Transportation Engineering Commons^™

A 3-Step, Open-Data, Ride-Hailing Ridership Model With Pricing Applications, Richard A. Mucci

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Researchers and practitioners studied the effects ride-hailing had in cities before the covid-19 pandemic. Previous research found ride-hailing to produce negative externalities, such as reducing transit ridership and increasing congestion in various cities. Since the pandemic, ride-hailing ridership has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels in Chicago. Ride-hailing ridership has grown steadily since the pandemic while a rider’s willingness to share their trip stagnated. Ride-hailing ridership nearly recovering to pre-covid levels in Chicago suggests that transportation planners, and policy makers, will need to continue assessing the impacts ride-hailing trips have in their cities.

Pickup and drop off locations in the Chicago …

Development Of A Real-Time Warning System For Bridge Icing Using Time Domain Reflectometry, Taryn Dilorenzo

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Treacherous driving conditions are a safety concern during the winter season where icing on roadways and bridges is of particular concern. The use of sensors to detect the presence or potential of surface ice formation is essential for efficient and effective winter road maintenance. However, there is a lack of ice detection systems that combine robust sensors, active warning signs and an ice detection algorithm that is reliable and economical. This study presents an innovative sensor that uses dielectric sensing to detect the onset of ice formation on a bridge deck. The sensor combines an automatic algorithm for ice detection …

Streamlining Public Engagement In Transportation Projects Using Text Analytics, Alireza Shamshiri

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Infrastructure projects impact a broad range of stakeholders, particularly local communities, whose engagement is critical for successful outcomes. Despite the importance of public engagement in these projects, traditional methods of capturing and analyzing public opinion often fail to fully represent the diverse, genuine perspectives involved. This has led to conflicts between community members and project sponsors. On the other hand, despite advancements in text analytics, including natural language processing (NLP) and its subfields such as topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and neural networks, their functionalities and effectiveness in analyzing public opinion in the domain of infrastructure projects have not been fully …

Development And Application Of Teems (Telecommuting Expectation Models): Predicting Post-Pandemic Telecommuting Choice And Frequency Using Machine Learning Models, Aiswarya Acharath Mohanakrishnan

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Telecommuting, increasingly prevalent in today's workforce, has gained significant momentum amid the pandemic-induced shift towards remote work. It altered the travel behavior of workers and their travel patterns. This evolution prompts a reevaluation of worker travel behavior, necessitating adjustments in travel demand modeling to optimize transportation planning and service provision. Using the commuter’s data from a typical pre-pandemic workday to model the travel demand of weeks or years in the future is outdated. In designing transportation systems for the future, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) will thus need to account for change in work trips due to telecommuting, and how this …

Advanced Network And Graph Theoretical Approaches To Urban Traffic Control And Optimization, Peirong Wang

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This article-based dissertation consists of four complete manuscripts related to using proposed advanced network and graph theoretical approaches to optimize traffic control. Manuscript One addresses the integration of Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and human-driven vehicles in heterogeneous traffic networks. Traditional models assume uniform driving behaviors, which are now inadequate. To address this, an integer programming formulation for a vehicle-oriented traffic dynamics model in space-time networks is introduced. This model distinguishes between individual vehicles and their unique driving behaviors, capturing diverse attributes of heterogeneous traffic flow. The manuscript demonstrates how the model can estimate the propagation of backward shockwaves for scheduled …

Estimation Of Origin-Destination Matrix Using Open-Source Applications Based On Traffic Counts For Mansoura City In Egypt, Ahmed N. Awaad, Sherif M. El-Badawy, Elsayed Abd-Elazem Shwaly, Usama Elrawy Shahdah

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Origin-destination matrices (ODMs) are essential to transportation planning but estimating them can be difficult and expensive. This study presents a framework for estimating ODMs using traffic flow counts using open-source tools. The framework was applied to a dataset from the city of Mansoura in Egypt. The Flowrouter algorithm, which is part of the SUMO microscopic traffic simulation model, was used for routing traffic between traffic flow counting locations. Additionally, the “Implausible Routes” algorithm was used to eliminate unrealistic routes from the generated solution. The results show that the ODM obtained is a reasonable representation of the demand between the different …

Environmental Friendly Applications Of Ground Tire Rubber (Gtr) In Producing Concrete, Zahid Hossain, Ashraf Elsayed, Abu Sayed Mohammad Akid

Publications

Millions of waste automobile tires are generated yearly, an ever-growing issue for solid waste management authorities in Arkansas. Using waste tires as fuel generates toxic gases or dumping them in landfills is not sustainable. Hence, it is crucial to minimize the issues of managing and disposing of waste tires and incorporate them into concrete as construction material. This study aimed to investigate the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete incorporating waste ground tire rubber (GTR) as a replacement for sand and micronized rubber powder (MRP) as a replacement for cement. A total of eight concrete mixtures were prepared using …

Design Of 3d Printable Eco-Concrete By Utilizing Rheology Modifiers For Sustainable Infrastructure, Maryam Hojati, Muhammad Saeed Zafar

Data

In recent years, 3D printing technology has gained significant momentum across various industries within the construction sector, 3D printing has emerged as a promising technique; however, there are challenges associated with designing suitable construction materials and adjusting their properties for the 3D printing process. One of the key considerations in this regard is the rheological properties, encompassing parameters such as viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropy. These properties play a pivotal role in shaping the characteristics of 3D-printed concrete, both in its fresh and hardened states, including buildability, extrudability, and mechanical performance. Researchers have traditionally relied on chemical admixtures, such as …

Bridge Inspection Training And Enhanced Operations Using Augmented Reality, Fernando Moreu, Ali Mohammadkhorasani, Kaveh Malek

Data

This research project focused on the innovative application of Augmented Reality (AR) headsets to enhance bridge inspection processes and inspection training. The study encompassed the visualization of 3D point cloud data, utilized the Eye-Tracking features of AR headsets for inspection quantification, evaluate the applicability of AR in the bridge inspection training and instruction of an AR virtual menu for the in-field bridge inspection. The primary tasks included establishing a database connection for AR headset, designing an AR menu tailored for bridge inspection, devising an evaluation method based on Eye-Tracking capabilities, and integrating AR into bridge inspection training. Once the technical …

Countermeasures To Improve Pedestrian Safety On Arterials, Nicholas Ferenchak

Data

This work analyzed the pedestrian safety and overall traffic safety impacts – in terms of both motor vehicle speeds and crash outcomes – of several countermeasures applied to the Central Avenue arterial corridor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Findings suggest that the infrastructure changes associated with a bus rapid transit (BRT) system improved traffic safety by reducing vehicle 85^th percentile speeds by 11.5% and reducing serious and fatal injuries by 60.0%. While pedestrian safety outcomes were more variable, pedestrians generally fared better on BRT segments than on control segments. The mechanism behind these improvements was traffic calming through the BRT’s …

Environmental Friendly Applications Of Ground Tire Rubber (Gtr) In Producing Concrete, Zahid Hossain, Ashraf Elsayed, Abu Sayed Mohammad Akid

Data

Millions of waste automobile tires are generated yearly, an ever-growing issue for solid waste management authorities in Arkansas. Using waste tires as fuel generates toxic gases or dumping them in landfills is not sustainable. Hence, it is crucial to minimize the issues of managing and disposing of waste tires and incorporate them into concrete as construction material. This study aimed to investigate the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete incorporating waste ground tire rubber (GTR) as a replacement for sand and micronized rubber powder (MRP) as a replacement for cement. A total of eight concrete mixtures were prepared using …

Prediction Of Moisture Resistance Of Polymeric Asphalt Binders Through The Atomic Force Microscopy (Afm) Technique, Zahid Hossain, Ashraf Elsayed, Khaja Sameer Sadat

Data

Moisture damage is a significant concern for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and other agencies due to its adverse impact on pavement performance as well as longevity. The main focus of the current study project is to quantify, at the molecular level, the interaction between binder and aggregate at the interface level in the form of adhesion forces between bitumen samples and minerals of various chemical compositions. First of all, A thorough review of the literature on moisture degradation in asphalts was conducted. Based on the literature review, a comprehensive project plan and test matrix were created. Binder samples from …

Smart3pm: Smart Pavement Monitoring, Management, And Maintenance, Damien Stephens, Mena Souliman, Mukul Shirvaikar, Samer Dessouky

Data

An application specific multi-platform smartphone application can utilize on-board accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, along with software derived signals from the same sensors, to sample vibrational and geolocation datasets to capture pavement distresses such as potholes when mounted in a standardized configuration in a vehicle. Several observations were made with regard to the signals obtained from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, and it was determined that the raw sensor outputs are capable of sampling statistically significant datasets which can be used to distinguish pavement distress from normal driving conditions. Furthermore, an approximate sensor noise margin is established, and a …

Green Mobility In Texas: Comparative Environmental Impacts And Lifecycle Cost Analysis Of Hybrid, Electric, And Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars, Raghava R. Kommalapati, Hongbo Du, Md Jobair Bin Alam

Data

Compared to gasoline/diesel cars and battery electric cars (BECs), hydrogen fuel cell cars (HFCCs) are relatively new. Two main advantages of HFCCs over electric vehicles are no special requirements for heavy batteries and long charging time. There is no HFCC in Texas; thus, exploring the use of electricity or hydrogen produced from renewable energies for personal cars and mitigating vehicle emissions is critical for sustaining a long-term decarburization strategy for megacities like Houston and Dallas. This project addressed this critical gap and developed environmental impacts and cost assessments for hybrid gasoline cars, BECs, and HFCCs in Texas under several possible …

Climate Change Impacts On Asset Management Of Texas Concrete Bridges, Muhammad Ali, Jiannan Cai, Ao Du

Publications

This study investigates the interplay of climate-induced deterioration factors impacting concrete bridges in Texas, focusing on chloride and carbonation-induced corrosion. It integrates Fick’s second law to model chloride diffusion and employs empirical equations to predict corrosion initiation and severe crack damage. Sensitivity studies across representative Texas cities (Houston, Dallas, and Amarillo) shows varying deterioration risks due to climate change. Results highlight chloride-induced corrosion as more prominent, particularly affecting coastal bridges in Houston, while carbonation corrosion is negligible due to favorable concrete cover. Condition rating mapping simulations incorporating crack width effects, traffic impact, and maintenance interventions are calibrated against recorded National …

Motorcycle Crash Analysis, Hatim Sharif, Samer Dessouky

Data

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System database shows that, in stark contrast to the 34 percent decline in non-motorcyclist crash–related fatalities, motorcyclist crash–related fatalities were up 86 percent with only three year-to-year declines since 1997, while non-motorcyclist crash–related fatalities had 13 year-to-year declines since 1997. At the national level, the rate of motorcyclist fatalities per vehicle mile traveled is 29 times higher than the rate among passenger car occupants, with overall injury rates approximately five times higher among motorcyclists than passenger car occupants. Given the frequency of motorcycle crashes and their staggering toll in terms of loss of life and economic …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Lockdown On Traffic Crashes In Texas., Hatim Sharif, Samer Dessouky

Data

An analysis of traffic patterns during COVID-19 has identified that reduction in the miles traveled has a significant negative correlation with COVID-19 cases and deaths across the USA. Preliminary statistics in the US suggest an increase in fatal crashes over the period of the lockdown in comparison to the same period in previous years. Moreover, while total crashes are down, motor vehicle crashes involving non-motorists became more prevalent. At the same time, non-motorist traffic has increased while motor vehicle traffic and crashes have shifted to the local systems. The main goal of this research is to perform a comprehensive evaluation …

Identifying Wrong-Way Driving Entry Points On Interstate Highways Using Land-Use Impact Assessment And 911 Calls, Farman Mia, Samer Dessouky

Data

The research aims to provide insight into the initiation event of Wrong-way Driving (WWD) on highways. The intense severity of a WWD accident is encouraging the authorities to install mitigation systems that will ensure safety for motorists on highways. The WWD events are mostly resulting of intoxicated driving, where the unconscious driver takes the wrong way to enter the highway and place other motorists into life-threatening danger. This research attempted to explore from basic knowledge of WWD occurrence to examine the origin and driving philosophy of intoxicated drivers from land-use impact and mathematical modeling point of views. To identify the …

Framework Of Internal Damage Identification In Inhomogeneous Medium Interweaving Wave Scattering Model And Deep Learning, Suyun Ham, Stefan Romanoschi, Yin Chao Wu, Dafnik Saril Kumar David

Data

The primary objective of this project is to investigate the framework of internal damage identification in inhomogeneous media (IHM) using deep learning techniques and wave scattering. The study focuses on two main steps: 1) analyzing the wave response pattern in homogeneous media (HM) and 2) characterizing the wave response variation (WRV) in IHM with different aggregate sizes and random distributions. The WRV patterns are then classified and used to predict internal damage using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The accuracy of the finite element (FE) model is verified using laboratory tests with artificial internal crack models of varying depths. The …

Stabilization Of Expansive Soil Using Geopolymers From Locally Available Resources, Anand Puppala, Miladin Radovic, Nripojyoti Biswas, Sopharith Chou, Oscar Huang

Data

Traditional calcium-based stabilizers are generally used to stabilize native expansive soils that are often found throughout Region 6. Due to their high carbon footprint, many studies are being conducted to identify a suitable green alternative for stabilizing expansive soils. Geopolymer (GP) received a lot of attention in the past few decades owing to its similar properties to that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) yet with a lower carbon footprint. Previous studies have shown that metakaolin-based GP is an effective stabilizer to stabilize expansive soils. This study investigated the feasibility of stabilizing native expansive soils with GP synthesized with locally sourced …

Reinforcing Network Resilience To Support Equitable Disaster Evacuation, Kate Kyung Hyun, Stephen Mattingly, Mehrdad Arabi, Md Ashraful Imran

Data

The research report presents an extensive analysis of hurricane evacuation strategies, highlighting the critical role of transportation networks in emergency situations. It examines how variables such as hurricane severity and the geographic positioning of residential areas impact evacuation patterns, using real-time GPS data and the Rayleigh distribution to accurately model evacuation timing. The study is focused on assessing the transportation network's capacity to handle the surge in evacuation traffic, identifying the most critical links within the network that are vital for effective evacuation. Additionally, the report offers an in-depth look at the socio-economic implications of these evacuation strategies, particularly underscoring …

Impact Of Autonomous Vehicle (Av)-Based On-Demand Transportation Services On Traffic Crashes, Sharareh Kermanshachi, Sai Sneha Channamallu, Apurva Pamidimukkalla

Publications

This technical report investigates the burgeoning field of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), a transformative technology set to redefine transportation by enhancing safety, efficiency, and reducing human error. Despite their potential, AVs introduce complex challenges and safety concerns, particularly in urban environments. This study focuses on California from 2014 to 2022, offering a comprehensive examination of AV collision patterns, safety dynamics, and performance compared to Conventional Vehicles (CVs). Therefore, the objectives of this study are to (1) analyze trends in AV crashes to identify recurring patterns or anomalies that may indicate underlying issues or areas for improvement, (2) utilize the latest data …

Reinforcing Network Resilience To Support Equitable Disaster Evacuation, Kate Kyung Hyun, Stephen Mattingly, Mehrdad Arabi, Md Ashraful Imran

Publications

The research report presents an extensive analysis of hurricane evacuation strategies, highlighting the critical role of transportation networks in emergency situations. It examines how variables such as hurricane severity and the geographic positioning of residential areas impact evacuation patterns, using real-time GPS data and the Rayleigh distribution to accurately model evacuation timing. The study is focused on assessing the transportation network's capacity to handle the surge in evacuation traffic, identifying the most critical links within the network that are vital for effective evacuation. Additionally, the report offers an in-depth look at the socio-economic implications of these evacuation strategies, particularly underscoring …

Monitoring Of Transportation System Assets Using Synthetic Aperture Radar (Sar) Satellite Data, Anand Puppala, Nripojyoti Biswas, Amit Gajurel

Data

This research harnessed both high and medium resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to delve into infrastructure health assessment. High resolution SAR analyses capable of identifying differences between asphalt and concrete pavement surfaces. Particularly, it was found that Normalized Radar Cross Section (NRCS) values can deftly distinguish pavement types and detect surface anomalies such as alligator cracks in asphalt ahead of conventional methods. On the other hand, Time-Series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) insights, extracted from medium resolution SAR, established a direct linkage between environmental factors and ground deformations. Such findings were corroborated by optical images collected during May 2017 …

Eco-Driving Of Connected And Autonomous Vehicles Approaching And Departing Signalized Intersections, Xiangyu Meng, Tonmoy Sarkar

Data

Eco-driving is a driving strategy that focuses on reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and improving passenger comfort through the implementation of safe and anticipatory driving strategies. One method to improve eco-driving in autonomous vehicles is the optimal control approach, which utilizes ‘Signal Phase and Time’ (SPaT) information to determine an energy-efficient trajectory for vehicles approaching and departing signalized intersections. Camera-based vision systems and deep learning techniques can be implemented to recognize the traffic signal head and its phase information, further enabling the vehicle to adapt its driving patterns for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. This report reviews advancements in …

A New Generation Of Multi-Functional Asphalt Mixtures With Superhydrophobic And Luminescent Properties, Mostafa Elseifi, Md. T. A. Sarkar

Data

Every year, the United States invests billions of dollars in maintaining its roads and enhancing road safety, especially during severe weather conditions. Challenges such as flooding, snow, ice formation, and low visibility significantly affect road infrastructure and safety. The aim of this study was to develop a novel approach to create a new generation of multifunctional asphalt surfaces with enhanced water repellency and luminescent properties. To achieve this objective, two types of asphalt emulsions (BC-1HT and CSS-1H), one type of superhydrophobic nanomaterial (PTFE), and one SMA mix design were evaluated through various laboratory tests. These tests included scanning electron microscopy …

Investigating The Efficacy Of Natural And Nature-Based Features To Increase The Service Life Of Coastal Roadways, Navid Jafari, Mohammad O. Hassan

Data

Wetlands serve as essential natural barriers, protecting coastal regions against the increasing threats from hurricane-induced storm surges, rising sea levels, and changing weather patterns. Understanding their structural resilience is crucial, particularly the shear strength of the wetland soil-root matrix, which contributes significantly to stability under extreme weather events. However, evaluating this shear strength is challenging due to the complex nature of root systems and the varying amounts of live biomass and necromass at different soil depths. This study utilized a Large-scale Direct Shear Apparatus (LDSA) to address this gap by assessing the shear strength of root biomass in a horizontal …

Investigating The Efficacy Of Natural And Nature-Based Features To Increase The Service Life Of Coastal Roadways, Navid Jafari, Mohammad O. Hassan

Publications

Wetlands serve as essential natural barriers, protecting coastal regions against the increasing threats from hurricane-induced storm surges, rising sea levels, and changing weather patterns. Understanding their structural resilience is crucial, particularly the shear strength of the wetland soil-root matrix, which contributes significantly to stability under extreme weather events. However, evaluating this shear strength is challenging due to the complex nature of root systems and the varying amounts of live biomass and necromass at different soil depths. This study utilized a Large-scale Direct Shear Apparatus (LDSA) to address this gap by assessing the shear strength of root biomass in a horizontal …

Characterization Of Regular Concrete And Low-Cost Engineered Cementitious Composites With Incorporation Of Cellulose Nanocrystals And Cost-Effective Ingredients, Hassan Noorvand, Marwa Hassan, Andrea Gavilanes

Publications

This study evaluated the effects of incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) into Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) and regular concrete materials, focusing on mechanical properties and the use of cost-effective ingredients. CNC, synthesized from rice husk, was characterized by a crystallinity index of 55%. Four concentrations of CNC were investigated: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% of cement. Three types of mixtures were developed: M-0, without sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) as a sand replacement; M-50, with 50% SCBA as a sand replacement; and regular concrete. The M-0 and M-50 composites underwent compressive strength and uniaxial tensile strength (UTT) testing, with their morphology …

A New Generation Of Multi-Functional Asphalt Mixtures With Superhydrophobic And Luminescent Properties, Mostafa Elseifi, Md. T. A. Sarkar

Publications

Every year, the United States invests billions of dollars in maintaining its roads and enhancing road safety, especially during severe weather conditions. Challenges such as flooding, snow, ice formation, and low visibility significantly affect road infrastructure and safety. The aim of this study was to develop a novel approach to create a new generation of multifunctional asphalt surfaces with enhanced water repellency and luminescent properties. To achieve this objective, two types of asphalt emulsions (BC-1HT and CSS-1H), one type of superhydrophobic nanomaterial (PTFE), and one SMA mix design were evaluated through various laboratory tests. These tests included scanning electron microscopy …