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Full-Text Articles in Civil Engineering

Comprehensive Analytical Investigation Of The Safety Of Unsignalized Intersections, Kirolos Haleem Jan 2009

Comprehensive Analytical Investigation Of The Safety Of Unsignalized Intersections, Kirolos Haleem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to documented statistics, intersections are among the most hazardous locations on roadway systems. Many studies have extensively analyzed safety of signalized intersections, but did not put their major focus on the most frequent type of intersections, unsignalized intersections. Unsignalized intersections are those intersections with stop control, yield control and no traffic control. Unsignalized intersections can be differentiated from their signalized counterparts in that their operational functions take place without the presence of a traffic signal. In this dissertation, multiple approaches of analyzing safety at unsignalized intersections were conducted. This was investigated in this study by analyzing total crashes, the …


Macroscopic Traffic Safety Analysis Based On Trip Generation Characteristics, Chowdhury Siddiqui Jan 2009

Macroscopic Traffic Safety Analysis Based On Trip Generation Characteristics, Chowdhury Siddiqui

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent research has shown that incorporating roadway safety in transportation planning has been considered one of the active approaches to improve safety. Aggregate level analysis for predicting crash frequencies had been contemplated to be an important step in this process. As seen from the previous studies various categories of predictors at macro level (census blocks, traffic analysis zones, census tracts, wards, counties and states) have been exhausted to find appropriate correlation with crashes. This study contributes to this ongoing macro level road safety research by investigating various trip productions and attractions along with roadway characteristics within traffic analysis zones (TAZs) …


A Gasoline Demand Model For The United States Light Vehicle Fleet, Diana Rey Jan 2009

A Gasoline Demand Model For The United States Light Vehicle Fleet, Diana Rey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States is the world's largest oil consumer demanding about twenty five percent of the total world oil production. Whenever there are difficulties to supply the increasing quantities of oil demanded by the market, the price of oil escalates leading to what is known as oil price spikes or oil price shocks. The last oil price shock which was the longest sustained oil price run up in history, began its course in year 2004, and ended in 2008. This last oil price shock initiated recognizable changes in transportation dynamics: transit operators realized that commuters switched to transit as a …


A Comparison Of Load Test Data And Predicted Behavior Of Augercast Piles In Layered Soils, John Hudson Jan 2008

A Comparison Of Load Test Data And Predicted Behavior Of Augercast Piles In Layered Soils, John Hudson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of auger cast-in-place (ACIP) pilings is very common in Florida; however, there is a significant degree of uncertainty in determining the actual capacity of the pilings, especially when the pilings are installed through layers of cohesive soils. Therefore, there is a need to improve upon the existing methods of predicting the behavior of ACIP piles in layered soils. As a result, the primary objective of this study is to determine if a significant difference exists between the accepted methods of pile load test analysis. Provided a significant difference is noted, the secondary objective would be to determine if …


Empirical Relationships Betweenload Test Data And Predicted Compression Capacity Of Augered Cast-In-Place Piles In Predominantly, Donald Mccarthy Jan 2008

Empirical Relationships Betweenload Test Data And Predicted Compression Capacity Of Augered Cast-In-Place Piles In Predominantly, Donald Mccarthy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Augered Cast-In-Place (ACIP) Piles are used in areas were the loading from a superstructure exceeds the soil bearing capacity for usage of a shallow foundation. In Northwest Florida and along the Gulf Coast, ACIP piles are often utilized as foundation alternatives for multi-story condominium projects. Data from 25 compression load tests at 13 different project sites in Florida and Alabama were analyzed to determine their individual relationships between anticipated and determined compression load capacity. The anticipated capacity of the ACIP pile is routinely overestimated due to uncertainties involved with the process of estimating the compressive capacity and procedures of placing …


Evaluating The Impact Of Oocea's Dynamic Message Signs (Dms) On Travelers' Experience Using A Pre And Post-Deployment Survey, Jason Flick Jan 2008

Evaluating The Impact Of Oocea's Dynamic Message Signs (Dms) On Travelers' Experience Using A Pre And Post-Deployment Survey, Jason Flick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of dynamic message signs (DMS) on the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) toll road network using a Pre and Post-Deployment DMS Survey (henceforth referred to as "pre and post-deployment survey") analysis. DMS are electronic traffic signs used on roadways to give travelers information about travel times, traffic congestion, accidents, disabled vehicles, AMBER alerts, and special events. The particular DMS referred to in this study are large rectangular signs installed over the travel lanes and these are not the portable trailer mount signs. The OOCEA have been working over the past …


Lidar In Coastal Storm Surge Modeling: Modeling Linear Raised Features, David Coggin Jan 2008

Lidar In Coastal Storm Surge Modeling: Modeling Linear Raised Features, David Coggin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A method for extracting linear raised features from laser scanned altimetry (LiDAR) datasets is presented. The objective is to automate the method so that elements in a coastal storm surge simulation finite element mesh might have their edges aligned along vertical terrain features. Terrain features of interest are those that are high and long enough to form a hydrodynamic impediment while being narrow enough that the features might be straddled and not modeled if element edges are not purposely aligned. These features are commonly raised roadbeds but may occur due to other manmade alterations to the terrain or natural terrain. …


Hurricane Evacuation: Origin, Route And Destination, Vinayak Dixit Jan 2008

Hurricane Evacuation: Origin, Route And Destination, Vinayak Dixit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent natural disasters have highlighted the need to evacuate people as quickly as possible. During hurricane Rita in 2005, people were stuck in queue buildups and large scale congestions, due to improper use of capacity, planning and inadequate response to vehicle breakdown, flooding and accidents. Every minute is precious in situation of such disaster scenarios. Understanding evacuation demand loading is an essential part of any evacuation planning. One of the factors often understood to effect evacuation, but not modeled has been the effect of a previous hurricane. This has also been termed as the 'Katrina Effect', where, due to the …


Characteristics Of Red Light Running Crashesin Florida, Dina Elnashar Jan 2008

Characteristics Of Red Light Running Crashesin Florida, Dina Elnashar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Red light running is one of the main contributing factors of crashes in urban areas in Florida and the United States. Nationwide, according to preliminary estimates by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 2001, there were nearly 218,000 red-light running crashes at intersections. These crashes resulted in as many as 181,000 injuries and 880 fatalities, and an economic loss estimated at $14 billion per year nationwide, According to the Community Traffic Safety Team Florida Coalition (A statewide traffic safety group) there were 9,348 crashes involving red-light running in Florida and 127 fatalities in 1999. This research study focused on studying the …


The Calibration And Verification Of Simulation Models For Toll Plazas, Christopher Russo Jan 2008

The Calibration And Verification Of Simulation Models For Toll Plazas, Christopher Russo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A great deal of research has been conducted on Central Florida toll roads to better understand the characteristics of the tolling operation. In this thesis, the development and calibration of a toll plaza simulation models will be analyzed using two simulation programs varying mostly in their modeling theory. The two models utilized are, SHAKER, a deterministic queuing model for vehicles utilizing toll collection facilities, and VISSIM, a globally popular stochastic simulation software. The benefits of simulation models leads to the purpose of this thesis, which is to examine the effectiveness of two toll modeling programs that are similar in purpose …


Evaluation Of Climatic And Ecohydrological Effects On Longwave Radiation And Evapotranspiration, Maria Rizou Jan 2008

Evaluation Of Climatic And Ecohydrological Effects On Longwave Radiation And Evapotranspiration, Maria Rizou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Modern tools, nontraditional datasets and a better understanding of the interaction between climate and ecohydrology are continuously being developed as today's society is in critical need for improving water management, predicting hydrometeorological hazards and forecasting future climate. In particular, the study of the intra- and inter-annual variations in grass productivity and evapotranspiration caused by variations in precipitation/soil moisture and other biophysical factors is of great significance due to their relation to future climatic changes. The research presented here falls in three parts. In the first part of the dissertation, a land use adaptable model, based on the superposition of the …


Impact Of Construction On Freeway Traffic Operations, Seema Jagtap Jan 2008

Impact Of Construction On Freeway Traffic Operations, Seema Jagtap

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study provides an insight into the impact of construction activities on traffic operations. Specifically, the topic of interest for this thesis is to study the impact of construction on traffic operations for construction projects on Interstate 4 from SR 434 to John Young Parkway, from SR 528 to SR 535, and from SR 482 to SR 528. These three projects were chosen because they were the only projects on Interstate 4 where both construction data and loop detector data were available for analysis. The data was collected by examining the Florida Department of Transportation daily inspection reports which had …


Development Of Hydraulic And Soil Properties For Soil Amendments And Native Soils For Retention Ponds In Marion County, Florida, Lisa Naujock Jan 2008

Development Of Hydraulic And Soil Properties For Soil Amendments And Native Soils For Retention Ponds In Marion County, Florida, Lisa Naujock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vadose zone plays an important role in managing stormwater. Predicting the water balance and water movement is crucial in ground water remediation to keep water suitable for use. To aid in understanding soils ability to transmit and store water, soil and hydraulic properties were analyzed for soils in Marion County, Florida, and potential soil amendments. Soil and hydraulic properties were examined for two soil amendments and for the soils in Marion County, Florida, at the South Oak and the Hunter's Trace locations. The hydraulic properties measured were the soil moisture retention curve (SMRC) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). The …


Severity Analysis Of Driver Crash Involvements On Multilane High Speed Arterial Corridors, Alexis Nevarez-Pagan Jan 2008

Severity Analysis Of Driver Crash Involvements On Multilane High Speed Arterial Corridors, Alexis Nevarez-Pagan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arterial roads constitute the majority of the centerline miles of the Florida State Highway System. Severe injury involvements on these roads account for a quarter of the total severe injuries reported statewide. This research focuses on driver injury severity analysis of statewide multilane high speed arterials using crash data for the years 2002 to 2004. The first goal is to test different ways of analyzing crash data (by road entity and crash types) and find the best method of driver injury severity analysis. A second goal is to find driver, vehicle, road and environment related factors that contribute to severe …


Finite Element Modeling Of Tides And Currents Of The Pascagoula River, Qing Wang Jan 2008

Finite Element Modeling Of Tides And Currents Of The Pascagoula River, Qing Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the simulation of astronomic tides of the Pascagoula River. The work is comprised of five steps: 1) Production of a digital elevation model describing the entire Pascagoula River system; 2) Development of an inlet-based, unstructured mesh for inbank flow to better understand the basis of the hydrodynamics within the Pascagoula riverine system. In order to assist in the mesh development, a toolbox was constructed to implement one-dimensional river cross sections into the two-dimensional model; 3) Implementation of a sensitivity analysis of the Pascagoula River two inlet system to examine the inlet effects on tidal propagation; 4) …


A High-Resolution Storm Surge Model For The Pascagoula Region, Mississippi, Naeko Takahashi Jan 2008

A High-Resolution Storm Surge Model For The Pascagoula Region, Mississippi, Naeko Takahashi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The city of Pascagoula and its coastal areas along the United States Gulf Coast have experienced many catastrophic hurricanes and were devastated by high storm surges caused by Hurricane Katrina (August 23 to 30, 2005). The National Hurricane Center reported high water marks exceeding 6 meters near the port of Pascagoula with a near 10-meter high water mark recorded near the Hurricane Katrina landfall location in Waveland, MS. Although the Pascagoula River is located 105 km east of the landfall location of Hurricane Katrina, the area was devastated by storm surge-induced inundation because of its low elevation. Building on a …


Assessment Of The Safety Benefits Of Vms And Vsl Using The Ucf Driving Simulator, Cristina Dos Santos Jan 2007

Assessment Of The Safety Benefits Of Vms And Vsl Using The Ucf Driving Simulator, Cristina Dos Santos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have been working during the past few years on different strategies to improve freeway safety in real-time. An ongoing research at UCF has investigated crash patterns that occurred on a stretch of Interstate-4 located in Orlando, FL and created statistical models to predict in real-time the likelihood of a crash in terms of time and space. The models were then tested using PARAMICS micro-simulation and different strategies that would reduce the risk of crashes were suggested. One of the main recommended strategies was the use of Variable Speed Limits (VSL) which intervenes …


Spacecraft Loads Predictionvia Sensitivity Analysis And Optimization, Tom Braswell Jan 2007

Spacecraft Loads Predictionvia Sensitivity Analysis And Optimization, Tom Braswell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discrepancies between the predicted responses of a finite element analysis (FEA) and reference data from test results arise for many reasons. Some are due to measurement errors, such as inaccurate sensors, noise in the acquisition system or environmental effects. Some are due to analyst errors precipitated by a lack of familiarity with the modeling or solver software. Still others are introduced by uncertainty in the governing physical relations (linear versus non-linear behavior), boundary conditions or the element material/geometrical properties. It is the uncertainty effects introduced by this last group that this study seeks to redress. The objective is the obtainment …


Exploring The Potential Of Combining Ramp Metering And Variable Speed Limit Strategies For Alleviating Real-Time Crash Risk On Urban Freeways, Kirolos Maged Haleem Jan 2007

Exploring The Potential Of Combining Ramp Metering And Variable Speed Limit Strategies For Alleviating Real-Time Crash Risk On Urban Freeways, Kirolos Maged Haleem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research recently conducted at the University of Central Florida involving crashes on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida has led to the creation of new statistical and neural networks models that are capable of determining the crash risk on the freeway (Abdel-Aty et al., 2004; 2005, Pande and Abdel-Aty, 2006). These models are able to calculate rear-end and lane-change crash risks along the freeway in real-time through the use of static information at various locations along the freeway as well as real-time traffic data obtained by loop detectors. Since these models use real-time traffic data, they are capable of calculating rear-end and …


Evaluating The Impact Of Oocea S Dynamic Message Signs (Dms) On Travelers Experience Using The Pre-Deployment Survey, John Hill Rogers Jan 2007

Evaluating The Impact Of Oocea S Dynamic Message Signs (Dms) On Travelers Experience Using The Pre-Deployment Survey, John Hill Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of dynamic message signs (DMS) on the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) toll road network using the Pre-Deployment DMS Survey (henceforth referred to as "pre-deployment survey"). DMS are electronic traffic signs used on roadways to give travelers information about travel times, traffic congestion, accidents, disabled vehicles, AMBER alerts, and special events. The particular DMS referred to in this study are large rectangular signs installed over the travel lanes and these are not the portable trailer mount signs. The OOCEA is currently in the process of adding several fixed DMS on …


Target Element Sizes For Finite Element Tidal Models From A Domain-Wide, Localized Truncation Error Analysis Incorporating Botto, Denwood Parrish Jan 2007

Target Element Sizes For Finite Element Tidal Models From A Domain-Wide, Localized Truncation Error Analysis Incorporating Botto, Denwood Parrish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A new methodology for the determination of target element sizes for the construction of finite element meshes applicable to the simulation of tidal flow in coastal and oceanic domains is developed and tested. The methodology is consistent with the discrete physics of tidal flow, and includes the effects of bottom stress. The method enables the estimation of the localized truncation error of the nonconservative momentum equations throughout a triangulated data set of water surface elevation and flow velocity. The method's domain-wide applicability is due in part to the formulation of a new localized truncation error estimator in terms of complex …


Parameter Estimation Using Sensor Fusion And Model Updating, Kevin Francoforte Jan 2007

Parameter Estimation Using Sensor Fusion And Model Updating, Kevin Francoforte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Engineers and infrastructure owners have to manage an aging civil infrastructure in the US. Engineers have the opportunity to analyze structures using finite element models (FEM), and often base their engineering decisions on the outcome of the results. Ultimately, the success of these decisions is directly related to the accuracy of the finite element model in representing the real-life structure. Improper assumptions in the model such as member properties or connections, can lead to inaccurate results. A major source of modeling error in many finite element models of existing structures is due to improper representation of the boundary conditions. In …


Pilot Study Of Nutrient Loading In A Wet Detention Lake, Eric C. Gurr Jan 2007

Pilot Study Of Nutrient Loading In A Wet Detention Lake, Eric C. Gurr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Florida is surrounded by water, and its many internal lakes and rivers have long been recognized for their excellent fishing and boating. This notoriety draws land developers to the lake shores to establish residential and commercial infrastructure. This land development brings with it flood plain alteration, water level stabilization, and increased nutrients which cause adverse impacts to our lakes. In response, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972 which set the framework for the water quality standards for the entire United States. As a result of the CWA many point sources …


Construction Specifications And Analysis Of Rehabilitation Techniques Of Pervious Concrete Pavement, Craig Ballock Jan 2007

Construction Specifications And Analysis Of Rehabilitation Techniques Of Pervious Concrete Pavement, Craig Ballock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the clogging potential of installed pervious concrete systems, to analyze rehabilitation techniques and develop construction specifications for the construction of portland cement pervious concrete specific to the state of Florida. Currently, a consistent statewide policy has not been established in reference to credit for storage volume within the voids in pervious concrete and the coarse aggregate base. For this reason a current and updated assessment of pervious pavement is needed to benefit from the advantages of pervious pavement use in low traffic volume areas. Initially by modeling a pervious concrete system …


Examining Dynamic Variable Speed Limit Strategies For The Reduction Of Real-Time Crash Risk On Freeways, Ryan Cunningham Jan 2007

Examining Dynamic Variable Speed Limit Strategies For The Reduction Of Real-Time Crash Risk On Freeways, Ryan Cunningham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent research at the University of Central Florida involving crashes on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida has led to the creation of new statistical models capable of determining the crash risk on the freeway (Abdel-Aty et al., 2004; 2005, Pande and Abdel-Aty, 2006). These models are able to calculate the rear-end and lane-change crash risks along the freeway in real-time through the use of static information at various locations along the freeway as well as the real-time traffic data obtained by loop detectors. Since these models use real-time traffic data, they are capable of calculating rear-end and lane-change crash risk values …


Dynamic Speed Monitoring System Effectiveness On Sharp Curves, Vasu Tavasna Persaud Jan 2007

Dynamic Speed Monitoring System Effectiveness On Sharp Curves, Vasu Tavasna Persaud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design of rural interchanges is of critical concern due to the need for the safe transition of vehicles from one high speed roadways to another and vice versa. This transition is accomplished by entry and exit ramps of various forms. The southbound entry loop ramp at the US 27/ US 192 trumpet interchange in Polk County, Florida does not provide such safe transition since historically there has been a high incidence of vehicular off-tracking. The geometry of the southbound entry ramp coupled with high approach speeds are two of the contributing factors. Due to the high cost of interchange …


Effect Of Horizontal Piles On The Soil Bearing Capacity For Circular Footing Above Cavity, Rafael L. Arosemena Jan 2007

Effect Of Horizontal Piles On The Soil Bearing Capacity For Circular Footing Above Cavity, Rafael L. Arosemena

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design of foundation in normal soil conditions is governed by bearing capacity, minimum depth of foundation and settlement. However, foundation design in karst regions needs to consider an additional criterion associated to the possibility of subsurface subsidence and ravelling sinkholes. Under this environment, alternative techniques are needed to improve the subsurface soil. In this study general background information is given to understand the geological characteristics of Central Florida and why this area is considered to be a karst region and susceptible to sinkholes formation. Traditional foundation design techniques on karst regions are addressed in this paper. Finally, the use …


Evaluation Of Alternative Water Resources For Cape Coast And Its Environs In Ghana, Alex Kumah Jan 2006

Evaluation Of Alternative Water Resources For Cape Coast And Its Environs In Ghana, Alex Kumah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cape Coast once a national capital of Ghana and its environs in recent years have constantly suffered perennial acute water shortage. The Brimsu dam which takes its supplies from the Kakum River with current production capacity of 1.4 × 104 m3/day cannot meet the water needs of the study area. The operating levels of the dam during crisis have reduced from 7.3 meters to 4.7 meters over the years with subsequent reduction in water production by 35%. Recently, the operating level has reduced further to about 3.5 meters with 60% reduction in water supply. This study evaluated alternative water resources …


A New Approach To Identify The Expected Crash Patterns Based On Signalized Intersection Size And Analysis Of Vehicle Movements, Hari Salkapuram Jan 2006

A New Approach To Identify The Expected Crash Patterns Based On Signalized Intersection Size And Analysis Of Vehicle Movements, Hari Salkapuram

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of intersection crashes is a significant area in traffic safety research. This study contributes to the area by identifying traffic-geometric characteristics and driver demographics that affect different types of crashes at signalized intersections. A simple methodology to estimate crash frequency at intersections based on the size of the intersection is also developed herein. First phase of this thesis used the crash frequency data from 1,335 signalized intersections obtained from six jurisdictions in Florida, namely, Brevard, Seminole, Dade, Orange, and Hillsborough Counties and the City of Orlando. Using these data a simple methodology has been developed to identify the expected …


Analysis Of Various Car-Truck Crash Types Based On Ges And Fars Crash Databases Using Mutlinomial And Binary Logit Model, Kranthi Kiran Mannila Jan 2006

Analysis Of Various Car-Truck Crash Types Based On Ges And Fars Crash Databases Using Mutlinomial And Binary Logit Model, Kranthi Kiran Mannila

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Each year about 400,000 trucks are involved in motor vehicle crashes. Crashes involving a car and truck have always been a major concern due to the heavy fatality rates. These types of crashes result in about 60 percent of all fatal truck crashes and two-thirds of all police-reportable truck crashes. Car-truck crashes need to be analyzed further to study the trends for a car-truck crash and develop some countermeasures to lower these crashes. Various types of car-truck crashes are analyzed in this study and the effects of various roadway/environment factors and variables related to driver characteristics in these car-truck crashes …