PURPOSES : In this study, model-agnostic methods are applied for interpreting machine learning models, such as the feature global effect, the importance of a feature, the joint effects of features, and explaining individual predictions. METHODS : Model-agnostic global interpretation techniques, such as partial dependence plot (PDP), accumulated local effect (ALE), feature interaction (H-statistics), and permutation feature importance, were applied to describe the average behavior of a machine learning model. Moreover, local model-agnostic interpretation methods, individual conditional expectation curves (ICE), local surrogate models (LIME), and Shapley values were used to explain individual predictions. RESULTS : As global interpretations, PDP and ALE-Plot demonstrated the relationship between a feature and the prediction of a machine learning model, where the feature interaction estimated whether one feature depended on the other feature, and the permutation feature importance measured the importance of a feature. For local interpretations, ICE exhibited how changing a feature changes the interested instance’s prediction, LIME explained the relationship between a feature and the instance’s prediction by replacing the machine model with a locally interpretable model, and Shapley values presented how to fairly contribute to the instance’s prediction among the features. CONCLUSIONS : Model-agnostic methods contribute to understanding the general relationship between features and a prediction or debut a model from the global and/or local perspective, securing the reliability of the learning model.

PURPOSES : This study prioritizes the potential technology for establishing an efficient traffic control in the ramp junction of urban deep underground tunnels in the future. We considered most of the applicable technologies that ensure traffic safety at the on-off ramp junction. METHODS : This study proposes a methodology to prioritize the applicable technology for establishing efficient traffic control in the ramp junction of an urban deep underground tunnel using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP). First, an AHP structure was developed. Second, an individual survey was conducted to collect the opinions of road and transportation experts. Based on the survey results, weights were estimated depending on the relevant criteria of the developed structure. The estimated weights were verified using the consistency index (CI) and consistency ratio (CR). In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed to confirm the reliability of the estimated weights. Finally, the potential technology for an efficient traffic control in the ramp junction of an urban deep underground tunnel was prioritized. RESULTS : In the first level of hierarchy, traffic demand control had the highest priority, and ramp metering, section speed control, and shoulder lane control were selected in the second level of hierarchy. CONCLUSIONS : These results implied that prioritizing would be useful in establishing traffic operation strategies for traffic safety when constructing and opening deep underground tunnels in urban areas in the future.

PURPOSES : This study aims to deduce the appropriate interval of cross passage for small vehicle exclusive roads within urban underground roads to ensure safety. METHODS : This study evaluated evacuation safety by fire and evacuation simulations. The simulation was applied to a passenger-caronly urban underground road, which was performed in the entry/exit section with a gradient of 6.0% and the mainline on level grade. The values of the variables for the simulations were determined to be close to the actual situation based on of the statistics and the results of previous studies. In the simulation scenario, the cross passage interval was visible. The evacuation safety was evaluated by comparing the “evacuation completion time” and the “smoke diffusion time.” Evacuation safety can be desirable when the evacuation completion time is shorter than the smoke diffusion time. RESULTS : According to the results of the simulation, the desirable cross passage interval is 180 m for the entry/exit sections with a 6% gradient in passenger-car-only tunnels. This criterion may be prolonged to an interval of 210 m and a width of 0.9 m for the construction reduction, based on the results of the statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS : According to the results of this study, the risk indices of the “Small Vehicles Road Tunnel Fire Safety Facility Installation and Management Guidelines” may be supplemented by the tunnel class and the gradient of the entry/exit section. In addition, the guideline may provide an improved interval of evacuation cross passage and the width of the cross passage door by the safety index.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to derive specific road design elements for safe urban underground and to adopt measures for minimizing traffic delays and to maintain efficient operation. METHODS : In this study, a qualitative study was conducted using Focus Group Interview (FGI) method to identify significant connection characteristics and develop connections to urban underground roads. Finally, this study analyzes design elements necessary for traffic safety and efficient traffic operation. In addition, relevant case studies were performed with keywords from the FGI method results. Therefore, major design elements were analyzed for urban underground road connection and connection analysis for traffic simulation-based verification. RESULTS : The main characteristics of the connection between the underground roads of the downtown area were divided into three types: traffic flow characteristics, geometric characteristics, and driver behavioral characteristics. From the review of 16 leading studies (10 domestic papers and 6 international papers) according to the characteristics, the main design factors for “traffic flow characteristics” include the traffic volume, design speed, heavy vehicle ratio, and lane change. The important design elements for “geometric characteristics” include the separation distance, number of lanes, slope, lane and shoulder width and the design factors for “driver behavioral characteristics” showed reaction time, driver vision, and driving speed. CONCLUSIONS : The FGI method identified the main characteristics of connections to the underground roads. In addition, the relevant empirical and theoretical research data were considered in case studies, and the design elements were derived and separated spatially based on the features of each design element, establishing a point-specific design element guideline.

PURPOSES : Since the 1990s, underground utility projects have been conducted to solve the problem of aerial communication cables. The purpose of this study is to derive optimal measures for preventing collisions with existing underground utilities and for future maintenance in the implementation of the utilities undergrounding projects. This study considered the identifier sensor and tested the optimal sensor performance for more accurate and systematic management. METHODS : In this study, three representative technologies were selected from identifier sensors generally used in air and the possibility for their use in soil and asphalt was confirmed by simulating the environment via a test construction. Three identifier sensors were selected: BLE (Bluetooth low energy) beacon, ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification (UHF RFID), and a geomagnetic recognizer. The long-term recognition performance of each identifier sensor was tested using the underground depth as a variable and the results were analyzed for comparison. RESULTS : The results of the test under limited conditions and environment demonstrated that the BLE Beacon had advantages in equipment composition, recognition range, and speed but exhibited problems with batteries in winter. The geomagnetic recognizer did not show the exact location and its influence on the surrounding environment was a disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS : Although the performance of UHF RFID has been demonstrated to be relatively suitable under these test conditions, it seems that the impact of the more diverse installation depth or medium should be reviewed for actual commercialization.

PURPOSES : This paper is to deliver an engineering design guide currently unavailable that highway engineers can refer to when they need to determine the safe distance between the starting point of the underground highway in a metropolitan area and the access points of the adjacent highway. METHODS : The distance between two different highway points should be sufficiently far to support the number of lane changes that drivers may take comfortably at the cruising speed in critical traffic conditions. RESULTS : The proper distance for the selected case study is calculated to be 160 and 200 m at the cruising speeds of 40 km/h and 50 km/h, respectively, without significant increase in potential conflicts estimated by the combination of the VISSIM and SSAM analysis. CONCLUSIONS : The proposed design method can be referred in urban metropolitan areas where no specific design guide is yet available, and it would prevent the unnecessary increase in construction costs and encourage private-public partnership highway businesses.

PURPOSES: This study is to evaluate a ground water level effect on frost heaving in road pavements. METHODS: The effects of water table on frost heaving in pavement systems were evaluated from the mechanical analysis using FROST program. The input parameters and boundary conditions were determined by considering climates, pavement sections, and material properties specially subgrade soil types in Korea. RESULTS: When the water table located above the freezing depth, amount of frost heaving caused by freezing the water in pavement itself was big enough to damage in pavement system, although pavement system consists of fully non-frost-susceptible materials with sufficient thickness of anti-freezing layer. The amount of frost heaving was decreased rapidly with increasing the distance between the water table and freezing depth. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that there is no engineering problems related with frost heaving in practical sense when the distance between freezing depth and water table is over 1.5m for having subgrade soils less than 50% of #200 sieve passing to meet specification on quality control in Korea.

도로의 성토고가 2m 미만일 경우 도로 하부의 함수비는 지하수위의 영향을 크게 받을 수 있다. 따라서 가평 및 포천 현장에 설치된 계측시스템으로부터 아스팔트 콘크리트 포장체의 함수비 및 지하수위를 2010년 7월∼9월(강우 집중기간; 장마 기간), 2010년 12월∼2011년 2월(겨울 한파기간) 동안 수집·분석하였다. 분석결과, 여름철 강우 집중기간의 지하수위는 장마 및 태풍에 의한 강우의 영향을 받아 지하수위가 상승하는 것으로 나타났으며, 도로 하부의 함수비도 일부 영향을 받아 지역적으로 변동하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 지하수위가 노상 하단면으로부터 0.99m까지 상승하여, 모관상승에 의한 도로 하부의 함수비 변동 가능성을 확인하였다. 겨울철에는 강수량이 많지 않아 지하수위 변동은 거의 없었으며, 장마 기간에 상승했던 지하수위는 감소하여 안정화된 경향을 보여주었다. 도로 하부의 함수비의 경우 12월 말에 감소했다가 2월 말에 증가하였으며, 평상시 함수비 변동량 보다 증가된 경향을 보여주어 동상의 영향이 있을 것으로 사료된다. 그러나 명확한 지하수위와 노상 함수비의 상관관계를 규명하기에는 현장 계측자료 및 계측기간이 제한적이며, 향후 지속적인 모니터링을 통하여 정확한 분석 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.