Person:
Irizarry, Javier

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Feasibility Study to Determine the Economic and Operational Benefits of Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014-05-06) Irizarry, Javier ; Johnson, Eric N.
    This project explored the feasibility of using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) in Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) operations. The research team conducted 24 interviews with personnel in four GDOT divisions. Interviews focused on (1) the basic goals of the operators in each division, (2) their major decisions for accomplishing those goals, and (3) the information requirements for each decision. Following an interview validation process, a set of UASs design characteristics that fulfill user requirements of each previously identified division was developed. A “House of Quality” viewgraph was chosen to capture the relationships between GDOT tasks and potential UAS aiding those operations. As a result, five reference systems are proposed. The UAS was broken into three components: vehicle, control station, and system. This study introduces a variety of UAS applications in traffic management, transportation and construction disciplines related to DOTs, such as the ability to get real time, digital photographs/videos of traffic scenes, providing a "bird’s eye view" that was previously only available with the assistance of a manned aircraft, integrating aerial data into GDOT drawing software programs, and dealing with restricted or complicated access issues when terrain, area, or the investigated object make it difficult for GDOT personnel to conduct a task. The results of this study could lead to further research on design, development, and field-testing of UAVs for applications identified as beneficial to the Department.
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    A Comprehensive Matrix of Unmanned Aerial Systems Requirements for Potential Applications within a Department of Transportation
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014) Karan, Ebrahim P. ; Christmann, Hans Claus ; Gheisar, Masoud ; Irizarry, Javier ; Johnson, Eric N.
    The continuous improvement in the function and performance of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) promotes the need for specific research to integrate this leading edge technology in to various applications across Departments of Transportation (DOTs). DOTs of several states have started looking into using UAS technology for different purposes from tracking highway construction projects and performing structure inventories to road maintenance, monitoring roadside environmental conditions, as well as many other traffic management or safety issues, albeit individually focusing on specific us age scenarios. This study investigates various divisions and offices within a Department of Transportation to determine the operational requirements for UAS usage in specific divisions which have the potential to implement this technology to aid and supplement their daily operations. Through a series of interviews with subject matter experts at the management and operational levels, a matrix of user requirements for tasks that have the potential to use UAS is developed. This matrix is mapped to a UAS technical matrix that embeds the technological and technical requirements for development of a potential UAS. These matrices can be used by other DOTs for defining the design specifications for UAS that can fulfill their construction related operational requirements.
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    An automated safety planning approach for residential construction sites in Malaysia
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014) Irizarry, Javier ; Zolfagharian, Samaneh ; Ressang, Aziruddin ; Nourbakhsh, Mehdi ; Gheisari, Masoud
    in particular residential building construction. This paper aims at proposing an Automated Safety-Planning Plug-in (ASPP) for project scheduling software applications, to mitigate the occurrence of construction accidents. To achieve this aim, frequency and severity of the common construction safety hazards in residential buildings were investigated by distributing a questionnaire to safety managers and construction managers in Malaysia. A total of 106 completed responses were received. Then, risk level associated to each hazard was calculated based on the relevant risk matrix. The ASPP extracts current construction activities from any computer based schedule (Microsoft Project® in this paper) and identifies their risks level as well as safety regulations and hazards related to each activity as a report. A case study is used to investigate the reliability and usability of the ASPP. The ASPP was found to be efficient and helpful for rigorously complying with safety regulations and control potential hazards. The practical implication of this study is to improve construction safety by promoting the project managers’ awareness of safety hazards and associated risks as well as essential safety indicators provided through a comprehensive report.
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    Mobile Application Prototype for On-Site Information Management in Construction Industry
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012) Nourbakhsh, Mehdi ; Zin, Rosli Mohamad ; Irizarry, Javier ; Zolfagharian, Sameneh ; Gheisari, Masoud
    Purpose: This paper presents the results of a study aimed at investigating the information requirements for broad use mobile applications for construction projects. It also presents the results of usability testing of a mobile application prototype for improving information management in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the research objectives, the information required to properly design the mobile application was collected by distributing an online questionnaire among construction professionals. Then a server-based application prototype was developed based on enterprise content management concepts. The mobile application was tested in a laboratory by setting a group of construction management postgraduate students who had experience on working in construction industry. Finding: This study determines and ranks the critical on-site information artifacts, considered highly important from the perspective of clients, consultants, and contractors. The study also illustrates the development of a mobile application prototype and results of a usability test. The test results demonstrate that the application is well designed, user friendly, and meets user requirements. Practical implications: The results of this study are useful for developing a functional mobile application to manage on-site information in construction projects. Originality/value: The paper makes an original contribution of investigating information requirements of a mobile application for on-site information management.
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    Pricing Flexibility in Solar Ready Homes
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-11-17) Ashuri, Baabak ; Irizarry, Javier ; Riether, Gernot
    Solar energy technologies, i.e., Photovoltaic (PV) panels, have promising features for renewable energy generation (i.e., energy savings) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in the housing sector. Nevertheless, adopting these PV technologies requires substantial initial investments. The market for these technologies is often vibrant from the technological and economic standpoints. Therefore, investors typically find it more attractive to delay investment in PV technologies. Alternatively "Solar Ready Homes" are proposed. These flexible homes can easily adopt PV technologies later in future when the price of PV panels is lower, electricity energy price is higher, and stricter environmental regulations are in place. The investors need proper financial valuation models in order to avoid over- and under-investment in solar technologies. We apply Real Options Theory to evaluate investments in Solar Ready Homes. Our proposed investment analysis framework uses a probability distribution model to empirically characterize uncertainty about the performance of PV panels. Uncertainty about future retail price of energy is characterized with a stochastic model. Our framework uses the experience curve to model changes in price and efficiency of PV technologies over time. Our investment valuation model identifies the optimal time to install PV panels in Solar Ready Homes. Our valuation model characterizes the investor's financial risk profile in two investments: "fixed" Solar Home and "flexible" Solar Ready Home. The optimal time for installing PV panels in solar ready home is identified. Our framework determines the price of flexibility embedded in solar ready home. In other words, it calculates the difference between the expected value of investment in solar ready home and the expected value of investment in solar home. (Ashuri)