Theses and Dissertations - Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations - Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering by Author "Anderson, Michael David"

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    Analyzing crash frequency and severity data using novel techniques
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) Mehta, Gaurav Satish; Jones, Steven L.; Lou, Yingyan; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Providing safe travel from one point to another is the main objective of any public transportation agency. The recent publication of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) has resulted in an increasing emphasis on the safety performance of specific roadway facilities. The HSM provides tools such as crash prediction models that can be used to make informed decisions. The manual is a good starting point for transportation agencies interested in improving roadway safety in their states. However, the models published in the manual need calibration to account for the local driver behavior and jurisdictional changes. The method provided in the HSM for calibrating crash prediction models is not scientific and has been proved inefficient by several studies. To overcome this limitation this study proposes two alternatives. Firstly, a new method is proposed for calibrating the crash prediction models using negative binomial regression. Secondly, this study investigates new forms of state-specific Safety Performance Function SPFs using negative binomial techniques. The HSM's 1st edition provides a multiplier applied to the univariate crash prediction models to estimate the expected number of crashes for different crash severities. It does not consider the distinct effect unobserved heterogeneity might have on crash severities. To address this limitation, this study developed a multivariate extension of the Conway Maxwell Poisson distribution for predicting crashes. This study gives the statistical properties and the parameter estimation algorithm for the distribution. The last part of this dissertation extends the use of Highway Safety Manual by developing a multivariate crash prediction model for the bridge section of the roads. The study then compares the performance of the newly proposed multivariate Conway Maxwell Poisson (MVCMP) model with the multivariate Poisson Lognormal, univariate Conway Maxwell Poisson (UCMP) and univariate Poisson Lognormal model for different crash severities. This example will help transportation researchers in applying the model correctly.
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    Development of the pilot car driver certification program for Alabama
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Wilkes, Mary Elizabeth; Lindly, Jay K.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Oversize and overweight loads are an essential part of the economy and current life. Unfortunately, with these loads comes a potential danger to the public. Roads, bridges, and railroad crossings are not built to support these loads or allow for easy access. Pilot car escorts are an essential element to safely and efficiently moving the oversize loads. These escorts have the responsibility of keeping the public and load safe. Yet, only eleven states have training and certification requirements for the driver of the escort vehicle. Alabama is not one of these eleven states. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) partnered with the University Transportation Center of Alabama (UTCA) to develop a program. This thesis documents the development of the Alabama Escort Driver Certification Program and focuses on the development of the curriculum. For the escort driver certification program to be effective, The Code of Alabama must be updated to include certification requirements. After extensive research, UTCA staff recommended changes to The Code of Alabama to update the rules and regulations regarding pilot/escort driving. UTCA also suggested course logistics such as course instructors, course availability and locations, class size, budget, proof of certification, and course evaluation. UTCA then developed a one day (eight hour) curriculum based on Florida's current curriculum. Participants must attend the course, demonstrate proper flagging technique, and pass a written exam with a minimum score of 80% to receive certification. The thesis also describes the multi-media presentation, instructor's manual, and participant's manual's content format and content. The development of a website to serve as a media for advertisement and a registration aid is also presented. This report documents relevant information and decisions made in the development of an important and possibly life-saving program.