Stretch Of Highway Research Articles

The Imperative Necessity of Erbil-Koya Highway Stretch

Human civilization encompasses all that humans have created, both materially and morally, within a specific time and place. Thus, building highway extensions represents a significant addition to the material aspects of civilization. Highways are a crucial component of human development, affecting societies in social, economic, environmental, urban, and cultural ways. Connecting Erbil with Koya via a highway is expected to affect the populations of both cities and their surrounding areas. This paper examines the role of highways in societal development, with a particular focus on Koya. We have demonstrated the importance of highway design through mathematical models using modern speed parameters, fuzzy logic, and control methods. Additionally, we proposed a method for managing highway speeds through radar and remote sensing technologies. The paper highlights the inevitable societal progress resulting from the Koya-Erbil highway connection.

Mitigation Strategies of Visual Pollution on Highways in The Bolgatanga Municipal, Ghana.

Purpose: This study examines visual pollution along the Bolgatanga highway, focusing on outdoor advertising (OAs) and signage. It aims to identify the causes, assess impacts on road users, and propose strategies to mitigate visual pollution, addressing a critical gap in Ghanaian environmental policy and research. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey of 200 road users was conducted on a 3.4 km highway stretch between the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Intersection and the STC Bus Terminal. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire and photographic analysis of visual clutter. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse responses regarding demographics, causes of visual pollution, and its impacts. Findings: The survey identified poorly maintained banners (47%) and large billboards with excessive text (39.5%) as primary contributors to visual clutter. Overhead signs also obstructed scenic views (21.5%). Road users expressed mixed views on OAs: 39.5% appreciated their navigation utility, while 31.5% found them distracting, particularly in high-traffic areas. Motorcyclists and pedestrians were especially vulnerable to visual distractions, increasing road safety concerns. Research Limitation: The research is geographically confined to a single highway stretch in Bolgatanga, necessitating further studies across broader contexts to validate and extend the results. Practical Implications: Improved design standards should prioritise safety and community aesthetics, with input from graphic design professionals. Social Implication: Addressing visual pollution can improve road safety, reduce environmental stress, and enhance Bolgatanga's aesthetic and cultural identity, benefiting residents and visitors. Originality/Value: This study is among the first to explore visual pollution in a Ghanaian municipality, highlighting its environmental and safety implications. It offers practical solutions integrating urban planning, graphic design, and public policy for a visually sustainable future.

Capacity Increase Plan Analysis by Adding Lane to the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road

The Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road serves as a vital route, connecting Jakarta to its eastern suburbs and facilitating both passenger travel and logistics operations. However, persistent congestion along this stretch of highway has prompted the need for a comprehensive assessment of its capacity performance. This study aims to evaluate the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road's capacity performance using the V/C ratio metric. The analysis encompasses the calculation of V/C ratio values for the years 2022–2023, forecasting peak-hour daily traffic volumes for 2024 under three distinct scenarios: (i) no capacity expansion, (ii) capacity expansion through the addition of one lane, and (iii) traffic management intervention involving one-lane contraflow. The findings reveal that the highest V/C ratio values for peak hours in 2024, without lane additions, are 0.65 for Lane A and 0.71 for Lane B. However, these values decrease to 0.49 for Lane A and 0.53 for Lane B when considering capacity expansion through lane addition or contraflow implementation. Therefore, to ensure compliance with the Minimum Service Standards (SPM) until the end of the concession period, it is recommended that the toll road operator implement capacity enhancement by adding one lane in each route.

Using Food Industry Byproduct to Stabilize an Expansive Clay

The process of purifying agricultural products, at various food processing plants, generates waste materials that consist of precipitated calcium carbonate, organic debris, and trace amounts of soil and agricultural contaminants. A specific food-processing waste, hereafter referred to as a food industry byproduct, FIBP, is typically stockpiled on land adjacent to the corresponding food processing facilities due to its large volume and chemical composition. The FIBP also contains commercially available unspent lime products, which makes its reuse viable in various applications. An example is construction applications where an organic content of up to 5% by weight is allowed, such as treating expansive clays. Traditionally, lime stabilization has been used for improving the properties of expansive clays, where ground improvement methods are necessary for a large area. However, the process of producing lime is resource- and energy-intensive as it includes crushing and heating limestone in kilns to extract lime. Therefore, one specific doubly sustainable application is the treatment of expansive clays using the FIBP instead of lime. The main application tested here is the treatment of expansive clayey soils underneath a stretch of State Highway 95 near Marsing, ID. Other potential applications are in road and embankment construction. To evaluate the potential of expansive clay stabilization utilizing the FIBP, a series of geotechnical and environmental laboratory testing were conducted to measure the engineering properties (e.g., swell potential, permeability, and strength properties) of expansive clay amended with FIBP. Preliminary testing on blends with an expansive clay suggests benefits such as decreased swelling potential, increased density, and leachate immobilization.

Investigating emergency rescue readiness on Indian national highways: A case study of Jaipur-Jodhpur Highways (India) using a geospatial approach.

Highways represent the most significant capital asset that any country's public sector holds. A system of national highways with easy access to ambulance and trauma centers is termed emergency rescue ready and helps reduce the mortality due to road accidents. Given the rich impetus for road infrastructure development by the government of India, there is a need to consider emergency rescue readiness on highways. Previous research suggests that on typical Indian highways, an ambulance can reach the accident scene within 30 minutes; the remaining 30 minutes of golden hour is essential for saving the life of the injured by admitting to a healthcare facility with a trauma unit. To investigate the emergency rescue readiness for a stretch of highway between two cities in India. The main objective is to determine the possibility of transporting the injured due to the accident on the highway to the nearest available trauma center within 30 minutes. A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based network analysis method has been adopted to find the possibility of transporting the injured anywhere on the circuit of a national highway to the nearest healthcare unit within 30 minutes. A map representing the status of emergency rescue readiness has been presented for the study area. For a circuit of national highway with a length of 805 km, in a stretch of 89.5% (718.5 km), the injured can be transported to the healthcare unit within 30 minutes. In the remaining 10.5% of the highway, the healthcare units are significantly far from the highways and may hamper the post-crash rescue operations. There exists a wide disparity in trauma care delivery in the study area. Currently, the healthcare units established to serve the areas with dense populations also serve as emergency rescues during accidents on the national highways. Using GIS techniques for highway stretches with difficulty reaching the trauma centers, a national-level assessment is highly recommended.

A Multicriteria Approach for Landslide Hazard Zonation in the Lesser Kumaun Himalaya

ABSTRACTThe socioeconomic prosperity of a region is intricately tied to its infrastructure development, particularly the connectivity provided by highways. Preserving the economic well‐being of an area demands meticulous planning and the execution of construction projects with minimal risk. Landslide hazard zonation (LHZ) is a crucial tool for assessing the likelihood of landslide occurrences in specific regions. This study delves into the LHZ of a 171.2 km2 area, focusing on critical causative factors such as slope inclination and aspect, slope mass material, Land Use/Land Cover (LULC), distance from fault lines, roads, and drainage systems. The classification resulted in four distinct zones along the National Highway (NH‐109) stretch from Bhowali to Almora. Notably, the moderate‐hazard zone encompasses 60.4% of the area, followed by the high‐hazard zone at 24.4%, the low‐hazard zone at 11.9%, and the very high‐hazard zone at 3.3%. To enhance the reliability of the study, 63 previously identified landslide locations were marked based on diverse sources, including field studies and landslide inventory data from the Geological Survey of India (GSI). In the validation process, 12 past landslide occurrences were situated within the very high‐hazard zone, 32 in the high‐hazard zone, 18 in the moderate‐hazard zone, and only one in the low‐hazard zone. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve yielded a commendable quality with a % area under the curve (AUC) of 71.2%. In summary, this research underscores the importance of LHZ in assessing and mitigating landslide risks along a stretch of the NH‐109 corridor. The findings provide valuable insights for informed decision‐making in infrastructure development and risk management, contributing to the sustainable growth and protection of the region's livelihood.

Detached eddy simulation of traffic-induced air pollution in an urban highway with complex surrounding morphology

Detached eddy simulation of traffic-induced air pollution in an urban highway with complex surrounding morphology

Evaluation of Flexible Pavement Friction Coefficients: A Case Study of East-West Highway Near Mahendranagar City, Nepal

Friction is a crucial factor in highway engineering, as it affects the traction between a vehicle's wheels and the road surface. This traction significantly influences the movement, speed, and efficiency of vehicles on highways. The coefficient of friction depends on various factors, such as pavement materials, traffic volume, road age, temperature, and weather conditions. The Skid Resistance Test Method is adopted for the study, which involves using a Portable Skid Resistance Tester to measure the British Pendulum Number (BPN) and then calculating the coefficient of friction by dividing the BPN by 10. An evaluation of a 5 km stretch of the East-West highway near Mahendranagar Bazaar revealed a longitudinal coefficient of friction of 0.354 and a lateral coefficient of friction of 0.184 under both dry and wet conditions. These findings were relevant for design speeds ranging from 60 to 80 km/h and considered an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) of 10,321 Passenger Car Units (PCU) during the year 2023/2024. The assessment also indicated a variance of 0.19% and a poor International Roughness Index (IRI) value of 2.05. These aggregates had specific gravities ranging from 2.6 to 2.67 and were sized at 13.2 mm. The application rate for the aggregates ranged from 12 to 15 kg per square meter. It is important to note that a higher coefficient of friction leads to reduced vehicle efficiency. Thus, it is crucial to carefully consider the coefficient of friction values and detailed specifications to ensure traffic safety and road integrity.

Impact of BR-282 highway on the mortality of wild felids in the extreme west of Santa Catarina, Brazil: threat to conservation

Among human impacts, road kills are an important source of mortality for wild animals, as highways and roads result in the fragmentation of natural habitats. Felids are strongly negatively impacted and, although roads are mentioned as potential threats, few studies address how felids interact with these environments. We aimed to describe the richness and composition of wild felids, analyze the spatial and temporal effect, and identify road-kill hotspots of these species on a stretch of the BR-282 highway between the cities of São Miguel do Oeste and Paraíso, in the extreme west of the State of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. From December 2021 to November 2022, we traveled a 28-km stretch weekly to collect data on road-killed wild felids, and at each carcass sighted, the vehicle was parked to collect information, photographs, and geographical coordinates. During this period, 26 specimens of three different species were found, viz. Leopardus guttulus (southern tiger cat), Leopardus wiedii (margay), and Herpailurus yagouaroundi (jaguarundi). In addition to the significant number of wild felids found, a hotspot for road kills of these species was identified.

Seasonal analysis of particulate matter and its exposure on urban bikers in Nashik city, India

Introduction: Exposure to Particulate Matter (PM) can cause ill health effects such as coughing, allergies, decreased lung function, chest discomfort and pain. The current study aims to monitor particulate matter concentrations on the highways in Nashik, India and to estimate its exposure to the bikers in the form of Respiratory Deposition Doses (RDDs) with its seasonal variation.
 Materials and methods: Low-cost air quality monitor was mounted on the bike to measure Particulate Matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) concentrations at breathing level. Extensive mobile monitoring was performed on seven highway stretches passing through city limits at morning and evening peak hours for all the weekdays for three seasons.
 Results: The PM concentrations differed on each route seasonally as well as at peak hours in morning and evening. The maximum PM1, PM 2.5 and PM10 concentrations monitored were 119.84 μg/m3, 218.85 μg/m3 and 239.25 μg/m3 respectively on Route R3 in Winter morning. The maximum RDDHD exposure on R5 and R3 in Winter mornings was due to PM10. While maximum RDDTB and RDDAL exposure on R5 in Winter morning and evening was due to PM2.5. Also, the seasonal and particle size effect on RDD has been studied which exhibits higher rise in exposure in Winter mornings due to PM2.5.
 Conclusion: This study reveals that maximum exposure was observed during Winter mornings. The results recommend that seasons have a substantial effect on PM concentrations and their exposure. The minimum exposure was observed in monsoon, followed by summer and the maximum exposure was seen in winters.
 

Freeway congestion management on multiple consecutive bottlenecks with RL‐based headway control of autonomous vehicles

AbstractAdaptive cruise control (ACC) is the core building block of future full autonomous driving. Numerous recent research demonstrated that Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) adopting shorter headways generally increase road capacity and may relieve congestion at bottlenecks for moderate demand scenarios. However, with high demand scenarios, bottlenecks can still be activated causing capacity breakdown. Therefore, extra control measures as dynamic traffic control near bottlenecks is necessary. The challenge is harder on urban freeways with consecutive bottlenecks which affect each other. This paper aims to improve the performance of ACC systems in a high demand scenario. A multi‐bottleneck dynamic headway control strategy based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) that adapts headways to optimize traffic flow and minimize delay is proposed. The controller dynamically assigns an optimal headway for each controlled section, based on state measurement representing the current traffic conditions. The case study is a freeway stretch with three consecutive bottlenecks which is then extended to include eight bottlenecks. Three different RL agent configurations are presented and compared. It is quantitatively demonstrated that the proposed control strategy improves traffic and enhances the system delay by up to 22.30%, and 18.87% compared to shortest headway setting for the three‐bottleneck and the eight‐bottleneck networks, respectively.

Joint Vehicle Path Planning for Interruptible 1-D Snake-like Platoons and 2D Flocks in Lane-free Traffic

Joint Vehicle Path Planning for Interruptible 1-D Snake-like Platoons and 2D Flocks in Lane-free Traffic

Size Distribution as a Forensic Tool to Source Apportion Ambient PM

The particulate matter (PM) emitted from multiple sources contribute to air pollution near highways, affecting, mainly the commuters on road, dwellers and shopkeepers nearby. In this study, the size distribution of the PM near a highway, obtained using real time laser aerosol spectrometer, was used to apportion the contributions from vehicular traffic and road dust. Data on vehicle count and type were obtained for the selected highway stretch. The size distribution of emission from petrol and diesel vehicles and the size distribution of re-suspended dust were obtained through independent studies. Size based distribution of PM in the study area contributed by vehicles, were modelled using AERMOD using the vehicle emissions and vehicle count data. Aggregation of the modelled concentrations of PM of various size ranges with the contribution from re-suspended dust gave size based concentration distributions closely matching with that of PM in ambient air. The size based PM analyses showed that in the study area, 47.36%, 15.74%, and 15.46% of PM2.5, were contributed by diesel vehicles, petrol vehicles and suspended dust, respectively. The corresponding contributions to PM10 were, 14.42%, 10.59% and 68.35%. The emission studies on vehicles showed diesel vehicles contributing significantly higher concentration of PM to ambient air than petrol vehicles, with condition of vehicle influencing the amount of PM emitted. The use of particle size distribution pattern for preliminary source apportionment, demonstrated in this study, has promising environmental forensic applications as it provides a cheap and fast corroborative evidence for responsibility allocation.

Priodontes maximus (Cingulata: Chlamyphoridae) using a highway wildlife underpass in a fragmented Cerrado landscape from Eastern Goias State, central Brazil

We monitored a stretch of the BR-050 highway in the State of Goias that crosses several natural environments used by the giant armadillo, a peculiar and endangered species whose survival is threatened by vehicle collisions. Here, we present the record of highway underpass use by Priodontes maximus in a fragmented Cerrado landscape in Ipameri, Goias. The finding confirms the use of highway underpasses by the giant armadillo and highlights that these structures should be promoted at points where P. maximus occurs in the habitats isolated by the BR-050.

Assessment of slope-cut landslides along Pokhara-Baglung Highway, Nepal

The study addresses the ramifications of development initiatives in delicate mountainous terrains, unveiling significant economic constraints and multifaceted environmental challenges. It focuses on investigating substantial landslides triggered by excavations along a specified stretch of Nepal's Pokhara-Baglung Highway. This research holds significance for policymakers engaged in devising highway development strategies that mitigate future landslides, minimizing both costs and the toll on life and assets. The investigation encompassed on-site cataloging of landslides, lab test of sampled soils and a structured questionnaire distributed among local residents. This comprehensive approach facilitated a thorough assessment of landslide occurrences and their consequential effects. The identified landslides exhibited a consistent rotational pattern, characterized by abundant quartzite and phyllite rock formations. The predominant soil composition consisted of fine-to-medium sands, exhibiting a Plasticity Index (PI) range of 0.5 to 3, indicating marginal plasticity. Significantly, a substantial portion (70%) of the populace reported tangible impacts from landslides, with about 32% of affected individuals confirming an average agricultural productivity loss of 4330 kg/km2. Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test indicated a uniform impact across various demographic categories, including gender, education, proximity to the affected site, and social caste. Although fluctuations in the region, the observed temporal precipitation consistency over decades suggests as an accelerating rather than primary causative factor for landslides. Thus, principal causes of slope failures predominantly link to inadequately managed bedrock excavations and suboptimal road drainage systems underscoring the necessity for systematic inquiries into soil stability post-slope incisions. These measures are pivotal in guiding the construction and expansion of road networks within Nepal's Himalayan region.

A sequence-to-sequence model for joint bridge response forecasting

A sequence-to-sequence model for joint bridge response forecasting

Night icing prediction using vehicle-mounted pavement temperature sensor and atmospheric data

Night icing prediction using vehicle-mounted pavement temperature sensor and atmospheric data

Assessment and Prioritization of Highway Stretch Deploying Functional and Structural Characteristics

Asphalt pavements deteriorate over time when subjected to fatigue; hence, it is critical to evaluate in-service pavements to keep them in good condition. The goal of pavement evaluation is to assess the functional and structural performance of a pavement section, with a view to improving both the pavement's serviceability and riding quality. Through field and laboratory experiments, the current study attempts to evaluate the performance of pavement stretches. The sections are ranked and prioritized based on the test results. Medchal-Dabilpur national highway was evaluated for pavement roughness, skid resistance and deflections. In addition, core samples with diameters of 100mm and 150mm were collected and tested in the laboratory for moisture susceptibility, tensile strength, stiffness and fracture characteristics. The current study also intends to establish a unique technique for prioritizing pavement maintenance sections based on functional and structural performance in the field and laboratory. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach was used to develop the relationship between pavement functional and structural performance. Heat maps were created and ranked in Python Jupyter notebook to better visualize the performance of functional and structural characteristics of the pavement. The final evaluation results can be validated by supporting them with laboratory investigations based on the pavement-section field samples. The results demonstrate that there is a strong relationship between the structural and functional properties of the pavement. The developed Maintenance Priority Index (MPI) will be useful in rating the maintenance and rehabilitation actions depending on the level of necessity. KEYWORDS: Functional and structural evaluation, Resilient modulus, Tensile strength ratio, Fracture properties, ANN technique, Maintenance priority index.

Immediate impact of fires on roadkilling of wild vertebrates on a highway in southeast Brazil

Immediate impact of fires on roadkilling of wild vertebrates on a highway in southeast Brazil

Strategic Approach for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Efficient Mobility along Highways: A Real Case Study in Spain

The Electric Vehicle (EV) market has been growing exponentially in recent years, which is why the distribution network of public charging stations will be subject to expansion and upgrading. In order to improve the public charging infrastructure, this paper aims to develop a model capable of analyzing the current situation of a stretch of highway, identifying the congestion points, created by the formation of queues at the charging points. A specific section of a highway in Spain was selected as a case study to evaluate the performance of the model, allowing for rigorous testing and thorough analysis of its performance in a real-world scenario. The first step is to define and evaluate the effects of factors affecting EV consumption, such as the slope of the road, weather conditions, and driving style. Subsequently, a simulation model is developed using the agent-based simulation software AnyLogic, which simulates the journey of a fleet of electric vehicles, taking into account the battery charging and discharging process. Based on the obtained results, the charging infrastructure is improved to minimize the total travel time of an electric vehicle on a long-distance trip.