Another Person’s Peril: Peanut Allergy, Risk Perceptions, and Responsible Sociality

This article examines perceptions of health risk when some individuals within a shared space are in heightened danger but anyone, including unaffected others, can be a vector of risk. Using the case of peanut allergy and drawing on qualitative content analysis of the public comments submitted in response to an unsuccessful 2010 U.S. Department of Transportation proposal to prohibit peanuts on airplanes, we analyze contention over the boundaries of responsibility for mitigating exposure to risk. We find three key dimensions of proximity to risk (material, social, and situational) characterizing ardent claims both for and against policy enactment. These proximity concerns underlay commenters’ sensemaking about fear, trust, rights, moral obligations, and liberty in the act of sharing space with others, while allowing them to stake positions on what we call “responsible sociality”—an ethic of discernible empathy for proximate others and of consideration for public benefit in social and communal settings. We conclude by discussing the insights our case affords several other areas of scholarship attentive to the intractable yet timely question of “for whom do we care?”

Effects of Flexible Notice-to-Proceed Provisions on the Performance of Transportation Infrastructure Projects

When alternative contracting techniques are considered, one innovative approach for assuring the performance of a transportation infrastructure project is offering contractors flexibility about when they start the project. Although such flexible notice-to-proceed (NTP) provisions are becoming more common, quantitative studies examining their impact on project performance are nonexistent. This study investigates the likely effects of flexible NTP provisions on competitive bidding, bid prices, and contract time. A dataset gathered from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, United States, was carefully stratified by type and size of project to allow for unbiased analysis. The results from the hypothesis testing revealed that projects with flexible NTP provisions were more competitive in relation to bidding. The results also indicated a positive correlation between the length of flexible time window and award growth. This study is the first of its kind and will help state transportation agencies make better-informed decisions by providing a point of reference when adopting NTP provisions for alternative contracting projects.

Service Innovation for Route Permits and Public Transport Operations Permits through Si Pintar Solo at the Surakarta City Department of Transportation

Innovation is one way to restructure public services that are integrated with information technology. Starting from the existence of public transportation in the city of Surakarta that is no longer extending due to the revitalization of public transportation, the lack of network and route permits optimization and manual public transport permit services seem convoluted, slow and take a lot of time. The Surakarta City Department of Transportation created ‘Si Pintar Solo’ innovation, which is the the Solo Route and Operation Licensing Information System. This study aims to identify and understand the implementation of the Si Pintar Solo innovation by using the innovation theory according to Rogers (2003). This is a descriptive qualitative research, with primary data, such as interviews and secondary data from related documents. The sample selected by purposive sampling. The data validity used source triangulation. The data analyzed using interactive analysis. The results showed that the implementation of the Si Pintar Solo innovation described in each of the innovation attribute criteria, such as simplifying and accelerating services because it is supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure, according to community needs. Licensing is conducted online which does not require coming to the Surakarta City Department of Transportation office and is integrated with the e-Uji service. In addition, it could monitor the licensing process and the result of licensing data is stored in the database. However, there are obstacles, such as signal limitedness and the users’ quandary about innovations involving technology.

Data Mining Statewide Department of Transportation Volumetrically Designed Asphalt Mixture Records

In recent years, the asphalt paving industry has been strained by numerous factors including increased asphalt binder costs, funding that has not kept up with material costs, increased societal pressure to recycle, and deteriorating pavement networks. Mix design should account for the market in which it is used, which is very different now than when today’s volumetric mix design practices were developed (many of the aforementioned factors were less present). Given this reality, a statewide database of all 1,452 approved mix designs in Mississippi from 2005 to 2018 was compiled and analyzed, and the objective of this paper is to present findings, trends, and unintended consequences of exclusive reliance on volumetrics. With volumetrics-only mix design, asphalt content is primarily controlled by voids in mineral aggregate (VMA), which is influenced by aggregate bulk specific gravity (Gsb). Minor Gsb deviations (i.e., within AASHTO d2 s limits), can significantly affect VMA, so much so that 99% of Mississippi’s mixes could be failing VMA while reported VMA passes. This allows mix manipulation and economization, with 0.8% asphalt content reductions possible while still meeting volumetric requirements. Recycled materials can exacerbate this issue, and common approaches to increase asphalt content (decreasing design gyration level or using finer gradations) are ineffective with fixed VMA requirements. Overall, the mix design database analysis agrees with numerous smaller studies but does so with an entire state’s actual practice. This presents a compelling case that volumetrics-only mix design has limitations, and supports ongoing efforts to reintegrate mechanical tests.

Incorporating Health-Related Criteria for Project Scoring in Massachusetts

Transportation projects can affect health through multiple pathways—for example, by degrading air quality or encouraging active transportation. There is a need to incorporate health considerations in transportation decision-making to achieve health-related community goals. This paper presents highway project scoring criteria that allow for capturing the impact of transportation projects on health. These scoring criteria are organized into five groups—air quality, accessibility, equity, physical activity, and safety—to capture the multiple pathways that transportation interacts with health. The focus of this study was on updating the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division project scoresheet to incorporate health-related criteria. Evidence base, standards, and data needs based on which each criterion is assessed, as well as limitations, are summarized for each of the proposed criteria. The paper concludes with a discussion on the outcomes of the proposed changes as well as the transferability potential of the proposed criteria.

Changes in Transportation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Survey of Middle-Aged and Older Floridians

The pandemic’s numerous effects on everyday life include reductions in driving and changes in the use of other transportation modes, like getting rides from family and friends, walking, and biking. Aside from broad patterns, however, little is known about these changes, including how they affected different groups of the population and how they felt about them. Our study addresses these issues using data collected from an online survey of over 4,000 Floridians aged 50 or older, conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 and funded by the Florida Department of Transportation to support its aging road user program, Safe Mobility for Life. Changes in driving and in rides from family and friends were more striking than those in other transportation modes. Nearly 30 percent of respondents decreased their driving during the pandemic, while 20 percent got fewer rides from family and 25 percent got fewer rides from friends. In contrast, only 11 percent decreased their walking, and the same percentage increased it. Less common were changes in biking, with percent 7 decreasing and only 4 percent increasing it. Multivariate analyses revealed that these changes were influenced by gender, race, age, socioeconomic status, and health. Further insight was gained from analysis of an open-ended item, revealing positive and negative assessments of the changes. Positive assessments centered on feeling satisfied with working at home, spending more time outdoors, having more free time, and saving money. Negative assessments centered on social isolation, dissatisfaction with government responses to the pandemic, and reduced transportation options.

Motor vehicle crashes on tribal reservations: mapping and statistics

Background Motor vehicle crashes (MVC’s) in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities account for 43% of unintentional injury deaths. This article introduces MVC data and geographic information system (GIS) mapping for tribal reservations. Methods Utilizing a sample of Montana Department of Transportation (DOT) data for the Flathead reservations to calculate frequencies and proportions of crash types (i.e., property damage or no-injury, injury, fatality or unknown), while also mapping these data to provide a cross-sectional snapshot of MVC’s. Results Overall, 515 MVC’s occurred for years 2016 through 2018, with no-injury, injury, and fatality accounting for 72.2%, 24.9% and 1.8% of all crashes, respectively, with the number of MVC’s ranging up to 30 per square mile. Conclusion Examining DOT data and utilizing it for visual representation of MVC’s can be used as an additional source in uncovering patterns and trends on Tribal reservations and supporting MVC prevention efforts.

Pengaplikasian Pompa Air Otomatis di Pasar Sudimampir sebagai Bentuk Dukungan Pencegahan Penyebaran Virus Covid-19

Tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah pengaplikasian pompa air otomatis di pasar Sudimampir sebagai bentuk dukungan pencegahan penyebaran virus covid-19 di daerah Banjarmasin serta mengedukasi masyarakat/ pengunjung pasar mengenai tata cara cuci tangan yang benar melalui papan informasi yang dipasang pada tempat yang ditentukan. Mitra kegiatan pengabdian ini adalah dinas perhubungan wilayah pasar lima (sudimampir) dikarenakan tempat pengaplikasian pompa tersebut ada di depan dermaga/ pelabuhan yang termasuk tempat dengan aktivitas yang cukup tinggi di wilayah tersebut. Metode kegiatan yang digunakan meliputi: 1) observasi awal, 2) pengaplikasian kegiatan, 3) evaluasi, dan 4) refleksi. Evaluasi dilakukan secara kuantitatif menggunakan instrumen angket respon mitra dan pengunjung pasar terhadap kegiatan yang dilakukan. Adapun hasil kegiatan pengabdian ini berupa: 1) terpasangnya pompa air otomatis dan papan informasi tata cara mencuci tangan yang baik dan benar di daerah pasar serta 2) respon mitra dan pengunjung pasar terhadap kegiatan yang dilakukan 88,88% termasuk dalam kategori sangat baik dengan skor rata-rata sebesar 3,56 dari skor maksimal rata-rata 4. Indikator respon ini dilihat dari: 1) 86,67% termasuk dalam kategori sangat baik dalam keahlian dan kesiapan dari tim dalam kegiatan, 2) 92,50% termasuk dalam kategori sangat baik dari segi kegunaan dari alat yang diaplikasikan, 3) 97,50% termasuk dalam kategori sangat baik dalam kesesuaian dengan kebutuhan masyarakat, dan 4) 78,75% termasuk dalam kategori baik dalam hal kesesuaian kegiatan dengan harapan masyarakat (mitra dan pengunjung). This activity aims to apply an automatic water pump in the Sudimampir market to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the Banjarmasin and educate the public/market visitors about washing hand procedures through information on a board installed someplace. The partner of this service activity is the Department of Transportation of the Pasar Lima area (Sudimampir) because the pump application location is in front of the pier/port, a place with quite high activity in the area. The activity methods used include 1) initial observation, 2) application of activities, 3) evaluation, and 4) reflection. The evaluation is used quantitatively using a questionnaire instrument of the responses of partners and market visitors to the activities carried out. The results of this service include 1) the installation of an automatic water pump and an information board for proper and correct handwashing procedures in the market area and 2) the response of partners and market visitors to the activities carried out by 88.88% including in the very good category with a score an average of 3.56 from the average maximum score 4. This response indicator is seen from: 1) 86.67% is included in the very good category that showed the expertise and readiness of the team in activities, 2) 92.50% is included in the category very good that showed terms of the usefulness of the tools applied, 3) 97.50% is included in the very good category that showed accordance with community needs, and 4) 78.75% is in the good category that showed terms of the suitability of activities with community expectations (partners and visitors).

Implementation of the Suroboyo Bus transportation policy paying with plastic bottle waste

In collaboration with the Department of Cleanlines and Green Open Space of the City of Surabaya, the Department of Transportation launched a new means of transportation, namely the Suroboyo Bus. Uniquely, the Suroboyo Bus is paid for with plastic bottle waste. The purpose of this Suroboyo Bus is to reduce plastic waste and congestion in the city of Surabaya. The type of research is descriptive with a qualitative approach. The focus of this research uses policy implementation, according to Edward G. III, namely, communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure. The results of this study are that implementing the Suroboyo Bus is considered quite good, there is support from the public, and has a real impact. On the other hand, there are still obstacles in implementing the Suroboyo Bus, which has not been properly integrated in waste contribution procedures.

Analisis Karakteristik Perilaku Perjalanan dan Willingness to Walk Penumpang BRT Trans Jateng (Purwokerto-Purbalingga)

The increasing need for transportation has prompted the government to provide public transportation to increase mobility and reduce the number of private vehicles. The Department of Transportation of Central Java Province has developed the Trans Jateng BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) mass transportation in the Barlingmascakeb area through activities to improve the Trans Jateng agglomeration transportation service. The BRT that has been operated in the Banyumas area is Corridor 1 on the Purwokerto-Purbalingga route. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of travel behavior and passengers' willingness to walk. The sampling of the research was random sampling using a questionnaire as the main data collection tool. The results of the discussion of travel behavior in terms of the purpose of the trip were dominated by recreation/shopping and education. The majority of BRT users used public transportation as the mode used before switching to BRT, the connecting mode from home to shelter is dominated by feeders, while from destination to shelter is dominated by walking. The connection distance from the house and from the destination to the shelter is >400 meters. Thus, the majority of respondents came from a buffer range of 0-400 meters. Based on willingness to walk, some respondents walk up to a radius of >400 meters. It is necessary to add more shelter points if the distance between stopping points does not meet the standards and provide better shelter access, especially by walking or using other integrated public transportation.