Asian Transport Studies, Volume 2, Issue 2 (2012), 119-120

2012 ATS All rights reserved

119

Technological and Practical Challenges

Seung-Young, KHO
a
, Ofyar Zainuddin TAMIN
b


a
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University,
Gwanak-Gu, Gwanak-Ro 599, Seoul, 151-744, Korea; E-mail: sykho@snu.ac.kr
b
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Jalan
Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia; E-mail: ofyar@trans.si.itb.ac.id


Papers included in this issue focus on technological and practical challenges in tackling
Asia-specific transportation issues. This issue is not intended to provide a systematic view
about such challenges; rather, it is aimed to explore such challenges based on several case
studies in different contexts, including road pavement technology (CHAROENTHAM and
KANITPONG, and YANG et al.), traffic safety (KIM et al., KUSUHASHI et al., and
CHEEWAPATTANANUWONG and TANEERANANON), forecasting model of trade-
logistics (SHIBASAKI and WATANABE), and bus driver behavior issues (HTUN et al.).
Among the seven papers, three were awarded as Best Paper Awards at the 9
th
EASTS
Conference in J eju. The paper written by CHAROENTHAM and KANITPONG was selected
as the best of Best Paper Awards (i.e., YASOSHIMA Yoshi-no-suke Prize), the paper by KIM
et al. was awarded as the Best Paper Award for Discovering Interesting Facts, and the paper
by SHIBASAKI and WATANABE as the Best Paper Award for Best Application in
Practices. Findings from these excellent studies provide useful hints to resolve other
Asia-specific transportation issues.

1. Road Pavement

To measure physical properties of asphalt binders, the SUPERPAVE system has been
successfully introduced in developed countries. But the SUPERPAVE system is costly and it
is also required to be properly localized considering Asia-specific conditions. In line with
such consideration, CHAROENTHAM and KANITPONG proposed a simplified and less
expensive performance grading system for asphalt binder, which is suitable to pavement
conditions linked with different weather temperature profiles in different parts of Thailand.
The proposed system can be used to satisfactorily classify the performance of binders which
is also comparable with the SUPERPAVE system. The findings are very useful for the
practical engineers with respect to performing the asphalt pavement design, considering the
financial budget constraints and technological limitations in developing countries.

Traditionally, the uniform contact pressure distribution has been used in pavement design and
analysis; however such distribution is based on an assumption that the tire-load is stationary
and ignores the important role of localized tire-pavement contact stresses in the development
of pavement ruts and in the initiation and propagation mechanisms of cracking in pavements.
In reality, the interfacial pressure between tire and pavement exhibits a highly non-uniform
distribution over its contact area, and the contact stress distributions are dependent on tire
type, tire inflation pressure, wheel load, tire tread patterns and vehicle rolling characteristics.
With the above consideration, YANG et al. presented a finite-element simulation based rolling
smooth tire and smooth pavement interaction numerical model in order to properly investigate
the dynamic behavior of tire-pavement interaction under different rolling conditions.

KHO, S.Y. and TAMIN, O.Z. / Asian Transport Studies, Volume 2, Issue 2 (2012), 119-120
120
2. Traffic Safety and New Technologies

Drowsiness is especially problematic when driving within long tunnels. KIM et al. argued the
importance of driving environment within tunnels and proposed an innovative idea to improve
traffic safety in long tunnels by installing landscape images on the walls and ceiling of the
tunnel. By building a virtual reality based driving simulator, effects of installing landscape
images inside an 11.055 km long tunnel on traffic safety are confirmed by measuring brain
waves and driving behavior (e.g., deviation of driving speed and shift distance from the
centerline of driving lane).

KUSUHASHI et al. evaluated the effects of ITS-based in-vehicle traffic warning information
measures on improving traffic safety on expressways in J apan by comparing with existing
safety measures based on an Internet-based stated preference (SP) survey. They further
recognize the fact that driving behavior might be heterogeneous across drivers and driving
propensity might play an important role in explaining such heterogeneity. A latent class
ordered probit model is established and it is confirmed that personalized traffic warning
information provision methods are more effective to reduce potential traffic accidents than
traditional homogeneous provision methods.

CHEEWAPATTANANUWONG and TANEERANANON developed an adaptive traffic
signalization system, which is composed of Adaptive Traffic Signalization Diagram, CCTV
Cameras, Router, M-Peg4 Encoder, IP Converter, Telecommunication Line, and Virtual Loop
Detector Concepts, PCU (Passenger Car equivalent Unit) Factor, and Optimum Phasing and
Cycle Times and so on, in the context of Bangkok, Thailand. Software is developed to count
the number of lane changing vehicles at intersections which are the major cause of accidents
at both intersections. Effects of such system on traffic safety are clarified based on a compiled
and running phase coordination program and a lane changing model.

3. Trade-Logistics Forecasting Model

Facing the trade liberalization and transport efficiency among the APEC economies, it
requires a comprehensive forecasting model to quantify the effects of trade and transport
policy on international cargo system. SHIBAZAKI and WATANABE developed a new
prediction model system for forecasting international cargo flow in the APEC region.
Specifically, their study provides a worldwide and regional quantitative projection of
international trade linked with cargo flow for the first time. They presented a practical tool to
scientifically support the discussion about trade liberalization and efficient transport among
APEC economies.

4. Bus Driver Behavior and Service Quality

One key factor affecting the quality of bus service in developing cities is the driver salary
system. HTUN et al. extensively investigated drivers salary systems (e.g., share of revenue,
bus fleet rental system, fixed salary system and fixed salary plus incentives) being employed
in developing countries and clarify advantages and disadvantages of each salary system from
the perspectives of bus operators, passengers and social issues. Taking Yangon City, the
former capital of Myanmar, as an example, implications of this study are discussed based on a
diagnostics for drivers behavior in Yangon city. It is also recommended how to improve the
driver efficiency for better safety and quality of bus services.