Search

This study examined the factors that led to road crash incidents in Metro Manila, focusing on human behavior, public awareness and attitudes, road infrastructure and Mdesign, technological interventions, and the implementation of enforcement measures. The findings indicated that human error was the primary cause of road crashes, with speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving, failure to adhere to traffic rules, and aggressive driving behaviors identified as significant factors. We also found that road infrastructure and design, public awareness and attitudes, technological interventions, and enforcement measures significantly contribute to road crash incidents. The study further explored the challenges encountered by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group in reducing road crash incidents. The study identified significant challenges in human behavior, public awareness, road infrastructure and design, technological interventions, and enforcement measures and found strong positive relationships between these factors and road crash incidents. We deemed it crucial to address these challenges to impact road safety and reduce accidents significantly. The research highlighted the importance of addressing human behavior, public awareness, road infrastructure and design, technological interventions, and enforcement measures to enhance road safety and reduce road crash incidents in Metro Manila. By focusing on these factors and addressing the identified challenges, the PNP Highway Patrol Group could implement enhanced interventions and promote a safer transportation environment for all road users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road and highway construction projects are often a concern among surrounding communities as these projects possess significant risks to the environment, and their impacts can reach far beyond the project areas. Monitoring the environmental management plan (EMP) implementation of road and highway construction projects is challenging as it requires a high level of human resources. Thus, allowing the public to assess and report any potential misconduct in road and highway construction projects can help monitor EMP performances. This study aims to compare key performance indicators (PIs) for assessing EMP implementation in road and highway construction projects. To achieve the aim, the study objectives are to (1) determine the key PIs for road and highway construction projects, (2) develop underlying components that categorize interrelated PIs, and (3) compare the underlying components between road and highway construction projects. To achieve those objectives, this study first develops a questionnaire survey by conducting a systematic literature review and semistructured interviews with industry professionals. Throughout the process, 39 PIs for assessing EMP performances have been identified. Then, a questionnaire survey was developed using the PIs and distributed to environmental professionals, collecting 111 valid responses. Finally, the data for the study were analyzed using mean score ranking, factor analysis, and agreement analysis among the two project types. This study has identified 18 and 21 key PIs for assessing EMP implementation in road and highway construction projects. The key PIs can be categorized under four underlying components for both types of construction projects: geological, pollution, environmental change, and ecological for roads, and pollution, ecological, public safety, and geological for highways. This study adds to the environmental management literature by comparing potential PIs for road and highway construction projects, potentially helping policymakers and industry practitioners develop public assessments for EMP implementation of road and highway construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symmetry in traffic patterns is a fundamental aspect of intelligent transportation systems, aiming to precisely predict traffic flow in real time despite the complex interplay of spatial and temporal factors. This paper presents a novel method of traffic forecasting that incorporates parameters related to road symmetry into a Graph Convolution Network model. Our model is crafted to dynamically adjust to real-time changes in road conditions, including the presence of symmetric and asymmetric road layouts, which substantially influence traffic flow. We have developed a GCN model that not only accounts for standard traffic flow metrics but also integrates a matrix representing road symmetry. The model undergoes training and validation on the METR-LA dataset, showcasing a significant enhancement in prediction accuracy. In the comparative analysis of state-of-the-art methods, our model demonstrated a significant enhancement in performance, achieving 30.68% improvement in Mean Squared Error (MSE) and a 24.28% improvement in Mean Absolute Error (MAE) over the best-performing method. The implications of our research are profound for urban planners, traffic management systems, and navigation service providers, as it offers a more dependable tool for forecasting traffic conditions, aiding in road design, and refining route planning strategies based on the symmetry of road networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable operation of tunnel drainage without shaft covers in the roadway A well‐planned drainage system for the road infrastructure and its integrated engineering structures contributes decisively to the traffic safety in road construction. Simultaneously, a carefully engineered drainage system in conjunction with suitable materials and constructions reduces the maintenance costs in the long term, thus ensuring a smooth operation of the system. The ease of cleaning of the system plays a major part in reducing road blocking time related associated to maintenance or repair works. In tunnels in particular, the drainage systems regularly cause closures precisely due to maintenance and repair works. Damages occur regularly, particularly in areas of permanent overrun of inspection shafts, and repairing them leads often to time‐consuming road closures. In order to reduce the resulting costs to a minimum, the use of a modified baffle shaft at the edge of the carriageway should make it possible to operate and maintain the drainage pipe without a manhole cover in the carriageway. This article highlights the modified baffle shaft and its advantages for the operation of tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we modeled the current and future distribution of Eversmannia subspinosa, a shrub from the Fabaceae family, across the Eastern Alborz area, Iran. This plant is endangered in Iran and is only found in the study area. To the best of our knowledge, no published species distribution modeling exists for this species, making this study crucial for conservation planning. We used the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) method and trained the model with the least correlated and most important bioclimatic and topographic variables. CMCC-ESM2 and HadGEM3 climate models, in conjunction with IPCC Representative Concentration Pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5, were used to predict the distribution of the species in 2040 and 2060. Our results suggest that the current habitats of E. subspinosa are mainly in southern parts of Eastern Alborz. Annual mean temperature (57.7%) and elevation (18.8%) were the main contributors to the model. CMCC-ESM2 model predicts habitat loss to the extent of 16.55% (RCP2.6), 50.19% (RCP4.5), and 49.56% (RCP8.5) up to 2040 and substantial reduction of high probable habitats (0.5 ≤ probability of presence) up to 2060. It also suggests a distribution shift toward higher elevations in Northern and North-Eastern areas of the study area. The model trained by HadGEM3 predicts extinction of E. subspinosa across the study area up to 2040. Enhancing connectivity between protected areas and national parks could delay the extinction of E. subspinosa in Iran. Also, limiting road construction aids its migration to cooler elevations in response to global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and integration of automated driving systems in vehicles hold substantial promise for fostering enhanced efficiency, environmental sustainability, and safety in transportation. Notably, at the lower levels of automation (LI, L2), the lane-keeping system emerges as a widely adopted automated driving feature, ensuring the vehicle's alignment within its designated lane. With the recent introduction of new European regulations mandating the inclusion of emergency lane-keeping systems in all new vehicles starting July 2022, a growing prevalence of such systems is anticipated in the forthcoming decades. The precision and reliability of these systems in accurately detecting road markings and their distinctive features are paramount for achieving safe and intelligent mobility solutions. To fully capitalize on the advantages these systems offer, they need to expand their operational design domain. This necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their performance across diverse road design and maintenance conditions, supporting road operators in updating standards and maintenance protocols. The primary objective of this study is to investigate how various road characteristics impact the performance of lane-keeping assistant systems. Within this framework, the paper presents an experimental evaluation of Lane-Keeping System (LSS) performance conducted on two-lane rural roads. Advanced technologies for road monitoring and LSS were employed under different road and driving conditions. Through rigorous data analysis and the application of statistical models, variables significant to the fault probability of LSS were identified, highlighting the role played by horizontal curvature and driving speed. Results underscore the relevance of horizontal curvature as a critical factor constraining the physical infrastructure, shaping the operational design domain of LSS. This research contributes valuable insights toward optimizing lane-keeping assistant systems, thereby advancing the development and deployment of safe and efficient automated driving systems in diverse road scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-explaining roads (SERs) have become a leading principle of road design, essentially forming one of the pillars of the Safe System approach. The basic idea of SERs is that the drivers' perception of the road and road environment influences their behavior. According to the SERs concept, through the appropriate selection of features and design, drivers receive consistent affirmation of the type of road they are driving on and its function, from which they will infer the appropriate driving behavior. The study attempts to identify the theoretical constructs that explain driving behavior, and the design requirements and considerations under the SERs concept. The development and implementation of SERs involves considerable multi-phased work. The proposed approach to modifying the appearance of roads on the basis of design principles for SERs might demonstrate that road agencies support road users when the road network discourages errors and protects them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of roadway planning and design practices since the early-20th century demonstrates that engineers have increasingly prioritized building and designing roads that are adapted to their surrounding context. Roadbuilding in the early-20th century focused on delivering road facilities able to operate in all weather conditions, accommodate automobiles, and facilitate personal travel and commerce. The growth in automobile ownership required engineers to work towards alleviating congestion and thus resulting in constructing sprawling infrastructure networks that connect urban and suburban areas -- sometimes at the expense of marginalized communities and neighborhood cultures. The late-1990s and early-2000s saw transportation agencies, AASHTO, and NCHRP embrace performance-based approaches to road design that are more sensitive to context. This trend continues today, with novel tools being devised to help engineers carry out a flexible, multimodal, performance-based, and context-sensitive design process built upon the context classification system introduced in A Policy of Geometric Design for Highways and Streets (7th Edition) and expanded through a series of NCHRP research documents. Using W. Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, as a case study, this paper illustrates the application of the new context classification system and associated Transportation Expectations to road design. Making use of the latest tools and concepts, the case study shows, will improve project delivery so planners and engineers may also address issues related to public health, community and transportation equity, local cultures, and community needs when crafting design solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of the Ghanaian public road construction phase and other preconstruction phases has been studied. However, the success of the Ghanaian public road project consultant selection phase has not received any attention, even though it is prone to corruption. The goal of this study is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that, from the standpoint of a developing country, affect the success of the Ghanaian public road consultant selection phase. Data on the degree to which key success criteria identified in literature have an impact on the success of the Ghanaian public road consultant selection phase from the viewpoints of 156 sector practitioners in Ghana were acquired using a selfadministered questionnaire. After that, the relative importance index was used to analyse the data. According to the study, external environmental, project management, and procurement-related factors influence the success of the Ghanaian public road consultant selection phase. The government and organizations that administer public construction projects will now have a better grasp of the CSFs that affect the performance of the Ghanaian public road construction project consultant selection phase and be able to use them as a guide to improve the effective and efficient delivery of public road construction projects. In managing public road projects, the study’s findings will be useful to both industry professionals and the Ghanaian government. The study is limited to the consultant selection phase of Ghanaian public road construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sharing traffic information on the vehicular network can help in the implementation of intelligent traffic management, such as car accident warnings, road construction notices, and driver route changes to reduce traffic congestion earlier. If the exposed traffic incident is incorrect, the driving route will be misleading, and the driving response may be in danger. The blockchain ensures the correctness of data and tampers resistance in the consensus mechanism, which can solve such similar problems. The traffic data are collected through the roadside units, and the passing vehicles will verify the correctness when receiving the event notification. We employ data collection, preprocessing, sentiment analysis, geospatial analysis, and machine learning techniques to automatically identify and categorize traffic events, such as accidents, congestion, or road closures, based on information shared by users on various social media platforms. The framework aims to provide accurate and timely insights into traffic conditions, enabling better urban planning and incident response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of visual attraction in the entrance areas of highway tunnels on drivers' saccade behavior and driving safety, with the objective of providing insights for tunnel entrance design and driver education. Fifty participants were recruited for the naturalistic driving experiment. Four different visually attractive driving scenarios (baseline, landscape-style architecture, tip slogan, and billboard) were selected. Eye-tracking technology was utilized to record and analyze the scanning behavior of participating drivers. Various metrics, including saccade duration, frequency, amplitude, velocity, and the peak-to-average ratio of saccade velocity (PARSV), were measured and compared across different scenarios. The results revealed different patterns of visual scanning dynamics among the four experimental scenarios, reflecting the different levels of visual-cognitive demands and situation awareness of drivers. The visual attraction in the tunnel entrance area resulted in prolonged saccade duration, increased saccade amplitude, reduced saccade frequency, and slower, less stable saccade velocity. Among these, drivers exhibited the most intricate and unstable scanning behavior, accompanied by the lowest level of situational awareness, particularly under the influence of visual attraction of tip slogan. The findings highlight the importance of considering visual attraction in tunnel entrance design. Minimizing unnecessary visual attraction can help reduce distractions and maintain driver attention, ultimately enhancing driving safety. Driver education programs should emphasize the significance of adapting to visual attraction at tunnel entrances to promote safer driving practices. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the effects of visual attraction on driver scanning behavior, facilitating the development of strategies to improve tunnel design and driver education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction activities such as road projects modify original land uses and intensify soil erosion. Understanding the sediment contributed by these projects and its spatial variation throughout a watershed is critical in terms of guiding conservation. Based on field sampling in a road construction-disturbed watershed in southeastern Tibet, a composite fingerprint analysis was conducted to explore the contributions of different sources to the deposited sediment. The results showed that 10 factors, including Al2O3, TFe2O3, Sn, total phosphorous (TP), Cr, Na2O, Mn, W, SiO2, and Sr, formed an optimum composite fingerprint combination. The multivariate mixed model revealed that the average contribution percentage rates of sediment deposited along the main channel were as follows: bank material (52.52%) > roads (33.02%) > forest and grassland (14.46%). The contribution percentage of road-related sediment fluctuated from the beginning point along the channel and was significantly correlated with factors such as the flow length to the channel (R = −0.6), road segment slope (R = 0.66), and ratio of the road length to the channel length (R = 0.65). The flow length to the channel was the most important factor affecting the road sediment contribution and a decreasing logarithmic function was established to describe the effect. These results have clarified how road construction spatially affects sediment at the watershed scale. They can therefore offer guidance for evaluating the environmental impact of human activities and supporting efforts in watershed soil and water conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an innovative methodology for Highway Route Selection (HRS), specifically tailored for mountainous terrains. The approach focuses on selecting the most suitable route for road alignment while prioritizing road safety and hydrological and geological considerations. Through systematic analysis, the methodology evaluates alternative road alignments by examining various risk factors related to geometric design, hydrological, and geological impacts. Utilizing Fault-Tree Analysis (FTA), 14 key design factors related to geometric design and environmental factors are identified. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology in selecting road alignments that enhance safety and mitigate environmental risks. A case study is presented where a 90-km segment of a road in Egypt's Golden Triangle Project, characterized by challenging terrain and diverse geological features, is examined. Through detailed analysis, the study identifies critical design factors to enhance road safety and minimize environmental impact. The methodology's comprehensive approach offers insights into road design, providing a quantitative framework for decision-making and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the early 20th century, the ownership and usage of automobiles in the United States have rapidly increased, leading to large-scale highway construction. Almost simultaneously, in the context of commercial prosperity, outdoor billboards along highways continue to increase, becoming a serious problem affecting the landscape. However, this problem was not initially effectively regulated. In the 1960s, against the backdrop of the rise of environmentalism, President Johnson proposed the concept of "New Conservation" and actively promoted environmental legislation. In 1965, the Highway Beautification Act was enacted. However, after the Act's passage, the regulation of outdoor billboards faced many challenges such as insufficient funding, industry resistance, and unconstitutional accusations, ultimately failing to achieve any actual effect. In spite of this, the historical practices of regulating and governing outdoor billboards in the U.S., along with the new environmental ideas embodied in the 1965 Highway Beautification Act, remain noteworthy today. These ideas reflect Americans' pursuit of quality of life, while the Act's failure highlights the powerful influence of modern commercialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roads play a vital role in a country's economic, cultural, and social development, which turns a significant portion of the government's budget yearly. Expenses for road construction include design, material acquisition, construction equipment, maintenance, rehabilitation, and overall operations, requiring substantial government investment. A meticulous evaluation of alternatives is essential before implementing such projects. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the cost-effectiveness of three design methods (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Asphalt Institute (AI), Portland Cement Association (PCA)) on an 8 km urban road, considering initial construction costs. Traffic data collected over 2 years resulted in a total estimated traffic load of 2.16 x 106 equivalent single axle load for the road. The findings indicate that flexible pavement is more cost-effective than rigid pavement. Among flexible pavement design methods (AASHTO and AI), AI emerges as the most cost-effective. For rigid pavement design methods (AASHTO and PCA), PCA proves to be the most cost-effective, while rigid pavement stands out as the most expensive option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increase in population the demand of plastic material is also increased if plastic material is formed then the plastic waste also generated and the construction of buildings also increased so the shortage of natural aggregate is a serious problem. To reduce both the problems of disposing of plastic waste and saving the natural aggregates we can use the generated plastic waste in construction of road by partially substituting the natural aggregate by plastic waste. Replacement at 5% was examined. Natural coarse aggregates are replaced with plastic coarse aggregates, Compressive strength of these concrete prepared with plastic coarse aggregates are tested The burgeoning problem of plastic waste and the constant demand for sustainable infrastructure have driven innovative approaches in civil engineering. This project investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of using waste plastic in road construction. The primary objective is to evaluate how integrating plastic into bituminous mixtures can enhance road performance while addressing environmental concerns. Comprehensive laboratory tests were conducted to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of plastic-infused bitumen, focusing on durability, strength, and weather resistance. The study's findings indicate that roads constructed with plastic-modified bitumen exhibit superior performance characteristics, including improved resistance to deformation and reduced maintenance costs. This project highlights a promising avenue for sustainable development, offering a dual benefit of managing plastic waste and enhancing road infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

toll roads, socio, economic. The purpose of this research is to identify the influence of policy implementation on the construction of the Pekanbaru-Dumai toll road on the socio-economic conditions of the people of Bukit Kapur District, Dumai City. This research was carried out using a qualitative descriptive research method approach because this research explored the impact of toll road construction on the communities around the toll road, namely in Bukit Kapur District, where the construction of the Pekanbaru - Dumai Toll Road passes. Types and Sources of Data in this research are primary data and secondary data which include observation, non-participants, interviews and documentation. The results of the research show that the negative impact of the construction of toll roads is the use of very extensive land which will directly impact the land layout of agriculture as a whole, opening new residential and industrial areas which will directly reduce the area of agricultural land, road construction can also kill small businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, cell phone counters and others along the Dumai - Pekanbaru highway which is now no longer the main route so they are no longer visited and the construction of toll roads hastened the demise of Pinang Kampai Dumai airport because land travel via toll roads is more efficient so now there are no more flights, while the positive impact of the construction of this toll road. The existence of toll roads will provide various conveniences, starting from cutting travel time between cities and facilitating the delivery of goods and logistics. The presence of economic opportunities for communities around the route and toll road gates so that the regional economy will grow higher so that welfare will also increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although digital twins have been established in manufacturing for a long time, they are only more recently making their way into the urban environment and present a relatively new concept for the construction industry. The concept of a digital twin—a model of the physical environment that has a real-time two-way link between the physical and the digital, with the virtual model changing over time to reflect changes in the real world—lends itself well to the continually changing environment of a construction project. Predictive capabilities built into a twin also have great potential for construction planning—including in supply chain management and waste disposal as well as in the construction process itself. Underpinning this opportunity is location data, which model where something is happening and when and can be used to solve a wide range of problems. In particular, location (the power of where) can integrate diverse data sources and types into a single system, overcoming interoperability challenges that are known to be a barrier to twin implementation. This paper demonstrates the power of location-enabled digital twins in the context of a highway construction project, documenting and addressing data engineering tasks and functionality development to explore the potential of digital twins in the context of two case studies—health and safety and construction monitoring. We develop two demonstrators using data from an existing construction project (building on data and requirements from industry partner Skanska) to build twins that make use of the powers of 4D data presentation offered by the Unreal Gaming Engine and CesiumJS mapping, while software development expertise is sometimes available to construction firms, we specifically explore to what extent the no-code approach available within Unreal can be deployed in this context. Our findings provide evidence to construction companies as to the benefits of digital twins, as well as an understanding of the data engineering and technical skills required to achieve these benefits. The overall results demonstrate the potential for digital twins to unlock and democratise construction data, taking them beyond the niche use of experts and into the boardroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems of information isolation, inefficiency, and paper-based data archiving in traditional highway survey and design methods are investigated in this paper. A novel digital sandbox platform framework was developed to promote the efficiency of route design, model data integration, and information sharing. Under the presented framework, an integrated application method for both the Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies was designed by using Unreal Engine technology. Firstly, a digital base model was established by integrating multi-disciplinary BIM model data and GIS three-dimensional (3D) multi-scale scene model data. On this basis, using Unreal Engine technology for visualization development, a digital sandbox platform with the data visualization, traffic organization simulation analysis, 3D spatial analysis, component information query, and scene switching functions was developed, which satisfies the 3D visualization and digitalization needs in the current highway planning and design. Additionally, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to analyze the impact of digital base model on the development and application of platform modules, including five crucial factors: data accuracy, data representation, multi-source data fusion, data management capability, and scene semantic representation. Finally, the research results indicate that the proposed digital sandbox platform framework provides users with a platform for integrated data management, information sharing, and 3D data visualization, while reducing design time by 30%, total design cost by 12%, and land occupancy rate by 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong alkalinity of red mud and the heavy metals it contains pose a serious threat to the environment. This study investigated the possibility of applying red mud as a solid waste material in road construction to mitigate the problem of red mud accumulation. Red mud was modified using titanium gypsum and phosphogypsum as curing agents. The effects of varying gypsum types and mixing ratios on the mechanical properties and heavy metal leaching of the resulting red mud-based materials were assessed using percussion tests, unconfined compressive strength measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and continuous heavy metal leaching tests. The results showed that the optimal moisture content for titanium gypsum–cement-stabilized red mud (RTC) exceeds that of phosphogypsum–cement-stabilized red mud (RPC), with RTC exhibiting a lower maximum dry density compared to RPC. When the gypsum admixture was within 10%, the strength of the RPC was higher than that of the RTC at the same and curing time. The reticulation in RPC-10 was denser. The cumulative heavy metal releases from both RTC and RPC were within the permissible limits for Class III groundwater discharge standards. Based on the comprehensive test results, RPC is identified as the superior modified red mud material, with an optimal mix ratio of red mud/phosphogypsum/cement of 87:5:8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the depletion of supplies for high-quality aggregates, it has become necessary to incorporate marginally soft materials like moorum in pavement structural layers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanical characteristics of cementitiously stabilised moorum materials (CSMM), which would be relevant during the mechanistic design of pavements. The tests includes the unconfined compressive strength, california bearing ratio in a soaked state, flexural strength, indirect tensile strength, durability and shrinkage behaviour through a comprehensive laboratory investigation procedure. In this investigation, the collected moorum sample was from Bihar, the eastern state of India. Relationships between various mechanical characteristics have been developed for pavement analyses. The properties are achieved as per standards to study the behaviour of the pavement structures. Based on the research findings, the effectiveness of the strength and shrinkage characteristics in determining the acceptability of CSMM as a road base and subbase applications have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined use of electric arc furnace slag fines (EAFSF) and ladle furnace slag fines (LFSF) for soil stabilisation was not evaluated in previous works. Previous studies reported limited information on the microscale behaviour of steel slag materials used in soil stabilisation. This work evaluated synergistic effects provided by the combination of EAFSF and LFSF on the stabilisation of clayey and sandy soils. It provided a detailed microscale analysis of raw materials and slag-soil mixes with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and derivative thermogravimetry. Their compaction behaviour, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), CBR index, swelling, and resilient modulus were also determined. Filler effects, cementitious, pozzolanic, and ion-exchange reactions were discussed. A positive synergistic behaviour was observed when combining 10% LFSF and 5% EAFSF (by soil weight), which provided a structural arrangement that provided increases in UCS and CBR up to 651% and 1500%, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In civil engineering, some soils cause many problems in terms of geotechnical engineering. Especially high plasticity clayey soils cause serious problems in road, airport, pavement and highway construction. Such soils can be stabilized using the chemical stabilization method. Additives such as lime, cement, fly ash and blast furnace slag are generally used in chemical stabilization. In addition, in recent years, there have been many studies on the use of natural and artificial fibers in ground stabilization. In this study, the effects of basalt fiber and mineral additives on the microstructure of clay soil were examined. Microstructures of pure and additively mixed clayey soil specimens were investigated for this purpose. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed on compacted soil specimens. In sum, it has been shown that the addition of lime, fly ash, and silica fume is effective in improving the compactivity properties. Pore sizes in SEM images vary depending on additive addition. SEM images showed that the soil particles adhered to the basalt fiber surface, which contributed to the force and friction between the soil particles and the basalt fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a green and low-carbon road material, warm-mix rubber asphalt (WMRA) has received extensive attention from scholars for its road performance. In the in-depth study of its properties, the fatigue characteristics of WMRA are particularly critical. However, in current studies on asphalt fatigue performance, its self-healing ability is often underestimated or neglected. Furthermore, the simplified viscoelastic continuum damage theory (S-VECD), with its accuracy, speed, and convenience, provides a powerful tool for analyzing asphalt fatigue performance. Therefore, to analyze the fatigue and self-healing performances of WMRA in practical applications, four sample materials were selected in this study: virgin asphalt mastic (VAM), rubber asphalt mastic (RAM), Sasobit rubber asphalt mastic (SRAM), and Evotherm rubber asphalt mastic (ERAM). Subsequently, the samples were subjected to a comprehensive experimental design with frequency sweep tests, linear amplitude sweep tests, and multiple intermittent loading time sweep tests under different aging conditions. The fatigue and self-healing performances of different aging degrees and different types of WMRA were evaluated based on the S-VECD theory. The results show that aging reduces the fatigue and self-healing performances of asphalt mastic to a certain extent, and at a 7% strain, the fatigue life of SRAM after long-term aging is only 30.7% of the life of the unaged sample. The greater the aging degree, the more pronounced the effect. Under different aging levels, the warm-mix agent can significantly improve the fatigue and self-healing performances of rubber asphalt mastic. After undergoing ten fatigue intermittent loading tests, the recovery rate of the complex shear modulus for the long-term aged VAM was 0.65, which is lower than that of SRAM under the same conditions, and the warm mix can further extend the fatigue life of rubber asphalt by improving the self-healing properties of the asphalt. The role of Sasobit in enhancing the fatigue and self-healing performances of rubber asphalt mastic is more significant. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the promotion and application of WMRA pavements and contribute to the sustainable development of road construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a robust lateral control scheme for the path tracking of autonomous vehicles. Considering the discrepancies between the model parameters and the actual values of the vehicle and the fluctuation of parameters during driving, the norm-bounded uncertainty is utilized to deal with the uncertainty of model parameters. Because some state variables in the model are difficult to measure, an H ∞ observer is designed to estimate state variables and provide accurate state information to improve the robustness of path tracking. An H ∞ state feedback controller is proposed to suppress system nonlinearity and uncertainty and produce the desired steering wheel angle to solve the path tracking problem. A feedforward control is designed to deal with road curvature and further reduce tracking errors. In summary, a path tracking method with H ∞ performance is established based on the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, and the gains in observer and controller can be obtained directly. The hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test is built to validate the real-time processing performance of the proposed method to ensure excellent practical application potential, and the effectiveness of the proposed control method is validated through the utilization of urban road and highway scenes. The experimental results indicate that the suggested control approach can track the desired trajectory more precisely compared with the model predictive control (MPC) method and make tracking errors within a small range in both urban and highway scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Coal Science & Technology (0253-2336) is the property of Coal Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article is a personal account by Gerda Kück, who grew up in Nueva Germania, Paraguay, in a German family. Kück discusses the difficult living conditions and hard work faced by German descendants in Nueva Germania, who primarily work in agriculture and animal breeding. The article also explores the significance of religion and social gatherings in the community. Kück reflects on the reserved nature of the older generation, attributing it to their lifestyle and lack of education, but emphasizes that German descendants are kind, hospitable, and hardworking people with valuable cultural values. The text also shares the author's experiences living in Germany and Canada, highlighting the challenges of insecurity, dangers, and fear. The author mentions the importance of being cautious and aware due to surrounding injustice, corruption, and restlessness. However, the text also emphasizes the happiness and contentment of the people in Germany, who live fulfilling lives with little. The article concludes with the author's decision to return to Canada and reunite with their family. [Extracted from the article]

The object of research is a vibrating plate with interchangeable working bodies developed by the authors. Vibrating plates are an integral part of small mechanization equipment and are mainly intended for layer-by-layer compaction of various materials, such as sand, gravel, bituminous mixtures, etc. Vibration compaction methods are widely used in the construction of road surfaces and other infrastructure facilities. Self-propelled vibrating slabs are also used effectively in other construction processes such as compaction, trench reinforcement, land work and laying paving slabs. They ensure effective compaction of materials due to vibration. This paper is aimed at determining the optimal equipment for compaction of materials during the construction of small objects. Analyzing the characteristics of the machines that most affect the quality of compaction, it is also necessary to evaluate their influence in specific conditions. Studies show that for each type of material, a special working body should be selected, taking into account the specific conditions and requirements for compaction, to ensure optimal quality of work. The authors seek to consider the selection of vibrating plates and their working bodies that best meet the requirements and needs of compaction of various materials on limited construction sites. The analysis of different types of working bodies for different surfaces helps to improve the compaction process and provides optimal conditions for different types of building materials, taking into account their unique properties. The paper examines the influence of the working body on the processed environment, in particular, analyzes the ability of various factors to influence the quality of material compaction. Special attention is paid to the influence of the geometry and size of the contact area on the sealing efficiency of each material type. Overall, this analysis can significantly improve material compaction strategies in the construction industry, contributing to improved construction quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring in highway projects is significant for the safety, efficiency and quality of construction. This paper proposes a detailed method for monitoring soft-soil roadbed and high-slope, and the layered settlement gauge and total station are employed to carry out experimental monitoring. The law and stability of soft-soil roadbed settlement and deformation under high-slope are further analyzed. The results show that the cumulative values of roadbed settlement and slope platform deformation in general both increase with the increase of monitoring time. However, near 180 days, an abnormal settlement phenomenon was monitored on both sides of the highway with a maximum value of 9.44 mm. This phenomenon was captured at gauge #1, #3, and #4 on observation stake 3, and exact oppositely, it was also observed at gauge #2 on observation stake 4. Moreover, unusual deformations of the high-slope platforms occurred over a period of 10 to 30 days, and these unusual settlements and deformations are indicative of the highway's instability. Therefore, the monitoring on soft-soil roadbed settlement and high-slope deformation can provide reference for highway construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the RRT* algorithm, there are problems such as greater randomness, longer time consumption, more redundant nodes, and inability to perform local obstacle avoidance when encountering unknown obstacles in the path planning process of autonomous vehicles. And the artificial potential field method (APF) applied to autonomous vehicles is prone to problems such as local optimality, unreachable targets, and inapplicability to global scenarios. A fusion algorithm combining the improved RRT* algorithm and the improved artificial potential field method is proposed. First of all, for the RRT* algorithm, the concept of the artificial potential field and probability sampling optimization strategy are introduced, and the adaptive step size is designed according to the road curvature. The path post-processing of the planned global path is carried out to reduce the redundant nodes of the generated path, enhance the purpose of sampling, solve the problem where oscillation may occur when expanding near the target point, reduce the randomness of RRT* node sampling, and improve the efficiency of path generation. Secondly, for the artificial potential field method, by designing obstacle avoidance constraints, adding a road boundary repulsion potential field, and optimizing the repulsion function and safety ellipse, the problem of unreachable targets can be solved, unnecessary steering in the path can be reduced, and the safety of the planned path can be improved. In the face of U-shaped obstacles, virtual gravity points are generated to solve the local minimum problem and improve the passing performance of the obstacles. Finally, the fusion algorithm, which combines the improved RRT* algorithm and the improved artificial potential field method, is designed. The former first plans the global path, extracts the path node as the temporary target point of the latter, guides the vehicle to drive, and avoids local obstacles through the improved artificial potential field method when encountered with unknown obstacles, and then smooths the path planned by the fusion algorithm, making the path satisfy the vehicle kinematic constraints. The simulation results in the different road scenes show that the method proposed in this paper can quickly plan a smooth path that is more stable, more accurate, and suitable for vehicle driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permeable road pavements, due to their open-graded design, suffer from low structural strength, restricting their use in areas with light traffic volume and low bearing capacity. To expand application of permeable road pavements, accurate simulation of stress parameters used in pavement design is essential. A 3D finite element (3D FE) model was developed using ABAQUS/CAE 2021 to simulate pavement stress responses. Utilizing a 53 cm thick permeable road pavement and a 315/80 R22.5 wheel as prototypes, the model was calibrated and validated, with its accuracy confirmed through t-test statistical analysis. Simulations of wheel speeds at 11, 15, and 22 m/s revealed significant impact on pavement depths of 3 cm and 8 cm, while minimal effects were observed at depths of 13 cm and 33 cm. Notably, stress values at a depth of 3 cm with 15 m/s speed in the open-graded asphalt concrete (OGFC) surface layer exceeded those at the speed of 11 m/s, while at a depth of 8 cm in the porous asphalt concrete (PAC) base layer, an opposite performance was observed. This may be attributed to the higher elastic modulus of the OGFC surface layer, which results in different response trends to velocity changes. Overall, lower speeds increase stress responses and prolong action times for both layers, negatively affecting pavement performance. Increasing the moduli of layers is recommended for new permeable road pavements for low-speed traffic. Furthermore, considering the effects of heavy loads and changes in wheel speed, the recommended design depth for permeable road pavement is 30 cm. These conclusions provide a reference for the design of permeable road pavements to address climate change and improve performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous development of technology, the application of data visualization technology in various fields is also becoming increasingly widespread. Among them, in the field of 3D virtualization art and design, the application of data visualization technology has demonstrated its unique charm and potential. This article explored the design and application of data visualization technology in 3D virtualization art design, aiming to reveal its importance and impact on art and design innovation. This article studied the application of 3D virtual reality technology in production process development, grasped its core content and specific application methods, and provided a detailed analysis of the specific requirements for production process development. Therefore, based on 3D virtual reality technology, this article established a design system for 3D virtual art design based on data visualization technology, achieving the interaction and fusion of multi-source information. This can promote the development and improvement of the manufacturing process, bringing greater economic benefits to the enterprise. The experimental results have proven that the use of data visualization technology in the experiment can reduce the design costs of roads, trees, lawns, fitness equipment, and lakes by 42.5%, 41.2%, 35.5%, 38.8%, and 39.6%, respectively. They exceed the high-altitude GIS 3D modeling method by 21.6%, 19.9%, 16.4%, 19.4%, and 22.1%, and exceed the digital photography 3D modeling method by 21.1%, 21.1%, 15.1%, 17.9%, and 18.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Workers with occupational exposure to respirable silica dust, such as casual labourers at road construction sites (RCSs), are known to be at high risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). There is limited literature about the burden of PTB among this subpopulation with high occupational exposure to silica dust at road construction sites. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PTB among casual labourers working at road construction sites in central Uganda. Methods: We enrolled 297 participants via consecutive sampling in a cross-sectional study between September 1st and September 30th, 2022, at four road construction sites in four districts in central Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the PTB patients were identified by using GeneXpert and/or computer-aided detection for TB (CAD4TB). The data were analysed with STATA version 17.0. Descriptive statistics adjusted for clustering were used to summarize the data, and the relationships between PTB and independent variables were assessed by using a mixed effects modified Poisson regression model to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios. Results: Most participants were males (95.6% [284/297]), and the median age was 29 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 25–33). The prevalence of PTB among casual labourers was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.9, 2.8). Not being vaccinated with BCG (3.45, 95% CI: 1.02, 11.61), alcohol use (2.70, 95% CI: 1.52, 4.80) and staying in shared rooms (8.13, 95% CI: 4.37, 15.12) were positively associated with having PTB. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of PTB among casual labourers working at road construction sites in central Uganda. Individuals who had never been vaccinated with BCG, alcohol users and those staying in shared rooms were at an increased risk of having PTB. We recommend routine screening of casual labourers at road construction sites to optimize active TB case finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In road engineering, road construction requires a large amount of natural aggregate; its substitution with recycled construction-solid-waste aggregate not only saves resources but also reduces the burden on the environment. The main components of construction solid waste are concrete blocks and brick slag; the breakability of the latter can affect the performance of mixed recycled aggregate, which hinders the use of construction solid waste in road engineering applications. To analyze the applicability of recycled construction-solid-waste aggregate containing brick slag aggregate in the subgrade layer, the effect of brick aggregate content on the CBR (California bearing ratio) and crushing value of mixed recycled aggregates was evaluated based on laboratory tests, and the field compaction quality of the recycled aggregates was analyzed. The results show that the 9.5–19 mm mixed recycled aggregate samples were crushed to a higher degree during the compaction process. A brick aggregate content less than 40% had little effect on the performance of mixed recycled construction-solid-waste aggregate. It is recommended to use a 22 t road roller for five passes (two weak vibrations + two strong vibrations + one weak vibration) at a speed of 3 km/h in the main compaction stage of the subgrade filling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research note examines the early development of the statute labor system in Quebec. The focus is on the Eastern Townships region where—for cultural as well as geographic reasons—the road building and maintenance system was more community-based than in the rest of the province. That region welcomed the introduction of municipal governance and the property assessment system in the 1840s, but rural ratepayers remained determined to pay their road taxes with their own labor. As a result, despite the inefficiencies of the labor tax and the criticisms of road improvers, provincial legislation recognized it as a permissible option, thereby allowing it to survive until after the turn of the 20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, heavy calcium carbonate was wet modified using a titanate coupling agent, and fabricated titanate-coupled calcium carbonate and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) were used to prepare composite modified asphalt. Microscopic tests such as scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction showed that the surface wrinkle of the modified calcium carbonate was significantly increased, and the enhanced crystallinity and purity were favorable for its compatibility with asphalt (by segregation). Viscosity (135°C) and three major indicator tests showed that the modified asphalt exhibited good high-temperature performance compared to the original asphalt. Dynamic shear rheological and multistress creep recovery tests indicated that the composite modified asphalt exhibited better viscoelastic properties and resistance to permanent deformation than the pure SBS-modified asphalt. This was attributed to the fact that the modifier caused the SBS to swell sufficiently to form a clearly visible three-dimensional spatial network structure in the asphalt (by fluorescence microscope). This allows the matrix asphalt to form an interlocking phase with the polymer modifier, which in turn significantly enhances the relevant properties of the asphalt, as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The results of Fourier infrared spectroscopy suggest that the modifier is only physically miscible with SBS or base asphalt. This study can provide a feasible idea for the practical application of bicarbonate composite modified asphalt, which has greater prospects in construction and highway applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article showcases the findings of an experimental study conducted on a red siltclayey taken from the site of Chaaba Elhamra (M'sila region, Algeria) for the purpose of being used for the building of road embankments and pavement layers. This experimental research aims to evaluate the geotechnical characteristics of this red soil, both before and after being treated with two classes of cement (CEM-II/B-L 32.5 N and CEM-II/B-L 42.5 N), and to analyse the impact of the cement class on its geotechnical properties. The experimental program included identification tests as well as Proctor compaction, CBR, and unconfined compression tests. The interpretation of the results has taken into account knowledge acquired from the literature. The findings showed that the percentage of cement had a beneficial effect on the geotechnical characteristics of this red silt-clay. Moreover, they highlighted that the type of cement did not have a great influence on the physical parameters, the compaction parameters, and the CBR indices. However, it was observed that class 42.5 cement had a much greater effect on UCS values than lower class 32.5 cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's independent mobility (CIM) is the freedom of children to move around their neighbourhood or community without adult supervision. The aim of this study was to explore experiences with CIM from the perspectives of children and their parents living in rural and remote areas of British Columbia, Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 parent–child dyads or triads (45 participants). Child participants aged 7–12 were invited to create and describe drawings, maps, or take images of their independent mobility. Artwork and interview transcripts were analysed following an inductive thematic approach and mapped to the social-ecological model. We developed four themes to describe rural and remote family perspectives on CIM: (1) natural places, spaces, and forces; (2) embracing informal and unstructured play destinations; (3) decision-making and knowing when they are ready; (4) neighbourhood and community environments. Children identified several environmental characteristics impacting their independent mobility including wildlife, seasonal weather patterns, and lack of destinations. Parents reported the environment of rural communities, including neighbourhood cohesiveness and people looking out for each other, as being supportive of CIM. To promote CIM in rural and remote areas, efforts should focus on providing education on wildlife encounters, creating safe and interesting destinations for play, and consider children's safety and connectivity in road design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction materials accumulate in the built environment forming material stocks (MS) of buildings and infrastructure, providing various services to society that result in a nexus of human development and environmental impact. Meanwhile, unprecedented urbanization in the Global South is set to put significant demand on the resources required to ensure adequate standards of living in new and existing urban areas. This is particularly important within India; however, no study has yet explored MS within cities in India or within master‐planned urban areas designed to accommodate urbanization and a high standard of living. The present study begins to fill these gaps and aims to investigate patterns of built‐environment MS accumulation in Chandigarh, an exceptionally quickly developed city master planned to ensure universally high standards of living through a unique urban form. We adopt a bottom‐up approach to quantify the residential building and road MS at the city and sub‐city scale. The results reveal that the master plan, while enabling high standards of living, has resulted in a relative accumulation of road‐to‐building stock that is significantly larger than in other cities. This is shown to be environmentally detrimental as future urban development is limited and promotes the demolition of existing stocks, whose composition severely limits their potential as secondary resources. The study therefore provides empirical evidence to support the integration of material stock assessments into urban planning and development to ensure resource‐efficient provisioning of key services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the road corvée, a practice of using unpaid labour for road maintenance, in the nineteenth and twentieth century. I focus on the case of Estonia, where the road corvée, originating in the feudal economic system, persisted surprisingly long, being abolished only in 1959. Earlier studies on the road corvée have focused mainly on road construction and have therefore failed to recognise the use of the practice beyond absolutist Europe and colonial Africa. Focusing on maintenance reveals that the corvée was also widespread in twentieth-century Europe. I examine how the road corvée was organised and debated to reveal what inhibited and what accelerated its abolition. The study shows how maintenance practices can be deeply embedded in social and economic structures – like the agricultural system in this case – and ultimately be highly inert and resistant to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roads have a multitude of direct negative effects on wildlife due to collisions and noise and play a prominent role in overall habitat fragmentation. For bats, landscape fragmentation by roads causes disturbance during nocturnal movements and road kill negatively affects local abundance and bat population dynamics. Mitigation measures such as wildlife crossings (green bridges) are among the proposed improvements intended to reduce the fragmentation impact of roads for many taxa, but their efficiency has rarely been tested for bats. In this study, we performed a control-impact analysis to assess the efficiency of two structures on the number of bat crossings by assessing their collision risk using an acoustic flight path reconstruction (AFPR) approach. We obtained data for 458 crossings for six bat taxa that showed how the number of bat crossings is significantly higher on green bridges than control sites for all species (pooled) and for two guilds — one with species with a low flight height and the other with a higher flight height. We also found that bat activity on either side of a green bridge is not a predictor of the true use of the bridge to cross roads. Considering these results, wildlife crossings can be envisaged as a mitigation measure to reduce impacts of road construction on bat movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines a comprehensive analysis of the frequency and impact of machine-related fatal accidents at road construction sites in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, with the aim of understanding their repercussions for workers and the environment. Additionally, the research aims to identify effective strategies for preventing such accidents. The study utilizes a quantitative research design and employs a purposive sampling technique to distribute 300 well-structured questionnaires designed to gather detailed information on the causes and consequences of fatalities and accidents at road construction sites. The findings of the study demonstrate that various factors, such as workers' use of drugs and alcohol, prolonged work hours, use of faulty tools and machinery, as well as negligent and risky behaviour, significantly increase the susceptibility of workers to fatal accidents and loss of life. Consequently, this contributes to heightened stress, anxiety, and fear among workers, negatively impacting their productivity and overall performance. The study identifies several effective preventive measures, including the implementation of traffic control protocols, regular inspection and maintenance of equipment, and stringent safety regulations within work zones, as well as the establishment of clear communication protocols. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the importance of close monitoring and providing counselling to machinery operators to instigate a change in their attitudes and behaviours, consequently averting accidents. In conclusion, the research strongly advocates for the reduction of the risk of machine fatalities at road construction sites by universally implementing and rigorously adhering to the highlighted measures by all stakeholders in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research has been done with the aim of identifying the effects of various types of corporate governance on the success of the project. At first, project success factors and corporate governance have been identified with different statistical methods, and the result is the statistics of 6 project success factors and 5 corporate governance factors. In order to evaluate the effect of corporate governance and the success of construction projects in Hormozgan province, a questionnaire was used and its evaluation was done using the factor analysis method, and then using statistical methods, the relationship between different theories of corporate governance and the success of construction projects was analyzed has been Therefore, the research is quantitative and practical in terms of purpose, and the data of the present research were collected by library and field methods. In order to evaluate the effect of corporate governance on the success of projects, the questionnaire provided by Joslin and Muller (2016) was used in a similar study. After that, the questionnaire was distributed among 225 expert participants in this field. The collected data were evaluated and analyzed using the method of factor analysis and correlation matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The road construction industry aims to contribute to the protection of already compromised environment. Cold mix asphalt (CMA) is a measure initiated by the road industry to protect the environment and preserve energy. Despite having additional benefits, CMA has attracted little attention due to its inferior performance. CMA's performance is enhanced using a sustainable binder bio-modifier, natural cup lump rubber (CLR) is one of them. This study evaluated the tensile properties, rutting, moisture susceptibility, and adhesion properties of CLR-modified CMA (CMA-CR). The tensile property was enhanced by 26% due to CLR modification. CMA-CR had excellent rutting resistance of less than 2 mm rut depth at 10,000 load cycles, showing 70% improvement compared with conventional CMA. Moisture susceptibility evaluation indicated that CMA-CR had tensile strength ratio (TSR) value of 104%, satisfying the minimum 80% requirement of AASHTO T283. It also retained more than 96% bitumen coating. The moisture damage resistance was improved by 12% and 10% in terms of TSR and stripping, respectively. The durability results revealed that the CMA-CR mixture prevented higher mass loss, representing 14% improvement compared with conventional CMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nordic forests, like those found in Canada, used to consist of large and relatively homogeneous mature stands. Such a spatial pattern allows for harvest operations to be highly concentrated, minimizing procurement costs. However, the growing fragmentation of these forests makes planning difficult and increases the costs of road building and machinery relocation. While operational solutions have been developed in regions with small harvest areas, their transferability to different settings is unknown. Finding the most suitable combination of equipment for a given context is challenging considering the multitude of possibilities. The objective of this study is to identify, from all possible options, a subset of harvest systems expected to perform well in fragmented boreal forests. The results from this research are two-fold. First, a comprehensive review of forest machines and harvest systems is provided. Second, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology is proposed to evaluate the alternatives. In a boreal forest context, the conventional harvester-forwarder system (CTL) was ranked among the best solutions, along with mild adaptations of the usual configurations. Several whole-tree (WT) system configurations were also highly ranked. While the results are specific to the case studied, the review and selection methodology can serve in different operational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road construction and strip mining in mountainous regions inevitably causes the destruction of vegetation and soil, leading to large ranges of exposed slopes. Although soil spray-sowing has become a promising method to accelerate community assembly in humid regions, the application of microbial fertilizers and shading in slope recovery during soil spray-sowing are rarely reported in dry-hot valleys. This study compared the effectiveness among artificial seeding, arch column + planting bags, and soil spray-sowing by slope restoration trials in the Yuanjiang dry-hot valley, southwest China. Additionally, we explored the effect of slope degrees, shade, and microbial fertilizers on seedling survival and growth after soil spray-sowing. Results indicated that soil spray-sowing displayed better species survival and growth performance than artificial seeding and arch column + planting bags. The richness, density, and height of seedlings dropped dramatically with the increasing of slope degrees after soil spray-sowing, especially when the slope degree was greater than 1. Although shading observably improved the species density, it inhibited the growth of Albizia julibrissin and Crotalaria pallida. Moreover, microbial fertilizers Penicillium chrysogenum and Bacillus aryabhattai markedly enhanced the density and growth of species Azadirachta Indica, Cajanus cajan, Indigofera cassioides, and Sophora xanthanth. Soil spray-sowing, combined with shading and microbial fertilizers, contributes to species survival and growth when the slope degree is less than 1.73 and the soil spray-sowing process coincides with the rainy season, which provides the theoretical basis and technical support for ecological restoration in the dry-hot river valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kenya has seen a boom in road building during the last couple of years as a result of the government's significant investments in the construction industry to upgrade infrastructure, such as road networks. Road network construction is one of the key pillars of the country long term vision 2030. However, the performance of the road projects has experienced various challenges leaving some roads uncompleted, others poorly done after huge investment of public resources. This study sought to evaluate the influence of financial resources scheduling on the performance of road construction projects in Nairobi Metropolitan, Kenya. The research was based on resource dependence theory. A descriptive design as well as the cross-sectional survey was used. The population of interest for this study consisted of 39 road construction projects being implemented by Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya National Highway Authority within the Nairobi metropolitan area. A semi structured questionnaire was utilized to collect primary data. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study results revealed projects resource scheduling had a positive and significant effect on project performance of road construction projects in Nairobi Metropolitan, Kenya. The study concludes that effective financial resource scheduling enables that organization to manage risk that may occur from changes in the project's outcome. Financial resource scheduling starts from developing the project budget which is a process for allocating administered and departmental funds necessary to build a financial foundation for producing stated project deliverables [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The road sediment delivery model (SEDMODL) and geographic information system were used to estimate the amount of average annual sedimentation caused by the forest roads network in the oak forests of the west of the country in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. In this research, Bideleh forest roads in Lordegan County with a length of 5828 meters selected. The area maps including geology, road networks, slope, and rainfall and drainage density were prepared and digitized in the Arc GIS 10.8 software, and also during field visits, the type, age and traffic of the study roads were determined. The formules used in SEDMODL are based on mathematical and quantitative relationships between erosion factors such as the type of road, road traffic, and parent materials used in road construction, road surface condition, road longitudinal slope, vegetation cover, excavation trench, the amount of rainfall in the area and the distance from the waterway. Also, in this research, in order to measure the amount of erosion and sediment in the field, 30 erosion markers were installed in different parts of the study roads, and during one year, their changes were measured with the help of a laser meter with an accuracy of 0.02 mm. The average soil erosion was estimated 4 mm per year based on the measurements. According to the SEDMODL model, the amount of erosion in Bidleh road is 2068 tons per year and the amount of sedimentation is 234 tons per year according to the SEDMODL model. Also, the analysis of hot spots showed that 39.8% of Bideleh forest roads have very high erosion. Methodology Sediment production from a road is usually influenced by three types of water flow on the road surface, soil removal trench and roadside waterways. In fact, the model used in this research (SEDMODL) is based on these three factors (Akay et al. 2008). Therefore, the total precipitation in tons per year from each road section is calculated based on the equation 1. (Equation 1) Total Sediment (t/year) = (TS+CS)*Af In the above equation, TS is sediment production from road surface and roadside waterways, CS is sediment production caused by soil removal trench and Af is the age factor of the road. According to equation 2, TS is also affected by road length (Lr), road width (W), geological erosion rate (GEr), road surface material (Sf), traffic (Tf), road slope (Gf), rainfall. (Pf) and sediment delivery factor (Df). (equation 2) TS = Lr* Wr*GEr* Sf*Tf* Gf*Pf*Df Also, sediment production caused by soil removal trench CS according to equation 3, a function of geological erosion rate factors (GEr), vegetation and stone cover around the road (CSf), soil removal trench height (CSh), road length (Lr) and the sediment delivery factor (Df). (equation 3) CS = GEr*CSf*CSh* Lr*Df Sediment production of the road during the first and secondry years of construction until the excavation trench and embankment pile is properly fixed by vegetation has its maximum amount. In SEDMODL, the effect of the road age factor (Af) is 10 in the first year of construction and 2 after two years. The values for other erosion factors was obtained from the provided tables of the model which were calculated based on previous researches (Akay et al. 2008; Naghdi et al. 2017). For field measurement of erosion on the forest road, 30 wooden rods were installed around the road. The wooden rods were installed in the sections perpendicular to the road in different conditions of geology, vegetation and the slope of the road and on both sides of the road at intervals of 5 meters, 15 meters and 25 meters. Then, the height of each rod was measured using a laser meter with an accuracy of 0.02 mm. The height of each rod was measured in 5 times and the average of these values was determined as the height of the rod in each stage. Results: Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province with an area of about 1,632,835 hectares is located between 31◦ 9′ to 32◦ 48′ north latitude and 49◦ 28′ to 51◦ 25′ east longitude. Bidele road is located 30 kilometers west of Lordegan city and in the western part of Bideleh village of this city. The length of road study is 5828.6 meters. This road has the dirt and sand bed, with an average width of 4.5 meters and extends in a forested and mountainous area in order to access telecommunication towers and power transmission lines. In this research, the required maps including geology, road, slope, rainfall and waterway network were prepared by using topography, geology, satellite images and field visits related to relevant organizations. In the next stage, during field investigations, factors such as road surface, traffic, height of excavation trench were extracted. The digital layer of waterways was extracted from the existing topographical map in the area and possible errors were corrected by field controles. Also, the slope map of the area was determined using the digital elevation model prepared from the topographic layer. In order to prepare the precipitation map, the rainfall annual average near the roads was used and the annual precipitation layer was prepared for each region. In this way, the geological erosion rate factor GEr, the traffic factor Tf, the road slope factor Gf, the precipitation factor Pf, the sediment delivery factor Df, the vegetation and stone cover factor around the road CSf and the height factor of the excavation trench Chf for the study road of Bideleh were calculated as vectors and was determined numerically. Based on the prepared factors related to the model that was prepared digitally and on the study road, finally, the sediment production of the road surface and the sediment production of the excavation trench were determined and extracted separately (Table 1).... Discussion & Conclusions: In order to study and investigate the role and influence of the measured parameters and input to the model on the rate of erosion, Pearson's correlation test was used and its results are presented in Table (2). As the results of the statistical correlation test show, there is the strongest significant correlation between the erosion rate of the whole road with geological factor, road width and precipitation factor. As it was mentioned, with the construction of the road, the vegetation and soil of the areas around the road will also change due to soil removal. To compensate these changes and return to the initial conditions, the ecosystem needs time. It is obvious that the longer the life of these changes, the closer the ecosystem is to a stable state, and the amount of soil erosion and destruction is less.... This tool is used for points that have a numerical characteristic (such as the rate of soil erosion or sedimentation) or the weight of complications. The result will be a map that shows hot and cold spots that have significant statistical characteristics. Analyzes are based on Getis ord GI statistics. In this research, this analysis was used to identify areas with high erosion rates (hot spots of road erosion). Also, the results of this part of the research showed that with a confidence level >95%, 39.8% (2321 meters) of the road is identified as areas with high erosion production and as hot spots. Based on the prepared maps in this part of the work, it was found that the soil erosion rate is higher in the areas with high slope and geologically sensitive, and these parts play the biggest role in the production of sediment in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reasonable expression of live load and its accuracy are important to the safety and design rationality of highway bridge structures. In this study, the optimization issue of the traffic load model for the suspenders of large-scale suspension bridges is studied. Taking a 2300-m main span suspension bridge as an example, a method for suspender classification based on the geometric feature of the influence lines is proposed, and the extreme traffic load effect scenarios are analyzed and used as an optimization reference. Multi-objective optimization based on a genetic algorithm is used to explore the improvement of the traffic load model of the suspender. The traffic load model of the suspender is optimized with three objectives, i.e., accuracy, convenience, and improvement, and the optimization results regarding the load value and loading length are obtained. The value of the uniformly distributed load of the optimized model ranges from 6.4 kN/m to 8.9 kN/m, and the maximum value of the concentrated force could reach 1433 kN. By comparing the obtained optimized model with the current specification model and the extreme load effect scenario model, the improved applicability of the optimized model in the analysis of the load effect of the suspender can be verified. The optimized method and relevant conclusions can provide useful references for the improved design and operation management of similar bridge structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]