Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) play an important role in supporting motorists and first responders to handle major incidents, hazmat spills, security measures and other emergency operations. Increasingly, technology advancements and applications are providing invaluable integration opportunities to interconnect safety, maintenance, ITS, traffic operations, facilities, and transportation equipment programs to maximize available resources and achieve efficiency in transportation operations. This research focuses on one of the prominent ITS devices: Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) operations. Using real time incident management operations data and ITS operations data, an attempt is made to develop ITS Operations Evaluations Models (ITSOEMs) that are capable of quantifying the operations value of DMS and their complementing ITS surveillance and detection systems, such as CCTV, Safety Service Patrol (SSP) and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. The I-95 corridor in the state of Virginia is selected as the Study Corridor. Operations data from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on DMS and ITS detection systems and incident management is analyzed to accomplish four key research objectives: a) To collect, extract and evaluate real time operations data from VDOT ITS and incident management operations programs and identify the factors contributing to the successful operation of DMS for the duration of incidents and events occurring on the I-95 Study Corridor; b) To develop analytical models to determine measurable influence of incident detections in successfully disseminating messages on DMS; c) To develop ITS Operations evaluation models to determine the effectiveness of DMS messages during incidents by quantifying the influence of DMS messages in the deterrence of secondary incidents on the I-95 Study Corridor; and d) To develop guidelines on the application of these quantitative ITS evaluation models so that transportation engineers can effectively use these models to perform ITS evaluations at other ITS locations. The ITS evaluation framework developed in this research work is expected to assist transportation engineers in the prioritization, selection and implementation of operations and technology integration strategies.

Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία παρουσιάζεται η στατιστική ανάλυση των πληγμάτων των κεραυνών στην Ελλάδα κατά τα τελευταία τέσσερα χρόνια (2011-2014). Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται το φαινόμενο του κεραυνού, τα είδη των κεραυνών και τα φυσικά χαρακτηριστικά του, ενώ στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζονται οι επιπτώσεις των κεραυνών. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναλύονται τα δεδομένα που συλλέχθηκαν από τον ηλεκτρονικό κυρίως τύπο της χώρας, και τα οποία σχετίζονται με τους θανάτους και τους τραυματισμούς ανθρώπων, τους θανάτους ζώων, τις πυρκαγιές και τα πλήγματα σε εγκαταστάσεις, κτήρια και αεροπλάνα που οφείλονται σε πτώσεις κεραυνών για την χρονική περίοδο που εξετάστηκε. Τα στοιχεία έχουν κατανεμηθεί σε έτη, μήνες και ημέρες των συμβάντων. Επιπλέον, εισάγεται ο σχετικός συντελεστής θανάτων από κεραυνούς Dr, ο οποίος εκφράζει το σχετικό αριθμό θανάτων εξαιτίας κεραυνού σε μια χώρα ή περιοχή λαμβάνοντας υπ’ όψιν τον πληθυσμό, την έκταση και την δραστηριότητα των κεραυνών (Ng). Αυτός ο συντελεστής θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα κριτήριο για την αποτελεσματικότητα των μέτρων προστασίας από κεραυνούς, καθώς και για τα αποτελέσματα των εκπαιδευτικών και ενημερωτικών εκστρατειών για την προστασία από τους κεραυνούς. Από την ανάλυση των δεδομένων για τους θανάτους ανθρώπων εξαιτίας κεραυνού συμπεράναμε ότι έχουμε ένα μέσο όρο των 2,25 απωλειών ανά έτος (9 απώλειες συνολικά) και ότι το 77,8% των συμβάντων σημειώθηκαν κατά τους μήνες του μεσοκαλόκαιρου (Μάιος-Σεπτέμβριος), με τον Σεπτέμβριο να είναι ο μήνας με τα περισσότερα συμβάντα. Όσον αφορά τους τραυματισμούς από κεραυνικά πλήγματα, έχουμε ένα μέσο όρο των 3,75 τραυματιών ανά έτος, με το 40% των συμβάντων να τοποθετείται χρονικά κατά τη διάρκεια των μηνών του μεσοκαλόκαιρου, και με τον Νοέμβριο να είναι ο «χειρότερος», σε πλήθος περιστατικών, από τους δώδεκα μήνες. Κατά την τετραετή περίοδο καταγράφηκαν 979 θάνατοι ζώων σε μόλις 9 περιστατικά κεραυνικών πληγμάτων, με τον μέσο όρο να ανέρχεται σε 244,75 θανάτους ζώων ανά έτος. Το 60,2% των θανάτων αυτών σημειώθηκε τον Αύγουστο, ενώ συνολικά τους μήνες του μεσοκαλόκαιρου σημειώθηκε το 96,2% των θανάτων ζώων. Οι πυρκαγιές που σημειώθηκαν ήταν 45, αριθμός που αντιστοιχεί σε έναν μέσο όρο 11,25 πυρκαγιών ανά έτος, με το 62,2% αυτών να είναι δασικές. Το μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό των πυρκαγιών σημειώθηκαν κατά τους μήνες του μεσοκαλόκαιρου (73,4%). Ο μέσος όρος των πληγέντων εγκαταστάσεων από κεραυνό ανήλθε σε 9,5 ανά έτος (38 συμβάντα συνολικά), με τα περισσότερα περιστατικά να έχουν καταγραφεί τον Οκτώβριο. Τα κτήρια τα οποία επλήγησαν από κεραυνό ανήλθαν σε 23 με μέσο όρο 5,75 ανά έτος. Επιπλέον, καταγράφηκαν 5 κεραυνικά πλήγματα σε αεροσκάφη κατά την τετραετία που εξετάσθηκε, με το 80% των πληγμάτων να έχουν καταγραφεί κατά τους μήνες που έχουμε τις περισσότερες καταιγίδες στην Ελλάδα. Επίσης, έγινε η κατανομή των συμβάντων όλων των κατηγοριών στις ημέρες της εβδομάδος, χωρίς όμως να βγει κάποιο ενδιαφέρον συμπέρασμα. Τέλος, στο παράρτημα παρουσιάζονται λεπτομερώς τα συμβάντα, όπως καταγράφηκαν από την εκάστοτε πηγή. / This project presents the statistical analysis of lightning strikes in Greece over the last four years (2011-2014). The first chapter describes the phenomenon of lightning, types of lightning and its natural features, while the second chapter outlines the implications of lightning. The third chapter analyses the data, that were collected mainly from the country’s electronic media, concerning deaths, injuries, animal deaths, fires, strokes at facilities, structures and airplanes due to lightning for the time period examined. The data are based on distribution in years, months and days of occurrence. Furthermore, the relative lightning death indicator Dr is introduced, that expresses the relative number of lightning deaths in a country or region taking into account its population, its area and the lightning activity Ng. This indicator could be a criterion for the effectiveness of lightning protection, and for the outcomes of education and information campaigns for the protection from lightning. From the data analysis on lightning deaths we have concluded an average of 2.25 casualties per year (9 total loss) and that 77.8% of the incidents occurred during the months of Midsummer (May-September), with September being the month with most deaths. Regarding injuries from lightning strikes, we have an average of 3.75 injuries per year, while 40% of incidents have taken place during the months of Midsummer, and November being the "worst" of the twelve months in number of incidents. During the four-year period, 979 animal deaths were recorded in just 9 incidents of lightning strikes, with the average standing at 244.75 animal deaths per year. 60.2% of these deaths occurred in August, while during the months of Midsummer occurred 96.2% of total animal deaths. The fires that occurred were 45, corresponding to an average of 11.25 fires per year, with 62.2% of them being forest fires. The majority of fires occurred during the months of Midsummer (73.4%). The average of affected facilities from lightning reached 9.5 per year (38 incidents in total). The most incidents have been recorded on October. The structures which were hit by lightning amounted to 23 with an average of 5.75 per year. Moreover, 5 lightning strikes to aircraft were recorded over the four years examined, with 80% of these strikes occurring during the months that we have the most storms in Greece. The distribution of events of all categories in the days of the week is also presented, but we did not get to an interesting conclusion. Finally, in the annex the events are presented in details, as recorded by each source.

Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής είναι η μελέτη των αναπτυσσόμενων υπερτάσεων στις γραμμές μεταφοράς υψηλής τάσης (132kV) του δικτύου της Αρχής Ηλεκτρισμού Κύπρου. Γίνεται μια παρουσίαση του κάθε στοιχείου του δικτύου ξεχωριστά, με ποιο τρόπο μπορεί να μοντελοποιηθεί και πως συμπεριφέρεται σε κεραυνικό πλήγμα εύρους 100kA με τρία διαφορετικά σήματα. Τέλος παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης στο λογισμικό ATP-EMTP και εξάγονται παρατηρήσεις και συμπεράσματα. Αρχικά στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται μια εισαγωγική παρουσίαση της διπλωματικής εργασίας, μια ιστορική αναδρομή για τα συστήματα ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας και την επανάσταση που έφερε η ανάπτυξη τους. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζεται η πορεία του ηλεκτρισμού στη Κύπρο κάτω από το φορέα διαχείρισης του, την Αρχή Ηλεκτρισμού Κύπρου. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο παρατίθενται λεπτομερώς τα στοιχεία που συνθέτουν σήμερα το δίκτυο της Α.Η.Κ από την παραγωγή, τη μεταφορά και τη διανομή της ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας στο νησί. Ακόμη γίνεται μία σύντομη αναφορά στο κλίμα της Κύπρου και πως αυτό ευνοεί τη δημιουργία κεραυνών. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται και περιγράφεται αναλυτικά η αιτία της δημιουργίας των εξωτερικών υπερτάσεων, δηλαδή ο κεραυνός και πως λειτουργεί αυτός ως φυσικό φαινόμενο. Επίσης περιγράφονται οι διάφοροι μηχανισμοί δημιουργίας υπερτάσεων από τους κεραυνούς. Στα επόμενα τρία κεφάλαια παρουσιάζονται ενδελεχώς τα τρία βασικά στοιχεία του δικτύου το οποίο τυγχάνει προσομοίωσης, δηλαδή οι γραμμές μεταφοράς, οι πυλώνες και οι αλυσοειδείς μονωτήρες ανάρτησης. Συγκεκριμένα, για τις μεταφοράς γίνεται αναφορά στα γενικά τους στοιχεία, στα χαρακτηριστικά τους αλλά και στις καταπονήσεις που υφίστανται. Στους πυλώνες παρουσιάζεται η καταπόνηση τους από κεραυνούς με απότομο μέτωπο, το πως εκτιμάται η αντίσταση γείωσης τους και τι ρόλο παίζει η ειδική αντίσταση εδάφους. Όσο αφορά τους μονωτήρες ανάρτησης προβάλλονται γενικά κατασκευαστικά τους στοιχεία, οι συνθήκες στις οποίες λαμβάνει χώρα η υπερπήδηση(διάσπαση) τους και οι μέθοδοι υπολογισμού του χρόνου επιφανειακής διάσπασης των. Στο έβδομο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται το λογισμικό ATP- EMTP μέσω του οποίου γίνεται η μοντελοποίηση των στοιχείων του δικτύου και η προσομοίωση τους. Γίνεται αναφορά στη δομή του προγράμματος, τα ιστορικά του στοιχεία, τις διάφορες βιβλιοθήκες μοντέλων που εμπεριέχονται σε αυτό, τα διάφορα προγράμματα υποστήριξης του και περισσότερο το ATP – Draw όπου παρέχεται η δυνατότητα για σχεδίαση των στοιχείων και εισαγωγή των παραμέτρων τους. Στο όγδοο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζεται η μοντελοποίηση των προαναφερθέντων στοιχείων της διάταξης και ενσωμάτωση τους στο ATP – EMTP. Τέλος, στο ένατο και τελευταίο κεφάλαιο παρατίθενται τα αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης, η εξαγωγή των αποτελεσμάτων, οι παρατηρήσεις και τα συμπεράσματα. / The aim of the work described in this thesis is the study of the induced overvoltages on high voltage transmission lines (132kV) of the network of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus. Every network element is separately described, ways for the modeling of each element are explored and the behavior of each element during a 100kA lightning strike using three different signals is observed. Lastly, the results of the simulation are presented by using ATP/EMTP software, observations are made and findings are determined. The first chapter introduces the thesis and consists of a historical overview of electrical power systems and an overview of the revolution brought through their development. Thereafter the development of electricity in Cyprus as part of the electricity supplier “Electricity Authority of Cyprus” is analyzed. A detailed review of the system used by the “Electricity Authority of Cyprus” (Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Supply) constitutes the second chapter. Further, a brief reference to the climate of Cyprus is made and on how it favors the formation of lightning. The third chapter presents and describes in detail what might cause extraneous voltages, i.e. lightning and how it works as a natural phenomenon. Plus the different generation mechanisms of lightning overvoltages are described. In the next three chapters the main three elements of the network being simulated are presented in detail, i.e. transmission lines, pylons and catenary suspension insulators. Namely, with regard to transmission lines general information is given, their characteristics are described along with the stresses they face. As long as the pylons are concerned, the stresses they face by steep-front lightning are described, information on how to assess their grounding system resistance is given and it is also discussed whether Soil Resistivity plays a dominant role. Regarding suspension insulators their parts are described, the circumstances under which their disruptive discharge takes place and the methods of calculating surface discharges. In the seventh chapter the ATP/EMTP software used for network modeling and simulation is presented. Reference is made to the program structure, the historical data, the various model- libraries included in it, the various supporting programs and more specifically ATPDraw which creates/draws the elements and which does the parameter fitting. The eighth chapter contains the analysis of the modeling of the aforementioned parts of the assembly and their integration in the ATP/EMTP. Lastly, in the ninth and final chapter the results of the simulation are presented, observations are made and findings are determined.

What affect if an incident is reported? - an interview study with nurses ABSTRACT Everyday in health care, there are incidents which can harm patients. However, reporting these incidents is not always a positive experience. The number of incident reports which are documented are a lot fewer than the number of incidents that actually occur. The purpose of the present study was to describe factors that affect nurses’ decisions on whether to report an incident or not. Interviews were carried out with ten nurses. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Collected data were analysed, inspired by Burnard’s model of content analysis. The result showed two categories which can affect the decision of whether to report or not report an incident. One category Personal considerations, described that personal consequences for all concerned were important, that is, consequences for themselves, the patient, workmates and their own family. They also felt a moral responsibility and claimed that their conscience sometimes guided them when they chose whether to report an incident or not. The second category, Leadership and organisation described practical consequences; nurses wanted feedback and wanted to see that reporting incidents led to changes being made. They also claimed that the culture and routines in the workplace influenced their decision to report an incident. Hopefully, in order to ensure patient safety, the result in this study can contribute to preventive measures being taken so that even more incidents are reported, as this affects patient safety in the highest degree.

From 2000 to 2007, the five core county area of Metropolitan Atlanta (Fulton, Dekalb, Clayton, Cobb and Gwinnett) experienced 1,871 incidents involving child pedestrians. Nearly one-third of these incidents occurred during school-commuting hours. This study examines the geospatial locations of these incidents, with regards to the location of all 647 public schools within the study area. A GIS is used to analyze the spatiotemporal arrangement of these incidents in order to find risk factors and patterns in the data. Aspects of the built environment are then considered in areas with higher frequencies of child pedestrian-vehicle incidents. A walkability assessment is conducted to assess risk factors involved in the increased incident frequencies in an area of Stone Mountain. A correlation with the location of parks, recreation centers and other destinations are found. Improvements and installation of crosswalks are suggested in order to improve safety and walkability of child pedestrians in these areas.

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Worldwide, fatal traffic injuries and drowning deaths are important problems. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the cirumstances of fatal and non-fatal traffic injuries and drowning deaths in Sweden including analysis of the presence of alcohol and drugs, which are considered to be major risk factors for these events. Data where obtained from the database of National Board of Forensic Medicine. In the first study, we investigated 420 passenger deaths from 372 crashes during 1993-1996. There were 594 drivers involved. In total, 21% of the drivers at fault were alcohol positive compared to 2% of drivers not at fault (p<0.001) (Paper I). During 2004-2007, crashes involving 56 fatally and 144 non-fatally injured drivers were investigated in a prospective study from Northern Sweden (Paper II). The drivers were alcohol positive in 38% and 21%, respectively. Psychoactive drugs were found in 7% and 13%, respectively. Benzodiazepines, opiates and antidepressants were the most frequent drugs found in drivers. Illict drugs were found 9% and 4% respectively, with tetrahydrocannabinol being the most frequent of these drugs (Paper II). We investigated 5,125 drowning deaths in Sweden during 1992-2009 (Paper III). The incidence decreased on average by about 2% each year (p<0.001). Unintentional drowning was most common (50%). Alcohol was found in 44% of unintentional, 24% of intentional, and 45% of undetermined drowning deaths. Psychoactive substances were detected in 40% and benzodiazepines were the most common substance. Illicit drugs were detected in 10%. Of all drowning deaths, a significantly higher proportion females commited suicide compared with males (55% vs. 21%, p<0.001). Suicidal drowning deaths (n=129) in Northern Sweden were studied further in detail (Paper IV). of these, 53% had been hospitalized due to a psychiatric diagnosis within five years prior to the suicide. Affective and psychotic disorders were the most common psychiatric diagnoses. Almost one third had performed a previous suicide attempt. One fourth had committed suicide after less than one week of discharge from hospital. Alochol was found in 16% and psychoactive drugs in 62% of these cases, respectively.  In conclusion, alcohol and psychoactive drugs are commonly detected among injured drivers and drowning victims, and probably play a role in these events. Most of the individuals that tested positive for alcohol and high blood concentrations, indicating alochol dependence or abuse. This association warrants futher attention when planning future prevention.

Law and health policy converge with pediatric patient safety incident (PPSI) disclosure. Disclosure is vital for patient safety efforts, while respecting the decision-making autonomy of pediatric patients involves balancing parental and legal obligations with the developing independence of children. This study examined legislation potentially relevant to PPSI disclosure, along with disclosure policies from organizations providing pediatric care. Health professionals have limited legislative guidance for disclosing PPSIs and developing institutional policies. Relevant legislation is complex and varies between jurisdictions. Three jurisdictions legislatively require disclosure, including PPSI disclosure to substitute decision makers. In jurisdictions without disclosure legislation, guidance may be obtained from other legislation, including consent and capacity, substitute decision making, and child welfare. Organizations in jurisdictions with disclosure legislation may be more likely to have policies. Such policies vary between organizations. Within the policies reviewed, PPSI disclosure is based on capacity, made to a substitute decision maker, or not addressed.

Law and health policy converge with pediatric patient safety incident (PPSI) disclosure. Disclosure is vital for patient safety efforts, while respecting the decision-making autonomy of pediatric patients involves balancing parental and legal obligations with the developing independence of children. This study examined legislation potentially relevant to PPSI disclosure, along with disclosure policies from organizations providing pediatric care. Health professionals have limited legislative guidance for disclosing PPSIs and developing institutional policies. Relevant legislation is complex and varies between jurisdictions. Three jurisdictions legislatively require disclosure, including PPSI disclosure to substitute decision makers. In jurisdictions without disclosure legislation, guidance may be obtained from other legislation, including consent and capacity, substitute decision making, and child welfare. Organizations in jurisdictions with disclosure legislation may be more likely to have policies. Such policies vary between organizations. Within the policies reviewed, PPSI disclosure is based on capacity, made to a substitute decision maker, or not addressed.