• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 1994

Visibility impairment phenomenon due to various air pollutants is a highly complex problem To understand this problem in Seoul, (1) theoretical background of visibility impairment; (2) methods to quantify visual range and to assess contribution of each air pollutant to the visibility impairment problem; and (3) previous field measurements and modeling studies, both in Korea and abroad, are critically reviewed.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to develop a visibility evaluation system for cabin type combine. Human's field of view was classified into five levels (perceptive, effective, stable gaze, induced, and auxiliary) depending on rotation of human's head and eye. Divider, reaper lever, gearshift, dashboard, and conveying part were considered as major viewpoints of combine. Visibilities of combine was evaluated quantitatively using the viewpoints and the human's field of view levels. The visibility evaluation system for cabin type combine was consisted of a laser pointer, stepping motors to control the direction of view, gyro sensors to measure horizontal and vertical angle, and I/O interface to acquire the signals. Tests were conducted with different postures ('sitting straight', 'sitting with $15^{\circ}$ tilt', 'standing straight', and 'standing with $15^{\circ}$ tilt'). The LSD (least significant difference) multiple comparison tests showed that the visibilities of viewpoints were different significantly as the operator's postures were changed. The results showed that the posture at standing with $15^{\circ}$ tilt provided the best visibility for operators. The divider of the combine was invisible due to blocking with the cabin frame at many postures. The reaper lever showed good visibilities at the postures of sitting or standing with $15^{\circ}$ tilt. The gearshift, the dashboard, and the conveying part had reasonable visibilities at the posture of sitting with $15^{\circ}$ tilt. However, most viewpoints of the combine were out of the stable gaze field of view level. Modifications of the combine design will be required to enhance the visibility during harvesting operation for farmers' safety and convenience.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.87-96
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• 2016

OBJECTIVES : A fog generated field test was conducted to analyze the relationship between different sizes of variable speed limit signs and the legibility distance under various fog density conditions. By using this study, appropriate sizes of signs can be selected depending on the density of fog. METHODS : An actual tunnel was selected as the area for this test, as other places cannot maintain the fog condition because of rapid air current. A total 121 subjects were recruited for this test, which took place over the course of four days. The test on the first day was conducted under normal weather conditions for comparison. Visibility-distance detecting sensor was used to measure the visibility distance due to the fog density time, simultaneously with the evaluation of legibility distance by subjects. RESULTS : The test results show the relationship between the different sizes of signs and the legibility distance corresponding to the visibility distance due to both non-fog and fog generated conditions. According to the technical test results, appreciable amount of reduction in legibility distance due to fog was resulted in all sizes of signs. Moreover, the legibility distance is reduced proportionately with the decrease in the visibility distance due to fog. CONCLUSIONS : The results of this study can be used to select appropriate sizes of valuable speed signs under fog conditions. Hence, drivers can expect to have more room to respond to adverse weather conditions, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.133-142
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• 2010

Many pedestrian or fire evacuation models have been studied last decades for modeling evacuation behaviors or analysing building structures under emergency situations. However, currently developed models do not consider the differences of visibility of pedestrians by obstacles such as furniture, wall, etc. The visibility of pedestrians is considered one of the important factors that affect the evacuation behavior, leading to making simulation results more realistic. In order to incorporate pedestrian's visibility into evacuation simulation, we should be able to give different walking speeds according to differences of visibility. We improved the existing floor field model based on cellular automata in order to implement the visibility. Using the space syntax theory, we showed how we split the indoor spaces depending on the different visibilities created by different levels of structural depths. Then, we improved the algorithm such that pedestrians have different speeds instead of simultaneous movement to other cells. Also, in order for developing a real time simulation system integrated w ith indoor sensors later, we present a process to build a 3D simulator using a spatial DBMS. The proposed algorithm is tested using a campus building.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.75-84
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• 2018

PURPOSES: This study analyzes feasibility for application white pavement markings in the roadways with median barrier. METHODS : By reviewing numerous relevant laws, standards, and operational cases, the white pavement markings' excellence was demonstrated. Driver's behavior was analyzed through a virtual driving experiment using driving simulator and field tests. RESULTS:First, white pavement markings are superior to yellow pavement markings in terms of visibility, economics, and safety. Second, as a result of virtual driving experiment, the color of line in the roadway with median barrier didn't affect the driver's behavior such as the average vehicle speed, the distance bias in the lane and the separation distance from the centerline. Third, field test demonstrated that the driver tended to recognize the median barrier as an obstacle. In addition, the central driving ratio in the lane was increased due to improving the visibility of line at night in case of the white pavement markings. CONCLUSIONS : The application of white pavement markings in the roadways with median barrier can enhance traffic safety by improving the visibility of line at night.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.89-93
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aims to develop new markers based on silicone rubber and urethane rubber to enhance visibility in low magnetic field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Methods: Four types of markers were fabricated using two different base materials. Two of the markers were composed of two different types of silicone rubber: DragonSkin™ 10 MEDIUM and BodyDouble™ SILK. The other two markers were composed of types of urethane rubber: PMC™ 780 DRY and VytaFlex™ 20. Silicone oil (KF-96 1000cs) was added to the fabricated markers. The allocated amount of oil was 20% of the weight (wt%) of each respective marker. The MR images of the markers, with and without the silicone oil, were acquired using MRIdian with a low magnetic field of 0.35 T. The signal intensities of each MR image for the markers were analyzed using ImageJ software and the visibility for each was compared. Results: The highest signal intensity was observed in VytaFlex™ 20 (279.67±3.57). Large differences in the signal intensities (e.g., 627% in relative difference between BodyDouble™ SILK and VytaFlex™ 20) among the markers were observed. However, the maximum difference between the signal intensities of the markers with the silicone oil showed only a 62% relative difference between PMC™ 780 DRY and DragonSkin™ 10 MEDIUM. An increase in the signal intensity of the markers with the silicone oil was observed in all markers. Conclusions: New markers were successfully fabricated. Among the markers, DragonSkin™ 10 MEDIUM with silicone oil showed the highest MR signal intensity.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.719-725
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• 1996

To research the cause of the low and the poor visibility phenomena of Kimhae international airpot statistically, we analyzed the field routine data for the last five years from 1985 to 1989. The poor visibilities below 1km, 3km, and 5km usually occurred at about 6 o'clock in the morning under the condition of calm or light wind from south to southwest direction, and lasted for from 1 to 3 hours. they were caused by the radiative cooling and the inflow of moisture from the South Sea. The frequency of th low visibility(below 9km) recorded 48.1% a year. And the low visibility below 8km with relative humidity below 70% often occurred in the case of southeast, southwest, and northwest wind. And it reveals a peak at 11:00 a.m.. It is supposed to be caused by the pollutants flowing from the neighbouring industrila complex, Sasang, Jangnim and by the photochemical reaction. And, when the industrial direction from Kimhae international airport, the visibility and the air pollution may become worse and worse by the increased pollutants.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2015

Purpose: A system to measure the visibility of agricultural tractor operators was designed and evaluated according to ISO standards, and a blind area diagram around the tested tractor was created based on the manual method recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Methods: A visibility measurement system was designed and evaluated based on the ISO 5006 and ISO 5721-1 standards. Two bulbs used to simulate the operator's eyes were mounted on a bar with a supporting frame. A wooden frame was used to determine the seat index point position. The 12-m visibility test circle was divided into six sectors of vision, and the test tractor was placed at the center of the circle. Artificial light was supplied in the darkened environment, and shadow or masking effects were measured manually around the 12-m circle. Results: When the bulbs were placed at the operator's eye level, front visibility was good; no masking was found in the "A" vision sector, but larger masking widths were found in the "B" and "C" vision sectors. Since the masking width exceeded 700 mm, additional tests, such as movement of the light sources to both sides of the operator's eye level, were performed. Less than six masking effects were found in the semi-circle of vision to the front, and more than one masking was found in the "B" and "C" visual fields. The minimum distance between the centers of two masking effects exceeded 2500 mm when measured as a chord on the semi-circle of vision. A blind area diagram was created to define the exact nature of the blind spots and mirror visibility. Conclusions: Visibility evaluation is an effective way to enable proper and safe operation for agricultural tractor operators. Inclusion of this visibility evaluation test in the general testing process might aid tractor manufacturers.

• Architectural research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.19-29
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• 2011

Visibility of a space have been defined in several different ways: such as the axial line covering a convex space, a convex space defining the fattest shape in a space and an Isovist field formed by a field of vision at a given vantage point. Isovist fields are referred to as a descriptive medium to describe a movement by reviewing and analyzing geometric properties in them. Many descriptive methods for analysis of three-dimensional isovist are applied to analyzing the morphological properties in a 3D space more realistically. Although these models are regarded as a more advanced method for describing spatial properties, they have pros and cons such as complex mathematical calculations and somewhat arbitrary calibration in addition to huge consumption of memory space. These difficulties lead to the development of a three-dimensional visual accessibility model that explores the implication of building shape on the calculation of isovist fields drawn on a 2D plane. We propose a conceptual framework of how to measure the isovist field not as a 3D volume but as a combination of 2D plane on the ground with the 3D building shape of it's facade.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.77-85
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• 2016

OBJECTIVES : A fog generated field test was conducted to analyze the relationship between the luminance of variable speed-limit signs and the legibility distance under various fog density conditions. By using this study, appropriate luminance values can be selected depending on the density of fog. METHODS : An actual tunnel was selected as the area to conduct the test, as other places cannot maintain the fog condition because of rapid air current. Ninety-two subjects were recruited for this test, which took place during the course of three days. Visibility-distance detecting sensor was used to measure the visibility distance due to the fog density time, simultaneously with the evaluation of legibility distance by subjects. RESULTS : The test results show the relationship between luminance values and the legibility distance corresponding to the visibility distance due to fog. According to the technical test results, lower luminance value such as $7000cd/m^2$ corresponds to less legibility distance compared to higher values such as $20000cd/m^2$ or $40000cd/m^2$. However, the amount of difference between $20000cd/m^2$ and $40000cd/m^2$ is negligible in our test. CONCLUSIONS : The results of this study can be used to select appropriate luminance of valuable speed signs under fog conditions. Hence, drivers can expect to have more room to respond to adverse weather conditions, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.