Asian Transport Studies, Volume 2, Issue 2 (2012), 119-120 © 2012 ATS All rights reserved

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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 9th EASTS Conference in Jeju. 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

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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 Japan 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.