Jose Weissmann, associate professor of
civil and environmental engineering
Research Close-up: Jose Weissmann keeps on trucking
(May 17, 2002)--Jose Weissmann, associate professor of civil and environmental
engineering is principal investigator for the project "Measures to Improve
Truck Traffic Safety in Texas," funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Weissmann and UTSA civil engineering department colleagues recently completed
a quest to determine ways for improving the safety of commercial vehicle traffic
in Texas.
Incorporating records supplied by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the
researchers developed a computerized system for performing statistical analyses
on commercial vehicle accidents statewide. Using reports generated through
the Truck Safety Management System, it's possible to analyze where and why
high incidence, commercial vehicle-related accidents occur on the state's
roads. Reports can be generated with different levels of detail and almost
down to within a mile-marker range.
The university has forwarded this valuable catalog of information to the Texas
Department of Transportation, where engineers can make decisions for countermeasures
to improve commercial vehicle traffic safety.
One such countermeasure can be found here in San Antonio. The interchange between I-35 South and I-10 West has been the site of many truck rollover mishaps, most notably one two years ago that involved toxic solvents and forced a partial evacuation of neighborhoods just north of downtown.
There is now a digital, speed-display sign that alerts drivers traveling
through the troublesome interchange if they are exceeding recommended safe
speeds to avoid a rollover accident. Other examples of countermeasures include
rumble strips, which are placed on the sides of highways to alert drowsy drivers
if they are veering off the road, and curves that could be widened to allow
extra room on the road.
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
Nominations
sought for Howe excellence-in-service award
Sociedad
Peruana and Business Technology gifts help students
Research
Close-up: Artyom Grigoryan has gone FISH-ing
Research Close-up: Jose Weissmann keeps on trucking
Research
Close-up: Donald Hodges has music on the brain
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2002