PURPOSES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term aging level on the moisture resistance of a dense-graded asphalt mixture by measuring its deformation strength ratio (SDR).
METHODS : Three short-term aging (STA) durations (1, 2, and 4 h) at two different temperatures (160℃ and 180℃) were used for the normal dense-graded hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures prepared using PG 64-22 asphalt and 13mm aggregate with and without hydrated lime (HL). The specimens were prepared using a gyratory compactor, after each STA, to achieve a WC-1 gradation as defined by the Korean guide. The SDR was measured after freezing-and-thawing (F-T) conditioning, and submerging the specimen into water at 60℃ for 72 h.
RESULTS: The results indicated that the moisture resistance decreased with the increase in STA duration. After STA at 160℃ and 180℃, the SDR values, measured after F-T treatment, or after submerging into 60℃ water for 72 h, decreased with the increase in STA duration. However, when HL was used in the same asphalt mixtures, the SDR improved, for identical STA conditions. Therefore, the moisture resistance of the asphalt mixture was affected by the short-term aging duration, and decreased with the increase in aging duration. However, HL effectively retarded aging, and the moisture resistance, as indicated by the SDR, improved in the HL-added mixes, which had aged lesser than the normal mixes.
CONCLUSIONS : It was concluded that the moisture resistance of the asphalt mixture decreased with the increase in aging level, and hydrated lime was effective in preventing the degradation of the moisture resistance by reducing the age-hardening of the binder. However, since this study used a limited range of materials, further studies using more materials are required to reach a more generalized conclusion.
PURPOSES : In this study, a numerical analysis method and the shear strength model of unsaturated soil were applied to understand the governing factors that affect the development and progress of road subsidence at various water content levels. METHODS: Laboratory testing methods, the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), relationship between internal friction and interparticle friction, and different numerical analysis methods used to characterize or simulate road subsidence processes were evaluated from the literature review. A contact model, and a range of interparticle static friction coefficients and cohesion energy densities to simulate the captivity initiation and progress in the discrete element method (DEM) were selected and suggested, respectively. By using the proposed contact model and values, a set of parametric studies were performed to clearly understand the progress of subsidence at various water content levels and the shear strength characteristics of soil. RESULTS : When the interparticle friction and cohesion energy density are very low, the ground particles flow like an inviscid fluid. The sequential expansion of the cavity is governed by the tangential strength of the soil around the cavity, especially when the interparticle friction and cohesion energy density are high enough. Furthermore, the difference between the quantum of flow at the outlet and the quantum of detaching particles around the cavity determines the progress and the size of the cavity. CONCLUSIONS : The parametric study using the discrete element method clearly showed the effect of the interparticle friction and cohesion energy density on the progress and subsidence of the cavity. The resizing of particles depending on the water content appears to be a reasonable consideration to create a more realistic simulation with the DEM.
PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to compare the concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at different types of roadside bus stops in an urban environment, and analyze the tendencies in PM2.5 concentrations according to the air quality index. METHODS : To compare and analyze the characteristics of fine particulate matter at roadside bus stops, we collected data such as PM2.5 concentration, temperature, humidity etc., and performed a comparative analysis of their concentration levels at different types of bus stops (a partially closed bus stop with a front and back partition, a partially closed bus stop with only a back partition, and a bus stop with an open space). In addition, the daily variation in fine particulate matter concentration was analyzed. RESULTS: The average daily concentration levels of fine PM2.5 in the target area for a partially closed bus stop with a front and back partition, a partially closed bus stop with a back partition, and a bus stop with an open space were 18.40㎍/㎥ to 108.27㎍/㎥, 22.81㎍/㎥ to 135.51㎍/㎥, and 16.62㎍/㎥ to 81.52㎍/㎥, respectively. According to air quality index levels during the target measurement period, the bus stop with an open space had the least concentration levels of PM2.5 compared to the other bus stops. Furthermore, this study revealed that the PM2.5 concentration levels usually increased during the peak hour period in the morning and gradually increased after 2 pm until the end of the peak hour period at night, regardless of the bus stop type. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, we demonstrated the effect of PM2.5 concentration levels on the atmospheric, weather, environmental, and transportation conditions in a target area, and the variation in concentration levels depending on the type of bus stop.
PURPOSES : As road pavement design in an apartment complex varies from one site to another, it is practically difficult to calculate and estimate the traffic volume of construction vehicles. Therefore, this study introduces a methodology to estimate the number of construction vehicles and use it as an indicator to evaluate the conditions of road pavement in an apartment complex. METHODS: Through a literature review and site survey, the operational status of the construction vehicles passing through the site was identified, and the factors affecting the number of construction vehicles were analyzed. The methodologies used to estimate the number of construction vehicles were verified by calculating the Cumulative Load Prediction Index (CLPI), which is a predictive index of the cumulative load on each path. By using this index, the traffic volume of construction vehicles can be estimated based on the number of households in an apartment complex. To prove this definition, we examined the surface and core conditions, and compared the results against the predicted values. RESULTS : By comparing the Cumulative Load Prediction Index with the crack rate on the pavement surface, we obtained a correlation coefficient of 0.92. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that the core condition rate would decrease as the Cumulative Load Prediction Index increased. This correlation between the Cumulative Load Prediction Index, and the pavement surface and core status demonstrates that the traffic volume can be estimated by considering the number of households. CONCLUSIONS: The Cumulative Load Prediction Index presented in this study is a suitable indicator for estimating the conditions of the road pavement in an apartment complex by considering the number of households in the complex, even if the construction processes and characteristics vary.
PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between occupant impact velocities and occupant injury indices under the restraint of an airbag and a seat belt, during frontal crash events.
METHODS : The frontal crash test data of 93 tests conducted according to the Korea New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP) were investigated. The test data was measured by using a dummy to obtain occupant injury indices for the head, chest, neck, and upper legs. Occupant impact velocities (OIVx and OIVz) were calculated from the head acceleration of the test dummy. Pearson's correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to investigate the correlation between occupant impact velocities and occupant injury indices. In addition, the occupant impact velocities at the center of gravity of a vehicle, obtained by using the accelerations measured at the test vehicle's B-pillars, were investigated.
RESULTS: The OIVx threshold obtained from the test dummies, which corresponds to the HIC15 of 700, was 70 km/h for a sedan, and 72 km/h for an SUV, which is significantly higher than the occupant impact velocity of 44 km/h, the limit of the domestic guideline on “Installation and management guide for roadside safety facilities”. This difference can be attributed to the influence of the air bags and seat belts. Additionally, the OIVx threshold obtained from the center of gravity of the vehicle corresponding to the HIC15 of 700 was approximately 72 km/h.
CONCLUSIONS: Occupant safety performance criteria for the condition that airbags operate and seat belts are restrained, are required for the frontal impact tests of road safety facilities using a collision velocity of 60 km/h or higher.
PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to develop a traffic accident prediction model using statistical data, to analyze child traffic accidents in school zones. Furthermore, we analyze the factors affecting child traffic accidents, as obtained from the results of the developed model. METHODS : From the literature review, we obtained data for child traffic accidents and various variables relating to road geometry and traffic safety facilities in school zones. We used these variables and data to develop a child traffic accident analysis model. The model was then developed into three types using the Limdep 9.0 statistical tool.
RESULTS: As a result of the overdispersion test, the Poisson regression model was applied to all types of models with an overdispersion coefficient of close to zero. The results of the model development are as follows. The main model (all scope of analysis) was for a kindergarten, considering a local roadway, the accessibility of the roadway, the number of unsignalized intersections, and the school zones in commercial area as variables that increase traffic accidents. Sub-model typeⅠ(only the roadway connected to the main entrance) was for a kindergarten, considering a local roadway, skid resistant pavement, no-parking signs, the number of unsignalized intersections, and the number of commercial facilities as variables that increase traffic accidents. The main model and sub-model type Ⅰ showed a reduction in accidents when using forward-type traffic signals. Sub-model typeⅡ(only the roadway not connected to the main entrance) shows that the local roadway is the variable that most increases the probability of traffic accidents. However, when the roadway and walkway are separated, the probability of traffic accidents decreases significantly, by up to 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the need to restructure the method used to improve school zones. Moreover, the effect of various traffic safety facilities was quantitatively analyzed.
PURPOSES: This study identifies the policy changes in road infrastructure over the last 30 years, and rates user satisfaction using opinion mining techniques. METHODS: First, we collected a text data set of the keyword 'road transport services' from media articles published between January 1, 1990 and June 10, 2019 that were managed by the Korea Press Foundation. Next word frequencies were analyzed to extract keywords relating to important policy issues. Moreover, to ensure changes in user satisfaction level with the road infrastructure, sentimental analysis was used. RESULTS : The results indicate that policy issues changed significantly every 5 years. Public opinion on newly introduced advanced technology in road transportation was generally positive, and user satisfaction gradually increased with time. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to the implementation of new technologies in road transport services, public opinion must be surveyed to ensure that the mobility policies are convenient and satisfactory.
PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to develop an epidemic model considering interregional trips. METHODS : We developed the SIR-T model, which is an epidemic model of infectious diseases based on a metapopulation model considering the interactions between population groups. This model can consider the characteristics of the modes. A simulation was performed using this model to analyze the progress of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea, in 2015. RESULTS: The simulation results show that the spread of infectious diseases through passenger cars was the fastest and had the largest spread range. In the case of public transportation systems such as intercity buses, public railways, and high-speed railways, infectious diseases spread primarily at major terminal facilities and traffic facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic model of infectious diseases considering the interregional trips proposed in this study can be used as the base data for prevention strategy planning. However, a significant limitation is the lack of discussion on simulation parameter settings in this study, and further discussions are required in future studies.
PURPOSES : Korea is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change and earthquakes. When disasters occur, road infrastructure becomes a vital carriageway for moving people, emergency resources, and rescue teams. By designating disaster response routes in advance, the effect of the disaster can be reduced by ensuring a secure and quick moving space for emergency resources and relief activities. However, Korea has not established disaster response routes yet. Thus, this paper aims to prescribe guidelines to select appropriate disaster response routes by using Space Syntax while assuming a flooding disaster, as they occur most frequently and cause the biggest damage in terms of the recovery cost. METHODS : Based on the literature review, there are various approaches to selecting disaster response routes such as vulnerability, reliability, and redundancy based analyses. This study adopts the vulnerability-based approach, where the most vulnerable sections of roadway are selected for the disaster response route. RESULTS: We successfully developed guidelines for selecting a disaster response route assuming a flooding disaster. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the disaster response route indicated that the pre-determined disaster response route could minimize the damage due to the disaster, as it provides basic mobility and facilitates the swift movement of refugees and rescue teams.