Search Results (20)

Motor insurance can use telematics data not only to understand individual driving style but also to implement innovative coaching strategies that feed back to the drivers, through an app, the aggregated information extracted from the data. The purpose is to encourage an improvement in their driving style. A precondition for this improvement is that drivers are digitally engaged, that is, they interact with the app. This paper proposes a narrow understanding of the term engagement, referring to users’ interactions with the app. This interaction is also a behavior producing specific data that can be tracked and used by insurance companies. Based on the empirical investigation of the dataset of a company selling a telematics motor insurance policy, our research investigates if there is a correlation between engagement with the app and improvement of driving style. The analysis distinguishes different groups of users with different driving abilities, and takes into account time differences. Our findings contribute to clarifying the methodological challenges that must be addressed when exploring engagement and coaching effectiveness in proactive insurance policies. We conclude by discussing the possibility and difficulties of tracking and using second-order behavioral data related to policyholder engagement with the app. Full article

Increased forearm activity may reflect greater steering input or control effort, which, if optimised, could reduce cornering time and thereby improve lap performance. This proof-of-concept case study aimed to quantify forearm muscle activity during two test sessions, with data-driven driver feedback in between sessions to inform steering technique. One ex-professional European karting driver was recruited for this study. A 20 Hz GPS was mounted on the kart, and two electromyography sensors were attached to the left and right flexor digitorum superficialis. In session one, the driver completed 19 laps; EMG data from the fastest lap (51.99 s) were analysed and used to provide feedback. In session two, the driver completed 20 laps, achieving a best time of 51.60 s. EMG analysis revealed greater left forearm activity during left-hand corners in session one, shifting to greater right forearm activity during right-hand corners in session two. The 0.39 s improvement in lap time suggests that EMG-informed feedback may influence steering technique and enhance performance. These findings highlight the potential of integrating EMG analysis into driver coaching, particularly in training and qualifying contexts. Full article

This document comprehensively analyses the literature on accelerometers used in monitoring systems designed for rail vehicle applications. It reviews the current research on this topic and highlights key findings, methodologies, and trends in the field. Additionally, it discusses the role of accelerometers in enhancing safety and performance within rail vehicle systems. This review is structured into several sections: Introduction, Fundamentals of Accelerometer Data, Signal-Processing Techniques, Examples of Accelerometers Used in Railway Monitoring Systems, and a Guide for Choosing the Right Accelerometer. One of the primary contributions of this paper is recommending the best accelerometer in terms of cost and performance for use in the rail vehicle industry. Future work will consider using an online detection tool for the acceleration of the frame of the railway coach and signalization of the peak values using the train intercom to the driver and static diagnosis systems. This approach aims to facilitate the detection of track irregularities, wind influence, and failures of the coach suspensions, which can be easily detected. Full article

The use of video-based learning designs in higher education has gained increased attention in higher education in the last decade. The aim of this study is to contribute to the development of knowledge about video-based learning designs as potential drivers of professional competence for different practitioners in schools: teachers, mentors, and school leaders. By adopting a theoretical perspective of authentic learning, we explore how different video-based learning designs can play out in educational settings. Based on a comparative analysis of learning designs and student experiences, we argue that the use of practice videos does not necessarily enhance authentic learning. Findings illuminate how student interaction with practice videos and other mediating tools can contribute to authentic learning. However, the findings also illuminate how university-based educators need to be conscious in striving to design authentic learning. The potential of coaching and mentoring as potential mediators that can enhance learning is highlighted. Implications for designing for video-based professional development are elaborated on. Full article

Football clubs regularly test and monitor players, with different approaches reflecting player age and competitive level. This narrative review aims to summarise justifications for testing and commonly used testing protocols. We also aim to discuss the validity and reliability of specific tests used to assess football players and provide a holistic overview of protocols currently used in football or those demonstrating potential utility. The PubMed, SportDiscus, and Google Scholar databases were screened for relevant articles from inception to September 2024. Articles that met our inclusion criteria documented tests for several purposes, including talent identification or the assessment of growth/maturation, physiological capacity, sport-specific skill, health status, monitoring fatigue/recovery, training adaptation, and injury risk factors. We provide information on specific tests of anthropometry, physical capacity, biochemical markers, psychological indices, injury risk screening, sport-specific skills, and genetic profile and highlight where certain tests may require further evidence to support their use. The available evidence suggests that test selection and implementation are influenced by financial resources, coach perceptions, and playing schedules. The ability to conduct field-based testing at low cost and to test multiple players simultaneously appear to be key drivers of test development and implementation among practitioners working in elite football environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent guidelines on early intervention in children at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP) recommend parental involvement and family-centered home-based interventions with parents as primary trainers. Therapist coaching by home visitation is resource demanding, and telerehabilitation is a viable option for remote intervention and coaching. This study aims to describe parents’ experiences of engaging in Baby-mCIMT coached remotely. Their infants are at high risk of unilateral cerebral palsy and the parents have been the primary trainers in regard to home-based intervention, optimizing the use of the affected hand. Methods: A qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews with eight parents was employed. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The overarching theme “Parents in the driver’s seat—learning through remote coaching to create conditions to enhance the child’s motor skills” describes parents’ experiences as primary training providers. The following three underlying categories with subcategories were identified: (1) Baby-mCIMT coached remotely in an everyday context—practical and technical prerequisites; (2) the child’s response and the therapists’ coaching supports active parental learning; (3) capability and sense of control—strengthening and demanding aspects. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that Baby-mCIMT coached remotely empowered the parents as primary trainers, which provided them with opportunities for understanding and learning about their child and their development. The findings underscore the importance of responsive professional guidance and a strong therapist–parent relationship to succeed with the Baby-mCIMT program coached remotely and to manage the digital coaching format. Full article

In the global fight against climate change, stimulating eco-driving could contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Company car drivers are a main target in this challenge as they represent a significant market share and are typically not motivated financially to drive more fuel efficiently (and thus more eco-friendly). As this target group has received little previous research attention, we examine whether digitally administered feedback and coaching systems can trigger such company car owners to drive eco-friendly. We do so by using respondents (employees of a financial services company (N = 327)) that voluntarily have a digital device (‘dongle’) installed in their company car, which monitors and records driving behavior-related variables. In a longitudinal real-life field study, we communicate eco-driving recommendations (e.g., avoid harsh braking, accelerate gently, etc.) to the respondent drivers via a digital (computer) interface. Over a 21-week time frame (one block of seven weeks before the intervention, seven weeks of intervention, and seven weeks after the intervention), we test whether eco-driving recommendations in combination with personalized, graphical ‘eco-score index evolution’ feedback increase eco-driving behavior. We also experimentally evaluate the impact of adding social comparison elements to the feedback (e.g., providing feedback on a person’s eco-driving performance compared to that of the same car brand users). Structural Equation Modeling (in MPlus 8.4) is used to analyze data. Our results show that digitally administered personal performance feedback increases eco-driving behavior both during and after the feedback intervention. However, we do not observe increased effects when social comparison information is added to the feedback. As this latter element is surprising, we conclude with a reflection on possible explanations and suggest areas for future research. We contribute to the sustainable eco-driving literature by researching an understudied group: company car drivers. More specifically, we contribute by demonstrating the effectiveness of digitally administered personal performance feedback on eco-driving for this group and by observing and reflecting on the (in)effectiveness of feedback containing social comparison information. Full article

A vehicle’s longitudinal acceleration is a parameter often used for determining vehicle motion dynamics. This parameter can also be used to evaluate driver behavior and passenger comfort analysis. The paper presents the results of longitudinal acceleration tests of city buses and coaches recorded during rapid acceleration and braking maneuvers. The presented test results demonstrate that longitudinal acceleration is significantly affected by road conditions and surface type. In addition, the paper presents the values of longitudinal accelerations of city buses and coaches during their regular operation. These results were obtained on the basis of registration of vehicle traffic parameters in a continuous and long-term manner. The test results showed that the maximum deceleration values recorded during the tests of city buses and coaches in real traffic conditions were much lower than the maximum deceleration values found during sudden braking maneuvers. This proves that the tested drivers in real conditions did not have to use sudden braking. The maximum positive acceleration values recorded in acceleration maneuvers were slightly higher than the acceleration values logged during the rapid acceleration tests on the track. Full article

The purpose of this study was: (1) to propose a classification system for the contributory factors behind major coach and bus accidents with mass casualties based on the human factor analysis and classification system (HFACS); and (2) to identify the main contributory factors behind accidents and the main indicators of the causal factors. Based on 56 official investigation reports of major coach and bus accidents with more than 10 fatalities, a qualitative content analysis was conducted to develop a modified classification system for the contributory factors behind these accidents, and a gray correlation analysis was conducted to identify the main causative factors and indicators by calculating the correlation degrees. The results showed that the modified classification system for the contributory factors behind major coach and bus accidents can be divided into seven levels: government regulations, the organizational influence of passenger transportation enterprises, unsafe internal operational supervision, preconditions for drivers’ unsafe acts, drivers’ unsafe acts, proximate causes other than the driver’s act, and moderating factors affecting accident severity and probability. The organizational influence of passenger transportation enterprises is the most significant factor affecting the accidents. Thus, passenger transport enterprises must systematically strengthen their responsibility and safety management to prevent accidents. Accident investigations should begin with the accident process to determine the proximate cause as well as the factors that influence the likelihood and severity of the accident. Full article

Background: Attainment of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) metrics reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; yet, Black Americans have the lowest LS7 attainment among all communities, the highest rate of CVD mortality, and low clinical trial participation. Social support is positively correlated with chronic disease self-management. Here, we describe the role of social support in a single-arm pilot clinical trial of a community-based lifestyle intervention among Black American men. Methods: The 24-week intervention featured weekly team-based physical activity and LS7-themed education. Seventy-four Black men participated in the intervention; twenty agreed to participate in exit surveys via one of three semi-structured focus groups. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis framed by House’s social support framework. Results: Participants reported support from both peers and health coaches. The sub-themes of social support among peers were: (1) acknowledgement, understanding, and validation, (2) inspiration, (3) sense of community, (4) fear of disappointing fellow participants, and (5) group synergy. The sub-themes of social support from the health coaches and study team staff included: (1) contemplation of current health status, (2) racial concordance of health coaches and study team staff, (3) investment of the research team, (4) incentives, (5) access to healthcare providers, and (6) the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotional support was the most frequently discussed theme. Conclusions: Social support, especially emotional support, from peers and health coaches was a driver of clinical trial participation among participants. The intervention created a positive social environment and decreased medical mistrust. This intervention may provide a framework by which to facilitate clinical trial participation among Black men. Full article

Real-time coaching programs are designed to give feedback on driving behavior to usage-based motor insurance users; they are often general purpose programs that aim to promote smooth driving. Here, we investigated the effect of different on-board real-time coaching programs on the driving behavior on highway deceleration lanes with a driving simulator experiment. The experiment was organized into two trials. The first was a baseline trial, in which participants drove without receiving any feedback; a cluster analysis was then performed to divide participants into two groups, based on their observed driving style. One month later, a second trial was carried out, with participants driving on the same path as the first trial, this time receiving contingent feedback related to their braking/acceleration behavior. Four feedback systems were tested; overall, there were eight experimental groups, depending on the clustered driving style (aggressive and defensive), feedback modality (visual and auditory), and feedback valence (positive and negative). Speed, deceleration, trajectory, and lateral control variables, collected before and onto the deceleration lane, were investigated with mixed ANOVAs, which showed that the real-time coaching programs significantly reduced speeds and maximum deceleration values, while improving lateral control. A change toward a safer exit strategy (i.e., entering the lane before starting to decelerate) was also observed in defensive drivers. Full article

Nowadays, AI has many applications in everyday human activities such as exercise, eating, sleeping, and automobile driving. Tech companies can apply AI to identify individual behaviors (e.g., walking, eating, driving), analyze them, and offer personalized feedback to help individuals make improvements accordingly. While offering personalized feedback is more beneficial for drivers, most smart driver systems in the current market do not use it. This paper presents AutoCoach, an intelligent AI agent that classifies drivers’ into different driving-personality groups to offer personalized feedback. We have built a cloud-based Android application to collect, analyze and learn from a driver’s past driving data to provide personalized, constructive feedback accordingly. Our GUI interface provides real-time user feedback for both warnings and rewards for the driver. We have conducted an on-the-road pilot user study. We conducted a pilot study where drivers were asked to use different agent versions to compare personality-based feedback versus non-personality-based feedback. The study result proves our design’s feasibility and effectiveness in improving the user experience when using a personality-based driving agent, with 61% overall acceptance that it is more accurate than non-personality-based. Full article

This paper proposes a predictive driver coaching (PDC) system for fuel economy driving for hybrid electric trucks using upcoming static map and dynamic traffic data. Unlike traditional methods that optimize over engine torque and brake to obtain a speed profile, we propose to optimize over driving modes of trucks to achieve a trade-off between fuel consumption and trip time. The optimal driving mode is provided to the driver as a coaching recommendation. To obtain the optimal solution, the truck dynamics are firstly modeled as a hybrid controlled switching dynamical system with autonomous subsystems and then a hybrid optimal control problem (HOCP) is formulated. The problem is solved using an algorithm based on discrete hybrid minimum principle. A warm-start strategy to reduce algorithmic iterations is used by employing a shrinking horizon strategy. In addition, an extensive analysis of the proposed algorithm is provided. We prove that the the coasting mode is never optimal given the truck configuration and and we provide a guideline for tuning parameters to maintain the optimal mode sequence. Finally, the algorithm is validated using real-world data from baseline driving tests using a DAF hybrid truck. Significant reduction in fuel consumption is achieved when the data is perfectly available. Full article

Coach drivers are integral to the coach tourism industry. However, they are susceptible to job stress in the tourism context. Few studies address this problem from a job stress theory and tourism scenario. This study, thus, examines the network relationships between criteria and proposes a physical and workable improvement plan. A novel DEMATEL-based ANP and VIKOR (DANP-V) model is used to examine the job stress criteria based on the transaction stress framework in the tourist coach context of Taiwan. The expert survey produced useful results. The influential network relation map (INRM) illustrates the sequence of improvement is job stressors, cognitive coping strategies, and stress outcomes. The gap values of the modified VIKOR suggest the first priority to reach the aspired level is reducing stress outcomes. However, teaching active action as a strategy to cope with job stress is a long-term goal. These results are formulated into an action plan and can be easily indexed and followed. The findings have practical implications for decision-makers and coach drivers and may contribute to coach driver job-related stress management, ultimately, helping the sustainability of coach tourism. Full article

Background: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the effectiveness of a self-management toolbox designed to maintain work ability and vitality in coach drivers over their peak season. Methods: The intervention group received a self-management intervention providing advice aimed at increasing work ability and vitality. These suggestions targeted three specific domains: work–recovery–rest balance, food and drink intake, and physical activity. At the beginning (March), middle (July), and end (October) of the coach sector peak season, work ability, vitality, work-related fatigue, psychosomatic health, sleep complaints, and perceived mental exertion of coach drivers were assessed through questionnaires. Results: A total of 96 drivers participated in the study. Access to the toolbox did not result in significant differences between groups. Work ability and vitality decreased significantly in both groups, falling from 7.8 ± 1.3 to 7.3 ± 1.6 and from 63 ± 16.7 to 55 ± 18.7, respectively. Work-related fatigue increased from 35 ± 31.9 to 52 ± 35.3. Psychosomatic health complaints, sleep complaints, and perceived mental exertion also increased significantly. Conclusions: The uptake of the intervention was too low to determine if this toolbox can maintain work ability and vitality in coach drivers when compared with a control group. Overall work ability and vitality decrease significantly as the peak season progresses, while work-related fatigue accumulates. Other interventions should be explored to ensure sustainable employability in this population. Full article