Hydrogeology of a complex Champlain Sea deposit (Quebec, Canada) : implications for slope stability

The thick sequences of marine clayey deposits which blanket the St. Lawrence Lowlands in south-eastern Canada are highly susceptible to landslides. With 89% of the population of the Province of Quebec living in this region, improving our understanding of the mechanisms causing landslides in these sediments is a matter of public security. To accomplish this goal, instruments were deployed at a field site in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Quebec, Canada to monitor atmospheric, soil, and groundwater conditions. Field and laboratory measurements of soil geotechnical and hydraulic properties were also performed. Results indicate that the groundwater and pore pressure dynamics at the site cannot be explained using simplified site conceptual models. Further analysis indicates that groundwater dynamics and pore pressures in the massive clay deposits on-site are determined by (i) the highly-heterogeneous nature of the local geological materials (ii) the contrasting hydraulic and geotechnical properties of these materials, (iii) the presence of two unconfined aquifers at the site, one surficial and one at depth, and (iv), the presence of the Sainte-Anne River. These results were used to create a new conceptual model which illustrates the complex groundwater flow system present on site, and shows the importance of including hydrogeologic context in slope stability analysis

Asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in a confined adult community population in Quebec: a cross-sectional study

Several countries have undertaken social distancing measures to stop SARS-CoV-2 spread. Asymptomatic carriers’ prevalence is unknown and would provide essential information on hidden viral circulation. In our cross-sectional study, 1.82% of 330 asymptomatic confined individuals living in the community carried SARS-CoV-2 despite no contact with declared cases, raising concerns about unnoticed transmission

Mapping the Relationship Between the CDIO Syllabus and the CEAB Graduate Outcomes: An Update

CDIO Standard 2 stipulates learning outcomes based on a syllabus that has been validated by program stakeholders and most CDIO programs are using the CDIO Syllabus (version 1) as the basis for developing their own outcomes. Version 2 of the Syllabus is newly available and this paper will update the mapping between CDIO and Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) originally presented at the International CDIO Conference 2010. It is anticipated that this update will be presented within the proposed panel session on accreditation and CDIO standards

Sécurité vécue et perçue par les piétons aux intersections signalées : comparaison entre l'environnement bâti, routier et le phasage des feux à Montréal et Québec, Canada

International audienceMany studies attempt to establish a relationship between the built environment and road safety, but few focuses on pedestrians’ sense of safety, though they are the most vulnerable road users. The research presented here is part of a larger project aimed at comparing the pedestrian traffic light systems at intersections in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. Quebec City has a relatively unique system as nearly all traffic lights have an exclusive pedestrian phase. Montreal uses mostly the lead pedestrian interval phase. The research objective of this article is to establish whether there is a relationship between the characteristics of intersections and the pedestrians’ feeling of safety and vehicle-pedestrian interactions while crossing them. The data comes from observations and questionnaires taken on site and were used to perform bivariate analyses (chi-square and ANOVA). Our results show that above all, it is the characteristics of the built and road environment that have an influence on the experienced and perceived safety. The “protected” mode for pedestrians seems to provide a better sense of safety rather than the partially protected mode, where vehicles and pedestrians cross together. Other variables are associated with the experienced safety (e.g., speed, distance to the city centre, population density) and perceived safety (e.g., volume of vehicles, number of lanes). These results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics at intersections with traffic lights and their phasing, as well as a better assessment of the issues relating to the pedestrians’ feeling of safety.De nombreuses études établissent une relation entre l’environnement bâti et la sécurité routière, mais peu s’intéressent au sentiment de sécurité des piétons. Cette recherche a pour but de comparer les systèmes de gestion des traversées piétonnes aux intersections avec feux de circulation à Montréal et à Québec (Canada). La priorité piétonne via des phasages exclusifs est une pratique systématique à Québec contrairement à Montréal, d’où l’intérêt de ces deux terrains d’étude. L’objectif est d’explorer la relation entre les caractéristiques des intersections et le risque vécu et perçu des piétons y traversant. Les données proviennent d’observations et de questionnaires in situ et ont servi à effectuer des analyses bivariées (Khi-carré et ANOVA). Nos résultats montrent que ce sont surtout les caractéristiques de l’environnement bâti et routier qui ont une influence sur la sécurité vécue et perçue. D’autres variables sont associées au risque vécu (ex. : vitesse, distance au centre-ville, densité de population) et perçu (ex. : volume de véhicule, nombre de voies). Ces résultats contribuent à une meilleure compréhension des dynamiques aux intersections avec feux et à leur phasage, ainsi qu’à une meilleure évaluation des enjeux liés à l’insécurité ressentie des piétons