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Capacity Evaluations (capacity + evaluation)
Selected AbstractsCapacity evaluation of multi-lane traffic roundaboutJOURNAL OF ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION, Issue 4 2010Jing Bie Abstract The entry capacity at a traffic roundabout is typically evaluated for each entry approach, considering the circulating flow and geometric characteristics, e.g., the US highway capacity manual model and the UK Linear Regression model. These models are not appropriate for analyzing multi-lane roundabouts because they do not take into account the possible unequal traffic distribution between the circulating lanes. This paper introduces a lane-based methodology that evaluates the entry capacity for each individual lane while considering the traffic distribution on the circulating lanes. The arrival and circulating flows are formulated based on drivers' lane choice patterns. We then modify and extend the formulae from existing models for the analysis of capacity of multi-lane roundabout. Based on the analysis, we show that higher capacity can be achieved when the utilization on the circulating lanes is more balanced. This result can lead to improved design and management techniques to increase the capacity of multi-lane roundabout. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Seismic performance evaluation of steel arch bridges against major earthquakes.EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 14 2004Part 2: simplified verification procedure Abstract The performance-based philosophy has been accepted as a more reasonable design concept for engineering structures. For this purpose, capacity evaluation and demand prediction procedures for civil engineering structures under earthquake excitations are of great significance. This work presents a displacement-based seismic performance verification procedure including capacity and seismic demand predictions for steel arch bridges and investigates its applicability. Pushover analyses is employed as a basis in this method to investigate the structure's behaviors. A failure criterion for steel members accounting for the effect of local buckling is involved and an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom (ESDOF) system with a simplified bilinear hysteretic model formulated using pushover analyses results is introduced to estimate the displacement capacity and maximum demand of steel arch bridges under major earthquakes. To check the accuracy of the proposed method, seismic capacities and demands from multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) time-history analyses with Level-II design earthquake record inputs modeling major earthquakes are used as benchmarks for comparison. By a case study, it is clarified that the proposed prediction procedure can give accurate estimations of displacement capacities and demands of the steel arch bridge in the transverse direction, while insufficient for the longitudinal direction, which confirms the conclusion drawn in other structure types about the applicability of pushover analyses. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Functional capacity evaluation reports for clients with personal injury claims: a content analysisOCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2004Shelley Allen Abstract Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) for personal injury claimants are rigorously scrutinized by the stakeholders because of their financial implications. This study examined 51 medico-legal FCE reports for clients all of whom suffered with spinal pain attributed to a motor vehicle accident. The FCEs were completed by 14 occupational therapists. Content analysis of the FCE reports identified categories and sub-categories of objective and subjective information on which occupational therapists reported. They included employment, activities of daily living, pain, functional physical capacities and job demands. Recommendations included the suitability of current and future jobs. However, the reasoning behind occupational therapists' recommendations in the FCE reports was frequently not stated. This content analysis demonstrated that these detailed FCE reports had a consistent focus on work capacity; further, the researchers suggest refinements to FCE reporting practices so that findings, recommendations and predictions about work outcomes for clients are interpreted clearly and realistically. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] The role of proxies in treatment decisions: evaluating functional capacity to consent to end-of-life treatments within a family context,BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW, Issue 3 2002Rebecca S. Allen Ph.D. Psychology as a profession has entered the arena of palliative and hospice care later in the process than other health care professions. Through the use of Familial Advance Planning Evaluations (FAPEs), however, psychologists can assist individuals and families in facing end-of-life transitions in important ways. Hospice and palliative care philosophy treats the patient and family as the unit of care. End-of-life decision-making is therefore a family matter as well as a normative developmental transition. Yet, little is known about the decision-making process. This paper reviews the literature regarding informed consent, advance care planning, and proxy decision-making and outlines a theoretical model for familial decision-making. Previous models of end-of-life capacity evaluations and family assessments are presented and serve as the basis for a comprehensive assessment of familial decision-making at the end of life. Functional capacity evaluations of individuals at the end of life regarding decisions about life-sustaining medical treatments enable both the individual patient and one identified proxy from his or her family to discuss important issues families may face during medical crises at the end of life. The information gleaned from such evaluations has the potential to assist psychologists and other professionals in designing family-specific interventions to reduce caregiving distress, improve quality of life for dying patients, and ease the transition to bereavement for caregivers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||