Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Analysis Of Travel Behavior At International Border Crossings: Application Of Travel Surveys, Jennifer Areli Moreno Escamilla

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Transportation planning provides an insight into the demand and traffic distribution of existingconditions of a region and helps identify future transportation needs. The results generated from forecasting models influence many decisions on the selection of transportation projects and funding allocations. Thus, forecasting models require up-to-date trip information to represent trip patterns and generate representative traffic demand analysis in a such complex areas as binational regions. The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis on travel survey methodology applied to collect trip information at international border crossings. Based on the results of the survey, an analysis on trip pattern …

Transportation Asset Management For The Electric Road System, Kamalen Maria Santos Diaz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Electric road systems (ERS) have been presented as a new solution towards a sustainable transportation future, fueling the widespread adoption of electric vehicles by eliminating range anxiety, reducing battery size, and being regional friendly. These systems consist of four components: electric power supply, roads, vehicles, and operations. Much of the early research conducted on ERS has been on how to initially construct these systems by focusing on the first three components, however, there is limited knowledge on how ERS will impact traditional road operations after the systems are in place. Transportation Asset Management (TAM), a major focus within the transportation …

Development Of Balanced Mix Design Quality Control Specifications Based On The Acceptance Limits Of Hma Performance Tests, Lucas Tameirao Abrantes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

With the augmented use of recycled materials, recycling agents, modified binders, andwarm mix asphalt additives, several highway agencies including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), have considered methods to improve the durability and long-term performance of asphalt concrete (AC) mixes. The need for performance tests that could consistently evaluate the rutting and cracking potentials of AC mixes became crucial as the popularity of the Balanced Mix Design (BMD) concept has increased over the years. A concern now is related to the practicality of these tests for routine use in the process of quality control and quality assurance during the field …

Level Of Service For Parking Facilities Based On Search Time, Fernie Briones

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Level of Service (LOS) is a term used by transportation engineers to identify the quality of service of transportation facilities to the public. The Highway Capacity Manual has yet to provide guidance on LOS analysis for parking facilities. Parking search time has been proposed by several researchers as the indicator for the LOS criteria for parking facilities. This thesis investigated the use of search time for LOS analysis for on street and off-street parking facilities. The analysis of LOS for off-street parking focused on the measurement of parking search time. Three search time measurement methods have been proposed: the license …

Determination Of Faculty And Staff Parking Permit Prices On University Campuses, Rodrigo Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

University campuses are the origins and destinations of a variety of trips generated by faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The vast number of trips that are attracted to university campuses result in parking congestion issues. In order to manage campus parking demand, universities establish Transportation and Parking Offices (TPO). This research has developed a two-stage procedure that can be used by TPOs as a tool for determining faculty and staff parking permit prices on university campuses. The first stage of the procedure is the determination of a single campus-wide base price (which may be regarded as the reference price or …

Identification And Evaluation Of Critical Transportation Infrastructure Resilience After Hydro-Meteorological Event, Herman Serrato

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Modern civilization is dependent on essential infrastructure assets that allow society to function in today’s standards. Critical interdependent infrastructure such as transportation, communication, security, and public health are marvels of human innovation and an important aspect of civilization's evolution. Recent world events such as climate change have underlined the necessity to develop strategic plans to enhance the resilience of infrastructure. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the flooding potential of critical transportation infrastructure that will influence traffic flow and impact the economy. The technical workflow is based on observations, predictions, experiments, testing, and analysis to derive a resilience score …

Assessing The Impact Of Health Benefits And Carbon Footprint In Student Parking Decisions At A University Campus, Emiliano Ruiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the student parking location problem, traditionally, the parking permit cost, the last-mile travel time, and the ease of finding an available parking stall are the only decision criteria driving permit purchases. However, a studentâ??s choice of parking location has associated walking health benefits and sustainability impacts. These impacts are related to the walking distance from the parked vehicle to the final destination on campus, in addition to the location effect on the carbon footprint of a vehicle-trip taken to campus. As such, this Thesis examined a multi-criteria decision approach to a university studentâ??s choice of parking location. This approach …

Digital Twin Technology Applications For Transportation Infrastructure - A Survey-Based Study, Hector Cruz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the past couple of decades, various industries have taken advantage of emerging advanced technologies, such as digital twin (DT), to find more effective solutions in their respective areas. In the transportation infrastructure sector, the concept and implementation of DT technologies are slowly gaining traction but lagging behind other major industries. To better understand the limitations, opportunities and challenges for the adoption of DT in this sector, a survey questionnaire was distributed to collect information from industry professionals involved in transportation infrastructure projects. The purpose of this study is to understand how DT technology is being perceived by the industry. …

New Generation Of Performance-Engineered Asphalt Mixtures Based On Balanced Mix Design Concept, Victor Manuel Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Asphalt mixtures must ideally exhibit long-lasting durability and stability to perform wellin the field. However, improving the stability and durability of asphalt mixtures has become a major concern. Given that available design approaches rely mainly on stringent volumetric criteria for asphalt mixtures, design approaches and specifications that incorporate performance tests are needed to follow a performance-engineered mix design (PEMD) process, especially with the introduction of the balanced mix design (BMD) concept

This Dissertation study presents a comprehensive investigation of a feasible designapproach that can be implemented to develop PEMD specifications and produce BMD mixtures. An experimental evaluation of different mix …

Implementation Of Hma Design Tool To Develop Balanced Mix Design Based On Gradation Parameters, Prathmesh Deepak Jichkar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

With the rapid paradigm shift of pavement design methodology from an empirical-based approach toward a more mechanistic-based approach, the existing mix design processes also need a radical shift from the conventional volumetric-based methods to performance-based methods. The use of a volumetric-based design methodology has become more challenging due to the increasing use of recycled materials, modified binders, warm mix asphalt additives, compaction aids, and rejuvenators. A shift toward the more fundamentally sound â??balanced mix designâ?? (BMD) concept is envisaged to produce asphalt concrete mixtures with acceptable performance in terms of durability and stability. Aggregate gradation plays a crucial role in …

Investigating Approaches For Balancing Durability And Stability Of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures, Denis Iran Vieira Souza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Improving the durability and long-term performance of the asphalt concrete (AC) has become a major concern, especially with the increase in the use of recycled materials, warm mix asphalt additives and modified binders. To balance the mechanical properties durability and stability of AC mixtures, mix design approaches that incorporate performance tests are needed. This Thesis presents an experimental evaluation of different mix design approaches to balance the mechanical properties of AC mixtures. The current volumetric-based design method was enhanced with performance-based analysis that specifies parameters from the overlay tester, Hamburg wheel tracking device and indirect tension tests. Four typical Superpave …

Assessing Delamination Of Concrete Bridge Decks With Aging In Arid Regions Using Nondestructive Testing Methods, Melissa Escalante

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Bridge decks usually experience deterioration at a more rapid pace than other infrastructure components due to the heavy traffic loads and environmental conditions that the deck sustains. Delamination within concrete bridge decks accelerates due to water and deicing salts penetrating the concrete; resulting in the corrosion of reinforcing steel. The corrosion of rebar may result in a fracture parallel to the surface of the concrete structure at the top of the reinforcement layer. The delamination is then subjected to expansion over a large span; risking the overall stability of the structural element. Health monitoring of concrete bridge decks is therefore …

Analysis And Modeling Of Lane Changing Behavior, Matthew Mark Vechione

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Lane changing is one of the most basic activities when driving on freeways or arterials. A lane changing maneuver may be classified, depending on the driver's motivation, as mandatory or discretionary. A mandatory lane change occurs when a driver is trying to move his/her vehicle from its existing lane to the target lane in anticipation of the next turn or to avoid a lane closure downstream. On the contrary, a discretionary lane change occurs when a driver desires a faster speed or wants a greater following distance (i.e., at the driver's own discretion). Researchers have always assumed that drivers have …

Access Points And Weave Lengths For Automated Truck Lanes At Two Closely Spaced Interchanges, Ximena Jauregui

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The increase of traffic on major U.S. roadways has motivated the implementation of new technologies and better management of the transportation infrastructure, including managed lanes on freeways. Dedicated truck lanes, a type of managed lane, are increasingly attracting attention since truck freight is continuously increasing and trucks have greater impact on traffic flow relatively to cars. Truck-only managed lanes allow trucks to travel at their own speeds in an exclusive lane with no passenger vehicles on the way; likewise, vehicles on the main lanes of the freeway will have fewer trucks to travel with.

As truck-only managed lanes are being …

Damage Quantification Of Energy Developing Areas Of South Texas Using The Axle Load Spectra, Carlos Licon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Advances in technology, particularly in crude oil extraction, natural gas production, wind energy farms, and other pertinent industries have contributed to exponential growth in energy development activities. In Texas, this energy boomed created large volumes of Over-Size/Over-Weight (OS/OW) truck traffic operations that adversely affected the service life of the transportation infrastructure in the network. This study focused on characterizing the traffic operations in overweight corridors and energy sector zones of South Texas in order to properly quantify the damage induced by overweight vehicles on the pavement structures. To achieve this, the Axle Load Spectra (ALS) database was developed through deployment …

Geospatial Relationship Of Intelligent Compaction Measurement Values With In-Situ Testing For Quality Assessment Of Geomaterials, Luis Alberto Lemus

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The implementation of Intelligent Compaction (IC) in the construction of transportation infrastructure as a tool for quality control of compacted geomaterials has attracted the attention of a number of highway agencies. Compaction quality has been conventionally assessed using density, and to a less extent, modulus-based spot measurements at selected locations along the roadway section. While spot measurements do not provide a thorough rendition of the level of compaction of the roadway, IC technology is effective in meeting full coverage requirements. IC roller measurements are accelerometer-based measurements recording machine-ground interaction assumed to be indicative of the stiffness of the compacted geomaterial. …

Practical Models For Interpreting Traffic Speed Deflectometer Data, Setare Ghahri Saremi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

For more than 30 years, FWDs have been the most viable device for structural pavement evaluation. During the last decade, several moving deflectometers have been introduced, among those, traffic speed deflectometer has been proven as the most utilized device. Since TSD can measure the deflection parameters of pavement at traffic speeds up to 50-60 mph (80-95 kph), it overcomes FWD shortcomings. However, the analysis of the data collected with TSD is in its infancy.

Since TSD measures the vertical component of pavement velocity (a.k.a. deflection velocity), relationships to convert deflection velocities to deflections for further analyses are needed. Computer software …

Comparisons Of Accessibility To Public Transit Stations By Ridesourcing And Its Competitors, David Hoblí­K

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Thesis assesses the role of ridesourcing as a mode of first and last mile transport. Review of ridesourcing and taxi business models has been provided as well as a comparative review of laws and regulations regarding ridesourcing and taxi. A potential accessibility gravity based model and logit mode choice model have been applied to compare ridesourcing with other possible modes for first and last mile transport that serve a transit station in Prague, Czech Republic and a transit station in El Paso, Texas. Based on the results, recommendations for ridesourcing companies and local authorities and transportation systems managers are …

Assessment Of Climate Change Impact On Hydraulic Design Procedures Of Bridges, Anjuman Ara Akhter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The significant change in climate is evident from the records of increased temperature, changed precipitation pattern, increased frequency of extreme weather events like storms, floods, and so forth. Like other infrastructure highway infrastructures also suffer the consequences of these climate change. Since the hydraulic design of these infrastructures is performed using historical climate data, the designs may not be able to provide services because designs are not considering climate change influence especially in terms of precipitation intensity. This study aims at identifying the most accurate source of climate database that predicts future climate change with less uncertainty and links them …

Utilization Of Digital Image Correlation Technique In Asphalt Testing, Alejandra Escajeda

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Over 90% of the roads in the United States are paved with hot mix asphalt (HMA). These asphalt pavements include many mix types, such as permeable friction course (PFC), stone mastic asphalt (SMA) and conventional dense graded mixes. The performance of the HMA is an important factor in pavement design programs used by many departments of transportation. The type of HMA selected not only influences the performance of the pavement structure, but also the pavement's life cycle cost. The performance life of an HMA mix is to be studied further with experimental data in order to contribute and expand on …

Assessing Corrosivity Of Galvanized Soil Reinforcements From Electrochemical Tests, Diana Alejandra Cabrera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The accurate estimation of the service lives of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls requires a proper evaluation of the corrosion potential through electrochemical test methods. Robust field tests are required to assess the corrosivity of galvanized metal used in MSE walls. To simulate an environment similar to an MSE wall, cylindrical soil specimens about 12 in. (300 mm) in diameter and 10 in. (250 mm) in height were constructed. For every specimen, two instruments were used. The first instrument measured the polarization resistance corrosion tests carried out on galvanized strips and meshes, as well as epoxy-coated rebars. The second instrument …

Optimization For The Allocation Of Funds For Pavement Maintenance In Pavement Management Systems, Armando Ramirez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Pavement maintenance and rehabilitation are critical and costly elements for highway agencies. A challenge for transportation agencies is to preserve roadways in an appropriate condition and extend the pavement service life while maintaining the safety and satisfaction of its users, and maximize the benefits obtained by the repair investments. Pavement maintenance programming is increasing in complexity due to limited resources and increments in traffic and population. Management decisions are usually based on personal judgment by pavement managers and sometimes those decisions are not even supported by previous experience. Research shows that optimization methods can produce significant benefits when transportation agencies …

A Sustainable Performance-Based Methodology To Address The Impact Of Climate Changes On The, Oscar Ortega

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research focuses to address the effects of climate change on the transportation asset management. Climate change has resulted in increased storms, droughts, flooding, temperatures, and other climate to become more significantly frequent and powerful. As a result, climate change is now affecting the transportation assets around the world. This Thesis is divided into six components: the literature review, development of the framework, development of the methodology, case study, discussion, and conclusions. The literature review will show threats, risks, and performance measures to monitor the climate change impact on transportation infrastructure. The literature review includes transportation asset like bridges, roads, …

A Quality Control Performance-Based Methodology For Pavement Management Systems, Edgar Daniel Rodriguez Velasquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Transportation Asset Management is a decision-making process, which allocates available resources for operating, maintaining, enhancing, and expanding transportation infrastructure while considering its entire life cycle. Transportation infrastructure includes different types of assets and pavements are one of the main assets due to its social, economic, and environmental impacts to society. Transportation agencies implement Pavement Management Systems to support the pavement management process. While implementing and operating a Pavement Management System, one of the costliest procedures is collecting pavement condition data from the field. Good quality for pavement condition data is required to select the right preservation treatments, estimate the associated …

Impact Of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement And Recycled Asphalt Shingles On Laboratory And Field Performance Of Texas Asphalt Concrete Pavements, Berenice Salaices Gomez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The use of recycled materials in Asphalt Concrete (AC) mixes is highly promoted in the transportation industry. Recycled materials minimize the use of virgin materials, reduce the consumption of resources, and cut costs for new construction or rehabilitation projects. The incorporation of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) in the AC mixture is promoted as long as equal or improved performance is achieved. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently placing asphaltic concrete (AC) mixes that are lasting less than their expected performance life when recycled materials are used.

The objective of this Thesis is to …

Crash Rate As A Function Of Access Point Density And Traffic Flow, George Pinal

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

High crash rates on U.S. highways results in a considerable loss of human and economic resources. It is estimated that the U.S. loses about $10 billion every year in motor vehicle crashes in terms of fatalities, injuries, and property damage. Demand for access points from highways to properties has steadily increased due to rapid growth in local economies creating thereby compromises between accessibility and mobility or capacity and safety. On the other hand, the availability of access is essential to residential and commercial developments and often occurs at the cost of safety and traffic operations. This often directs the need …

Evaluation Of Mechanical Parameters Of Contaminated Road Base And Railway Ballast, Prajwol Tamrakar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Dissertation comprises two topics in the area of transportation geotechnics that focus on the evaluation of stiffness parameters of contaminated road base and railway ballast. The abstracts of these two studies are provided in the following two paragraphs.

The performance of a flexible pavement depends on the mechanical characteristics of its unbound granular base layer. The mechanical characteristics such as stiffness and deformation resistance depend on many factors such as the material gradation, fines content, moisture content, physical properties of coarse aggregate and more. The base materials are often contaminated by the excessive fines that is caused by improper …

Development Of An Alternative Laboratory Testing Procedure For Tensile Characterization Of Cement Stabilized Base Layers, Jose Antonio Tarin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Proper characterization of the fatigue performance of stabilized materials in the laboratory is an integral component of the structural design of stabilized layers in multi-layer pavements. The new mechanistic pavement design protocols require modulus of rupture of the stabilized base layers as an input to the fatigue performance models. This study discusses the practical and theoretical discrepancies associated with the traditional tensile strength tests, and provides an alternative testing procedure for the determination of the tensile strength of the stabilized materials in the laboratory. To achieve this objective, a full factorial laboratory experiment design consisted of four aggregate sources with …

Trade Cluster Impacts On Southern Border Transportation Costs, Ernesto Duarte Ronquillo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Thesis develops a fixed effect model to analyze the impact of trade clusters on transportation costs. CIF/FOB ratios are utilized as the measures for transportation costs. Grubel-Lloyd and Herfindahl-Hirschman indexes are utilized as variables that identify trade clusters. The focus of this study encompasses four custom districts (El Paso, Laredo, Nogales, and San Diego) located on the southern border of the United-States over the period of 1995-2015. Driscoll-Kraay robust standard errors are calculated for each estimated model. The 9/11 terrorist attack effects are taken into account in the fixed effect model. Empirical results suggest that trade clusters have a …

Analysis Of Infectious Diseases Screening Systems For Transatlantic Air Passengers, Lukas Gold

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Since transportation systems, especially air transportation, have the potential to spread infectious diseases (e.g. Ebola, SARS) quickly across large geographical area through its users, passenger health screening systems installed at the airports can help to slow down the international spread.

This Thesis identifies and tests health screening system designs using discrete event simulation. The three objectives are: (1) to provide the necessary background regarding the diseases and screening technologies, (2) to create models of an air transportation network in a simulation software, and (3) to conduct simulation experiments, analyze and interpret the results including the formulation of recommendations for decision …