Ben W. Kolosz

A Macroscopic Forecasting Framework for Estimating Socioeconomic and Environmental Performance of Intelligent Transport Highways

The anticipated introduction of new forms of intelligent transport systems (ITS) represents a significant opportunity for increased cooperative mobility and sociotechnical changes within the transport system. Although such technologies are currently technically feasible, various socioeconomic and environmental barriers impede their arrival. This paper uses a recently developed ITS performance assessment framework, i.e., Environmental Fusion (EnvFUSION), to perform dynamic forecasting of the performance for three key ITS technologies: active traffic management (ATM), intelligent speed adaptation (ISA), and an automated highway system (AHS) using a mathematical theory of evidence. A consequential lifecycle assessment (c-LCA) is undertaken, which forms part of a data fusion process using data from various sources. The models forecast improvements for the three ITS technologies in line with social acceptability, economic profitability, and major carbon reduction scenarios up to 2050 on one of the U.K.s most congested highways. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) are used to weight criteria that form part of an intelligent transport sustainability index (ITSI). Overall performance is then synthesized. Results indicate that there will be a substantial increase in socioeconomic and emissions benefits, provided that the policies are in place and targets are reached, which would otherwise delay their realization.

Sustainable urban carbon capture: Engineering soils for climate change (SUCCESS)

The nature-inspired concept of self-healing materials in construction is relatively new and has recently attracted significant attention as this could bring about substantial savings in maintenance costs as well as enhance the durability and serviceability and improve the safety of our structures and infrastructure. Much of the research and applications to date has focused on concrete, for structural applications, and on asphalt, with significant advances being made. However, to date no attention has been given to the incorporation of self-healing concepts in geotechnical and geo-environmental applications. This includes the use of concrete and other stabilising agents in foundations and other geotechnical structures, grouts, grouted soil systems, soil-cement systems and slurry walls for ground improvement and land remediation applications. The recently established Materials for Life (M4L) project funded by EPSRC has initiated research activities in the UK focussing on those applications. The project involves the development and integration of the use of microcapsules, biological agents, shape memory polymers and vascular networks as healing systems. The authors are exploring development of self-healing systems using mineral admixtures, microencapsulation and bio-cementation applications. The paper presents an overview of those initiatives to date and potential applications and presents some relevant preliminary results.By contrast to studies in petroleum geology and, despite their world-wide occurrence, geotechnical studies of ancient fluvial sediments are rare. This paper introduces the main characteristics of these sediments by reference to a classic UK example. Attention is then drawn to a number of major overseas examples where, although the principal features can be recognised, large differences arise as a result of factors such as the tectonic setting, the volume and mineralogy of the source material and the climate at the time the sediments were deposited. The first, over-riding problem for their engineering evaluation comes during the site investigation phase with the difficulty of deducing the geological structure and distribution of the widely varying lithologies.Strain accumulation in granular soils due to dynamic loading is investigated through long term cyclic triaxial tests and cyclic triaxial tests according to ASTM D 3999-91. Soil parameters, test equipment and loading conditions have a significant influence on strain accumulation, therefore a parameterization of the silica sand and a description of the cyclic triaxial test device are explained. Cyclic triaxial tests are performed and test results are presented illustrating the evolution of Young’s modulus during long term cyclic loading. The influence of the width of the stress-strain loop and the initial void ratio on strain accumulation is investigated and validated with existing accumulation models. The usefulness of Miner’s rule on sand subjected to cyclic loading is demonstrated by two tests with different packages of loading cycles.

Appraisal and Evaluation of Interurban ITS: A European Survey

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) have at their core technological systems that work together to improve transportation performance. However, this performance becomes uncertain when the technologies themselves are scrutinized alongside the benefit they deliver. This paper reviews the background theory, issues, and gaps concerning the assessment of performance for ITS, as well as a review of frameworks proposed by various authors in the field. This paper provides an original contribution through (1) identifying twelve evaluation framework requirements, (2) proposing corresponding solutions to business, and (3) the introduction of four key performance areas for ITS. The key requirements of ITS from the literature include improved geographical focus, reducing conflicting stakeholder involvement, and consolidating elements of ITS that are currently calculated in isolation. Current indicators are biased toward economic benefit. The definition of four key performance areas are Adaptability, Sustainability, Standardization, and Data Management. To conclude, the introduction of technology requires a paradigm shift, in terms of reorganization and realignment of the scope of conventional transport system evaluation. This is needed, in order to maintain accuracy and more fully capture performance aspects when appraising ITS.

Geotechnical requirements for capturing CO2 through highways land

Roadside verges in Britain support 238,000 hectares of vegetated land and approximately 10 hectares of vegetated central reserves. These areas have the potential to be engineered in such a way that they deliver a range of ecosystem services including flood regulation and biodiversity conservation in addition to their primary functions such as comfort of sidewalk users (mostly un-vegetated), protection of spray from passing vehicles, a space for benches, bus shelters, street lights and other public amenities, and visual improvement of the roads and designated green belts. Previous research has shown that in soils, calcium-rich materials such as recycled crushed concrete or natural crushed dolerite undergo carbonation. This effectively captures CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it in the form of CaCO3 precipitated between soil particles. Engineering this process can potentially assist the UK in achieving its ambitious target to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. Rates of carbonation measured at urban brownfield sites in the UK suggest that treating 12,000 hectares of land containing suitable amendments could remove 1 million tonne CO2 annually. However, brownfield sites are often subjected to re-construction activities which would reduce the rate of CO2 absorption from the atmosphere by sealing. To optimize the rate of carbonation, engineered soils need to be constructed at locations subjected to least post-construction activities and roadside verges and central reserves represent a key opportunity in this regard. This paper calculates limits to CaCO3 formation within the first 1 m of pore spaces of soils at roadside verges and central reserves in Britain considering a soil porosity of 20%.

A Sustainability Framework for Engineering Carbon Capture Soil In Transport Infrastructure

Recent research has demonstrated considerable potential for artificial soils to be designed for carbon capture. The incorporation of quarry fines enables the accumulation of atmospheric CO2 in newly formed carbonate minerals. However, the rate and trajectory of carbon accumulation has been little studied. The relative contribution of biotic (e.g. vegetation, micro-organisms) and abiotic (water, light, temperature) factors to the carbonation process is also unknown. This article presents a sustainability framework which aims to determine the multi-functionality of soils to which fines have been added not only in their role as carbon sinks but also in their role of providing additional opportunities for improvement to ecosystem services. Such frameworks are required specifically where land designed for CO2 capture must also provide other ecosystem services, such as flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation. land within linear transport infrastructure provides a case study, focusing on 238,000 ha of vegetated land associated with roadside verges in the UK. Hypothetically this area could remove 2.5 t CO2 per year from the atmosphere, equivalent to 1% 2011 total UK emissions or 2% of current transport emissions and saving an equivalent of £1.1 billion in non-traded mitigation values. roadside verges should be designed to minimize flooding onto the highway and perform other important functions such as removal of dust and suspended solids from surface waters. Vegetation on 30,000 ha of railway land also provides opportunities for carbon sequestration, but management of this vegetation is subject to similar constraints to protect the rail tracks from debris extending from autumn leaves to fallen trees.