of our industry.

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Abstract Bond graph framework, established with MATLAB/Simulink, has a dual objective: analyze the system using bond graph and develop the system equations in symbolic form. This approach is a combination of the simulation skill of the MATLAB/Simulink and the modelling skill of the bond graph. In this analysis, a nine-degrees-of-freedom (9 DoF) three-wheeled vehicle model integrated with a 5 DoF human subject model is formulated using bond graph methodology and simulated using the Simulink toolbox. The present work is divided into two linear and nonlinear analyses of the dynamic behavior of sprung mass subjected to random and bumps inputs, respectively.

Advanced Crash Avoidance Technologies (ACATs) such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) have been developed for light passenger vehicles (LPVs) to avoid and mitigate collisions with other road users and objects. However, the number of motorcycle (MC) crashes, injuries, and fatalities in the United States has remained relatively constant. To fully realize potential safety benefits, advanced driver assistance systems and future automated vehicle technologies also need to be effective in avoiding collisions with motorcycles. Toward this goal the Honda-DRI ACAT Safety Impact Methodology (SIM), which was previously developed to evaluate LPV ACAT system effectiveness in avoiding and mitigating collisions with fixed objects, other LPVs, and pedestrians, is being extended to also evaluate the effectiveness of ACATs in avoiding and mitigating LPV-MC collisions.

Underride accidents constitute around 5% and 4% of all accidents in India and the US respectively. Yet, the occupant fatality risk is the highest in this accident configuration when compared to other configurations for passenger cars. Especially in India, the fatality rate is even higher due to minimal usage of underride protection devices in the front, rear and sides of commercial vehicles along with poor passenger vehicle crashworthiness. This study specifically aims to compare the factors influencing occupant fatality in the rear underride accidents in India and the US. Given the large number of variables involved in an accident and their complex interaction in a small duration, it was realized that a statistical analysis of this nature will only give an insight into the accident risk trends. The influencing factors are identified by performing Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which is a linear feature extraction technique.