Sealing The Cracks in the Wear Layer of the Road Surface by Friction against a Rotary Active Element

The main objective of the research paper is the theoretical and experimental analysis of the method proposed for sealing (clogging) cracks in asphalt, by means of a cylindrical bitumen bar, enriched with plastic and rubber granules (obtained from the use of waste), which melts and infuses into the cracked zone by rotation and friction against it. After analyzing the technical characteristics of the sealed area and the time required to apply the bitumen layer, this method can be chosen in the future to the detriment of the expensive operations of partial milling of the cracked wear layer, making possible the repair of cracks by sealing(clogging), using the friction procedure. The research results highlighted the diminution of road maintenance costs using the method of friction, the decrease of cracks repair time, maintaining the initial characteristics of the repaired area, incorporating a waterproofing material (plastic and rubbber granules from recycled waste), keeping the wear layer in good conditions, possibility of embedding an intelligent system of traffic monitoring at low costs etc.

Design of a VTOL UAV for Anti-poaching Surveillance Missions in the Danube Delta

The main objective of the research paper is the theoretical and experimental analysis of the method proposed for sealing (clogging) cracks in asphalt, by means of a cylindrical bitumen bar, enriched with plastic and rubber granules (obtained from the use of waste), which melts and infuses into the cracked zone by rotation and friction against it. After analyzing the technical characteristics of the sealed area and the time required to apply the bitumen layer, this method can be chosen in the future to the detriment of the expensive operations of partial milling of the cracked wear layer, making possible the repair of cracks by sealing(clogging), using the friction procedure. The research results highlighted the diminution of road maintenance costs using the method of friction, the decrease of cracks repair time, maintaining the initial characteristics of the repaired area, incorporating a waterproofing material (plastic and rubbber granules from recycled waste), keeping the wear layer in good conditions, possibility of embedding an intelligent system of traffic monitoring at low costs etc.

The “New Transamazonian Highway”: BR-319 and Its Current Environmental Degradation

The Brazilian government intends to complete the paving of the BR-319 highway, which connects Porto Velho in the deforestation arc region with Manaus in the middle of the Amazon Forest. This paving is being planned despite environmental legislation, and there is concern that its effectiveness will cause additional deforestation, threatening large portions of forest, conservation units (CUs), and indigenous lands (ILs) in the surrounding areas. In this study, we evaluated environmental degradation along the BR-319 highway from 2008 to 2020 and verified whether highway maintenance has contributed to deforestation. For this purpose, we created a 20 km buffer adjacent to the BR-319 highway and evaluated variables extracted from remote sensing information between 2008 and 2020. Fire foci, burned areas, and rainfall data were used to calculate a drought index using statistical tests for a time series. Furthermore, these were related to data on deforestation, CUs, and ILs using principal component analysis and Pearson’s correlation. Our results showed that 743 km2 of forest was deforested during the period evaluated, most of which occurred in the last four years. A total of 16,472 fire foci were identified. Both deforestation and fire foci occurred mainly outside the CUs and ILs. The most affected areas were close to capital cities, and after resuming road maintenance in 2015, deforestation increased outside the capital cities. Current government policy for Amazon occupation promotes deforestation and will compromise Brazil’s climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deforestation.

A Characterization Method for Pavement Structural Condition Assessment based on the Distribution Parameter of the Vehicle Vibration Signal

A pavement structural survey plays a vital role in road maintenance and management. This study was intended to explore the feasibility of a non-stop pavement structure assessment method by analyzing the vibration data from a vehicle sensor. In this study, three falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests and four vehicle vibration tests were conducted on five pavement structures. The FWD test results show that the continuously reinforced composite pavement has a higher structural stiffness than the semi-rigid base asphalt pavement. According to the statistical distribution of vehicle acceleration, a distribution parameter, the peak probability density (PPD), was proposed. The correlation coefficient (−0.722) of the center deflection (D1) and PPD indicates a strong correlation between the two variables. Therefore, PPD is strongly correlated with pavement structural stiffness. This study proposed a novel characterization method for pavement structural conditions based on the distribution parameter of the vehicle vibration signal.

Rockfall and Rainfall Correlation in the Anaga Nature Reserve in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

Rockfalls are frequent and damaging phenomena that occur on steep or vertical slopes, in coastal areas, mountains and along coastal cliff. Water, in different forms, is the most common triggered factor of rockfalls. Consequently, we can consider that precipitation is the most influential factor for slope instabilities and it influences almost all other water parameters. Besides, the specific geology of the Anaga nature reserve in the volcanic island of Tenerife, together with its steep landscape, contributes to the instability of the slopes and frequent rockfalls. Recently, due to climate change and global warming, the annual precipitation/rainfall has declined but the number of heavy storms, associated with intense rainfall and strong winds, events that exceed precipitation thresholds in a brief period has increased which triggers slope movements. This paper describes the analysis of information on rainfall-induced rockfalls in Anaga, Tenerife (Canary Islands), to forecast rock failures of social significance and to improve the capability to respond and emergency decision making. To define reliable thresholds for a certain area, we analized information during the period 2010–2016, reconstructed the rockfall events, and statistically analyzed the historical rainfall conditions that led to landslides. The summary graph correlating precipitation to the probability of occurrence of an event was plotted. Statistical and probability graphs were made with the direct relationship between the number of rockfall events and total rainfall in that period by examining the maximum daily precipitation, not only on the day of the event but up to 3 days before. Hence, the results of this study would serve as a guide for the possible forecasting of rainfall-induced rockfalls, especially for road maintenance services, so that they can be on alert or mobilize the necessary resources in advance depending on the intensity of the expected rainfall.

Fatigue Life Predictions for a European Pavement Test Section Subjected to Individual and Platoon Truck Configurations

Truck platooning for the transportation of loads is a strategy recently proposed by the automotive sector to cope with traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and operational costs. This new way of configuring trucks changes the typical pressures pavements structures experience. For this reason, the research efforts of the pavement sector should be aligned with the automotive sector to propose road-friendly platoon configurations. This is one of the objectives of the European project ENSEMBLE. ENSEMBLE, as indicated by its acronym, works on ENabling SafE Multi-Brand pLatooning for Europe. In this context, the present study presents a real scale test done in the Applus IDIADA facilities to evaluate the fatigue behavior of a pavement structure subjected to individual and platoon truck configurations. The effects of parameters such as traffic distribution through the year and by time of day, percentage of platoons, truck loads, number of trucks in platoon configuration, lateral wandering, and inter-truck distances were evaluated. The study’s findings revealed that the reduced rest times between trucks in the platoon configuration reduce the recovery time of the asphalt layers, increasing the fatigue damage to the pavement at high temperature conditions. This underlines the need for further research to allow the proper implementation of truck platoons. For example, research is needed to define strategies to make truck platoon configurations more pavement-friendly and analyze the costs associated with the changes in the required road maintenance/rehabilitation treatments, among others.

Microwave Heating as an Innovative Road Maintenance Technology: Aging Effect on Binder and Feasibility Evaluation

The microwave heating/healing technique is regarded as a green maintenance approach for asphalt pavements thanks to its promising environmental and economic benefits. However, the main concern about this technology is represented by the possible aging effect generated on bituminous binders. Currently, there is a significant lack of studies dealing with this topic. Based on these premises, the main purpose of this study is to appraise the feasibility of implementing microwave-based maintenance operations considering the associated aging effect. The assessment of fatigue life after cyclic microwave heating (MH) based on a linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test and the changes in the chemical groups detected through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy document the aging phenomenon. The results indicate that the microwave aging degree on bituminous binder is nonlinear with MH cycles. The microwave radiation causes a distinct aging impact on binders during the first 10 cycles, then the values become constant. Furthermore, a feasibility analysis of MH technology is developed, encompassing four main multidisciplinary aspects: evaluation of microwave aging degree, working mechanism of MH equipment, safety assessment, and economic and ecological considerations. Despite the associated aging issue, the MH method is an efficient technology, considering its various advantages (i.e., rapidity of execution, uniform and non-pollutant treatment, and deep penetration). Meanwhile, the use of steel slag as a microwave absorber bolsters the sustainability of MH technology. This study provides a new perspective to evaluate the microwave heating technique in road engineering comprising the generated aging effect. Practice-oriented recommendations are also formulated regarding the safe implementation of MH technical operations.

Road Asset Management Systems and Performance-Based Road Maintenance Contracts in the CAREC Region

В этой публикации объясняется, как 11 стран-членов Программы Центральноазиатского регионального экономического сотрудничества (ЦАРЭС) могут построить более безопасные и конкурентоспособные транспортные коридоры для людей и товаров.