Articles tagged with Roads
A new study by UMD-led researchers reveals that road salts and human sources are threatening the world's freshwater supplies, releasing toxic chemical cocktails that can poison drinking water and harm human health. The study calls for coordinated management and regulation to address this growing global threat.
A UTA civil engineering professor is leading a $2.8 million project to analyze the condition and remaining service life of over 3,500 lane miles through TxDOT. The team will use AI, finite element modeling, and advanced spectroscopy tools to predict pavement lifespan.
Southwest Research Institute is developing an AI-based integrated corridor management decision support system for the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The system uses machine learning algorithms to optimize traffic flow and improve collaboration among transportation agencies.
A team of geologists from TU Graz identified the chemical influencing factors and triggers for recurrent mass movements in fine-grained sediments, enabling preventive measures to be taken. By adapting drainage systems and considering interactions between the system and subsurface, stability can be increased and economic damage reduced.
Researchers at Monash University developed a flow model to analyze public transport networks, identifying critical bottlenecks and suggesting solutions. The model improved commuter times by 23% on weekdays and up to 26% on weekends in Melbourne.
A Japanese study found that areas with heavy snowfall see a significant decline in cyclist injuries and total injuries among pedestrians. This modal shift may offer a broader solution for road safety.
Researchers identify human societal tipping points to rapidly cut carbon emissions, citing examples of road transport and power generation transitions. Small coalitions of countries could trigger upward-scaling cascades to achieve more, say experts.
KAUST researchers applied statistical geometry to study the impact of wireless charging roads on driver behavior and city planning. They found that drivers would have an 80% chance of encountering a charging road after driving 500 meters when installed on 20% of roads.
A new study found that films demonstrating responsible behavior significantly decreased risky driving behaviors among young drivers, while fear-based content had the opposite effect. The research suggests that positive messages can be a more effective way to promote road safety.
Researchers capture roaming molecular fragments in real-time using advanced laser technology, shedding light on the dynamics of chemical reactions. The study provides insight into how to measure elusive processes and has implications for environmental and atmospheric chemistry.
Researchers have created smart road signs that use built-in Doppler radar, video, and acoustic radar devices to monitor traffic and conditions. The signs display dynamically updated recommended speeds and alert drivers in real time to hazards ahead.
A transition to hydrogen-powered mobility in Germany's heavy duty vehicle segment could achieve a deep reduction in emissions, with potential of -57 MtCO2eq annually. Green hydrogen offers competitive advantages over battery electric vehicles, particularly for heavy loads and longer driving ranges.
A new study finds that infrastructure and mining projects in tropical forests will destroy forests and increase development, harming wildlife and people. The report highlights the urgent need to factor in forest value and protect critical habitats.
A new study suggests that smartphone acceleration sensors can provide a low-cost measure of road roughness, allowing engineers to prioritize maintenance and reduce costs. This approach could also be used to assess the condition of rural roads in developing countries.
A new study finds that asphalt is a significant source of air pollutants, particularly during hot and sunny conditions. The researchers discovered complex mixtures of organic compounds emitted by common road and roofing asphalts, comparable to motor vehicle emissions in Los Angeles.
Researchers used routing apps to model real-time road traffic emissions, providing valuable insights into traffic flows and emissions hotspots. The study found that crowd-sourced data from routing apps could be used to calculate speed-related emissions and provide more accurate emissions models.
Researchers found that setting vehicle ventilation correctly can reduce exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 by up to 49% and 34%, respectively. By closing windows and taking a 'cleaner' route, passengers can significantly lower their inhalation dose of air pollution.
A new deep learning network with backward connections achieves more accurate crowd counting, enabling better public safety and traffic efficiency. The researchers developed the network to estimate human density in public places and vehicle density on roads.
A study by Portland State University researchers reveals that the presence of cyclists does not significantly slow down cars on low speed, low volume urban roads without bicycle lanes. The 1 mph differential in speed caused by cyclists was found to be negligible from a practical perspective.
Researchers at MIT suggest that making pavements stiffer could improve truck fuel efficiency by reducing deflection and wear on the road. Adding synthetic fibers or adjusting aggregate sizing can increase stiffness, while switching to concrete pavements offers more durable solutions with equal or lower costs.
Researchers found that using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can reduce travel time and fuel consumption, saving cities over $4.7 billion annually. Cities like Houston, which uses technology to manage traffic flow, have seen significant reductions in congestion and emissions.
Researchers measured pedestrian heat exposure over regular asphalt roads, reflective coated roads and sidewalks next to the roads. The study found that the surface temperature of coated asphalt road was up to 6 degrees Celsius cooler than the regular road in the afternoon, but the radiant heat over coated asphalt was higher.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology used nonlinear mathematical modeling to study tractor instability caused by bouncing and sliding. The model helped identify conditions that lead to catastrophic vibrations, allowing for better control of automated agricultural systems and protection of farmers' safety.
A new study found that existing and planned roads in tiger habitats will exacerbate threats to the species, including prey depletion, habitat degradation, and poaching. By 2050, nearly 15,000 miles of new roads are expected to be built, deepening the big cat's extinction risk.
Researchers are testing the feasibility of building roads from recycled plastics, mixed with asphalt for a safe and durable consistency. The project aims to create more sustainable roads while reducing waste and costs.
A recent study published in Injury Prevention journal reveals that men are more likely to drive dangerous vehicles and pose a higher risk to other road users. The researchers suggest that greater gender equity in road transport jobs could help lessen these risks.
Researchers developed a statistical model to represent driving behaviors and their changes among drivers, accounting for external factors like road structure. The method was applied to Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) technology, showing it can be effective in certain cases but not others.
A comprehensive guide on tree species selection has been developed to combat air pollution from roads. The new framework identifies 12 influential traits for 61 tree species that make them effective barriers against pollution.
A MIT-developed simulation system, VISTA, trains driverless cars to navigate worse-case scenarios, such as near-crash situations, in a photorealistic environment. This allows controllers to learn and recover from these situations before being deployed on real-world vehicles.
A new study assesses road tunnel fire safety mechanisms, finding that increased awareness and education can significantly reduce human life risks. The research highlights the importance of educating commuters on emergency protocols and evacuation procedures in response to a tunnel fire.
A study by Yilan Xu shows that fracking-related trucking leads to a surge in road fatalities and severe accidents, with an additional 17 fatal crashes per year across sampled road segments. The researchers propose a tax or toll fee to internalize the costs of fracking-related trucking activities.
A recent study by University of Oxford researchers found that Uber's deployment was associated with a decline in slight injuries outside London, but an increase within the city. No statistically significant association was observed between Uber and traffic fatalities.
A global study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that 'High Transit' cities with strong rail networks have the lowest rates of road injuries. In contrast, 'Informal' type cities across India, China, and Africa experienced twice the injury rates due to poor urban design.
Researchers at Texas AÎM University found that shifting focus from pedestrian to driver language reduces victim-blaming and increases perceived blame for drivers. This shift can change public perceptions of road safety, according to the study.
Researchers developed RoadTagger to predict lane counts and road types with high accuracy, helping improve GPS navigation in unfamiliar locations. The model uses a combination of neural network architectures to automatically tag road features, enabling the creation of accurate digital maps.
A team of WSU researchers created a more sustainable solution for winter road maintenance by using grape extract as a natural deicer. The solution melts ice faster and causes less damage to concrete and asphalt than traditional deicers.
A study reveals that endangered monkey species in national parks make calculated decisions to balance risks and rewards of sharing space with humans. The research highlights the negative impact of human food consumption on their physical health and the need for sustainable conservation programmes to save declining species.
A new study by the University of South Australia found a significant disconnect between individual bushfire preparedness and community-level protection plans. To mitigate this risk, communities must band together to ensure everyone is informed and prepared for bushfires, including those living in peri-urban areas.
A Rutgers study found that cycling-related facial and head injuries have remained steady despite an increase in bicyclists on the road. However, there was a significant rise in serious injuries among older adults, particularly those aged 55-64, with over 86,000 hospitalizations from 2008 to 2017.
Researchers developed a method to calculate truck stops along routes, confirming toll roads are eco-friendly and economically viable. The study uses data from Yandex.Traffic and GLONASS/GPS systems to promote efficient routes.
Heriberto Pérez's research developed deterioration models using International Roughness Index (IRI) and Coefficient of Transverse Friction (skid resistance), enabling predictions on road conditions after vehicle use. The models provide a strategic approach to optimize repair costs and improve pavement durability.
A UTA professor is using a pavement testing machine to determine which mixes of recycled asphalt will last longer and work better on surface layers of Texas roads. The testing facility, in collaboration with TxDOT and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, aims to improve road durability and lifespan.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire found that increasing asphalt-layer thickness by 7-32% can maintain road serviceability and reduce future maintenance costs. The study suggests that proactive measures now can lead to savings of up to 50% compared to later repairs.
Researchers found that the region covered by the Belt and Road Initiative has significant solar energy potential, capable of meeting up to 41 times current electricity demand. The study suggests a possible solution to reduce BRI countries' need for fossil fuels, achieving emission reduction goals set by the Paris Agreement.
A study by James Cook University researcher Jemma King found that a lack of suitable roads is a major reason for low cycling participation rates in Australia and Queensland. Key findings include the majority of non-cyclists citing ill-health, age or lack of time as reasons, while rural residents often cite environmental concerns.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new latching mechanism for autonomous boats, allowing them to form 'pop-up' structures such as bridges and stages. This innovation enables more efficient use of Amsterdam's canals for transportation, waste collection, and other purposes.
A study by University of Colorado Denver researchers found that cycling infrastructure significantly reduces fatalities and improves road safety outcomes. Cities like Portland and Seattle saw a decrease in fatal crash rates after introducing protected bike lanes.
Researchers found motorists give more room to cyclists wearing high-visibility vests, but visibility aids alone cannot ensure sustainable safety. Gordon Lovegrove proposes combining visual reinforcement with driver education in safety apparel to curb accidents.
Research found chimpanzees have adapted to cross roads safely and visit human settlements, but their survival is still at risk due to habitat loss. The study suggests care with infrastructure development and agreements with farmers to protect chimpanzee habitats.
Researchers developed a way to fill in gaps in connected car data, enabling transportation planners to create more effective traffic congestion mitigation strategies. The study used two-months of connected vehicle data from 2,800 cars to reconstruct missing location-duration-path choices, improving travel demand dynamics and reducing e...
A study published in Accident Analysis and Prevention found that marked on-road bicycle lanes and parked cars do not provide enough space for safe passing. The research, which analyzed over 18,000 vehicle passing events, suggests that a single stripe of paint is insufficient to protect cyclists.
Drexel University researchers have found that mixing a certain type of bacteria into concrete can prevent potholes caused by road salt. The bacteria produce calcite, which interacts with the calcium chloride in road salts and prevents their negative effects on concrete.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is expanding its Sharing the Road program to educate high school students on safe driving practices around commercial vehicles. Through the program, researchers will visit 15 mid-Atlantic high schools and provide hands-on experience for thousands of teen drivers.
A new study warns London cyclists of high black carbon levels on main routes during evening commutes, recommending alternative routes with green infrastructure. The research found that cyclists exposed to the dirtiest air suffered twice as much pollution as those taking a cleaner route.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that adjusting traffic light timing in response to weather conditions can significantly reduce intersection delays. By analyzing video data and running computer simulations, they determined that weather-responsive signal plans could ease congestion and improve safety during snowstorms.
A new study measures the effectiveness of underground passageways that let fauna cross highways safely, finding higher road mortality at fence ends. Fencing and underpasses can reduce roadkill numbers by discouraging animals from crossing busy lanes.
New polymer additives have been found to increase the storage stability of asphalt rubber, making it more suitable for producing rubber asphalt. This material has shown cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits in U.S. states that currently use ground tire rubber as a component of asphalt mixes.
A new virtual tool uses sensor data to predict unsafe passing events, allowing urban planners to optimize bike lane placement and improve cycling safety. The research, conducted by the University of Waterloo, found that bike lanes can virtually eliminate close calls between cyclists and motorists.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed smartphone-based technologies that can monitor civil infrastructure systems such as crumbling roads and aging bridges. By using various sensors on smartphones, they can determine the specific makeup and deterioration of a road's surface in real-time.
Researchers warn that China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) threatens native species and biodiversity due to high-risk introduction hotspots along proposed Economic Corridors. The team recommends early prevention, strict surveillance, rapid response, and effective control measures to mitigate the risk of biological invasions.