• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.149-161
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• 2022

Because the speed limit affects moving speed, it is closely related to traffic accidents as well as traffic flow. The existing speed limit calculation methods consider various engineering factors such as lanes, intersection spacing, driveways, crosswalks, 85 percentile speed, land uses, and roadway geometric characteristics etc. However, it can be said that the engineering analysis is insufficient because the traffic impact analysis considering traffic volume is not carried out. In addition, only 85 percentile speed, which is the spot speed, does not reflect the characteristics of the traffic flow on the road. In this paper, the effect of the speed limit change on the moving speed and the travel speed was analyzed in detail accordinr to the variation of intersection spacing and traffic volume. And by using the results, we proposed a speed limit calculation method that maintains the same service level as before the speed limit change, thereby increasing the speed improvement effect and reducing the difference between moving speed and travel speed. In addition, a variable speed limit operation method according to the change in traffic volume was also suggested. This method is expected to be effective in terms of safety by reducing the speed difference, which affects the severity of traffic accidents, while securing the speed improvement effect, and increasing the speed limit compliance rate of drivers by operating the speed limit that reflects the speed change due to the variation of traffic volume.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.21-29
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• 2016

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to suggest a specific investigation guideline to decide priority of repairing old concrete pavements that pile up substantially. METHODS : In this study, a principle of division of homogeneous sections was proposed to reflect the characteristics of the pavement reasonably in the specific investigation results. In addition, a checklist and guideline of field investigation were suggested for the old concrete pavement sections, which require inspection toward their durability and structural performance. Furthermore, the items of laboratory test necessary to the old concrete pavement were suggested based on the existing laboratory test considering characteristics of the old concrete pavement. The present condition of the old concrete pavement could be analyzed by the test results. RESULTS : A method of division of homogeneous sections suitable for the specific investigation of the old concrete pavement was suggested. The proportions of distress severity of pavement sections were compared by distress type to figure out the present state of the old concrete pavement. Scaling, durability cracking (or alkali-silica reaction), and longitudinal spalling were selected as the most severe distress types. The detailed positions of the sections were also suggested. The checklist of the specific investigation was categorized by field survey and laboratory test, and its evaluation criteria were proposed. The three types of the sections of durability cracking (or alkali-silica reaction), bridge connection, and asphalt overlay were selected as the sections of the field survey. The compressive strength, void structure, and chloride penetration depth were suggested as the items of the laboratory test. CONCLUSIONS : A fundamental level of the guideline was suggested in this study to resolve the problem of old concrete pavement. Appropriate guidelines related to the repair of the old concrete pavement should be provided by performing additional research efforts.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.149-158
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• 2014

PURPOSES : The bridge section of the expressway has a worse driving environment than the general section. However, traffic safety countermeasures are focused only on the bridge section. Traffic safety countermeasures on the section before entry to the bridge and the section after exit from the bridge are applied only when the bridge has a long-span section. Accordingly, this study will verify the necessity of extending the application of traffic safety countermeasures to areas that are affected by the bridge. METHODS : This study determines the areas that are affected by the bridge as well as the areas that are affected by locations with frequent traffic accidents and suggests the risk factors by affected areas through canonical discriminant analysis. For the analysis, traffic accident data for 3 years, which occurred on bridge sections in six major expressway lines, were used. RESULTS : The numbers of traffic accidents were 469 before the bridge, 281 on the bridge, and 468 after the bridge. The variables that have impact on the seriousness of accidents are as follows: speeding, excess manipulation of the steering wheel, and failure to secure safety distance for accidents that occurred before the bridge section; speeding, excess manipulation of the steering wheel, and dozing off for accidents that occurred on the bridge; and speeding and failure to secure safety distance for accidents that occurred after the bridge section. CONCLUSIONS : Areas affected by the bridge show higher accident rates than the bridge section; therefore, imposing traffic safety countermeasures on the integrated section of the bridge and the affected areas is required. It is believed that the results suggested in this study could be effectively used in the prevention of traffic accidents by imposing custom-made safety countermeasures for each section.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2005

Railroad crossing crashes are fewer than road crashes, but with regard to crash severity, they can be serious injury crashes. There should be, therefore, enormous efforts to increase the safety of railroad crossings. The objective of this paper is to identify and understand factors associated with railroad crossing crashes. Statistical models are used to examine the relationships between crossing accidents and geometric elements of crossings. The results show the Poisson model is the most appropriate method for the crossing accidents, because overdispersion was not observed. This study identifies seven significant factors associated with railroad crossing crashes through the main and variant models. With regard to explanatory factors on crossing safety, the total traffic volume, daily train volume, presence of commercial area around crossings, distance of train detector from crossings, time duration between the activation of warning signals and gates, crossing types, and speed hump were found to affect the safety of railroad crossings.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.827-833
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• 2022

This study aims to prevent secondary traffic accidents with high severity by overcoming the limitations of existing traffic information collection systems through analysis of traffic information collection detectors and various algorithms used to detect unexpected situations. In other words, this study is meaningful present that analyzing the 'unexpected situation that causes secondary traffic accidents' and 'Existing traffic information collection system' accordingly presenting a solution that can preemptively prevent secondary traffic accidents, intelligent traffic information collection system that enables accurate information collection on all sections of the road. As a result of the experiment, the reliability of data transmission reached 97% based on 95%, the data transmission speed averaged 209ms based on 1000ms, and the network failover time achieved targets of 50sec based on 120sec.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.205-210
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• 2022

Background: Nasal bone fractures are the most common type of facial bone fracture, but are under-studied in adults above 65 years of age. Therefore, we investigated the epidemiology and patterns of nasal bone fractures among older adults in comparison to different age groups. Methods: This retrospective study included 2,321 nasal bone fracture patients who underwent surgery at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2017. The patients were classified by age as preschoolers, school-age children, young and middle-aged adults, and the elderly. We performed pairwise comparisons between elderly patients and each other age group in terms of sex, cause of injury, and fracture type. Results: The 2,321 nasal bone fracture patients included 76 elderly patients (50 men [65.8%] and 26 women [34.2%]). In these patients, the two most common injury causes were falling or slipping down (n= 39; 51.3%) and road traffic accidents (n= 19; 25.0%). According to the Stranc and Robertson classification, the most common force vector was lateral, and plane 2 fractures with lateral forces predominated. Conclusion: The elderly showed similar patterns of nasal bone fractures to those observed in young and middle-aged adults, but significant differences from preschoolers (in the injury vector and plane of fracture) and from school-age children (in the sex ratio and plane of fracture). However, elderly patients presented significantly different epidemiological characteristics compared to the other three groups. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the quality of life of the elderly and prepare for the upcoming super-aged society by taking steps to reduce the incidence and severity of fractures. Possible options for doing so include strengthening individual-level safety factors and expanding the social safety net for the elderly.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.385-392
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the epidemiology, management, outcomes, and postoperative disabilities of degloving soft tissue injuries (DSTIs) treated at a tertiary care center in northern India. Methods: A prospective study of patients with DSTIs was conducted over 15 months. The type of degloving injury, the mechanism of injury, and any associated injuries were analyzed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 along with the management, outcomes, and disabilities at a 3-month follow-up. Results: Among 75 patients with DSTIs, the average age was 27.5 years, 80.0% were male, and 76.0% had been injured in traffic accidents. The majority (93.3%) were open degloving injuries. Lower limbs were affected most often (62.7%), followed by upper limbs (32.0%). Fractures were the most commonly associated injuries (72.0%). Most patients required more than two procedures, including secondary debridement (41.3%), split skin grafting (80.0%), flap coverage (12.0%), or vacuum-assisted closure (24.0%), while five patients underwent conservative management for closed degloving injuries. Postoperative complications included surgical site infections (14.7%) and skin necrosis (10.7%). Two patients died due to septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The mean length of hospital stay was 11.5±8.1 days, with injuries affecting the lower limbs and perineum requiring longer hospital stays. The mean WHODAS 2.0 disability score at 3 months was 19. Most patients had mild disabilities. Time away from work depended largely upon the site and severity of the injury. Approximately 75% of patients resumed their previous job or study, 14% changed their job, and 8% stopped working completely due to residual disability. Conclusions: DSTIs are common injuries in trauma and management is challenging. Although open DSTI are clinically evident at secondary survey, closed degloving injuries may be missed in the primary survey, necessitating a high index of suspicion, thorough clinical examination, and protocol-based management. Primary preventive strategies (e.g., road safety protocols, preplacement training, and proper protective equipment in industries) are also needed to reduce the incidence of these injuries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.431-434
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• 2023

Background: The first 3 ribs are anatomically well-protected, shielded by the large thoracic muscles, the shoulder girdle, and the arm. A significant force is required to fracture these ribs; thus, such fractures suggest a high-energy trauma and are associated with injuries to vital organs of the thorax, such as the aorta, the heart, the lungs and the great vessels. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted over a 10-year period at a single hospital. The study assessed patients with fractures of the second rib, including their concurrent injuries and the overall severity of their trauma. Results: Among the 76 patients included in the study, the average age was 47.35 years, 81.5% were men, and 19.5% were women. Thirteen patients (17.1%) survived their injuries. The most common causes of injury were road traffic accidents (63%) and pedestrian injuries (22%). The patients who did not survive sustained injuries to an average of 5 additional organs, while survivors had injuries to an average of 2.07 additional organs. Left rib fractures were the most frequently observed (46%). The most serious concurrent injuries reported were to the aorta (5.26%), heart (10.52%), lung (52.36%), head (57.89%), liver (30.2%), spleen (26.31%), and kidney (17.1%). Conclusion: As indicators of serious injury to vital endothoracic organs, isolated fractures of the second rib should be considered equal to first rib fractures in clinical importance.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.217-233
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• 2024

The demand for two-wheelers has increased in recent years, driven by the growing delivery culture, which has also led to a rise in the number of two-wheelers. Although two-wheelers are economically efficient in congested traffic conditions, reckless driving and ambiguous traffic laws for two-wheelers have turned two-wheeler accidents into a significant social issue. Given the high fatality rate associated with two-wheelers, the severity and risk of two-wheeler accidents are considerable. It is, therefore, crucial to thoroughly understand the characteristics of two-wheeler accidents by analyzing their attributes. In this study, the characteristics of two-wheeled vehicle accidents were categorized using the K-prototypes algorithm, based on data from two-wheeled vehicle accidents. As a result, the accidents were divided into four clusters according to their characteristics. Each cluster showed distinct traits in terms of the roads where accidents occurred, the major laws violated, the types of accidents, and the times of accident occurrences. By tailoring enforcement methods and regulations to the specific characteristics of each type of accident, we can reduce the incidence of accidents involving two-wheelers in metropolitan areas, thereby enhancing road safety. Furthermore, by applying machine learning techniques to urban transportation and safety, this study adds to the body of related literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2024

Ensuring swift on-site access to fire engines is crucial in preserving the golden time and minimizing damage. However, various mobility constraints in alleyways hinder the timely entry of fire engines to the fire scene, significantly impairing their initial response capabilities. Therefore, this study analyzed the significant mobility constraints of fire engines, focusing on Seoul, which has many old town areas. By leveraging survey responses from firefighting experts and actual observations, this study quantitatively assessed the frequency and severity of mobility constraint factors affecting the disaster responses of fire engines. Survey results revealed a consistent set of top five factors regarding the frequency and disturbance level, including illegally parked cars, narrow paths, motorcycles, poles, and awnings/banners. A comparison with actual road-view images showed notable consistency between the survey and observational results regarding the appearance frequency of mobility constraint factors in vulnerable areas in Seoul. Furthermore, the study emphasized the importance of tailored management strategies for each mobility constraint factor, considering its characteristics, such as dynamic or static. The findings of this study can serve as foundational data for creating more detailed fire safety maps and advancing technologies that monitor the mobility of fire engines through efficient vision-based inference using CCTVs in the future.