Showing papers on "Occupancy published in 1979"

Techniques for monitoring automobile occupancy: research in the seattle area

Abstract: Research directed at developing and testing analysis techniques for evaluating changes in average automobile occupancy is reported. The goal was to develop low-cost techniques that would be sensitive to variables of season, time, and commuting distance and then to test several hypotheses that relate to variations in the parameters of automobile occupancy. A list of four study tasks was drawn up, and data on automobile occupancy were collected at a number of sites in the Seattle region over a 15-month period. Statistical techniques that specifically address the issue of automobile occupancy were developed. The data were synthesized by computer and analyzed statistically to determine whether patterns existed among sites over time or distance. The results show no predictable patterns or trends in automobile occupancy by type of facility, traffic volume, level of transit service, distance to the Seattle central business district, month or season, day of week, or time of day. These results contradict initial hypotheses that patterns did exist that would make an abbreviated count program sufficient for measuring changes in automobile occupancy. Other variables that might relate to automobile occupancy are identified, and areas for further study are suggested. Guidelines are presented for other transportation engineers who may wish to conduct monitoring studies of automobile occupancy. /Author/

Energy conservation tests with simulated occupancy

Abstract: Whether testing the heating systems or the role of factors like house insulation, it is difficult to relate experimental results to ‘real’ situations. Occupiers' reactions vary, and the vagaries of the weather at different periods can also confuse the picture. An experiment at the UK Building Research Establishment uses two identical houses at the same location, both unoccupied and both controlled with a micro-processor, to simulate automatically occupier's behaviour in great detail— drawing curtains at night, running hot water, dining, watching TV and so on.

Safety Evaluation of Priority Techniques for High-Occupancy Vehicles, Final Report

Abstract: Priority treatments for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV) can introduce new safety problems due to operational or geometric modifications. At the same time, they can reduce the accident potential by improving overall traffic operations. The research focused on five major areas of HOV projects: (1) an examination of the pertinent accident rates, (2) an analysis of causative factors influencing safety, (3) an identification of difficult maneuvers and potential safety problems. (4) the development of recommendations to improve safety, and (5) a review of the legal authority and legal liability issues faced by HOV projects.

Building codes: what's hot, what's not

Abstract: Builders are operating under rapidly changing and innovative codes, accompanied by demands for building performance standards that require designers to know the latest regulations and technologies. Recent code changes have reduced the assembly occupancy in a given space, replaced municipal fire zoning with restrictions aimed at containing fire, redefined corridor space, expanded fire and life safety options, and adopted the Standard 90-75 code for energy conservation in new buildings recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The 90-75 standards have since been revised to emphasize building performance rather than specific requirements. Some states have added even more stringent requirements as they develop their state energy programs. Designs to eliminate architectural barriers have required new approaches. A trend toward coordination among the code-writers is evidence that the country is moving toward national performance standards, but not necessarily a national building code.

Fire Insurance Plans and British Columbia Urban History: A Union List

Abstract: Few cities have not had a major fire in their history, and in nineteenth century North America, with its cities constructed mainly of wood, fires were a very real danger. Among the measures taken to assess and control the risks of fire were fire insurance plans, a unique and invaluable source of information for the fire insurance companies when the maps were new, and for the researcher in urban studies now that the maps are old and out-of-date. "The object of the maps is to show at a glance the character of any building offered for insurance, without having to make a special examination."1 The map or plan is drawn on a large scale, usually 50, 100 or 200 feet to the inch. With the aid of symbols and colours the cartog­ rapher shows the size, shape and type of construction materials, such as wood, brick or concrete, for each building; the number of floors, doors, windows, chimneys; the fire protection facilities, such as alarms, extin­ guishers, water sprinklers. Where fire risk is involved, he indicates the use of buildings, such as restaurant, store, bakery; for industrial buildings, such as a sawmill, the type of equipment used, the source of power and water, length of operating day, use of night watchmen. The need for and origin of insurance plans are explained in an essay entitled "The Rise and Progress of Fire Insurance Diagrams" which appeared in Insurance and Real Estate Society in 1883, probably written by Charles E. Goad, the "father" of fire insurance cartography in Canada: Co-existent with the practice of fire insurance covering manufacturing risks especially, and hazardous and non-hazardous risks and occupations located at a distance from the office of the insurer as well, came the necessity for, if riot the immediate use of the "survey", a description of the premises to be covered by the policy, with the accompanying "diagram" or ground plan, showing not only the internal hazard of the risk itself, by its relative position as to neighbouring structures, their classes, occupancy, etc., by which the