Papers by Ponnurangam Palani
Exploring the Factors Connected with Traffic Attraction of Indian Shopping Mall for a Sustainable Urban Transportation and Retailing
SSRN Electronic Journal
Measuring the Factors Associated with Shopping Mall Traffic Attraction in India for an Improved Transportation Infrastructure
SSRN Electronic Journal
Molasses is a byproduct of the sugar refining industry. A hundred tons of sugar cane will give 10... more Molasses is a byproduct of the sugar refining industry. A hundred tons of sugar cane will give 10-11 tons of sugar and 34 tons of molasses. There are thirteen sugar factories in Ethiopia and each factory produces molasses in the form of by-product. The objective of this research is investigating the effect of cane molasses on performance of the base bitumen. Sugar cane molasses is an organic waste material obtained from raw sugar during the refining process at sugar refineries. The effects of cane molasses percentage replacement on bitumen were examined by means of a various laboratory tests including PG (Performance Grade), RTFO (Rolling Thin-Film Oven). The study revealed that as percentage of molasses-A, molasses-B and molasses-C increases from 0 to 20%, 0 to 10% and 0 to 5%, the PG was improved by 28.12%, 15.79% and 8.57% respectively. The PG decreases by 36.87%, 28.38% and 12.76% and similarly, the ductility decreases by 21.36%, 6.79% and 5.83% for 15% molasses-A, 10%molasses-B...
Aggregate types and gradation are one of the characteristics of aggregates that affected the prop... more Aggregate types and gradation are one of the characteristics of aggregates that affected the properties of HMA performance. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to investigate the effects of aggregates types on hot mix asphalt performance. In order to get the desired objective, a systematic methodology was adopted which includes field investigation, and laboratory tests was carried. While the purposive techniques was used to collect aggregate samples. The laboratory test results of aggregate types were fulfilled and achieve the requirement of Ethiopia Road Authority (ERA). The laboratory test result of basalt, rhyolite and limestone aggregate HMA mix design volumetric properties, stability and flow value are affected by aggregate gradation. The same gradation of laboratory test result of HMA mix design volumetric properties, stability and flow values are impressively affected by aggregate types. In all aggregate types trial mixes of HMA rutting depth were increase with ...
Transportation Research Procedia, 2016
Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the poss... more Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the possible effects of any project on the transportation and traffic system. Often it is applied only to the direct impact area and countermeasures for potential negative impacts are specific for the development. TIA is performed to assess the adequacy of the existing or future transportation infrastructure to accommodate additional trips generated by a proposed development, redevelopment or land rezoning. These studies vary in their range of detail and complexity depending on the type, size and location of the development. They are important tools in assisting public agencies in making land use planning decisions for local governments, especially for managing traffic and in planning their respective transportation systems. Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India which covers an area of 426 sq.km and recorded a population of 46.81 lakhs in 2011. The Chennai Metropolitan Area which extends over an area of 1189 sq.km recorded the population of 86.96 lakhs in 2011 and the density is 11,000 per sq.km. The population of Chennai in 1639 was 40,000 and today the city is estimated to have a population of 7.5 million, which gives a population density of about 6482 per sq.km. This rapid increase in population leads to traffic congestion and imbalanced supply and demand of transport facilities. Thus it is imperative to conduct a TIA which would analyze the adverse impacts of developments on service levels of transportation facilities in Chennai city and to provide an early warning on the robustness of travel demand for both present and future situation.
Transportation Research Procedia, 2016
Abstract Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine... more Abstract Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the possible effects of any project on the transportation and traffic system. Often it is applied only to the direct impact area and countermeasures for potential negative impacts are specific for the development. TIA is performed to assess the adequacy of the existing or future transportation infrastructure to accommodate additional trips generated by a proposed development, redevelopment or land rezoning. These studies vary in their range of detail and complexity depending on the type, size and location of the development. They are important tools in assisting public agencies in making land use planning decisions for local governments, especially for managing traffic and in planning their respective transportation systems. Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India which covers an area of 426 sq.km and recorded a population of 46.81 lakhs in 2011. The Chennai Metropolitan Area which extends over an area of 1189 sq.km recorded the population of 86.96 lakhs in 2011 and the density is 11,000 per sq.km. The population of Chennai in 1639 was 40,000 and today the city is estimated to have a population of 7.5 million, which gives a population density of about 6482 per sq.km. This rapid increase in population leads to traffic congestion and imbalanced supply and demand of transport facilities. Thus it is imperative to conduct a TIA which would analyze the adverse impacts of developments on service levels of transportation facilities in Chennai city and to provide an early warning on the robustness of travel demand for both present and future situation.
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development
Flexible pavements are composed of asphaltic layer, base course; sub base materials which laid ov... more Flexible pavements are composed of asphaltic layer, base course; sub base materials which laid over a well compacted and strong sub grade foundation soil. Basic engineering properties of Sub grade materials are required for design and Coarse grained soils serves as good for supporting pavements whereas fine grained soils, particularly clayey soils pose problem to pavement. Jimma town is a big trade center and coffee production areas of in Ethiopia but, the current existing condition most parts of the road are deteriorated. The objective of this research was to investigate effects of subgrade and sub-base materials quality on flexible pavement. The distress is categorized by level of severity according to Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) standard specification to get 4-stations high deterioration of block crack, 6-stations medium deterioration of Alligator crack and 5-stations low deterioration of edge crack of the studied stretch along Ajip to Gebrel church of 10 km in Jimma town. The samples taken randomly from the deteriorated area of the subgrade and sub-base materials of 15 stations and laboratory tests conducted and also the results were discussed, compared with the ERA, AASHTO and ASTM. The tests result NMC>OMC indicated that excess water in the subgrade and sub-base materials according to AASHTO D-180 specification, compaction of subgrade and sub-base layers are below the minimum requirement (MDD>97% laboratory density) of AASHTO, poor strength (CBR<1.76gm/cc) of AASHTO T-193 and ERA specification, sieve analysis for gradation out of the upper and lower limit of AASHTO T-27 for the subgrade and sub-base materials. These can be causes of pavement deterioration on flexible pavement. But, the Atterberg's limit test results satisfy the standard specification of ASTM D-4318. From this research recommended that the designer and contractor should be follow the minimum requirement set by standard specification regarding the engineering properties of materials, the side ditch must be constructed so as to prevent infiltration of water to the under lining strata, seal coats shall be applied to prevent infiltration of water through cracked surfaces to subgrade layer of the pavement.
The needs of the pedestrian should be considered in the design of the urban environment and trans... more The needs of the pedestrian should be considered in the design of the urban environment and transportation facilities. Since road infrastructure improvements and designed pedestrian environments are an important part of road safety enhancements that increase walking and decrease fatalities. This study was investigated the pedestrian safety problems and its countermeasures on road segments in Mizan city. This study investigated the existing problems affecting the safety of pedestrian movement, evaluates the service quality of walking facilities, and finally identified the most significant factors affecting pedestrian safety with engineering counter measures in the city. Four routes are selected based on different criteria. Those are Market area, Commercial area, Educational area, and Residential area. The primary and secondary data is used in this study. For the data analysis the study used both objective measurements and subjective assessments to model PLOS using Australian methods. As per field study indicates 60% of the respondents think the sidewalk is not user-friendly. The current sidewalk is encroached either by vendors, utility poles, parking carts or illegal construction materials in different places, and crosswalk facilities are not visible and not enough provided at a logical distant. As a result pedestrians are forced to walk on the carriageway due to these illegal obstructions. The Pedestrian LOS analysis indicates that poor pedestrian conditions exist and the factors that negatively affect pedestrian LOS are wide-ranging. Pedestrian comfort is minimal, and safety concerns within the pedestrian environment are evident in this city road segments. It was concluded that, the most significant factors affecting the pedestrian safety in the city are sidewalk surface quality/continuity, sidewalk environmental problems, crossing opportunity (crosswalk), supporting facility, personal security, sidewalk obstructions, and sidewalk widths. Pedestrian facilities and all the concerned factors should be well provided and maintained to more effective for both encouraging people to walk and improve pedestrian safety.
Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India which covers an area of 426 sq.km and re... more Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India which covers an area of 426 sq.km and recorded a population of 46.81 lakhs in 2011. The Chennai Metropolitan Area which extends over an area of 1189 sq.km recorded the population of 86.96 lakhs in 2011 and the density is 11,000 per sq.km. The population of Chennai in 1639 was 40,000 and today the city is estimated to have a population of 7.5 million, which gives a population density of about 6482 per sq. km. This rapid increase in population leads to traffic congestion and imbalanced supply and demand of transport facilities. Thus it is important to develop a dynamic model which would exhibit the invention of various transportation facilities in Chennai and to estimate the travel demand for both present and future situation. Hence in this study, it is intended to make an attempt to develop the System Dynamics model using STELLA simulation software. Model is developed for population, transport demand and supply individually. Also a micro level model is developed to define the V/C ratio of the different hierarchy of roads. After developing the model collected data are fed into the model and initial calibration was done. The model has been tested for different scenarios after it is validated. Hence, from the model results to suggest appropriate course of actions in a phase-wise manner towards achieving sustainable transportation planning for Chennai city.
Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the poss... more Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the possible effects of any project on the transportation and traffic system. Often it is applied only to the direct impact area and countermeasures for potential negative impacts are specific for the development. TIA is performed to assess the adequacy of the existing or future transportation infrastructure to accommodate additional trips generated by a proposed development, redevelopment or land rezoning. These studies vary in their range of detail and complexity depending on the type, size and location of the development. They are important tools in assisting public agencies in making land use planning decisions for local governments, especially for managing traffic and in planning their respective transportation systems. Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India which covers an area of 426 sq.km and recorded a population of 46.81 lakhs in 2011. The Chennai Metropolitan Area which extends over an area of 1189 sq.km recorded the population of 86.96 lakhs in 2011 and the density is 11,000 per sq.km. The population of Chennai in 1639 was 40,000 and today the city is estimated to have a population of 7.5 million, which gives a population density of about 6482 per sq.km. This rapid increase in population leads to traffic congestion and imbalanced supply and demand of transport facilities. Thus it is imperative to conduct a TIA which would analyze the adverse impacts of developments on service levels of transportation facilities in Chennai city and to provide an early warning on the robustness of travel demand for both present and future situation.
Flexible pavements are composed of asphaltic layer, base course; sub base materials which laid ov... more Flexible pavements are composed of asphaltic layer, base course; sub base materials which laid over a well compacted and strong sub grade foundation soil. Basic engineering properties of Sub grade materials are required for design and Coarse grained soils serves as good for supporting pavements whereas fine grained soils, particularly clayey soils pose problem to pavement. Jimma town is a big trade center and coffee production areas of in Ethiopia but, the current existing condition most parts of the road are deteriorated. The objective of this research was to investigate effects of subgrade and sub-base materials quality on flexible pavement. The distress is categorized by level of severity according to Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) standard specification to get 4-stations high deterioration of block crack, 6-stations medium deterioration of Alligator crack and 5-stations low deterioration of edge crack of the studied stretch along Ajip to Gebrel church of 10 km in Jimma town. The samples taken randomly from the deteriorated area of the subgrade and sub-base materials of 15 stations and laboratory tests conducted and also the results were discussed, compared with the ERA, AASHTO and ASTM.
Highway is an essential facility that led to both economic success and quality of life. Maintenan... more Highway is an essential facility that led to both economic success and quality of life. Maintenance is necessary to ensure that highway will able to continue to carry out its functions. Pavement maintenance is essential to ensure good riding quality and avoid the happening of congestion, air pollution and especially traffic accident High level of pavement distress will lead to lower riding quality, vehicle damage, and more seriously traffic accident. Actually pavement distress has effects on road traffic accident, safety and time delay. According to the road and transport office there were a number of road traffic accident that were increasing from time to time Particularly from Alabaqulito to Shashemene road which is occurred on human, animal and properties on different section of road. Therefore the general objective of this research was to identify and analyze the effect of asphalt concrete pavement distress on road traffic accident from Alabaqulito to Shashemene road. Alabaqulito to Shashemene road is 65 km in length for the target area of the study. The road traffic accident data of all segments on this road are collected from September 2012 -June 2016 for the purpose of analysis. But the sample segment, those from the area that is very vulnerable by road traffic accident due to pavement distress, for the study are taken using purposive sampling method. These segments includes Alaba, Shashemene. The field survey was made to observe the type of distress, severity level and extent of the road. From the study conducted, it is concluded that there is an increase in the number of deaths, injury and property damage due to road traffic accident and coverage of road crashes and its effects as well. One of the reasons for this road traffic accidents include high severity level of deterioration road that is bleeding, rutting, pothole and shoulder-scour. Finally the remedial measures for these problems are given. These include reconstruction of road or rehabilitation maintenance of pavement.
Aggregate types and gradation are one of the characteristics of aggregates that affected the prop... more Aggregate types and gradation are one of the characteristics of aggregates that affected the properties of HMA performance. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to investigate the effects of aggregates types on hot mix asphalt performance. In order to get the desired objective, a systematic methodology was adopted which includes field investigation, and laboratory tests was carried. While the purposive techniques was used to collect aggregate samples. The laboratory test results of aggregate types were fulfilled and achieve the requirement of Ethiopia Road Authority (ERA). The laboratory test result of basalt, rhyolite and limestone aggregate HMA mix design volumetric properties, stability and flow value are affected by aggregate gradation. The same gradation of laboratory test result of HMA mix design volumetric properties, stability and flow values are impressively affected by aggregate types. In all aggregate types trial mixes of HMA rutting depth were increase with increasing of cycle time of load. For both type of aggregate gradation, the minimum rut depth was achieved in gradation trial mix 3. The maximum rut depth were achieve in gradation trial mix 5 for basalt and rhyolite, but for limestone aggregate the maximum rut depth was achieve in gradation trial mix 1. In trial mix 1 and 2 limestone's aggregate gradation is achieved maximum value of rut depth and in trial mix 3, 4 and 5 rhyolite aggregate is achieved maximum value of rut depth. For both types of aggregate gradation maximum dynamic stability values are achieved in gradation trial mix 3 and the minimum values are achieved in gradation trial mix 5. The maximum dynamic stability value was achieve in basalt aggregate and gradation trial mix 4 and 5 only limestone aggregate was achieve the minimum requirement of dynamic stability. Generally, aggregate types and its gradation are affected HMA properties and rutting performance. The gradation of medium to lower limit of Ethiopia Road Authority (ERA) standard technical specification use to produce good performance of HMA. Limestone aggregate was hydrophobic which reduce the problems of stripping of aggregate during wet and subjected to water. As this study was done for specific location and specific aggregate types, it is recommended as more laboratory and field investigation should be performed on same parts of the country. Effect of aggregate source and shape of the same aggregate types on HMA properties are another perspective.
Molasses is a byproduct of the sugar refining industry. A hundred tons of sugar cane will give 10... more Molasses is a byproduct of the sugar refining industry. A hundred tons of sugar cane will give 10-11 tons of sugar and 3-4 tons of molasses. There are thirteen sugar factories in Ethiopia and each factory produces molasses in the form of by-product. The objective of this research is investigating the effect of cane molasses on performance of the base bitumen. Sugar cane molasses is an organic waste material obtained from raw sugar during the refining process at sugar refineries. The effects of cane molasses percentage replacement on bitumen were examined by means of a various laboratory tests including PG (Performance Grade), RTFO (Rolling Thin-Film Oven). The study revealed that as percentage of molasses-A, molasses-B and molasses-C increases from 0 to 20%, 0 to 10% and 0 to 5%, the PG was improved by 28.12%, 15.79% and 8.57% respectively. The PG decreases by 36.87%, 28.38% and 12.76% and similarly, the ductility decreases by 21.36%, 6.79% and 5.83% for 15% molasses-A, 10%molasses-B and 10% molasses-C mixtures respectively. The cost analysis also signifies that, the cost of base bitumen improved by 17.4%, 8.93% and 2.35% for using molasses-A, molasses-B and molasses-C respectively. From this study, it was concluded that as per DSR performance testing machine, 20% molasses-A, 10% Molasses-B and 5% Molasses-C improves the performance of original bitumen with different rate.
Sub grade materials are expected to have basic desirable characteristics related to strength, sti... more Sub grade materials are expected to have basic desirable characteristics related to strength, stiffness and permeability. If these properties are not fulfilled, engineers are expected to come up with ground improvement methods. Due to growing cost of traditional stabilizing agents like lime and cement, the need for the economical utilization of industrial and agricultural wastes for beneficial engineering purposes have prompted an investigation into the stabilizing potential of marble dust in highly expansive clay soil. Marble dust is an industrial waste which can be incorporated with road construction materials if it has possesses the desired physical, chemical and mechanical properties. This research work is aimed to evaluate the effect of marble dust for stabilization of expansive clay soil. The laboratory work involved index properties to classify the soil samples. The preliminary investigation of the soil samples showed that it belongs to A-7-5 class of soil in the AASHTO soil classification system. Soils under this class are generally poor for sub grade material. Atterberg limits, Grain size analysis, Specific Gravity, free swell test, compaction, and CBR tests were used to evaluate the geotechnical properties of stabilized soil and to compare with standards. The soil stabilized with marble dust in stepped concentration of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by dry weight of the soil. Analysis of the results showed that marble dust has a potential to improve the engineering characteristics of expansive soil. Marble dust reduces plasticity index, swelling and OMC with increase in MDD and CBR at higher marble dust contents. From this study it was found out that marble dust stabilized soil for samples 1 and 2 it meets the minimum requirement of ERA pavement manual. However, it has fair to poor as pavement manual specification for use as a sub-grade material in road construction. Soil with 25-30% marble dust combination is found to become the best soil-marble dust combination for both sample 1 and sample 2.
The rate of road traffic accidents increase from time to time in Shashemene to Adaba road section... more The rate of road traffic accidents increase from time to time in Shashemene to Adaba road sections. In this study the aim is to identify the cause and control mechanisms of road traffic accident along Shashemene to Adaba. The scope of the study was limited to Adaba Shashemene road, which starts from Shashemene municipal and point up to Adaba town which is 350 km from Addis Ababa with total length of 100km. The sample kebele/town, those with high traffic volume, for the study are taken using purposive sampling technique. The general characteristics of road traffic accidents from Shashemene to Adaba road are identified and ranked black spot locations according to priority values with corresponding cause of accidents. For the identified black spot locations control mechanisms are provided. In order to conduct the research, the data that were collected are accident records from 2012-2017 by each wereda police stations. Then these data were analyzed using priority value based on the severity of traffic accidents which takes into consideration the number of deaths and slight and serious injuries occurred for five years is used for Shashemene, Fejihursa, Kofele, Dodola and Adaba town while accident frequency is used for Ashoka and Wabe kebele to rank black spot locations. Based on the analysis made, 25 top black spot locations were identified. Based on the results of the study in the year 2012 to the year 2017, it found out that there were 904 road traffic accidents have been occurring in the vicinity of the survey road sections. The percentage distribution of severity class comprised of about 25% of the fatal accident, 8.3% serious injury, 12.72% slight accident and 53.98% property damage, respectively. Properties damage during study period was about 26,697,236.00 Birr. Finally, from the finding of the research the following control mechanisms were provided: speed breaker, provision of road side improvements, improvement of side walk, installation of traffic signs and pavement markings should be done.
The needs of the pedestrian should be considered in the design of the urban environment and trans... more The needs of the pedestrian should be considered in the design of the urban environment and transportation facilities. Since road infrastructure improvements and designed pedestrian environments are an important part of road safety enhancements that increase walking and decrease fatalities. This study was investigated the pedestrian safety problems and its countermeasures on road segments in Mizan city. This study investigated the existing problems affecting the safety of pedestrian movement, evaluates the service quality of walking facilities, and finally identified the most significant factors affecting pedestrian safety with engineering counter measures in the city. Four routes are selected based on different criteria. Those are Market area, Commercial area, Educational area, and Residential area. The primary and secondary data is used in this study. For the data analysis the study used both objective measurements and subjective assessments to model PLOS using Australian methods. As per field study indicates 60% of the respondents think the sidewalk is not user-friendly. The current sidewalk is encroached either by vendors, utility poles, parking carts or illegal construction materials in different places, and crosswalk facilities are not visible and not enough provided at a logical distant. As a result pedestrians are forced to walk on the carriageway due to these illegal obstructions. The Pedestrian LOS analysis indicates that poor pedestrian conditions exist and the factors that negatively affect pedestrian LOS are wide-ranging. Pedestrian comfort is minimal, and safety concerns within the pedestrian environment are evident in this city road segments. It was concluded that, the most significant factors affecting the pedestrian safety in the city are sidewalk surface quality/continuity, sidewalk environmental problems, crossing opportunity (crosswalk), supporting facility, personal security, sidewalk obstructions, and sidewalk widths. Pedestrian facilities and all the concerned factors should be well provided and maintained to more effective for both encouraging people to walk and improve pedestrian safety.
Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the poss... more Traffic impact analysis (TIA) is a powerful tool for engineers and planners to determine the possible effects of any project on the transportation and traffic system. Often it is applied only to the direct impact area and countermeasures for potential negative impacts are specific for the development. TIA is performed to assess the adequacy of the existing or future transportation infrastructure to accommodate additional trips generated by a proposed development, redevelopment or land rezoning. These studies vary in their range of detail and complexity depending on the type, size and location of the development. They are important tools in assisting public agencies in making land use planning decisions for local governments, especially for managing traffic and in planning their respective transportation systems. Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India which covers an area of 426 sq.km and recorded a population of 46.81 lakhs in 2011. The Chennai Metropolitan Area which extends over an area of 1189 sq.km recorded the population of 86.96 lakhs in 2011 and the density is 11,000 per sq.km. The population of Chennai in 1639 was 40,000 and today the city is estimated to have a population of 7.5 million, which gives a population density of about 6482 per sq.km. This rapid increase in population leads to traffic congestion and imbalanced supply and demand of transport facilities. Thus it is imperative to conduct a TIA which would analyze the adverse impacts of developments on service levels of transportation facilities in Chennai city and to provide an early warning on the robustness of travel demand for both present and future situation.
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Papers by Ponnurangam Palani