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arXiv:0901.3183physics.soc-ph

Heavy-tailed distributions in fatal traffic accidents: role of human activities

Jie-Jun Tseng, Ming-Jer Lee, Sai-Ping Li

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Abstract

Human activities can play a crucial role in the statistical properties of observables in many complex systems such as social, technological and economic systems. We demonstrate this by looking into the heavy-tailed distributions of observables in fatal plane and car accidents. Their origin is examined and can be understood as stochastic processes that are related to human activities. Simple mathematical models are proposed to illustrate such processes and compared with empirical results obtained from existing databanks.

arXiv comments
10 pages, 5 figures
Journal reference
Int. J. Mod. Phys. C 20, 1281 (2009)
DOI
doi:10.1142/S0129183109014345
Subjects
physics.soc-phPhysics and Society physics.data-anData Analysis, Statistics and Probability

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  1. How odd is a cluster of plane accidents? 1 comment

    • This paper argues it's a poisson distribution: Time-evolving distribution of time lags between commercial airline disasters[1] while others disagree: In the case of plane accidents, the authors of Ref. 7[1] found that the time lag between commercial airline disasters and their…

      mxfhView on HNParent context

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