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Documents published in Scipedia

• PEDESTRIAN PERFORMANCE ON MID-BLOCK CROSSINGS USING A ROAD INFORMATION ASSISTANCE SYSTEM IN A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIMENT

  A. Figueroa-Medina, D. Valdés-Díaz, N. Cardona-Rodríguez, A. Chamorro-Parejo

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 7

  
  

  Abstract

  The increase in crash-related pedestrian fatalities, primarily in urban streets, has promoted the development of technological innovations to mitigate this global problem. This article presents the results of an experiment that used virtual reality technology to study the performance of pedestrians at mid-block crossings of urban streets and the impact of a Road Information Assistance System [RIAS]. The RIAS was simulated as a handheld device that displays warning symbols or a combination of symbols and real-time information about the vehicles approaching the crosswalk to assist pedestrians in making the crossing decision. The experiment simulated a connected urban environment that can receive and transmit data from sensors in the infrastructure, vehicles, and pedestrians [via the RIAS]. The study evaluated the walking speeds, the vehicle gaps selected to cross the street, and the number of successful crossing events with no collisions. Three groups of twelve subjects [no RIAS, simple RIAS, and complex RIAS] were selected. The age and gender of the subjects, as well as the RIAS type used to cross the street, had significant effects on the average walking speed. The distributions of the average gap accepted by each of the three groups, based on the RIAS type, were statistically different. The group that used the RIAS device displaying symbols only had the worst performance and the highest average gap accepted when crossing the street.

  Abstract
  The increase in crash-related pedestrian fatalities, primarily in urban streets, has promoted the development of technological innovations to mitigate this global problem. [...]

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• STATE OF PRACTICE IN NATURE-BASED/INSPIRED SOLUTIONS FOR COASTAL EROSION

  S. Ortiz Rosa, I. Pagán-Trinidad

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 6

  
  

  Abstract

  Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are imperative now, in view of the resulting effects of climate change and man-made alterations in coastal areas. The perspective to address coastal solutions may not be possible to be limited exclusively to ecological solutions. This article, based on a literature review, focuses on hybrid solutions for coastal erosion control. The review highlights examples from around the World that can be applied to islands, having Puerto Rico (PR) as a typical scenario. It presents a summary of how gray infrastructure commonly applied in the past decades can be re-designed and adapted to integrate natural solutions. This article provides significant facts about the merits of structural, ecological, and economical aspects that should be considered on NbS projects. This article helps understand the state of practice and possible solutions that can be implemented, especially, in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

  Abstract
  Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are imperative now, in view of the resulting effects of climate change and man-made alterations in coastal areas. The perspective to address coastal [...]

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• SEISMIC SOIL PRESSURES ON EMBEDDED WALLS WITH VARYING STIFFNESS AND CONTACT CONDITIONS

  A. Cruz-Chamorro, A. Vidot-Vega

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 5

  
  

  Abstract

  This article evaluates how the seismic pressures developed in embedded walls are affected by different wall stiffness and various contact soil-wall conditions. Several two-dimensional numerical models of an embedded wall-soil system were developed in Abaqus® by varying the wall stiffness. One model considered the wall as very rigid with a large modulus of elasticity and the other one considered the wall as flexible with original modulus of elasticity. Wall heights of 10, 20 and 30 meters were considered on the models to obtain different wall stiffness. The contact between the soil and the wall is modified by changing the friction coefficient between 0 to 0.75. The response of the soil is validated using 1D nonlinear site response analyses. The analyses are performed using records that match a narrow-band modified target spectrum for a moment magnitude of 7.70. The results show that the rigid walls developed larger seismic pressures than the flexible walls when subjected to the same earthquake records. The seismic soil pressures in the rigid walls do not change considerably by varying the contact condition between the soil and wall. Changes in the friction coefficient have a major impact on the seismic pressure distributions on flexible walls.

  Abstract
  This article evaluates how the seismic pressures developed in embedded walls are affected by different wall stiffness and various contact soil-wall conditions. Several two-dimensional [...]

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• REFLECTIONS ON THE DESIGN OF STEEL POLES FOR TRANSMISSION LINES IN MEXICO

  C. Cordero-Macías, L. Mendoza-Mendoza

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 4

  
  

  Abstract

  The use of steel poles as support structures for lines in Mexico has increased in the last 30 years, mainly due to the increase in urban and suburban sprawl that demand less right of way for this type of infrastructure and less space for their foundations. To fulfill these requirements, numerous studies have been carried out related to dielectric sizing, optimization of the distance between phases to reduce electrical losses, wind hazard associated with the cable-insulator-hardware-structure-foundation system, structural design criteria based on reliability, natural-scale mechanical tests, among others. This article presents some reflections related to the different stages of the design of metal poles for transmission lines, from input data to structural designs, following the criteria of the Mexican electrical industry for a 230 kV pole, 2 circuits, located in Mexicali, B.C.

  Abstract
  The use of steel poles as support structures for lines in Mexico has increased in the last 30 years, mainly due to the increase in urban and suburban sprawl that demand less [...]

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• CONTRIBUTIONS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE OF THE SOILS ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUERTO RICO HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

  R. Romero-Ramírez, M. Arroyo-Caraballo

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 3

  
  

  Abstract

  The Puerto Rico Soil Engineering Office (OIS) was founded in 1975 and is currently under the Design Area of ​​the Highway and Transportation Authority (ACT). In its foundation, the SEO was composed of a Soils Engineering Division and a Geology Division. Its main function was the subsoil exploration for the geotechnical structures designed and constructed by the PRHTA. Over time, the functions of the SEO evolved while soil engineering and rock engineering were evolving. Today, the SEO continues to attend to inquiries during projects’ design and construction phases. Additionally, the SEO attends several geotechnical initiatives like Geotechnical Asset Management and Unstable Slope Management. This article presents the contributions and innovations in the practice of geotechnical engineering that the OIS has attended and has had a leading role with emphasis on new analyzes and equipment that meet state and federal requirements and current codes that have potential to be implemented in geographic areas in the Caribbean and Latin America with similar geotechnical and geological characteristics.

  Abstract
  The Puerto Rico Soil Engineering Office (OIS) was founded in 1975 and is currently under the Design Area of ​​the Highway and Transportation Authority (ACT). In its foundation, [...]

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• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SMART CITIES BASED ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION

  C. Chang, T. Salinas-Gamero, M. Vélez-Canchanya, G. Tejada-Salinas

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 2

  
  

  Abstract

  Cities have become much more complex, and public agencies are facing increasing challenges to provide efficient and inclusive services to the community. Cities are highly dependent on civil infrastructure and the technologies adopted for the management of public services including transportation, energy, security, water resources, first aid, and supply chain systems. The Smart City concept is interdisciplinary in nature and represents a new way of managing civil infrastructure by identifying problems with the support of advanced technologies. Within this concept, it is necessary to model various scenarios and analyze potential outcomes to seek the best solution for the situations raised. However, the technological components are insufficient by themselves if they do not allow interaction among the parties involved in the management process. In this context, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a tool that can improve collaboration and communication among the parties involved in the management of civil infrastructure in a city. This article describes a humanistic concept of a Smart City with emphasis on the quality of life and the role of education in its development and sustainability, integrating modern technology for an efficient interaction of health, transportation, public safety, energy, building management subsystems, among others. These interconnected subsystems must provide the services to sustain the quality of life of citizens. In this humanistic approach, practice of civic values has a fundamental role in the responsible use of resources and technological tools to transform a city into a smart one. 

  Abstract
  Cities have become much more complex, and public agencies are facing increasing challenges to provide efficient and inclusive services to the community. Cities are highly [...]

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• COMPARATIVE STRESS ANALYSIS OF ELBOWS IN PIPING SYSTEMS APPLYING THE NORMATIVE SAFETY MARGIN

  A. Giudici, N. Wechselberg, J. Stuardi, G.

  RIDNAIC (2023). Vol. 23, 1

  
  

  Abstract

  Elbows are components in piping systems whose primary function is to achieve a change in flow direction. Their study is relevant, since they present higher stress levels than those observed in straight sections. Early investigations determined that this effect is caused by the ovalization effect and the presence of external moments. The capacity of a cross section to ovalize when external loads are applied results in increased flexibility of the elbows by decreasing the moment of inertia compared to a straight pipe. In this work, stress levels in elbows caused by external moments and internal pressure are studied. As a case study, a series of elbows of various diameters and thicknesses with suitable characteristics for understanding the phenomenon of ovalization and the comparison of different calculation methodologies is proposed. The stresses obtained by applying the ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 codes are compared with those obtained by a numerical model of finite elements, through a novel indicator called the Normative Safety Margin. This indicator considers the admissible stresses established by the specifications for the materials of the accessories. Applying B31.1 Code, higher normative safety margins are obtained than those obtained with B31.3. For the entire series under study and all types of applied loads, lower normative safety margins were obtained when the accessories are more flexible.

  Abstract
  Elbows are components in piping systems whose primary function is to achieve a change in flow direction. Their study is relevant, since they present higher stress levels than [...]

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• TRAFFIC CRASH INJURIES OCCURRENCE VARIETIES ACROSS BARCELONA DISTRICTS

  A. Aiash, F. Robusté

  RIDNAIC (2022). Vol. 22, 6

  
  

  Abstract

  Barcelona (Spain) had a total population of 1,636,762 in 2019 that are distributed on 10 districts across the city. These districts have different characteristics in size and population density. As a result, this can lead to different traffic crashes injuries occurrences and numbers in these areas. Therefore, this study is attempting to determine the conditional probabilities for each district in order to identify the district that has highest number of injuries compared to other areas. A Bayesian network approach is utilized to analyze the dataset and identify the high-risk district alongside analyzing the varieties of traffic crashes during four-year intervals. The results have shown that the district that has the highest population, highest usage of private transport mode, and highest density of passenger cars per km2 (compared to all other districts), has the highest risk of having all types of injuries resulting from traffic crashes. For the temporal factor represented by the four years interval, traffic crashes occurrences varied from district to district based on the level of injury.

  Abstract
  Barcelona (Spain) had a total population of 1,636,762 in 2019 that are distributed on 10 districts across the city. These districts have different characteristics in size [...]

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• LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE VIRGINIA REFLECTIVE CRACKING STUDY UNDER ACCELERATED PAVEMENT TESTING

  F. Martínez, G. Flintsch

  RIDNAIC (2022). Vol. 22, 5

  
  

  Abstract

  Road administrators encounter situations where they must make decisions regarding the maintenance and rehabilitation of a road network without knowing the outcome of those decisions until years later. The Heavy Vehicle Simulator has been widely used as an accelerated testing tool to study pavement performance in a shorter period and under more controlled conditions than in the field. The Virginia Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the Virginia Transportation Research Council, has initiated a research project to study the behavior and performance of different pavement materials and structures under accelerated load through a Heavy Vehicle Simulator.  Six pavement sections with different structures were built and instrumented with strain gauges, load cells, temperature gauges, and linear vertical displacement transducers. Two lanes were dedicated to study reflection cracking. They included a concrete pavement with joints 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) wide to reflect cracks in the surface. These lanes were covered with two 1.5-inch (38.1-mm) layers of a control SMA mix asphalt and a similar mix modified with a synthetic fiber. This article presents the results of this reflection cracking study. The article describes the characterization of the asphalt mixtures used, the pavement structure, the construction design, the Heavy Vehicle Simulator used and the installed instrumentation. The paper also presents some of the lessons learned, experimental changes, and study results in terms of cracking and rutting performance.

  Abstract
  Road administrators encounter situations where they must make decisions regarding the maintenance and rehabilitation of a road network without knowing the outcome of those [...]

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• VULNERABILITY OF SCHOOLS IN PUERTO RICO TO TSUNAMIS

  G. Pacheco-Crosetti, O. Collazos-Ordóñez, V. Rodríguez, J. Vázquez

  RIDNAIC (2022). Vol. 22, 4

  
  

  Abstract

  The archipelago of Puerto Rico is a region of high danger to tsunamis (ATC, 2019). Recognizing that the school population in Puerto Rico is around 600,000 people (including students and teachers, according to 2016 data), and that schools are essential facilities to safeguard against extreme events, the objective of the research has been to evaluate if the Puerto Rican schools are vulnerable to tsunamis. In the first instance, a comprehensive database of schools in Puerto Rico that could be affected by tsunami events was developed and critical municipalities were identified. The municipalities of San Juan and Cataño were selected as case studies in which a more detailed evaluation was carried out. This evaluation included the analysis of the evacuation time required to move from each schoolyard to a safe place as the main vulnerability factor. The shortest route and several alternative routes were evaluated for each school. The analysis included as a complementary factor the status of the critical school evacuation route in each of the two municipalities. In addition, a survey form was developed and administered to collect data on school evacuation preparedness. The study found that the most vulnerable schools in each study municipality present excessive evacuation times and unsafe and inadequate evacuation routes for the evacuation process. Several additional study areas have been identified to improve the vulnerability assessment of schools. Therefore, a second phase of the research is being developed to obtain better estimates of evacuation times, including all stages of the evacuation process (evacuation timeline), analyzing the factors that affect pedestrian dynamics and simulation of each of these phases and integrating data from evacuation drills. The results of these investigations are expected to contribute to the rehabilitation processes of coastal schools by providing refined tools to decide if vertical evacuation is required.

  Abstract
  The archipelago of Puerto Rico is a region of high danger to tsunamis (ATC, 2019). Recognizing that the school population in Puerto Rico is around 600,000 people (including [...]

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Articles (Documents not available in Scipedia)

• Developing an Educational Module to Increase Engineering Student's Knowledge of Highway Work Zones and Temporary Traffic Control Plans

  B Colucci, A Figueroa, ...

  2020 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, 14, 2020

• Simulation-Based Analysis of a Driver-Pedestrian Conflict at an Uncontrolled Location in an Urban Multi-Lane Arterial

  B Colucci, D Valdés-Díaz, A Figueroa, M Rojas, ...

  99th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, 2020

• Simulation-Based Analysis of a Driver-Pedestrian Conflict at an Uncontrolled Location in an Urban Multi-Lane Arterial

  AM Figueroa-Medina, DM Valdés Díaz, B Colucci Ríos, MX Rojas Ibarra, ...

  International Conference on Transportation and Development 2020, 97-109, 2020

• Evaluation of Driver Performance and Safety Countermeasures for Schools Located in an Urban Arterial Highway Using a Driving Simulator

  B Colucci, D Valdés-Díaz, A Figueroa, M Colón, Enid & Rojas

  Road Safety & Simulation (RSS) Annual Conference, 2019

• Assesing the Impact of Smartphone Usage while Driving in Work Zones

  D Valdés, C López, B Colucci, A Figueroa, R García, E Colón, M Rojas, ...

  98th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, 2019

• Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Usage While Driving in Work Zones [supporting datasets]

  DM Valdés Díaz, C Lopez del Puerto, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2019

• Evaluation of Safety Enhancements in School Zones with Familiar and Unfamiliar Drivers

  DMV Diaz, M Knodler, BC Ríos, AMF Medina, MR Ibarra, EC Torres, ...

  University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 2019

• Enhancing School Zone Safety: Case Studies in Puerto Rico using Driving Simulation

  AF Medina

  University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, 2019

• Operational Analysis of School Zones Using a Driving Simulator

  D Valdés, A Figueroa, B Colucci, E Colón, M Rojas, R García, Y Taveras, ...

  International Conference on Transportation & Development (ICTD 2019), 2019

• Transportation Transformed with Resiliency as a Vital Component: The Case of Puerto Rico's Surface Transportation System-Two Years after the Passage of Category 4 Hurricane María

  B Colucci

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) & Texas District Annual Meeting, 2019

• Speed Behavior in a Suburban School Zone: A Driving Simulation Study with Familiar and Unfamiliar Drivers from Puerto Rico and Massachussetts

  D Valdés, A Figueroa, B Colucci, M Knodler, M. Rojas, ...

  10th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE), 2019

• Enhancing School Zone Safety: Case Studies in Puerto Rico Using Driving Simulation [supporting datasets]

  DM Valdes Diaz, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, E Colon Torres, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2019

• Evaluation of Safety Enhancements in School Zones with Familiar and Unfamiliar Drivers [supporting datasets]

  DM Valdes Diaz, MA Knodler, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, MXR Ibarra, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2019

• Operational and Safety Performance of Signage and Pavement Markings for Managed Lanes Using a Driving Simulator

  BR Cruz, JR González, RG Rosario, EC Torres, DV Díaz, BC Ríos

  Transportation Research Board 97th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2018

• Evaluation of Roadway Geometrics and Posted Speed Limits with Random Forest in the PR-22 Dynamic Toll Lane Using a Driving Simulator

  J Ruiz-González, B Colucci-Ríos, D Valdés-Díaz, B Ruiz-Cruz, ...

  International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, 906-916, 2018

• Lessons Learned for Puerto Rico's Transportation Infrastructure after Hurricane María

  PE Benjamín Colucci Ríos PhD, AMS BSCE

  Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal 88 (10), 38-43, 2018

• Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Usage while Driving in Work Zones

  DM Valdés Díaz, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, R Garcia Rosario, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2018

• Accomplishments and lessons learned of the first four years of the implementation of the Puerto Rico Strategic Highway Safety Plan

  B Colucci, JC Rivera, LA León

  18th International Conference Road Safety on Five Continents (RS5C 2018 …, 2018

• Dynamic Toll Lane: A Success Story as Part of the of Public Private Partnerships in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

  BC Ríos

  Advances in Public-Private Partnerships, 159-170, 2017

• Phase II: operational and safety-based analyses of varied toll lane configurations.

  D Valdes, B Colucci

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2016

• Operational and safety-based analyses of varied toll lanes.

  DM Valdes Diaz, J Ruiz Gonzalez, B Colucci Rios, B Ruiz Cruz, ...

  University Transportation Centers Program (US), 2016

• Operational and Safety-Based Analysis of Toll Plaza Signane Using Driving Simulation

  D Valdés, B Colucci, D Fisher, J Valdés, E Colón, ...

  Advances in Transportation Studies (ATS), 23-36, 2016

• Driving Simulation of the Safety and Operation Performance at a Freeway Toll Plaza

  D Valdés-Díaz, B Colucci-Ríos, D Fisher, B Ruiz, R Colón, Enid & García

  Transportation Research Record (TRR) Journal-Transportation Research Board …, 2016

• el puente

  EL PUENTE

  Boletín EL PUENTE 26 (02), 2012

• Development and Evaluation of a Software Tool That Integrates GPS and Video Data From a Road Alignment to Perform Road Condition, Safety Audits and Inventory Surveys

  KR Santiago-Chaparro, B Colucci-Rios, AM Figueroa Medina

  Transportation Research Board 87th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2008

• Simulation of metro operations under disruptions: application to Tren Urbano in San Juan, Puerto Rico

  DM Valdes, FE Martínez-Marínez, B Colucci-Rios, S Bartolomei-Suárez

  Transportation Research Board 85th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2006

• Control de plagas en arroz pre-empacado

  R Fraga, J González, B Ríos, B Simón, G García

  Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos 14 (2), 66-70, 2004

• Evaluación de aspectos de seguridad y desarrollo de guías para identificar intersecciones peligrosas en Puerto Rico

  KD Carrasquillo, BC Ríos, JQ Díaz, FL Villafañe

  International Journal of Natural Disasters, Accidents and Civil …, 2003

• Reflexión sobre el diseño y rehabilitación de futuras obras civiles para mitigar desastres naturales en la infraestructura civil

  BC Rios

  Revista Internacional de Desastres Naturales, Accidentes e Infraestructura …, 2002

• Structural evaluation and analysis of instrumented in-service concrete pavements subjected to heavy dynamic loads

  JT Izquierdo, LR Agrait, BC Rĺos

  Transportation research record 1568 (1), 24-34, 1997

• Analytical Study of Concrete Pavement Behavior

  LR Agrait, BC Rios

  PUERTO RICO UNIV MAYAGUEZ, 1989

• AN OPTIMAL PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT THE NETWORK LEVEL

  KC SINHA

  North American Pavement Management Conference, March 18-21, 1985, Royal York …, 1985

• An optimal pavement management system at the network level

  B Colucci-Rios, KC Sinha

  Proceedings of the 1st North American Pavement Management Conference (NAPMC …, 1985

• Optimal pavement management approach using roughness measurements

  B Colucci-Rios, KC Sinha

  Transportation Research Record, 1985

• Development of a Method for Establishing Resurfacing Priorities for the Pavement Management in Indiana: Volume 2, Study Procedures and Results

  B Colucci-Rios, KC Sinha, EJ Yoder

  Joint Transportation Research Program, 1984

• Development of a method for establishing maintenance priorities for the pavement management system in Indiana

  B Colucci-Rios

  Thesis presented to Purdue University, at West Lafayette, Ind., in partial …, 1984

• Methodology for Evaluating Increase in Pavement Maintenance Costs that Result from Increased Truck Weights on Statewide Basis

  B Colucci-Rios, EJ Yoder

  Transportation Research Record, 1983

• Evaluation of existing aggregate roads to determine suitability for resurfacing

  EJ Yoder, DG Shurig, B Colucci-Rios

  Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board …, 1982

• Effects of Raising Load Limits on Pavements and Bridges in Indiana

  EJ Yoder, B Colucci-Rios, JJ Fraczek, JA Skees

  Joint Transportation Research Program, 1979