Award Date

12-2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE)

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Committee Member

Puskin Kachroo, Chair

Second Committee Member

Rama Venkat

Third Committee Member

Brendan Morris

Graduate Faculty Representative

Alexander Paz

Number of Pages

78

Abstract

Research shows that drivers are susceptible to numerous distractions while driving which can be held responsible as the reason of a crash. Usage of cell phones, i.e. talking or texting while driving is considered one of the prominent distractions which causes a crash. This dissertation aims to study the number of crashes occurring on the freeways and their relation with the drivers of these cars using cell phones while they are driving. Since crashes occur relatively less frequently, the study of crashes is done using what is called the "rare event" theory. Java based simulations are done to model a six lane freeway. The cars travelling on the freeway are assigned probabilities of having and using a cell phone. This in turn leads to a probability of getting distracted and changing their normal behaviour which may or may not cause a crash. A Life table is constructed using the data observed for 24 hours and using the techniques described in the thesis, it is analysed to see which rare event probabilistic model it fits into.

Keywords

Cell phones and traffic accidents; Computer simulation; Distracted driving; Traffic simulation

Disciplines

Computer Sciences | Public Policy | Science and Technology Studies | Systems and Communications | Transportation

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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