NEWSLETTER Volume 30

Number 1

2016

TRAINING TO SAVE LIVES ON THE ROAD:

TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP 2016

UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO,

MAYAGEZ CAMPUS

Puerto Rico LTAP

www. prltap.org

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Vol. 30 No. 1, 2016

Pages 8-13

2nd Trac Incident Management (TIM)

Workshop

4-5

Manhole Safety Ramp

6-7

Historical representaon of the UPRM in the

TRB 2016 Annual Meeng

8-13

Bici-Rally Colegial: Making history at the UPRM

14-17

Systemic Safety Project Selecon Tool:

18-19

Drones: History, Rules and Applicaons

in Civil Engineering

20-23

Anthony Foxx Announces Major

Investments in Financing

24-25

U.S. Secretary of Transportaon signs MOU

with the Governor of the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico

26-27

UPRM in the TRB 2016 Annual Meeting

Pages 14-17

Message from the Director

P89:

Bici Rally Colegial

New Transportaon Publicaons

28

Save the Date!

Seminars, Conferences, and Symposiums

29

Know your Trainer: Dra. Carla Lpez del Puerto

30

Decade of Acon for Road Safety:

Safety Pledge

31

Pages 26-27

CONTENT

MOU between US Secretary of Transporta)on

and Governor Alejandro Garca-Padilla
Vol. 30 No. 1, 2016

The Puerto Rico Transportaon Technology Transfer Center is part of a network of 58 centers throughout the United
States that comprises of The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and The Tribal Technical Assistance Program
(TTAP), which enable local governments, counes, and cies, to improve their roads and bridges by supplying them
with a variety of training programs, an informaon clearinghouse, new and exisng technology updates,
personalized assistance, and newsle1ers.

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EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

Message from the Director

elcome! Best regards to

all our readers in the first edition of
the 30th Anniversary of the
Newsletter El Puente!

The feature article of this 30th edition is dedicated to the

second workshop of Traffic Incident Management. As
part of the National Program of Rapid Response of
Traffic Incident Management of the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), this workshop had the
participation of agencies that provide rapid response to
emergencies and it was offered in collaboration with
Metric Engineering of Puerto Rico, and the Department
of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico.
Our second article covers a new and economic technology
known as manhole safety ramps. The article describes the
design specifications and advantages associated with the
implementation of this technology using recycled rubber.
The third article is dedicated to the new generation of
professionals that will join the workforce to address this
millenniums challenges in the transportation discipline,
specifically the participation of a delegation of the
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez (UPRM) at the
2016 TRB Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC. The
article entitled "Historical Representation of the UPRM in
the TRB 2016 Annual Meeting" describes the
performance of UPRM students in poster and technical
presentations from the Dwight D. Eisenhower
Transportation Fellowship Program for Hispanic Serving
Institutions (DDETFP-HSI), SaferSIM, TransInfo and the
ITE-UPRM.
The fourth article highlights the event Bici Rally
Colegial sponsored by the UPRM Bicycle Master Plan
Committee and ITE-RUM Student Chapter. Over 100
students, faculty and representatives of our community
participated in this event along a 10 miles route
promoting road safety culture, specifically sharing the
road with motor vehicles and cyclists in the Mayagez
Metropolitan Area.
The fifth article describes a new approach for the
selection of highway safety improvement projects known
as systemic safety project selection tool. This process
developed by FHWA assists decision makers in the

selection of safety projects for implementation in a

systemic manner.
The second article of a series of technical articles
associated with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV-drones)
is presented. It provides a historical background of UAV,
the new federal regulations, and typical civil engineering
applications.
Several articles associated with the FAST Act and the
position of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony
Foxx, with respect to this legislation are also highlighted.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between
Puerto Rico and the US to have access to approximately
$400 million in federal funding for highways in the island
as well as $1.4 billion in credit assistance to TIFIA and
$500 million for the TIGER funds is also highlighted in
this 30th Anniversary edition.
A new section regarding emerging publications associated
with transportation engineering topics is presented, as
well as the new Save the Date! section which provide the
dates of future seminars, conferences, and symposiums.
Finally, in the section Know your Instructor, the Center is
proud to recognize Dr. Carla Lpez del Puerto,
Associated Professor at UPRM, whose experience in
construction management has strengthened our training
program in Puerto Rico and USVI.
I hope the selection of articles presented in this 30th
edition will benefit our local transportation stakeholders
in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, in our passion
to share innovative research initiatives related to
transportation, with emphasis in EDC, road safety,
workforce development, and management of the built
highway infrastructure.
Closing remarks, please continue supporting the Decade
of Action for Road Safety and the Toward Zero Deaths
initiatives at your workplace. Together we can save
millions of lives! Please share our Safety Pledge.

Ux}t Vvv| e

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Source: h1p://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=544018&page=4&langid=5

Source: I.tamu.edu

An Awesome Experience!
2nd Trafic Incident Management (TIM) Workshop

Congratulations to our
TIM Workshop Trainers for
a work well done.

n March 8th and 9th the second Training-the-trainer

workshop on Traffic Incident Management was
celebrated at the headquarters of the College of Engineers and
Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR, by its Spanish acronym) in
Hato Rey. This workshop is part of the National Rapid
Response of Traffic Incidents of the United States Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA). In Puerto Rico, this
workshop is administered in collaboration with Metric
Engineering of Puerto Rico, the Department of Transportation
and Public Works (DTPW), the Puerto Rico Highway and
Transportation Authority (PRHTA) and the Puerto Rico Local
Technical Assistance Program (PR-LTAP).

Jefe Bruce H. Varner

BH Varner & Assoc.

In early 2016, Puerto Rico had 88 certified trainers who

themselves have trained 1,257 professionals from the
emergency rapid response services of the Island. Through
these workshops participants have learned the best strategies
to avoid the occurrence of a second incident at the emergency
response site. In addition, they had a group discussion about
potential solutions for the quick and safe clearance of the site
by means of teamwork and by applying the protocols learned
as part of the workshop. All of this workshop was done using
model scenes by using a set of plans and miniature drawings,

Grady Carrick, PhD

FHWA

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EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

combined with a field activity in which the

participant is trained to identify the main parts
and components of a firefighting truck with
their proper location, as well as the signage
and safety cones applicable in a typical
incident.
The main trainers of the workshop were Chief
Bruce H. Varner, from BH Verner &
Associates, and Dr. Grady Carrick, from the
FHWA. Joining them were Eng. Felipe
Luyanda-Andino from Metric Engineering,
Eng. Josu Cruz from the Intelligent
Transportation Systems program of PRHTA,
Eng. Andrs lvarez from the Puerto Rico
FHWA division and Dr. Benjamn Colucci from
PR-LTAP.

TIM Workshop
Collaborators 2016

TIM Benefits
Save Lives

Safer and more effective response techniques at

the incident scene

Reduced exposure of emergency response

personnel reduces injury and fatality levels

Save Money

Less secondary crashes

Reduced insurance claims

Less impact of traffic to emergency vehicles

Savings for emergency response agencies

Ing. Felipe Luyanda

Ing. Jos Cruz

Ing. Andrs lvarez

Save Time

Faster clearance time of incidents reduces traffic

delays
Dr. Benjamn Colucci

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Manhole Safety
Ramps: A Safe
Alternative

Source: www.ahp1.com

ow it is possible to soften the edges of manhole

covers during road construction projects in a fast,
effective and safe manner. Using a new technology
made of recycled, resistant and durable rubber, special
rings are formed such that they fit snugly around the
vertical channelization of wells. By placing them properly
they wont shift or slide around; as soon as the ring is in
place its only a matter of picking them up once used.

N
These are a cost-effective
solution for the
protection of exposed
manholes and utility
components in highways
and roads.
Above

The company or agency implementing these rings in

construction sites will save money since these safety ramps
can be re-used multiple times and are easily stored, as they
can be piled atop each other in order to save space.
These are a cost-effective solution for the protection of
exposed manholes and utility components in highways.

Below
Top and side view of the safety ramps (Source:
www.ahp1.com)

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EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

These ramps have a gradient design that provides

drivers a safe and smooth maneuver over the
protruding manholes. They also have a high
control design that allows their easy installation
and they remove the need of temporary cold
patching in construction and repaving projects.
These rubber ramps are available in a variety of
diameters from 29 to 48 inches (A), an inner
space between 10 and 31 inches (B) and a
thickness of 2 inches (C).
One of the advantages from using these ramps in
manholes is eliminating the claims to pavement
milling and filling operations.
These also
eliminate the cost of cold patching, including the
labor required for their placement, removal and
disposal. Finally, these protect automobiles and
motorcycles from damage to body, rims and
tires.

Placement of a safety ramp over a utility manhole (Source: www.ahp1.com)

Manhole Safety Ramp Specifications

Material:

100%
Recycled

Traction
Resistance:

Compression
Manufacturing
Based
Lengthening:
Molding

300psi
ASTM
D412
90%
ASTM
D412

Density:

0.6 oz/cu in.

Brittleness:
ASTM C642

-40o F
ASTM
D746

Hardness:

65A ASTM
D2240

Thermal
Expansion
Coefficient:

8x10-5
ASTM
C531

Exposed manhole on the road

(Source: www.ahp1.com)

For more information regarding manhole safety

ramps technology, please access the link below:
http://www.ahp1.com/manhole-safetyramp.php#getthemsrwhitepaper

Patch removal work around a manhole

(Source: www.ahp1.com)

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Source: h1p://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=544018&page=4&langid=5

Source: I.tamu.edu

Historical Representation of the UPRM at the

Annual Convention of the TRB 2016
The experience was
excellent. Its a
complete learning
experience, from
preparing yourself to
present your project to
learning about what
your Ph. D. study
colleagues are doing.
- Eng. Josie Bianchi

he 95th Annual Convention of the Transportation Research

Board was celebrated between January 10th through 14th,
2016, in Washington, D. C. This outstanding event gathers
a great variety of academics, government officials, businesspeople
and ideas, all hailing in from more than 70 countries; who presented
in more than 800 workshops and sections, containing more than
5,000 presentations for an audience of more than 12,000
participants. Everyone present came together under one motto,
Convergence of Research for a Multimodal Future. The main topics
of the 2016 TRB Convention concentrated on transformation
technologies, resilience, and transportation and public health.
This year heralds the 22nd occasion in which a representation of the
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez (UPRM) attends,
establishing a tradition in which our universitys community
contributes to the Convention and the field. In this delegation are
noteworthy the presence of Dr. Enrique Gonzlez, Dr. Ivette
Cruzado, Dr. Didier Valds, Dr. Sangchul Hwang, Dr. Daniel
Rodrguez and Dr. Benjamn Colucci, Director of the Dwight D.
Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program for HispanicServing Institutions (DDETFP-HSI).

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Representative delegation of the UPRM

transportation group arriving at Washington, D.C.
Reagan Airport

Among the DDETFP-HSI 2015-2016 awardee

students representing the UPRM were Ph.D.
candidate and Eng. Josie Bianchi, graduate students
Heriberto Pujols and Joangelli Gonzlez, as well as
undergraduate students Jennifer Aponte and Sionel
Arocho. As part of the SaferSim delegation were
Johnathan Ruiz (graduate student in Civil
Engineering at the Masters level), Enid Coln
(undergraduate in Mathematical Science) and
Ricardo Garca (undergraduate in Civil Engineering).
Representing the TransInfo group were Ph.D. student
Edgardo Romn and Masters student Armando
Gonzlez. Finally, the ITE student chapter was
represented by the following delegation: Alex
Bermdez among the Ph.D. students; Mara Torres,
Miguel Caro, Yanira Rivera, Carlos Figueroa and
Wilfredo Cordero in the Masters program; and
undergraduate students Wilmari Valentn, Maribel
Torres and David Soto.

ITE-UPRM representation with Paula Flores, ITE

International President, at the Reception in the ITE
Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

Eisenhower Awardees
As part of the DDETHP-HSI
2015-2016 requirements the
awardee students developed a
research project sponsored by the
fellowship fund and were invited
to attend to the Annual
Convention. From this group of five (5) members
two (2) projects were selected for presentation in the
professional forum.

UPRM Eisenhower delegation. From left to right:

Dr. Didier Valds, an Eisenhower Representative,
Eng. Josie Bianchi, Jennifer Aponte, Dr. Benjamn
Colucci, Joangelli Gonzlez, Dr. Enrique Gonzlez,
Heriberto Pujols, Dr. Sangchul Hwang, and
Sionel Arocho.

Eng. Josie D. Bianchi, Ph.D. candidate, presented

her
ongoing
doctoral
dissertation
entitled
Identification of Efficient Ways for the Optimization
of Time and Costs in Highway Construction
Projects, as part of the Eisenhower Innovative
Doctoral Research Showcase. The project pursues
three (3) objectives: the development of a
mathematical model to forecast the consequences of
delays in construction projects based on risk factors,
identifying the main causes for delays and how these
vary in accordance to the type of project, as well as
providing recommendations on how to improve their
design, planning and execution.
Significant findings included project planning
deficiencies, namely lack of complete and accurate
information on the site conditions, materials and their
suppliers required for the construction. It is also
noteworthy that constructions projects have between
50 and 200 change orders prior to completion
resulting in doubling or even tripling of costs with
respect to the original price during the 2000-2014
period. Regarding project delays, Eng. Bianchi stated

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Dr. Benjamn Colucci next to Eng. Josie Bianchi at the

Innovative Doctoral Research from DDETFP.

Its important to ensure highway construction

projects dont experience delays, as these cause
inconvenience to users and represent a delay in the
benefits these contribute.
As a matter of fact Eng. Bianchi attended the TRB
Annual Convention for the first time, something that
turned out to be a pleasant surprise for her, The
experience was excellent. Its a complete learning
experience: from preparing yourself to present your
project to learning about what your Ph.D. study
colleagues are doing. I thank TRB and [the]
Eisenhower
[program]
for
their
planning,
organization and treatment in the event!
Meanwhile, Heriberto Pujols performed a
comparative study between three options to improve
the UPRMs mass transit system, in terms of
preference from the student body. We compared the
traditional option of buses with a carpooling system
and a network of feeder buses with parking spaces at
the two main shopping centers of the municipality of
Mayagez. Among his findings were the strong
preference for systems providing timely service (high
value of time), more convenience (privacy, closeness
to the destination) and a limited notion on the true
costs of operating private vehicles, such as those of
the carpooling systems. I think its important to
develop a mass transit culture, to have people be
more aware of the real costs and benefits of
transportation systems, he added. His interest in
transportation comes from being in a discipline that

works with the fundamental human need to

move around to perform its activities.
Masters
student
Joangelli
Gonzlez
contributed with a research as part of a series of
studies in traffic safety related to school zones. In
this particular stage of the project she compared
the differences of school zone signage as
specified in the MUTCD and the Traffic Law 22
of Puerto Rico. As part of it Joangelli was able to
identify differences as codified by law. She also
told us her motivation to work with transportation
comes from it being a dynamic area in which a
great variety of topics can be seen constantly
changing. She also told us about her experience
at the Annual Meeting, emphasizing that it
makes you see that there is more than you can
imagine out there and that we must dare to expose
our ideas.

Dr. Enrique Gonzlez (second from right to left) is

the advisor of three of the student recipients of the
Dwight D. Eisenhower Fellowship Program

Undergraduate student Jennifer Aponte

presented her research poster, An Assessment of
the Use of Roundabouts in Puerto Rico: Lessons
Learned and Potential Areas for Improvement as
part of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program
Research Showcase. By means of this project she
performed a case study of the implementation of
roundabouts as a geometric design option for atgrade intersections, in the municipality of
Guaynabo. The use of roundabouts started in this
city by year 2004, contributing to the attainment
of a variety of benefits in traffic safety and traffic
operations efficiency, however, there are several

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questions regarding signage and selection of traffic

control devices, particularly as related to the FHWA
MUTCD.
As part of the inspection process for the 21
roundabouts present in Guaynabos roads, four general
areas of assessment were considered: traffic control
devices (57% with yield, 10% with stop, 33% with none),
pavement condition (86% good, 9% fair, 5% poor),
pavement marking conditions (67% good, 19% fair, 14%
poor) and the general traffic safety outcomes (no
roundabout has been the scenario of fatal nor severe
crashes). As a consequence of these findings it was
possible to establish an initiative for improvement and
maintenance of roundabouts during the years 2016 and
2017 stemming from work of the municipal Department
of Transportation and Public Works, still pending
inclusion in the Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSP)
of Puerto Rico and the municipal transportation policies.
Her attendance to the Annual Convention surpassed
my expectationsI was expecting something much more
calmed; in reference to how her project attracted
attention and praise from people of various national
origins attending the poster session.
It was also
noteworthy for her to have the opportunity to share the
experiences of other countries with respect to the topic,
discovering similarities and differences among them.
Sionel Arocho, an Eisenhower awar dee and
member of the UPRM Bachelor of Science in Civil
Engineering, comments us about his opportunity to learn
from many program topics and forums that have started
to garner interest in different parts of the world and local
and city governments of the United States. One thing

UPRM student Sionel Arocho, recipient of the Dwight D.

Eisenhower Fellowship Program, participating in a round
of questions in the Innovative Doctoral Research module.

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

11

that got my attention was the Transportation

Camp, a forum consisting of a session of
conferences organized by the very same
participants attending and in which they cover a
variety of topics of interest that we often
overlook and didnt know are critical for
communities.

SaferSim
SaferSim is a research consortium for traffic
safety formed by several
universities of the United
States and its territories.
This group carries studies
examining a variety of
situations and designs in a
virtual environment, by
means of exposing volunteers to a virtual
driving simulator in the contexts being
researched. This program thus allows for an
effective way to study human factors in traffic
safety.
Ricardo
Garca,
r epr esenting
the
SaferSim Consortium, talked to us about their
research, in which they used a virtual road
driving simulator. He presented, together with
Enid and Johnathan, the first stage of Driving
Simulation in the Safety and Operational
Performance of the Freeway Toll Plaza. Here
they examined the effect speed signs have on
the behavior of multiple volunteers who used
the Driving Simulator of the Transportation
Laboratory at UPRM. The explored context
was that of the South Caguas toll plaza in the
Luis A. Ferr Freeway (PR-52), for which a
comparison between the existing and a
proposed configuration of speed signs was
made. Their findings indicate a considerable
improvement in behavioral consistency of
drivers and improvements in traffic safety
stemming from the use of different speed limits
for each lane before the toll plaza.
Other testimonies of the UPRM student
delegation at the 2016 TRB Convention
follows: If you go there and are interested in

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UPRM SaferSim team. From left to right: Johnathan

Ruiz, Enid Coln, Ricardo Garca, and Bryan Ruiz.

analysis with the transportation area was made in

unison with the Civil Engineering students.
For her the experience of discovering the
Annual Convention turned out to be an amazing
opportunity for growth and learning. I was
surprised by the size of the conference, the amount
of presentations and even more so the diversity of
topics discussed. The most incredible part, to me,
was being able to discuss and share my perspectives
with professionals of different branches, as well as
learning more about the transportation area in the
simulation topic. My brain was like a sponge
absorbing new information, completing some
thoughts and ideas I already had.

TransInfo informs us!

transportation you will surely find something of your
liking. You can learn about the diverse methods and
opportunities to improve techniques and establish
research collaboration.
Johnathan Ruiz, was able to talk about the
project and his contributions. Here we want to know
how the driver behaves when theres a lack of
information on the road, in reference to the different
sign configurations in toll plazas. In this study they
measured average velocity, variability of position and
acceleration noise, the last two measured using their
standard deviation.
Another member of the SaferSim team was graduate
student Bryan Ruiz, who has a double bachelors
degree in civil engineering and surveying, during
which he started recreating part of the Dynamic Toll
Lane, located in PR-22 in northern Puerto Rico.
According to Bryan, part of the work performed
consisted in identifying elements that could influence
safety on the road, how can these elements be recreated
in the simulation and which possible alternatives can
be analyzed to improve safety.
Enid Coln, an under gr aduate student of the
mathematical science program at UPRM, has made
outstanding contributions as part of the SaferSim
project. By creating databases and performing
statistical analysis with software tools she helped the
team identify whether statistically significant
differences happened between the different cases
studied. She explained to us that the integration of the

The Transportation
Informatics program
is
an
emerging
discipline
in
transportation
engineering. Its focus
is based on developing and obtaining methods,
tools, models and data in Information Technology
for its use in transportation. Similarly to how
SaferSim is organized there is a consortium that
groups multiple universities throughout the United
States and its territories in order to coordinate
research and innovation on this area.

From left to right, Armando Gonzalez, a viewer, Eng.

Jos Gonzalez, Edgardo Romn and Dr. Didier Valds,
from the TransInfo program

Armando Rodrguez, a student of the master s

degree program, shared with us the progress of a
design project: the development and testing of
mobile applications that replace the paper-based
form filling process for crash data collection and
traffic fine tickets. This poster was presented at a

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reception organized by the New York State

University at Buffalo. The applications are still
under development and still have technical errors
(bugs) we want to address. So far the app for crash
data collection is at a more advanced stage. As soon
as we solve these bugs we will be entering the
testing phase with police officers. The testing
process, at present, is being performed with UPRM
students, while the software development is carried
out in collaboration with the Electrical and
Computer Engineering Department of the UPRM.

The ITE-UPRM is present!

The Institute of Transportation
Engineers student chapter at the
University of Puerto Rico,
Mayagez campus (ITE-UPRM)
groups the civil engineering
students passionate and aspiring
to work in transportation engineering. As part of
their activities they perform a variety of projects in
which their membership learns and contributes to the
discipline.

ITE-URPM Dynamic Duo. From left to right: current

and past president of the ITE-UPRM Edgardo Romn
and Wilfredo Cordero, as part of TRB module.

The current president of the ITE student chapter,

Edgardo Romn, told us about the most r ecent
contributions of the student association. It was
quite the coincidence to have multiple members of
our association attend TRB on their own. This time
we also had a change of pace as its the first time in
which a project of the ITEs student chapter itself,
rather than its members separately, is presented
directly as part of the conference program! The
project itself consisted of an applicability and
relevance study of the Traffic Capacity and Quality

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

13

of Service Manual, a technical document used to

assess these features of mass transit systems, such
as buses or train systems. In the case of the buses,
Mayagez has two out of the six criteria that are
impossible to evaluate, as such it became necessary
to apply engineering judgement to propose
alternative methods to measure the corresponding
factors.
In terms of the future work of ITE-UPRM with
respect to TRB, he told us their goal really is about
incentivizing the development of research projects
in an organized fashion, such that theyre
documented and exposed more widely through
publications and professional forums. In addition
to commenting about the student chapters
contributions he also had the lucky opportunity to
meet once more the three previous chapter
presidents. Its always an important experience
because we were able to share and cherish our
achievements and learn from our shortcomings, in
order to learn more about what we can do to
continue improving the chapter.
Finally, Eng. Kenneth Vlez, one of the former
presidents of the student chapter of the Institute of
Transportation Engineers (ITE-UPRM), talked
about his experience. This time I attended as a
member of the general public of TRB, I was
surprised by how much the event grew and
improved its organization since I last attended two
years ago. I was also lucky to meet again with
Edgardo, Wilfredo and Freddie! in reference to the
coincidental encounter with four student leaders
that are or have been presidents of the student
chapter.
The students benefited greatly by being exposed
to
transportation
problems
in
different
environments and cultures. At the time of this
publication the DDETFP-HIS 2015-2016 awardees
have presented their experience reports on the
Annual Meeting and their research. For mid-2016
the awardee students of the program will be
presenting the results of their research to professors,
students and staff of the University, as well as a
final report addressed to the fellowship programs
office, as part of its requirements.
For more details on the Scholarship Program,
you can access prltap.org, under special projects.

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Bici - Rally Colegial: Making History at the UPRM!

Rolando Gonzlez, BMP-RUM

Project Coordinator

Dr. Enrique Gonzlez,

Professor and BMP-RUM
Advisor

very day the greatest benefits of non-motorized

transportation become more and more evident, not only
from convenience, but also due to the feasibility of reducing the
use of private motor vehicles in cities and universities around the
world. In places like Washington D.C., Amsterdam, Barcelona,
Bremen, Ferrara, Graz and Strasbourg, the use of non-motorized
and public transport, and safe sharing of road space (among motor
vehicles and bicycles) is encouraged and fostered, while at the
same time restricting motor vehicle traffic in urban areas without
restricting economic growth or hindering accessibility of
commercial spaces.
Bicycles provide us with an eco-friendly, healthy, affordable and
efficient option for transportation. Due to the high CO2 emissions
and global warming, as well as
addressing the needs for practical
transportation, recreation and
sports, the use of bicycles has
increased significantly.
In
addition to being useful to move
from a place to another, it helps
maintain an active and healthy
body, bringing benefits for the
http://viajerosblog.com/
cardiovascular and respiratory
systems.

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Over this global vision, the top management of the

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez (UPRM),
the Chancellor and Dean of Administration, in
coordination with an interdisciplinary group of
youngsters have taken the initiative and decision
to form part of the global movement seeking
solutions and economically feasible alternatives to
reduce motor vehicle traffic and its emissions at
the university campus. The main objective is
making the campus an eco-friendly place, in
which air quality is better and which at the same
time works as an example for other cities and
universities in Puerto Rico.
Multiple student organizations and members of
the community of the UPRM, in collaboration
with the UPRM Administration, have risen up to
the task of developing a Bicycle Master Plan
(BMP) for the UPRM and in this way work
towards certifying our Campus as the First
Bicycle-Friendly University of the Caribbean.
As part of the BMP initiatives, several streets
within campus had signage applied using
sharrows as a way to promote the safe sharing
of road space among cyclists and motor vehicles,
in order to promote
greater use of bicycles.
In addition to the
sharrow initiative, other
improvements
have
been carried out to
increase the amount of
bicycle parking spaces
and to provide fixed
bicycle
parking
Bike sharrors at the UPRM facilities. In order to
ensure these spaces are
both available and fixed
we have support from the University Guards. Our
goal is to have a Campus road infrastructure that
incorporates exclusive lanes for bicycles.
It is our intention to ensure the attained success at
the UPRM from the implementation of strategies
that achieve an increased use of bicycles, can be

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

15

Bicycle Master Plan

Stakeholders

expanded and replicated by the Municipality of

Mayagez, as well as other towns, universities and
educational centers. By amplifying the strategies
used at Campus to nearby locations, interconnecting
and improving extant paths for the safe use of
bicycles, a wider network will be created, such that it
makes the bicycle an attractive, practical and safe
alternative for the entire community, thus allowing
Mayagez to become a leading city, offering a better
quality of life for all its inhabitants and making it
more attractive for tourism. With the purpose of
promoting the use of bicycles, the sharing of roads
and enhancing traffic safety, on Saturday, February
20 of 2016, the Collegiate Bicy-Rally was celebrated,
a recreational activity with an educational component

Participants and organizers of the Bici-Rally

ready for the departure

16

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

intended for
community.

the

enjoyment

of

the

prltap.org

entire

The Collegiate Bicy-Rally brought awareness

about the benefits of cycling to both students and
the community. About 120 cyclists participated in
our first official event, including cyclists from
campus, students, professors, alumni, citizens of
western Puerto Rico, among others.
As part of the educational component, the use of
protective equipment, responsible use of bicycles
on the road and in accordance to applicable traffic
regulations of Puerto Rico, were promoted. With
the help of the Municipal and State Police we were
granted protected access to 15 km of the road
network in order to ensure the safety of attendants
at all times.

Bicyclists on their first stop at the Barcelona entrance

highlighted by the COLEGIO pavement marking.

and other aspects of bicycle use, all carried out by

multiple student clubs of Campus: Nursery, Fiesta
Colegial, Gear, Ride a Bike, Institute of Civil
Engineers and the Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE).
The team in charge of designing, planning and
performing this event was comprised of an
interdisciplinary group of students, bringing
members from these departments: Civil
Engineering, Surveying, Biology, Nursery,
Agricultural Sciences, among others.
These
students met and prepared the event several
months in advance in order to carry out the event

The route consisted of approximately 15km (10mi)

near Mayaguez town

The Collegiate Bicy-Rally route followed streets of

the Municipality of Mayagez, venues currently
under consideration for the installation of tactical
infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians and for
the sharing of lanes among motor vehicles and
cyclists in a safe way. After the Bicy-Rally we
celebrated an expo on traffic safety, health benefits

Students of the Nursing Department ensuring the

health and welfare of cyclists.

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EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

17

in a safe and logical manner.

Thanks to the arduous sacrifice and dedication of
volunteers, sponsors, collaborators and the Dean of
Administration it was possible to celebrate the
First Collegiate Bicy-Rally.
The UPRM Bicycle Master Plan seeks to
institutionalize a culture in which vulnerable users
(pedestrians and cyclists) can count on having a
safe environment and infrastructure. We hope this
event is continued as part of the Master Plan,
which we seek to turn into an official annual event,
as it was demonstrated this event has the support of
the university community and the city of
Mayagez. In addition we want this to serve as an
example for other universities and/or communities
throughout Puerto Rico to join this movement to
develop a traffic safety culture.
The organizers acknowledge the sponsors for their
support in the First Collegiate Bicy-Rally, in
particular to: the Municipality of Mayagez, the
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagez and in
particular to Chancellor Dr. John A. Fernndez
Van Cleve, the Dean and Associate Administration
Dean Prof. Lucas. N Avils Rodrguez and Mr.
Dario Torres Hernndez, and to Student Dean Dr.
Francisco Maldonado Fortunet, to the Institute of

Participants of the bike ride making its second stop in the

oasis located in the Plaza Coln Mayagez

Civil Engineers and President of the Student

Chapter Ricardo Garca Rosario, to the Institute of
Transportation Engineers (ITE), and to the
Transportation Technology Transfer Center (T2).
In addition, the Bicycle Master Plan thanks Tau
Beta Pi, Eta Gamma Delta, IEEE, Happy Bowls,
Gatorade PR and Associated General Contractors
(AGC).

All United Promoting a Traffic Safety Culture!

18

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

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Source: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/systemic/
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/systemic/index.htm

Systemic Safety Project Selection Tool:

A new approach for trafic safety
The systemic
approach is a
complementary
technique that
enhance site analysis
approach and it
presents an expanded
comprehensive and
proactive approach to
road safety activities.

ural roads are associated with 53% of all crashes throughout the United
States and Puerto Rico. Unlike the safety problems of main roads and the
urban setting (47% of all crashes throughout the United States), local
problems tend to happen in a distributed manner throughout the road
network, instead of happening in specific locations presenting higher frequency and
severity levels with respect to the rest of the network. As part of these efforts new
techniques and approaches have been developed to address these safety problems.
The FHWA proposes the use of an alternative approach: the Systemic Safety
Project Selection Tool. Traditional approaches emphasizes studying and proposing
safety measures for specific locations. On the other hand, the systemic approach
instead proposes and applies traffic safety measures that affect the entire road
network, intervening in numerous portions sharing similar characteristics and traffic
safety problems using low-cost, high-effectiveness safety countermeasures. In the
same way as the traditional methods, the systemic approach shares some key common
elements: everything related to the planning of traffic safety measures, particularly
intervention through a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).

The Systemic Safety Project Selection Tool

This tool is a methodology used to deploy traffic safety intervention in highway
networks suffering general safety problems not concentrated at specific locations.
This procedure consists of three main elements: 1) Selection of locations and traffic
safety countermeasures (explained in greater detail in an upcoming section), 2)
attainment of a balance between traditional and systemic methodologies from a
funding and investment perspective and 3) the assessment of effectiveness of the
systemic approach.
Element 1 consists of four (4) steps that use statistical correlations to facilitate
effective intervention of agencies in charge of traffic safety:
In the first step, a detailed analysis of the traffic safety situation is performed, in
which traffic safety problems are correlated with the network segments related to
these. Doing a correlation in this manner brings the benefits of enabling the selection
of corridors or segments and the ability to select safety countermeasures more easily
applicable for the entire network. In this step, the focus goes to severe and fatal
crashes, guided mainly by crash records databases as well as the Strategic Highway

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EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

19

constraints for intervention. Those countermeasures

demonstrated as effective are to be continued and
implemented at a large scale; those not demonstrated as
effective must be re-examined for modification or
replacement with other countermeasures.
Element 2 incorporates a systemic component to the
highway safety programs as the states distribute their
safety investments among the projects in Element 1. Its
necessary to provide a balance between financing of
safety measures for specific locations in highways and
systemic improvements for given crash types and
characteristics of the highway network.
Element 3 ensures the measurement and assessment
of effectiveness of countermeasures adopted through the
systemic approach, as it provides information to the
agencies involved in traffic safety to modify and further
evolve their traffic safety programs. The importance of
evaluating the effectiveness also helps earn trust for the
implementation of a systemic approach, generate
additional support from favorable results and
encouraging institutional and cultural support to finance
these approaches.
Safety Plan of the State, Territory or City, thus achieving the
most effective interventions.
The second step begins once the priority combinations of
crashes and network segments are selected. Here an analysis
is performed to identify which characteristics of the network
segments and components are most related to the crash types
of interest, assessing the risks and ascribing priority levels.
This step must consider design characteristics (geometry,
condition of facilities), traffic characteristics (flow, speed,
demographics, vehicle mix) and other special characteristics
(land use, topography, and climate) in order to effectively
correlate each safety problem with specific situations found
at the roadway. In this way priority can be ascribed to each
situation and thus direct intervention.
The third step consists of selecting the best
countermeasures to address each traffic safety problems. The
safety countermeasures must be supported by traffic safety
data in order to ensure their effectiveness. It is also important
to ascribe greater priority to low-cost, high-effectiveness
countermeasures. Some of the best sources for this purpose
include the National Cooperative Highway Research Program
(NCHRP), Report 500 series; the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA); FHWAs 9 Proven Safety
Countermeasures program and the Crash Modification
Factors Clearinghouse (CMF).
The fourth step of this first element is the selection of
projects for priority intervention. This process uses the
selected locations and conditions for priority intervention (2nd
step) and the selected traffic safety countermeasures (3rd
step). These implementations must have an analysis of
effectiveness (before/after scenarios), funding, time and

Rationale of the Systemic Approach

This approach isnt proposed as a replacement, but instead
as a supplement for traffic safety intervention. By means of
proactive and far-reaching methods its possible to attain traffic
safety improvements for locations that dont benefit from the
traditional methods that focus in troublesome locations (hot
spots). The systemic approach studies common traits, as
defined in the methodology, such that it allows the
recommendation of highway safety improvements applicable in
segments of the network having low crash densities and/or low
traffic volumes, thus bringing attention to problems that
otherwise remain hidden with the traditional approach.
The systemic approach enables the attainment of safety
benefits for all users. Many of these problems remain unnoticed
because they do not have the intensity that makes them
identifiable through traditional approaches. If the entire system
is observed these can stand out better, thus they can be
identified and addressed through these four steps:
1. General problems are identified in the network
2. Problems are correlated with the common traits that
aggravate them (risk factors) and which hare present in
numerous portions of the road network
3. Low cost, scalable countermeasures are recommended for
system-wide implementation
4. Priority segments and locations are identified for traffic
safety intervention.
For more information regarding the systemic safety tool, please
access the link: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/systemic/

20

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAV)
evolution:

Aerial
Torpedo

Source: www.ice.org.uk

1914

Drones: History, Rules and

Applications in Civil Engineering
Kettering
Bug
1918

Ryan
Firebee
1955

UAS VTOL
Dash
1960

Westland
Wisp
1980

mall Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were

first developed in 1916 with the purpose of aiding
anti-air artillery attacks. UAVs have greatly evolved
during recent years; their shapes, sizes and applications
becoming increasingly diverse. This evolution is due to
being able to move through high risk or hard-to-reach
locations, helping their users obtain aerial photography
and video without exposing their lives to dangerous
situations. Over these pages we showcase the evolution
of UAVs.
This resulting evolution of UAVs have made it attractive
for recreational activities, thus increasing the amount of
drones. Due to this the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has created a mandatory registry policy for
drones. This registration is required for all drones
between 0.55 and 55 pounds intended for recreational
uses. Any person 13 years or older is required to register
their drone, for a fee of $5.00 and doable online. For the
registry the person must provide name, residence and email address.
Regulations have increased as the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has determined there are more
registered drones than conventional aircraft. This isnt
trivial, given the vast array of potential applications
drones are capable of.

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EXAMPLE OF UAV COMMERCIALLY

AVAILABLE ARE DESCRIBED BELOW

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

21

DO

DONT

Flight a UAV/plane in a
local model airplane

Fly above 400 feet nor

near of manned aircrafts

Take classes and learn

to fly safely

Flying beyond the line of

sight of the operator

Cartographic or mapping applications

Cartography is a method to graphically
represent a surface. At present its demand
and availability of these data has increased,
making necessary the rapid disclosure of the
data over shorter
timescales.
Drones can be
used to obtain
data of great
quality and in a
fast, useful and
effective manner.
Drones possess
Global
Positioning
System
(GPS)
Source:
technology,
allowing it to www.hurongeomatics.com
determine
the
coordinates of any terrestrial point with a
high level of precision. The precision of
GPS devices that can be equipped with them
enables them to provide data with an error
margin of a few centimeters, only requiring
the assignment of error to control points
used.
Once control points are distributed and data
collection concludes the process of data
transfer and export can begin. Obtained data
can be exported to specialized software able
to perform photogrammetric processing and
thus obtain a point cloud with x-y-z
coordinates and a detailed digital terrain
model. This allows the user to develop a
surface and analyze the terrain. Once the
surface is developed and the terrain analyzed
its possible to perform environmental
studies as areas can now be identified and
delimited. In addition its possible to
determine landmass volume for earthworks
for road construction.

Flying an aircraft weighContact the airport or the

ing more than 55 pounds
control tower when flying
unless certified by a airfrom 5 miles from the
plane community organiairport
zation
Flying a model airplane
for personal enjoyment

Fly under the influence of

alcohol or drugs
Fly a drone with comercial or profit purposes

Adapted from: www.faa.gov/uas

Applications for maintenance of power lines

Aerial power lines are part of the infrastructure for
the transmission and distribution of energy over
great distances, consisting of one or several

Source: www.wsj.com

22

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAV)
evolution (Cont.):
General
Atomic
Gnat A
1989

CL 327
1997

Camcopter
S-100
2002

Source: http://esbuzz.net/

conducting wires suspended from towers or utility poles.

These lines need maintenance as their energy
distribution must not be interrupted. The use of drones
for high voltage power lines include inspection of
sensitive areas (visual and thermographic imagery),
replacement of power line components, cleaning of
insulators, among others. Currently utility companies
perform routine inspection operations for power lines.
By means of visual imagery they identify defects and
anomalies on the lines. Thermal imagery is used instead
to identify hot spots. These hot spots are related to
inadequate electrical contact or other distress conditions
that need immediate attention. The use of the drone
allows inspectors to obtain a closer look of the
infrastructure, as well as performing faster and more
continuous work.
Advantages

Scan Eagle
2006

DJI
Phantom 3
2010

The advantages of using drones for this application

include a cost and risk reduction associated to the work.
The reduction comes from the fact that these devices are
smaller, lighter and cheaper to operate compared to
manned helicopters. In addition, risks for workers are
drastically reduced since no one must be physically
present at the aircraft; and should the aircraft fail, the
damage it inflicts from a fall would be minor. The same
way power line inspection can be done in this manner
its also possible to inspect public light fixtures. Not
only would this be both cheaper and safer, but also less
bulky and burdensomeinspections done with drone do
not require the use of a utility maintenance truck nor a
temporary traffic control set-up on the road.

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Active monitoring - bridge inspection

Bridges are an important
component used in roadway
engineering, allowing the
connection over geographic
barriers like rivers and
streams.
Due to their
strategic character and
importance
in
urban
planning, bridges need
proper inspection.
Bridge inspections are
Source:
performed using various
www.dot.state.mn.us
methods. These methods
differ depending on the
conditions and kinds of bridges. Some of the
inspections are done using aerial platforms and
rope-based access.
For aerial platform-based
inspections equipment used includes elevators,
trucks and mechanical arm-mounted baskets, used
to reach the hard-to-reach components of bridges.
This equipment is the most common method to
reach hard-to-reach portions of bridges. For the
rope-based access method, trained and certified
professionals use ropes and climbing equipment
to reach portions of the bridge from the ground or
descending from the
bridge deck. Both
methods have their
advantages
and
disadvantages.
Aerial
platform
advantages include:
availability
Source: www.cras.ca
reliability
and
versatility. However, this method has some
drawbacks, including cost, mobilization time,
potential lane closures and risks to safety of the
inspector and the general public.
For the rope-based access method advantages
include: allowing the bridge inspector to have
bridge components within an arms reach, low

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

23

cost of equipment and not needing lane

closures. In both cases the inspector is exposed
to high risk levels.
Due to this risk exposure engineers from Tufts
University are working with the use of drones
and other kinds of devices, including wireless
sensors, for the monitoring of bridges. The
invention proposed by engineers include the
use of special sensors placed in strategic
locations to measure vibration levels. This
works essentially
as a real-time,
wireless
and
continuous pulse
measurement that
allows staff to
find out what Source: www.dot.state.mn.us
happens to the
structure at any time, allowing them to prevent
problems and study the bridges behavior
during extreme conditions. Situations like peak
hour traffic, storms and seismic events can be
examined better.
Their idea consists in inspecting bridges upclose using drones in a scheduled basis, with
the purpose of gathering data and at the same
time obtain real imagery. In this way its
possible to monitor bridges in a frequent and
effective way.
The use and application of drones is a highly
useful tool for transportation engineering, one
that presents great potential to allow for more
efficient and safer work for all people.
For more information regarding UAV/Drones,
please access the following sites:

www.mppttcojedes.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/
inspeccion-de-puentes/

www.rtve.es/noticias/20141022/drones-voladoressensores-para-inspeccionar-puentes-otras-zonasciudad/1033829.shtml

www.mntransportationresearch.org/2015/09/28/
using-drones-to-inspect-bridges/

24

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Anthony Foxx Announces Major Investments in

Financing in US and Puerto Rico Transportation

The TIFIA credit program

has a solid success history of
stimulating local economies
and associating critical
transportation projects to
the communities needing
them.
-Secretary Anthony Foxx

he United States Secretary of Transportation, Anthony

Foxx, has announced nationwide multiple initiatives
related to investment in surface transportation financing during
the past months of February and March. As part of the recently
approved legislation, FAST Act, the Transportation
Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (TIFIA) and the
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery
(TIGER) programs have received federal funds to support
transportation infrastructure projects.
$500 Million in the Eight Round of TIGER
During the month of February, 2016, Secretary Foxx
announced the availability of $500 million for transportation
projects around the nation through the eight round of the
successful competitive program Transportation Investment
Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER),
The TIGER program finances vital transportation projects that
provide real benefits to all communities around the nation.
Each year we receive hundreds of attractive applications with
the potential to improve peoples access to economic
opportunities, making theme safer and improving their wellbeing declared Foxx. Im proud that for seven rounds TIGER
has been capable of bringing a valuable contribution to the
improvement of our nations transportation and I eagerly await
this years competition.
The same way as in the first seven rounds, the 2016 fiscal year
discretional funding for TIGER will finance capital
infrastructure investments in surface transportation and will be

prltap.org

granted under a competition regime for projects

causing a significant impact in the nation,
metropolitan areas or regions. These projects
will be centered in providing improvements with
respect to existing conditions, generating
economic development and improving access to
a reliable, safe and affordable transportation.
Since 2009, TIGER has provided almost $4.6
billion for 381 projects in the 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including
134 support projects for rural and tribal
communities.
Its demand has been
overwhelming and during the previous seven
rounds, the USDOT received more than 6,700
applications requiring more than $134 billion for
transportation projects throughout the nation.
The TIGER program aids innovative projects,
including multimodal and multi-jurisdictional
projects, which are normally hard to finance
through traditional federal programs. These
federal funds borrow money from private sector
partners, states, local governments, metropolitan
planning organizations, ports and transportation
agencies. The 2015 TIGER round financed $500
million in federal investment to support $1.4
billion in general transportation investments.
TIGER funds are provided by the Consolidated
Apportionments Act of 2016, signed by
President Obama in December 18, 2015.
Applications must be submitted before April 29,
2016.
$1.435 Billion in TIFIA funds for Credit
Assistance for Infrastructure Projects
The United States Secretary of Transportation,
Anthony Foxx, announced in March 11, 2016
the availability of credit assistance for critical
infrastructure projects around the nation through
the TIFIA program. The Secretary encouraged
all states and cities to submit their letters of
interest for direct loans, loan guarantees and
contingent credit lines through TIFIA thanks to
the recent economic injection from the Fixing
Americas Surface Transportation Act.
The TIFIA credit program has a solid success
history of stimulating local economies and
associating critical transportation projects to the
communities needing them, declared Anthony

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

25

Foxx. This year, the added flexibility and the

simplified revision process should make it easier
for a variety of requesters to take advantage of
the financing opportunities and providing
significant infrastructure development for their
cities.
The FAST Act authorized $1.435 billion in
capital during five years through the TIFIA
program and expands the eligibility of transit
oriented development together with the
capitalization of a rural projects fund.
Historically, one dollar of the TIFIA programs
funding supported a TIFIA loan for about 14
dollars and resulted in an infrastructure
investment of up to 40 dollars. Within the
eligible transportation infrastructure for TIFIA
funding are highways, passenger and freight rail,
public transit, intermodal freight facilities as
well as international bridges and tunnels.
So far, the TIFIA program has provided $22.7
billion in credit assistance to aid more than
$82.5
billion
worth
of
transportation
infrastructure investments to aid in the
construction of 56 transportation projects around
the nation.
In 2014 the Build America Transportation
Investment Center (BATIC) was created, it has
helped expand the ability of TIFIA to satisfy the
needs of transportation systems of the nation.
BATIC acts as a single contact and coordination
point between states, municipalities and
promoters of projects who seek to use the
experience of federal transportation, request
participation in federal transportation credit
programs and explore ways to access private
capital through public-private partnerships.
For more information regarding these financing
initiatives, please access the links shown below:

www.transportation.gov/TIGER

www.transportation.gov/tifia

www.ttnews.com/articles/
basetemplate.aspx?storyid=41186

26

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Source: www.transportation.gov

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx signs MOU

with the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Their commitment has
been invaluable in my
administration's efforts
to ensure that the 3.5
million American citizens
living in Puerto Rico have
access to modern and
reliable transportation.
- Gov. Alejandro Garca
Padilla

n February 2016, the U.S. Transportation Secretary

Anthony Foxx and Federal Highway Administrator
Gregory Nadeau joined Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro GarcaPadilla, and Puerto Rico Secretary of Transportation and Public
Works, Miguel Torres-Daz, for the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to reduce Puerto Ricos project delivery
time and restructure the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation
Administration with the Federal Highway Administrations
support. In addition, the MOU seeks an improve of Puerto Ricos
ability to use federal funds in existing and future highway
projects
The MOU provides tools and resources so that the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can move forward important
projects, create jobs and boost the island economy. This
agreement allows officials to continue making critical
investments that will ensure Puerto Ricos infrastructure
maintains a high level of safety and efficiency, said Foxx. Our
Department and this Administration are committed to keeping the
wheels of progress moving forward on the island and we are
dedicated to helping advance projects that will create jobs and
contribute significantly to the recovery of Puerto Ricos
economy.
The MOU provides federal technical assistance to ensure that
Puerto Rican transportation officials are able to expeditiously
access about $400 million in previously obligated federal funds
for infrastructure projects that will create jobs and spur economic
development on the island. Likewise, the MOU also represents an

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important step in Puerto Ricos plan to improve its

billing procedures by increasing capacity for
developing and sustaining best practices, such as
using electronic funds transfer and reducing the
time it takes to pay contractors.
I am thrilled to work with Secretary Foxx and the
Department of Transportation to improve the
Commonwealths infrastructure and create jobs.
Their commitment has been invaluable in my
administration's efforts to ensure that the 3.5
million American citizens living in Puerto Rico
have access to modern and reliable transportation.
While we continue to work tirelessly in seeking a
comprehensive legal framework to restructure
Puerto Ricos unsustainable debt, this agreement
helps us improve the operations of a vital public
corporation and fosters considerable investment in
the Commonwealth to help Puerto Rico leave
behind its financial and liquidity crisis, said
Governor Garca-Padilla.
Once signed, the document will require the
territory to hire a management consultant to assist
with streamlining project delivery, bolstering
construction
management
and
improving
engineers estimates.

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

27

now be allowed to use these toll credits

retroactively, but only to cover what the
commonwealth needs to match funding for
existing projects.
The people of Puerto
Rico deserve no less than
the best. This MOU is a
step in the right direction
toward
more
road
improvements,
better
financial management, job
creation, and safer driving
on the island for years to
come,
said
Federal
Highway
Administrator
Gregory Nadeau.

Source: www.transportation.gov

Gregory Nadeau,
Federal Highway
Administrator

Secretary Foxx is the

second of many Cabinet
officials from across the Administration who will
be traveling to the Commonwealth in the coming
months to continue promoting Puerto Ricos
economic recovery. Among them is the Interior
Secretary, Sally Jewell, who will be visiting the
island in April to discuss several tourism
initiatives, and Agriculture Secretary, Tom
Vilsack, in May to highlight USDA investments in
supporting the island agriculture and rural
development.
For more information regarding the MOU, please
access the links shown below:

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/
us-transportation-secretary-foxx-joins-puertorico-governor-garc%C3%ADa-padilla-sign

http://www.fortaleza.pr.gov/content/secretariode-transportaci-n-de-eeuu-firma-hist-ricoacuerdo-con-gobernador-de-puerto-rico

http://cb.pr/garcia-padilla-to-announcethursday-important-deal-with-federaltransportation-officials/

Source: www.youtube.com

Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garca-Padilla next

to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx

The MOU also allows Puerto Rico to use roughly

$756 million in toll credits that hadnt been
claimed in years by the commonwealth
government. Under the MOU, Puerto Rico will

28

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

New Transportation Publications

ogether with the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention's Healthy Community Design Initiative,
the Alliance publishes the biennial Benchmarking Report to
collect and analyze data on bicycling and walking in all 50
states, the 52 largest U.S. cities, and a select number of
midsized cities. The Report combines original research with
over 20 government data sources to compile data on
bicycling and walking levels and
demographics, safety, funding, policies,
infrastructure, education, public health
indicators, and economic impacts. It's
an essential go-to resource for public
officials, advocates, decision makers,
and researchers.

Source: www.bikewalkalliance.org

he Traffic Engineering Handbook, Seventh Edition

reflects changes in key industry standards, and
shines a spotlight on the needs of all users, the design of
context-sensitive roadways, and the development of more
sustainable transportation solutions. Additionally, this
resource features a new organizational structure that
promotes a more functionally-driven, multimodal approach
to planning, designing, and implementing transportation
solutions. The book can be organized in four functional
content areas: 1) Background & Fundamentals, 2) Design
and Operation of Uninterrupted Flow Facilities, 3) Design
and Operation of Complete Streets in Town Centers and
Neighborhoods, and 4) Special Operational Considerations.
Source: www.ite.org

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 2016

Save the Date!

Seminars, Conferences, and Symposiums
LTAP-PR Seminars
April
7&8

Design of mechanically Stabilized

Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil
Slopes

April
11 & 12

An Overview of Innovative Safety

Initiatives to Create Awareness and
Save Lives on Puerto Rico Highways

April
20 & 21

Construction Project Management for

Transportation Officials

April
26 & 27

Practical Guidelines in the

Implementation of Road Safety
Audits (RSA)

May
4

Inspection and Supervisory Skills for

Project Managers

May
12

Practical Guidelines for the Selection

and Inspection of Guardrails and
Safety Devices

June
3

Fundamentals of AASHTO Roadside

Design Guide

Conferences and Symposiums

April
5-7

2016 Transportation Week of the

Student Chapter of the ITE-UPRM
Student Chapter

April
11-15

National Work Zone Awareness

Week

April
21

Spring Meeting of the Institute of

Transportation Engineers (ITE) of
Puerto Rico

April
27

30th Anniversary Celebration of the

Puerto Rico Transportation

May
13

2016 Civil Mega Friday

CIAPR Expo Summit

May
9-13

5th Anniversary Celebration of the

Decade of Action for Road Safety
2011-2020 in Puerto Rico

May
9-13

2016 Engineers Week

29

30

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

prltap.org

Know your Instructor: Dr. Carla Lpez del Puerto

r. Carla Lpez del Puerto was born in Xalapa,

Veracruz, Mexico. Dr. Lpez del Puerto has a
PhD in Higher Education Administration from St.
Louis University, a Masters degree in Construction
Administration from The University of Oklahoma
and a bachelors in Architecture from Universidad de
las Americas Puebla.

Research Program (NCHRP) projects, one Strategic

Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2) project and
one Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)
project. She is currently co-principal investigator in
NCHRP 19-10, AASHTO Partnering Handbook, and in
an OSHA grant to develop safety materials to train
structural steel workers.

Dr. Lpez del Puerto worked in construction

management at Buenaventura in Mexico doing
project controls of two multimillion dollar corporate
buildings for Telmex, Mexicos leading telephone
company. In the US, she worked at The Benham
Companies for three years as a cost estimator doing
estimates for both public and private projects. At
Benham, she got hands-on experience in integrated
project delivery, specifically design-build projects, in
both the design and construction phases. She is a
Construction Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) Outreach Trainer, a DesignBuild Professional, Certified Cost Professional, a
LEED AP and a registered architect in Mexico.

Dr. Lpez del Puerto has published her research in

archival journals and presented at both professional and
academic conferences. She has published 18 archival
journal manuscripts (including 6 in ASCE journals),
and over 40 full peer-reviewed conference proceedings.
She has had the honor to receive the following awards:
ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering Best
Peer Reviewed Paper Award twice (2008, and 2014);
2014 Outstanding Woman in Project Controls award,
Association of the Advancement of Cost Engineering;
2014 Regional Teaching Award, Associated Schools of
Construction and 2012 Distinguished Leadership
National Award, Design-Build Institute of America
(DBIA).

Prior to joining The University of Puerto Rico as an

associate professor, she taught at Southern Illinois
University for three years and at Colorado State
University for five years. Her research agenda
focuses on construction research, transportation
research, safety research and construction education
and training. She has successfully obtained external
funding from the United States Agency for
International
Development
(USAID),
The
Transportation Research Board (TRB) of The
National Academies and other agencies. As coprincipal investigator on TRB funded projects, she
has completed two National Cooperative Highway

Currently, Dr. Lpez del Puerto is an associate

professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and
Surveying at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagez
(UPRM). At UPRM, she advises graduate students and
she has taught graduate courses in Construction
Administration
and
Inspection,
Design-Build
Contracting, and Complex Project Management. At the
undergraduate level she has taught capstone and
Construction Engineering and Management I. In this
30th Anniversary edition of the Newsletter El Puente, T2
Staff recognizes the extraordinary contribution of
Dr. Lpez del Puerto in our Training Program and
welcome her to our family of instructors.
Congratulations!

prltap.org

EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.30 NO.1, 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

Administra)on of Automobile Accident Compensa)on

31

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATON

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

787.834.6385 PHONE
787.265.5695 FAX

www.prltap.org

PRLTAP Center Sta

Director & Editor
Benjamn Colucci Ros

Editor Assistants
Wilfredo R. Cordero Cruz
Alexander Molano Sanago

Administrave Sta
Jessenia Carrero Lorenzo
Irmal Franco Ramrez
Adln Santos Vlez
Grisel Villarubia Echevarra

Student Sta
Kevin Cueto Alvarado
Kennia G. Maldonado Crespo
Elizabeth M. Molina Snchez
Nichole C. Romn Vlez

El Puente Newsle1er
Vol. 30, No. 1, 2016

EL PUENTE is published by the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer

Center located at the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying.

The opinions, ndings or recommendaons expressed in this newsleer are those of the Center Director and Editors and do not necessarily reect the views of the
Federal Highway Administraon, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportaon and Publics Works, the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportaon Authority, or the U.S
Virgin Islands Department of Public Works.