ROADEX – Benchmarking Low Traffic Volume Road Condition Management in EU Northern Periphery Area

Abstract Roads affect wildlife significantly through direct mortality but also through behavioral change. We explored the effects of unsurfaced sand roads with a low traffic volume on the travelling behavior of gopher tortoises Gopherus polyphemus in scrub habitat in central Florida, as evidenced by the tracks left by tortoises on sand roads. Tortoises (and most other taxa leaving tracks on the roads) did not appear to make use of roads for travel but attempted to cross them, the success of which was influenced by the size of the individual. Smaller animals (presumably younger tortoises) were more challenged than larger animals by both sand road widths and depths of vehicle ruts in sand roads. Sand roads may present both physical and physiological challenges to gopher tortoises, particularly to small ones. This research provides further evidence that the negative influence of roads in fragmenting the environment is not limited to vehicle mortality.

Download Full-text

The Application of Soy Biodiesel in Bituminous Priming of Soil-Aggregate Layers of Low Traffic Volume Roads in the State of Ceara, Brazil

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.875-877.115 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 875-877 ◽

pp. 115-125

Author(s):

Bruno Tiago Angelo da Silva ◽

Suelly Helena de Araújo Barroso

Keyword(s):

Resilient Modulus ◽

Asphalt Mixture ◽

Soil Aggregate ◽

Traffic Volume ◽

The State ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Compaction Energy ◽

Materials Used ◽

Low Traffic

This work investigates the potential of penetration, in terms of bituminous prime coat, of an asphalt mixture produced adding Soy Biodiesel [BIO] to the Asphalt Cement [AC] to be used in low traffic volume roads in the state of Ceara, Brazil. The main objective of this investigation was finding a less polluting alternative, by replacing kerosene, usually applied as diluent of AC in the traditional mixture CM-30. Therefore, a comparative study was made between the traditional binder [CM-30] and the proposed mixture [40% of Soy Biodiesel and 60% of AC 50/70], named as AC/BIO. Both tested binders were used in specimens made by the stabilization of a sandy soil, adding 50% and 60% of construction and demolition waste, resulting in two different soil-aggregate mixtures. The research considered some factors that influence the extent of penetration of the prime coat: moisture content of the base, type and volume of binder used and compaction energy. The characterization of the materials used in this research included tests such as the gradation of the aggregates, CBR and Resilient Modulus of the mixtures soil/aggregate, viscosity Saybolt-Furol and penetration of the binders (traditional and AC/BIO) in the samples of soil/aggregate. The results showed that the penetration potential of the AC/BIO mixture was similar to the CM-30 keeping the technical viability.

Download Full-text

Analysis of IRI value for assessment of optimum maintenance strategy for low traffic volume roads in Nepal

Journal of Science and Engineering ◽

10.3126/jsce.v4i0.22380 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 41-46

Author(s):

Ramesh Bala ◽

Ghana Shyam Gautam ◽

Gautam Bir Singh Tamrakar

Keyword(s):

Operating Cost ◽

Research Work ◽

Google Earth ◽

Traffic Volume ◽

Maintenance Strategy ◽

Road Infrastructure ◽

Economic Decision ◽

The Road ◽

Spatial Coverage ◽

Low Traffic

Road infrastructure is an important sector of economic activity for the development of a country. The road infrastructure is required to be maintained in proper condition to ensure its continuous utilization in proper manner. By proper maintenance of roads, continuous acceptability, a higher economy, safety and serviceability are gained. This research work was carried out through analysis of data collected from Department of Road (DoR) Nepal and surveyed through Google Earth. While analyzing data, data are categorized according to road type and pavement surface with spatial coverage. It mainly deals with the using of Road Economic Decision (RED) model, in which Highway Development and Management (HDM)-4 VOC model (Version 3.2) is used for computing coefficient of Vehicle Operating Cost (VOC) and RED Main Economic Decision model is used to compute value of International Roughness Index (IRI) for optimum maintenance strategy for strategic road network of Nepal with low traffic volume. The outcome of analysis will help the concern authority to make good decision on making priority and economical selection of maintenance strategy for the road having specified range of IRI value depending on the pavement type, surface type and volume of vehicle with spatial coverage.

Download Full-text

A study on Mechanical Properties of Porous Concrete for its use in Low Traffic Volume Roads and Parking Areas in Muscat

International Journal of Civil Engineering ◽

10.14445/23488352/ijce-v4i5p110 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 40-46

Author(s):

Manahil Sulaiman Nasser Al Maawali ◽

◽

N.Srinivasa Reddy

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Traffic Volume ◽

Porous Concrete ◽

Low Traffic

Download Full-text

Spatial distribution and seasonal pattern in road mortality of the common toad Bufo bufo in an agricultural landscape of south-western Poland

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853807779799045 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 25-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Grzegorz Orłowski

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Traffic Volume ◽

Seasonal Migration ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Road Mortality ◽

Vehicle Traffic ◽

High Traffic Volume ◽

Low Traffic

AbstractAmphibians are the group of animals suffering particularly from the presence of roads and vehicle traffic. The seasonal migration to breeding places undertaken by amphibians in the temperate climate zone is the main reason for their appearance on roads. Between June 2001 and August 2003, 957 common toads Bufo bufo were recorded killed on 48.8 km road network with various traffic volumes (350-10500 cars per 24 h), situated in the agricultural landscape of south-western Poland. The highest mortality was recorded in April (57% of all road-kills). The places with highest recorded mortality varied markedly throughout the year. In spring, many more animals died within the built-up areas, while in summer and autumn their number increased in the open countryside. During the whole study period, 73% of all road-kills were recorded on roads (55% of all controlled) with the lowest traffic volume (350-470 cars per 24 h). The average number of road-kills on roads with the high traffic volume (5700-10500 cars per 24 h) was over 15 times lower than on the roads with low traffic (0-0.17 road-kills per 100 m on roads with high traffic vs 2.59 road-kills per 100 m on roads with low traffic). The number of road-kills on 15 road sections was most closely related to the abundance of local populations of Bufo bufo and to the size of water bodies situated in the road vicinity. The yearly level of local mortality in breeding populations of Bufo bufo due to the vehicle traffic ranged from 2 to 18%.

Download Full-text