2008 Presentations of Research Work by Summer Interns from University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez

On July , 2008 the summer interns from University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez presented their research work done at URI during the summer of 2008.The Summer Exchange Student Program is sponsored by URI Transportation Center and the Eisenhower Fellowship Program. Students from UPRM have conducted research work related to URITC funded projects under the supervision of professors from the College of Engineering and the College of Art and Sciences.

Juan Balbuena, graduate student, developed an experiment to evaluate the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices and video cameras fixed to the side of a vehicle in order to determine roadway cross-section dimensions for road inventory and asset management purposes.

Presentation: Multi-Sensor Vehicle Tracking

Adilson Pérez, undergraduate student, participated in a project that collected and evaluated Weight-in-Motion (WIM) data from Rhode Island highways to identify patterns of overloaded and oversized trucks. The evaluation of the WIM data could serve as basis for improved truck size and weight regulations that promote the service life and quality of roadway pavement surfaces.

Presentation: Analysis and Evaluation of WIM Data in Rhode Island, USA

Alvin Nieves, undergraduate student, made a review and evaluation of engineering safety measures that could be implemented to prevent tailgating and reduce aggressive driving on the road. Tailgating is the unsafe practice of driving on a road too closely behind another vehicle. Innovative pavement markings and signs that indicate to drivers the recommended safe distances between vehicles were evaluated in terms of their effectiveness toward informing the drivers and reducing crashes on the road.   

Presentation: Studying the Vehicle Headway Issue and It's Impact on the Slow-Down Effect  

Gema Viñuales, graduate student, worked on the analysis and synthesis of information about the current condition and future development plans for the Mayagüez and San Juan Ports in order to develop a characterization of the current port activities, the movement of imported and exported goods, and the potential for future development of the Mayagüez Port.

Presentation: Case Study: Port of Mayagüez Competitiveness of America's Port in the Caribbean Sea