Puente

NEWSLETTER Volume 30

EL

EDC-1: Safety EdgeSM, USVI

EDC-2: National Traffic Incident

Management Training (TIM), PR

Number 3

2016

EDC-3: GRS-IBS, PR

SIX YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS WITH EVERY DAY COUNTS (EDC)

IN PUERTO RICO AND THE U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (2010-2016)
Christiansted Bypass

EDC-1: Warm Mix Asphalt, PR

EDC-2: 3D Engineered Models, USVI

UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO,

MAYAGEZ CAMPUS

EDC-3: Road Diets, PR

Puerto Rico LTAP

www. prltap.org

CEE-SA-16-6767

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Puente
EL

Vol. 30 No. 3, 2016

Six Years Of Achievements with Every Day

Counts in Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin
Islands (2010-2016)
The Mobile Barrier System for Highways

4-8
Naturalistic Driving Studies

Naturalistic Driving Studies

10-13

Better Habits to be a Safe Driver

14-16

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

Presents New Resources for Traffic Safety
Celebration of the 26th Anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act

Pages 10-13

Message from the Director

PAGE

17

Pages 14-16

CONTENTS

Better Habits to be a Safe Driver

18-21

Know your Trainer: Dr. Ricardo Ramos Cabeza

22

Decade of Action for Road Safety Pledge

23

Pages 18-21

Celebration of the 26th Anniversary of the

Americans with Disabilities Act
Vol. 30 No. 3, 2016

The Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center, PRLTAP/T2, is part of a network of 58 Centers
throughout the United States that comprises of the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and Tribal
Technical Assistance Program (TTAP). The mission of the PRLTAP/T2 Center is to provide training and technical
assistance to local transportation officials of the 78 municipalities that comprises the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico and the Department of Public Works of
the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), with emphasis on promoting a highway safety culture and in the implementation of
the USDOT FHWA Every Day Counts (EDC) initiatives.

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

Message from the Director

elcome!
Best
regards to all our
readers in the
third edition of the 30th
Anniversary
of
the
Newsletter El Puente!
The feature article of this edition is dedicated
to the history of the federal initiative known as
Every Day Counts (EDC) and its successful
implementation in Puerto Rico and the United
States Virgin Islands. Readers will have the
opportunity to learn about the progress of the EDC
initiative spearheaded by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and deployed by the
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority
and the Department of Public Works. Finally, the
article presents the formally announced initiatives
for the fourth round, scheduled for years 2017 and
2018.
This editions second article presents the topic
of moveable barriers, a tool for traffic management
and safety against head on crashes that have
experienced a surge of new applications for
permanent use in highway systems worldwide.
Our third article entitled Naturalistic Driving
Studies, presents what happens with the vehicles
operation, its driver and its passengers, bringing to
light a whole world of events other research
methods have been unable to explore. This kind of
research study has the potential of enhancing traffic
safety through an in-depth understanding of human
factors.
The fourth article, Better Habits to be a Safe
Driver, gives a look to driver behavior and presents
four habits they can be adopted and promoted with
the purpose of improving traffic safety in a cautious
and preventive manner.
In the fifth article, the Network of Employers
for Traffic Safety (NETS), an organization grouping
businesses and government agencies with interest

in contributing to traffic safety through research and

education is highlighted. Furthermore, their latest
initiative NETS Strength in Numbers, is presented as
a mechanism to collect traffic safety data about its
members employees and then inform the
organizations about their performance and
opportunities to improve their standing in traffic
safety.
The sixth and final article is dedicated to
commemorating a critical law project with great
historic reach and which brings major contributions
to transportation and social justice, the A mericans
with Disabilities Act (ADA). Approved on July 26,
1990, ADA celebrated its 26 years of existence. In
this article, its contribution to the full spectrum of
transportation services is described.
Finally, in the Know the Trainer section, the T2
Center is proud to recognize Dr. Ricardo Ramos
Cabeza, a professor of the UPRM in the Department
of Civil Engineering and Surveying, specialized in
geotechnical engineering, who has presented his
seminar course relevant to transportation, titled
Introduction to Gabion Structures.
I hope the selection of articles presented in this
30thEdition can benefit our local collaborators in
transportation in Puerto Rico and the United States
Virgin Islands. It is our intent to share and
continually update innovative transportation
research initiatives, especially Every Day Counts
(EDC), in our mission to promote highway safety,
workforce development and the management of
transportation infrastructure.

Benjamn Colucci Ros

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=544018&page=4&langid=5

Source: tti.tamu.edu

Six Years Of Achievements with Every Day Counts in

Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands (2010-2016)

very Day Counts (EDC) is a program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) dedicated to promoting the
adoption of innovative products, methods and processes intended to provide a plethora of benefits to the highway
network. Based on its slogan innovation, ingenuity, invention and imagination, the agency has the goal of aiding
the departments of transportation of states and territories in attaining greater safety, cost reduction, effective designs, faster
Project delivery and more efficient and eco-friendly traffic operations. Established in 2009 by the administration of
President Barack Obama and the then administrator of FHWA, Victor Mendez, and in collaboration with the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), this program was arranged in order to promote the
adoption of innovative practices throughout the decade from 2011 to 2020 in five stages. This article re-tells the history of
the program up to mid-2016, with emphasis on its adoption in Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. (USVI)
In order to facilitate the adoption of innovative practices, products and technologies, EDC is based on the
collaboration between local, state and territory governments, thus allowing the different agencies to learn from one another,
as well as allowing them to select initiatives that are best suited to their jurisdictions particular circumstances. Within
Puerto Rico the implementation is primarily in charge of the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA),
while in USVI it corresponds to the Department of Public Works (DPW); both obtain oversight and technical assistance
from T2 Center.

EDC-1 (2011-2012)
During the first round, EDC included a total of sixteen
(16) initiatives; of these, Puerto Rico formally adopted nine
(9). Among these are warm mix asphalt pavements, the
SafetyEdgeSM, prefabricated bridge element systems,
Geosynthetic reinforced soil for integrated bridge systems
(GRS-IBS), design-build, adaptive signal control
technologies, enhanced technical assistance for stalled
environmental impact statements, flexibilities in rights-ofway and flexibility in utility relocation.
Of these initiatives, the adaptive signal control
technologies have enjoyed a widespread adoption, being
used in at least 54 intersections: 27 in San Juan, 21 in

Design for pilot implementation of GRS-IBS on bridges 1121 and 1122 of

highway PR-2, km 200.5 in Yauco, Puerto Rico. For more information,
readers can check El Puente Newsletter, Vol. 28-2 2014.

prltap.org

Traffic Signal Monitoring Center belonging to the PRHTA, an

example of an adaptive signal control technology.
Source: http://its.dtop.gov.pr/es/TrafficControlSystem.aspx

Mayagez, 4 in Guaynabo and 2 in Trujillo Alto. Also, a

multitude of projects including the Safety Edge have been
scheduled. These include reconstruction and mitigation
interventions against bridge scouring on highways PR-14,
PR-111, PR-114, PR-123, PR-134, PR-143, PR-149, PR155, PR-167, PR-174, PR-536, PR-656, PR-765 y PR-971;
under the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation
Authority (PRHTA) Provision 965 for pavement

Pilot implementation of the SafetyEdgeSM on highway

PR-184, km 6.2 in Patillas, Puerto Rico

rehabilitation. The Safety Edge was initially deployed in

highways PR-184 in Patillas, PR-182 in Yabucoa and
highway 70 in St. John, USVI. In addition to these, three
initiatives were developed through other innovation
programs, including mitigation fees for wetlands,
mitigation banking and programmatic agreements.

Pilot implementation of the SafetyEdgeSM on highway

70, in St. John, USVI.

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

Pilot implementation of warm mix asphalt pavement

on highway PR-2, Yauco, Puerto Rico

In the case of USVI, the implementation of EDC-1

involved the formal adoption of four (4) initiatives: the
SafetyEdgeSM, warm mix asphalt pavement, flexibilities in
right-of-way and adaptive signal control technologies, this
one added later, in September of 2012.
EDC-2 (2013-2014)
As part of the second round, Puerto Rico adopted five
(5) initiatives from EDC-2. Among these are intelligent
compaction, programmatic agreements, accelerated bridge
construction using prefabricated bridge element systems
(PBES), improved quality environmental documentation
and the national traffic incident management training. In
the case of the national Traffic Incident Management
training, Puerto Rico has celebrated a series of
comprehensive workshops, named Train the Trainer, in
order to prepare a group of people meant to train the full
spectrum of personnel involved in the response and
resolution of traffic incidents. Among the participating
agencies are the College of Engineers and Land Surveyors
of Puerto Rico (CIAPR by its Spanish initials), the Fire
Department, the Police of Puerto Rico, and the PRHTA,
among others.

Second Train the Trainer capacity-building workshop

for traffic incident management, presented at the
CIAPR headquarters in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

By September 19, 2016, 2 Train-the Trainer sessions

have prepared 164 trainers, futher contributing to training
2,756 first responders, representing 46% of Puerto Ricos
first responders, highest level for the USA and its territories.
In addition to the formally adopted initiatives for the
second round, Puerto Rico also has used, by means of other
federal programs, two additional initiatives: high-friction
surface treatments and intersection and interchange
geometrics. In the case of the former, highways PR-110 in
Moca and PR-26 in San Juan have test segments for this
pavement overlay; while for the latter, the emphasis has
been in roundabouts, with widespread adoption spearheaded
Pilot project for accelerated bridge construction using
by interest from the municipal governments of Cayey,
prefabricated bridge element systems in unison with the
Dorado and Guaynabo; as well as the construction of a
GRS-IBS on highway PR-2 in Yauco, Puerto Rico.
diverging diamond interchange (DDI) in the municipality of
Gurabo.
collaboration with the PRHTA in order to take advantage of
the expertise and demonstration projects the latter has
developed in order to learn and thus facilitate the innovation
adoption process.

Cortesa de Antonio Tony Nieves, PE, FHWA

Pilot project for intelligent compaction technologies on

highway PR-2, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

On the other hand, USVI adopted seven (7) initiatives,

choosing to use intelligent compaction, programmatic
agreements, accelerated bridge construction using
prefabricated bridge element systems, 3D engineered
models for construction, high-friction surface treatments,
intersection and interchange geometrics and the national
traffic incident management training. During this round, the
Department of Public Works (DPW) has been in close

Mini roundabout implemented partially through the

intersection and interchange geometrics initiative in the
Cruz Bay village, St. John, USVI. This project also
incorporates an application of high-friction surface
treatment for pavements.

EDC-3 (2015-2016)
The third round of EDC has a more limited adoption of
initiatives, both from Puerto Rico as well as USVI.
However, this stage is yet to conclude and there may still be
the possibility for a late adoption of initiatives to happen,
such as the case of USVI in September 2012 under EDC-1.
Puerto Rico adopted four (4) EDC initiatives, including
the continuation of construction of the GRS-IBS (initially
from EDC-1), the new adoption of road diets, the
implementation of improved quality in environmental
documentation (IQED) and smarter work zones. Of these
initiatives, the smarter work zones initiative has seen its
pilot deployment along highway PR-2 between Quebradillas
and Isabela, where the Guajataca corridor and its
intersections use technology applications in an area subject
to geometric improvements
and high impact to traffic
operations.
Meanwhile,
the use of road diets was
studied and selected for
application to 9 urban and
suburban arterial road
segments
in
the
municipalities of San Juan
and Carolina; also in
progress is the amending
of the Act 22, the Puerto
Rico Traffic Law, in order
to incorporate the use of
two-way turning lanes.
USVI adopted four
Technical study report for
(4) initiatives from EDC- implementation of Road Diets
in the municipalities of San
3; among these are ein
construction
and Juan and Carolina, prepared
2
collaboration with T Center.

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

Source:high
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=544018&page=4&langid=5
partnering,
performance concrete connections for prefabricated
bridge element systems, GRS-IBS and smarter work zonesproject
EDC-4s formally
coordination. Currently, these initiatives are still in stages prior to
announced initiatives
final adoption, with the GRS-IBS being the most developed to date.
As part of this initiative, the Spring Gut Road project is currently at an
advanced design level, including a GRS-IBS bridge.

EDC-4 (2017-2018): what comes next

EDC-4 is the fourth round of the program, currently the local,
state and territory governments are in the evaluation and selection
process of the new initiatives, enabling them to do the formal adoption
by December 2016. Among the upcoming initiatives are eleven (11)
components formally announced by the date of this publication:
Using data to improve Traffic Incident Management consists of
developing procedures and tools that allow agencies involved in the
response and resolution of incidents to quickly obtain abundant and
consistent data, such that the emergency situations can be solved more
effectively and performance of emergency response can be measured.
This initiative expands the achievements from EDC-2 with its national
traffic incident management training program and also contributes to
improved safety of all parties involved in traffic incidents.
Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing the Next Generation of
Engienering (CHANGE) allow scientists, engineers and planners to
perform more rigorous and realistic studies such that waterworks for
highway projects become more effective and/or economical. This
way its possible to better observe how flow conditions develop in
channels, bridges, culverts and storm drains, facilitating forecasts for
damage to life, property and infrastructure during major flood events.
Automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPMs) are
a practice that allows the direct measurement of performance of traffic
signal systems. Unlike software and statistical methods, this system
allows the direct monitoring of operational conditions of intersections.
This way, transportation agencies can have real data that would allow
them to perform maintenance and signal reprogramming interventions
in a more cost-effective way, thus bringing operational benefits to all
users.
Community connections are an option to revisit parts of the
urban fabric that have been adversely affected by highway network
projects. Many of these have been in existence for several decades
and are already reaching the end of their service life. By modifying or
strategic removal of portions of the road network its possible to
reconnect and bring back to life communities that were once
marginalized by large projects.
Data-driven safety analysis (DDSA) is a practice based in the
use of software as an advanced tool for traffic safety studies. By
performing these studies, agencies can examine and quantify a
projects consequences in terms of traffic safety in a more rigorous
and confident way. This initiative was first included as part of
EDC-3.

Using Data to ImproveTraffic

Incident Management (TIM)

Collaborative Hydraulics:
Advancing the Next Generation of
Engineering (CHANGE)

Automated Traffic Signal

Performance Measures (ATSPMs)

Community Connections

Data-Driven Safety Analysis (DDSA)

Source: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
innovation/everydaycounts/edc_4/

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

E-Construction and Partnering

Integrating NEPA and Permitting

prltap.org

E-construction is a practice that facilitates the exchange of

information, reduces the time required for projects and reduces
expenditures in physical documentation and bureaucracy, accelerating
the construction process by using software tools. Complementing the
previous initiative, construction partnering strengthens and fosters
communication between construction project stakeholders, reducing
costs, delays and misunderstandings, as well as allowing the definition
of mutually beneficial goals for a projects stakeholders. This initiative
includes as well alternative strategies to carry out projects, among them
are simplified procedures for dispute resolution and alternative
contracts, such as design-build and public-private partnerships.
Integrating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) with
permitting allows the environmental review and permitting processes
to happen concurrently, thus enabling the selection of more effective,
inclusive and eco-friendly designs and strategies, while also reducing
bureaucratic slowdowns.
Pavement preservation based on an informed decision-making
process allows agencies to address pavement maintenance and
restoration at the right time and place with the best and most
appropriate tools to maximize the lifespan and quality of pavements in
a financially restricted environment.

Pavement Preservation

Road Weather Management

Road weather management, or weather-savvy roads, is a practice

that can provide major benefits in traffic safety, operational efficiency
and reliability of transportation services. By means of interagency
coordination involving transportation and weather services its possible
to provide high-quality information to users, driven by the Pathfinder
tool.
This initiative also includes de-centralized weather data
collection by means of vehicle-based technologies, known as
Integrated Mobile Observations (IMO).
Safe transportation for every pedestrian (STEP) is an initiative
which promotes the adoption of suitable and cost-effective
countermeasures in order to improve traffic safety for pedestrians. It is
worth noting that throughout the United States, fatal crashes involving
pedestrians are 16% of the total, for Puerto Rico this incidence is of
29% during the period from 2009 to 2013.

Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian

Ultra-High Performance Concrete

Connections for PBES
Source: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
innovation/everydaycounts/edc_4/

Ultra-high performance concrete connections for prefabricated

bridge element systems (PBES) allow these parts, highly effective
owing to their durability and ease of installation, to act effectively as a
whole, contributing positively to the installation, service life and
functionality of the bridge. This initiative first formed part of EDC-3
and aids in providing the full package for accelerated bridge
construction.
States, territories and federal lands agencies will be selecting their
initiatives during the EDC Summit, to be held on December 14, 2016,
in Orlando, Florida. For more information and updates visit the Every
Day Counts website at
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

Source: http://www.barriersystemsinc.com/tunnel-reconstruction-utilizing-road-zipper-in-vienna

The Mobile Barrier System for Highways

obile barrier systems are not a new invention, however, businesses and even some transportation agencies
across the world have noticed the effectiveness these interconnected blocks have when deployed in roadway
construction and traffic management. Compared to a fixed barrier, a zipper barrier system does a better job at
providing safety since it can be adjusted to any situation depending on the workers needs by expanding the area of
work or to provide additional space for motor vehicle traffic. This in turn increases work efficiency and alleviates
traffic congestions if used wisely. The results these barriers provide when
reconstructing or repairing a highway, make them a great tool when
working on a transportation project that needs additional space for traffic
or construction activities without excessively sacrificing road space in the
process.
Meanwhile this cost-effective tool has a permanent and important use
in two of Puerto Ricos main freeways: PR-22 from Guaynabo to
Bayamn and PR-18 in San Juan. The purpose of these barrier systems is
assigning right-of-way to alleviate traffic congestion. This is an example Zipper barrier system used for traffic congestion
of how the future of highways might look if the zipper barrier system management on PR-22 in Bayamn, Puerto Rico.
were implemented as permanent tool for worldwide use.
Source: Samuel Molinari in Panoramio.
Other outstanding applications include its use as a permanent barrier to separate opposing traffic flow within twoway bridges and tunnels. This application can be seen in diverse locations like Austria (shown in cover picture), Japan
and the United States (shown below). Due to their low deflection and the possibility of restoring its originally intended
position, they provide robust protection for drivers and low repair costs. An
application in the Spokane Street Viaduct in Seattle, Washington state,
provided a 30% general reduction of crashes and a complete elimination of
head-on crashes.
We need to think about the projects flexibility for when future generations
decide to build their new ideas for the highway network. When planning,
flexibility is key: we cannot predict how future projects and traffic patterns
will work. By adding a barrier system we can provide flexibility for future
workers who may need to reconfigure the roadway to meet future needs.
Their combination of flexibility, sturdiness and low cost make it an excellent
The Spokane Street Viaduct in Seattle,
choice for both temporary and permanent applications.
Washington, uses a zipper barrier, dropping
overall crashes by 30% and eliminating head-on This article is adapted from the Road Zipper Newsletter July 2016
crashes. Source: http://www.barriersystemsinc.com/
moveable-barriers-used-for-static-applications-due-to by Lindsay Corporation
-low-deflection

10

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Source: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/uk/pressestelle/

Naturalistic Driving Studies And

Their Importance for Traffic Safety

here are numerous ways to obtain data about driver behavior: polls,
testimonial evidence, traffic counts, crash reports or even studies in
simulated environments. However, none of these methods, on their own,
or even when combined, can provide a full perspective about what truly occurs
on the road. One less utilized option that can bring to light poorly known
phenomena and situations are naturalistic driving studies.
A naturalistic driving study is based on observation of drivers on their real
setting while they carry out their day-to-day activities. By mans of instrumented
vehicles with cameras, motion detection equipment and measurement of vehicle
control inputs, researchers can observe situations and contributing factors that are
normally overlooked. This way its possible to monitor what happens with the
vehicle, the driver or even the surroundings.
As part of a joint initiative by the National Highway Safety and
Transportation Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech, a highly rigorous study
was carried out, starting from year 2000 and with results published in April 2006.
By that time it was the first study of its kind, thus requiring the development of
new methodology and the discovery of benefits and technical challenges that
arent observed in other traffic safety studies.
As part of their research they observed 100 vehicles, collectively used by
241 drivers (owners and people related or close to them) for periods of 12 to 13
months per vehicle. Contrary to what could be expected, having drivers under
observation did not cause bias in the data: after a period shorter than a month,
drivers started to act as they would in their everyday lives, as opposed to doing so
with extra caution due to being aware of being observed. This study setting was
able to reveal the real frequency of potentially dangerous actions, reactions and
circumstances, otherwise unnoticed in other research methods.
Within the study population, comprised of the Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area (urban and suburban locations), the following outstanding
findings were made: drowsiness was a contributing factor to 12% of crashes and

prltap.org

Video camera used to monitor drivers and the vehicles interior

used by the study performed by NHTSA and Virginia Tech.

10% of incidents with crash potential, contrary to

other studies which put these at rates between 2 and
4% for both kinds of situations; 80% of the
registered crashes and 65% of the situations with
crash risk happened when drivers stopped looking
forward, contrasting with an incidence of crashes
related to distractions of 25% of all cases. It is also
noteworthy to highlight that both crash incidents and
situations with crash potential drastically decrease
with age, the youngest drivers, here defined as those
between 18 and 20 years of age, being 4 times more
at risk than older drivers, defined as those over 35
years of age. Finally, the total amount of observed
crashes as part of the study (82 counted) was more
than 5 times greater than the amount of crashes
reported to the Police (15 counted).

The study performed by North Carolina Universityat Chapel Hill found

that the use of electronic devicesrepresents 6.7% of all distractions faced by
adolescent drivers on their sample. Source: https://
www.consumeraffairs.com/teen-drivers-and-texting-while-driving?page=2

Other agencies and universities have developed

an interest in this topic, such as North Carolina
University at Chapel Hill. In 2014, researchers
there carried out a study on the incidence of
distractions adolescent drivers confront. The study
sample consisted of 52 drivers of high school age,

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

11

using video, audio and vehicle motion recording for 6

month periods per vehicle. Among the findings of this
research are the extremely large variety of identified
distractors, the most common of these being the use of
electronic devices, representing 6.7% of all
distractions.
However, although not particularly
common, distractions related to interactions with
fellow adolescent peer passengers (conversation and
rough play) appeared as most risky.
Another example of interest is the collaboration
between the University of New South W ales (UNSW)
and Monash University, both in A ustralia. Unlike the
previous two studies, which were more longitudinal
(less experimental subjects observed for longer
periods), the study performed by this consortium
observed 360 drivers during 4-month periods. At the
time of this publication the study has been active for a
year and half, having started by April 2016 and
obtaining its latest progress report by June 2016. For
this update, the observations of 93 participants were
completed, while 71 others were still in progress.
Another notable distinction between this study and the
NHTSA and Virginia Tech study is the use of GPS
devices, facilitating the collection of vehicle motion
data.
The fourth naturalistic driving study presented in
the article is being carried out by the European
Commission, named the European Naturalistic Driving
Study. Its goal is studying drivers immersed in diverse
vehicles and circumstances, it started by October of
2012 and scheduled to finish by June of 2017. It
consists of the observation of 200 vehicles (120
passenger cars, 40 motorcycles and scooters, 40
trucks), all shared by 250 drivers and observation
periods spanning 18 months per vehicle. Among the
data categories observed are events related to the
vehicle, the driver and the surroundings. The ultimate
goal of the study is providing a highly useful data set
intended to improve transportation public policy, in
accordance to the Horizon 2020 European Plan.
In order to observe the contrasts corresponding to
different populations and highway network settings this
study is operating in seven (7) countries. The first of
these is the United Kingdom, divided into two areas:
one for network users in large urban areas, the other
representing smaller population centers; with both
being representative of highly congested conditions.
Meanwhile, France and Germany have their study
oriented to variable traffic conditions in both urban and
interurban highways. The third location for the study is

12

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Spain, centered in the interaction of a high variety of

road users and with emphasis in intersections with
lower traffic densities. The fifth of the countries is
the Netherlands, leveraging its centric location for
heavy vehicle studies and long distance travelers
along freeways and major urban roads. The sixth
country is Austria, its contribution being based on
urban traffic within a large and high quality highway
network. The seventh and last country is Poland: its
conditions include the full spectrum from rural to
urban spaces, but with the distinction of being a
country with a lower level of economic development
(infrastructure and driving habits are less developed)
and a high presence of construction zones.

paid in installments throughout the study. Before

participating, all drivers and vehicles are subject to
physiological exams and inspections, respectively, to
determine if they are fit for the study. Drivers are also
informed about measures implemented for the sake of
protecting their privacy, prior to their choice to accept
or reject participation. The participating cities and
areas of this study include Bloomington, Indiana;
central Pennsylvania; Tampa Bay, Florida; Buffalo,
New York State; Durham, North Carolina; and Seattle,
in Washington State.

The cities participating of the SHRP 2 represent a variety

of geographic and demographic circumstances.

The participating countries for the European Commissions Naturalistic

Driving Study were selected in order to obtain a diversity of
circumstances in the highway network. Source: http://
www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=74417

The data of this study is being used to examine

different circumstances and factors of interest: safety
on highway curves, led by Iowa State University; rearend crashes on congested freeways, led by the
University of Minnesota; driver inattention, led by
Chalmers University of Sweden; and offset left-turn
lanes by MRI Global .
By using naturalistic driving studies researchers
and institutions get the opportunity to learn about real
conditions on the road, as well as the true causes and
contributing factors that put the lives, health and
property of all highway network users at risk. For
more information, readers can visit the following links:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/
Multimedia/PDFs/Crash%20Avoidance/Driver%
20Distraction/810594.pdf

Last but not least, the most rigorous study to date

is being performed as part of the Second Strategic
Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) with the goal
of studying 2,600 participants from 6 states
throughout the nation in order to better understand
how driver performance and behavior affects traffic
safety.
For this study all vehicles used were fitted with
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
an extremely diverse series of instruments: vehicle S1054139X14000093
operation sensors (turning, acceleration, braking,
http://www.ands.unsw.edu.au/
turning signals, activation of emergency systems, use
http://udrive.eu/index.php/udrive-library/
of seat belts, among others), cameras used to monitor
both the vehicles occupants and surroundings, GPS, doc_download/32-udrive-leaflet-spain
http://www.shrp2nds.us/
instruments to inform researchers about the
equipments condition, among others.
Each
This article was written with the collaboration of
participant is being paid an annual stipend of $500, undergraduate student Alexander Molano Santiago.

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

Source: http://ocalahealthsystem.com/about/newsroom/ocala-health-partners-withcommunity-to-host-free-driver-safety-event

Better Habits To Be a Safe Driver

raffic safety is not only the responsibility of transportation-oriented government

agencies, traffic police officers or vehicle manufacturers, but also of the driver.
Every driver must do his or her part to make safe and attentive use of the road.
Some of the following actions can form part of safer habits all drivers should adopt.
1. Attaining a restful sleep
Sleep is a critical activity, since a restful sleep can help repair our body and mind
over time so we can confront our day to day activities. According to the National
Health Institutes, we need a minimum of approximately 7 hours of rest. However, not
everyone manages to rest this much. This isnt a new problem, as shown by a study
performed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2009. The study
found that between 2.0 to 7.2% of the adult population from 12 states has fallen asleep
behind the driving wheel during the month before being surveyed, depending on their
demographic group.
Businesses like the A etna, Inc. insurance company have taken proactive measures
to guarantee that their employees get the necessary rest. An employee program was
implemented, in which each were given a device to monitor their physical conditions
by observing how much time the employee slept, the company awarded $25 to those
who managed to get a 7 hour rest for 20 days, adding up to $500 annually. Less hours
of sleep can cause problems in concentration, restrict creativity and interfere in a
persons decision making as well as other tasks in the workspace. This impacts an
employees productivity and is shown in the companys revenue.
It is also important to watch ones health, especially if one suffer from health
conditions affecting sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition
interferes with a persons breathing, forcing them to wake up. Schneider, a logistics
company, collaborated with the University of Minnesota to improve road safety by
ensuring their truck drivers received proper treatment for this condition. In the study
the university monitored 1,600 truck drivers with this condition and 1,600 truck
drivers without it in order to identify each truck drivers vulnerability to car crashes to
correlate it with the condition.
According to Stephen Burks, lead author of the research, by using a statistical
normalization based on 1,000 individuals, we can assume that if we compare 1,000
truck drivers for a year, the drivers who suffer from OSA and lack treatment, would be

13

14

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

This alarmingly contrasts the statistics for severe

and fatal accidents provided the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration (NTSHA). In
2014 a total of 3,179 people nationwide, including the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, died, and more

Sleepiness interferes with concentration and decision-making, critical

aspects of safe driving. Source: http://www.geek.com/news/new-seat-beltsknow-when-you-are-driving-tired-1600450/

exposed to 70 preventable car crashes, compared to 14

accidents experienced in the same time period by drivers
who get treatment or do not suffer the condition.
2. Avoiding distractions
Distractions can have a major negative effect by
interfering with the use of the road. Because of this, we
as drivers, have to develop habits to resist the distractions
happening behind the wheel.
In a study made by the National Security Council for
the Distracted Driving A wareness Month it was
determined that, in the U.S.A.:
Two thirds of respondents answered that they felt
unsafe, as passengers, when the driver was
distracted
Only a quarter managed to recognize when they
were distracted as drivers.
Main distraction causes are associated to electronic
devices, particularly cellphones. The studys findings
reveal that 74% of drivers have used Facebook when
driving, 66% talk on their phones, 82% of these
distractions come from feeling pressured when distracted
by a family member while 54% are distracted their way
to work. Meanwhile, among adolescents, 71% have been
in situations where demands and peer pressure from
family (71%) and peers (73%) force them to drive
distracted

Joint campaign from the U. S. Department of Transportation and the

Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission against cellphone use while driving.
Source: http://www.alguiarfrenaelcelular.com/

The CSTs distracted driving study of 2015 shows that cellphone

use, both in general and specifically texting, is a surprisingly
common distractor among Puerto Rican drivers. Data shown
corresponds to percent points within each category. Source
http://comisionparalaseguridadeneltransito.com/wp-content/
uploads/2015/11/CST15-DISTRACTED-STUDY.pdf

than 431,000 ended up injured due to distracted

drivers. Because of this, government agencies,
companies and non governmental organizations have
gathered together to combat distracting driving. As a
result of this, great efforts are being made by
government
agencies,
businesses
and
nongovernmental organizations in order to combat
distracted driving.
Campaigns such as providing assistance for
employers have been established as corporate rules to
promote safe driving. Other campaigns, including the
Distracted Driving Awareness Month, U Drive. U
Text. U. Pay., both sponsored by the United States
Department of Transportation (USDOT), or Al Guiar
#frenaelcelular, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Transit
Safety Commission (CST), have been developed to
counteract the most common distraction among
todays drivers.

prltap.org

In Puerto Rico, 64.5% of fatal crashes that happened from 2009 to

2013 occurred during the nighttime period (green and yellow bars).
Source: http://prcrash.caps.ua.edu/

3. Nighttime illumination
It has been proven that driving during periods with
limited visibility, such as nighttime, is a potentially
dangerous activity. Headlights may provide the necessary
illumination, however, the light provided by the headlights is
not necessarily the best. From January 2009 to December
2013, Puerto Rico experienced 1,133 fatal crashes, out of a
total of 1,757, during nighttime (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.),

Low beams dont always provide enough illumination. The vehicle

shown above obtained a poor rating, the animal located 200 feet in front
is not visible on a straight road. The one below received an acceptable
rating, animals ahead barely visible at 200 feet.
Source: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/51/3/1

representing 64.5% of the total count for the period.

Although headlamps in car provide light, this one isnt
necessarily the best. According to research by the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), their first study on car
headlights, published on March 2016, indicates these are
very deficient. After examining 82 vehicles, only one model
performed well in all tests, while 44 of the examined
vehicles obtained a poor score. This lacking rating was

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

15

largely due to limited range from low beams. Its due

to this reason that the nighttime crash rate could be
reduced if drivers adopted a habit of using high beams
for better nighttime lighting.
High beam headlights are a setting motor vehicles
have, allowing light to be projected at a longer
distance. Even though this option is present in all
automobiles and trucks, it may be rarely used. A study
made by the Institute of Transportation Research in
Michigan, with collaboration with the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) investigated the
use of high beam headlights in the city of Ann Arbor,
Michigan, and its surroundings.
After observing and video recording isolated
vehicles (separated from other vehicles by a time
headway of at least 10 seconds); out of 3,200 vehicles
in 20 locations, researchers identified a frequency use
of 18% for high beams.
Complementing the
observational study, a telephone survey was
performed. Among the main reasons stated for the
lack of use of high beams was courtesy towards other
drivers (avoid blinding them with intense light),
forgetting to light them or even believing they do not
need additional visibility on the road. One simple
habit can be very effective at contributing to traffic
safety. As an example from this study, on average, for
a vehicle travelling at 30 miles per hour, the use of
high beam headlights can provide a 2.1 seconds of
additional visibility time for obstacles.
For those to which developing the habit were
difficult or inconvenient, there are new technological
advancements that can aid the driver. One new
technology, still in development process, is the use of
headlights with an automated system that responds to
the on-road conditions. By using a combination of
sensors for light and distance relative to nearby
vehicles the system can toggle between low and high
beam settings. Other systems, more sophisticated, can
even adjust the illumination pattern in order to avoid
blinding nearby drivers or even redirecting light such
that it illuminates based on the drivers current
direction.
4. Proper care for the old age
As we move on through life we earn experiences,
opportunities and wisdom, but we also start to face
decay of our physical and even mental abilities. The
aging process happens to everyone. Due to the
prevailing trends of aging in numerous countries the
population of elder drivers is increasing.
In
accordance to a study performed by the CDC there is
trend of growth of the older age population (55 years

16

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

onwards) as well as an increase of fatal crash incidence

in the work setting. Its expected that, by 2020,
throughout the United States, 25% of workers will be
aged 55 or older, 30% of the population will belong to
this group and that 40 million authorized drivers aged 65
or older. A worrisome finding is that 32% of workrelated deaths correspond to car crashes by people aged
55 or older. Old age brings with it the deterioration of
physical and mental abilities, affecting diverse skills and
physiological factors necessary for driving:
Senses: vision deter ior ates with age, r educing
the persons ability to adjust to light levels and
their changes, limiting peripheral vision and the
increase of sight-related diseases.
Hearing
capabilities also face a reduction, thus older
persons have a reduced ability to perceive noise
and warnings on the road.
Health conditions: multiple conditions can
developed with advanced age. Some can affect
metabolism (for instance, diabetes affecting blood
sugar levels), rest (obstructive sleep apnea
decreases rest quality and thus alertness levels),
mobility (arthritis, Parkinsons disease and
numerous other conditions that cause loss of
mobility decrease strength and flexibility, making
driving actions more difficult) and coordination
and multitasking while driving. Other adverse
effects can come from side effects of medication.
Mental abilities: attention levels, memor y,
orientation and decision-making skills can
decrease with age, this can turn driving into a
mentally taxing and dangerous activity as
information from the road overwhelms the older
driver.
Injuries and physical activity: injur ies can
greatly restrict an individuals mobility, however,
it can become worse for those who end up
discouraged to go on with their daily lives. Not
using ones body in a regular basis leads to
deterioration of its abilities.

Exercise can contribute to maintaining physical condition and thus continue

driving safely. Source: http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/
seniorhealth/Pages/Best-Exercises-for-Seniors.aspx

All people should take proper care of themselves to maintain physical and
mental abilities in good shape as they age.
Source: http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2737502/0/polemica-retiradaconductores/mayores-carne-conducir/edad-maxima/

Drivers must take precautions to take care of their

health, emphasizing the preservation of their physical
activity levels, monitoring the condition of their senses,
coordinating with employers and relatives to ensure safer
routes and schedules for driving and being stricter in
adherence to traffic safety regulations.
For some
instances, such as when the physical or mental
deterioration is too great, a better option is to drive less
often, or even stop driving altogether. This last option
does not have to be the end of a fulfilling life, as there are
other ways to carry out day-to-day activities without
having to drive in order to travel for work and carry out
day-to-day tasks.
For more information, visit the following links:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/
topics/sdd/howmuch
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/
topics/sdd/howmuch
http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/
organization/our-insights/the-organizational-cost-ofinsufficient-sleep
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/
news/2016/04/06/why-aetna-pays-employees-hundreds
-of-dollars-to.html
http://behindthewheel.com.au/sleep-apnoea-studybenefiting-road-safety
http://comisionparalaseguridadeneltransito.com/
wp-content/uploads/2015/11CST15-DISTRACTEDSTUDY.pdf
http://prcrash.caps.ua.edu/
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/firstever-iihs-headlight-ratings-show-most-needimprovement
http://www.iihs.org/frontend/iihs/documents/
masterfiledocs.ashx?id=2116
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-116/pdfs/2016
-116.pdf

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

17

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

Presents New Resources for Traffic Safety

he Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

(NETS) is an association that brings together
businesses, government agencies and non-profit
organizations, all dedicated to find better ways to measure
and prevent traffic collisions, within and outside of
working hours., as well as fostering a traffic safety culture
among their personnel. As one of their outstanding
initiatives is the Strength in Numbers Program.
This programs goal was to
collect traffic crash data from
public and private entities
members and compare the
data to inform such entities
about ways to prevent
accidents that could happen
to their employees. This
information was provided
through a newsletter that
show the data collected and
listed. Each entity is placed in a numbered position and is
suggested approaches according to its environment and
crash data they sent to the NETS. Some of the items
discussed NETS serve to mitigate collision problems and
are dealt with by discussing on the road safety policies,
driver training programs, revision practices clash and
other safety measures. Additionally to this, confidentiality
of any entity member is protected the entities data used for
the newsletter will be represented with code number. Any
entity is invited to take part of their annual conference by
contacting the number 703-755-5350.
Another resource that the executive director will
attend is growth of the resource portfolio found online for
road safety. This portfolio contains electronic documents
that can be downloaded and contains important documents
for the safety of workers on the road. The document called

NETS Guide to Defensive Driver Training can be used as

a primer, an auditing tool or a template to be a safe driver.
The introduction to this guide summarizes that the 3
main causes for crashes on the road are a driver behavior,
the environment and conditions and vehicle conditions.
This guide focuses on reducing crashes caused by driver
behavior and provides information about how to avoid
such disaster.
Another article presented in the portfolio is NETS
Recommended Road Safety Practices. This helps manage
various cultural aspects that influence in the decision
making process of a driver. Additionally to this, this guide
gives advice of how to help people be safer driver by
using various ways of intervention.
For more information readers can visit their website at
http://trafficsafety.org/ or call 703-755-5350.
This article has been adapted from: http://
trafficsafety.org/releases/joseph-l-mckillips-csp-namednew-executive-director-of-nets

Some publications of the NETS portfolio: NETS Guide to

Defensive Driver Training and NETS Recommended Road Safety
Practices. Source http://trafficsafety.org/nets_road_resources

18

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Source: http://www.aapd.com/

Celebrating the 26th Anniversary of the

Americans with Disabilities Act

n July 26, 2016, the 26th Anniversary of the approval of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) was celebrated, signed into law by the then
U. S. President, George H. W. Bush. This historic piece of legislation
was the result of a struggle supporting social justice, reaching equality in social
inclusion for people with disabilities. At the time, President Bush stated, "today
with the signing of the Act Americans with Disabilities Act, every man, woman
and child with a disability can now open doors that were once closed, entering a
bright new era of equality, independence and freedom." This bipartisan
movement had an impact on societies way of thinking and its planning process
especially on several of its
Today with the signing of the Act
sectors. Some of these projects
Americans
with Disabilities Act , every
consist of improving the
planning
of
transportation man, woman and child with a disability
systems to facilitate mobility can now open doors that were once
and accessibility of services to closed , entering a bright new era of
people with disabilities. Some equality, independence and freedom.
facilities in buildings and
vehicles,
before
ADA, George H. W. Bush, former U. S. President
functioned as barriers to this
population.
These
barriers
affected
their
movement,
restricting their mobility, safety
and participation in everyday
life.
This law, ADA, solves this
by requiring modifications to
existing
projects
and
requirements for future projects
to be implemented in a way that Call accessible bus trip and the Metropolitan Bus Authority
program. Source: http://www.noticel.com/uploads/
does not conflict with a
image/7bd648c6c625ad92417df363cf2f8414.jpg

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

19

needs of those with a variety of disabilities. Vehicles

may provide them assistance with operation, boarding,
vision, hearing and interfaces for prosthetic limbs.
However, as advised by the Infinitec company, when
adapting vehicles it is necessary to be cautious in the
selection of optimum adaptations for disabilities. Not
doing so may lead to excessive spending and/or failing
to address the needs of vehicle operators.

Pedestrian infrastructure must feature small slopes, tactile surfaces and

accessible signage for pedestrians with disabilities.
Source: http://www.globalride-sf.org/phtos.html

persons disabilities and to modify the existing

infrastructure that conflict with said person. These
requirements apply to both public and private
transportation systems, as well as pedestrian facilities and
parking. The modifications made to facilities that we
observe nowadays allow people with disabilities a better
access to places that were previously excluding of them.
Even with these efforts, a growing population of people
with disabilities still has a growing need for
transportation services able to help them reach their
destination
effectively
without
struggle.
The
implementation of this law has greatly benefited this
sector of society, allowing them easier ways of
requesting transportation.
Since the beginning of the ADA, established in
1990, mass transit systems have been upgraded
substantially, improving their service to members of the
public with disabilities. In addition, approximately 100%
of buses and major stations of fixed-route mass transit
systems across the United States and its territories
comply with the relevant requirements of the ADA. From
the beginning, the implementation of this law allowed
exclusive parking spaces to people with mobility
impairments and/or health issues by providing parking
spaces next to entrances and giving them additional space
for boarding and unboarding. In addition to this,
modifications to private motor vehicles exist to suit the

Parking facilities for individuals with disabilities are designed with a privileged
location and additional space in order to facilitate boarding of vehicles and ease
of access to destinations. Image from the 2010 ADA Accessible Design Standards.

There are adaptations intended to facilitate operation of motor vehicles by

people with disabilities. This example is provided by the company Infinitec.
Source: http://www.infinitec.org/car-modifications

The impacts that ADA causes are not limited only

to surface transportation, it also includes other
transportation systems such as air travel. Airports have
audiovisual communication systems for those with
impaired hearing and/or sight, such as ad displays with
high contrast color and with readable fonts. Other kinds
of facilities and tools that promote accessibility include
Braille signs with text (an alphabet for the blind, with
surface relief) and rest areas for service dogs.
As an example, the Polish airline Polskie Linie
Lotniczeque (LOT) demonstrates a good example of
costumer service towards people with disabilities. This
airline provides services to people with disabilities if
they inform them to their representatives 48 hours in

Shown above are examples of adapted communication for people with

disabilities, an important component to facilitate access to transportation
services. Image credits: http://behealthy.blueisland.org/celebrate-24thanniversary-americans-disabilities-act/ (left) y http://airchive.com/blog/wp
-content/uploads/2013/03/HAV-TERMINAL-2-DEPARTURE-SCREENS2.jpg (right)

20

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

advance. Services within the terminal in the airport and

on the plane include: assistance for passengers with
reduced mobility (ex. allowing them to bring their own
wheelchair onboard), assistance for passengers with
visual, hearing and/or speech difficulties, or even
authorize them to bring service dogs in the passenger
cabin of the aircraft, at no additional cost.
As Samuel Skinner, former Secretary of
Transportation of the United States, said in 2016, "our
work in transportation was an important element to carry
out this law, [...] We implemented a program that the
president (Bush) could support. I do not think anyone at

Some airlines, such as Polskie Linie Lotniczeque, provide access to

service dogs and other services to people with disabilities when
coordination in advance is made. Source: https://www.ourdogs.co.uk/
News/2005/April2005/News150405/assistance.htm

the time could have imagined the impact this bill would
have on the U. S. population. Complementing his
counterpart, Anthony Foxx, the current Secretary of the
United States Department of Transportation, emphasizes
the spotlight of transportation in ADA. The heart of the
Americans with Disabilities Act is access to
transportation. At the Department of Transportation we
are committed to building a 21st century transportation
system that is accessible for all Americans.
Public demand for transport systems have increased
lately. The greatest demand for these services are made
by people with disabilities and elderly over 65 years. As
Therese McMillan said, because more people choose
public transport, including people with disabilities and
the population of elderly is expected to increase

I don not think anyone at

the time could have imagined
the impact this bill would
have on the U. S. population.
Samuel Skinner,
Former Secretary of Transportation

dramatically in the coming decades, we must ensure that

public transportation options are accessible and meet the
needs of the growing population.

The heart of the Americans with Disabilities Act

is Access to transportation. At the Department of
Transportation
we
are
committed to bring a 21st
century transportation system
that is accessible for all
Americans.
Anthony Foxx,
Secretary of Transportation

A resource that was introduced last year by the

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was the A DA
Circular. This document served as a guide towards
collective
transportation
agencies
and
public
transportation users who desired to stay informed about
the requirements that the transportation providers should
have when transporting a disabled person. This detailed
guide includes examples, practices, application and
techniques, including various specific scenarios and what
to do in each scenario. It also explains how to better use
resources in transportation to facilitate access to all. This
specific information is also applicable to private
transportation systems.

We must ensure that public

transportation
options
are
accesible and meet the needs of
the growing population [of elders
and people with disabilities]
Therese McMillan, FTA Administrator

This document summarizes most of the laws and

requirements, concerning the ADA, for all the state
departments of transportation in the US (DOTs). This
document is aimed at FTA grantees, meaning that the
ADA Circular includes data related to services such as:
Ferry Boats and other water transportation
Commuter buses
Fixed route buses
Light rail and rapid transit
Commuter rail
Demand-responsive services and paratransit

prltap.org

Another topic discussed in this guide concerns the

training of staff that drives or otherwise works in
transportation systems. The staff must be able to receive
individuals with disabilities in an effective and
courteous way, as well as have knowledge on
communication and provision of accommodations to
this population. The circular also recommends the
training to be flexible, focusing on meeting the needs for
people with disabilities, as there are different kinds of
disabilities. For each job there are different strategies to
train the employee. Basic training should contain
technical elements and human management skills.
Accommodations include communication methods (ex.
sign language, simple vocabulary), priority in providing
services and know how to provide assistance to facilitate
the mobility of people.

The main reference document for accesible design is the 2010

ADA Accessible Design Standards (left), which is explained
for specific applications to transportation on guides and
circulars like the one from the Federal Transit Administration
(center-left), Federal Highway Administration (center-right)
and the U. S. Access Board (right).

Another document that can help with the provision

of services and facilities for people with disabilities is
Accessible Sidewalks and Street CrossingsAn
Informational Guide), from the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA). This document provides an
explanation about the person with disabilities as a class
of pedestrian, best practices, illustrated examples and
requirements from the 2010 ADA Accessible Design
Standards.
As
mentioned
previously
above,
water
transportation systems, both mass transit and
commercial services, must also meet certain
requirements from ADA. Maritime systems a different
challenge in transportation compared to air or land
transportation, the motion of the waves and flowing
water may vary during the trip, making it difficult to
safely transport some kinds of people with disabilities.

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

21

One of these rules applies to maritime transportation

system, both private or public: the person in charge of
the vessel cannot limit the amount of people with
disabilities boarding, as long as the vessels capacity is
met.
One agency that has provided guidance about this
topic is the United States Access Board (USAB). This
independent federal agency provides guidance,
educational services and performs research about
disabilities and how to best adapt facilities and
operations at both public and private settings for this
purpose. Their publication Accessible Boating Facilities
focuses in recreational navigation facilities, however, it
also includes important concepts for numerous kinds of
passenger ships. It is also worth noting that these
accommodations are relevant for the context of Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands, two Caribbean jurisdictions
in which fishing and recreational navigation are
common place activities.
So far, there is pending progress with
documentation specific to passenger transport services,
such as passenger ferries, water taxis and cruise ships.
Currently, the main document for this purpose is the
2008 draft of the passenger vessel guidelines. It is
important to emphasize that, despite ADA being in place
for the last 26 years making great contributions to
improved mobility, accessibility and inclusion of people
with disabilities, there are still pending efforts and
opportunities to improve in the transportation sector.
For more information, readers can visit the
following links:
https://www.transportation.gov/fastlane/26thanniversary-americans-disabilities-act
http://www.infinitec.org/car-modifications
https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/
files/docs/Final_FTA_ADA_Circular_C_4710.1.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yhG_nhuhfas
http://www.lot.com/pl/en/disabled-passengers
http://www.bikewalk.org/pdfs/sopada_fhwa.pdf
https://www.access-board.gov/attachments/
article/589/boating.pdf
https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-andstandards/transportation/passenger-vessels/
background/2008-draft-passenger-vessel-accessibility
-guidelines
This article was written with the collaboration of
undergraduate student Javier Soto Santiago.

22

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Know Your Trainer: Dr. Ricardo Ramos Cabeza

r. Ricardo Ramos Cabeza was born in the city of

San Juan and lived his childhood years in
Bayamn, Puerto Rico. He completed his
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree
from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez
(UPRM) in 1992, after which he pursued studies for his
Master of Civil Engineering at the same institution,
specialized in structural engineering, to then graduate in
1996. Afterwards he moved to the city of Troy, state of
New York, to attain his Doctor of Philosophy in the
geotechnical discipline at the Rennsealer Polytechnic
Institute, graduating in 1999.

Images from Macafferri, Inc.

After completing his education, Dr. Ramos Cabeza

joined the Department of Civil Engineering and
Surveying of the UPRM as professor of the geotechnical
division in 1999, at the same time he also pursued
private practice with consulting services. He has
provided his services, both in geotechnical and structural
engineering, to agencies, such as the Public Buildings
Authority, since 2002, to then exerting his profession as
part of the firm PIM Geotesting Services from 2006 to
2011. His expertise includes the topics of soil
liquefaction analysis, finite element analysis applied to
geotechnical components and dynamic in-situ of soil

properties. He also provides design services for surface and

deep foundations, retaining walls, slopes and structures
made of steel and concrete.
As part of his academic and professional experience he
has published in forums like the W old Conference on
Earthquake Engineering, the U.S.-Japan Workshop on
Earthquake Resistant Design of Lifeline Facilities and
Countermeasures Against Liquefaction, and in publications
such as the International Journal on Natural Disasters,
Accidents and Civil Infrastructure. He has also provided his
continuing education services as instructor of the College of
Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR, by its
Spanish initials) and the Civil Infrastructure Research
Center (CIRC).
As recently as in June 2016 he joined the professional
training program of the Puerto Rico Transportation
Technology Transfer Center, providing his seminar named
Introduction to Gabion Structures, about a highly versatile
kind of retaining wall made of metal baskets filled with
stone. In this edition of El Puente, the Puerto Rico
Transportation Technology Transfer Center acknowledges
the outstanding contributions of Dr. Ramos Cabeza and
welcomes him to our family of instructors. Congratulations!

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.3, 2016

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.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Fundacin Lus A. Seeriz

Administration of Automobile Accident Compensation

23

PRLTAP Center Staff

Director & Editor

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATON

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER
University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying
Call Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR 00681

787.834.6385 PHONE
787.265.5695 FAX

www.prltap.org

Benjamn Colucci Ros

Editor Assistants
Alexander Molano Santiago
Javier Soto Santiago

Administrative Staff

Puente
EL

Irmal Franco Ramrez

Grisel Villarubia Echevarra

Student Staff
Anne M. Mndez Ramrez
Nichole C. Romn Vlez
Brenda I. Lpez Rivera
Jaime Lpez Martnez
Karina Santiago Rivera
El Puente Newsletter
Vol. 30, No. 3, 2016

EL PUENTE is published by the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer

Center located at the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying.

The opinions, findings or recommendations expressed in this newsletter are those of the Center Director and Editors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
Federal Highway Administration, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Publics Works, the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, or the U.S
Virgin Islands Department of Public Works.

Puerto Rico LTAP