Volume 29 Issue No 2

7/23/2019 Volume 29 Issue No 2

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Volume 29NEWSLETTER

2015Number 2

UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO,

MAYAGEZ CAMPUSPuerto Rico LTAPwww. prltap.org

Who is at greatest risk in work zones:

WORKERS ordrivers?

SUCCESSFUL 4

th

Anniversar

DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY: 2011-2020

Congratulations To UPRM Doctoral Student recipients of the

Dwight David Eisenhower Federal grant

Impacts AND DESIGN Alternatives FOR

Erosion ANDSedimentation control(E SC) IN Highway Projects

Rail transit: Sustainabledevelopment principals


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2 PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER prltap.org

The Puerto Rico Transportaon Technology Transfer Center is

part of a network of 58 centers through the United States that

comprises The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and

The Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), which enable

local governments, counes, and cies, to improve their roads

and bridges by supplying them with a variety of training

programs, an informaon clearinghouse, new and exisng

technology updates, personalized assistance, and newsleers.

Vol. 29 No. 2, 2015

CONTENT PAGE

Message from the Director 3

Who is at Greatest Risk in Work Zones:

Workers or Drivers?4-5

Congratulaons to UPRM Doctoral Student

Recipients of the Dwight David Eisenhower

Federal Grant

6-7

UPRM Outstanding Representaon at 2015 TRB

Annual Meeng in Washington, D.C.8-10

2nd Consecuve Year in which UPRM Students

Receive Presgious Abers Award in Puerto

Rico

10-11

Successful 4th Anniversary of the

Decade of Acon for Road Safety: 2011-202012-13

Status of The DRIVE Act Implementaon 13

Safety Village Rolling Park Visits the

Municipality of Mayagez during the spring of14

Rail Transit: Sustainable Development

Principals15-17

Puerto Rico Transportaon Technology TransferCenter Parcipates in the Civil Mega Friday

18

Impacts and Design Alternaves for Erosion and

Sedimentaon Control (E&SC) in Highway

Projects

19-21

Know your Trainer: Dr. Walter F. Silva Araya 22

Safety Pledge 23

Vol. 29 No. 2, 2015

Pages

19-21

Impacts and Design Alternaves for Erosion and

Sedimentaon Control (E&SC) in Highway Projects

Successful 4th Anniversary of the Decade of Acon for Road

Safety: 2011-2020 in Puerto Rico

Pages

12-13

Congratulaons to UPRM Doctoral Student Recipients of the

Dwight David Eisenhower Federal Grant

Pages

6-7

Source:hp://ritewayfencing.c

om


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3 EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.29 NO.2, 2015prltap.org

Message from the Director

elcome! My best

regards to the great family of municipal and public

state ocials in this second edion of the newsleer,

ElPuentefor 2015. We have redesigned the look of the

newsleer to emulate new trends. We want to be a

part of resource conservaon by promong an eco-

friendly culture. The laer is in accordance with the

needs of this new millennium, and by this, the

newsleer, contributes to the creaon of awareness

regarding future professionals in the engineering eld.

The new image also represents our journey towards

the Puerto Rico LTAP Centers 30th

Anniversary which

has provided excellence in technical assistance

services to local, municipal and state transportaon

ocials in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin

Islands.

The featuring arcle of this newsleer is dedicated to

one of the third phase iniaves of Every Day Counts,

which is a collaborave work the Center has with the

Federal Highway Administraon (FHWA). Smarter

Work Zones was selected as one of the iniaves to be

implemented in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

and the U.S Virgin Islands Department of Public

Works. This arcle seeks to present the risk workers

and drivers experience in work zones.

This issue of the newsleer includes arcles of

iniaves that contribute to the workforce

development, highlighng the performance of our

future engineers, through programs such as the

Dwight David Eisenhower Fellowship Program and

Abers Chair. We also emphasize the parcipaon of

these future professionals, along with their advisors at

the Transportaon Research Board (TRB) Annual

Meeng.

As spokesmen of the Decade of Acon for Road Safety

2011-2020 in Puerto Rico, we reviewed events in

which the Puerto Rico Transportaon Technology

Transfer Center has contributed to road safety

campaigns in Puerto Rico. As part of this iniave, we

include the celebraon of the fourth anniversary of theDecade of Acon which is dedicated to saving kids

lives. We also include the impact of the Safety Village

Rolling Park visit to the Municipality of Mayagez.

In addion, The Engineering Director of FirstGroup Plc.,

Clive Burrows, wrote an arcle which describes the

essenal values for a sustainable system in a society.

Finally, Dr. Walter Silva Araya shares an arcle about

impacts and design alternaves for erosion and

sedimentaon control in road projects. The seconKnow your Instructor is also dedicated to Dr. Silva

Araya.

I hope the selecon of the arcles presented in this

edion will benet my readers and other professionals

in the local transportaon agencies in Puerto Rico and

the US Virgin Islands. The electronic version of the

newsleer is available inwww.uprm. u/prt2

. I also

encourage you to contact us if you want to submit an

arcle or technical papers related to transportaon for

future edions.

Benjamn Colucci Ros

W


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ork zone safety remains a priority for professionals in thetransportation field. Particularly, because these areas

generate a number of challenges in terms of safety for workers anddrivers. Construction, repair or installation of utilities on roads, areconsidered one of the most dangerous activities in the constructionindustry. The risk in work zone areas is evidenced by the annualinjuries and fatalities crash report. This situation is not onlyexperienced in the United States and Puerto Rico but alsoworldwide. We should not forget that work zone areas are roads inwhich a series of activities are conducted. These cause changeseither in the geometry, or in the alignment of the road and interferewith vehicular flow, therefore, creating dangerous situations.

In work zone safety studies, workers have identified a number offactors, such as speeding,distracted driving,working close to trafficflow and the process ofinstalling traffic controldevices or signs, as themain risks they face on adaily basis.

In a study conducted bythe Associated General Contractors (AGC) between March andApril of this year, it was revealed that 46% of the 800 contractors

surveyed have reported at least a crash or incidentinvolving motor vehicles in work zones during thepast year. Also, the study showed that 16% of theworkers have been injured and 9% have lost theirlives.

W

Who is at greatest risk in work zones:

Workers or Drivers?

EveryDayCountsIniaveSmarterWork

Zones

46%ofcontractors have

reported at least a

crashor incidentinvolving motor

vehicles in work

zones during thepast year -AGC

Source:www.modot.org/workzones/

Source:.tamu.edu


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Furthermore, the study showed that 41% ofcontractors reported that drivers and/or passengerswere injured in work zone crashes during the pastyear in 2014. While a fatality occurred 16% of thetime. Hence, it is considered that drivers andpassengers are at a greater risk of dying or beinginjured in work zones roads than the workersthemselves.

It is important to emphasize that these incidents notonly, cause damage to the people and property butalso, cause delays to the development of projects.These delays have adverse implications to the totalduration of a project and its cost. Contractors haveindicated that 26% of reported crashes in work zonesduring the last year, have forced them to halt their

construction activities. Consequently, 48% of thesedelays lasted two or more days, in which 26% ofthem resulted in less than four days of delay, while a33% of these were less than one day.

In addition, 80% of contractors believe that crashesin work zone areas are more dangerous than a decadeago. While 70% of contractors agreed that theconstant training of workers on safety measures inwork zone areas have helped maintain workers safe.

These outcomes have promoted efforts to identifyalternatives to help promote safety to workers anddrivers. Every Day Counts (EDC) initiatives in its 3rd

phase has selected the technology Smarter WorkZones program to be implemented in theCommonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S.

Virgin Islands Department of Public Works.Thisprogram has established two principle strategies tominimize the impact caused by work zones to the

drivers and workers, such as road projectcoordination and road technology, especially queuemanagement and speed management. Effectivetraffic management is needed during activeconstruction activities to maintain accessibility toresidences, businesses, among others, whilecomplying with the stipulated time. To deal withdelays and car speeds, we need to use technologyinvolving Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

Differentalternatives to dealwith traffic inwork zone areashave beenincorporated indifferent statessuch as Texas,California,Georgia, Florida. Some technologies these stateshave incorporated are Microwave Vehicle Detectors,Automated Flagger Assistance Devices, DynamicMessages Signs, Variable Speed Limits, QueueDetection Information, among others.

These technologies

provide real-timeinformation to driversthrough audio, text orweb pages.

The Puerto RicoHighway andTransportationAuthority (PRHTA), iscurrently evaluating the

implementation ofdifferent technologies aspart of Smarter WorkZones efforts, on three

future projects, namely Baldorioty Express (PR-26),the PR-18 and PR-30, and Highway PR-52.

As transportation engineering professionals, we areencouraged to educate and promote awareness aboutthe importance of driving safely along work zoneareas, complying with traffic laws and recognizingour responsibility to prevent work zone crashes. Formore information about EDC3 initiatives, you canaccess the website http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts

Variable Speed Limits

Source:http://trafic-innovation.com

/en

Dynamic Message Sign

Source:ww.roberttamayo.b

logspot.com
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycountshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycountshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycountshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycountshttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts


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n June 12, 2015 The University of Puerto Rico, MayagezCampus held the 101thGraduation Ceremony. During the ceremony21 doctoral degrees were awarded, nine in Civil Engineering inwhich three of the PhD graduates were from the TransportationEngineering Area.

At the same time, we recognize that four of the Ph.D. graduatestudents were the recipient of the Dwight David EisenhowerFellowship Program, at some point during their graduate studies,and completed their doctoral degree. The graduate students were;Dr. Carlos Calero, Dr. Carlos Gaviria, Dr. Erika Jaramillo and Dr.Vctor Uribe. During their academic years, these four studentspresented their research and projects in different international

forums to complete the Eisenhower Fellowship Programrequirements. Below we will present a brief overview of theirresearch studies.

Dr. Carlos Caleros research entitled Methodology for theEvaluation of the Design Consistency of Two-Lane Rural Roads,provided a new dependent variable in two scales for evaluatinggeometric design consistency in two-lane rural roads. The newdependent variable analyzed the horizontal curves by the 85 thpercentile of the speed differences between consecutive points of the

EisenhowerHis

panicServingInstuonsProgram

From le to right: Dr. Carlos Calero, Dra. Erika Jaramillo,

Dr. Benjamn Colucci and Dr. Carlos Gaviria

O

Congratulations to UPRM Doctoral Student Recipients

of the Dwight David Eisenhower Federal Grant


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horizontal curve (85VBP) estimated by an ArtificialNeural Network. Forthis variable, twoscales of assessmentwere defined, one forapproach and

departure tangents,and one for horizontalcurves sections. Theydefine three levels of geometric design consistency:Good, Fair, or Poor. Caleros advisor was Dr. IvetteCruzado.

On the other hand, Dr. Carlos Gavirias research entitledA Computational Framework for Structural Monitoring

of Reinforced Concrete Structures, entails thedevelopment of a computational framework for robust

structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure. Thisframework identifiesmodal and physicalproperties ofstructures from noisecontaminatedsignals, location andquantification ofdamages caused to a

structure in response to an earthquake event. Dr. LusMontejo was Gavirias advisor.

In addition, Dr. Erika Jaramillo based her researchentitled Incorporating Safety into the Transportation

Planning Process, in adjusting statistical models used toincorporate highway safety in the short and long termstrategic planning process. These models can be used toforecast the rate of crashes for different planning andconceptual design scenaRos. They can also be used toidentify municipalitieswith high crash rates(crashes per kilometer/per population/per year).Dr. Jaramillos graduateadvisor was Dr. DidierValds.

Last but not least, Dr.Vctor Uribe conducted the research entitled Use of MassTransportation to Integrate Pedestrian Path Features to

Work Travel, which determined the important elementsthatpeople seek while traveling to work using the transit

system. Knowing the importance of increasing the use oftransit system to reduce vehicle congestion and pollution,will improve the peoples quality of life. Dr. Uribesadvisor was Dr. Alberto Figueroa.

Dr. Benjamn Colucci, UPRM program Manager, thanks

the Dwight David Eisenhower Fellowship program forgiving the opportunity to UPRM students to participate insuch a prestigious fellowship program.

Dr. Benjamn Colucci also acknowledges the CivilEngineering and Surveying Department for supportingthis program for the last 21 years. Finally, the T Centerfamily wishes the new transportation professionals thebest of luck in their future endeavors.

Additional information regarding the Dwight DavidEisenhower Fellowship Program can be accessed athttp://prltap.org/eng/?page_id=665.

medelhi.wordpress.com

hp://safety.wa

.dot.gov

From le to right: Dr. Ricardo Lpez, Dr. Carlos Gaviria,

Dr. Benjamn Colucci, Dr. Carlos Calero, Prof. Ismael Pagn,

Dr. Jairo Agudelo, Dr. Erika Jaramillo and Dr. Didier Valds


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UPRM Outstanding Representation on 2015

TRB Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"Its a fascinating

opportunity -Ivelisse Gorbea

2015TRBAnnualMeeng he Transportation Research Board (TRB) celebrated its 94thAnnual Meeting

from January 11thto 15th, 2015 in Washington, D.C. This conference brings

together more than 12,000 professionals from 70 countries. Around 5,000 technical

articles in 750 sessions and workshops were presented on the conference addressingresearchers and new developments in transportation at a global level, focusing on the

major topic of the meeting: Corridors to the Future: Transportation and Technology.

For the past 21 years the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagez Campus (UPRM) has

had an outstanding representation and this year wasnt the exception. The UPRM

participated with a delegation of professors, researchers and students, namely Dr.

Enrique Gonzlez, Dr. Didier Valds, Dr. Ivette Cruzado and Dr. Benjamn Colucci,

Director of the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program for

Hispanic Serving Institutions(DDETFP-HSI). The student delegation was composed

of Eng. Alex Bermdez and Plan. Ivelisse Gorbea at doctoral level; Eng. Wilfredo

Cordero, Eng. Jos Gonzlez and Eng.Juan M. Rivera as graduate MBA

students; and Sionel Arocho at

undergraduate level.

Graduate students Bermdez,

Cordero and Gorbea were the

recipients of the 2014-2015 DDETFP

-HSI.

T

UPRM Students and ProfessorsMeeting with TRB Participants


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Eng. Alex Bermdez was selected to present a poster of his

research entitled SpeedVariability along Horizontal Curves in

Two-Lane Rural Road in Puerto Rico. It focused on the

changes of the free flow speed in five points of the curve as

drivers are approaching, entering, crossing out and away from

the curve. Bermdez emphasized that, "Speed depends on many

factors, including sight distance, geometric design,environment, and human factors that determine how drivers

perceive the curve. Speed is greatly associated to road safety.

Higher speed variation increases crash frequency. The data was

collected at dangerous curves where recent crashes were

recorded, between the municipalities of Ponce and Mayagez.

This was possible thanks to the data provided by The Puerto

Rico Police Department. A total of 56 curves were chosen in

both directions, which has requires a number of considerations.

The speeds were measured with the rubber tubes called Metro

Counts, followed by statistical analysis". It took him about six

months to approximately collect 165,000 paths at these 56curves.

Eng. Bermdez expressed the importance of participating at

The TRB Annual meeting and mentioned that, "You are

exposing the work you have developed to the best professionals

in the area of transportation. They help your research progress

and help you become aware of other fields that you have not

explored yet, allowing you to integrate these into what is your

study.

Plan. Ivelisse R. Gorbea Class, licensed professional planner

and doctoral student in Transportation Engineering, wasselected by the TRB Technical Activities Division to offer a

presentation of her research entitled,Livability Index for

Transportation Infrastructure as Level of Service Measurement

of Urban Space: Principal Components Analysis and Livability

Index at Tren Urbano Corridor.This presentation was part of

The Doctorate Innovative Workshop in which selected

recipients of the 2014 Dwight Eisenhower Program presented

their research plan. Gorbea emphasized the importance to

identify specific policy actions regarding transportation systems

toward achieving livable places by following the principles of

sustainable communities established by the partnership betweenthe Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban

Development, and Environmental Protection Agency in 2009.

A thorough literature review allowed her to identify eight

livability indicators and twenty five variables based on the

importance of integrating transportation system and the

livability definitions and guidance established by the Federal

Highway Administration and the Environmental Protection

Agency. Gorbea developed a Livability Index in the Tren

Urbano Corridor, in Puerto Rico using these livability

variables in a multilayered buffer of quarter a of a mile, half a

mile, and a mile surrounding the stations in the

corridor. Among the variables it included: accessibility to

transit by low income households, non-motorized travels,

walking travel to local transit, carbon dioxide emissions,

vehicle mileage per capita. For the latter, Gorbea used theprincipal components analysis to measure the weights of the

normalized variables by Traffic Analysis Zone (397 TAZs in

the total corridor). She compared sub regions or stations

clusters within the corridor to compare how the livability

conditions vary through the corridor and identify policies

toward improving these conditions.

At the TRB Annual Meeting Plan, Gorbea expressed that "It is

a fascinating opportunity to experience the diversity of subjects

at every level: from materials, safety policies, and to contact

people working in the most innovative trends in the industry. I

am so grateful to the Eisenhower Fellowship and the UPRM,

Civil Engineering Department, and I encourage transportation

students to participate.

Eng. Wilfredo Cordero, also President of the Institute of

Transportation Engineers (ITE) - UPRM Student Chapter,

worked in a research entitled Consolidation Analysis of Bus

Stops in Puerto Rico of the Metropolitan Bus Authority. Eng.

Cordero mentioned that "It was an experience like no other! As

a graduate student in transportation, I got to understand and

comprehend how extensive and rigorous the transportation area

is. Having the opportunity to attend a vast number of lectureson various innovative subjects gave me an invigorating energy

to continue learning

more and more. "

Also, the Institute of

Transportation

Engineers (ITE)

invited the

ITE-UPRM Student

Chapter and all other

student chapters totheir headquarters, to

provide them the opportunity to exchange ideas and network

with ITE leaders and other student chapters nationwide.

The students benefited greatly by being exposed to

transportation problems in different environments and cultures.

On June 11, 2015, the UPRM recipients of the fellowship

presented their research results to professors, students, and

staff. Their final report was submitted to the DDETFP

Ivelisse Gorbea with her Professors

and Colleagues after her


10/24


Universities and Grants Program office. For more details on the Scholarship Program,

you can access:prltap.org, under special projects.

ITE-UPRM students with Dr. BenjamnColucci, TRB Representative of UPRM

Once Again! The award in Transportaon Infrastructure

Management is achieved! For the second consecuve year, two

students of our Engineering Faculty of The University of Puerto

Rico at Mayagez were winners of the Abers compeon inPuerto Rico. In the Doctoral category, Dr. Erika Crisna Jaramillo

Giraldo was awarded for her research entled: "Methodology toIncorporate Highway Safety into Planning using Generalized Linear

Mixed Models". In the Masters category, Eng. Natalia I. Vzquez

Rivera was awarded for her research entled "Stascal

Opmizaon of Pervious Concrete Pavement Containing Fly Ash

and Engineered Iron Oxide Nanoparcles for Runo Quality and

Quanty Controls".

The second contest of Abers was held on Thursday, April 16 at

The President of the University of Puerto Ricos Oce; and was

announced by Dr. Benjamn Colucci, The Abers Chair Director

in Puerto Rico and Professor within the Department of Civil

Engineering and Surveying at Mayagez Campus.

The Abers Chair for Transportaon Infrastructure Management

was created by the Abers Foundaon in order to promote the

study and research involving the private sectors parcipaon in

economic and social growth which arises from the management

of infrastructure. The evaluaon commiee of the second event

were recognized professionals represenng the public, private

sector and academia acvely involved in the transportaon

infrastructure management in the Island. Dr. Colucci menoned

that, "The research project of Dr. Jaramillo and Eng. Vzquez are

examples that contribute to advance the mission and vision of

the Abers Foundaon in the transportaon infrastructure

management and its related branches. Gonzalo Alcalde,

Metropistas CEO, in reference to Abers and the importance of

its relaonship with the UPR noted that "The interest of Abers is

to promote ecient and responsible infrastructure management

to provide opmal service to all cizens by applying the best

The winners of the second Abers contest and their

families, together with the Chair Director, UPR

Acng President, Evaluator Commiee, Winners

Advisors and special guests.

Consecutive Year

in which UPRMStudents Receive

Prestigious Abertis

Award in Puerto Rico

2nd


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pracces available. As the University of Puerto Rico, the

principal knowledge generang instuon in the Island,

what beer way to advance teaching and learning and

thereby strengthen the instuons capacity to train

professionals and generate compeve knowledge for

the development that Puerto Rico needs? We

congratulate the winners of the Abers Chair in theMasters and Ph.D. categories, which in reference to the

mission, vision and values of our group, have contributed

to the research, development and innovaon. Their

eorts will posively aect the territory and people.

The Metropistas CEO also stated: "as part of the

commitment of the social corporave responsibility of

Abers and following the process of internaonal

expansion, the presence of Abers Chairs is increasing

and they all contribute to the research on transportaon

infrastructure by creang synergies and promong the

exchange of knowledge.

Likewise, Dr. Delia Camacho, Acng President of the

University of Puerto Rico, thanked the Abers

foundaon's partnership with the UPR for promong

higher educaon in Transportaon Infrastructure

Management, it is commendable, the social corporate

responsibility and commitment of The Abers Group tothe environmental and social development of the

countries present; also, we allude the commitment of

the new talent and students who were awarded for their

dedicaon and work: tools that guarantee success.

Furthermore, Dr. William Hernndez, Associate Dean for

Administrave Aairs of the College of Engineering, who

was represenng the Dean of Engineering of UPRM,

emphasised the academic commitment between the

Abers Chair and the Faculty of Engineering: "The Abers

Chair is an example of how the community, in this case

the Abers Foundaon, can commit to academic and

professional excellence; excellence in the pursuit of

innovaon, as demonstrated by the two recipients of this

second contest. This is the excellence that characterizes

the UPR Mayagez Campus, internaonally recognized.

For us it is an honor to host such a presgious event.

Prof. Ismael Pagn Trinidad, Director of the Department

of Civil Engineering and Surveying menoned that "The

knowledge gained through the research sponsored by

Abers and our instuon will have repercussions on our

economy, sustainable development and the public

welfare of our people. Furthermore, with regard to the

winners of the second contest he expressed, I can tesfy

the excellent work done in their careers as students, the

depth and relevance of their graduate research in the

eld of transportaon; both are models of excellence in

their eld.

The winners of the second contest represented Puerto

Rico in the Internaonal Abers prize compeon against

winners of the Abers Chairs in Spain, France, Chile and

Brazil. The compeon was held in May 2015 in

Barcelona, Spain.

For addional informaon about the internaonalnetwork of Abers Chair of Transport Infrastructure

Management access www.catedrasabers.com or

www.prltap.org/eng/?page_id=2847 link to the Abers

in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Erika Jaramilloreceivesthe Abers Award by Dr. Benjamn Colucci. From

le to right Dr. Didier Valds, advisor; Dr. Delia Camacho, Interim President

UPR.; Eng. Gonzalo Alcalde, CEO Metropistas; and Dr. William Hernndez,

represenng UPRM Chancellor and Dean of Faculty of Engineering UPRM.

Eng. Natalia I. Vzquezgetsthe Abers award by Dr. Benjamn Colucci. From le

to right Dr. Sangchul Hwang, advisor; Dr. Delia Camacho, Interim President

UPR.; Eng. Gonzalo Alcalde,CEO Metropistas; and Dr. William Hernndez,

represenng UPRM Chancellor and the Dean of Faculty of Engineering UPRM.


12/24


Successful 4thAnniversary of the

Decade of Action for Road Safety: 2011-2020

uring the week of May 11th to 15th of 2015, the Puerto RicoTransportation Technology Transfer Center celebrated the 4thAnniversary of the Decade of Action for Road Safety: 2011-

2020. This worldwide initiative was declared by The United NationsOrganization because of the alarming number of road injuries and roadfatalities. As part of the Global Action Plan, this week consisted of aseries of events with the purpose of creating awareness, reinforcement,

and integration of the five Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement,Emergency/Incident Management and Everyone) with the slogan:Saving Kids Lives (#SaveKidsLives). This worldwide campaign made a

plea to all the citizens and leaders through theChild Declaration forRoad Safety, to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries involving

kids in the roads worldwide, every day. It also summoned citizens totake action and ensure that all the kids have the opportunity to grow upand be part of our future.

The week started with the illumination of various distinctive buildings,with the color yellow allusive to the Road Safety symbol. The northfaade of the Puerto Rico Capitol in San Juan was illuminated as anindication of one of the Es, specifically Enforcement, and reaffirms the

commitment that the Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has tostrengthen safety related laws to protect all road users. Afterwards, theCollege of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR, for itsSpanish acronym) headquarters was illuminated, as representation ofEngineering efforts, also reaffirming the commitment of the CIAPR with

entities that promote safety in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Ricos Senate President approved The Motion 5474, inrecognition to the initiatives commitment of improving the quality oflife of our citizens, road safety, and the dangers our kids face in thestreets. He also he emphasized the distinctive administrative,government and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and

Puerto Rico Capitol Illuminated

College of Engineers and Surveyors of

Puerto Rico (CIAPR) Illuminated

DecadeofAconforRoadSafety2011-2020 D


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professional associations for their contribution. Similarly,The CIAPR and The Municipality of Mayagez dedicated amanifesto in recognition to the effort and commitment of

this initiative to create awareness towards a road safetyculture.

The 4th

Anniversarys closing ceremony was held in theEscambrn Beach Club and was dedicated to Eng. EdgarRodrguez, President of The College of Engineers and

Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR), for his genuinecommitment with education and awareness in road safetyinitiatives. Likewise, as an essential part of the#SaveKidsLives campaign and the E for Education, severalstudents and teachers from The Rafael Martnez Nadal

Elementary School,David G. FarragutElementary School,

Theodore RooseveltElementary School,and W.A.L.K.S/W.E.B.S schools,located in

Mayagez, wererecognized for their

participation ineducational lectures

with the purpose of promoting road safety message to the

students. The Municipality of Mayagez awarded theseschools with a Manifesto, recognizing their participation inthe activities associated to this celebration. A noteworthymention, is the presence of a committed group in the area of

road safety, which includes: students and faculty fromrenown schools, FIESTA officials from differentuniversities, Mrs. Francheska Marcial from MAPFREFoundation, Eng. Alexis Nevares, representing the ITE

Puerto Rico Chapter, Eng. Michael Avery, The AssistantDivision Administrator, from FHWA , Mr. Lus Salazarfrom Lus Salazar Foundation, Eng. Rafael Mangual from

CIAPR, and Eng. Juan Carlos Rivera from Puerto RicoHighway and Transportation Authority.

For additional related information on future events of theDecade of Action for Road Safety in the Commonwealth ofPuerto Rico, please contact Dr. Benjamn Colucci,Spokesperson for this initiative on the Island. Please refer toour web page http://prltap.org/eng/ or our Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/dasvpr.

Presentation of Manifesto to

Eng. Edgar Rodrguez

Status of The DRIVE Act

ImplementaonThe Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision forthe Economy (DRIVE) Act is the law that aims toreauthorize the designated funds allocated to theFederal Highway Administration. This legislationwould assign $ 277.4 billion for highway programs forthe next fiscal years 2016 to 2021. The act consists oftwo main parts which are divided into Part A,Authorization and Programs, and Part B,Acceleration of Project Delivery.

The DRIVE Act will provide funding for the followingapplications:

National Highway Performance Program

Surface Transportation Program (STP)

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)Program, Highway Safety Improvement Program(HSIP)

Transportation Alternatives

National Freight Program

Assistance to Major Projects Program

The first four programs would have modest changesbecause they were already included in MAP-21. If thebill is not approved on July 31, 2015, a continuousresolution will most likely continue for the next threemonths. For an update of the bill, refer to: http://www.pbtransportationupdate.com/

Fuente:www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2015/01/20/obama-

designated-survivor-state-of-the-union-ernest-moniz-sally-

j e w e l l / 2 2 0 5 1 6 5 5

Fuente:udot.utah.gov/2011/04/udot-research-leads-to-

transportation-innovation

Fuente:http://www.equipmentworld.com/nick-ivanoff-

elected-2014-2015-artba-

chairman/

Mr. Nick Ivano

ARTBA President

Eng.James Chrisan

FHWA

Ay. Anthony Foxx

United States Secretary ofTransportaon
http://prltap.org/eng/http://prltap.org/eng/http://www.facebook.com/dasvprhttp://www.facebook.com/dasvprmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/dasvprhttp://prltap.org/eng/


14/24


Safety Village Rolling Park emerged in 2011 as aninitiative created by the Road Safety Institute of theMAPFRE Foundation, which later in 2012 joined theglobal initiative of the Decade of Action for Road Safety2011-2020. The park is committed to children betweenthe ages of 8-12 years old with the purpose of providing arealistic, educational and preventive experience on how todrive responsibly and promote a safety culture on ourroads. A press conference was held during MAPFREsvisit to Mayagez in which the achievements of the Parkwere presented. The park was located in the parking lot ofthe Isidoro Garca Park from February to May 2015. The

park impacted students from 50 schools in 10municipalities of the western region, educating a total of3,913 students. 30 of the schools that participated werefrom Mayagez. Altogether, the park has impacted 33,776children in Puerto Rico, testifying to the success of thisinitiative.

During the activity there were special guests representingthe five Road Safety Es, Engineering, Education,Emergency, Enforcement and Everyone, who are part ofthe alliance of the Decade of Action for Road Safety inPuerto Rico.

The presenters were Mr. Miguel Seplveda, representingHon. Jos G. Rodrguez, Mayor of Mayagez; Dr.Benjamn Colucci, Spokesperson for Decade of Action for

Road Safety in Puerto Rico, Mrs. Belinda Pujols,representing MAPFRE Foundation, and Dr. JohnFernndez Van Cleve, Chancellor of the University ofPuerto Rico, Mayagez Campus.

Hon. Efran De Jess Rodrguez, District 19Representative at the Puerto Rico Capitol; Mrs. LizbethVlez, Safety Village Rolling Park Coordinator; TheInstitute of Transportation Engineers Student Chapter atUPRM with their professor and advisor, Dr. DidierValds; Mr. Gustavo Cortina, Director of the Office ofQuality of Life at UPRM; Mrs. Mariely Vlez, UPRM

FIESTA Program Coordinator; and other supporting staffof the Safety Village Rolling Park were also present.

Safety Village Rolling Park Visits theMunicipality of Mayagez during the

spring of 2015.

From left to right Ms. Belinda Pujols, representing FundacinMAPFRE, Dr. John Fer nndez Van Cleve, UPRM Chancellor,

Mr. Miguel Seplveda, representing Hon. Jos Guillermo Rodrguez,Mayagez Mayor, Dr. Benjamn Colucci

and Mr. Jos Pepe Garca, presenter


15/24


Rail Transit: Sustainable Development

Principals he railway industry is responsible for developing a diverse workforce andto actively consider and address the challenges of the future global labor

market.

According to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) in their publicationentitled The Rail Industry Sustainable Development Principles, there exists sixmajor challenges and opportunities in this millennium which are:

1. Cost sustainability continues to imply a radical improvement in thecost-efficiency of the railway to stand up to the competition

2. Carbon the railways carbon lead will continue to be challenged andis already highly dependent on load factor

3. Capacity growth in passenger & freight demand will require maximumuse of current infrastructure whether or not we build the new highspeed line, HS2

4. Customers expect improving standards of reliability, comfort and

accessibility, together with a transformational change in information, allat reduced cost.

5 & 6. Safety & Security the railway must maintain current levels ofprotection whilst improving performance and reducing the cost of the

system, in the face of changes in technology and in the threats that iffaces.

These challenges and opportunities are known as the 4C's plus S&S. To achievean efficient and sustainable development RSSB developed ten key principles,

By:CliveBurrows

Clive Burrows

Engineering Director, First Group Plc

T


16/24


which are:

Customer-driven

Putting rail in reach of people

Providing an end to end journey

Being an employer of choice

Reducing our environmental impact

Carbon smart

Energy wise

Supporting the economy

Optimizing the railway

Being transparent

FirstGroup is one of the leading companies that arecommitted to the compliance and the implementation ofthese principles. Privatization provides tremendous

improvements and benefits as well as emphasizing these

challenges. Traffic growth due to the increase in passengerdemand resulted in the need to develop a new system ofinteroperable train control and to improve the reliability ofsafety systems. Cost constraints increased the need toincrease the capacity of existing infrastructure. The RailwayTechnical Strategy is addressing these challenges through amigration plan and I have been privileged and proud to leadthe strategy Control, Command and Communications of the

rail industry in the UK. Some of the transformationalchanges we are making are discussed. FirstGroup has been

able to play a leading role in the development of thesetechnologies.

Control, Command and Communication (CCC)

CCC systems are a key strategic technological capability forthe delivery of the 4Cs over the next 30 years. New

technologies are challenging the existing principles of howtrain movements are controlled. For example, control of the

proximity of trains could allow train convoying. The

application of these technologies has the potential to deliver

improved capacity, decrease traction energy consumptionand carbon emissions, reduce operational costs and provide

better on-board communications for passengers.

Vision

Highly reliable and resilient CCC systems offer network

wide traffic management capabilities for intelligent,predictive and adaptive operational control of trainmovements. The systems track the precise location andcurrent status of every train on the network. Data for speed,acceleration, braking and load is available at all control

centers for improved operational decision-making. Trainmovements are optimized to meet a variety of goals and

perturbations are resolved rapidly so that there is a minimumimpact on customers.

High-speed, high-bandwidth communications networks are

in use across the rail network and on trains to providedependable connectivity for both operational and customer-

facing applications used by the railway and customers. Datais made openly available to support door-to-door journeyinformation.

In-cab signaling is used instead of line side signals and theonly traditional features of line side signaling are pointsoperating equipment and level crossings. Signaling systemdesigns are standardized and the design, testing and

commissioning procedures are automated.The use of Automatic Train Operation (ATO) is widespreadacross the network. Fully automatic operation of trains is

possible on some parts of the network.

Objectives

Benefits from the introduction of the European Rail TrafficManagement System (ERTMS) across the network for in-cab signaling include:

Lower capital costs for signaling systems (up to 50%reduction of capital cost)

Less need for, and maintenance of, expensive track-based infrastructure

Optimized network capacity that is more flexible thanconventional line side signaling systems

Easier deployment of related technologies, includingintelligent traffic management systems andautomatic train operation (ATO)

Benefits from automation of routine tasks associated with


17/24


traffic management and train driving include: Greater capacity from consistently predictable train

movements

Higher reliability for passengers and freight Lower costs through less need for manual intervention Quicker and more efficient response to perturbations More efficient use of energy, infrastructure and rolling

stock

Intelligent traffic management systems are highly flexibleand capable of optimizing the railway operations at network,

route and individual train levels. Objectives for a variety oftraffic types can be met at different times of the day.Capacity, speed, timekeeping, energy savings, operatingcosts and asset management can be prioritized in real -time

according to requirements. The systems are highly reliable

and resilient to support the delivery of normal or near-

normal services during all but the most exceptionalcircumstances.

Mobile communication providers, in association withrailway operators, offer dependable high-speed, high-capacity, seamless communications for customers across allmodes of transport. These systems use standard commercial

products to reduce capital costs and the risk of obsolescence.Similarly, standard commercial communications systemssupport a wide range of data and communications intensive

applications to be used on the rail network for bothoperational and asset management purposes.

Strategy

Introduce Driver Advisory Systems (DAS) to make a

significant contribution to railway operational efficiency,offering benefits including:

Traction energy and fuel savings Improved customer satisfaction through trains being

stopped less frequently, for example at red signals Reduced risk of signals being passed at danger Minimization of acceleration and braking demands,

reducing the related wear and tear on track and

trains Optimized use of traction energy power supplies at

peak times without risking overload Enhanced route knowledge through provision of route

information in the cab.

ERTMS Level 2 without line side signals should be

deployed across the network to replace line side signals.Level 3 to be introduced on selected routes to eliminate theneed for track-based train detection equipment and to offer

significant further benefits in maintenance costs andreliability. At the same time, the rail industry in GreatBritain should continue to work with the European Railway

Agency and others on the technological development ofERTMS and the evolution of Command, Control andSignaling (CCS) Technical Specifications forInteroperability (TSI).Developments should include:

Increasing the system capacity on routes where thereare large numbers of traffic movements in smallgeographical areas, for example stations

Deployment of 4G/LTE4 mobile communications to

replace GSM-R, which is currently used for

ERTMS data

Technological and functional convergence withcommunications based train control systems(CBTC) that are currently in use on metro systems.

Conclusion

The Rail Industry Sustainable Development Principles

represent core values of the rail industry and arefundamental to delivering a sustainable railway at the centerof the transport system that meets the travel needs of oursociety without compromising future quality of life.

Enablers of the various transformational strategies such asthe Control, Command and Communication Strategy will

play a significant role in ensuring the innovations in the RailIndustry lead towards achieving these sustainable goals.

First International Plc, is proud to champion theseprinciples and will continue to play our part in deliveringtransport solutions for an increasingly congested world

keeping people moving and communities prospering.

San Juan, Puerto dream of awalkable city illustraon.

Source: hp;//inhabitata.com/san-juan-puerto-rico-to-get-green-urban-design-upgrade/


18/24


ivil Mega Friday, known in Spanish as Mega Viernes Civil, is the most important event of the Institute of Civil Engineersof Puerto Rico, which have several modules related to different areas of civil engineering and in which seminars are offe red to

contribute to the continuing education of engineers. Dr. Benjamn Colucci Ros was in charge of the coordination and logistics ofthe transportation module. The morning session focused on presenting initiatives and programs of the Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA), that are being implemented in Puerto Rico. Dr. Colucci served as the moderator and described therole of the Transportation Technology Transfer Center and its joint work carried out in implementing the program Every Day

Counts (EDC). In this module, the staff of the FHWA and the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) alsoparticipated .

The session began with the presentation of the initiatives of the FHWA by Eng. James Christian,Division Administrator of Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands of thatagency. Then, the participants had the opportunity to learn details of the EDC program and itsinitiative implementation in Puerto Rico by Eng. Maribell Prez, the Coordinator of EDC from theFHWA in Puerto Rico. Eng. Andrs lvarez (FHWA), presented the achievements of theimplementation of the Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) initiative in Puerto Rico. Success stories of theimplementation of the Safety Edge initiative and future projects for the initiative Road Diet was incharge of Eng. Juan Carlos Rivera (ACT). Finally, Eng. Jos Pagn (PRHTA) presented the

achievements of the initiatives of Adaptive Signal Control Technology and Traffic Incident

Management.In the afternoon session, the participants had the

opportunity to listen to the Secretary ofTransportation Eng. Miguel Torres Daz and the

Executive Director, Eng. Carmen Villar Prados, speak about the initiatives forthe implementation of the Puerto Rico Strategic Highway Safety Plan 2014-2018. Students from several university organizations were at the event

representing student chapters, such as the Institute of Transportation EngineersStudent Chapter of the University of Puerto Rico Mayagez Campus.

C

Puerto Rico Transportation Technology TransferCenter Participates in the Civil Mega Friday

Eng. James Christian (FHWA)

with Dr. Colucci

Dr. Colucci and Eng. James Christian (FHWA)

with ITE_UPRM Students
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


19/24


Impacts and Design

Alternatives for Erosion

and Sedimentation

Control (E&SC) in

Highway Projects

nadequate design or construcon of erosion and sediment control measures

during highway projects could result in serious environmental eects and

expensive migaon costs for contractors. Water polluon, ecological impairment,

hydrologic modicaons, property damage, delays in construcon schedule and

lawsuits are some of the impacts expected when failures occur.

Several regulaons are in eect to protect natural resource during construcon

periods. These regulaons address handling of harmful materials such as sediment,

dust, erosion, industrial discharges and hazardous waste discharges. The cost of

erosion related pollutants cost to the United States between $3.2 billion and $13

billion each year (Forrest, 1990). Pollutants directly associated with construcon

acvies include sediment, nutrients and hydrocarbons. Sediment loading produced

by top soil removal is up to 20 mes greater than natural erosion from land covered

with vegetaon. Nutrients from ferlizers used to aid vegetaon establishment

during construcon are carried downstream increasing biomass, extracng oxygen

from water, and endangering sh and other organisms. Another source of polluonat construcon sites is the use of substances rich in metals. Almost all metals are

toxic to plants, animals and sh. Galvanized metal, paint and preserved wood are

sources of metal compounds with potenal to contaminate water. Oil leakage from

heavy equipment, failure of hydraulic lines, spills during refueling operaons, wash

water from concrete mixers, wastes from cleaning of vehicles, and inappropriate uid

disposal are cause for contaminaon, parcularly when they are washed by runo.

It is common engineering pracce to provide measures to reduce erosion and

sedimentaon at construcon sites. Comply with regulaons is a maer of concern

for project engineers. The following is a list of regulatory requirements from the

Federal Government:

The Naonal Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

The Clean Water Act (CWA)

The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorizaon Amendments (CZMA)

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA)

The Endangered Species Act

The Resource Conservaon and Recovery Act

The Federal Inseccide, Fungicide and Rodencide Act

By:Dr.WalterS

ilva-A

raya I

Responsible

engineering practices

should be applied

during and afterconstruction for

sustainable

development

Source: hp://ritewayfencing.com

Source:Dr.WalterF.

SilvaAraya

Source:Dr.WalterF.SilvaAraya


20/24


All federally funded projects in the United States and its

territories must comply with these federal acts. The

Environmental Quality Board of Puerto Rico is the local agency

in charge of compliance with the Non-Point Source

regulaons. The Naonal Pollutant Discharge Eliminaon

System (NPDES) sets limits to the amount of pollutants

permied from point sources. Discharge permits and

compliance for point sources in Puerto Rico are provided by

the Environmental Protecon Agency (EPA). Construcon

acvies disturbing one or more acres require a NPDES permit.

At minimum, these permits require a site-specic Storm Water

Polluon Prevenon Plan (SWPPP) covering construcon and

post construcon phases. Several penales, including

imprisonment and elevated nes, are established by the Clean

Water Act (CWA) for non-compliance with the SWPPP. Local

regulaons also apply, parcularly the submission of a

Sediment and Erosion Control Plan which is required by thePuerto Rico Environmental Quality Board.

Erosion and sedimentation

The previous introducon emphasizes the importance of using

good engineering pracces in design and construcon to

employ erosion and sediment control measures. Erosion is the

process of displacement of soil parcles by water or wind.

Water erosion depends on the rainfall energy, intensity, and

duraon. The amount of soil eroded depends highly ontopography. Once the soil parcles are detached, they become

sediment. The sediment is

transported by water or

wind. Not all the eroded soil

moves the same distance.

Part of the material is

deposited. This process is

called sedimentaon. The

Puerto Rico Erosion and

Sediment Control

Handbook for Developing

Areas (PRE&SC Handbook) (Puerto Rico Environmental Quality

Board & USDA, 2005) provides guidance and

recommendaons on erosion and sediment best management

pracces. However, no specic design procedures are

presented. Several of the following ideas were extracted from

this reference.

Erosion and sedimentation control

practices

Erosion and sedimentaon control pracces are divided in

primary and secondary. Primary are those aimed at keeping

soil in place and protecng it from erosive forces. Secondary

are aempts to control sediment. Another classicaon is

structural, which are those mostly oriented to control runo

that require design and installaon, and non-structural

oriented to prevent soil erosion and sediment generaon by

using mainly vegetave measures. The type of measure

recommended depends on the type of problem and is site

specic.

Erosion control pracces should minimize the impacts of

raindrops, prevent concentrated ows and protect against

wind detachment and transportaon of soil parcles

(Goldman, Jackson, & Bursztynsky, 1986). Vegetave pracces

are used for soil stabilizaon prevenng erosion and reducing

sediment losses to a minimum. There are dierent vegetave

pracces. Two important ideas to keep in mind are that

vegetave cover should be implemented as soon as possible,

and that land clearing areas in projects should be kept to a

minimum or done on a series of small secons. The PRE&SC

Handbook menons ten possible pracces.

In addion to vegetave cover, storm water management

pracces are also required for eecve erosion control.

Runo control measures include vegetave strips and

conveyance systems. A 6.6 m wide vegetave strip reduces

between 76% and 93% of sediment. Silva-Araya and Detrs

(2015) experimented with halophytes as vegetave barriers

for coastal zones and found that vegetaon densies larger

than 65% removed more than 90% of sediments. They used

three dierent species of halophytes available in Puerto Rico

and the US Virgin Islands.

Conveyance channels and storm drains are commonly used for

storm water control and distribuon. Hydraulic designmethods are available for sizing these structures.

Bioengineering techniques are nowadays used to design

vegetave channels. Design methods for sizing channels with

rip-rap and other revetments are available. Permissible

stresses are the recommended criteria for these designs. This

approach consists of comparing the maximum permissible

shear stress on the boom and sides of a channel with the

maximum applied shear stress during the expected maximum

discharge (FHWA, 2005).

Source: Dr. Walter F. Silva Araya


21/24


One highly sensive and risky situaon occurs when soil cover

is removed and bare soil remains exposed. Examples are slope

erosion due to cuts, stockpiles and surface clearing. Measures

to reduce sediment loads into receiving waters from exposed

surfaces are: sediment barriers; such as, hay bales and

geotexle fences; sediment detenon ponds, and stream bank

protecon. Hay or straw bales and geotexle fences (also

called silt fences) are

commonly used in Puerto

Rico; however, these

measures require connuous

monitoring and frequent

maintenance or replacement.

Be aware that, since 1992

bale barriers have not been

recognized by the EPA as an

appropriate measure to reduce sediment in runo watersand alternaves to straw or hay bales should be used

wherever possible (EPA, 2015). They are inexpensive;

however, they also are probably the most common cause of

failures and oen lead to legal acons against contractors due

to property damage when failure occurs. Frequent repairs and

replacement, low eciency, non-compliance with EPAs

recommendaons and possible legal issues juses

consideraon of alternaves to straw or hay bales. Sediment

control barriers made of synthec materials are a possible

alternate soluon for temporary sediment control measures.

Hydraulic design and eecveness of cylindrical barrier is easy

to esmate. Design criteria

includes frequency of storm

events, contribung area,

volume of seepage through

the barrier, surface slope and

barrier height. Barrier

separaon and contained

water volume are the result

for engineering decisions.

Similar procedures exist for

design of check dams in swales, gullies and small drainage

ways.

Sediment containment systems, usually as detenon ponds,

are very eecve sediment control structures. These

structures retain water temporarily and release it under

controlled condions. Return period of design storms and size

of minimum parcle to be removed are parameters used to

obtain the dimensions for these structures. These structures

could be designed in series or parallel in order to increase

eecveness and adapt to space constraints.

Major improvements on esmang soil losses have been

obtained with recent advances of the Universal Soil Loss

Equaon (USLE) which evolved into a useful computer

applicaon for guidance in the esmaon of annual soil losses

by means of comparing dierent scenaRos in construcon

sites. This tool is RUSLE2 .

Conclusion

Environmental impacts and hazards by excessive sediment

delivery from construcon sites have serious consequences

for the ecosystem, the quality of water and the project

success. Engineering methods have been developed for the

design of E&SC pracces; as well as, storm water management

for construcon projects. Design and construcon engineers

have a handful of techniques and methods to quanfy the

impacts of dierent alternaves for selecon of the most

ecient and appropriate soluon at construcon sites. Even

though enforcement of regulaons is not eecvely done in

many cases, responsible engineering pracces should be

implemented during and aer construcon for sustainable

development and future generaons.

References

EPA, E. P. (2015, March). Best Management Pracces.

Retrieved from EPA.gov: hp://water.epa.gov/polwaste/

npdes/swbmp/Straw-or-Hay-Bales.cfm

FHWA. (2005). Design of Roadside Channels WIth Flexible

Linings, Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 15, 3rd Ed.U.S.

Department of Transportaon.

Forrest, C. (1990). Erosion Control in the United States Today:

An Overview. Proceedings of Conference XXI of the

Internaonal Erosion Control Associaon.

Goldman, S., Jackson, & Bursztynsky, T. (1986). Erosion and

Sediment Control Handbook.New York: Mc. Graw Hill.

Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, & USDA, N. R.

(2005). Puerto Rico Erosion and Sediment Control

Handbook for Developing Areas.

Silva-Araya, W., & Detrs, J. (2015). Establishment of Salt Flats

Vegetave Buers for Soil Erosion Protecon.In progress.

Source hp://water.epa.gov/

Source: Dr. Walter F. Silva Araya


22/24


Know you Trainer:

Dr. Walter F. Silva ArayaDr. Walter F. Silva Araya was born in the port ofPuntarenas on the pacific coast of Costa Rica. In 1982,

he completed his studies leading to a Bachelors degreein Civil Engineering at the University of Costa Rica. In1984, he obtained the Master of Science in CivilEngineering at the University of Puerto Rico, MayagezCampus (UPRM), with concentration in WaterResources.Dr. Silva completed his doctoral degree in CivilEngineering with a concentration in HydraulicEngineering from Washington State University in 1993.Dr. Silva worked for the Costa Rican Institute ofAqueducts and Sewers and the University of Costa Ricabefore starting graduate studies in Puerto Rico.

He is currently Professor of the Department of CivilEngineering and Surveying at the University of PuertoRico in Mayagez. Besides his dedication to teachingand research, during his years of service to the UPRM,Dr. Silva has been appointed to several administrativepositions. Dr. Silva was a member of and presidedvarious departmental and faculty committees, wasDirector of Department of General Engineering,Director of the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics,Associate Director of the Center for HemisphericCooperation (CoHemis) and Director of Research andDevelopment Center (R&D Center). Since 1995 he hasbeen appointed Associate Director of the Puerto Rico

Water Resources and Environmental Research CenterInstitute of Puerto Rico.

His research includes hydraulic and unsteady openchannel flow, mathematical modeling of hydraulicsystems, sediment transport and soil erosion studies.

In 2009, Dr. Silva was an invited researcher at theUniversity of South Carolina. The result of thissabbatical period was his participation in variousinternational conferences on levee and dam breachesheld in Egypt, New Zealand, Belgium and the UnitedStates. Dr. Silva has publications in refereed journals

and proceedings of several conferences in hydraulics,hydrology and agriculture. He has been a reviewer for the

Journal of Hydraulic Engineering (ASCE) and Journal ofHydraulic Research (IAHR).

In teaching and education, Dr. Silva offers undergraduatecourses in water resources and created advanced courses inhydraulic transients and unsteady open channel flows. Hehas offered professional development courses inhydraulics, hydrology and sediment transport in PuertoRico, Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guatemalaand Costa Rica. He has prepared courses at the request ofUnited States Army Corps of Engineers and the FederalHighway Administration. His research has helped morethan 20 students from Puerto Rico and other countries to

complete their masters and doctoral degrees; as well as,many undergraduate students who have benefited fromresearch experience during their studies at UPRM.

His experience as a consultant includes the preparation ofhydrologic / hydraulic studies, hydrodynamic studies forbridge scour, erosion protection studies and, studies ofwaterhammer in hydraulic pressure systems. Dr. Silva hasdone projects for the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and SewerAuthority (PRASA), for the Department of Environmentaland Natural Resources of Puerto Rico and several privatecompanies.

The collaboration of Dr. Silva with the TransportationTechnology Transfer Center began in 2014 offering aworkshop on Impacts and Design for Erosion andSedimentation Control.Recently he offered a workshop onUrban Drainage Design in the U.S. Virgin Islands andPuerto Rico, and wrote an article in this issue of El Puenteentitled Impacts and Design Alternatives for Erosion andSedimentation Control (E&SC) in Highway Projects.

The Transfer Center recognizes in El Puentenewsletterthevaluable contribution and excellence of Dr. Walter SilvaAraya as part of the Family Center instructors.Congratulations!


23/24


Together we can save millions of lives!I, ___________________________, pledge to do my part to help save lives on the road.

I pledge to:

____ 1. Not text while driving.

____ 2. Obey the traffic laws applicable to drivers.

____ 3. Comply with the speed limits.

____ 4. Pass the key if I am under the influence of alcohol.

____ 5. Have no distractions while driving a motor vehicle.

____ 6. Share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

____ 7. Always buckle my safety belt.

____ 8. Require my vehicle occupants to always buckle the safety belt.

____ 9. Always buckle my children with a safety belt.

____ 10. Use the protective safety devices while on a motorcycle,

bicycle or motor vehicle.

http://prltap.org/

Trac Safety Commission Administraon of Automobile Accident Compensaon

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Fundacin Lus A. Seeriz


24/24

EL PUENTE is published by the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer

Center located at the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagu ez

Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying

Call Box 9000, Mayagu ez, PR 00681

787.834.6385 PHONE

787.265.5695 FAX

www.prltap.org

The opinions, ndings or recommendaons expressed in this newsleer are those of the Center Director and Editors and do not necessarily reect the views of the

Federal Highway Administraon, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportaon and Publics Works, the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportaon Authority, or the U.S

Virgin Islands Department of Public Works.

PRLTAP Center Sta

Director & Editor

Benjamn Colucci Ros

Editor Assistants

Irmal Franco Ramrez

Ivelisse M. Ramos Lpez

Administrave Sta

Jesenia Carrero Lorenzo

Adln Santos Vlez

Grisel Villarubia Echevarra

Student Sta

Marivic Hernndez Quezada

Karla E. Matos Velzquez

Mara Torres Rodrguez

Maribel Turner Ros

Wilmarie Valenn Medina

Jonathan Ambrose Torres

El Puente Newsleer

Vol.29, No. 2, 2015

Volume 29 Issue No 2

Documents

Transcript of Volume 29 Issue No 2