Traffic Calming Measures: An Evaluation of the Effect on Driving Speed

Road accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly among young people. Excessive speed is one of the main risk factors in road traffic safety, increasing accident probability and affecting accident severity. Experimental research of the traffic calming measures allocation effect on the driving speed is presented in this paper. The research has been carried out on two aspects. The first one with respect to the mean speed and the second one regarding instantaneous speed. However, the paper is not only restricted by the above research. Standardized survey interview and questioning, a survey of public opinion, was carried out to find out the road users’ opinions about the need for traffic calming measures and speed control measures. Finally, the authors presented their insights and recommendations for the installation of speed humps and gateways and their optimum spacing.</p

Definition of concrete and composite precast concrete pavements texture

In the context of increasing traffic demands and emerging mobility trends road infrastructure has to shift towards the fifth generation of roads, which according to Forever Open Road (FOR) vision are envisioned as adaptable to traffic volumes, resilient to changing weather conditions, quickly built, effectively maintained, suitable for retrofitting, self-monitoring, self-repairing and recyclable. Concrete modular pavements can be defined as an example of such type of road infrastructure. Functional needs are mainly associated with implementation area/location, traffic and mobility demands, environmental constraints and etc. This also has a significant impact on the selection of Precast Concrete Pavements (PCP) texture formation method and materials. Concrete pavement surface texture affects both safety and tyre/road noise characteristics. Exposed Aggregate Concrete (EAC) and porous concrete are the most suitable noise reducing solutions for highways and streets wearing layer even in severe traffic and climate conditions. According to the literature analysis, the algorithm of highways and streets low noise concrete design was created. It is recommended to use the highest quality aggregates with maximum size up to 8 mm, gap-graded gradation, higher amount of cement and lower water/cement ratio. The most important characteristics of EAC are Mean Profile Depth (MPD), Mean Texture Depth (MTD) and profile count, while the most important characteristics of porous concrete are compressive strength, outflow and air void content

Peculiarity of Low Noise Pavement Design Under Lithuanian Conditions

The paper gives a detailed overview and analysis of road transport noise propagation, noise composition and impacts on the living conditions. Road transport noise has been rapidly growing and the traditional noise abatement solutions, such as noise barriers, are not always suitable and cost-effective for particular road infrastructure. One of the most promising and effective solutions is the use of low noise pavements. Presently, low noise pavements are not being used in Lithuania but expected to have a good environmental noise reduction potential. However, the most effective low noise pavement solutions according to other European countries’ experience are not always applicable for Lithuanian road conditions. For these reasons, few low noise asphalt pavement mixtures were developed to achieve a relatively high noise reduction effect and maintain sufficient mechanical and operational characteristics under Lithuanian conditions. Laboratory testing results (including mechanical and physical, noise reduction and durability characteristics) and comparison with traditional asphalt mixtures are provided in the paper as well as recommendations for the use of the developed low noise asphalt mixtures

Road wearing layer type and age effect on pavement acoustic degradation

Long-term positive acoustic behavior as well as sufficient strength and durability is required for low noise road surfaces. However, combination of these properties in many cases is a challenging task, especially at the severe climate conditions. In such regions, optimized asphalt layers (SMA and AC) seem to be promising solution as they have similar structural conditions to traditional AC and SMA pavements but at the same time modified distribution of aggregates, increased air void content and optimized surface texture for noise reduction. Development of optimized surface layer asphalts in most cases relies on the good experience from different climate regions, however, acoustic degradation is different, faster than in milder regions. To analyze these effects, large number of road sections constructed of different asphalt mixtures (incl. low noise asphalt mixtures, traditional asphalt mixtures) and with different exploitation age were measured by Close Proximity (CPX) trailer. Collected noise level data was compared and linked with the pavement age, resulting acoustic degradation trends. After analyzing interrelations and similarities between traditional and optimized low noise asphalt surfaces and summarizing the results, recommendations for optimized low noise asphalt mixtures development are presented in the paper

Effect of Intelligent Transport Systems on Traffic Safety

One of the biggest problems of constantly growing transport sector is traffic safety. Innovative technologies are an effective tool to deal with the following issue. In order to ensure efficient and coordinated development of intelligent transport systems, it is essential to know their individual performance and impact on traffic safety. This article gives the summary of the effect of intelligent transport systems on road traffic safety. The aim of the research is to highlight intelligent transport systems and intelligent transport systems applications which have the greatest positive impact on traffic safety. To achieve this aim, meta-analysis of previous studies and analysis of experts interviews was carried out. The research consider the following thirteen driver support and control systems regarding their potentials to reduce the number of fatalities: average speed control system, stationary speed cameras, “Alcolock” ‒ application of drunk driver detection, “eCall” system, variable speed limit sign, red light violation detection cameras, forbidden maneuver detection system, vehicle identification system, variable message boards, intelligent road studs, incident detection system, weigh-in-motion system and seat belt control system

Asphalt wearing course optimization for road traffic noise reduction

Nowadays traffic noise and air pollution are as important as durability parameters, what leads to the need of more comprehensive approach when planning, designing, constructing and maintaining road pavements. Having in mind country differences in traffic volumes, climate conditions and financial capabilities it is not easy to transfer various solutions from country to country. Due to such peculiarities, large research study was initiated in Lithuania seeking to develop efficient and effective low noise pavement solution for specific regional climate conditions. This paper presents research of commonly used asphalt concrete (AC), stone mastic asphalt (SMA), porous asphalt (PA) and a concept of noise reducing asphalt mixtures. As part of this study large scale laboratory testing of acoustical and mechanical performance, durability and resilience to climate were performed. The paper also presents analysis of laboratory testing results which were positive and followed with the pilot implementation of developed asphalt mixtures for further research activities under real traffic and climate conditions

State of the art in monitoring road condition and road/vehicle interaction : Technical Committee 4.2 Road Pavements

This report summarises the current state of the art regarding the collection of road condition and road/vehicle interaction data, providing an overview of current practice and emerging technologies. Technologies in the development and experimental stages are generally not discussed. The document is intended to concisely inform the reader of the range of technologies available, and not to replicate the considerable detail that is available elsewhere for specific technologies. Each of the commonly measured road condition and road/vehicle interaction data parameters is discussed, providing a definition of each of these parameters, a description of the common measurement methods and a description of the condition/interaction indicators that are derived from the measured data. The need for robust quality management in the collection of road condition data is highlighted, and guidance provided

Current Practice, Future need and Gap Analysis : Deliverable D1.1

This report is INFRACOMS first deliverable D1.1. It addresses the “Understanding of information needs and gaps” component of the project. The aim has been to identify the current priorities and future needs of NRAs for the management of carriageway and bridge assets, specifically in terms of their approach to data collection and monitoring. The approach has been to establish existing knowledge via a review of previous projects, current best practices and standards in data collection and inspection, and a review of current business processes, NRA strategies around data collection and digitalisation etc. The report identifies a set of key imperatives for carriageway and bridge assets covering Availability, Reliability, Environment, Economy and Safety. Each of these is supported by the collection of key condition data, which is used to report technical parameters and performance indicators that can be combined to assess the ability of the asset to meet its key imperatives. A wide range of technologies are identified, which are currently applied to collect the data that supports this assessment. The consultation shows that there are also gaps between the desired and the current capability for the assessment of these assets. These include gaps in the data, challenges in the ability to collect the data, gaps in the application of the data that is already collected etc. A review of emerging technologies shows that there are tools and technologies that could help to fill these gaps. These could overcome the limitations of current technologies, better integrate new data sources, provide greater flexibility in using current and new data, and provide better analysis. They include remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT), crowdsourcing, and advanced data processing/visualisation