PURPOSES : The skid resistance between tires and the pavement surface is an important factor that directly affects driving safety and must be considered when evaluating the road performance. In especially wet conditions, the skid resistance of the pavement surface decreases considerably, increasing the risk of accidents. Moreover, poor drainage can lead to hydroplaning. This study aimed to develop a prediction equation for the roughness coefficient—that is, an index of frictional resistance at the interface of the water flow and surface material—to estimate the thickness of the water film in advance to prevent human and material damage. METHODS : The roughness coefficient can be changed depending on the surface material and can be calculated using Manning's theory. Here, the water level (h), which is included in the cross-sectional area and wetted perimeter calculations, can be used to calculate the roughness coefficient by using the water film thickness measurements generated after simulating specific rainfall conditions. In this study, the pavement slope, drainage path length, and mean texture depth for each concrete surface type (non-tined, and tined surfaces with 25-mm and 16-mm spacings) were used as variables. A water film thickness scale was manufactured and used to measure the water film thickness by placing it vertically on top of the pavement surface along the length of the scale protrusion. Based on the measured water film thickness, the roughness coefficient could be back-calculated by applying Manning's formula. A regression analysis was then performed to develop a prediction equation for the roughness coefficient based on the water film thickness data using the water film thickness, mean texture depth, pavement slope, and drainage path length as independent variables. RESULTS : To calculate the roughness coefficient, the results of the water film thickness measurements using rainfall simulations demonstrated that the water film thickness increased as the rainfall intensity increased under N/T, T25, and T16 conditions. Moreover, the water film thickness decreased owing to the linear increase in drainage capacity as the mean texture depth and pavement slope increased, and the shorter the drainage path length, the faster the drainage, resulting in a low water film thickness. Based on the measured water film thickness data, the roughness coefficient was calculated, and it was evident that the roughness coefficient decreased as the rainfall intensity increased. Moreover, the higher the pavement slope and the shorter the drainage path length, the faster the drainage reduced the water film thickness and increased the roughness coefficient (which is an indicator of the friction resistance). It was also evident that as the mean texture depth increased, the drainage capacity increased, which also reduced the roughness coefficient. CONCLUSIONS : As the roughness coefficient of the concrete road surface changes based on the environmental factors, road geometry, and pavement surface characteristics, we developed a prediction equation for the concrete pavement roughness coefficient that considered these factors. To validate the proposed prediction equation, a sensitivity analysis was conducted using the water film thickness prediction equation from previous studies. Existing models have limitations on the impact of the pavement type and rainfall intensity and can be biased toward underestimation; in contrast, the proposed model demonstrated a high correlation between the calculated and measured values. The water film thickness was calculated based on the road design standards in Korea—in the order of normal, caution, and danger scenarios—by using the proposed concrete pavement roughness coefficient prediction model under rainy weather conditions. Specifically, because the normal and caution stages occur before the manifestation of hydroplaning, it should be possible to prevent damage before it leads to the danger stage if it is predicted and managed in advance.
PURPOSES : This paper presents a foundational study aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of future overseas construction engineering projects, efficiently guiding investment decisions for the government or private sectors and establishing policy suggestions for areas that need to be supplemented and linked. METHODS : The data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was used to measure the operational efficiency for individual types of work. The DEA model for measuring efficiency uses the representative Charnes, Cooper, and Rhode (CCR) and Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) models. RESULTS : By using statistics of overseas construction projects and conducting DEA, it was revealed that construction management was most needed in the energy facility sector of overseas construction projects. CONCLUSIONS : Although the capabilities of our country's companies are excellent, it was evident that the energy and industrial facilities sectors, which need to be supplemented to enhance their competitiveness, require policy support that incorporates construction management (CM). Consequently, it was confirmed that the construction management sector needs investment that should continue to be activated in the future. Additional research is needed that considers variables and environments related to overseas construction projects’ on-site conditions. To this end, the government should continue to promote research and government investment linked to CM to make progress in overseas construction sectors.
PURPOSES : In this study, a preliminary study on the optimal clustering techniques for the preprocessing of pavement management system (PMS) data was conducted using K-means and mean-shift techniques to improve the correlation between the dependent and independent variables of the pavement performance model. METHODS : The PMS data of Jeju Island was preprocessed using the K-means and mean-shift algorithms. In the case of the K-means method, the elbow method and silhouette score were used to determine the optimal number of clusters (K). Moreover, in the case of the mean-shift method, Scott’s rule of thumb and Silverman’s rule of thumb were used to determine the optimal cluster bandwidth. RESULTS : The optimal cluster sets were selected for the rut depth (RD), annual average daily traffic (AADT), and annual maximum temperature (AMT) for each clustering technique, and their similarities with the original data were investigated. Additionally, the correlation improvement between the dependent and independent variables were investigated by calculating the clustering score (CS). Consequently, the K-means method was selected as the optimal clustering technique for the preprocessing of PMS data. The K-means method improved the correlations of more variables with the dependent variable compared to the mean-shift method. The correlations of the variables related to high temperature—such as the annual temperature change, summer days, and heat wave days—were improved in the case wherein the AMT, a climate factor, was used as an independent variable in the K-means clustering method. CONCLUSIONS : The applicability of the clustering methods to preprocessing of PMS data was identified in this study. Improvements in the pavement performance prediction model developed using traditional statistical methods may be identified by developing a model using clustering techniques in a future study.
PURPOSES : This study aimed to evaluate the performance of carbon-reduced asphalt mixtures based on asphalt binder and asphalt mixture tests. METHODS : A carbon-reducing asphalt additive was developed, and samples were prepared by mixing the additive(0.85%, 1.35%, and 1.85%) with virgin asphalt binder to measure changes in the asphalt’s physical properties based on the content of the developed additive. The basic physical properties the penetration, softening point, ductility, and rotational viscosity and performance grade of the samples were measured, and the optimal content of the additive was determined to be 1.35%. An asphalt mixture was produced using the optimal additive content of 1.35%, and stability, indirect tensile strength, tensile strength ratio(TSR), and dynamic stability tests were conducted to compare its performance with that of hot mixed asphalt(HMA). Additionally, a dynamic modulus test that could simulate various loading conditions was conducted. Fuel consumption and CO2 emission were measured at the plant. RESULTS : The developed additive had the effect of reducing the viscosity of the binder while maintaining properties similar to those of the base binder when used at the selected content. The mixture test confirmed that the physical properties related to strength tended to decrease slightly when the additive were applied; however, all specifications were satisfied. In the dynamic modulus test, the results were confirmed to be similar to those of HMA. The fuel consumption and CO2 emission were reduced by 25-30%. CONCLUSIONS : Evidently, asphalt mixtures with carbon-reducing additives can perform at a level equivalent to that of HMA. To bolster this conclusion, it is necessary to track the long-term performance of low-carbon asphalt mixtures on pilot roads.
PURPOSES : As evaluation methods for road paving materials become increasingly complex, there is a need for a method that combines computational science and informatics for new material development. This study aimed to develop a rational methodology for applying molecular dynamics and AI-based material development techniques to the development of additives for asphalt mixtures. METHODS : This study reviewed relevant literature to analyze various molecular models, evaluation methods, and metrics for asphalt binders. It examined the molecular structures and conditions required for calculations using molecular dynamics and evaluated methods for assessing the interactions between additives and asphalt binders, as well as properties such as the density, viscosity, and glass transition temperature. Key evaluation indicators included the concept and application of interaction energy, work of adhesion, cohesive energy density, solubility parameters, radial distribution function, energy barriers, elastic modulus, viscosity, and stress-strain curves. RESULTS : The study identified key factors and conditions for effectively evaluating the physical properties of asphalt binders and additives. It proposed selective application methods and ranges for the layer structure, temperature conditions, and evaluation metrics, considering the actual conditions in which asphalt binders were used. Additional elements and conditions considered in the literature may be further explored, considering the computational demands. CONCLUSIONS : This study devised a methodology for evaluating the physical properties of asphalt binders considering temperature and aging. It reviewed and selected useful indicators for assessing the interaction between asphalt binders, additives, and modified asphalt binders and aggregates under various environmental conditions. By applying the proposed methods and linking the results with informatics, the interaction between asphalt binders and additives could be efficiently evaluated, serving as a reliable method for new material development.
PURPOSES : This study aimed to perform real-time on-site construction volume management by using Internet of things (IoT) technology consisting of 3D scanning, image acquisition, wireless communication systems, and mobile apps for new and maintenance construction of concrete bridge deck overlays. METHODS : LiDAR was used to scan the overlay before and after construction to check the overlay volume. An enhanced inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method was applied to merge the LiDAR data scanned from multiple locations to reduce noise, and an anisotropic filter was applied for efficient three-dimensional shape modeling of the merged LiDAR data. The construction volume counter of the mobile mixer was directly photographed using an IP camera, and the data were transmitted to a central server via the LTE network. The video images were transmitted to the central server and optical character recognition (OCR) was used to recognize the counter number and store it. The system was built such that the stored information could be checked in real time in the field or at the office. RESULTS : As a result of using LiDAR to check the amount of overlay construction, the error from the planned amount was 0.6%. By photographing the counter of the mobile mixer using an IP camera and identifying the number on the counter using OCR to check the quantity, the results showed that there was a 2% difference from the planned quantity. CONCLUSIONS : Although the method for checking the amount of construction on site using LiDAR remains limited, it has the advantage of storing and managing the geometric information of the site more accurately. Through the IoT-based on-site production management system, we were able to identify the amount of concrete used in real time with relative accuracy.
PURPOSES : This study aimed to develop a quantitative structure property relationships (QSPR) model to predict the density from the molecular structure information of the asphalt binder AAA1, a non-full connected structure mixed with a total of 12 molecules. METHODS : The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model, which models the relationship between predictions and responses and the structure of these variables, was applied to predict the density of a binder with molecule descriptors. The PLSR model could also analyze data with collinear, noisy, and multiple dimensional independent variables. The density and additive-free AAA1 binder’s molecule systems generated by an asphalt binder’s molecules-related study were used to fit the PLSR model with the molecular descriptors produced using alvaDesc software. In addition to developing the relationship, a systematic feature selection framework (i.e., the V-WSP- and PLSR-modelbased genetic algorithm (GA)) was applied to explore sets of predictors which contributed to predicting the physical property. RESULTS : The PLSR model accurately predicted the density for the AAA1 binder’s molecules using the condition of the temperature and aging level (R2 was 0.9537, RMSE was 0.00424, and MAP was 0.00323 for the test data) and provided a set of features which correlated well to the property. CONCLUSIONS : Through the establishment of the physical property prediction model, it was possible to evaluate the physical properties of construction materials without limited experiments or simulations, and it could be used to comprehensively design the modified material composition.
PURPOSES : Construction standards have resolved overlaps and conflicts between different standards and fields through the introduction of a code system. However, the sub-technical standards were established based on the construction standards at the time of their creation and have not been revised. This has resulted in poor integration and conflicts with revised construction standards, reducing their practical applicability in the construction field. Consequently, to enhance the practical applicability of sub-technical standards and ensure their integration with construction standards, this study aimed to devise technical guidelines for sub-technical standards. METHODS : A brainstorming session was conducted with field experts to evaluate the applicability and necessity of the currently distributed sub-technical standards in the field. Each sub-technical standard was reviewed to determine whether it should be retained or abolished. On the basis of the review results, this study developed a set of draft technical guidelines (Korean Design Standard Guideline (KDSG)/Korean Construction Specification Guideline (KCSG)) for the sub-technical standards that required retention. RESULTS : A comprehensive survey of sub-technical standards identified a total of 154 standards. Of these, 109 were deemed necessary to retain, whereas 45 were considered unnecessary to retain. Among the sub-technical standards requiring retention, 20 were selected for the development of technical guidelines based on their relevance and applicability to the construction standards. A draft of these technical guidelines was subsequently prepared. CONCLUSIONS : A plan was devised to assign technical guideline codes to 20 subordinate technical standards that were deemed consistent with the road construction standards (KDS/KCS 44 00 00). This approach can provide a foundation for reorganizing the system of road construction standards and subordinate technical standards, thereby enhancing their practical usability in the construction field.
PURPOSES : This study aims to improve pedestrian safety by analyzing the effectiveness of displaying the remaining time of red crosswalk signal that provide pedestrians with information regarding the time available for crossing METHODS : This study analyzes the effectiveness of newly installed displays for remaining time of the red pedestrian signal in the cities of Yeongcheon and Yeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The data collection was divided into periods before and after the installation of the facilities. Pedestrian departure delays were measured at the introduction and subsequent stages of installation, and changes in pedestrian behavior were quantitatively analyzed. Statistical significance of the results was verified using a t-test. RESULTS : For the displays of remaining time of crosswalk red signals installed in Yeongju, the pedestrian departure loss time decreased from 3.36 seconds before installation to 1.85 seconds after installation. Additionally, compared to the pre-installation situation, the postinstallation situation showed a relatively lower standard deviation, indicating that the pedestrians exhibited a more consistent pattern when starting to cross. Similarly, for the displays of remaining time of crosswalk red signal installed in Yeongcheon, the pedestrian departure loss time decreased from 2.37 seconds before installation to 1.89 seconds after installation. As in Yeongju, the post-installation situation showed a relatively lower standard deviation, indicating that the pedestrians exhibited a more consistent pattern when starting to cross. CONCLUSIONS : In this study, we verified the effect of newly installed pedestrian countdown signals on improving pedestrian safety at two intersections in Yeongcheon and Yeongju, which were selected through a survey of traffic accident-prone areas in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Pedestrian countdown signals were quantitatively confirmed to have a positive impact on pedestrian safety. Based on the observations, it is anticipated that expanding the installation of these signals will have a positive effect on pedestrian safety, particularly in areas with frequent traffic accidents and the senior and children protection zones. Results of this study indicate that the proposed policy measures are expected to strengthen pedestrian safety and reduce traffic accidents.
PURPOSES : This study presents a formula for calculating the parking capacity of shared e-scooter parking spaces using the dimensions of the clearance spaces of sidewalks. The details are as follows: First, the discontinuity angle of the parking unit placement is derived. Second, the parameters of the sidewalk clearance lengths are derived. Third, a formula for calculating the parking capacity of shared e-scooter parking spaces is derived. Finally, we examine the applicability of the parking capacity calculation formula to actual sidewalk clearance spaces. METHODS : Based on literature reviews, a formula for the discontinuity angle of parking unit placement was derived using the sidewalk clearance widths and the geometric structure of parking units. Formulas for the parameters of the sidewalk clearance lengths were derived using the sidewalk clearance lengths and the geometric structure of the parking units. A formula for parking capacity calculation was derived using the formula for the parameters of the sidewalk clearance lengths and the discontinuity angle. Examples of the application of the parking capacity calculation formula to actual sidewalk clearance spaces are presented. RESULTS : The results of this study are listed as follows: The discontinuity angle for the placement of standard shared e-scooter parking units was derived. Additionally, a formula for the sidewalk clearance lengths was derived. Moreover, a formula for calculating the parking capacity of shared e-scooter parking spaces based on sidewalk clearance lengths and widths was derived. Finally, examples of the application of the parking capacity calculation formula to actual sidewalk clearance spaces are presented. CONCLUSIONS : A formula for calculation of the parking capacity of shared e-scooter parking spaces using the dimensions of the clearance space of sidewalks was derived and proposed. The parking capacity calculation formula presented in this study can contribute to the design of parking spaces to accommodate dockless shared e-scooters on sidewalks. Furthermore, it can also contribute to accommodating other types of dockless mobility. Future research can focus on designing parking spaces that consider the parking demands for shared e-scooters.
PURPOSES : This study empirically examines the determinants of traffic accidents by focusing on the transport culture index. METHODS : Two-stage least-squares estimation using an instrumental variable is used as the identification strategy. As the instrumental variable of the transport culture index, its past values, particularly before the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2018 are used. RESULTS : The empirical results, considering the potential endogeneity of the transport culture index, show that areas with higher values of the index are likely to have fewer traffic accident casualties. Local governments of regions with relatively frequent traffic accidents can run campaigns for residents to fasten their seatbelts, causing reverse causation. Ignoring this type of endogeneity underestimates the importance of the index as a key determinant of traffic accidents. CONCLUSIONS : Several traffic accidents occur in Korea, e.g., 203,130 accidents with 291,608 injuries and 5,392 deaths. As traffic accidents cause social costs, such as delays in traffic flow and damage to traffic facilities, public interventions are required to reduce them. However, the first step in public intervention is to accurately understand the relationship between the degree of damage in traffic accidents and the transport-related attributes of the areas where the accidents occurred. Although the transport culture index appears to be an appropriate indicator for predicting local traffic accidents, its limitations as a comprehensive index need to be addressed in the future.
PURPOSES : This study aims to establish a performance measure to evaluate metropolitan transit centers from the perspectives of transportation and urban planning. The developed performance measure indicates the effectiveness of the metropolitan transit center in urban areas, suggesting a policy for design and urban development. METHODS : This study assesses the functionality of a transit center using a linear equation. Seven indicators representing the key functions of the transit center are employed to determine the efficiency of current status. We analyzed four transit centers–Cheongnyangni, Hapjeong, Sadang, and Seoul Station–where transfer centers are proposed owing to high traffic volumes. The coefficients are determined using the weights obtained from an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey. RESULTS : Application of the weights from the AHP survey to the indicators of each transit center reveals that overall Seoul Station scored the highest, whereas Cheongnyangni Station scored the lowest. In particular, Seoul Station performed better than other stations in terms of accessibility and simplified coverage area index (SCAI). Although Sadang Station slightly outperformed Hapjeong Station with respect to the total score, the variance was due to Hapjeong Station excelling in urban indicators despite its lower transportation metrics. Cheongnyangni Station scored low on most indicators despite significant physical investments, except for congestion, transfer time and floor area ratio. CONCLUSIONS : The AHP survey identified accessibility and SCAI as the most heavily weighted transportation-related indicators, while the floor area ratio, an urban development indicator, was the least weighted. Seoul Station, which excelled in accessibility and SCAI had the highest total score among the sites studied. However, locations with poorer transportation metrics but superior urban indicators can still function effectively as integrated metropolitan transit centers.
PURPOSES : This study aims to investigate the reliability of the real-time estimation of intersection traffic volumes based on the integration of location intelligence data and smart intersection data. METHODS : Location intelligence data (LID) and smart intersection data were obtained at eight intersections in Inju-daero, Incheon. The two datasets were then integrated to estimate traffic volumes for intersections in the shadow section, where traffic information was not expected to be obtained. The traffic estimation accuracy was evaluated using the total traffic, approach traffic, and turning movement volumes at the intersections. The estimated traffic was compared with the actual traffic volumes in the smart intersection data to validate the reliability of traffic estimation. RESULTS : The average traffic estimation error for the total intersection volume was approximately 4.5% for the five intersections in the shadow section. The estimation errors for the approach volumes (less than 5%) were also consistently low, except from 12 pm to 1 pm. CONCLUSIONS : The findings of this study suggest that location intelligence data can be combined with smart intersection data to estimate real-time traffic for shadow sections on roadways. This could enable a cost-effective cooperative intelligent transport system (C-ITS) when the municipal budget is limited, ultimately leading to the sustainable operation of C-ITS.