Search Results (6)

With the rapid expansion of highway networks, the demand for timely and reliable road information has steadily increased. However, some guide signs on newly built or extended highways in China have not been updated or adjusted in time, resulting in incomplete information and non-standard setups. These issues not only affect drivers’ navigation experience but may also negatively impact road safety and traffic efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a scientifically sound evaluation system and a comprehensive assessment model for highway guide signs. This study selected a representative highway (G2 Expressway in China) as the research subject and combined questionnaire surveys with field investigations to identify common issues such as vague information and irregular placement of guide signs. Through an in-depth analysis of travel demand, the core requirements of drivers were summarized as safety, efficiency, and comfort. Based on these insights, the study proposes four key design principles for guide signs: standardization, readability, continuity, and consistency. A set of quantifiable evaluation indicators was developed through a comprehensive analysis of key factors affecting signage performance, and factor analysis was applied to verify the independence and rationality of the indicators. On this basis, an evaluation model was constructed using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to scientifically quantify the effectiveness of guide signs. The model was applied in a field study on the Hebei section of the G2 Expressway in China (with comprehensive traffic sign coverage, high traffic volume, and more traffic sign issues), with results demonstrating the feasibility and practicality of the proposed evaluation system and model. This research offers a systematic solution to enhance the service quality of highway guide signs and provides essential references for future highway planning and management practices. It aims to comprehensively improve drivers’ travel experiences and promote the development of sustainable and intelligent transportation networks, offering valuable insights for building integrated urban systems. Full article

Tunnel–interchange connecting sections pose significant safety challenges on mountainous expressways due to their high incidence of accidents. Improving road safety necessitates a comprehensive understanding of driver behavior in such areas. This study explores the influences of road characteristics, signage information volume, and traffic conditions on drivers’ car-following and lane-changing behavior in tunnel–interchange diverging areas. Utilizing driving data from 25 subjects of 72 simulated road models, driving performance is assessed using the Friedman rank test and multivariate variance analysis. The results highlight the significant influence of both connection distance and signage information load on driving behavior. In tunnel–interchange scenarios, the reduction in velocity increased by 62.61%, and speed variability surged by 61.11%, indicating potential adverse effects on driving stability due to the environmental transitions. Decreased connection distances are associated with reduced lane-changing durations, larger steering angles, and increased failure rates. Furthermore, every two units of increase in signage information leads to a 13.16% rise in maximum deceleration and a 5% increase in time headway. Notably, the signage information volume shows a significant interaction with connection distance (F > 1.60, p < 0.045) for most car-following indicators. Hence, the study recommends a maximum connection distance of 700 m and signage information not exceeding nine units for optimal safety and stability. Full article

While sustainability is widely recognized as necessary for managing heritage sites, balancing preservation demands with tourism development pressures presents significant challenges. A critical gap in the existing research relates to understanding the recurring issues that undermine the long-term sustainability of prominent archaeological destinations in Egypt and visitor well-being. Specifically, more research is needed to identify the specific sustainability and visitor experience problems that persist across Egypt’s major archaeological sites despite ongoing management efforts. Addressing this knowledge gap could help inform strategies for these destinations to balance conservation priorities with tourism in a more sustainable manner that enhances visitors’ cultural exploration. This study contributes a novel multisite content analysis of over 4423 online reviews from TripAdvisor pertaining to three of Egypt’s premier archaeological destinations—Giza Pyramids, Al Mu’izz Street, and Saqqara. Using established text mining methodologies and algorithms within Voyant Tools, critical challenges were identified through word frequency, concept network, and trend analyses. Recurring issues documented included uncontrolled commercialization undermining the ambiance of historic locales, environmental degradation from inadequate waste management and tourism overflows, and overcrowding compromising visitor comfort, health and safety. Deficiencies in signage, transportation, and other tourist services were also prominent themes. The holistic evaluation of cross-cutting concerns faced at the diverse yet interrelated sites advanced the theoretical knowledge on cooperative governance models and competencies necessary for integrative heritage management. The recommendations center on collaborative stakeholder partnerships to reform commercial practices through licensing and enforcement, upgrading aging infrastructure to support sustainable tourism volumes, and implementing zoning and carrying capacity policies tailored to local community contexts. The proposed solutions aim to safeguard Egypt’s irreplaceable cultural treasures by addressing recurrent problems that undermine environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability if left unresolved, positioning its archaeological wonders for appreciation and study by present and future generations. Full article

In the rapid process of urbanization, crucial habitats for mid-sized felids such as bobcats are increasingly compromised. This study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and Machine Learning to investigate the subtle impacts of urbanization on bobcat habitats. Focused on the San Jose area, our extensive geospatial analysis has developed a complex ecological model for bobcat habitats. Our findings emphasize the significant influence of factors like vegetation cover, water body distribution, road traffic volume, and intersection density on the suitability of habitats for bobcats. Specifically, we discovered that while vegetation cover typically supports habitat suitability, its proximity to busy roads significantly undermines this advantage, indicating a need for strategic urban planning that incorporates wildlife mobility. By synthesizing natural and urban elements, we offer fresh insights into urban ecosystem management and propose specific conservation tactics: identifying optimal wildlife crossings, integrating corridors with urban infrastructure, and placing fencing and signage strategically to facilitate wildlife movement safely. These measures aim to reduce road-related threats and enhance the integrity of natural habitats, strengthening bobcat conservation efforts. More than its direct implications for bobcat conservation, this study offers actionable insights for urban wildlife conservation and introduces innovative methods for assessing and mitigating the broader ecological impacts of urbanization. Full article

Efficient sign layouts play a crucial role in guiding driving in underground construction caverns and enhancing transportation safety. Previous studies have primarily focused on evaluating drivers’ gaze behavior in tunnels to optimize individual traffic sign layouts. However, the lack of a theoretical framework for visual perception of visual capture and information conveyed by sign groups hinders the measurement of drivers’ comprehensive visual perception and the layout optimization of sign groups. To address this gap, this study introduces a calculation method for sign group information volume and a visual cognition model, establishing a comprehensive evaluation approach for sign group visual cognition. Eye movement data, collected using eye-tracking technology, were utilized to evaluate the comprehensive visual perception and optimize the layout of sign groups. The findings indicate that a low information volume fails to enhance recognition ability and alleviate the psychological burden. Conversely, excessive information may result in overlooking signs positioned on the left and top. Furthermore, drivers are unable to improve cognitive efficiency and driving safety even with self-regulation when faced with an information volume exceeding 120 bits within a 100 m span. Overall, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method in promoting the long-term safety effect of temporary signage layouts in underground construction areas. Full article

Replacement of many old and aging bridges, culverts, and low-water crossings on rural low-volume roads is an increasing concern throughout the United States. The economic burden for many local bodies can be huge if these structures are to be replaced by a bridge or culvert. A low-water crossing (LWC) is a feasible and efficient road-stream crossing structure that can be used on these roads as an economical alternative to culverts and bridges. Three types of commonly used LWCs; unvented fords, vented fords and low-water bridges; their selection criteria, environmental considerations, design process, materials selection, signage and permitting requirements are included in this paper. Some of the issues with the existing LWCs are the safety in the crossing and effects on aquatic organism passage and surrounding environment. Through proper design, construction, and installation of proper signage, the functionality and reliability of LWCs can be improved. The study provides engineers and other practitioners in the United States and elsewhere with a proper set of information and design procedures for using LWCs. Full article