Toolbox of Countermeasures for Rural Two-Lane Curves

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that 58 percent of roadway fatalities are lane departures, while 40 percent of fatalities are single-vehicle run-off-road (SVROR) crashes. Addressing lane-departure crashes is therefore a priority for national, state, and local roadway agencies. Horizontal curves are of particular interest because they have been correlated with increased crash occurrence. This toolbox was developed to assist agencies address crashes at rural curves. The main objective of this toolbox is to summarize the effectiveness of various known curve countermeasures. While education, enforcement, and policy countermeasures should also be considered, they were not included given the toolbox focuses on roadway-based countermeasures. Furthermore, the toolbox is geared toward rural two-lane curves. The research team identified countermeasures based on their own research, through a survey of the literature, and through discussions with other professionals. Coverage of curve countermeasures in this toolbox is not necessarily comprehensive. For each countermeasure covered, this toolbox includes the following information: description, application, effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages. Countermeasures covered are as follows: speed signs, chevrons, widening/adding paved shoulders, reflective barriers, high-friction treatments, raised pavement markers, edge lines, transverse pavement markings, vertical delineation, rumble strips, rumble stripes, on-pavement curve signing, flashing beacons, dynamic curve warning systems, and pavement inset lights

Evaluation of the TAPCO Sequential Dynamic Curve Warning System

Implementing safety countermeasures on rural horizontal curves to address speeding can improve the safety performance for those locations. State safety and traffic engineers are faced with making decisions on what type of technology to use and which sites to use the technology on in a fiscally constrained environment. The research conducted for this project will evaluate a Sequential Dynamic Curve Warning System (SDCWS) that could be an additional tool for these engineers to use either separately or in combination with other countermeasures to address horizontal curve locations with a history of safety concerns

Understanding the needs of Mena public transport customers: culture of service and gender responsive recommendations

Fast population growth, urban sprawl and the raise in households’ motorization observed in all major cities of the Middle-East and North-Africa (MENA) region, are constantly challenging public transport providers who seek to handle efficiently the continuously rising travel demand. Most of the MENA cities suffer from traffic congestion that not only impacts the quality of life of MENA citizens, but also their access to job opportunities, health services, and social and political participation. Alongside the development of public transport network, it is crucial to encourage urban dwellers to reduce their dependence on personal cars, use public transport, and develop soft mobility skills. Therefore, operators and service providers need to define customer-centric strategy and build a culture of service excellence in line with their customers’expectations. In cooperation with academic partners, the UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence launched the User-Oriented Public Transport research project with the aim to understand the perceptions of female and male users and non-users about public transport services in five MENA cities: Algiers, Amman, Beirut, Casablanca and Muscat. The methodological framework was built around the five dimensions of the user’s needs pyramid: safety, security, ease-to-use, comfort and experience. Based on the quantitative analysis of data collected from 984 respondents and the qualitative analysis of 49 women’s testimonies collected during the focus groups, recommendations were made to encourage culture of service and gender mainstreaming in public transport development in the region

Evaluating All-Weather Pavement Markings in Illinois: Volume 2

The project evaluated two pre-manufactured pavement marking tapes (380AW and XRP-R) over three winter seasons at two different Illinois DOT locations (central and southern Illinois). The two products were installed on I-80 within a recessed groove in contrast to IL-3 where they were rolled in with the last pass of the asphalt finishing machine. Retroreflectivity was measured under three standard conditions including dry, wet-recovery, and continuously wetted. The 380AW tape measured 148 mcd under continuously wetted conditions after 3 winters on I-80 and overall measured significantly higher than the XRP-R tape under the two wet conditions (recovery and continuously wetted). The XRP-R tape performed well under dry conditions; however, wet-recovery retroreflectivity was below 100 mcd (after initial conditions) and continuously wetted retroreflectivity did not exceed 100 mcd. Short of a minimum retroreflectivity threshold for wet conditions, these findings will support IDOT decision making in terms of product selection where trying to enhance safety through providing higher levels of wet night visibility. The findings also highligIDOT-R27-120Ope

Approximate Solution of Second-Order Integrodifferential Equation of Volterra Type in RKHS Method

Abstract In this paper, an application of reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) method is applied to solve second-order integrodifferential equation of Volterra type. The analytical solution is represented in the form of series in the reproducing kernel space. The n−truncation approximation u n (x) is obtained and proved to converge to the analytical solution u(x). Moreover, the presented method has an advantages that it is possible to pick any point in the interval domain and as well the approximate solution and its derivatives will be applicable Numerical experiments are displayed to illustrate the validity, accuracy, efficiency and applicability of the proposed method. Results indicates that our technique is simple, straightforward and effective. Mathematics Subject Classification: 47B32, 45J05, 34K2

THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ON GUEST SATISFACTION IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF LUXURY HOTELS

This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) (Personalized Guest Experience, Chatbots and Virtual Assistants, Revenue Management, Operational Efficiency, Fraud Detection and Security, Predictive Maintenance) on guest satisfaction in luxury hotels from perspective of managers. A quantitative methodology was employed through adopting questionnaire that was self-administered by (89) managers within luxury five stars hotels in Amman – Jordan. SPSS was used to tackle the primary data, results of study was able to accepted study hypotheses arguing that artificial intelligence has the ability to increase guest satisfaction in luxury hotels. Results indicated that AI in hospitality industry has the ability to revolutionize the concept of guest satisfaction through easing the process of services and increase their loyalty as well. Study indicated that the highest agreement was for chatbots and virtual assistants in influence. However, it argued that while AI has the potential to significantly enhance guest satisfaction in luxury hotels, it is essential to balance the use of AI with human interaction. Many guests still value the personal touch and human connection that comes with traditional hospitality. Therefore, it is important for hotels to ensure that AI is used to enhance, rather than replace, human interaction with guests. Study recommended that hotels should be focused on providing personalized experiences, streamlining operations, and enhancing convenience and comfort in order to increase guest satisfaction. Further recommendations were presented in the study. Significance of study lies in the fact that examining the impact of AI in increasing guest satisfaction in luxury hotel play a role in increasing competitive advantage, help luxury hotels save costs by automating tasks and reducing the need for human labor and stay ahead of the curve and embrace new technologies such as AI. Originality of study is in the fact that it help in developing new theories and frameworks for understanding the complex relationship between technology and guest satisfaction in the hospitality industry

Consumer Adoption of Self-Service Technologies in the Context of the Jordanian Banking Industry: Examining the Moderating Role of Channel Types

YesThis study aimed to examine the key factors predicting Jordanian consumers’ intentions and usage of three types of self-service banking technologies. This study also sought to test if the impacts of these main predictors could be moderated by channel type. This study proposed a conceptual model by integrating factors from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), along with perceived risk. The required data were collected from a convenience sample of Jordanian banking customers using a survey questionnaire. The statistical results strongly support the significant influence of performance expectancy, social influence, and perceived risk on customer intentions for the three types of SSTs examined. The results of the X2 differences test also indicate that there are significant differences in the influence of the main predictors due to the moderating effect of channel type. One of the key contributions of this study is that three types of SSTs were tested in a single study, which had not been done before, leading to the identification of the factors common to all three types, as well as the salient factors unique to each type

Online peer assessment in higher education: a systematic review of literature in educational practices

Neste artigo procedemos a uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre Online Peer Assessment (OPA) no Ensino Superior, mediadas por Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação (TIC). Identificamos suas características, centrais e opcionais e mapeamos exemplos práticos (procedimentos e TIC) de OPA que poderão ser transversais, adaptáveis e aplicáveis em diversas unidades curriculares e regimes educacionais. Os resultados apontam para a utilização da OPA como uma estratégia que potencia a “avaliação para a aprendizagem”. Os referenciais teóricos subjacentes, os métodos de avaliação e os tipos de TIC utilizadas indicam seu direcionamento para um maior envolvimento e responsabilidade do aluno na sua aprendizagem. Evidenciamos na literatura que se busca desenvolver essas competências, dando ao aluno oportunidades com alguma regularidade para autoavaliar-se e avaliar seus pares por meio de feedback construtivo. Há também evidências de que dar ou produzir feedback é mais benéfico para a aprendizagem do que apenas recebê-lo, como também é cognitivamente mais exigente e envolve os alunos de forma mais ativa e os direciona ao pensamento crítico e a processos metacognitivos. A partir dos resultados alcançados, consideramos que a OPA, enquanto ferramenta cognitiva, contribui para a construção do conhecimento e para a reflexão sobre a aprendizagem. Um desafio que se coloca diz respeito ao desenvolvimento criativo com foco na diversificação e na inovação das práticas de avaliação no sentido de potenciar aprendizagens e resultados acadêmicos, em atenção às necessidades de aprendizagem que se manifestam frente às expectativas da educação atual e futura e às exigências da sociedade.In this research a systematic review of literature about Online Peer Assessment (OPA) in higher education, mediated by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), was carried out. Optional and central characteristics and its practices (procedures and ICT) were identified and mapping. These procedures and practices may be transversal, adaptable and applied in several curriculum units and educational regimes. The results point to the use of OPA as a strategy that enhances “assessment for learning”. The theoretical framework, the methods of assessment and the kinds of ICT used indicate directions for greater involvement and responsibility from the part of the student in his/her learning. Theoretical framework identifies the need to develop students’ skills, providing them with opportunities for self-assessment and peer assessment on a regular basis through constructive feedback. There is also evidence that to give or receive feedback is more beneficial for learning than just receiving it. It is also cognitively more demanding and directs the students to critical thinking and metacognitive processes. From the results obtained, OPA is seen as a cognitive tool, contributing to the building of knowledge and to reflection about learning. Issues for further reflection are also identified such as the creative development of assessment methods with a focus on diversity and innovation in order to enhance students’ learning and academic results, taking into account their learning needs in face of the expectations of current and future education and the demands of society.CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho (UI 317 da FCT), PortugalFundos Nacionais através da FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) e cofinanciado pelo Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) através do COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) com a referência POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio