Effects of flashing green on driver's stop/go decision at signalized intersection

The primary objective of this work is to explore how drivers react to flashing green at signalized intersections. Through video taping and data procession based on photogrammetry, the operating speeds of vehicles before and after the moment when flashing green started was compared using paired-samples T-test. The critical distances between go and stop decisions was defined through cumulative percentage curve. The boundary of dilemma zone was determined by comparing stop distance and travel distance.Amber-running violation was analyzed on the basis of the travel time to the stop line. And finally, a logistic model for stop and go decisions was constructed. The results shows that the stopping ratios of the first vehicles of west-bound and east-bound approaches are 41.3% and 39.8%, respectively; the amber-light running violation ratios of two approaches are 31.6% and 25.4%, respectively;the operating speed growth ratios of first vehicles selecting to cross intersection after the moment when flashing green started are26.7% and 17.7%, respectively; and the critical distances are 48 m and 46 m, respectively, which are close to 44 m, the boundary of dilemma zone. The developed decision models demonstrate that the probability of go decision is higher when the distance from the stop line is shorter or operating speed is higher. This indicates that flashing green is an effective way to enhance intersection safety,but it should work together with a strict enforcement. In addition, traffic signs near critical distance and reasonable speed limitation are also beneficial to the safety of intersections.

Effect of green flickering light on myopia development and expression of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in guinea pigs

AIM： To investigate the effects of green flickering light on refractive development and expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor（mAChR） M1 in the eyes of guinea pigs.METHODS： Thirty guinea pigs（15-20 days old） were randomly divided into three groups（n=10/group）. Animals in group I were raised in a completely closed carton with green flickering light illumination. Those in group II were kept in the open top closed carton under normal natural light. Guinea pigs were raised in a sight-widen cage under normal natural light in group III. The refractive status and axial length were measured before and after 8 weeks＇ illumination. Moreover, total RNA extracted from retinal, choroidal, and scleral tissues were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）. The expressions of the receptor M1 were also explored in the retina, choroid, and sclera using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS： There was a remarkable reduction in refractive error and increase in axial length after 8-weeks＇ green flickering light stimulation（P〈0.001）. The expression of M1 receptor mRNA in sclera and retina in myopia group were remarkably lower than that in group II and III（P〈0.01）. Significant reduced expression of M1 receptor stimulated by green flickering light in retina and sclera tissues were also observed（P〈0.05）. However, there was no M1 receptor expression in choroid in 3 groups.CONCLUSION： Myopia can be induced by 8 weeks＇ green flickering light exposure in the animal model. M1 receptor may be involved causally or protectively in myopia development.