Horizontal Alignment Research Articles

Assessment of Road Safety Through Geometric Design Analysis: The Case of Sagonsongan Diversion Road in Marawi City

This study critically assessed the impact of geometric design on road safety. This assessment was based on a detailed analysis of the case of Sagonsongan Diversion Road in Marawi City, the Philippines. Applying quantitative methods such as a survey using Real-Time Kinematics and software-based road designing using AutoCAD Civil 3D, the study thoroughly analyzed the geometric design elements of the road, such as horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, and superelevation. Thus, the study showed that all geometric features were highly inconsistent with the safety standards. In particular, the high curve radius and slope aspect ratio significantly increase the risk of traffic incidents. The evaluation of two key curve sections has demonstrated that the road's overall geometric design directly affects drivers' ability to keep their cars stable. To eliminate the risk of traffic wretchedness, this study has suggested several corrective measures, including redesigning the road to adjust the geometrical aspects to safe norms, setting accurately calculated speed limits, reinstalling road signs, and conducting continuous safety checks. These measures will help to bring the Sagonsongan Diversion Road’s design to the level of established safety standards and decrease possible incidents to the minimum. The study has provided important findings on the relevance of established road designing principles to road safety. This work can be useful for the existing discussion regarding engineering and policy measures that should be considered to enhance road safety, especially in countries with developing economies. This study has also illustrated the importance of continued geometric design assessment in ensuring road safety and adapting the safety requirements to the dynamic needs of road users.

CORRELATION OF THE SAGITTAL BALANCE WITH POSTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE PELVIS AND LUMBAR SPINE.

Evaluate and correlate the sagittal balance parameters with the postural of the pelvis and lumbar spine. 80 individuals of both sexes, aged between 20 and 35 years, were evaluated. Biophotogrammetry was done with the SAPO software program. Measurements of the sagittal balance parameters were obtained by analyzing a lateral view panoramic radiography of the vertebral column, in which the anatomical points of reference were digitally marked. The calculation of the angles was done automatically by the Keops program. In Keops assessment, 17.5% of the sample had high pelvic incidence angles (> 60°), 31.5% had low pelvic incidence angles (< 45°), and 51.2% had medium pelvic incidence angles (between 46° and 59°). SAPO showed 12,5% lordosis, 40% retroversion, and 47,5% normal curvature. In the right lateral view, pelvic incidence angle had a moderate and positive correlation with vertical alignment of the trunk and with vertical alignment of the body, and a negative and moderate correlation with horizontal alignment of the pelvis. Differences were found between vertical alignment measurements from the postural evaluation system (SAPO). A positive correlation was found between PI from Keops and pelvic anteversion from SAPO. Level of Evidence II; Prospective Study.

Pemodelan Kondisi Geometrik Jalan Terhadap Potensi Kecelakaan Lalu Lintas

Road infrastructure has an impact on the occurrence of road traffic accidents. The geometry of a road is a variable that influences the occurrence of road traffic accidents. Interpreting the observed crashes into an equation that can describe the crashes is one of the most difficult problems faced by scientists and engineers in any research. The traffic accident research conducted is still limited to analyzing the causes of accidents and jumping to handling strategies that do not reveal how much geometric influence on accidents at the location. This research was developed using a comprehensive modeling approach to illustrate how highway geometric design, in this case the alignment, influences crash rates. This study aims to analyze the influence of road geometrics on the incidence of accidents. The method used is multiple liner regression measurement model using R-Studio. The variables to be studied include road geometry planning parameters, especially horizontal alignments which include stopping sight distance (X1), radius of horizontal curve (X2), shoulder width X3, and transition curve length (X4). The results of the study obtained a relationship in the mathematical equation Y = 99.55508-0.02634X1+1.17647X2-0.06999X3-0.03906X4 with the most significant correlation value produced is the transition curve length and radius of horizontal curve. Based on the multiple R-squareed value of 0.8775 this model has a very strong correlation category. Where the ability of X1 to X4 is able to explain Y by 80%.

4D printing of shape memory polymer with continuous carbon fiber

Shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) have gained attention for their shape memory effects and wide-ranging applications. Understanding the bending shape recovery characteristics of 3D printed SMPCs is crucial for optimizing their performance. This study focuses on investigating the influence of different fiber orientations of continuous carbon fiber (CCF) in thermally stimulated SMPC. By controlling printing parameters and fiber orientation during the 3D printing process, we fabricate tailor-made rectangular composite test specimens. These specimens are subjected to controlled bending above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, inducing temporary deformation. The subsequent shape recovery process is carefully captured through high-speed video. Precise measurements of the bending curvature over time are obtained using the row-by-row image processing technique and analyzed. The shape recovery rate, shape recovery ratio, and shape fixity ratio of the test specimens were evaluated as a function of three CCF layout arrangements as well as fiber infill density embedded in Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) test specimens. The results revealed that the addition of CCF in the polymer matrix has a significant impact on shape memory behavior. Vertically aligned CCF in the SMP matrix improves the shape recovery ratio (92.97% compared to 78.77% of the pure SMP sample), while horizontal alignment of CCF ensures maximum shape fixity ratio (91.78% compared to 66.22% of the pure SMP sample). The cross-aligned CCF sample provides good recovery as well as fixity values. Further, it was observed that the horizontal alignment of CCF yields the fastest recovery performance. The outcome confirms that optimizing the fiber orientation enhances shape memory performance. Also, 40% of fiber infill density had greater shape fixity and overall recovery performance when compared to 30% and 50%. These findings have implications for tailored and high-performance SMPCs in biomedical devices, aerospace components, and robotics. Understanding temporal curvature behavior enables optimizing the design of materials with precise control over shape recovery. This research contributes to the design and optimization of SMPCs for diverse applications.

Compression behavior of the wood-inspired cellular structure of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

Abstract In wood science and technology, researchers increasingly focus on the additive manufacturing in different aspects through assembly, mechanical, and physical characterization of the printed parts. One of the main parameters influence the wood features is the inhomogeneity of cellular structure. The effect of dislocation on the compression behavior was evaluated over the wood-inspired cellular structure. The 4.4 × 4.4 mm cross-cut–sized cell (0.8 mm cell wall thickness and 2.8 mm lumen diameter) with 10 mm thickness was arrayed by 6 columns and 3 rows to design the control model. The middle row was 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 mm dislocated to obtain irregular models. Objects were fabricated through the deposition of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene filament using DaVinci 1.0 all in one three-dimensional printer. The effect of printing orientation (vertical and horizontal) on compression behavior was also figured out. The compression test was performed to obtain the load–deformation behavior of samples. According to the results, the horizontally printed samples presented better performance. Furthermore, horizontal alignment, rectilinear infill type, 90 % infill density, and 0.2 mm layer height combination presented the highest (5719 N) load-carrying capacity. The statistical analysis (P &lt; 0.05) figured out that cell dislocation has significant influences on mechanical properties.

Recreating horizontal alignments of existing railways with a hybrid analytic and harmony search algorithm

After operating a long time, existing railway tracks gradually deviate from their initially designed alignments due to the wheel-track interaction, thereby compromising operational performance and safety. Therefore, existing railway alignments should be recreated through periodic maintenance to enhance train operations and guarantee operational safety. Currently, most methods in this field first identify tangent alignment sections and then curves based on measured points along the railway. Afterward, these identified geometric components are optimized to fit the actual alignment. However, for existing railways that are fairly circuitous, the above strategy is limited since the curves’ geometric characteristics dominate those of tangents in recreating alignments. Thus, the precision of geometric identification is reduced and the recreated alignment may significantly deviate from the actual railway. To solve this problem, a three-stage optimization method is proposed. At the first stage, a dynamic threshold method is developed to flexibly identify the geometric attributions of all measured points based on the existing railway. For the second stage, an adaptive analytic method is proposed which combines two geometric recreation approaches that are devised for curves and tangents to determine a preliminarily recreated horizontal alignment. Moreover, to enhance the recreation accuracy of local alignment sections, a harmony search algorithm is customized as the third stage to further optimize the recreated alignment. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through detailed data and sensitivity analyses applied to a real-world case.

XML Persian Abstract Reproducibility of trunk and lower extremities alignment in subjects with abnormal head posture using photogrammetry

Introduction: Evaluation of the alignment of the trunk and lower limbs in people with forward head posture (FHP)assumes critical importance due to biomechanical connection. The present study aimed to assess the reliability of trunk, pelvis, and lower limb posture assessment in people with FHP by the photogrammetric method. Method: This observational study was conducted on 60 male and female participants, 32 with FHP and 28 without FHP, from students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The mean age of participants was 23.30±2.66 years. A craniovertebral angle of 48 degrees or less is known as FHP. To evaluate intratester reliability, postural evaluation was repeated one week apart by the first examiner and one hour apart by the second examiner to assess intertester reliability. The measured angles included vertical and lateral alignment of the body, vertical alignment of the trunk and lower limbs, the horizontal alignment of the pelvis, as well as the angle of the hip and ankle joints. Results: The results of the intraclass correlation coefficient based on Munro's scale demonstrated that in the FHP group, the vertical straight angle of the body had the lowest (0.73), and the hip joint angle had the highest intertester reliability coefficient (0.96). Considering intertester reliability in the FHP group, the lower limb alignment was the lowest (0.88), and the hip joint angle had the highest reliability coefficient (0.97). Conclusion: The evaluation of trunk and lower limb posture in people with FHP by photogrammetry can be used as a quantitative method with high reliability

Tracking of horizontal alignment of the long and large diameter uncharged hole in NATM tunnel

The long and large diameter uncharged hole boring (LLB) method is a cut blasting method that minimizes blast-induced vibrations by creating long and large diameter uncharged holes at the excavation face of tunnels prior to tunnel excavation. Drilling in this method typically uses a 50 m long with a 382 mm diameter hammer bit in the horizontal direction at the tunnel face. However, the significant weight and uni-directional rotation of the rod head, as well as variables such as geological characteristics, machine conditions, and inexperienced operators result in significant deviation from the target borehole alignment that hinders the vibration-dampening effect of the uncharged holes. Furthermore, since there is no method to verify the alignment of the boreholes until main tunnel construction, borehole misalignment is often not discovered until weeks after construction, which requires tunnel construction to cease until the equipment can be remobilized and an additional borehole be created, causing significant delays and increased costs for the entire tunnel project. In this study, the borehole alignment tracking and ground exploration system (BGS) is developed to predict and monitor the quality and alignment of boreholes for cut blasting methods such as the LLB methods immediately after boring. The BGS was subsequently tested at a subway construction site to evaluate its performance in the field. The measurements yielded by the BGS were compared with manually measured boring positions at every 5 m along the borehole. Although the BGS showed a maximum deviation of approximately 12% at a local point where the hole surface was relatively rough, the accuracy for the final boring position was approximately 97%, demonstrating excellent precision of the alignment tracking system. The BGS demonstrates excellent performance in predicting ground conditions and the boring quality of a cut hole immediately after drilling, and shows promise in various other applications for monitoring borehole alignment.

Outcomes of inferior oblique myectomy versus recession combined with lateral rectus recession in V-pattern exotropias

PurposeTo compare outcomes of bilateral lateral rectus recession (BLRc) paired with either bilateral inferior oblique myectomy (BIOm) or bilateral inferior oblique recession (BIOc) to correct V-pattern exotropia. MethodsThe medical records of children (≤18 years) who underwent BLRc with BIOm or BIOc (10 mm) for V-pattern intermittent exotropia between December 2020 and May 2022 and who had at least 6 months’ postoperative follow-up were reviewed. Outcomes included horizontal alignment, bilateral inferior oblique action, stereopsis, postoperative exotropia control score, and additional strabismus surgeries. Analysis was stratified by preoperative V pattern into subgroups of 10Δ-14Δ and ≥15Δ. ResultsFifty patients underwent BLRc with BIOm (n = 26) or BIOc (n = 24), with no difference in age, sex, or follow-up length. Preoperatively, there were no differences in stereopsis, horizontal or vertical deviations in primary position, strabismus control, or inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). The BIOc group had greater preoperative V pattern than the BIOm group (18.1 ± 6.8 D vs 14.3 ± 7.0 D, resp. [P = 0.03]). There was no difference in BLRc surgical dose. At final follow-up (mean, 448 ± 189 days), both groups showed a postoperative decrease in horizontal deviation, amount of V pattern, and IOOA. For patients with ≥15Δ V pattern, BIOm decreased V pattern amount at distance (P = 0.02) and IOOA (P = 0.0035) more than BIOc, and BIOm patients had better control of residual strabismus at distance (P = 0.03) compared with the BIOc group overall, as well as for both V pattern subgroups. Two patients with BIOm and one with BIOc underwent additional strabismus surgery. ConclusionsBIOm or BIOc in combination with BLRc decreased the angle of exotropia and improved control. However, BIOm, especially with large V patterns, had a greater effect on decreasing the V pattern and IOOA and showed better control of residual strabismus.

Text Detection Using Transformation Scaling Extension Algorithm in Natural Scene Images

In recent study efforts, the importance of text identification and recognition in images of natural scenes has been stressed more and more. Natural scene text contains an enormous amount of useful semantic data that can be applied in a variety of vision-related applications. The detection of shape-robust text confronts two major challenges: 1. A large number of traditional quadrangular bounding box-based detectors failed to identify text with irregular forms, making it difficult to include such text within perfect rectangles.2. Pixel-wise segmentation-based detectors sometimes struggle to identify closely positioned text examples from one another. Understanding the surroundings and extracting information from images of natural scenes depends heavily on the ability to detect and recognise text. Scene text can be aligned in a variety of ways, including vertical, curved, random, and horizontal alignments. This paper has created a novel method, the Transformation Scaling Extention Algorithm (TSEA), for text detection using a mask-scoring R-ConvNN (Region Convolutional Neural Network). This method works exceptionally well at accurately identifying text that is curved and text that has multiple orientations inside real-world input images. This study incorporates a mask-scoring R-ConvNN network framework to enhance the model's ability to score masks correctly for the observed occurrences. By providing more weight to accurate mask predictions, our scoring system eliminates inconsistencies between mask quality and score and enhances the effectiveness of instance segmentation. This paper also incorporates a Pyramid-based Text Proposal Network (PBTPN) and a Transformation Component Network (TCN) to enhance the feature extraction capabilities of the mask-scoring R-ConvNN for text identification and segmentation with the TSEA. Studies show that Pyramid Networks are especially effective in reducing false alarms caused by images with backgrounds that mimic text. On benchmark datasets ICDAR 2015, SCUT-CTW1500 containing multi-oriented and curved text, this method outperforms existing methods by conducting extensive testing across several scales and utilizing a single model. This study expands the field of vision-oriented applications by highlighting the growing significance of effectively locating and detecting text in natural situations.

Estimating Roadway Horizontal Alignment from Geographic Information Systems Data: An Artificial Neural Network–Based Approach

Estimating Roadway Horizontal Alignment from Geographic Information Systems Data: An Artificial Neural Network–Based Approach

Investigation of horizontal alignment data extraction methodologies in terms of cost and time

Lack of coordination between driver and road geometry results in driver errors and crashes. Road geometric data constitute one of the primary requirements for safety analysis and improvement projects. A systematic literature review is presented here to identify existing methodologies for road geometric data extraction. Methodologies based on Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information system (GIS) maps, AutoCAD digital maps, satellite imagery, inertial measurement unit, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and vision technology were found employing manual, semi-automatic and automatic algorithms for extraction of horizontal alignment features of roads. A multi-criteria analysis in terms of device/software cost, data treatment cost and time acquisition was performed for the methodologies using an expert survey. Survey responses were analysed to rank the methodologies for minimum cost and time using an analytical hierarchical process. GPS- and GIS maps-based methodologies were the most economical, whereas the LiDAR-based methodology was the least economical. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into components of existing methodologies. These findings could benefit practitioners, policymakers, enforcement authorities, vehicle manufacturers and researchers in the judicious selection of an appropriate methodology. An inventory of road geometric data could also be established to develop an intelligent transportation system by combining vehicle, road and driver in effective communication through information technologies.

Experimental and statistical investigation on structural feasibility of admixture based foam concrete with hexagonal wire mesh reinforcement

Foam concrete is an emerging construction material with reduced self-weight, high workability and improved thermal resistance. Deployment of this foam concrete for structural applications has not drawn keen attention of the research community. This study reports an investigation on the viability of using admixtures like, crumb rubber, silica fume and polypropylene fiber in foam concrete, reinforced with hexagonal wire mesh for enhanced strength and energy absorption. Taguchi's experiment design methodology was applied for assessment of the optimal mix of foam concrete with admixtures. Mixtures with three factors, namely silica fume, polypropylene fiber (PP fiber), and crumb rubber were developed in an L9 orthogonal array. Compressive and flexural strength parameters were used to establish the best possible mix proportions for maximum strength. Tests were conducted on hexagonal wire mesh (chicken mesh) kept in horizontal, vertical and horizontal with stirrup arrangements and the results were compared with control mix and the selected optimized mix. In all cases, percentage of steel reinforcement for the total volume of the concrete was kept as 1% by adjusting the layers of mesh provided. Based on the experimental results, crack and deflection patterns were analyzed and compared with the control specimen. The test results demonstrated enhanced strength and ductility of the foam concrete, buttressed by hexagonal wire steel mesh, as compared to control specimens. Besides, the reinforcement in the horizontal alignment with admixtures provided better strength and ductility with an enhancement of 130 % in flexural strength and a ductility index of 3.88 compared to control. Prognosis of the study advocated the propriety of using foam concrete as a structural member in construction.

The E16_Geometric Redesign of Road Parongpong-Ngamprah STA. 0+750-1+500 Based on Atraction-Generation Interzone Movement

The increase in movement between zones between sub-districts in the Regency increases in line with economic development in the region. Parongpon sub-district and Ngamprah sub-district are West Bandung regency areas that have increased economic growth which is quite significant in West Bandung Regency. The geometric redesign research between Parongpong and Ngamprah zones has the aim of adjusting the road geometry based on increasing the volume generation and attraction of traffic movement between these zones. The generation and attraction of traffic movement between these zones is dominated by the volume of vehicles with larger dimensions and heavier loads, so that geometric alignment of the road is required based on the standard slope of the vertical alignment and the super-elevation curve of the horizontal alignment. The research method used is quantitative descriptive in geometric design parameters which are developed in accordance with the development of traffic volume and vehicle types. The research results show the Rise and Attract model of movement between Parongpong-Ngamprah zones with the mathematical model shown by the equation Y = 28.064 +0.0003612X1+0.001X2+0.005X3 with R2 = 0.97. With the influence of the generation of traffic volume movement on these roads, of requires adjustment of the super evaluation curve with a larger radius and smaller vertical alignment slope so that the increase in traffic volume from the influence of the generation and attraction of the movement of the Parongpong-Ngamprah zone can be anticipated with fine.

Shear-wave velocity imaging of weathered granite in La Campana (Chile) from Bayesian inversion of micro-tremor H/V spectral ratios

Subsurface imaging of the regolith layer is an important tool for weathering zone characterization. For example, the extent of bedrock modification by weathering processes can be modelled by means of differing seismic velocities. We acquired a 360 m-long seismic profile in central Chile to characterise weathering at a semi-arid site. We used 87 3-component geophones, which continuously recorded ambient seismic noise for three days. The seismic line was centered at an 88 m deep borehole, providing core and downhole logging data for calibration. We extract Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) curves along the seismic line to image the subsurface. Temporal analysis of the HVSR curves shows that the ambient noise vibrations recorded during the nighttime provide more stable HVSR curves. The trans-dimensional Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (McMC) approach was used to invert the micro-tremor HVSR curves at each station to reconstruct 1D shear-wave velocity (Vs) models. The resulting individual 1D Vs models were merged to create a 2D Vs model along the linear seismic array in La Campana. The resulting Vs model shows an increase from 0.85 km/s at the surface to ca. 2.5 km/s at 100 m depth. We use the interface probability as a by-product of the Bayesian inversion to apply a more data-driven approach in identifying the different weathering layers. This method identified the boundary between saprolite and fractured bedrock at 42 m depth at the borehole, as evidenced by the interpretation of downhole logging data such as magnetic susceptibility. The resulting 2D Vs model of this site in Mediterranean climate shows a strong correlation between the interpreted weathering front at around 90-m depth and a higher precipitation rate in the study site compared to arid sites. The horizontal alignment of the weathering front indicates a correlation between the weathering front depth with topography and fractures in the bedrock.

Surgical management of superior oblique palsy with coexisting exotropia

To analyze the surgical results of patients treated for superior oblique palsy with coexisting exotropia. The medical records of patients with superior oblique palsy and exotropia who underwent inferior oblique weakening and simultaneous lateral rectus recession by a single surgeon from 1996 to 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographics, pre- and postoperative vertical and horizontal deviation, and presence of diplopia were recorded. Surgical success was defined as horizontal deviation <10Δ and vertical deviation ≤4Δ without overcorrection or diplopia. The decision to operate for the horizontal deviation was made based on fusion in free space when the vertical deviation was offset with a prism. A total of 27 patients were included. Mean age was 26.1 ± 22 years (range, 26 months to 78 years). Preoperatively, mean vertical deviation was 15.2Δ ± 7.5Δ (range, 4Δ-30Δ); mean exodeviation, 17Δ ± 5.5Δ (range, 10Δ-35Δ). Of the 27 patients, 25 underwent unilateral and 2 underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession, according to the magnitude of the horizontal deviation. Mean follow-up was 3 ± 3.8 months (range, 2 weeks to 17 months). Postoperative mean vertical alignment was 3.0 ± 5.9, and horizontal alignment was 3.4Δ ± 5.2Δ (esotropia of 7Δ to exotropia of 12Δ; P < 0.0001). Nineteen patients (70%) had a successful result; 2 patients had residual exotropia of >10Δ, 2 had vertical overcorrection (range, 3Δ-4Δ), and 6 had residual vertical deviation ≥4Δ (range, 5Δ-20Δ). None had secondary esotropia >10Δ. Horizontal deviation was corrected successfully with no consecutive esotropia in 25 patients. In our study cohort, patients with superior oblique palsy and exotropia in whom fusion required both horizontal and vertical prism correction had a high likelihood of successful horizontal alignment after lateral rectus weakening in combination with inferior oblique surgery.

The association between tibial torsion, knee flexion excursion and foot progression during gait in people with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundLower limb malalignment is associated with gait kinematics, but there is limited information on the relationship between gait kinematics and tibial torsion in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate possible associations between tibial torsion and early stance kinematics during gait in people with mild and moderate medial knee OA.MethodsForty-seven participants (age: 62.1 ± 6.0 years; female/male: 37/10) diagnosed with medial knee OA were recruited from a regional hospital. Thirty of them had mild and seventeen had moderate knee OA. Lower limb alignment including tibial torsion and valgus/varus alignment were assessed by an EOS biplaner X-ray system with participants in weight-bearing position. Lower limb kinematics during gait was captured using the Vicon motion analysis system. The associations were estimated by partial Pearson correlation coefficient test.ResultsOur results indicated that external tibial torsion was related to early stance knee flexion excursion in participants with moderate knee OA (r = -0.58, p = 0.048), but not in participants with mild knee OA (r = 0.34, p = 0.102). External tibial torsion was associated with external foot progression angle (r = 0.48, p = 0.001), and knee varus/valgus alignment was associated with knee flexion excursion (r = -0.39, p = 0.010) in all participants.ConclusionsBoth horizontal and frontal lower limb alignments were associated with knee flexion excursion at early stance of gait cycle in participants with medial knee OA. The distal rotational profile of lower limb would likely affect knee motion in sagittal plane. It implies that people with moderate knee OA could possibly benefit from correction of rotational alignment of lower limb.

Safety Evaluation for Highway Geometric Design Based on Spatial Path Properties

Safety is an important aspect of road design. In highway geometric design, road engineers use a two-stage design method due to its convenience, but the available two-dimensional design tools on the market are believed to impose limitations. Horizontal and vertical alignment parameters are considered and determined at the designer’s discretion, potentially downplaying the three-dimensional characters of spatial curves. This study focuses on the three-dimensional characteristics of highway alignments and investigates a safety evaluation method to establish the relationship between crash rate and spatial curve properties. This will necessitate an analytical investigation into the effects of higher-order properties, such as curvature and torsion, on the geometry of spatial Cartesian curves. First, these combinations of horizontal and vertical alignments were categorized into six classifications, each with its own spatial expression in mathematical form. After manipulating the curvature and torsion of the spatial curve algebraically, the correlation between geometric design variables and crash rate was ultimately established. A few cases involving geometric design data and crash facts were utilized for verification. The results revealed a considerable positive correlation between curvature or torsion variance and crashes per million vehicles kilometers, as a slight difference between curvature and torsion could also be spotted. And curvature distribution is correlated with collision frequency more closely than torsion spatial variation.

Improvements in the Horizontal Alignment and Vertical Profile of Balampur Ghat Section in Bhopal-Vidisha State Highway Road (SH-18) using MXRoad Software

Abstract: Geometric design of highway deals with designing of physical visible features of highway those comprise of horizontal alignment, vertical profile, circular and transition curves, superelevation, Summit and valley curves, cross sectional elements, sight distances and other features. From the safety point of view, road geometric features should be well designed as per the IRC recommendation. In this research work, the horizontal alignment and vertical profile have designed of Balampur Ghat section in the Bhopal-Vidisha Road which is in the Madhya Pradesh State of India. The objective of this research work is “Improvements in the Horizontal alignment and Vertical profile of Balampur Ghat Section in Bhopal-Vidisha State Highway Road (SH-18) using MX Road Software”. The design of horizontal alignment and vertical profile have been done for Balampur ghat section approx. 2.0 km in length of State highway no. 18 (SH-18) of Madhya Pradesh. SH-18 is connected to Vidisha from Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh and having heavy commercial traffic. Balampur ghat section is hilly terrain and have two improper horizontal curves along with 6.5% of vertical gradient and because of this reason that section is not safe for deriving therefore it has become an accident-prone area and the accident-prone area have the human and economical losses so it should be improved and re design of the horizontal and vertical alignment for safe design speed. The proposed methodology is on the basis of inventory survey (preliminary survey), topographic survey and MX Road software. In inventory survey take the data of existing road and find the suitable route of alternative alignment if re-alignment is required in the road. Then the topographic survey done on the existing road and alternative alignment. Import the topographic data of the road in MX Road software for generate existing surface of the road for design of horizontal alignment and vertical profile. As per IRC recommendations, there are two alternative alignments designed of the existing ghat section. As per the outputs of this research work, the length of both improved alignments is short as compare to existing road. There are no improper curves at improved alignment and maximum gradient is 4.2% which is less than the existing gradient (6.5%). The minimum design speed is 40-50 kmph which was 20 kmph in existing road. The both two improved alignments are safer as compare to existing alignment and the design speed of the vehicle has been increased. The improved alignment 2 is straighter than the improved alignment The improved alignment has also reduced the human and economic losses.

Assessment of UAS Photogrammetry and Planet Imagery for Monitoring Water Levels around Railway Tracks

High water levels near railway tracks can be a major factor affecting the safety of train passage. Water conditions near the tracks are normally monitored through visual inspections. However, this method is limited in spatial coverage and may not provide comparable information over time. We evaluated the utility of satellite imagery (Planet Dove constellation at 3 m pixel size) at the landscape level to assess overall water surface area along railway tracks. Comparatively, we evaluated the use of Structure- from-Motion 3D point clouds and high spatial detail orthomosaics (3 cm) generated from a commercial off-the-shelf Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) (DJI M300 RTK) for measuring vertical water level changes and extent of surface water, respectively, within the right-of-way of a railway line in Ontario, Canada, in areas prone to high water level and flooding. Test sites of varied lengths (~180 m to 500 m), were assessed four times between June and October 2021. Our results indicate that the satellite imagery provides a large-scale overview regarding the extent of open water in wetlands at long distances from the railway tracks. Analysis of the UAS derived 3D point cloud indicates that changes in water level can be determined at the centimeter scale. Furthermore, the spatial error (horizontal and vertical alignments) between the multi-temporal UAS data collections between sites was less than 3 cm. Our research highlights the importance of using consistent UAS data collection protocols, and the significant potential of commercial off-the-shelf UAS systems for water level monitoring along railway tracks.