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Lab Report 1

Lab Report 1a


The three ideas which I found meaningful in the lecture were those ideas on convoys, subjective value and the madness on the roads due to the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu. I never really thought about the concept of traffic being related to psychology. I can definitely learn something from Traffic Psychology if it will make me more aware of my actions and also help me to change my driving persona. At one time or another, everyone has been a member of a convoy whether it was in the free flow of traffic trying to avoid being late to your class or work or being a member of one long convoy in the prime time traffic.
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Week 4 Homework

Finding Information:


Surfing on the internet has been very challenging for me. I have found it very interesting and a little less intimidating to find my way around. I am able to access the instructor's home page and obtain the syllabus and the instructor's weekly comments by starting at the web prompt and typing in lynx and going straight into leon.html file. At this file, I am allowed to obtain the instructor's home page which will get me to the instructor's weekly comments, syllabus of Psy 459, and to the labreports of my fellow students.

Fighting Pessimism:


Also see Barry Kwock's comments

I would have to agree with Shane Akagi's comment of cursing under the breath when I first started to explore the emacs system. In the beginning, I had no clue that we would have to be using all of these commands just to write a paper. There is also no handout or literature on these special features we have come to know when typing out our paper. Boy I was ready to throw in the towel but I'm glad that I stuck it out and continued to learn the Web system. I know that I have alot more in store for me and a whole lot more to explore and learn.

I am trying to avoid pessimism by keeping an open mind towards learning the internet which has been introduced to us. It has been refreshing to learn although I have not become addicted as you have. I know one day this will become a valuable tool which everyone will be required to learn. The internet will become the wave of the future and knowing this, keeps me optimistic and eager to learn more. I think that all college students should be required or at least introduced to the internet by taking a class.

Fighting Frustration:


I try to fight my frustrations by trying to figure out where I am. Then reading the option menu at the bottom of the screen which will aid me in getting help. I also look for a studenty in our class who can help me figure out what I am doing, hassle the aide in the lab (who doesn't seem to know anything about emacs) or go to one of the other student's lab reports and take some notes. I am also trying to practice more on this system to become more familiarized with what I am doing. The more I seem to practice, the easier it gets and it becomes much more understandable.
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Week 5 Homework:


Findings from last semester:(anchor)


After reading through the old papers from the previous semesters, I felt that in one semester, they have learned to observe themselves while driving and have become more aware of their actions in relation to other drivers on the road. They seemed to have gained an awareness and an attitude toward bettering their driving performances. After all, two wrongs don't make a right especially in the situation of boxing in other drivers as a game to piss the other person off because they cut you off on the freeway when you were weaving in and out of traffic. I sensed a lot of hostility in some of the reports of people driving in traffic. It seemed as if they displayed a sort of Dr. Jekyl Mr. Hyde syndrome, as I call it. I think that as an individual I do not possess the quality of being aggressive. But put me behind the wheel of a car and I turn into this monster who thinks that I can take on the whole world.
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Student's mind:


My thoughts on what was going through the student's mind was their interest in the psychology of traffic and how it relates to a driver in a traffic situation. After reading Joy Kahahawai's papers and listening to other people's reports, I have come to the conclusion that they are all in the same boat and find all of these chaotic happenings occuring all over the roads, streets and highways of Hawaii whether they are the driver or passenger. I sense a lot of stress in their reports as they get to let off some steam on their trials and tribulations of driving in traffic with thousands of other people at one time.

What I learned:


The ideas that I have learned from reading these reports and listening to the rest of the class giving their oral reports was the fact that everyone was in the same situation. Everyone had experienced the same things in their adventures while driving. What I have personally gained from this assignment was allowing myself to become more aware of the traffic situation. I also found myself participating in these convoys and tailgating adventures in order to avoid the police, but this class has opened up my eyes and made me think twice about being a part of the crowd. I catch myself once in a while and I remind myself to be more cautious and courteous to my fellow drivers no matter how pissed off I get when someone tailgates me or cuts me off. My boyfriend is constantly reminding me to drive slowly and take my time. He makes me even more nervous when he holds on to the handle that is on the ceiling of the car right above the window. He even has this imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side of the car which I see him stepping on if I brake at the last moment.
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Week 6 Homework:


Searching for something:


Boy was that an adventure trying to look for something on traffic on the internet. Let me tell you, it takes forever to get connected to the Web crawler. However, I haven't the patience or the time to wait to get connected so I can read an article on traffic. However, I journied into the Web addresses to explore and found they even had information on Superbowl XXIX parties in South Korea. Mr. Yu's Bar and Grill in South Korea was a favorite hang out of U.S. Army military men. One major in the U.S. Army stated that there is a history of Superbowl parties at this bar. There have been historical pictures hanging on the walls with many a toga parties held over the years. Back to the top

Have it your way:


I also stumbled on to a write up of a nice, luxurious hotel in Miami, FL. Maybe this will solve Tod Takitani's problem of finding a hotel where the maids will let him sleep in. Too bad this hotel is located in Florida. Hollywood actors and actresses have been known to stay at this Miami's Grand Bay Hotel and they said "If you want it, you got it!" No matter how early in the morning it is, they'll whip something up for you when you call down to room service, even at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. It has a motto like Burger King "Have it your way".

San Diego Traffic Report:


I had a difficult time of linking on to the Web crawler so I cheated a little. I went into the Other Students Lab Reports to find some helpful hints on how they got linked on. In Michelle Ota's week 6 homework on researching the Web crawler for information on traffic, I linked on to her Southern California Traffic Report and I found out free public information that Maxwell Laboratories and District 11 put out for California residents. They provided information on daily occurances with traffic, road constructions and obstacles on the roads, streets and highways. I thought it very commendable that these two corporations provided daily traffic information for California residents with access to the internet. It just goes to show how much the internet is becoming part of our daily interactions with our business world. It has influenced us and made its stand in a big state like California.


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Week 7 Homework:


Week 7 Homework Part I:

The Age of the Computers:


I agree with Jae Isa's comments on wishing that I had the advantage that kids now a days have on using the computer. Like Jae said, theres no time like the present. No matter how computer illiterate I was, at least I have learned something from this torturing and ever so confusing assignments on the internet. There were many times I wanted to pull my hair out, stomp my feet and cry, but I hung in there and I can proudly say that I stuck it out and I'm doing pretty good for a computer dummy. We are coming to the end of the 20th century and on to the 21st century. That's a pretty scary thought...can you imagine cars flying in the air like on the Jetson cartoon. That would result in some pretty hairy traffic situations. It would definitely be a requirement to take a Traffic Psychology class then because I can't imagine traffic lights being suspended in the air, dividing lines for two-way traffic, or deciding who the heck has the right of way. Everyone would be in a state of panic and anxiety. Back to the top

Allowing more time:


I agree with Slaughter's comment on allowing yourself more time to get from point A to point B in order to avoid being rushed and driving like a maniac. Terri had made that comment about allowing yourself more time during class one day. I have taken the concept of "more time" into consideration and I have tried to leave at least 15 minutes before my previous departing time. Living in Kailua and dealing with the traffic in the morning can be a hassle. Leaving early really does help and it allows me to relax and not be so pressured out all the time. However, it is really hard hard for me to get up earlier than I have to. This winter has been pretty cold at times that I have to really force myself to get up. I have to hit the ole snooze button about 2 or 3 times before I am forced to open up my eyes.

Rude pedestrians:


After reading Kendall Matsuyoshi's report on pedestrian traffic, people really do walk on the right hand side of the sidewalk. It could possibly be because we drive on the right hand side of the road and we were conditioned to stay on the right hand side. But there can be some really rude pedestrians who try to block the sidewalk expecting you to walk around them like they have some kind of power trip going on. There are also those pedestrians who cross the street outside of the cross walk taking their sweet ole time when the car has the right of way. Some people can be really ignorant as if they could outdue the car. Boy, it sounds like I have a lot of hostility in me, I guess its because I have a low tolerance for people who are ignorant and attempt to pull these power trips over you.
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Week 7 Homework Part II:

Generational learning community:


Dr. James' generational learning community has become very helpful and resourceful to myself and prior students in his class. I have gained a lot of information from listening to other student's outlook on traffic and the predicaments they encounter while driving. This learning community has encouraged group discussion among members of the class. They have integrated their experience, agreements and disagreements with those written in the generational curriculum reports. I think that these generational curriculum reports have made me aware and even made me more inspired to improve on my driving persona. I have been guilty of tailgating, being a member of a convoy and practicing unsafe driving behaviors which could endanger my fellow drivers. I have not really thought about Dr. James' heaven and hell concept and seeing tailgaiting as a moral issue. As Hawaii continues to grow, there will even be more cars on the road. Traffic psychology classes will be filling up like crazy and may become even a requirement for drivers in Hawaii. Ha-ha!
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Social permissive atmosphere:


I would have to agree with Dr. James discussion onthe social permissive atmosphere and how it has enabled the class to gripe about our trials and tribulations on the internet. I believe the desk arrangement in class has also helped to facilitate discussion in class because everyone is facing each other. The first couple of weeks in class have been full of discussion on the internet. Dr. James stated that it was normal to feel "frustrated, angry and axious" when trying to logon to the UNIX account and on to the web system. At times I was very confused with what the professor was saying but I learned to catch on...finally. I had my opportunity to openly discuss my frustrations with the internet when I was not able to log into the Web system for the first four weeks of class because I was getting mixed up with the other Kaneshiro in the PSY 409 class. These open discussions have been very helpful in that there were step-by-step instructions given by the professor and my fellow students which aided in my attempt to finally start out my lab reports.

Self-confidence on the Internet:


At times I felt really confident on the internet. I was jamming on all of my lab reports until I hit one big hump. The lab assistant who was assiting me in renaming my files to make corrections, accidentally erased my entire lab report file...back to square one. I agree with Dr. James' comment on feeling self-confidence while working on the internet. At one point when I had finally been accessed to log on to Web and I had caught up on all of my lab reports...BOOM...it was all gone. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. There went my confidence level and back again to square one. I'm back on track and feeling high and mighty. I know that this is not the end of my journey. There is a lot more for me to explore on the internet. Success is not a destination...its a journey.
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Week 8 Homework Part I:


Pure Frustration

After reading Nicole Gustie's report on pure frustration, I could relate to how she was feeling. I had entered the twilight zone where everyone had spoken a different language. All I had in mind was how I was going to survive this class and graduate. I'm glad Nicole had stuck it out as well as myself. Actually, I had no choice because I needed one more psychology class along with the writing intensive label attached to it. I've become quite computer literate...to a certain extent and I can proudly say that I have worked on the internet and the Web system. Boy that would look good on my work resume after I graduate...that is if I survive this class.


If anyone would like to get in touch with me you can e-mail me at Claudia's E-mail address:claudiak@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu

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Things we have all learned:(anchor)


I agree with Grant Harada's comment on learning self-reliance and self-determination by taking this class. You really have to condition yourself to make it an extra effort to set aside time and effort to work in the computer lab to accomplish all the weekly assignments. But I too thank Dr. James for teaching us the ropes on the Web system and allowing us to expand on our knowledge of the computer world.

Getting lost in Web


Upon exploring on the Web, I too got lost at times wondering where the heck I was. One of the PSY409 students, Rayson Noguchi also felt confused at times. He had solved his problem by tape recording his session while on the WEB system. He stated all the pathways he was on to clarify his steps. I thought that was pretty interesting but I don't know if I would go through all of that trouble.

Week 8 Homework Part II:


Infoshock


I think that everyone in our class is experiencing what Dr. James calls infoshock. At first I felt overwhelmed by all of this information and totally confused by all of this information that was being introduced in class. There were numerous times where I had to look over the student's notes next to me to figure out what was just said. The only way I overcame this infoshock was by plunging into the Web system and experimenting on my own.


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Week 9 Homework Part I:


The Concept of Driving Personality Makeover


I interpret the concept of "Driving Personality Makeover" as the collective observation of a driver's performance in traffic. The makeover includes an overall outline of the driver's cognitive processes and behavioral approach while driving. This concept is related to Traffic Psychology in that we are able to psychoanalyze others as well as ourselves while in a traffic situation. In traffic, we encounter angry individuals because of the inconveniences of the weather, pollution, waiting and ignorance of others who are driving like maniacs. The Driving Personality Makeover allows each individual driver to assess his personality, express his feelings and anxieties while driving in traffic. It will allow the driver to make changes in his driving persona which might add to a more pleasant driving situation for all.
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How I would rate myself:


As a driver, I would rate myself as a 6. Depending on the day I am having, I can be very considerate or I can become a tyrant. If all goes well during the day, I will allow others to cut infront of me and I will take my time and enjoy a leisurely drive. In the reverse situation, I will not allow others to cut into my lane and I would weave in and out of traffic to get home as soon as I can (being very cautious of course). I try to be a conscientious and cautious driver but my brother tells me that I make him very nervous and I am careless. Of course when someone is yelling at you when you are driving, it leaves no room for you to be aware of what is going on around you. After taking this class and listening to the oral reports, I find myself to be more aware of how I am driving. I tend to look in my rear view mirror a whole lot-scanning for HPD. I also find myself leaving a little earlier so I am not always in a rush. Coming from the Windward side, you tend to catch a lot of traffic going up the Pali during primetime traffic.
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Engineering a Driving Personality Makeover


I would engineer my Driving Personality Makeover by first, allowing my passengers to make comments on my driving skills and personality, secondly, tape record myself for about a week while driving in traffic and lastly, keep a record of how I was feeling and all of the unsafe driving techniques I committed while driving to and from school. I would also end with an outline of a driving personality reformation which I intend to tackle during the semester.
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Week 9 Homework Part II:


Comments on the article on Driving Behavior


It was really interesting to read Dr. James' article on driving behavior. He introduces to us all that goes on with the driver which includes his cognitive processes, verbal, emotional and physical actions while driving. The self-witnessing reports seems to be the most well-documented observations of driving behaviors. These reports were on-going as the driver speaks out loud into a tape recorder. I feel that the driver would not hold back if something was bothering him in traffic. Obviously this method was quite effective as Dr. James found language which was vulgar, internal threats to other drivers on the road, and disturbing feelings of what other drivers were thinking of them while they were driving at the normal speed limit.
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Verbal


The section on verbal acts which have been studied on college students was interesting. I find myself verbally aggressive only to those drivers which I am not intimidated by. Although I do not curse out loud to them, I find myself talking under my breath so only I can hear myself in the car. I also show my disapproval to those drivers who tailgate me by shaking my head as they pass by. Although I am a victim of verbalizing in traffic, I am not bold enough to yell out of my car...that would be pretty foolish.

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Week 10 Homework:


My investigation on the dynamics of convoys


My self witnessing observation on convoys was that almost everyone is involved in one type of convoy or another. During heavy traffic, people seem to stay really close to the car in front of them to avoid the sucking-in phenomenon. Drivers engage in these convoys because they think that every inch of road they can get, will get them that closer to their target point in the specified time they allowed themselves. In less congested, free flowing traffic, drivers engage in convoys to avoid being pegged by the HPD. At the traffic light at the bottom of the Pali, I have witnessed cars going at the respected speed limit because there have been on occassion a police car waiting on the right hand side of the road. After the traffic light turns green, the cars usually stick close together until they hit that point where the police car hides out. If all is clear, they speed off, weaving in and out of traffic.
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Validity of my observation


My self-witnessing observations were made visually by myself and my sister as we car pooled to school. The accuracy of my observations were determined by our comparing observations during our return home from school. Our discussions in class about the dynamics of convoy have made me more aware of my being a participant and also an observer of drivers participating in this phenomenon. I am still guilty of being a participant of convoys but I have tried to remind myself of the moral issues involved. I feel that my observations on convoys has influenced my driving style but I really have to work on terminating my participation as a safety to myself as well as other drivers on the road.

A disturbed tailgater


Recently, there have been a number of motorcycle police officers on the Pali. On Friday, April 7 I was on my way to school and I counted 3 pairs of motorcycle police officers tagging motorists. I have noticed two convoys. One was in front of me and the other behind me. Well apparently I happened to be right between the two convoys secluded all by myself so I decided to take some precautions and abide by the speed limit. Well the driver behind me wouldn't have none of that. This jerk was tailgating me really closely (because I happened to be in the left lane) I swear he was about an inch or two away from my bumper. I started to get upset so I pressed on my brakes to show this jerk that I was not going to put up with his childish games. Boy did he get pissed off...he drove past me and flicked me the bird a number of times and was yelling something out of the window. Luckily I had my window rolled up and the radio going so I didn't hear a word he said. Jerks like that can really ruin your day...and I began to take it personally. After awhile I laughed it off and thought he was very temperamental.
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What Traffic Psy can do for you


Traffic psychology has really opened up my eyes to my own driving behavior and of those drivers around me. I think that this jerk which I mentioned above should seriously consider taking this class. I feel that it is important to maintain your composure while driving. As I have personally experienced psychotic behavior on the road I believe that it is important to remember the "Aloha spirit" which is important in maintaining our sanity on the road. The traffic conditions in Hawaii are worsening along with the madness of drivers.


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Week 11 Homework


Second Generational Curriculum Report


For our week 11 assignment Dr. James instructed us to comment on the second generational curriculum reports which were presented in class. Here are some ideas which I found interesting along with reactions from the class. I had received Wayne Chambrella's report and I found some of what he had to say quite interesting.

In the second generational curriculum report given in class, Wayne Chambrella discusses foremost how he found his research material in the library and then he goes on with a paragraph about the article he found interesting dealing in the subject area of Traffic Psychology. What I found interesting was his findings on how our emotions affect our driving behavior. Aggression or anger will make people less willing to put up with inconveninence and frustration from safety precautions. Anxiety or fear result in the driver obsessively checking action sequences occuring on the roads, thereby interrupting the flow of traffic.

The Ant and the Grasshopper


The second interesting article Wayne talks about is his analogy of merging traffic caused by construction on the roads with those drivers who are considered ants and grasshoppers. When a lane closure sign appears ahead drivers are ideally supposed to get into the open lane as soon as possible. These drivers who wait in the long open lane are considered the ants-because they are inching slowly pass the construction. The grasshoppers, on the other hand, stay into the lane which is closing and expect to be let into the open lane at the last minute jumping infront of the ants. Wayne concludes that he is one of those ants who politely waits in the long line because of construction. He tells these ants "Get-even evil ants, hang on tight on the bumper of the car ahead so as to not let any grasshoppers in". I am guilty of being a grasshopper when this situation arises. I don't have the patience to wait in the long line while I see others (grasshoppers) jumping ahead so they avoid the long wait. A much heated discussion in class about this subject was debated in class. The majority felt that people shouldn't possess the personality of a grasshopper in this lane closure situation because everyone has to wait in line. Dr. James, on the other hand, disagreed with those people who said that everyone should be an ant. Ideally, people should continue to drive in the flow of traffic without disrupting the even flow. There are those horrible drivers who are concerned with hopping into the ant lane that they are prone to cause accidents and even the worsen the traffic situation.

My reactions to the second Generational Curriculum Report

What I found to be evident in the classes presentation of their second generational curriculum report is that the majority of the report was based on how they found their research material using the libraries resources. The concentration of their reports was based on how they researched the journal articles dealing with Traffic Psychology. There was little said about the article and the student's thoughts about it. All in all there were interesting comments made about some relaxation techniques that could be used while driving in traffic. In Jae Isa's Week 11 Homework she also comments on relaxation techniques which she found in the second generational curriculum report given to her. The reporter suggested first counting to ten and then taking long, deep breathes. In my report, Wayne Chambrella suggested using meditation as a way of relaxing in traffic or even going to a friend's house to avoid the rush hour traffic. I thought those were good ideas because you can kill two birds with one stone. Visit a friend which you haven't seen in a long time while trying to avoid being stuck in traffic. Hey why not.
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How these reports relate to Traffic Psychology

I feel that all of these generational curriculum reports relate to traffic psychology in that these students are giving their hands on experiences and feelings while driving in traffic. Traffic can be very stressful to drivers and I have learned some helpful hints on how to relax while driving in traffic. Wayne has talked about using zen meditation as a way of relaxing in traffic. In Todd Crawford's week 11 assignment he also talks about his report stating that she has also used zen meditation to relax and soak up the environment around her to avoid any traffic accident situations. Zen meditation allows you to be more aware of the overall situation on the road. It is not your typical cross your legs and hum for about 10 minutes until you are at peace with yourself. It is quite an interesting concept to use while driving in traffic.


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Week 12 Homework


Tailgating-A moral issue?


Dr. James had introduced to the class the question of: Is tailgating a moral issue? After much contemplation on my part, I had mixed feelings on trying to come up with the answer to this question. At first I thought it not a moral issue because I think of myself as a very moral person but yet I have to admit that I am guilty of engaging in this immoral act. So then I came to the conclusion that YES-tailgating is indeed a moral issue because if you have any consideration for the driver's safety and any passengers in the car, you would not consider engaging in such delinquent activities. In our spur of the moment anger and outrage of the driver in front of us going 25mph in a 45mph zone, we tend to let our emotions get the best of us and Dr. Jekyl suddenly possesses us all. Not only do we tailgate because some jerk has impulsively cut infront of us but we also tailgate in bumper to bumper traffic to avoid the sucking-in-phenomena. An interesting point was brought up in class about tailgating being a moral issue. Mr. Noguchi brought up the point that tailgating itself is not so much a moral issue but it is your intent for engaging in tailgating. If your intent in tailgating is to run the driver off the road, damage his car or injure the driver in some way, then definitely YES, tailgating can then be considered a moral issue.

Emotions get in the way


When our emotions get the best of us, I find it hard to stop and think about the consequences for our actions. We all know that we are guilty of such actions whether it be fighting with our loved ones and saying things that we don't mean or driving like maniacs on the road and engaging in non-verbal acts (the 'ole bird)to show the driver just how we feel about their driving. If we can just learn to control our emotions, soak up the environment and remain pleasant while driving, then the freeways, highways, roads and streets would be a much more pleasant and safer place for everyone involved.
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Tailgating...no more


After all of our in class discussions on tailgating, I find myself trying to eliminate my participation in any tailgating. I have come to realize that tailgating is very dangerous and it puts the driver in front of me as well as myself in great danger if the car in front were to stop suddenly. I never thought of tailgating being a moral issue but I know that I have never really been one to tailgate because I didn't want to piss the other driver off. However, I have been on the receiving end of a tailgate. In my previous report on A disturbed tailgater, I have shared with you my experience of being on the receiving end of a tailgate and it wasn't too pleasant. I was pissed off so I gently tapped on my brakes and I have gotten people very upset at me. Serves them right for tailgating me when they could just have easily cut into the right lane and pass me by.
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Week 13 Homework


Generational Curriculum Report #3


In the third required generational curriculum report, I had received Lisa Isobe's report on "Driving the Speed Limit: A self-witnessing Approach". Lisa goes on to state that she heavily relies on driving as her basic mode of transportation because she lives on the Leeward side of the island. Her focus was to drive the speed limit during a 3 day intervention period. No one ever really thinks about how they feel when they are driving or even attempt to make observations of their driving behaviors.

Self-witnessing approach


Ms. Isobe used the self-witnessing approach which allowed her to become more aware of herself while driving. Behaviors while driving were divided into three domains which included the cognitive, affective and psychomotor interpretations of behavior. Observations of her self-witnessing experience was based on 3 days of baseline observation and 3 days of intervention period.
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Baseline period


During the baseline period it basically included observations of how she usually drove to school and what her thoughts, feelings and sensations were during this time. Lisa stated that as you become more aware that you're observing yourself, you tend to try not to do anything wrong.

Intervention period


The intervention period was outlined as she tried to drive the speed limit for three days. She observed what her behavior was like during this time. Lisa felt uncomfortable when she started to drive the speed limit. She felt scared because some of the cars were coming fast in the back of her and people were giving her the "stink eye" as they made their way past her. She concluded that although she continued to remain at the respected speed limit, she still reached to school at the same time as during the baseline period.
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Why exceed the speed limit?


So why do people exceed the speed limit? Lisa has concluded from her research that drivers exceed the speed limit because people are getting more frustrated as delays and annoyances increase, they are in a rush and don't want to be late and finally, people feel that they have to speed. If they don't speed, they will be the "odd" one and don't want to be embarassed or rejected by others. This feeling is attributed to conformity. We do things because everyone else is doing it. They want to be accepted by everyone else and don't want to be rejected.


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Week 14 Homework


My Annotated Bibliography


Week 14's Homework was very time consuming but I have encountered some Hot Links for all of you interested in traffic related documents. I have used the Web Crawler to find all of the documents which deal with traffic conditions all around the United States. There are also some helpful tips on driving while travelling by car. I found a lot of research groups being established to aide in the traffic situations in the state. Implementing emission standards on cars, submitting speed traps for highway travelers used as targets for fine revenues, road conditions and map displays are just some of the exciting new links I have created for your information which will help make your travelling a more pleasant one.
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UMTRI


The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) was founded in 1965 through gift funds totaling 10 million dollars. Their facilities are used to initiate highway safety research programs. Short and long-term research projects are carried out involving accident data collection and traffic safety analysis, human factors and psychology.

Clean Vehicle and Fuel Program


This Clean Vehicle and Fuel Program program includes a number of initiatives to reduce emissions from vehicles per kilometer traveled. Their goal is to implement emission standars on a national level and improve and sustain air quality throughout the province.
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Speed Trap Registry


Speed Trap Registry was established in an effort to cut down on the number of speeding tickets resulting from speed traps. This registry is not made to encourage speeding but is made in an effort to discourage this practice as a use for fine revenues made by the "men in blue". People have been submitting sobriety check points but is being discouraged. Sobriety check points are done for everyone's safety and this registry will not condone drunk drivers. This registry claims that traps are set up for fine revenues, or set up poorly and thus are dangerous to all commuters.
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York Traffic Web


The York Traffic Web is designed in an effort to design and assess new ways of reducing urban traffic congestion and improving the urban environment using traffic signal controls and traffic management.

Cap'n Bob Masse-Airborne Traffic


Cap'n Bob is comparable to Hawaii's Captain Erwin who is all familiar to us. We hear him every morning and afternoon to and from our work commute. You can catch Cap'n Bob on the weekday mornings and afternoons. He looks for trouble on Western New York roadways from his airborn vantage point.
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GeoFinder


Thomas Bros. Maps has developed this computer software GeoFinder for IBM PC or compatibles. This software does look ups, map displays and map printouts. Thomas Bros. considers this the most accurate mapping data which locates addresses to page and grid and customizes your maps.

Aviation Weather Development Lab


The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed AWDL to support weather projects for the United States National Airspace System. Data can be processed into useful information for aviation system users. AWDL was created and intended to be used for long-term research and development that will enhance the safety, efficiency and capacity of the aviation system.
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TrafNet


TrafNet-Real Time Traffic Information is a freely available Microsoft Windows application. It displays real-time traffic conditions for the Seattle area. It computes travel times based on current traffic situations.

Winter Driving in the Sierra Nevada


For all of you skiiers heading out to Nevada....here is a helpful link which will prepare you for your journey in the snow. Roads and highways in snow capped Sierra Nevada can be a pleasant and sometimes hazardous drive. The California Department of Transportation provides the following information to make mountain driving safe and pleasant.

This helpful tidbit will prepare you and your car for the dangerous road conditions you will encounter while driving in snow. Winterizing your car and driving tips are just some helpful tips given to motorists by the California DOT. Checking your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system while keep your car from failing you. Their driving tips include: allowing more time, keeping your gas tank full, windshield and windows clear and being more observant are some helpful safety tips to consider.
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ITS Research Projects


The University of Washington is heading this ITS Research Project. Transportation professionals have argued that we cannot build our way out of urban congestion. One solution is smarter travelers and Intelligent Trasportation Systems which apply technology to get people to travel smarter. This program focuses on the application of computer and communications technology to solving transportation problems.
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Week 15 Homework


My accomplishments


Boy oh boy.....this really was an interesting and challenging journey through traffic psychology. We not only learned about traffic on the highways but also traffic on the internet. All of us with modems at home encountered a long wait trying to get hooked up to the university system because all of the lines were tied up. Our many sleepless nights trying to figure out what characters to use just to type up a document on emacs or pico...not a simple task. Trying to figure out just what I did wrong after many agonizing days of trying to log into the system only to find out that the two Kaneshiro's were driving the system crazy. Then there was that big crash I had encountered where I lost everything-thanks to my illiteracy and the helpful hand of the lab assistant who didn't quite know what he was doing. All in all, it was a very informative and trying experience. A big mahalo to Dr. James for introducing cyberspace to me. If it wasn't for this class my typing skills wouldn't have improved and I would still be left in the dark with the computer world that is taking over our universe...

My new found confidence


Well Dr. "Net Potato" James, I think I would like to seriously consider working on the internet even after I graduate this Spring. I really enjoyed myself and I am much more knowledgeable in the computer area. I have also built up a confidence in the area of computer knowledge. I have also come to the conclusion that the super highway is going to be really big in the next ten years. Everything we'll want to know will be accessible on the internet. Many corporations and research projects are on-line and being made available to all of those net potatoes. That just goes to show how much our technology has advanced and we are entering into a new age-the computer age.

My advice to the next generation


To the next generation....(sounds Treky)I wish you the best of luck. This class is very frustrating in the beginning but it is an exciting challenge and I challenge everyone to take this class. Although I was very hesitant and frustrated, I'm really glad that I stuck it out. Besides, it would look really good on my resume to say that I am knowledgeable in working on the internet. Don't be afraid to open yourself up to new things and challenges because Success is not a destination...but a journey . Yes this class began as a journey into the unknown for many of us but it turned out to be a positive to everyone's advantage. If you ever need assistance...Kevin Bogan is "the" man. A big thanks to Kevin Bogan for helping me out when I had no clue of what I was doing.

First Generational File on the Internet


I believe that the labreport, homepage and glossary files that, we, the first generation of Traffic Psychology on the Internet, have created, should be kept on line for all of the internet users to see. I think that it would be a good idea for everyone to read and experience the trials and tribulations which everyone in Traffic Psychology had encountered while in traffic and on the super highway. This has been a great experience for me and I have learned a whole lot. I thank you Dr. James for getting our feet wet and I can leave the University of Hawaii with a very valuable tool. Go to index

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