MSC Abstracts Transportation - Engg

MSc Theses Abstract
Master of Science in Transportation Engineering
Published by
Center for Applied Research and Development (CARD)

2013
Copyright 2013, Center for Applied Research and
Development (CARD)
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Master of Science in Transportation Engineering CARD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Graduation Year 2012

S. N. Thesis Title Submitted by Page
No.
1. STUDY OF MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC AMIT KUMAR 1
STREAM CHARACTERISTICS IN SHRESTHA
KATHMANDU VALLEY
2. EFFECT OF FINES CONTENT ON ASHIS THAPA 3
STRENGTH BEHAVIOR OF PAVEMENTS MAGAR
BASE MATERIALS
3. NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF BABU RAM 5
ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT IN PAUDEL
AIRFIELDS: A CASE STUDY OF
TRIBHUVAN INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
4. ESTIMATION OF WORK TRIP MODE BINAYA RAI 7
CHOICE MODEL FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT
RIDES IN KATHMANDU VALLEY
5. MODELING PEDESTRIANS' BEHAVIOR BISHNU PRASAD 9
AT ROAD CROSSINGS: A CASE STUDY DEVKOTA
IN KATHMANDU
6. ANALYSIS OF MOTORCYCLE BUDDHA 11
ACCIDENT COST BY WILLINGNESS TO MAHARJAN
PAY METHOD - A CASE STUDY FOR
KATHMANDU VALLEY
7. MINIMUM TRAFFIC THRESHOLD FOR SAGAR RAM 13
RURAL ROAD UPGRADATION: A CASE NEPAL
STUDY OF TERAI ROAD
8. AIR TRAVEL DEMAND MODELING FOR SATYA RAM 15
NEPAL DUWAL
9. SIGNAL OPTIMIZATION AT ISOLATED SUNIL KHYAJU 17
INTERSECTION BY USING PRE-SIGNAL:
A CASE STUDY ON KESHAR MAHAL
INTERSECTION
10. ESTIMATION OF PAVEMENT LAYER SUSHIL BABU 19
MODULI AND DISPLACEMENTS BASED DHAKAL
ON OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES
USING NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST DATE
MSc Theses Abstract


11. COBBLE PAVEMENT AN ALTERNATIVE BIKASH 21
PAVEMENT OPTION FOR RURAL ROAD MAHARJAN
IN NEPAL
12. DEVELOPMENT OF TRIP GENERATION LAXMI DHAKAL 23
MODEL: A CASE STUDY OF ZONES
INSIDE THE RING ROAD
13. PREDICTION OF PERIODIC MAHESH 25
MAINTENANCE OF BITUMINOUS MAHARJAN
ROADS
14. SUITABLE TEST OF COARSE RISHAB KHANAL 27
AGGREGATES FOR PAVEMENT
CONSTRUCTION FROM TWENTY-FIVE
QUARRIES OF CENTRAL REGION OF
NEPAL
15. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF LOW SHALIGRAM 29
VOLUME ROAD: A CASE STUDY OF DEVKOTA
KALANKI GHYAMPEDOL
BADVANGYANG ROAD
MSc Theses Abstract

Thesis Title: STUDY OF MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC

STREAM CHARACTERISTICS IN
KATHMANDU VALLEY
Submitted by: Amit Kumar Shrestha
Supervisor: Mr. Anil Marsani, Dr. Thusitha Chandani
Shahi
ABSTRACT
This paper mainly presents motorcycle traffic stream
characteristics of Kathmandu Valley. Traffic problems are
common in city areas however the type and extent of problems
are diverse in developed countries and developing countries.
Most of the developed countries are facing four wheelers
problems whereas developing countries are facing two wheelers
problems. Though much knowledge about traffic characteristics
was acknowledged, very little attention has been paid regarding
motorcycle. This study will address a comprehensive analysis of
motorcycle behavior and operation through videotaping of some
roads that have significant motorcycle proportion.
In this paper, three locations Old buspark to Bhadrakali (1),

Shital Niwas to Maharajgunj (2), Kalimati to Tankeshwor (3) in
MSc Theses Abstract 1

Kathmandu Valley have been used to meet criteria for data

collection mixed traffic, one way roadways and two way
roadways. Traffic composition, Vehicle arrival modeling, Speed
modeling and time headway modeling were developed. Speed
flow relationship, speed density relationship and flow density
relationship were developed for all locations, in which the
adjustment factor for the present of vehicles other than
motorcycle was based on motorcycle equivalent unit. Statistical
analyses of the empirical data were utilized to demonstrate the
characteristics of motorcycle speed, time headway regarding to
traffic flow. The preliminary model was developed to relate the
motorcycle lane capacity with lane width.
The finding obtains from this study may be used to develop

capacity and level of service model of motorcycle lane, design
procedure of motorcycle lane, new procedures for Highway
Capacity Manual (HCM), which adapt developing countries as
well as provide the data needed to develop a motorcycle
simulation model.
Keywords: Motorcycle traffic; Mixed traffic; Vehicle arrival

modeling; Speed modeling; Headway modeling; Motorcycle
lane; Speed - flow relationship; Traffic characteristics.

Thesis Title: EFFECT OF FINES CONTENT ON

STRENGTH BEHAVIOR OF
PAVEMENTS BASE MATERIALS
Submitted by: Ashis Thapa Magar
Supervisor: Prof. Gautam Bir Singh Tamrakar
ABSTRACT
The quality of a base material can significantly alter the lifespan
of the pavement that it supports. Most specifications for base
materials require that the plasticity index (P. I.) of the passing
No. 40 portion of the mix be no greater than 6% and that the
liquid limit be no greater than 25%.
The quantity and types of fines (materials finer than 75 (m)

have major influence on performance of an unbound aggregate
road base. The quality of fines is controlled by plasticity index
(PI) and liquid limit LL. This thesis describes an investigation
into the influence of fines content and types on the strength
behavior of aggregate base. The fines investigated were 0%, 5%,
10%, 15% and 20%, the fines has PI values 0% and 19%.
The results of the investigation indicate that;

A peak value of maximum dry density was increased as the fines
content of the mixture increased and maximum dry density has a

peak value at 10% fines content for stone dust and maximum dry
density peaks at 5% fines content for clay.
The variation in soaked CBR with increase in fines content

follows a pattern similar to that observed for maximum dry
density. Mixture containing non-plastic (stone dust) fines and
plastic fine (red clay) has a peak CBR value at 8% and 6.5%
fines.
For the soil aggregate mix with fines 0% and 5.0%, the fines to
sand ratio (i.e. 75 m/2.36 mm) is less than 0.20; therefore the
mix is unstable and permeable. For remaining soil aggregate as
the fines to sand ratio lie between 0.20 and 0.60, the mix is stable
and less permeable.
Department of Roads, Nepal permits the fines content to range

from 2% - 10%, the minimum soaked CBR 80%. Mixture
containing 0% and 20% fines does not meet the specification.
Mixture containing 2% - 15% non plastic fines and 2% - 12.5%
plastic fines meet the DoR specification.
Key Words: Fines, Road-base, Plasticity, CBR

Thesis Title: NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF

ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT IN
AIRFIELDS: A CASE STUDY OF
TRIBHUVAN INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Submitted by: Babu Ram Paudel
Supervisor: Prof. Gautam Bir Singh Tamrakar, Dr.
Biswa R. S. Shahi
ABSTRACT
Various types of structural evaluation of the asphalt concrete
pavement can be done to find the structural capacity of the
pavement. These are broadly divided into two categories. The
first is a destructive test (DT) and second a non-destructive test
(NDT). The NDTs have become popular as a result of the recent
development of sophisticated equipment for these tests. The non-
destructive tests are fast, cost-effective and do not hamper the
functional requirement of the pavement. On the other hand, the
destructive tests are costly, time-consuming and disrupt the
operational requirement of the pavement.
The widely used non-destructive test are the Benkelman Beam

(BB) Deflection and the Falling Weight Deflectometer. These are
used to assess the existing structural capacity and the remaining

structural fatigue life of the asphalt concrete pavement. The most

suitable equipment for the asphalt concrete pavement evaluation
of airports is the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). The BB
deflection data have been analyzed to determine the present
performance of the pavement of the runway and taxiway
pavements.
In this thesis, the existing condition of the pavement has been

evaluated as a design review by using Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Software FAARFIELD. The computer
program KENPAVE has been used to calculate the deflections,
stress and strains of the flexible pavements of the runway and
taxiways. Further, the remaining structural fatigue life span of
the pavement is found to be 4.7 years.
Keywords: Benkelman Beam (BB), Falling Weight

Deflectometer (FWD), back calculation, KENPAVE, Pavement
Structural Evaluation.

Thesis Title: ESTIMATION OF WORK TRIP MODE

CHOICE MODEL FOR PUBLIC
TRANSIT RIDES IN KATHMANDU
VALLEY
Submitted by: Binaya Rai
Supervisor: Mr. Anil Marsani, Mr, Saroj Pradhan
ABSTRACT
Kathmandu Valley is considered one of the most densely
populated areas in the Nepal. The lack of efficient application of
transportation planning process leads to deficiency in adopting
the suitable transport policies to mitigate the transportation
problems resulting from urbanization and rapid increase of
population. The mode choice model is probably the most
important element in transportation planning and policy making.
The aim of this study is to develop mode choice model for work
trips in Kathmandu Valley and therefore investigating the factors
that affect the employed people's choice for public transport
modes. The revealed preference mode choice models were
developed using about 400 questionnaires out of 598 valid
questionnaires and rest l/3rd of questionnaires were used to
validate the chosen models.

The results of this research show that the factors that

significantly affect the choice of transport modes for the model
are: in vehicle travel time, waiting time, ration of total cost by
personal income, age and person monthly income. The calibrated
model as illustrated in the results are able to predict the choice
behaviour for public transit riders who are employed people in
Kathmandu valley and found to be valid at 95% confidence level.
This study can be used by transportation planners to predict the

employed people's behaviour who are riders of public transit and
helpful for planning public transit system of Kathmandu valley.
Keywords : Modal Spilt, Disaggregate Model, Multinomial Logit

Model, Maximum Likelihood, Public Transit

Thesis Title: MODELING PEDESTRIANS' BEHAVIOR

AT ROAD CROSSINGS: A CASE STUDY
IN KATHMANDU
Submitted by: Bishnu Prasad Devkota
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Padma Bahadur Shahi
ABSTRACT
The various pedestrian facilities provide segregation of the
pedestrian traffic from the vehicular flow, thereby increasing the
perceived safety. In order to provide such facilities, it is essential
to know the behavior of pedestrians. It is, as a study in
Kathmandu, the problems regarding behavioral aspects of
pedestrians are formulated using a mathematical model.
Data are collected at eight locations in Kathmandu, including am
and pm, peak hour and off-hour. These locations are selected
based on the frequency of occurring accidents and having similar
traffic flow characteristics. Combined survey, including
observational and interview method is adopted at mid-block un-
controlled crossings. Randomly selected 400 pedestrians were
observed for their waiting time and he/she was asked with a set
of questions including their age, gender, marital status, have
children at home, crossing frequency, in group or individual
during cross, access to private vehicle, destination, involve or

witness to pedestrian accidents, education level. The SDI survey

was conducted for all eight locations.
In order to study the behavior of pedestrians, 'Cox Proportional

Hazards Model' was calibrated. The significance variables have
selected based on Likelihood Ratios and theory of Probability.
The research was concluded with two set of predictors. One
suggests pedestrians are likely to accept higher risk and cease
their waiting time (male pedestrians, pedestrians crossing in
group, pedestrians going to work and well educated pedestrians)
and another suggests lowering the risk and extending their
waiting (older pedestrians, past involvement or witness in
pedestrian accidents, access to private vehicles) at pedestrian
crossings. Pedestrian oriented training classes along with
enforcement by traffic law to the drivers on public vehicles and
educational programs for pedestrians through mass media are
recommended as policy implications.
Keywords: Pedestrians; Road Crossings; Safety; Cox

Proportional Hazard Model; Policy Implications

Thesis Title: ANALYSIS OF MOTORCYCLE

ACCIDENT COST BY WILLINGNESS
TO PAY METHOD - A CASE STUDY
FOR KATHMANDU VALLEY
Submitted by: Buddha Maharjan
Supervisor: Mr. Anil Marsani, Mr. Saroj Pradhan
ABSTRACT
In fiscal year 2010/11 the 8656 number of vehicles involved in
accident with 171 number of fatalities, 553 number of the severe
injury and 3632 number of minor injuries in Kathmandu Valley.
Out of this 77 fatalities are of the motorcycle users and
involvement of motorcycle on crash is about 45% out of total
crash. Besides that 75% of Registered vehicle in the Kathmandu
valley is Motorcycle which also tends to increase the probability
of motorcycle accident. To address the road safety problem, it is
essential to understand accident costs which is related to
motivation and awareness. If the cost can be visualized in some
ways, it would provide motivation to handle the question in an
adequate manner that is by the provision of the necessary
legislation, organization, funding etc.
In this study Willingness-to-Pay method (WTP) is applied to

evaluate the motorcycle accident cost. Willingness-to-Pay

method (WTP) method or the value of risk change is used to

estimate the value that individuals would pay for reducing the
risk of loss of life. The Contingent Valuation (CV) approach is
adopted in this study to determine the WTP. The questionnaire
survey was designed to determine the amount of money that each
motorcycle user would pay to reduce the risk of loss of life from
motorcycle accident. In this study, a total of 400 motorcycle
users in Kathmandu valley were interviewed. Besides that the
study also evaluates how socio-economic characteristics and
Riding behavior affects the willing to pay of motorcyclist to
avoid crash involvement and risk of death.
The result shows that the gender, occupation, household income,

household number, Riding Frequency, Riding against traffic,
accident experience and the behavior of alcohol-impaired riding
are the significant factors affecting the willingness to pay of
motorcycle riders to reduce the fatality risk. The gender,
Education, occupation, income, household number, accident
experience and the behavior of alcohol-impaired riding are the
significant factors affecting the willingness to pay of motorcycle
users to reduce the severe injury risk.

Thesis Title: MINIMUM TRAFFIC THRESHOLD FOR

RURAL ROAD UPGRADATION: A CASE
STUDY OF TERAI ROAD
Submitted by: Sagar Ram Nepal
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rabindra Nath Shrestha, Mr.
Kamal Raj Shrestha
ABSTRACT
Road infrastructure is an important sector of economic activity
for the development of a country. The road infrastructure is
required to be maintained in proper condition to ensure its
continuous utilization in proper manner. By proper maintenance
of roads continuous acceptability is achieved but also at the same
time a higher economy, safety and serviceability is gained. The
decision-making process for the development and maintenance
of low-volume rural roads suffers from the lack of an economic
evaluation tool customized for this type of roads. For the
optimum resource allocation in rural road by local government
agency, traffic threshold is very important indicator for decision
maker in policy level. The main objective of this study is to
ascertain the traffic threshold for rural road upgradation. By
using Road Economic Design (RED) model the traffic threshold
is ascertained for upgrading rural road in Teria region. Study has
shown that traffic threshold for rural road upgradation in Nepal

from earthen to bituminous premix carpet is 369 AADT with

traffic composition of Motorcycle (59%), Car (5%), Utility
Vehicle (14%), Bus Medium (7%), Truck Light (5%) and Truck
Medium (10%).

Thesis Title: AIR TRAVEL DEMAND MODELING

FOR NEPAL
Submitted by: Satya Ram Duwal
Supervisor: Dr. Purushotam Dangol, Prof. Padma
Bahadur Khadka
ABSTRACT
Air transport in Nepal remains the most reliable means for
domestic and international linkage given the geographical
location and topography of the country. This requires large
infrastructural facilities like airports. Modeling air travel demand
has rapidly emerged as a major issue in view of the mammoth
growth in air travel in Nepal. The importance of air travel
demand and its variation with time, together with the emergence
of new policies, emphasize the need to develop accurate air
travel demand models. This present study is undertaken to
develop an air travel demand model for Nepal. Different
Modeling techniques like Econometric modeling, Time series
modeling and a combination of both have been used to forecast
the air travel demand. In view of the large demand of air
transport in Nepal and the congestion at existing Kathmandu TIA
airport, there has been a proposal for second international airport
in Pokhara, Kaski district. At this juncture the traveler would
have an option to choose between two airports, assuming that

similar airlines fly from both the airports. An airport choice

model has been developed to study the behaviour of international
air travelers, with regard to different attributes like access time to
the airport, announced delay at the airport and new airport
charges. The data required for the airport choice model has been
obtained by conducting a Stated Preference (SP) survey at the
existing international airport. The SP experiment will be a choice
experiment and Regression technique will be used to evaluate the
parameters of the model. It was observed that Double
Exponential Smoothing model was the best in terms of
forecasting air travel demand. The Airport choice model
indicated that the access time to airport and delay at airport play
a significant role in airport choice and the travelers are willing to
pay more money in the form of new airport charges if these two
parameters are improved.
Keywords: Air Travel Demand Model, Airport choice model,

Stated Preference (SP), Multinomial Logit, Exploded Logit.

Thesis Title: SIGNAL OPTIMIZATION AT ISOLATED

INTERSECTION BY USING PRE-
SIGNAL: A CASE STUDY ON KESHAR
MAHAL INTERSECTION
Submitted by: Sunil Khyaju
Supervisor: Mr. Anil Marsani
ABSTRACT
This paper proposes a new signal operation strategy aimed at
efficient utilization of green time by cutting down on the start up
and response time. The idea is to have a "pre-signal'' on main
approach a few meters upstream of the intersection in addition to
the main intersection signal, which is coordinated with pre-
signal. The offset between the main and pre-signal ensures that
the majority of startup looses does not occur at the main signal.
The benefit of the system under various traffic compositions
were evaluated based on the control delay and VIS SIM
simulation Study.
Keshar Mahal Intersection, the central heart core of the

Kathmandu City is selected as the study area of my thesis. The
detail directional traffic flow was counted with the help of Video
Footage provided by Prahari Aayukta Kaaryalaya, Ranipokhari
and Aviyaan Consulting Pvt. Ltd, Mid-Banesor. The detail study

is based on the same video footage recorded on 6th and 29th July
2012 for the traffic count as well as evaluating the present
condition. The vehicle count has clarified that the peak flow time
of 17 PM to 18 PM with the peak flow of first 15 min flow of
1677 vehicles through Jamal Leg, first 15 min flow of 165
vehicles through Thamel Leg, first 15 min flow of 997 vehicles
through Lainchaur Leg and second 15 min flow of 808 vehicles
through Royal Palace Leg. The level of service is found to be F.
The saturated headway for all vehicles is measured to I sec and
saturated flow speed with maximum 65 kmph for motorbike and
minimum 40 kmph for three wheel vehicles.
The classified vehicles as car, light vehicle, heavy vehicle,

motorbike and cycle, signal timing, speed proportion of vehicle
share and driving behavior are the most parameter for the
VISSIM. VISSIM 5.40 is calibrated used as the base model for
the application of pre-signal.
By eliminating only start up loss time i.e. increasing the green
time by corresponding eliminated start up time the control delay
has reduced from total 204 sec to 87 sec.
Keywords: VISSIM, HCM, pre-signal, control delay, peak flow.

Thesis Title: ESTIMATION OF PAVEMENT LAYER

MODULI AND DISPLACEMENTS
BASED ON OPTIMIZATION
TECHNIQUES USING NON-
DESTRUCTIVE TEST DATE
Submitted by: Sushil Babu Dhakal
Supervisor: Prof. Gautam Bir Singh Tamrakar, Dr.
Rajat Raj Bhandari
ABSTRACT
Good estimation of layer Moduli from nondestructive methods is
an important tool for scheduling and designing rehabilitation
projects in pavement engineering. The Benkelman beam for
deflection test is the most commonly used nondestructive method
for the evaluation of the structural performance of pavement
systems. Thickness of pavement layers obtained from dynamic
cone penetration (DCP) test and surface deflection obtained from
Benkelman beam were used for the study. The back calculation
approach recommended by the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASTHO) guidelines for
design of Pavement Structures 1993 was also adopted.
A model based on optimization has been developed to find

different pavement layer modulus of elasticity. Pavement layer

characteristics were then expressed in form of regression

equations, which were used to estimate the modulus of elasticity
of pavement layers. These regression equations showed
statistically significant relationship between Benkelman beam
rebound deflection and pavement layer characteristics.
Moduli of pavement layers so obtained from the optimization

model was used to calculate the surface deflection as well as
deflection at the top of each pavement layers using KENPAVE
software. The obtained surface deflections were compared with
field-measured deflections. The error associated with calculated
and measured deflection was found to be statistically
insignificant.
Keywords: Flexible pavements, Benkelman beam, Layer

moduli, Optimization, Rebound deflection, Non destructive test.

Thesis Title: COBBLE PAVEMENT AN

ALTERNATIVE PAVEMENT OPTION
FOR RURAL ROAD IN NEPAL
Submitted by: Bikash Maharjan
ABSTRACT
This thesis report reviews basic concepts and parameters
involved in the design of cobble pavements. The basic
requirements for the pavement are evaluated with study of
existing pavement conducting different tests. Cobble pavement is
appropriate pavement option for rural road in comparisons of
other pavement. Cobble pavements designed with conventional
flexible pavement concepts. This requires use of an equivalent
thickness or equivalent modulus for the block surfacing, and
current recommendations for both are examined. Special cobble
characteristics such as effect of laying pattern on performance
must be considered, but two widely debated aspects (cobble
shape and lock up) probably have relatively minor effects on
thickness design. The design of cobble pavement is based on
flexible pavement design concept. This thesis report focus on

technical requirement for cobble pavement however, it is one of

sustainable pavement for rural road in Nepal.
Keywords: Cobblestones, block pavement, CBR, Modulus of

Elasticity, LCC, Pavement Thickness

Thesis Title: DEVELOPMENT OF TRIP

GENERATION MODEL: A CASE STUDY
OF ZONES INSIDE THE RING ROAD
Submitted by: Laxmi Dhakal
Supervisor: Er. Anil Marsani
ABSTRACT
Trip generation model is the fundamental tool for traffic How
analysis and management in transportation system. The purpose
of this study is to develop a trip generation model for zone inside
the ring roads of Kathmandu valley.
A trip generation model was developed by using multiple linear

regression analysis with the help of statistical package of social
science and Micro soft Excel, which established the relationship
between trip number and characteristics of household of different
zone. These regression equations showed statistically significant
relationship between trip and independent variables of
corresponding zone.
The data consist of secondary data, collected by conducting

household survey by JICA survey team (2011/2012), through
household interview survey and traffic flow survey and national
population census (2012).

This study gives following information of our study area:
Trip generation model used in this research is found to be

appropriate for urban area like Kathmandu
Mobility of medium class family is high as compared with low

class and high class family.
Mobility of family with vehicle ownership is higher than family

having no vehicle.
Average household trip rate of Ring Road area is 5.72 and

average person trip rate is 2.10
Keywords: Multiple linear regressions, socioeconomic

characteristics, Trip generation.

Thesis Title: PREDICTION OF PERIODIC

MAINTENANCE OF BITUMINOUS
ROADS
Submitted by: Mahesh Maharjan
ABSTRACT
For the effective road maintenance management the performance
of the existing pavement conditions and predictions of their
future conditions are the most essential. To determine the
resealing, rehabilitation or/reconstruction needs, the distress
survey need to be done every year in all the road sections, which
is very time consuming and costly. Department of Roads (DoR),
Nepal conducts the Surface Distress Index (SDI) survey of the
Strategic Road Network (SRN) each year. Therefore, this study's
objective is to formulate the pavement prediction models from
the available SDI and other information at the DoR. Model
formulation is limited only to the pavements prior to the
resealing.
Since the rate of pavement deterioration is affected by many

factors, the pavement sections are grouped into six pavement
families depending on the topography, pavement types, and the
traffic levels. This grouping is essential for generating effective

model. For each pavement family, regression with four forms of

the deterioration functions is performed. The model selection is
based on the coefficient of determination (R ), and the
significance of the parameter estimates are ascertained through
the t- statistic and the associated p-values. SDI as the function of
the previous year's SDI yields the best model for the pavement
families. The result also shows that the periodic maintenance of
Bituminous Roads is affected by terrain and environment rather
than by the traffic.
The currently developed models seem to be fairly accurate and

therefore, could be very useful in the management of the
pavements.

Thesis Title: SUITABLE TEST OF COARSE

AGGREGATES FOR PAVEMENT
CONSTRUCTION FROM TWENTY-FIVE
QUARRIES OF CENTRAL REGION OF
NEPAL
Submitted by: Rishab Khanal
Supervisor: Prof. Padma Khadka
ABSTRACT
Aggregates arc important constituents of the pavement
structures. Performance of aggregate layers depends on particle
shape, grading, composition, and their physical, mechanical and
chemical properties. Careful study of these properties allows
evaluation of aggregates according to the international norms.
There are huge rock outcrops surrounding the Kathmandu
Valley. With growing construction in and around the Kathmandu
Valley, demand of the aggregates has become so high that
limited quarry site within the valley are not sufficient to meet the
requirements. Therefore, the search of the outcrops from which
aggregates may be quarried is sought to meet the current and
future demands of aggregates suitable for the roads or for the
transport network in the country. This study aims in exploring
and evaluating suitability of natural crushed rock aggregates in
the Central Development Region of Nepal.

Data are collected at Twenty-five locations in Central

Development Region of Nepal.The investigation and study of
quarry materials required for major activities in road construction
such as for Earth works, Pavement works and the Structural
works were focused on the sources from the Dolkha-
Ramechhap, Narayanghat-Kathmandu, Rasuwa-Nuwakot,
Kamala-Narayani Basin and Tikabhairab.
In order to determine the suitability of the rocks obtained from

these quarries, different laboratory tests i.e. Flakiness Index Test,
Los Angeles Abrasion Value Test, Aggregate Crushing Value
Test, Aggregate Impact Value Tests and Water Absorption tests
on the bulk samples taken from the different quarries are carried
out according to the relevant AASHTO/ASTM/IS Code
standards and are compared with the Standard Specifications for
Road and Bridge Works for the construction of Asphalt
Concrete, Penetration Macadam, Surface Dressing, Graded
Crushed Stone Base and Sub-base and Concrete for structures.
According to the tests performed the construction materials from
the different sources are decided whether they can be used or not
for the construction of the different pavement layer of the roads.
Keywords: Quarry; Pavement Works; Structural Works;

Laboratory Tests

Thesis Title: ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF LOW

VOLUME ROAD: A CASE STUDY OF
KALANKI GHYAMPEDOL
BADVANGYANG ROAD
Submitted by: Shaligram Devkota
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rabindra Nath Shrestha
ABSTRACT
Road infrastructure is an important sector of economic activity
for the development of a country. The road infrastructure is
required to be maintained in proper condition to ensure its
continuous utilization in proper manner. By proper maintenance
of roads, continuous acceptability, a higher economy, safety and
serviceability is gained. The decision-making process for the
development and maintenance of low-volume rural roads suffers
from the lack of an economic evaluation tool customized for this
type of roads. For the optimum resource allocation in rural road
by local government agency, traffic threshold is very important
indicator for decision maker in policy level. The main objective
of this study is to analyze the road for economic feasibility by
using 'Road Economic Decision (RED)' model. If the road is
economically feasible and then finds out the minimum traffic
threshold for that rural road to be economically available NPV
value is almost zero and IRR value is 12%. By using 'Road

Economic Decision (RED)' model, the rural road 'Kalanki-

Ghyampedol-Badhbhanjang' is feasible because of its NPV 0.016
million US dollar and IRR 13% with traffic composition of
Motorcycle (54%), Car (27%), Utility Vehicle (8%), Mini Bus
(4%), and Micro Bus (8%), total existing AADT 223. The
minimum Traffic threshold for rural road up gradation from
earthen to bituminous premix carpet is 133 AADT with traffic
composition of Car (68%), Utility Vehicle (13%), Mini Bus
(7%), and Micro Bus (13%) where motorcycle is not considered.
The increased cost of up gradation also increased the AADT.

MSC Abstracts Transportation - Engg

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MSc Theses Abstract

Master of Science in Transportation Engineering

Center for Applied Research and Development (CARD)

Graduation Year 2012

MSc Theses Abstract

Graduation Year 2013

MSc Theses Abstract

Graduation Year 2012

Thesis Title: STUDY OF MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC

In this paper, three locations Old buspark to Bhadrakali (1),

MSc Theses Abstract 1

Kathmandu Valley have been used to meet criteria for data

The finding obtains from this study may be used to develop

Keywords: Motorcycle traffic; Mixed traffic; Vehicle arrival

MSc Theses Abstract 2

Thesis Title: EFFECT OF FINES CONTENT ON

The quantity and types of fines (materials finer than 75 (m)

The results of the investigation indicate that;

MSc Theses Abstract 3

The variation in soaked CBR with increase in fines content

Department of Roads, Nepal permits the fines content to range

Key Words: Fines, Road-base, Plasticity, CBR

MSc Theses Abstract 4

Thesis Title: NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF

The widely used non-destructive test are the Benkelman Beam

MSc Theses Abstract 5

structural fatigue life of the asphalt concrete pavement. The most

In this thesis, the existing condition of the pavement has been

Keywords: Benkelman Beam (BB), Falling Weight

MSc Theses Abstract 6

Thesis Title: ESTIMATION OF WORK TRIP MODE

MSc Theses Abstract 7

The results of this research show that the factors that

This study can be used by transportation planners to predict the

Keywords : Modal Spilt, Disaggregate Model, Multinomial Logit

MSc Theses Abstract 8

Thesis Title: MODELING PEDESTRIANS' BEHAVIOR

MSc Theses Abstract 9

witness to pedestrian accidents, education level. The SDI survey

In order to study the behavior of pedestrians, 'Cox Proportional

Keywords: Pedestrians; Road Crossings; Safety; Cox

MSc Theses Abstract 10

Thesis Title: ANALYSIS OF MOTORCYCLE

In this study Willingness-to-Pay method (WTP) is applied to

MSc Theses Abstract 11

method (WTP) method or the value of risk change is used to

The result shows that the gender, occupation, household income,

MSc Theses Abstract 12

Thesis Title: MINIMUM TRAFFIC THRESHOLD FOR

MSc Theses Abstract 13

from earthen to bituminous premix carpet is 369 AADT with

MSc Theses Abstract 14

Thesis Title: AIR TRAVEL DEMAND MODELING

MSc Theses Abstract 15

similar airlines fly from both the airports. An airport choice

Keywords: Air Travel Demand Model, Airport choice model,

MSc Theses Abstract 16

Thesis Title: SIGNAL OPTIMIZATION AT ISOLATED

Keshar Mahal Intersection, the central heart core of the