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Novel smart cement can be used to build more durable roads and cities

Northwestern University researchers have developed a smarter, more durable and highly functional cement by introducing nanoparticles into ordinary cement. The new material shows improved water transport properties, including pore structure and water penetration resistance, with reported relative decreases of 76% and 78%, respectively.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateJun 21, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines pre-prepared in syringes can be safely transported

Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccines pre-prepared in syringes can be safely transported under minor precautions, with messenger RNA remaining stable for at least three hours. The study aims to streamline vaccination processes, particularly in rural and less developed areas.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalThe Journal of Microbiology·DateJun 17, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Automated and networked driving -- really wanted or rejected?

The TEMPUS project explores how people with varying needs will interact with self-driving vehicles and how to make urban traffic safer for all road users. Researchers are using surveys, focus group discussions, workshops, and observations to gather insights into user acceptance and human-technology interaction.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·DateJun 4, 2021

Coastal flooding increases Bay Area traffic delays and accidents

A Stanford University study found that coastal flooding in the Bay Area leads to significant travel time delays and an increase in vehicular accident rates, particularly in residential neighborhoods. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing road safety in climate adaptation planning.

SourceStanford University·JournalUrban Climate·DateJun 3, 2021

Road verges provide opportunity for wildflowers, bees and trees

Researchers estimate that UK road verges, covering 1.2% of land in Great Britain, can be managed for nature by reducing frequent mowing and planting trees. This approach could create better habitats for pollinators, capture carbon, and contribute to the UK government's tree-planting ambitions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalLandscape and Urban Planning·DateMay 25, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Road salts and other human sources are threatening world's freshwater supplies

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.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalBiogeochemistry·DateApr 12, 2021

UTA team working to predict lifespan of Texas roads

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateApr 2, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

TU Graz researchers identify chemical processes as key to understanding landslides

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.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateMar 18, 2021

Positive 'tipping points' offer hope for climate

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalClimate Policy·DateJan 10, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Charging ahead for electric vehicles

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.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology·DateJan 3, 2021

Positive messages encourage safer driver behavior than fear tactics

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.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalRisk Analysis·DateDec 15, 2020

Filming roaming molecular fragments in real time

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.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalScience·DateDec 9, 2020

Smarter traffic signs ahead?

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.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 7, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Hydrogen-powered heavy duty vehicles could contribute significantly to achieving climate goals

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.

SourceResearch Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateDec 1, 2020

Motorists' smartphones may help highways bosses keep roads safe

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Infrastructure Systems·DateOct 26, 2020

Asphalt adds to air pollution, especially on hot, sunny days

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.

SourceYale University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 2, 2020

Routing apps can deliver real-time insights into traffic emissions

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalWeather·DateAug 20, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Do bicycles slow down cars on low speed, low traffic roads? Latest research says 'no'

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.

SourcePortland State University·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 23, 2020

Stiffer roadways could improve truck fuel efficiency

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJun 11, 2020

Can interactive technology ease urban traffic jams?

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.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateMay 26, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Street smarts required in heat mitigation

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.

SourceArizona State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 11, 2020

Mathematics to keep farmers on track

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.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·DateMay 11, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Men pose more risk to other road users than women

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateApr 6, 2020

Representation of driving behavior as a statistical model

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.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAnalytic Methods in Accident Research·DateApr 2, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

System trains driverless cars in simulation before they hit the road

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateMar 23, 2020

Tunnel fire safety

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems Part A Civil Engineering·DateMar 3, 2020

Paper: Disposal of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing poses dangers to drivers

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateMar 2, 2020

Uber linked to a reduction in serious road traffic injuries in the UK

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.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateFeb 18, 2020

Does news coverage of crashes affect perceived blame?

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.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·DateJan 28, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Best urban design for reducing road injuries

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.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJan 28, 2020

Using artificial intelligence to enrich digital maps

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJan 23, 2020

Sustaining roads with grape and agricultural waste

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.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Materials in Civil Engineering·DateDec 2, 2019

A monkey's balancing act

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.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateNov 25, 2019

Communities must band together to protect against bushfires

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalGeoforum·DateNov 24, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Toll roads are good for the environment, Russian scientists confirm

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.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalE3S Web of Conferences·DateOct 21, 2019

Models designed to predict when and how the roads of Bizkaia will deteriorate

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.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalProceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers·DateOct 7, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

UNH research finds thicker pavement is more cost effective down the road

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.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 10, 2019

Solar energy could turn the Belt and Road Initiative green

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateJun 27, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

On your bike?

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.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalHealth Promotion Journal of Australia·DateJun 13, 2019

Autonomous boats can target and latch onto each other

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 5, 2019

Cycling lanes, not cyclists, reduce fatalities for all road users

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·DateMay 29, 2019

Does being seen really make cyclists safer on the road?

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.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalSustainability·DateMay 28, 2019
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Filling in the gaps of connected car data helps transportation planners

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...

SourceMichigan Technological University·DateApr 25, 2019

More than a strip of paint needed to keep cyclists safe

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.

SourceMonash University·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateApr 10, 2019
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Using bacteria to protect roads from deicer deterioration

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.

SourceDrexel University·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateApr 9, 2019

Expanding truck safety outreach program

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.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateApr 8, 2019