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1 – 10 of 452Bhupendra Singh and Monit Kapoor
The reduced ability of eyes to see clearly even with the use of glasses is known as the state of visual impairment. Among the many challenges faced, outdoor travel is one of them…
Abstract
Purpose
The reduced ability of eyes to see clearly even with the use of glasses is known as the state of visual impairment. Among the many challenges faced, outdoor travel is one of them requiring to travel through surfaces, which has potholes and bumps.
Design/methodology/approach
The depth of the pothole and height of the bump is also conveyed to the user through different vibration pattern of various intensity. With available electronic travel aids, the visually impaired persons are still more inclined to rely on their white cane than carrying additional equipment for obstacle avoidance. In the system, all the components can be attached to the white cane, requiring no additional device to carry.
Findings
Upon experimentation with different obstacle types, the system obtained a 24.88% higher score in comparison to normal walking cane. A comparison with the state of the art available systems is also provided.
Originality/value
Moreover, the accuracy of the assistive cane can be heavily degraded if the cane is not properly held by the user. To restrict the user to hold the cane in only required orientation an alignment sensing switch is also proposed, which is missing in the current available literature.
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H. Bello-Salau, A.M. Aibinu, A.J. Onumanyi, E.N. Onwuka, J.J. Dukiya and H. Ohize
This paper presents a new algorithm for detecting and characterizing potholes and bumps directly from noisy signals acquired using an Accelerometer. A wavelet transformation based…
Abstract
This paper presents a new algorithm for detecting and characterizing potholes and bumps directly from noisy signals acquired using an Accelerometer. A wavelet transformation based filter was used to decompose the signals into multiple scales. These coefficients were correlated across adjacent scales and filtered using a spatial filter. Road anomalies were then detected based on a fixed threshold system, while characterization was achieved using unique features extracted from the filtered wavelet coefficients. Our analyses show that the proposed algorithm detects and characterizes road anomalies with high levels of accuracy, precision and low false alarm rates.
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Du-Ming Tsai, Hao Hsu and Wei-Yao Chiu
This study aims to propose a door detection method based on the door properties in both depth and gray-level images. It can further help blind people (or mobile robots) find the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a door detection method based on the door properties in both depth and gray-level images. It can further help blind people (or mobile robots) find the doorway to their destination.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method uses the hierarchical point–line region principle with majority vote to encode the surface features pixel by pixel, and then dominant scene entities line by line, and finally the prioritized scene entities in the center, left and right of the observed scene.
Findings
This approach is very robust for noise and random misclassification in pixel, line and region levels and provides sufficient information for the pathway in the front and on the left and right of a scene. The proposed robot vision-assist system can be worn by visually impaired people or mounted on mobile robots. It provides more complete information about the surrounding environment to guide safely and effectively the user to the destination.
Originality/value
In this study, the proposed robot vision scheme provides detailed configurations of the environment encountered in daily life, including stairs (up and down), curbs/steps (up and down), obstacles, overheads, potholes/gutters, hazards and accessible ground. All these scene entities detected in the environment provide the blind people (or mobile robots) more complete information for better decision-making of their own. This paper also proposes, especially, a door detection method based on the door’s features in both depth and gray-level images. It can further help blind people find the doorway to their destination in an unfamiliar environment.
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Dwan V. Robinson, Desireé Vega, James L. Moore, Renae D. Mayes and Jacob R. Robinson
There has been a substantial increase in the number of successful African Americans. However, many students, especially African American males, continue to encounter numerous…
Abstract
There has been a substantial increase in the number of successful African Americans. However, many students, especially African American males, continue to encounter numerous academic obstacles. This chapter focuses on the factors (e.g., social, academic, personal, and familial) that African American males often have to navigate throughout their PreK-12 schooling. Hindrances, such as poverty, lack of academic readiness, poor school experiences, teacher quality, and peer influences, often negatively impact the academic progress of these students and their access to higher level or gifted instruction. In this chapter, the authors discuss strategies that best counter these factors and support and supplement gifted black boys’ educational experiences. Additionally, educational practice and policy recommendations are provided.
Akhilesh Nautiyal and Sunil Sharma
A large number of roads have been constructed in the rural areas of India to connect habitations with the nearest major roads. With time, the pavements of these roads have…
Abstract
Purpose
A large number of roads have been constructed in the rural areas of India to connect habitations with the nearest major roads. With time, the pavements of these roads have deteriorated and they need some kind of maintenance, although they all do not need maintenance at the same time, as they have all not deteriorated to the same level. Hence, they have to be prioritized for maintenance.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to present a scientific methodology for prioritizing pavement maintenance, the factors affecting prioritization and the relative importance of each were identified through an expert survey. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to scientifically establish weight (importance) of each factor based on its relative importance over other factors. The proposed methodology was validated through a case study of 203 low volume rural roads in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Ranking of these roads in order of their priority for maintenance was presented as the final result.
Findings
The results show that pavement distresses, traffic volume, type of connectivity and the socioeconomic facilities located along a road are the four major factors to be considered in determining the priority of a road for maintenance.
Research limitations/implications
The methodology provides a comprehensive, scientific and socially responsible pavement maintenance prioritization method which will automatically select roads for maintenance without any bias.
Practical implications
Timely maintenance of roads will also save budgetary expenditure of restoration/reconstruction, leading to enhancement of road service life. The government will not only save money but also provide timely benefit to the needy population.
Social implications
Road transportation is the primary mode of inland transportation in rural areas. Timely maintenance of the pavements will be of great help to the socioeconomic development of rural areas.
Originality/value
The proposed methodology lays special emphasis on rural roads which are small in length, but large in number. Instead of random, a scientific method for selection of roads for maintenance will be of great help to the public works department for better management of rural road network.
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Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
Critics of globalization often suggest, understandably enough, that there is something unattractive about the high profile that many large Western retailers have in the developing world. But any suggestion that these organizations have somehow just been able to step in and take over could hardly be wider of the mark. The road to success in different parts of the world contains any number of potholes that must be avoided.
Practical implications
Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Social implications
Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that can have a broader social impact.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
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Abstract
The primary function of pavement is to distribute the concentrated loads so that supporting capacity of the sub-grade soil is not exceeded. Due to continuous application of impact loading, pavement surface is often subjected to various types of distresses. The study was conducted on a portion (Madina Market to Tuker Bazar) of Sylhet-Sunamganj road that acts as a very important link between two adjacent towns. Pavement condition ratings (PCR) of the pavement was obtained on the basis of severity and extent of different types of distresses such as alligator cracks, longitudinal cracks, potholes, rutting, raveling, patching etc. The PCR values of different segments of ‘Madina Market-Tuker Bazar’ were evaluated in this study most of which fall within the category of ‘Very Poor to Poor’ conditions. Such condition of PCR immediately recommends proper treatment of the pavement for usage convenience.
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Corporate marketers have jumped on the micromarketing bandwagon, but many have discovered that the path to profits contains a number of potholes. This article details three…
Abstract
Corporate marketers have jumped on the micromarketing bandwagon, but many have discovered that the path to profits contains a number of potholes. This article details three companies' niche marketing mistakes; the author suggests how to avoid them.
The public sector is not known for adopting leading‐edge business strategies. Indianapolis is trying to change that.