West End : seat of power? (Griffith, QLD)

This video details interviews undertaken and shows a range of varying local opinions in West End within the Griffith electorate of Brisbane in the lead up to 2007's federal election. In 2007, West Enders had both the sitting Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and the impending Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, as their local members. This video was produced as part of the YouDecide2007, a non-profit citizen journalism intiative led by QUT's Creative Industries and funded by the ARC. The camera man and editor was Barry Saunders.

Hearing loss and a supportive tactile signal in a navigation system : effects on driving behavior and eye movements

An on-road study was conducted to evaluate a complementary tactile navigation signal on driving behaviour and eye movements for drivers with hearing loss (HL) compared to drivers with normal hearing (NH). 32 participants (16 HL and 16 NH) performed two preprogrammed navigation tasks. In one, participants received only visual information, while the other also included a vibration in the seat to guide them in the correct direction. SMI glasses were used for eye tracking, recording the point of gaze within the scene. Analysis was performed on predefined regions. A questionnaire examined participant's experience of the navigation systems. Hearing loss was associated with lower speed, higher satisfaction with the tactile signal and more glances in the rear view mirror. Additionally, tactile support led to less time spent viewing the navigation display.

Police officer in-vehicle discomfort : appointments carriage method and vehicle seat features

Musculoskeletal pain is commonly reported by police officers. A potential cause of officer discomfort is a mismatch between vehicle seats and the method used for carrying appointments. Twenty-five police officers rated their discomfort while seated in: (1) a standard police vehicle seat, and (2) a vehicle seat custom-designed for police use. Discomfort was recorded in both seats while wearing police appointments on: (1) a traditional appointments belt, and (2) a load-bearing vest / belt combination (LBV). Sitting in the standard vehicle seat and carrying appointments on a traditional appointments belt were both associated with significantly elevated discomfort. Four vehicle seat features were most implicated as contributing to discomfort: back rest bolster prominence; lumbar region support; seat cushion width; and seat cushion bolster depth. Authorising the carriage of appointments using a LBV is a lower cost solution with potential to reduce officer discomfort. Furthermore, the introduction of custom-designed vehicle seats should be considered.

Agent-based modelling simulation case study : assessment of airport check-in and evacuation process by considering group travel behaviour of air passengers

Passenger experience has become a major factor that influences the success of an airport. In this context, passenger flow simulation has been used in designing and managing airports. However, most passenger flow simulations failed to consider the group dynamics when developing passenger flow models. In this paper, an agent-based model is presented to simulate passenger behaviour at the airport check-in and evacuation process. The simulation results show that the passenger behaviour can have significant influences on the performance and utilisation of services in airport terminals. The model was created using AnyLogic software and its parameters were initialised using recent research data published in the literature.

Seat Comfort. M4-M6.

Hardness is defined as the resistance and load bearing capability of an item. Seat hardness is an important factor in seat comfort as it impacts on a number of variables including seat postural stability, postural control, pressure comfort as a result of tissue deformation, and occupant vibration. The development of the test rig further on described in this report will enable Futuris Automotive to develop their current comfort testing procedures and thus increase the comfort of their automotive seats. The test rig consists of a buttock indenter, which produces a controlled application of a load to a seat cushion with measured displacement via a linear indenter. In parallel with the physical property presented, an analytic (software) finite element tool was developed to simulate seat pressure in an ANSYS Workbench V13 environment. This report also details the procedure required for Futuris to accurately and precisely measure cushion hardness which will enhance their comfort testing procedures, product development and target settings. The report is divided into three main sections: 1 Test equipment specification (M4) - A detailed description of the process used to build the seat cushion indenter and a description of the indenter mechanical structure and electrical functionality (chapter 2). 2 Analytic tool specification (M5) – A detailed description of the CAE seat and indenter software tool, developed as a finite element model (FEM) under ANSYS Workbench V13 to simulate indentation of a physical seat cushion similar to the hardware tool (chapter 3). 3 Product Development and Comfort Design Procedure (M6) - The cushion hardness testing procedure to be used with the physical indenter. This milestone is partially incomplete, as it covers a description of the test procedure to be applied, however not the operating system (control software) required to operate the physical property (chapter 4). Although outside the scope of this project, this report also details the testing procedures required to measure overall seatback hardness.

Seat Comfort. M2-M3

This (seat) attribute target list and Design for Comfort taxonomy report is based on the literature review report (C3-21, Milestone 1), which specified different areas (factors) with specific influence on automotive seat comfort. The attribute target list summarizes seat factors established in the literature review (Figure 1) and subsumes detailed attributes derived from the literature findings within these factors/classes. The attribute target list (Milestone 2) then provides the basis for the “Design for Comfort” taxonomy (Milestone 3) and helps the project develop target settings (values) that will be measured during the testing phase of the C3-21 project. The attribute target list will become the core technical description of seat attributes, to be incorporated into the final comfort procedure that will be developed. The Attribute Target List and Design for Comfort Taxonomy complete the target definition process. They specify the context, markets and application (vehicle classes) for seat development. As multiple markets are addressed, the target setting requires flexibility of variables to accommodate the selected customer range. These ranges will be consecutively filled with data in forthcoming studies. The taxonomy includes how and where the targets are derived, reference points and standards, engineering and subjective data from previous studies as well as literature findings. The comfort parameters are ranked to identify which targets, variables or metrics have the biggest influence on comfort. Comfort areas included are seat kinematics (adjustability), seat geometry and pressure distribution (static comfort), seat thermal behavior and noise/vibration transmissibility (cruise comfort) and eventually material properties, design and features (seat harmony). Data from previous studies is fine tuned and will be validated in the nominated contexts and markets in follow-up dedicated studies.

Seat Comfort. M1

This literature review reports on high quality research studies focused on measuring occupant comfort in automotive vehicles. The review covers the most important variables in automotive seating design that impact on occupant comfort. These findings will help Futuris and the University develop the target settings that will be measured during the testing phase of the C3-21 project. The review also provides valuable information that may be incorporated into the final comfort procedure that will be developed.

Reducing rear-end crashes with cooperative systems

This paper presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of a cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) to reduce rear-end crashes. Two complementary simulation techniques are used to demonstrate the benefits of the C-ITS. A traffic (VEINS) and sensor (SiVIC) simulations use realistic data related to traffic/road in Brisbane’s Pacific Motorway, driver’s reaction time and injury severity to evaluate benefits. The results of our simulations show that C-ITS could reduce rear-end crash risk by providing several seconds of additional warning to drivers.

Non-wearing of adult seat belts in Australia: Where to next? [Austroads Publication No. AP-R346/09]

Seat belts are one of the most effective passive safety features in vehicles and there is a host of research literature attesting to the effectiveness of seat belts in protecting against death and injury. Even when use rates are high the potential gains in trauma reduction from further improvements in wearing rates are substantial. However, those currently most resistant to restraint use have also proven most difficult to target using conventional countermeasures. It is necessary to address the issues of non-wearing in order to achieve further gains in seat belt wearing. This study provide evidence-based recommendations for the way forward to tackle the problems of adult restraint non-use in light passenger vehicles in the short, medium and longer term in Australia. While there are substantial issues to be addressed for these groups, these are outside the scope of this study.

Soft tissue human thigh and buttock finite element model to simulate vehicle seat cushion indentation

Accurate modelling of automotive occupant posture is strongly related to the mechanical interaction between human body soft tissue and flexible seat components. This paper presents a finite-element study simulating the deflection of seat cushion foam and supportive seat structures, as well as human buttock and thigh soft tissue when seated. The thigh-buttock surface shell model was based on 95th percentile male subject scan data and made of two layers, covering thin to moderate thigh and buttock proportions. To replicate the effects of skin and fat, the neoprene rubber layer was modelled as a hyperelastic material with viscoelastic behaviour. The analytical seat model is based on a Ford production seat. The result of the finite-element indentation simulation is compared to a previous simulation of an indentation with a hard shell human model of equal geometry, and to the physical indentation result. We conclude that SAE composite buttock form and human-seat indentation of a suspended seat cushion can be validly simulated.

Managing moose harvests by the seat of your pants

Moose populations are managed for sustainable yield balanced against costs caused by damage to forestry or agriculture and collisions with vehicles. Optimal harvests can be calculated based on a structured population model driven by data on abundance and the composition of bulls, cows, and calves obtained by aerial-survey monitoring during winter. Quotas are established by the respective government agency and licenses are issued to hunters to harvest an animal of specified age or sex during the following autumn. Because the cost of aerial monitoring is high, we use a Management Strategy Evaluation to evaluate the costs and benefits of periodic aerial surveys in the context of moose management. Our on-the-fly "seat of your pants" alternative to independent monitoring is management based solely on the kill of moose by hunters, which is usually sufficient to alert the manager to declines in moose abundance that warrant adjustments to harvest strategies. Harvests are relatively cheap to monitor; therefore, data can be obtained each year facilitating annual adjustments to quotas. Other sources of "cheap" monitoring data such as records of the number of moose seen by hunters while hunting also might be obtained, and may provide further useful insight into population abundance, structure and health. Because conservation dollars are usually limited, the high cost of aerial surveys is difficult to justify when alternative methods exist. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

A road safety strategy for Norfolk Island, an Australian external territory

Norfolk Island is an Australian external territory in Oceania. The significant road safety reforms in Australia from the 1970s onward bypassed the island, and most road safety ‘silver bullets’ adopted in other Australian jurisdictions were not introduced. While legislative amendments in 2010 introduced mandatory seat belt wearing for vehicle occupants on Norfolk Island, other critical issues face the community including drink driving by residents and visitors, occupant protection for vehicle passengers, and the provision of a more protective road environment. The release of the first Norfolk Island road safety strategy 2014-2016 proposed, inter alia: • a lower BAC of 0.05 and the introduction of compulsory driver alcohol and drug testing by police; • targeted enforcement of occupant protection for vehicle passengers, particularly for passengers riding on vehicle tray backs; • education interventions to challenge values held by some members of the community that support unsafe road use; • ensuring that driver information, training and testing is adequate for all drivers; • identification and rectification of hazardous roadside infrastructure, particularly barrier protection at “high drop locations” within the road network; and • developing a specification for vehicle standards for vehicles imported into Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is engaging in a process of integration with the Australian community, and wider issues relating to funding and resources have impacted on the implementation of the road safety strategy. The response to the strategy will be discussed, particularly in terms of current attempts to address drink driving and the provision of a safer road environment.

Passengers' intuitive navigation in airports

This thesis examined passengers' intuitive navigation in airports. It aims to ensure that passengers can navigate fast and efficiently through these complex environments. Field research was conducted at two Australian international airports. Participants wore eye-tracking glasses while finding their way through the terminal. Insight was gained into the intuitive use of navigation elements in the airport environment. With a detailed understanding of how passengers' navigate, the findings from this research can be used to improve airport design and planning. This will assist passengers who don't regularly fly as well as those who are frequent flyers.

Airborne particulate matter at a bus station : concentration levels and governing parameters

Traffic emissions are an important contributor to ambient air pollution, especially in large cities featuring extensive and high density traffic networks. Bus fleets represent a significant part of inner city traffic causing an increase in exposure to general public, passengers and drivers along bus routes and at bus stations. Limited information is available on quantification of the levels, and governing parameters affecting the air pollution exposure at bus stations. The presented study investigated the bus emissions-dominated ambient air in a large, inner city bus station, with a specific focus on submicrometer particles. The study’s objectives were (i) quantification of the concentration levels; (ii) characterisation of the spatio-temporal variation; (iii) identification of the parameters governing the emissions levels at the bus station and (iv) assessment of the relationship between particle concentrations measured at the street level (background) and within the bus station. The results show that up to 90% of the emissions at the station are ultrafine particles (smaller than 100 nm), with the concentration levels up to 10 times the value of urban ambient air background (annual) and up to 4 times the local ambient air background. The governing parameters affecting particle concentration at the station were bus flow rate and meteorological conditions (wind velocity). Particle concentration followed a diurnal trend, with an increase in the morning and evening, associated with traffic rush hours. Passengers��� exposure could be significant compared to the average outdoor and indoor exposure levels.