Advanced Materials Research Vol. 723

Abstract: The normality assumptions with random errors and constant variance were often violated while analyzing multilevel pavement performance data using conventional regression techniques. Because of its hierarchical data structure, multilevel data are often analyzed using Linear Mixed-Effects (LME) models. The exploratory analysis, statistical modeling, and the examination of model-fit of LME models are more complicated than those of standard multiple regressions. A systematic modeling approach using visual-graphical techniques and LME models was proposed and demonstrated using the original AASHO road test rigid pavement data. The basic modeling approach includes: selecting a preliminary mean structure, selecting a random structure, selecting a residual covariance structure, model reduction, and examining the model fit. A goodness of fit plot indicates that the preliminary LME model provides better explanation to the data.

Abstract: To provide certain level of serviceability, road authorities need to perform appropriate and timely maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) activities. Manholes on roads are the most persecution for the evenness of pavements. Lowering manholes into road structures is a good approach to keep the serviceability of pavement. However, a vast expanse of road systems greatly increases the complexity of manhole identifications. Therefore, an emerging method to find the manholes beneath pavements is needed. In this study, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology was used to identify manholes. RFID tags stuck on the metal were buried in asphalt concrete at different depths and then were identified from laboratory experiments. On the other hand, location-based service (LBS) has been applied to mobile devices with mobile positioning functions to provide users with location-specific services for several years. Augmented reality (AR) can support users in manipulating virtual objects in real environments. In this study, a mobile manholes monitoring system (MMS) and a web-based MMS based on LBS and AR were developed. The RFID adhered to covers of manholes beneath pavements can be easily monitored by the mobile MMS. The location and information of neighboring manholes will be transmitted from the web-based MMS and be shown on the mobile MMS based on the AR technology. By using RFID and AR technologies, the time and costs of manhole identifications can be significantly decreased and then pavement maintenance activities also can be timely processed.

Abstract: This research focuses on the study of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the new engineering development project of Suao-Hualian Section along the Eastern Freeway. The Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) Mode is the quantitative assessment method developed by Americas Construction Industry Institute (CII), which is the EIA operation by incorporating PDRI in the road construction. The EIA-PDRI mode is mainly established according to the EIA related laws currently practiced in Taiwan and relevant expert questionnaires. Under such configuration, the Vector Weighing Method is based for setting up the weight between the Section, Category and Element. The verification result of this Research supports that the EIA-PDRI Assessment Mode can help set the preliminary scope of the project development while enhancing the EIA performance.

Abstract: Asset management is a method that transferred the assets into cost to management. The main object is that to calculate the value of assets and assess the benefit of investment. When utilized the asset management method on freeway pavement management, it must been founded on assets inventory and historic maintenance. To calculate all the cost of assets could list the value of all the assets. The most important work of asset management was assessing the assets. All the assets were analyzed the survival life of all the assets and find out period of the depreciation in the study. It is 8.9 years that the period between newly construction and first maintenance. It is 4.5 years that the period between maintenances. The assess model was set by the two periods. The results cross by the assess model was that the assets service level was great.

Abstract: This thesis explains that Taipei City actively conducted various municipal constructions to create a proactive city with global perspectives. Road construction was undoubtedly one of the major tasks, thus Taipei promoted the Luping Project to improve roads under a project management model. The plan was to complete renovation of all main road in the city in six years, from 2009 to 2014. It has been over four years now (2013) since the initiation of the Luping Project began in 2009. The promotion has executed from the aspects of technology, system and management through standardization of construction procedure, popularization of education and training and fulfillment of excavation management to solve problems including too many and uneven manholes, poor roadbed, rough roads and poor durability. The outcomes of manhole reduction, roadbed improvement and smoothness of roads have been quite well these past three years, and have been approved by citizens.

Abstract: Pavement roughness has a huge influence on driving comfort. As the progressive growing of motor vehicles, it is an important issue to effectively and quickly collect pavement information and prevent road congestion from lane closure when doing road test. This research compares the applicability of each roughness index and roughness instrument to recommend related organizations. The International Roughness Index, IRI is the index which is suitable for large-scale test, and the wavelength it can detect is close to human bodys sensation of vertical acceleration. The research also improves the self-developed inertial profiler based on previous generation, the instrument can now collect data on two side of the car instead of one side to improve the reliability in the process of road network test. The research finally compare the related regulation of inertial profiler and find out that the accelerometer, displacement sensors and numerical verification of domestic inertial profiler is incomplete and needs to be refined.

Abstract: In the maintenance for the pavement, there is no method to adjust and rebuild all the design elevation which is in using on the pavement because of the as build structure that are located in the periphery. In order to coordinate the design situation which is considered or no considered in the site, this research develops the “Virtual Reality Digital Pavement System (VRDPS)”. The user can see the difference in the pavement quality and the influence of the pavement linear in different view by the Intuitive method. It can also provide the analysis for the construction cost and pavement linear in the different design.

Abstract: Taiwan Highway System experiences successively investment of few decades in government. After the first national highway-Chung Shan, the Second national highway, twelve west to east freeway and western seaside freeway go to operation, the road network is gradually complete. The road engineering changes the style from new construction to maintenance management. In recent years, because the government public construction budget reduce year by year, so road agencies should be emphasizing facilities management and enhancing construction performance that keeping highway transits service quality with the constraints of budget limitations. World Bank carries on a series of project researches to the road in 1968 and develops the related evaluation module. In HDM-4, it provides the extensive module application and explicit method in the stages such as planning, programming, preparation and operation etc. It provides a reference that road agencies carry on related decision. HDM-4 provide user to adjusting with different region parameter such as weather, environment...etc. So this tool can be applicable to more widespread region. When the related pavement maintenance systems are not satisfactory, how to use the international identify tool help Taiwans highway maintenance management. It is very interesting and workable research. We use HDM-4 to collect and analyze Guan-Xi regions Highway No.3 network data, traffic characteristic and cost related information. Through this knowledge, we can adjust the HDM-4s parameter to suit Taiwans condition. Besides, we review technical literature and experts experience to determine on maintenance alternates. We use adjusted mode with real highway budget to determine the threshold of routine and period maintenance. Considering maintenance cost, user cost and highway economy to decide suitable threshold. Finally, base on the best maintenance strategies to explain the relation between maintenance budget and performance. Base on this result, we can determine the budget allotting criteria to reach the biggest economy benefit of the resource.

Abstract: This study adopts hybrid dynamic modeling (HDM) to simulate and optimize threshold-based pavement maintenance. To evaluate the quality of the optimized threshold-based maintenance, benchmark plans are also generated by relaxing the threshold-based strategies. The proposed methodology is demonstrated with a network of 20 highway pavements. Based on the numerical results, some guidelines for selecting maintenance strategies in different scenarios such as budget availability are proposed.

Abstract: There are quite a number of complicated factors that can affect driving safety on freeway work zone during reconstruction, for example, traffic volume, driver compliance rate (which means drivers who follow the posted speed limit), slope gradient, HGV rate and so on. This article uses the popular traffic simulation software VISSIM to simulate different situations. The results show that the safety of Upstream Transition Area and the place where speed limit signs locate are the lowest. It is recommended that speed limit signs should not be located that much, and cars and HGVs need to be more careful when merging into the Upstream Transition Area, and lower their speeds if necessary. Most important, compliance rate plays an important role in safety measures, and this provides a solid foundation for traffic control and management.