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High-Level Assessment ofStatewide GNSS-RTN Business Models
(2023-06) Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Raza, Sajid
The applications of geospatial technologies and positioning data embrace every sphere of modern-day science and industry where geographical positioning matters. Among all other fields, geospatial technology plays a remarkable role in the transportation sector and has the potential to play an even more critical role in future autonomous transportation systems. In this regard, the GNSS-Real-Time Network (GNSS-RTN) technology is promising in meeting the needs of automation in most advanced transportation applications. The GNSS-RTN is a satellite-based positioning system that uses a network of reference stations to provide centimeter-level accuracy in positioning data in real-time. The technical aspect and working technology of GNSS-RTN are widely studied, however, only limited research has been conducted on the various GNSS-RTN business models currently in use nationally and internationally. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the various GNSS-RTN business models currently used in practice as well as those that are deemed potentially viable but have not yet moved to practice. Eight different business models were cataloged and used in the current assessment. All business models were assessed using three criteria: state control, sustainability, and state/agency costs. The findings of this research are important in helping state agencies make informed decisions as they build, expand or manage their own GNSS-RTN systems.
Capacity at All-Way Stop Control Intersections: Case Study
(SAGE Publications, 2023-03) Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Doruk, Dorukhan
This paper presents an empirical investigation into the capacity of all-way stop-controlled (AWSC) intersections. Video data was collected over four days at an AWSC intersection site in Bozeman, Montana. The site is characterized by single-lane approaches and high level of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Using strict protocols, video records were processed at the individual vehicle level and several information metrics were extracted for each vehicle in the data set on all approaches. Study results indicate that the total intersection capacity at the study site varied between 400 and 1,400 vehicles per hour. The study suggests that the wide range of capacity observations is largely associated with the pedestrian crossing activity at the study site. Statistical tests confirmed that both pedestrian crossing activity and the level of conflict have significant effects on intersection capacity at the 95% confidence level. For movement type, the right-turn movement was not found to have a significant effect on intersection capacity while left-turn movement was found to negatively affect the intersection capacity. The results presented in this paper offer valuable information on AWSC intersection capacity, given the limited amount of information in the literature and the dated nature of those empirical observations.
Analyze Business Models for Implementation and Operation of a Statewide GNSSRTN
(Montana Department of Transportation (SPR), 2022-10) Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Teixeira, Rafael; Raza, Sajid; Meyer, Benjamin
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), commonly known as the global positioning system, has become one of the fastest growing emerging technologies delivering location services to various sectors. The applications of geospatial data span every sphere of modern-day science and industry where geographical positioning matters. The list includes navigation, agriculture, surveying, construction, transportation, forestry, mining, and many others. The accuracy and precision of geospatial data using the GNSS Real-Time Network (RTN) technology enable advanced applications in many fields where geospatial data is used; and open the doors for new applications such as the emerging autonomous systems in transportation, mining, and agriculture. This research project is intended to provide information that would help the state’s efforts in the planning and implementation of the Montana GNSS-RTN system. Four major tasks were completed for this project, namely; state-of-the-art review, state-of-the-practice assessment, characterizing Montana existing GNSS-RTN infrastructure, and identifying and cataloging viable business models for statewide GNSS-RTN systems.
Empirical Bayes application on low-volume roads: Oregon case study
(Elsevier BV, 2021-12) Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Huda, Kazi Tahsin
ntroduction: This paper investigates the Empirical Bayes (EB) method and the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) predictive methodology for network screening on low-volume roads in Oregon. Method: A study sample of around 870 miles of rural two-lane roadways with extensive crash, traffic and roadway information was used in this investigation. To understand the effect of low traffic exposure in estimating the EB expected number of crashes, the contributions of both the observed and the HSM predicted number of crashes were analyzed. Results and Conclusions: The study found that, on low-volume roads, the predicted number of crashes is the major contributor in estimating the EB expected number of crashes. The study also found a large discrepancy between the observed and the predicted number of crashes using the HSM procedures calibrated for the state of Oregon, which could partly be attributed to the unique attributes of low-volume roads that are different from the rest of the network. However, the expected number of crashes for the study sample using the HSM EB method was reasonably close to the observed number of crashes over the 10-year study period. Practical Applications: Based on the findings, it can still be very effective to use network screening methods that rely primarily on risk factors for low-volume road networks. This is especially applicable in situations where accurate and reliable crash data are not available.
Practical Guidelines for Estimation of Rest Area Use on Rural Interstates and Arterial Highways
(2012-01) Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Veneziano, David; Kirkemo, Zachary S.; Dorrington, Christopher
Rest areas perform a critical role in the highway network. These areas provide passenger vehicle occupants and heavy vehicle operators with an opportunity to use a restroom, walk around, stop for a meal, sleep for a period of time, or even pause to use a cellular phone. These activities also have a direct impact on the various aspects of rest area planning and design. Existing guidance for rest area planning and design is largely based on national trends, which may not represent patterns of use in rural states. This paper presents a series of practical guidelines that may be used in the design and rehabilitation of rest area facilities, particularly those in rural areas. The guidance was developed by the use of empirical observations of rest area use at 44 study sites in the state of Montana. Given the amount of data collected and used in this research, it is reasonable to expect that the guidelines developed are representative of a significant proportion of existing and future rest area sites in rural locales. However, each rest area is different, and careful consideration should be given when the guidelines outlined in this paper are used.
Remote Sensing of Weather and Road Surface Conditions
(2013-01) Ewan, Levi A.; Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Veneziano, David
Advances in road weather sensing technologies have made noninvasive road weather sensors a valuable component in many intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications. This study investigates the reliability of using such a sensor for a proposed weather-responsive variable speed limit system. The Vaisala surface state and temperature sensors (DSC-111 and DST-111) were selected for the proposed application. The sensors' ability to provide accurate and reliable data was tested under various conditions in a controlled laboratory environment. Specifically, four outputs of interest from the sensors were tested in this investigation: surface state, snow and ice depth, water depth, and grip level. Testing results showed that the sensors determined the surface state (dry, moist, wet, snowy, and icy) accurately and reliably. The sensors' snow depth readings were found to be inaccurate, while the sensors' ice depth measurements were found to be relatively close to the actual depths. For water depth, only a limited number of readings were close to the actual depths, while other readings were highly inaccurate. In an effort to test the potential of the sensor in providing reliable inputs to the proposed ITS application, a calibration was conducted for the sensor water depth measurements at various water depths and sensor installation angles. Calibration results showed that the water depth could be accurately estimated with the calibrated sensor measurements, regardless of water depth or sensor installation angle. Sensor estimates of grip level were found to be highly correlated to the coefficient of static friction for the conditions considered in this study.
Perceived Risk of Phoning While Driving: A Case Study from Jordan
(2015-10) Ismeik, Muhannad; Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Al-Ansari, Khalid
The use of mobile phones while driving is banned in most countries since it impairs driving performance and is believed to increase crash risk. The aim of this research is to identify the prevalence of phoning while driving in Jordan and to examine the association between drivers’ perception of risk and potential predicting variables. A sample of 423 drivers was surveyed to gather information on their mobile phone use while driving as well as their risk perception. Data collection took place anonymously at diverse locations through a self-report questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed to highlight the association between risk levels and drivers’ demographics and exposure characteristics. An alarming rate of 93.1% of drivers, mostly young male college students, engaged in this unsafe behavior despite being aware of the associated risk and legislative laws. Findings suggested gender, employment status, age, education level, driving experience, and daily traveled distance were associated with mobile phone use while driving. Recommendations to enhance traffic safety were proposed and further research directions were highlighted.
Traffic Safety Along Tourist Routes in Rural Areas
(2016-01) Wang, Yiyi; Veneziano, David; Russell, Sam; Al-Kaisy, Ahmed
Little is known about the safety of tourist drivers in the United States. Most domestic studies have focused on traffic deaths and injuries of U.S. citizens traveling abroad and cite factors such as driving on the left, lack of seat belt use, and alcohol consumption. U.S. states that have a number of tourist attractions and the roadways to reach them may be interested in whether traffic safety is problematic for drivers who are tourists. To that end, this research investigated the contributing factors for crash severity and crash likelihood of visiting drivers in or near three national parks in rural areas. Driver-level data from the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California revealed risk factors for crash severity, including age, geometry, and seat belt use. The second data set offered a more microscopic view at the road level and was used to anticipate crash frequency of visiting drivers at the road link level. Moreover, the second data set contained road geometry, traffic volume, environment, and crash counts aggregated at the segment level along a 57.8-mi stretch of U.S. Hwy 89 (a primary route to the north gate of Yellowstone National Park) in Montana that is frequently used by tourists. Crash risk factors (e.g., geometry and traffic intensity) affected local and nonlocal (tourist) drivers in different ways. Further exploration of crash trends in specific parks would be valuable in understanding the overall trends and contributors to crashes in tourism areas and to determine effective improvement measures.
Safety Effects of Road Geometry and Roadside Features on Low-Volume Roads in Oregon
(2016-01) Ewan, Levi A.; Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Hossain, Fahmid
Crashes are random events and can occur at any location along a roadway. On roadways with high traffic volumes, the more frequent occurrence of crashes permits the direct identification of high-frequency crash locations with the use of historical data. On low-volume roads, crash occurrence, particularly the occurrence of crashes with fatal and serious injuries, is less frequent. There is a need to understand better the risks associated with geometric and roadside features along low-volume roadways in order to identify locations where preventive countermeasures may be employed. This paper describes the collection and analysis of a large sample of data from low-volume roads in Oregon to quantify the effects of geometric and roadside features on crash occurrence and associated risks. The effects of lane width, shoulder width, grade, side slope, fixed objects near the roadway, and horizontal and vertical curves have been quantified. For the low-volume road sample, roads with lanes less than 12 ft wide have a much higher crash risk than do roads with standard 12-ft lanes. Similarly, roads with narrow or no shoulders tend to have much higher crash rates than roads with shoulders 4 ft or 5 ft wide. Crash risk is shown to be much higher on curves with higher degrees of curvature compared with curves with smaller degrees of curvature.
Measuring Performance on Two-Lane Highways: Empirical Investigation
(2017-01) Al-Kaisy, Ahmed; Jafari, Amirhossein; Washburn, Scott
This paper presents an empirical investigation into several performance measures for operational analysis on two-lane highways. The performance measures investigated are average travel speed, average travel speed to free-flow speed, percent followers, followers flow, followers density, percent impeded, impeded flow, and impeded density. Field data from 16 study sites in the states of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and North Carolina representing Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 highways were used in this study. The level of association between performance measures and some of the most important traffic variables was examined with graphical and statistical techniques. The traffic variables investigated in this study included combined flow in both directions of travel; proportion of traffic in the direction of travel, called in this study “traffic split”; percentage of heavy vehicles; and speed variance. Study results suggest that speed-related measures have weak associations with traffic variables compared with headway-related measures. Further, compound measures involving headway and traffic flow or density exhibited the highest associations with traffic variables. With regard to two-lane highway type, higher associations are exhibited at Class 1 sites compared with Class 2 and Class 3 sites. Performance measures showed the highest associations with combined flow and traffic split.

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