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Automated in-vehicle systems and related human-machine interfaces can contribute to alleviating the workload of drivers. However, each new functionality can also introduce a new source of workload, due to the need to attend to new tasks and thus requires careful testing before being implemented in vehicles. Driving simulators have become a viable alternative to on-the-road tests, since they allow optimal experimental control and high safety. However, for each driving simulator to be a useful research tool, for each specific task an adequate correspondence must be established between the behavior in the simulator and the behavior on the road, namely, the simulator absolute and relative validity. In this study we investigated the validity of a driving-simulator-based experimental environment for research on mental workload measures by comparing behavioral and subjective measures of workload of the same large group of participants in a simulated and on-road driving task on the same route. Consistent with previous studies, mixed support was found for both types of validity, although results suggest that allowing more and/or longer familiarization sessions with the simulator may be needed to increase its validity. Simulator sickness also emerged as a critical issue for the generalizability of the results., 1. Introduction Reconciling mobility needs with efficient and more sustainable transportation, while increasing levels of road safety, is a key objective in the transportation sector. Although many environmental factors, such [...]

Background: A few studies suggest that particulate matter (PM) exposure might play a role in bronchiolitis. However, available data are mostly focused on the risk of hospitalization and come from retrospective studies that provided conflicting results. This prospective study investigated the association between PM (PM2.5 and PM10) exposure and the severity of bronchiolitis. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between November 2019 and February 2020 at the pediatric emergency department of the Fondazione IRCCS Ca′ Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. Infants <1 year of age with bronchiolitis were eligible. The bronchiolitis severity score was assessed in each infant and a nasal swab was collected to detect respiratory viruses. The daily PM10 and PM2.5 exposure in the 29 preceding days were considered. Adjusted regression models were employed to evaluate the association between the severity score and PM10 and PM2.5 exposure. Results: A positive association between the PM2.5 levels and the severity score was found at day‐2 (β 0.0214, 95% CI 0.0011–0.0417, p =.0386), day‐5 (β 0.0313, 95% CI 0.0054–0.0572, p =.0179), day‐14 (β 0.0284, 95% CI 0.0078–0.0490, p =.0069), day‐15 (β 0.0496, 95% CI 0.0242–0.0750, p =.0001) and day‐16 (β 0.0327, 95% CI 0.0080–0.0574, p =.0093).Similar figures were observed considering the PM10 exposure and limiting the analyses to infants with respiratory syncytial virus. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time a direct association between PM2.5 and PM10 levels and the severity of bronchiolitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable transport frameworks are gaining attention within national and international transportation policies, given the key role that decarbonisation plays in making urban environments people-friendly. Within this context, several shared services and micro-mobility options are being developed, especially as first/last mile facilities, further increasing public transport coverage levels. We present an overview of the environmental impacts of different transport modes and compare them from different perspectives, namely, CO2 emission levels, total costs (also including the user generalised cost) and service life of vehicles involved. The proposed methodology is applied to an urban context, using real trip data and showing the main findings under real conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]