vol 27 no 02 2013

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1/181EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER, VOL. 27, NO. 2, 2013

(Connued in page 3)

INTHISEDITION

EELL PPUENTEUENTE

This edition is the seventh of a series that focus on the implementation activities

of EVERY DAY COUNTS (EDC) in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Successful Traffic Incident Management (TIM)Workshops in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Pa

Message from the Director 2

Successful Trafic Incident

Management (TIM) Workshops in

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

3

Strategic Highway Safety Plan: ARational Approach to Saving Lives

6

Prevention and Fatal Risks Control

Standards in Roadwork8-

Successful EDC II Virtual Summitsin Puerto Rico and USVI

1

Congratulations for a job well done inthe 2013 Transportation Week!

12

Atencin Atencin Friends

Saving Lives

1

Meet the New U.S. Secretary ofTransportation, Anthony R. Foxx

1

Future Seminars, Conferences,

Symposiums and Webinars

Citizens Commitment to Road Safety

1

1

The Puerto Rico Transportaon Technology Transfer Center is part of a network of 58 Centers through the United States that

comprises the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and the Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), which enable local

governments, countries 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 technical assistance, and newsleers.

The Transportation Technology Transfer Center together with the

Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) and the

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) coordinated a series of

workshops ofTrafic Incident Management (TIM) at San Juan, Puerto

Rico and Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands held on June 19, 24

and 25, 2013. Federal, state, municipal and private agency oficials

attended these workshops.

Volume 27, Number 2, 2013

Newsletter of the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagez Campus

Puerto Rico LTAP

7/27/2019 Vol 27 No 02 2013

2/182TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER

Message from the Directoressage from the Director

Welcome! Best regards to all our readers in our second edition of the Newsletter El Puente for2013. El Puente is an important tool used by the Center to transfer and share emerging technologiesand innovative research initiatives related to transportation, with emphasis on road safety,

workforce development and management of the built road infrastructure.

The feature article highlights the experiences of the Trafic Incident Management(TIM) workshopscoordinated by the Center, which were held in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands on June of thisyear. The workshops were very successful with approximately 100 oficials representing federal,state, municipal and private agencies.

The second technical and innovative article, developed with the collaboration of Eng. DanielCamacho, Highway Engineer of the Federal Highway Administration, Puerto Rico Division, presentsan overview, requirements and beneits associated with implementing a Strategic Highway SafetyPlan (SHSP). The SHSP is one of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) requirements inorder to reduce the fatalities and crashes on the public roads. In this edition, the SHSPimplementation status in Puerto Rico, which is planned in a two-step process that includes adevelopment and implementation phase, is also presented.

In this edition, the second article of a series related to the control and prevention of fatal risksstandards during roadwork is also presented. In this article Safety and Health Director of FerrovialAgroman, Eng. Fernando Cortes presents the critical aspects of Occupational Safety and Health, andthe operational implementation of standards applicable to roadwork. These guidelines weredeveloped using the incident statistics database of roadwork managed by Ferrovial Agroman.

Another innovative article included in this edition is the Federal Program Every Day Counts IIinitiatives that are currently being implemented in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. The newinitiatives were presented in a Virtual Summit Series held in San Juan, Puerto Rico and U.S. VirginIslands on April of this year, namely, SHRP2 National Trafic Incident Management (TIM) ResponderTraining, High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST), Intersection and Interchange Geometrics (IIC),

Geospatial Data Collaboration and Implementing Quality Environmental Documentation.

In this edition, the Center Staffrecognized the excellent job the Institute of Transportation Engineers(ITE) Student Chaptermembers have performed during the 2013 Transportation Week. The ITEStudent Chapterorganizes this event annually in the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez to bringtogether transportation experts from the public and private sector to exchange knowledge withUPRM students and ultimately the next generation of transportation professional. Eng. Miguel A.Torres-Daz, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) of Puerto Rico,Dr. Alberto M. Figueroa-Medina, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Bus Authority (MBA) andEng. Miguel Pellot, representing Klein Engineering Company, were part of the distinguished keynote speakers that share their experience and challenges during this years transportation weekevents.

The Center Directoralso recognized in this edition the support and commitment of AtencinAtencinmusical group and her Director Mrs. Paula Rivera during their concert tour Lets GoDancing (Vamos a Bailar). Their assistance in promoting the educational campaign associated

with the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, speciically in raising awareness on theimportance of obeying vehicle and trafic law, crash prevention, safety belt usage in order to saveslives to all road users is greatly appreciated.

The Center Director also congratulates Mr. Anthony R. Foxx, the 17th Secretary of Transportation ofthe U.S. , which was sworn on July 2, 2013. The highlights associated with this historic event arealso highlighted.

I hope that the selection of these articles in this second edition of Newsletter El Puente for 2013are of beneit to our readers and other professionals in local transportation agencies in the 78municipalities of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Benjamn Colucci Ros

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The administrative agencies represent-

ed in the TIM workshop were the Feder-

al Highway Administration (FHWA)

Puerto Rico Division, Department of

Transportation and Publics Works

(DTPW), Puerto Rico Highway and

Transportation Authority (PRHTA), Envi-

ronmental Quality Board (EQB), Puerto

Rico Fire Department, Puerto Rico Police,

Emergency Management Municipality of

San Juan, Emergency Management Mu-

nicipality of Carolina, Puerto Rico Health

Department, Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA), among

others .

Successful Traffic Incident Management (TIM) WorkshopsPuerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Alberto Figueroa, MBA Execuve Director, Miguel Torres,

DTPW Secretary & other oficials at TIM Executive meeting

The Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA), through the Trafic IncidentManagement (TIM) Responder

Training provides tools and

guidelines to the highway and

emergency state and municipal

agencies that operates the

transportation systems, for training

of emergency responders, TIMprograms supervisors and

administrators and agencies

executives.

During the workshop held on June 19,

and conducted simultaneously in

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands,

an overview discussion of TIM waspresented aimed at Trafic Incident

Responders. This training has been

developed as part of the new 13 initi-

atives of the Federal Program Every

Day Counts II (EDC II).

Eng. Daniel Camacho, FHWA PR Division and

Dr. Benjamn Colucci during the TIM discussion

TIM participants during the workshop

held in CIAPR, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

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The Trafic Incident Management (TIM)

Responder Training Program focuses in

developing, in the multidisciplinary

responders group, a collaborative

response effortthat protect the drivers

and emergency responders while the

vehicular low impact is reduced. The

TIM principal activities can be

categorized in three functional areas:

Detection, veriication and response

of trafic incidents. Clearing the incident scene.

Restoring vehicular low.

Successful Traffic Incident Management (TIM) WorkshopsPuerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (Cont.)

At the end of the workshop, the need to

bring training to emergency responders

during the next year was established by

both jurisdictions. This was established

because of the value of this training to

improve the safety of emergency

responders and drivers.

Similarly, during the workshop of June

24 held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, an

excellent discussion and session of

training for state agencies executives

was developed. Among the audience was

the Secretary of the Department of

Transportation and Publics Works

(DTPW), Miguel A. Torres-Daz, the Chief

of Firemen Operations, A ngel A. Crespo,

the Executive Director of Puerto Rico

Highway and Transportation Authority

(PRHTA), Javier E. Ramos-Hernandez,

among others distinguished executives.

The session focused in the need of

establishing a coordinated and effective

TIM participants from state, federal and municipal agencies during the

workshop held in CIAPR facilities, June 25, 2013

Participants during the workshop on June 25 of 2013

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be presented to the Secretary of the

Department of Transportation and Public

Works (DTPW) and the Executive Director

of Puerto Rico Highway and Transporta-

tion Authority (PRHTA) on August for its

evaluation and implementation. Within

the objectives of the TIM program is

established:

More and better opportunities for

continuous education for emergency

responders, which led to improve

safety for drivers and emergency re-sponders.

A faster and effective trafic incident

management and restoration.

Reduction of secondary crashes

probability caused by the principal

incidents.

Reduction of delays caused by the

trafic incident.

For additional information regarding the

innovative initiative Trafic Incident Man-

agement (TIM) Responder Training, visit

our website at www. prt2.uprm.edu or

the FHWA website at www.hwa.dot.gov.

Trafic Incident Management (TIM)

Program for Puerto Rico.

On June 25, a workshop was conductedfor the administrators and supervisors of

the agencies that manage the trafic

incidents emergencies directly. In

conjunction, these workshops were very

successful and had the participation of

approximately 100 professionals.

As agreed with the state agenciesExecutives after the two days of

workshops, an Action Plan draft for an

effective implementation of the Trafic

Incident Management (TIM) Program for

Puerto Rico was developed. This Plan will

Successful Traffic Incident Management (TIM) WorkshopsPuerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (Cont.)

Fuente: www.hwa.dot.gov

TIM in Florida (www.loridatim.com)

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Consultants and professional services ofa variety of stakeholders during thedevelopment process.

Analysis and effective use of crash data.

Integrate Engineering, Education,

Enforcement and Emergency MedicalServices.

Consider safety needs in all public roads.

Describe the projects programs orstrategies to reduce or eliminate safetyhazards.

Be implemented and evaluated.

Keep the plan updated.

The beneits of a SHSP are:

Establishes common statewide goals andpriorities.

Strengthens existing professionalpartnerships.

Builds new safety coalitions.

Promotes data, knowledge, and resourcesharing.

Avoids redundant activities andleverages existing resources, such asfunding, personnel, and leadership.

Incorporates both behavioral andinfrastructure strategies andcountermeasures to more effectivelyreduce highway fatalities and seriousinjuries on all public roads.

Actually, all state highway agencies are

currently implementing a SHSP at different

stages and many have experienced

remarkable results. For example, Kentucky,

since the implementation of a SHSPin 2006,

reported a reduction in the fatality rate per100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) of

1.75 in 2008 to 1.50 in 2011. Similarly,

Florida reported a reduction in the fatality

rate per million VMT in the period of 2006 to

2010 from 1.65 to 1.25, respectively.

Introduction

The Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) is

one of the main measures of the Highway

Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) in

order to reduce the probability of crashes

and fatalities on the public roads. The SHSP

was irst established in the Safe, Accounta-ble, Flexible, Eficient Transportation Equity

Act A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)

legislation signed on August 10, 2005 and

has continued in the new legislation Moving

Ahead for Progress in the 21stCentury (MAP-

21) signed on July 6, 2012.

The SHSP provides a comprehensive

framework which coordinates statewide

safety initiatives and provides speciic goals

and strategies to reduce highway fatalities

and serious injuries on the roads. The SHSP

is a data-driven and a four to ive years

comprehensive plan that establishes

statewide goals and integrates the four Es

(Engineering, Education, Enforcement and

Emergency Services/Incident Management):

Purpose and Beneits

The main purpose of a Strategic Highway

Safety Plan (SHSP) is to identify the Stateskey safety needs and guide investment

decisions for a reduction in fatalities and

serious injuries on all public roads. MAP-21

requires coordination with other plans and

safety programs with the SHSP and each

Department of Transportation (DOT) must

develop a SHSPthat incorporates:

Strategic Highway Safety Plan:

A Rational Approach to Save Lives

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The adoption of MAP-21 legislation required

Puerto Rico to have an increased focus in

improving highway safety. The new

legislation requires the development andimplementation of measurable programs and

strategies for decreasing the number of

fatalities and serious highway-related injuries

in the island. The way the new law

implements this requirement is by focusing

resources. Under MAP-21, 25 percent of

Puerto Ricos federal highway funding

allocation is directed at eligible highway

safety improvement projects or activities. This

means that, for the irst time in Puerto Rico,many of the Highway Safety Improvement

Program (HSIP) requirements under Title 23

applies to the Island. The most fundamental

of the HSIP requirements is the development

and implementation of the Strategic Highway

Safety Plan (SHSP).

Puerto Rico planned to meet this

requirement in a two-step process.

The irst step includes the development

and implementation of an Interim SHSP in

the iscal year 2013.

The second step is the development and

implementation of a multiyear SHSP in

iscal year 2014.

This irst step was accomplished in April 2013

when Puerto Ricos Secretary of the Depart-

ment of Transportation and Public Worksjoined the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico

Trafic Safety Commission (PRTSC) and the

Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Highway

and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) in

adopting an Interim SHSP. With this

document, the PRHTA is now able to obligate

about $30 millions of federal safety program

funds available to the Island for iscal year

2013.

The Interim SHSP document identiied four

emphasis or focus areas based on the analy-sis and evaluation of available crash data:

Trafic Records and Information Systems,

Roadway Departure, Pedestrians and

Cyclists, and Driver Behavior. For each of the

emphasis areas, the Interim SHSPpresents a

goal and several strategies designed to

reach the objective. The Puerto Rico

Division of the FHWA is currently working

closely with the PRHTA to ensure that allfederal funded highway projects selected to

receive safety funds in 2013, are in fact

implementing the strategies identiied in

the Interim SHSP.

For accomplishing step two, the PRHTA is

currently drafting a Request for Proposal

(RFP) package seeking to hire consultant

services to help the Agency develop,

implement, and evaluate Puerto Ricos

multiyear SHSP. The PRHTA plans to have a

multiyear contract that allows them to have

the specialized technical knowledge and

expertise for the duration of the SHSP, a full

ive-year cycle. The main characteristics of

the multiyear SHSP, compared to the Interim

SHSP, is the level of data compilation and

analysis as well as the level of consultation

with the Islands safety stakeholders. The

multiyear plan will expand the level ofstakeholder consultation to a wider base.

PRHTA expects to have a completed

multiyear SHSPby the summer of 2014.

For additional information regarding the

Strategic Highway Safety Plan, visit the

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

website at www.hwa.dot.gov.

Strategic Highway Safety Plan:

A Rational Approach to Save Lives (Cont.)

Strategic Highway Safety Plan Implementation in Puerto Rico

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By: Fernando Corts, MSc OSH

Director of Safety and Health - MultinationalConstruction Company in Puerto Rico

Email: [email protected]

This article is a continuation and the last of aseries of technical articles related to the pre-vention and control of fatal risks during roadworks that was presented in the irst edition.

Critical Aspects of Occupational Safety andHealth

1. Safety and Occupational Health CardinalRules

The prevention and control standards of fatalrisks are speciic controls associated withsigniicant risks identiied in the constructionindustry. These include infrastructure,systems, procedures and behaviors of people

required to promote effective riskmanagement.

The cardinal rules will be focused on therequirements of the behavior of the people,the prevention and control standards of fatalrisks, which are primarily directed to theadministration of the site, and the standardsstructure. These rules must be applied inforce and are mandatory for all subcontrac-tors and operations controlled by thecompany.

2. Road Works Permits

All work considered as a signiicant riskrequires an inspection or control sheet of theactivity and should be considered:

Having employees focused on risks in thetask.

Evaluation and control of the task risks.

The interaction with the insulation toprotect people.

The preparation, approval, acceptanceand the period of work.

Roles and responsibilities of thoseinvolved with the work.

3. Special and Pre-Use Inspections

The inspections before the use of motorvehicles, light or heavy vehicle, lifts, hoists,cranes and others, must comply with thefollowing:

Any activity controlled by the companyand that the current regulations require acompetent person, a site evaluation mustbe conducted through a task inspection.

Any motor vehicle must have an initialinspection showing good physical condi-tions, structural and electromechanical

operation.

The operator or driver must perform theinspection to the motor vehicles before oras close as possible to the start of work.

The inspections results will be recordedon the equipment and the failures duringthe maintenance process in the motorvehicles will be communicated (correctiveand preventive actions).

The critical components must have a safe-ty test run including but not limited to

brakes, lights, reverse alarm, horn typealarm, and available engineering controlsin the access systems and fall protection.

The crane struts must pass a load testbefore entering a project and wheneverthe team leaves and returns.

4. Corrective and Preventive Actions

In the hazards recognition, risk assessmentand control, the opportunities for improve-ments of conditions, performance, conduct

and the workplace environment are veryimportant.

Corrective and preventive actions require apriority, according to the degree or level ofrisk identiied in the signiicant riskassessments. In the evaluation, is necessary toweigh the degree of tolerance of the risksrecognized by the following criteria:

if the risk is high, is considered intolera-ble, due to the probability of having animminent risk of a signiicant or fatal

incident. if the risk is moderate, the treatment can

be reduced to a lower level, as reasonablein practice.

if the risk is low, there is a tolerable risk(accepted).

Prevention and Fatal Risks Control Standards in Road Works

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achieving this goal.

Roadwork Standards

1. Objectives

Eliminate or minimize the signiicant risk orfatalities, injuries and incidents at road workscontrolled by the company.

2.ApplicationIt establishes the management and operation-al requirements for work on and near roadsor highways, where employees, pedestriansand the general public are exposed to riskscenarios with the light and heavy vehicletrafic. These standards apply to own andsubcontracted employees where the companyis the contractor that controls the job site.

3. Reason for Inclusion

Works on roads or highways are a signiicantand fatal accidents risk scenario due to thelack of controls that eliminate, isolate,mitigate or transfer risk.

4.Contributing Factors in Accident(hazards):

The different factors that contribute to theincidence of loss by property damage orinjury to people on the road or highwaysscenarios are:

Improper lane change.

Distracted driving.

Driver fatigue.

Lack of skills of the driver.

Lack/Omission of devices.

Failure to comply with speed restrictions.

Position of the employee regarding trafic.

Improper mounting load.

Failure or deiciency in workplacelighting.

Flag Bearer in high-speed areas. Weather conditions.

Lack/failure of risk assessment.

5. General Requirements

Generally, in works on roads or highways thefollowing measures for prevention and con-trol of risk must be implemented:

Prevention and Fatal Risks Control Standards in Road Works (Cont.)

Operational Implementation of Standards

1. How the Manager or Supervisor must doit:

Do not take shortcuts or wait to controlthe risks.

Provide the tools, equipment and neces-sary training to ensure a safe production.

Follow all safety rules and set high stand-ards, promote and communicate a safetyawareness and guidance of people whenthey see a behavior and unsafe condi-tions.

Maintain a high level of order and cleanli-ness in the workplace, basic rule for goodsafety performance.

Determine why unsafe behaviors occur inthe workplace and correct the causes thatmight cause errors or violations of safetyand health standards.

Create an atmosphere of openness (opencommunication), trust, mutual respectand good communication.

Ensure that tasks are planned, hazardsare recognized and the risks are con-trolled before work can begin.

2. How a Self-Employed or Subcontractormust do it:

Identify the hazards, analyze risks and

obtain tools and equipment in good con-dition to do the job safely before startingany task (Take 5).

Report all incidents, near misses, hazardsand behavior or dangerous conditions.

Maintain a clean and orderly work area.

Demonstrate safe behaviors, such asproper use of personal protectiveequipment, obey the rules and proper useof tools.

Use and understand safe working practic-es.

Inspect vehicles and equipment andreport incidents for the safety of all.

Stop work if you believe it is not safe,report the incident and improve.

Reports to work well rested, withoutdrugs or alcohol and keep it.

Think and have a commitment to theprevention of all accidents and help in

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Prior to starting any work on the road orhighway, the approved plans of thetypical sections of trafic safety must beavailable.

It must be monitored that, in the practice,the typical sections or maintenance andtrafic control plans are properlyimplemented.

A competent person designated to workon roads or highways must conduct theveriication of compliance.

Work zones on a road or highway musthave the different devices to prevent andprotect employees of a possibleoccurrence of an accident.

At night work, the best lighting conditionsin the work zones must be available.

Motor vehicles must have all the proper

devices and electromechanicalfunctioning.

In areas of long-term work, more than 24hours of continuous work, physicalbarriers should be used to protect andinsulate the contact with vehiclestraveling on the road.

Provide trained Flag Bearers and theessentials elements and high visibilitypersonal protection.

Flag Bearers must be in a safe position to

avoid being hit by a driver.

When there is an obvious danger of highspeed (45 mph, 72 km/h), an impactattenuator vehicle should be used prior tothe work zone to provide protectionagainst other vehicles and protect theemployees.

6. Requirements Associated with Systemsand Procedures

In the workplace, all zones of trafic safetymust be identiied, which will present

risks to workers, pedestrians and thegeneral public, and a record or form ofsafety assessment in trafic zones must bemaintain.

Consider positive measures of protectionin the workplace.

The speciic plans for trafic control forthe incident/ accident managementshould be formulated due to the variety ofsituations that may arise.

The movement of trafic low must bereduced in the most reasonable possibletime.

Motorists and pedestrians should be guidedin a clear and safe way when they approachand pass through temporary trafic controlareas.

To ensure acceptable levels of operation,conduct a routine inspection of the traficcontrol elements and devices.

Give safety maintenance to the roadwaylateral zone (shoulder) during the life of thetemporary trafic control area, since avariety of incidents occur in this area.

7. Requirements Associated to Persons

The staff (supervisors and employees)entering a trafic safety zone must have aspecial orientation for the type of risk in

areas exposed to trafic (Risk basedtraining).

The people and supervisors should betrained to recognize the hazards in thework; this knowledge must be based for theidentiication of hazards and safe practicesin areas exposed to trafic.

An evaluation system must be available inthe workplace to ensure that staff workingin areas exposed to trafic low is evaluatedto verify the competence for the job.

The person who monitors and supervisesthe trafic safety, must have training thatidentiies him as a designated competentperson.

All work in areas exposed to trafic low,should be initiated with a daily assigningand work planning.

Supervision of work in areas exposed totrafic low, must evaluate the risks in thework using a tool called Take 3 (routineand no routine) or Take 5 (high risk).

For cases of contamination in areas oftrafic low, employees must be designatedand have a speciic orientation.

In zones exposed to trafic low, if for somereason there is a signiicant or fatalaccident with an own employee, subcon-tractors or public, an emergency procedurefor signiicant or fatal accidents in theworkplace should be activated.

This technical article is protected by copyright.

Prevention and Fatal Risks Control Standards in Road Works (cont.)

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Successful Every Day Counts II Virtual Summits in Puerto Rico and US

During the period of April 2 through 11, 2013,

a Virtual Summits series of the Federal Pro-

gram Every Day Counts II(EDC II) were held in

Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands and San

Juan, Puerto Rico, respectively. These Virtual

Summits bring together transportation

experts from the private and public sectorto promote and share innovative technologies

that improve safety, reduce trafic congestion,

and protect the environment.

The three principal areas that were discussed

in the Virtual Summits include Operations,

Safety and Environment. Within each area,

several topics associated with the Federal Pro-

gram Every Day Counts IIinitiatives, driven bythe Federal Highway Administration (FHWA),

were presented.

In the Operations area, the topic of the

SHRP2 National Trafic Incident Management

(TIM) Responder Training was presented. The

TIM training program focuses on a response

effort that protects motorists and responders

while minimizing the impact on trafic low.

One of the pertinent topics discussed within

the Safety area was the High Friction Surface

Treatment (HFST), a new technology to main-

tain an appropriate amount of pavement fric-

tion in order to save lives of road users. An-

other topic presented in this area was Inter-

section and Interchange Geometrics (IIC). IIC

provide balanced, cost-effective solutions to

improve safety and mobility in the roads by

eliminating conlict points, reducing lifecycle

costs and rapid implementation of the designs.

In the Virtual Summit related to the

Environment area, the topics discussed were

the Geospatial Data Collaboration andImplementing Quality Environmental

Documentation. The objective of the Geospatial

Data Collaboration is to accelerate project

delivery through more lexibility to share

information among participants, improving

communication and information low within

the environmental process. The initiative of

Implementing Quality Environmental

Documentation simpliies and accelerates the

development of environmental documentation

by reducing time and money.

The Virtual Summits of the Federal Program

EDC II allowed a successful information

exchange and demonstrated the experiences

and remarkable results of the EDC II initia-

tives implementation to assist transportation

agencies in their mission to provide eficientpublic roads while the process of delivery is

accelerated and the environment is protected.

For additional information regarding the Vir-

tual Summit and the new initiatives of the

Federal Program EDC II, visit the website

www.prt2.uprm.edu or www.hwa.dot.gov.

EDC II Virtual Summit Participants CIAPR, Puerto Rico

EDC II Virtual Summit Participants, U.S. Virgin Islands.

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During the period of April 8-12, 2013, the

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

Student Chapter at the University of Puerto

Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) celebrated its

traditional annual 2013 ITE-UPRM

Transportation Week. Distinguished oficials

of the government agencies, private sector

representatives and UPRM students attended

to this event.

In anticipation of the celebration of the Las

Justas Inter-Colegiales of the Puerto Rico

Intercollegiate Athletic League (IAL), Ms.

Wilmarie Burgos-Ramrez of the FIESTA

Colegial Program at UPRM offered a confer-

ence about prevention and awareness of alco-

hol use entitled Road Trafic Safety: The

Danger of Alcohol.

On April 9, 2013, Eng. Miguel A. Torres-Daz,

Secretary of the Department of

Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) of

Puerto Rico, gave a lecture entitled "Role, Fu-

ture Plans and Challenges at DTPW".

Simultaneously, the FIESTA Colegial Program

at UPRM conducted the event FIESTA

Mobile to emphases road users recognized

Congratulations for a job well done in the 2013 Transportation Week!

the danger of driving under the inluence of

alcohol. During the afternoon session, the

graduate student and engineer Freddie

Salado-Martnez, ITE student chapter

member, offered an the technical seminar

Synchro 8, a simulation program used

for trafic engineering studies.

Dr. Alberto M. Figueroa-Medina, current

Executive Director of the Metropolitan Bus

Authority (MBA), past President of the In-

stitute of Professional Transportation Engi-

neers (ITE) Puerto Rico Section and profes-

sor in the transportation engineering area

at UPRM gave a technical presentation

about the MBA system, applications, limi-

tations and future plans. Eng. Miguel Pellot

representing Klein Engineering Company,

PSC and the private sector in transporta-

tion in Puerto Rico, followed with the tech-

nical presentation entitled "Challenges and

Innovative Solutions in Transportation".

The technical presentation included a dis-

cussion of alternative design projects asso-

ITE Directive, Dr. Benjamn Colucci, Ms. Wilmarie

Burgos, keynote spekear and Dr. Didier Valdsduring the 2013 ITE-UPRM Transportation Week.

Prof. Ismael Pagn-Trinidad, Dept. Chair, Dr. Didier

Valds, ITE Faculty Advisor, Eng. Miguel A. Torres,

DTPW Secretary and keynote speaker, Dr.Benjamn

Colucci, past ITE president and ITE Direcve.

7/27/2019 Vol 27 No 02 2013


ciated with urban planning, in which Klein En-

gineering, PSC has had to seek innovative and

special solutions to address the challenges pre-sented by ield conditions.

After a full day of technical activities, the ITE

student event titled 2013 ITE Trafic Bowl

UPRM was held in the campus. Dr. Ivette

Cruzado, professor in the transportation engi-

neering area at UPRM, hosted the event by tra-

dition, which with her charisma captivated the

audience attention. The objective of this activi-

ty is to join together the students of the Depart-

ment of Civil Engineering and Surveying at

UPRM through an intellectual competition of

topics related to transportation. The winning

team consisted of the undergraduate students

Karib Mar Gonza lez and Carlos Figueroa.

Once the participants were evaluated, the ITE

Student Chapter chose three participants to

represent the Chapter at the upcoming regional

competition "2013 ITE Collegiate Trafic Bowl"

event that was held in June 19-21, 2013 in the

City of Deerield Beach, Florida.

To conclude the 2013 ITE-UPRM

Transportation Week, the event was hon-

ored with the presence of Ms. Emily Morris

representing the company American Mag-

lev. Ms. Morris gave a technical presenta-

tion entitled "Magnetic Levitation Sys-

tems: The Future of Regional Transporta-

tion", which introduced the train technolo-

gy that has been proposed to alleviate traf-

ic congestion between the municipalities of

San Juan and Caguas in Puerto Rico.

Undoubtedly, the diversity of topics and the

presence of high-ranking oficials in the

transportation area at a national and inter-

national level make the 2013 ITE-UPRM

Transportation Week an outstanding event.

The Puerto Rico Transportation Technology

Transfer Center congratulates the ITE Stu-

dent Chapter for their magniicent effort

and dedication to transportation. Congrat-

ulations on a job well done!

Congratulations for a job well done in the 2013 Transportation Week!

Dr. Ricardo Lpez-Rodrguez, Dr. Alberto Figueroa-

Medina, MBA Execuve Director and keynote

speaker, Dr. Didier Valds-Daz, ITE Faculty Advisor

and ITE Direcve.

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Nowadays Atencin Atencin musical grouphas become the most popular and lovedchildren's musical group in Puerto Rico,while they continue gaining acceptance intothe competitive musical and show businessmarket of the United States and Latin

America. This musicalgroup was nominatedfor ive Emmy AwardsSuncoast Chapter andwon the award for BestAudio Post Production in2011.

Supported by a longhistory, Atencin

Atencin musical groupcontinues to harvest suc-cess and working in thedevelopment of originaland ingenious projects

for the beneit of the children. At the sametime, the company constantly bet for Puer-to Rican talent through their productionsand new projects, such as the launch of theirst Puerto Rican children's animated pro-duction. The musical group continues tobuild over time their desire to be a supportto the education of children and tostrengthen family ties through their music.

The Puerto Rico Transportation TechnologyTransfer Center family congratulatesAtencin Atencin for all its support andcommitment with the Decade of Action forRoad Safety 2011-2020 to help save livesencouraging the values to the children. Con-

gratulations for a job well done on prepar-ing with high moral values our future gen-eration of professionals!For more information regarding thisinitiative, visit the website atwww.facebook.com/decadadeaccion orwww.prltap.org.

Atencin Atencin Friends Saving Lives

During the months of March and April 2013,the Puerto Rico Transportation TechnologyTransfer Center in its commitment to educa-tion and awareness to road safety throughthe Decade of Action for Road Safety: 2011-2020, joined the concert tour Lets Go Danc-ing (Vamos a Bailar) of the childrens musi-

cal group "AtencinAtencin. The concerttour was held in the mu-nicipalities of Manati,Ponce, Mayagez and SanJuan, Puerto Rico.

Atencin Atencin is a mu-sical group dedicated tochildrens education

through the use of musicas a key element forgrowth and learning ofchildren. This group haswon the hearts of thou-sands of children, parents and families withtheir happy and energizing songs that trans-mit educational messages. With their ingen-

ious and amusing format, they became theirst Puerto Rican children's production.Ms. Paula Rivera, Director of AtencinAtencin musical group, supports the Dec-ade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 ini-tiative since its inception. According to Pau-la, these are the values that are taught inthe irst age, the ones that mark life.

Ms. Paula Rivera, Director

Atencin Atencin musical group

Atencin Atencin Musical Group:

Standing: Juanma, Joel, Johnny The Li-

zard, Tito The Little Angel, Mr. Frog, Nel-

son, Joey,Seated: Clara and Vctor

7/27/2019 Vol 27 No 02 2013


On April 29, 2013, the President of

United States of America, Barack

Hussein Obama, conirmed Anthony R.

Foxx, former Mayor of Charlotte, North

Carolina, as the new U.S. Department of

Transportation (DOT) Secretary, who

will replace outgoing Secretary of Trans-

portation Ray LaHood.

With this appointment, Foxx became the

17th and irst Afro-American Secretary of

Transportation. With his new role and

focused in safety as is priority, Foxx will

lead one of the agencies that employ

more that 55,000 professionals andserve all the United States to provide a

fast, safe, eficient, accessible and con-

venient transportation system for a bet-

ter quality of life.

During his role has Charlottes

Major, Foxx has been recog-

nized for his leadership in life

quality improvement programsand eficient and innovative

transportation investments,

such as urban planning

strategies, and road infrastruc-

ture projects like the light rail

expansion and the third runway

at Charlotte Douglas Internation-

al Airport. The Puerto Rico Transporta-

tion Technology Transfer Center family

congratulates and wishes success to

Anthony R. Foxx as the new U.S.

Secretary of Transportation and look

forward to work together to foster a

safe, eficient and eco-friendly trans-

portation system. Congratulations!

Meet the New

U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony R. Foxx

New U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony R. Foxx,

with the President of United States, Barack Hussein Obama

and the outgoing Secretary of Transportation, Ray Lahood,

in the conirmation conference.

Source: www.whitehouse.gov

Anthony R. Foxx, 17th U.S. Secretary of Transpor-

tation and his family, sworn July 2, 2013.

Source: www.dot.gov

7/27/2019 Vol 27 No 02 2013


Future Seminars, Conferences, Symposiums and Webinars

I. Puerto Rico and USVI

A. The Associated General Contractor 40thAnnual Convention

Date: Aug. 29 Sept. 2, 2013Location: Hotel Gran Melia Golf Resort, Ro Grande, Puerto Rico

B. Cost Estimate Workshop

Speaker: Dr. Omar Molina Bas

Date: Sept. 26 & 27, 2013

Location: Mayagez, Puerto Rico

II. Other Conferences and Symposiums

A. 2013 LTAP/TTAP National Conference

Date: Jul. 22-25, 2013Location: Boise, IdahoFor more information visit: www.ltapttap2013boise.com

B. Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Annual Meeting and Exhibit

Date: Aug. 4-7, 2013Location: Sheraton Boston and Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MarylandFor more information visit: www.ite.org

C. LACCEI 2013 Conference

Date: Aug. 14-16,2013Location: Cancu n, MexicoFor more information visit:www.laccei.org

D. Roadway Safety Culture Summit

Date: Aug. 20 & 21, 2013Location: Washington, D.C.For more information visit:www.trb.org

E. International Public Works Congress and Exposition

Date: Aug. 25-28, 2013Location:McCormick Place, Chicago, IllinoisFor more information visit:www.apwa.net

F. IRF Executive Seminar Series: Performance-Based Maintenance

Date: Sept. 15 - 25, 2013Location: Orlando, FloridaFor more information visit: www.irfnews.org

For more information regarding our seminar program in Puerto Rico and USVI and how toregister please contact Grisel Villarubia ([email protected]) or Irmal Franco([email protected]) at (787) 834-6385 or visit our website at www.uprm.edu/prt2.

7/27/2019 Vol 27 No 02 2013


Walking together we will

achieve it!

riding on a motorcycle

7/27/2019 Vol 27 No 02 2013

18/18

EL PUENTE is published by the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Trans-fer Center located at the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying of theUniversity of Puerto Rico at Mayagu ez.

PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATIONTECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERUniversity of Puerto Rico at Mayagu ezDepartment of Civil Engineering and SurveyingCall Box 9000, Mayagu ez, PR 00681

787.834.6385 PHONE787.265.5695 FAX

www.uprm.edu/prt2

EL PUENTE

NEWSLETTER

The opinions, indings or recommendations expressed in this newsletter are those of the Center Director and Editor and do not

necessarily relect the views of the Federal Highway Administration, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public

Works, the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, or the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Public Works.

Benjamn Colucci RosDirector & Edi

Gisela GonzalezProgram Administra

Irmal FrancoAdlin SantosGrisel Villarubia

Administrative Coordinat

Kevin Y. RodrguezEditor Assista

Veronica FelicianoCarlos D. FuentesMarivic HernandezAnne M. Mendez

Students Inte

EL PUENTE Newsletter

VOL. 27, NO. 2, 2013

PR LTAP Center Staff

vol 27 no 02 2013

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