Skid Resistance Analysis of Urban Bike Lane Pavements for Safe Micromobility

[EN] The use of micromobility vehicles is considerably growing in cities worldwide. As a result, crashes involving these vehicles are also increasing, with single-bicycle crashes accounting for a significant percentage. In most infrastructure-related crashes, the road surface was slippery. In this context, the study of pavement skid resistance is crucial to improve micromobility safety. In this research, the British pendulum tester was used to test the skid resistance of 5 different types of pavements on 17 bike lane locations in Valencia (Spain). Additionally, micromobility users¿ speed was collected to analyse users¿ behaviour. The results showed that asphalt, concrete, and rough painted tile pavements had the greatest skid resistance, whereas painted cobble and smooth painted tile pavements presented poor skid resistance. These values were compared with the limits set by the few guidelines that includes skid resistance thresholds. Moreover, skid resistance variability was also studied, with asphalt pavement being the most homogeneous. Based on the results of the research, several recommendations are proposed for the pavement to be used in the micromobility facility according to its typology. To this end, the investigatory level of skid resistance and the minimum braking distance required were also defined for each type of pavement and bike lane. The findings of this study contribute to the consideration of micromobility safety from the construction stage to the pavement management.This research is part of the research project PID2019-111744RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.López-Molina, M.; Llopis-Castelló, D.; Pérez Zuriaga, AM.; Alonso-Troyano, C.; García García, A. (2023). Skid Resistance Analysis of Urban Bike Lane Pavements for Safe Micromobility. Sustainability. 15(1):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1501069811615

Micromobility Users' Behaviour and Perceived Risk During Meeting Manoeuvres

[EN] Mobility patterns and lifestyles have changed in recent years in cities worldwide, thanks to the strong rise in modes of travel commonly referred to as micromobility. In this context, e-scooters have experienced a great rise globally which has led to an increase of crashes involving this type of micromobility vehicle in urban areas. Thus, there is a need to study e-scooter users¿ behaviour and their interaction with cyclists. This research aimed at characterizing the meeting manoeuvre between micromobility users along diverse typologies of two-way bicycle track by using an in-strumented e-scooter. As a result, bicycle tracks having concrete or vegetated curb presented lower clearance distance (¿0.8 m) than those without edge elements (>1 m), with no statistically signif-icant differences found between the interaction with bicycles and e-scooters. Additionally, an online questionnaire was proposed to assess users¿ perceived risk during the meeting manoeuvre, concluding that micromobility users feel safer and more comfortable riding on pavements away from parked or moving motorized traffic, and on protected bicycle tracks.FundingThis research is part of the research project PID2019-111744RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.Fonseca-Cabrera, AS.; Llopis-Castelló, D.; Pérez Zuriaga, AM.; Alonso-Troyano, C.; García García, A. (2021). Micromobility Users' Behaviour and Perceived Risk During Meeting Manoeuvres. International Journal of Environmental research and Public Health (Online). 18(23):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312465S115182

Implementation of a Low-Cost Data Acquisition System on an E-Scooter for Micromobility Research

[EN] In recent years, cities are experiencing changes in the ways of moving around, increasing the use of micromobility vehicles. Bicycles are the most widespread transport mode and, therefore, cyclists¿ behaviour, safety, and comfort have been widely studied. However, the use of other personal mobility vehicles is increasing, especially e-scooters, and related studies are scarce. This paper proposes a low-cost open-source data acquisition system to be installed on an e-scooter. This system is based on Raspberry Pi and allows collecting speed, acceleration, and position of the e-scooter, the lateral clearance during meeting and overtaking manoeuvres, and the vibrations experienced by the micromobility users when riding on a bike lane. The system has been evaluated and tested on a bike lane segment to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the collected data. As a result, the use of the proposed system allows highway engineers and urban mobility planners to analyse the behaviour, safety, and comfort of the users of e-scooters. Additionally, the system can be easily adapted to another micromobility vehicle and used to assess pavement condition and micromobility users¿ riding comfort on a cycling network when the budget is limited.This research was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, grant number PID2019-111744RB-I00.Pérez Zuriaga, AM.; Llopis-Castelló, D.; Just-Martínez, V.; Fonseca-Cabrera, AS.; Alonso-Troyano, C.; García García, A. (2022). Implementation of a Low-Cost Data Acquisition System on an E-Scooter for Micromobility Research. Sensors. 22(21):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22218215118222

Anàlisi de la deformació i deterioraments en paviments de carreteres a causa del tràfic de vehicles pesats autònoms per mitjà de models d'elements finits. Aplicació pràctica a l'ampliació de l'A-7, Circumval·lació de València (Província de València)

[ES] Algunos de los beneficios de la aparición de los vehículos autónomos son el incremento de la seguridad vial, la mejora de la operación del tráfico y el ahorro de combustible, pero, por otro lado, provocarán efectos negativos sobre la infraestructura reduciendo su vida útil. Este agotamiento prematuro de la infraestructura se producirá debido a que los sistemas de guiado de los vehículos autónomos tratan de que estos se posicionen centrados sobre el carril. En el caso de los vehículos pesados, estos podrán circular como trenes de camiones enlazados o platooning, dando lugar a un tráfico canalizado y una concentración de cargas sobre el pavimento que harán que disminuya la vida útil del mismo. Para analizar este fenómeno, este trabajo tiene como objetivo principal estudiar el efecto de la concentración de cargas producida por el platooning frente a la conducción manual en la que son los conductores los que dirigen los vehículos sobre el carril, dando como resultado una distribución normal de cargas sobre el pavimento. Para ello, se han modelizado distintas secciones de firme y distintas distribuciones de cargas mediante el software de elementos finitos ANSYS con el fin de obtener las deformaciones y tensiones que sufren los distintos materiales que conforman las secciones de firme estudiadas. A partir de los resultados obtenidos se estimó la vida útil de las secciones, comprobando que cumplen con el número de ejes de la categoría de tráfico para las que están diseñadas y se comprobó, que las cargas centradas, equivalentes al paso de platooning, reducen la vida útil de las secciones estudiadas. Por último, el desarrollo de la aplicación práctica permitió evaluar cómo influye la disposición de un refuerzo lineal basado en geomallas bajo la primera capa del firme en la vida útil del firme. Como conclusión, estos refuerzos permiten compensar, totalmente o en parte, la disminución de vida útil de las secciones de firme provocada por los platooning.[EN] Some of the benefits of the emergence of autonomous vehicles are increased road safety, improved traffic operation and fuel savings, but on the other hand, they will have negative effects on the infrastructure by reducing its lifespan. This premature damage to the infrastructure will occur because the guidance systems of autonomous vehicles try to position the vehicles in the centre of the lane. In the case of heavy vehicles, they may circulate as trains of linked trucks or platooning, resulting in channelled traffic and a concentration of loads on the pavement that will reduce the useful life of the pavement. In order to analyse this phenomenon, the main objective of this work is to study the effect of the concentration of loads produced by platooning compared to manual driving, in which it is the drivers who drive the vehicles on the lane, resulting in a normal distribution of loads on the pavement. For this purpose, different pavement sections and different load distributions have been modelled using ANSYS finite element software in order to obtain the deformations and stresses suffered by the different materials that constitute the pavement sections studied. Based on the results obtained, the lifespan of the sections was estimated, verifying that they satisfy the number of axles of the traffic category for which they are designed, and it was verified that the centred loads, equivalent to the platooning passage, reduce the lifespan of the sections studied. Finally, the development of the practical application made it possible to evaluate how the arrangement of a geogrid-based reinforcement under the first layer of the pavement influences the service life of the pavement. In conclusion, these reinforcements make it possible to compensate, totally or partially, for the reduced service life of pavement sections caused by platooning.Alonso Troyano, C. (2022). Análisis de la deformación y deterioros en pavimentos de carreteras debido al tráfico de vehículos pesados autónomos mediante modelos de elementos finitos. Aplicación práctica a la ampliación de la A-7, Circunvalación de Valencia (Provincia de Valencia). Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/18812

Análisis granulométrico de suelos por tamizado (UNE 103 101)

En el presente objeto de aprendizaje se muestran las diferentes fases y cómo se realiza en laboratorio el ensayo granulométrico de suelos por tamizado siguiendo la norma UNE 103 101.https://polimedia.upv.es/visor/?id=386c8220-703e-11ea-8c87-2ba15c40d192López Maldonado, G.; Alonso Troyano, C. (2020). Análisis granulométrico de suelos por tamizado (UNE 103 101). http://hdl.handle.net/10251/141037DE

Skid Resistance Analysis of Urban Bike Lane Pavements for Safe Micromobility

The use of micromobility vehicles is considerably growing in cities worldwide. As a result, crashes involving these vehicles are also increasing, with single-bicycle crashes accounting for a significant percentage. In most infrastructure-related crashes, the road surface was slippery. In this context, the study of pavement skid resistance is crucial to improve micromobility safety. In this research, the British pendulum tester was used to test the skid resistance of 5 different types of pavements on 17 bike lane locations in Valencia (Spain). Additionally, micromobility users’ speed was collected to analyse users’ behaviour. The results showed that asphalt, concrete, and rough painted tile pavements had the greatest skid resistance, whereas painted cobble and smooth painted tile pavements presented poor skid resistance. These values were compared with the limits set by the few guidelines that includes skid resistance thresholds. Moreover, skid resistance variability was also studied, with asphalt pavement being the most homogeneous. Based on the results of the research, several recommendations are proposed for the pavement to be used in the micromobility facility according to its typology. To this end, the investigatory level of skid resistance and the minimum braking distance required were also defined for each type of pavement and bike lane. The findings of this study contribute to the consideration of micromobility safety from the construction stage to the pavement management

Residuos cerámicos en mezclas asfálticas semidensas: alternativas para carreteras de bajo tráfico en Colombia: English

The condition of the road infrastructure in rural areas is precarious in developing countries and it is common to find roads built using materials such as concrete and rarely with flexible pavement. This study proposes the use of ceramic waste as aggregates in percentages of 30% and 35% in semi-dense asphalt mixtures prepared according to the standards of the National Road Institute in Colombia. Marshall tests of susceptibility, deformation and dynamic modules were performed, finding that 30% replacements showed the best behavior for low traffic roads.La condición de la infraestructura vial en zonas rurales es precaria en países en vía de desarrollo y es común encontrar vías construidas utilizando materiales como concreto y en escasas ocasiones con pavimento flexible. En este estudio se propone el aprovechamiento de residuos cerámicos como agregados en porcentajes del 30% y 35% en mezclas asfálticas semidensas preparadas según los estándares del Instituto Nacional de Vías en Colombia. Se realizaron ensayos Marshall, de susceptibilidad, deformación y módulos dinámicos encontrándose que los reemplazos al 30% presentaron el mejor comportamiento para vías de bajo tráfico

Projecte europeu LIBERATE «Enfocament a la biorefineria de lignina mitjançant flux electroquímic»: cap a l’electrificació de les biorefineries químiques

El projecte europeu LIBERATE té com a objectiu principal dissenyar una planta electroquímica a escala pilot per demostrar les oportunitats comercials de transformar matèries primeres de lignina de baix cost en productes químics biosostenibles d’alt valor industrial. Per tal d’obtenir productes útils de valor afegit, el projecte té en compte diferents tipus de lignina i ciclohexanols provinents de la fusta i de la palla. En aquest article s’explica com està organitzat el projecte a fi d’assolir l’objectiu en qüestió, per a la qual cosa és fonamental l’aportació de moltes disciplines acadèmiques i industrials de diferents països.The European project LIBERATE aims to deliver a pilot-scale electrochemical plant to demonstrate the commercial opportunities of converting low-cost lignin feedstocks into high-value biosustainable chemicals. The project is focused on obtaining added-value products from different types of lignin and cyclohexanols coming from wood and straw. This article explains how the project is organised to achieve this goal, with the essential contributions of many academic and industrialdisciplines from different countries