On-road visual vehicle tracking using Markov chain Monte Carlo with metropolis sampling

In this study, a method for vehicle tracking through video analysis based on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) particle filtering with metropolis sampling is proposed. The method handles multiple targets with low computational requirements and is, therefore, ideally suited for advanced-driver assistance systems that involve real-time operation. The method exploits the removed perspective domain given by inverse perspective mapping (IPM) to define a fast and efficient likelihood model. Additionally, the method encompasses an interaction model using Markov Random Fields (MRF) that allows treatment of dependencies between the motions of targets. The proposed method is tested in highway sequences and compared to state-of-the-art methods for vehicle tracking, i.e., independent target tracking with Kalman filtering (KF) and joint tracking with particle filtering. The results showed fewer tracking failures using the proposed method.

Trends in mortality due to motor vehicle traffic accident injuries between 1987 and 2011 in a Spanish region (Comunitat Valenciana)

Objective: To analyse the time evolution of the rates of mortality due to motor vehicle traffic accidents (MVTA) injuries that occurred among the general population of Comunitat Valenciana between 1987 and 2011, as well as to identify trend changes by sex and age group. Methods: An observational study of annual mortality trends between 1987 and 2011. We studied all deaths due to MVTA injuries that occurred during this period of time among the non-institutionalised population residing in Comunitat Valenciana (a Spanish Mediterranean region that had a population of 5,117,190 inhabitants in 2011). The rates of mortality due to MVTA injuries were calculated for each sex and year studied. These rates were standardised by age for the total population and for specific age groups using the direct method (age-standardised rate – ASR). Joinpoint regression models were used in order to detect significant trend changes. Additionally, the annual percentage change (APC) of the ASRs was calculated for each trend segment, which is reflected in statistically significant joinpoints. Results: For all ages, ASRs decrease greatly in both men and women (70% decrease between 1990 and 2011). In 1990 and 2011, men have rates of 36.5 and 5.2 per 100,000 men/year, respectively. In the same years, women have rates of 8.0 and 0.9 per 100,000 women/year, respectively. This decrease reaches up to 90% in the age group 15–34 years in both men and women. ASR ratios for men and women increased over time for all ages: this ratio was 3.9 in 1987; 4.6 in 1990; and 5.8 in 2011. For both men and women, there is a first significant segment (p < 0.05) with an increasing trend between 1987 and 1989–1990. After 1990, there are 3 segments with a significant decreasing APC (1990–1993, 1993–2005 and 2005–2011, in the case of men; and 1989–1996, 1999–2007 and 2007–2011, in the case of women). Conclusion: The risk of death due to motor vehicle traffic accidents injuries has decreased significantly, especially in the case of women, for the last 25 years in Comunitat Valenciana, mainly as of 2006. This may be a consequence of the road-safety measures that have been implemented in Spain and in Comunitat Valenciana since 2004. The economic crisis that this country has undergone since 2008 may have also been a contributing factor to this decrease. Despite the decrease, ASR ratios for men and women increased over time and it is still a high-risk cause of death among young men. It is thus important that the measures that helped decrease the risk of death are maintained and improved over time.

Using linked data to evaluate severity and outcome of injury by type of object struck (first object struck only) for motor vehicle crashes in Connecticut.

Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

Vehicle entrapment. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

Empirical crash injury modeling and vehicle-size mix. Technical report.

Mode of access: Internet.

Statistical analyses of commercial vehicle accident factors. Volume II - summary report. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Cost evaluation for nine Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Volume VI: FMVSS 220, 221 and 222. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Low-threat-to-life motor vehicle injuries: a profile of motor vehicle injuries in emergency departments.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motor vehicle safety: comprehensive state programs offer best opportunity for increasing use of safety belts.

Mode of access: Internet.

Drivers survey on unreported and low-damage accidents involving bumpers. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

National Center for Statistics and Analysis collected technical studies. Volume I: accident data analysis of vehicle crashworthiness - ten papers.

Mode of access: Internet.

Bibliography of research in crashworthiness of vehicle structures. Volume II of V.

National Highway Safety Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Multidisciplinary investigations of vehicular accidents in the New Orleans area. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Mathematical reconstruction of highway accidents - further extensions and refinements of the CRASH computer program. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Investigation of motor vehicle/bicycle collision parameters, volume I. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.