NEWSLETTER

Puente
2020
EL

Volume 34
Number 1

Authorized by the Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections (# CEE-SA-2020-2387)

Puerto Rico LTAP

www. prltap.org
2 PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER • prltap.org

Puente
EL

Vol. 34 No. 1, 2020

CONTENTS PAGES

Pages 4-5
Message from the Director 3

2020 Transportation Research Board (TRB)

Washington, D.C.— Experience and Impact 4-5
of UPRM Eisenhower Recipients
STEP’s Spectacular 7 training in Puerto Rico
and its Importance to Our Strategic Highway 6-7
Safety Plan (SHSP)

Pages 6-7
UPRM part of UTC’s National Institute for
8
Congestion Reduction (NICR)

Congratulations Fernando A. Acosta Perez!

Eisenhower Recipient UPRM for his
9
Publication of 2020 Transportation Research
Board 99th Annual Meeting

Know your Instructor:

10
Dr. Didier M. Valdes Díaz Page 8

Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020

11
Commit to Saving Lives Today

Vol. 34 No. 1, 2020

The Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center, PRLTAP/T2, is part of a network of 52 Centers throughout the
United States that comprises of a Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and one National Tribal Technical Assistance
Program (TTAP). The mission of the PRLTAP/T2 Center is to provide training and technical assistance to local transportation
officials in the 78 municipalities that comprises the Government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Department of
Transportation and Public Works with emphasis on promoting highway safety and implementing the Every Day Counts (EDC)
initiatives of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
 prltap.org • EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.34 NO. 1, 2020 3

w Message from the Director

elcome to our first edition of the thirty-fourth anniversary of El Puente
Newsletter! Three articles of interest to our local transportation officials are
presented: Transportation Research Board (TRB), STEP initiative within the Strategic
Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), and National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR).

The 2020 Transportation Research Board

(TRB) Experience in Washington, D.C., highlights the events and impacts
where UPRM’s Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
Program recipients and their mentors participated in the 99th Annual
Meeting held on January 12—16, 2020.

The second article, STEP’s Spectacular 7 training in Puerto Rico and its Importance to Our Strategic Highway Safety
Plan (SHSP), provides an overview of Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) FHWA’s EDC-5 initiative and
how it can assist us to fulfill the performance goals adopted and documented in the Puerto Rico SHSP: 2019-2023.
Pedestrian safety is a priority for transportation officials in Puerto Rico. There’s a need to effectively address the
alarming rate of pedestrian fatalities in the island which accounted for 34% of all traffic fatalities between 2014 and
2018. This edition of the newsletter El Puente, will highlight the “Spectacular 7” safety treatments and will complete
the series in the next edition describing the STEP Studio, a comprehensive compilation of resources, design
guidance, research, and best practices for practitioners to identify appropriate countermeasures designed and
chosen to improve pedestrian safety.

The T2 staff congratulates Dr. Alberto M. Figueroa-Medina, PI at UPRM of the USDOT grant awarded to the University of
South Florida (USF) to establish the National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR). We are grateful to be partners
with NICR in the technology transfer component as well as co-PI of the drones initiative which is also an EDC initiative.
For this reason, the third article, UPRM Part of UTC’s National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR), is highlighted
in this edition of El Puente. NICR’s mission focuses on congestion reduction through the identification of multimodal
solutions for the surface transportation system, and on strategies to enhance urban and rural traffic management.

The fourth article recognizes Fernando A. Acosta Pérez, Dwight David Eisenhower Recipient of the UPRM for his
outstanding publication at the 2020 TRB Annual Meeting, exploring the ability of machine learning models to predict
events that affect the operation of paratransit systems.

Our last section, Know your Instructor, recognizes the research, academic, and workforce development achievements of
Dr. Didier M. Valdés Díaz, Transportation Engineering Professor of the Civil Engineering and Surveying Department at
UPRM and instructor of our seminar program. Welcome to the T2 family of excellent instructors!

I hope these articles will be of interest in our commitment to share emerging innovative safety technologies,
accomplishments of our students and professors in the transportation area and in our goal to provide safer roads to present
and future road users of Puerto Rico.
Benjamín Colucci Ríos
4 PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER • prltap.org

2020 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Washington, D.C.

Experience and Impact of UPRM Eisenhower Recipients

I
n January 12th to the 16th of 2020, the Transportation attention went to the presentations, but the three of us
Research Board (TRB) held the 99th Annual Meeting were able to explore beyond TRB. We saw major
of A Century of Progress: Foundation for the Future, at monuments and museums in Washington, D.C. that
the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in helped us better understand the culture and traditions.”
Washington, D.C.
- Ariana Carrasquillo
For the past 25 years, students from the University of
“From January 12 to 16 of 2020, I participated in the
Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM) and recipients of the
Transportation Research Board (TRB) 99th Annual
Eisenhower Scholarship have participated in this great
Meeting, as part of the Dwight David Eisenhower
event which gathers the best and brightest transportation
Transportation Fellowship Program. This experience was
professionals worldwide. It included discussions
quite unique. I was selected to present a Technical Poster
pertinent to researchers, practitioners, industry,
on the research conducted for the fellowship: Risk Based
academic institutions, administrators, policy makers and
Design of Waterways for Highway Drainage. I presented
representatives of government, covering over 5,000
both in Spanish and English which was a great
technical presentations, and nearly 800 sessions and
opportunity to further polish the interpersonal skills and
workshops. The experience and impact of our UPRM
meet professionals interested in my study area. Overall,
Eisenhower recipients in TRB is highlighted herein.
the 2020 TRB Meeting truly impacted me, to see the
UPRM Eisenhower Recipients’ TRB Experience
“This year, I had the opportunity to participate in the 99th
Transportation Research Board along with three other
students due to the Dwight David Eisenhower
Transportation Fellowship. It was a wonderful adventure
full of meetings, networks, and presentations. Although
the schedule was a little bit tight, I don’t regret a single
thing. I learned so much about the field of transportation
and how it is progressing, technologically speaking.
Specially, in the booths where companies proved their
latest advances and what they have to offer to students, as
well as to the professionals. Most of our time and

magnitude of professionals interested in the
transportation field and how all the different disciplines
are integrated to accomplish a single goal as well as the
exchange of knowledge that took place in the event and
its importance for a better world.”
- Xavier Babilonia Torres
“My experience in TRB changed the way I viewed my
professional career. Since day one, opportunities for a
future in the area of transportation were opening. For the
first time, I visited the city of Washington, D.C. and its one
of the most marvelous cities I’ve ever known. This was
one of the best opportunities I’ve been able to enjoy as a
UPRM student.” - Natacha Cardona Rodriguez
prltap.org • EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.34 NO. 1, 2020 5
“As part of being a recipient of the Dwight D. Eisenhower
fellowship, I had the honor of participating in the
Transportation Research Board 99th Annual Meeting from
January 12 to 16 of 2020. The most amazing thing about
this trip was to meet transportation professionals in the
area that I love. I received technical materials & products
which will help me complete my project. Seeing other
magnificent works gave me ideas for future projects.”
- Edgardo Concepción
As part of TRB 2020, Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of the
United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)
was the keynote speaker at the TRB Chair’s Luncheon.
Secretary Chao announced a new initiative associated
with Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) known as AV 4.0. This
initiative has the potential to increase safety in our
transportation system and reduce human error that is
associated with the alarming fatality rate in the U.S.
We also learned about the Partnership with the Analytics
Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) —a data-sharing
partnership between the government and private
sector— is part of this initiative that has the potential to
expand to almost 70% of the motor vehicle market.
Finally, another takeaway was the new pilot program to
deploy vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure
communication, known as vehicle-to-everything (V2X)
communication, highlighting its importance in assisting
emergency response vehicles and transit vehicles along
with related infrastructure with V2X technology.
6 PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER
STEP’s Spectacular 7 training in Puerto Rico and its
Importance to Our Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)
O
n December 2019, a training session about
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian
(STEP) and the Spectacular 7 was offered in
Puerto Rico.
What is STEP?
STEP is an initiative created by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) as part of the fifth round of
Every Day Counts (EDC) that promotes the “Systemic
application of cost-effective countermeasures with
known safety benefits to help reduce pedestrian
fatalities at both uncontrolled and signalized crossing
locations.”
STEP was chosen to address an alarming 72%
pedestrian fatalities in non-intersections.
Why Puerto Rico?
In Puerto Rico, the percentage of pedestrian fatalities
represented 34% of all traffic fatalities between 2014
and 2018. All highways should be designed with the
premise that there will be pedestrians since they are
legitimate users of the transportation system and
should be included as design users able to cross the
street safely.
Puerto Rico
Pedestrian Fatalities in Puerto Rico and U.S. 1997-2018 (Source: FARS)
• prltap.org
Pedestrian performance goals of the Puerto Rico
Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP): 2019-2023 are
to reduce the 5-year moving average of pedestrian
fatalities from 100 to 92 within the next 5 years; and to
reduce the 5-year moving average of pedestrian serious
injuries from 311 to 277 within the next 5 years.
The STEP workshop addressed the primary reasons
why the Spectacular 7 should be implemented in
Puerto Rico:
1. All of us are pedestrians, even if we only travel a
block or from a parked motor vehicle to the
entrance of a building.
2. The disabled, people who can’t afford a motor
vehicle, children and those too young to drive;
others simply choose not to drive.
3. Other modes of transportation depend on walking
and virtually all transit trips begin and end with a
walking trip.
4. It’s good for business, restaurants, retail stores,
passive parks, town square and neighborhood
parks.
5. Research studies have shown that investment in
pedestrian and bicycle facilities result in economic
benefit for individuals, business, and communities.
United States
 prltap.org • EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.34 NO. 1, 2020 7

STEP’s Spectacular 7 6. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) are a

combination between a flashing beacon and a full
These are innovative safety countermeasures proposed
pedestrian signal that gives control to pedestrians to
by FHWA as part of EDC-5 STEP’s initiative aimed at
stop vehicles in a high-speed multilane road.
improving pedestrian safety nationwide:
1. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)
are active (user-actuated) or passive (automated
detection) LEDs that flash in an irregular pattern to
alert drivers to assume a yielding behavior at mid-
blocks or uncontrolled crossing areas. These
significantly increase driver yielding behavior.
2. Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) at
intersections allows pedestrians to walk usually
between 3 to 4 seconds before motor vehicles get a
green light. LPI increases visibility of pedestrian,
reduces likelihood of collisions, and warns drivers
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon in San Juan, Puerto Rico
to yield with time.
Source: http://prltap.org/eng/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Module-
3. Crosswalk Visibility Enhancements, such as 10-9-Proven-Countermeasures-presentaci%C3%B3n.pdf
markings on pavement and larger light reflecting
signs will assist drivers in detecting pedestrians, 7. Road Diets, also known as roadway
particularly at night. reconfiguration, gives the opportunity to create new
pedestrian facilities such as pedestrian crossing/refuge
islands, as well as reduce the number of lanes that
pedestrians cross as well as motor vehicle speeds.
STEP’s Spectacular 7 can be effectively implemented in
Puerto Rico by raising awareness with well-designed,
educational campaigns and help us with our ultimate
goal to move towards zero deaths (TZD).

4. Raised Crosswalks serve as speed reducers for

vehicles through its bright markings and elevated
ground.
5. Pedestrian Crossing/Refuge Islands provide a safe
stopping point for pedestrians crossing multilane
roads, assisting particularly pedestrians with limited
mobility.
Adapted from: www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/
everydaycounts/edc_5/step2.cfm
8 PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER
UPRM part of UTC’s National Institute
for Congestion Reduction (NICR)
I
n June of 2019, the University of South Florida
(USF) won a $7.5 million grant from the United
States Department of Transportation (US-DOT) for
the purpose of establishing a University Transportation
Center (UTC). The USF proposal was selected from
among 50 others that competed for two national UTC
grants looking to advance research and educational
program that addresses critical transportation
challenges in the United States.
The new UTC is named National Institute for
Congestion Reduction or NICR, and is composed by a
consortium of four (4) universities: University of South
Florida (lead university) and its Center for Urban
Transportation Research (CUTR), Texas A&M
University and its Texas A&M Transportation Institute
(TTI), the University of California at Berkeley, and the
University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM).
Congratulations to Dr. Alberto Figueroa-Medina, PI
representing UPRM and the researchers from Civil and
Industrial Engineering, and the Economics Department
that serve as Co-PIs in the research projects approved
for the first year.
NICR will focus on congestion reduction through the
identification of multimodal solutions for the surface
transportation system. TTI’s Urban Mobility Report
indicates the level of congestion in 2017 for the
Metropolitan Area of San Juan represented 58 hours of
delay annually per each auto commuter, the 24th
highest measure in the United States. TTI researchers
emphasize it is urgent for the nation to develop and
bear fruit.
Traffic Technology Today describes NICR as, “a
program [that] seeks to emerge as a national leader in
providing multimodal congestion reduction strategies
through real-world deployments that make use of
advances in technology, big data science and innovative
transportation options.”
• prltap.org
Source: https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/usf-receives-75-
million-form-transportation-center
Dr. Robert Bertini, NICR Director, expressed to WUSF
News that “one of the best ways to learn about public
transportation is to use it when you travel to other
places.“ Dr. Bertini stated that the “congestion charge”
policy implemented on London, U.K. for drivers of
motor vehicles headed into the city center is one
strategy to study to encourage people to take public
transportation and reduce congestion.
NICR’s research program will focus on strategies that
improve urban/rural traffic management, using new
mobility platforms to reduce congestion, transit
incentives in the face of new alternatives, congestion
reduction methods for freeway corridors, and
ultimately provide options for improved
mobility for all road users of bicycles
and e-scooters or walking. NICR’s
program will be centered on:
1. Provide funds for students, research
opportunities, and outreach to the
community.
2. Finding the best innovative
solutions for transportation
agencies and private companies.
This article was adapted using the following
sources:
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/usf-
receives-75-million-form-transportation-center
https://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news/
appointments/university-of-south-florida-
becomes-latest-usdot-transportation-research-
center.html
 prltap.org • EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.34 NO. 1, 2020 9

Congratulations Fernando A. Acosta Pérez!

Eisenhower Recipient UPRM for his Publication of
2020 Transportation Research Board 99th Annual Meeting

D
wight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship “From the academic point of view and as a student with a desire
Program (DDETFP) recipient, Fernando A. Acosta to enter the academy professionally, this achievement has
Pérez from the University of Puerto Rico at allowed me to present my research work to the transportation
Mayagüez (UPRM), published a paper titled “Predictive scientific community. Having the opportunity to present my
Analytics for No-Shows and Cancellations for Paratransit work at the TRB conference, one of the most prominent forums
Operations”. The paper was presented at the Transportation in the area of transportation, motivates me to continue working
Research Board’s 99th Annual Meeting held in Washington, to positively contribute to society by seeing how my work can
D.C., in January 2020. Acosta is a fourth year industrial serve to inspire others around the world. I am very grateful for
engineering student working a research project under the all the tools and resources provided by the Eisenhower
mentorship of Dr. Daniel Rodríguez Román, professor from the Transportation Fellowship Program that allowed me to extend
Civil Engineering and Transportation Area at UPRM. The paper my research and present it in Washington, D.C. Without a doubt,
is co-authored by Gabriel E. Rodríguez Ortiz, Everson Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program encourages you
Rodríguez Muñiz and Fernando J. Ortiz Sacarello, as a student and from a constructive point of view, helps you to
undergraduate students of the Department of Computer Science be a better researcher.” — Fernando A. Acosta Pérez\
and Engineering at UPRM, and Dr. Jee Eun Kang, Assistant
Professor at the University at Buffalo. The research project was
funded by the Transportation Informatics University
Transportation Center.

The research aims to explore the ability of machine learning

models to predict events that affect the operation of paratransit
systems where users coordinate their trips by pre-booking (i.e.,
at least 24 hours before their trip). Specifically, the researchers
studied whether machine learning models can predict which
reservations will result in trips and which will not. In addition,
the researchers examined how the models can be applied to As Eisenhower Program Manager of the UPR at Mayagüez, a
predict daily travel demand in paratransit systems. Using data Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), I congratulate you for your
from the Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority (MBA), research accomplishments at an early age of your professional
Fernando and his co-authors demonstrated that machine learning career. I wish you the best in your professional journey and hope
models can correctly predict the outcome of a reservation in you will pursue a career in the transportation engineering area to
79% of cases and can predict daily travel demand with an error assist us in these exciting decades of transformation of emerging
of 7.5%. If similar results are found in other systems, this study alternative modes of transportation with Mobility as a Service
suggests that machine-learning models are tools that public (MaaS), equity, intelligent cities, and Autonomous Vehicles
transportation agencies can apply to design and implement (AVs) being in the forefront of these initiatives.
strategies that have the potential to reduce costs and maximize Congratulations!
the productivity of their services. As an example, the models
Benjamín Colucci Ríos
could be used to optimize vehicle routes and coordinate
UPR Mayagüez Program Manager
reminder calls for paratransit users.
Dwight David Transportation Fellowship Program
10 PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER •
Know Your Instructor:
Dr. Didier M. Valdés Díaz
D
idier M. Valdés Díaz was born in Santa Marta,
Colombia. He earned his Bachelor of Science in
Civil Engineering (BSCE) from
Colombia University in Bogotá, Colombia, a Master of
Science in Traffic and Transportation Engineering from El
Cauca University in Popayán, Colombia, and a PhD from the
University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Valdés is a Professor of the Civil Engineering and
Surveying Department of the University of Puerto Rico at
Mayagüez (UPRM), former Associate Dean of Academic
Affairs, Director of Graduate Studies, and Special Assistant
to UPRM Chancellor, Dr. John Fernández Van Cleve.
In the Transportation Engineering field, Dr. Valdés is an
internationally recognized researcher and
Investigator of the University Transportation Center (UTC)
SAFER-SIM Safety Research using Driving Simulation at
UPRM. This research project, funded by the USDOT
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA),
has provided opportunities for undergraduate and graduate
students to pursue research in areas associated with traffic
operations and safety in freeway corridors, school zones,
distracted driving using GPS, alcohol and workload effects
on driving performance, among other emerging research
areas in the transportation field.
Dr. Valdés is the former UPRM representative of the Board
of Directors of the University Transportation Research
Center (UTRC) Region 2 and has collaborated with other
universities on the consortium on research and educational
projects. Dr. Valdés and his collaborators have also worked
on the development of two (2) innovative prototypes
associated with mobile and tablet applications that will
streamline the administration and inspection processes of
highway construction projects that are considered a priority
by the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public
Works (DTPW) and its Highway and Transportation
prltap.org
Authority (HTA). Dr. Valdés has worked with proposals
associated with the analysis of future Diverging Diamond
La Gran Interchanges. Dr. Valdés has been working at UPRM on
education, research and community service activities, with
vast academic research experience on the national and
international level including National Institute for Congestion
Reduction (NICR). He has worked in innovative projects in
transportation for the Authority for Public-Private
Partnerships, the Authority for Financing Infrastructure and
the Highway and Transportation Authority.
In initiatives aimed to motivate students to pursue a career in
transportation, Dr. Valdés is the pioneer in Puerto Rico in
establishing the Summer Transportation Institute sponsored
by FHWA. High school students are trained and mentored in
Principal
transportation related topics using hands-on workshops, field
trips, and group projects using driving simulation. This
summer experience has the potential to inspire students to
consider transportation as their professional career.
Dr. Valdés has chaired or has been a member of departmental
and institutional committees; has served as a member of
several professional organizations- Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE), Transportation Research Board (TRB),
American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), TRB
New Public Transportation Systems and Technology
Committee, and Highway Capacity Committee. He has
published his research in professional journals of the TRB
and Journal of Advance Transportation, LACCEI and has
presented at international conferences. At the T2 Center, Dr.
Valdés has taught Human Factors in Highway Safety with the
use of Driving Simulation as an Innovative Tool in the
Analysis and Evaluation of the Drivers in Highway Systems.
The Transportation Technology Transfer Center, T2
welcomes Dr. Valdés to our program and is proud for all his
contributions to the transportation community in the area of
traffic operations, traffic safety, and human factors.
 prltap.org • EL PUENTE NEWSLETTER VOL.34 NO. 1, 2020 11

Together we can save millions of lives!

I, ___________________________, pledge to do my part to help save lives on the road.
I pledge to:
____ 1. Not text while driving.

____ 2. Obey the traffic laws applicable to drivers.

____ 3. Comply with the speed limits.

____ 4. Pass the key if I am under the influence of alcohol.

____ 5. Have no distractions while driving a motor vehicle.

____ 6. Share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

____ 7. Always fasten my safety belt.

____ 8. Require my vehicle occupants to always buckle the safety belt.

____ 9. Always buckle my children with a safety belt.

____ 10. Use the protective safety devices while on a motorcycle,

bicycle or motor vehicle.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Luis A. Señeriz Foundation

http://prltap.org/

Traffic Safety Automobile Accident

Commission Compensation Administration
 PRLTAP/T2 Center Staff
PUERTO RICO TRANSPORTATON TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER CENTER
Director & Editor
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying Benjamín Colucci-Ríos
Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, PR 00681
Editor Assistants
787.834.6385 PHONE Natalia A. Alzate-Pérez
787.265.5695 FAX
Emily M. Silva-Brenes
www.prltap.org
Administrative Staff

Puente
EL
Irmalí Franco-Ramírez
Ciara Toro-Rosario
Grisel Villarubia-Echevarría

Student Support
Marhía A. Pérez-Martell

El Puente Newsletter
Vol. 34, No. 1, 2020

EL PUENTE is published by the Puerto Rico Transportation Technology Transfer Center at

the Civil Engineering and Surveying Department of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez.

The opinions, findings or recommendations expressed in this edition of the El Puente newsletter are those of the Center Director and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Highway Administration, the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works or the
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority.

Puerto Rico LTAP