Mike G. Winter

Bio: Mike G. Winter is an academic researcher from Transport Research Laboratory. The author has contributed to research in topics: Landslide & Hazard. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 76 publications receiving 1651 citations. Previous affiliations of Mike G. Winter include University of Portsmouth & Heriot-Watt University.

Recommendations for the quantitative analysis of landslide risk

Abstract: This paper presents recommended methodologies for the quantitative analysis of landslide hazard, vulnerability and risk at different spatial scales (site-specific, local, regional and national), as well as for the verification and validation of the results. The methodologies described focus on the evaluation of the probabilities of occurrence of different landslide types with certain characteristics. Methods used to determine the spatial distribution of landslide intensity, the characterisation of the elements at risk, the assessment of the potential degree of damage and the quantification of the vulnerability of the elements at risk, and those used to perform the quantitative risk analysis are also described. The paper is intended for use by scientists and practising engineers, geologists and other landslide experts.

A review of sustainable approaches in transport infrastructure geotechnics

Abstract: Transportation geotechnics associated with constructing and maintaining properly functioning transportation infrastructure is a very resource intensive activity. Large amounts of materials and natural resources are required, consuming proportionately large amounts of energy and fuel. Thus, the implementation of the principles of sustainability is important to reduce energy consumption, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and to increase material reuse/recycling, for example. This paper focusses on some issues and activities relevant to sustainable earthwork construction aimed at minimising the use of energy and the production of CO2 while improving the in-situ ground to enable its use as a foundation without the consumption of large amounts of primary aggregate as additional foundation layers. The use of recycled materials is discussed, including steel slag and tyre bales, alongside a conceptual framework for evaluating the utility of applications for recycled materials in transportation infrastructure.

Identification of landslide hazard and risk ‘hotspots’ in Europe

Abstract: Landslides are a serious problem for humans and infrastructure in many parts of Europe. Experts know to a certain degree which parts of the continent are most exposed to landslide hazard. Nevertheless, neither the geographical location of previous landslide events nor knowledge of locations with high landslide hazard necessarily point out the areas with highest landslide risk. In addition, landslides often occur unexpectedly and the decisions on where investments should be made to manage and mitigate future events are based on the need to demonstrate action and political will. The goal of this study was to undertake a uniform and objective analysis of landslide hazard and risk for Europe. Two independent models, an expert-based or heuristic and a statistical model (logistic regression), were developed to assess the landslide hazard. Both models are based on applying an appropriate combination of the parameters representing susceptibility factors (slope, lithology, soil moisture, vegetation cover and other- factors if available) and triggering factors (extreme precipitation and seismicity). The weights of different susceptibility and triggering factors are calibrated to the information available in landslide inventories and physical processes. The analysis is based on uniform gridded data for Europe with a pixel resolution of roughly 30 m × 30 m. A validation of the two hazard models by organizations in Scotland, Italy, and Romania showed good agreement for shallow landslides and rockfalls, but the hazard models fail to cover areas with slow moving landslides. In general, the results from the two models agree well pointing out the same countries with the highest total and relative area exposed to landslides. Landslide risk was quantified by counting the number of exposed people and exposed kilometers of roads and railways in each country. This process was repeated for both models. The results show the highest relative exposure to landslides in small alpine countries such as Lichtenstein. In terms of total values on a national level, Italy scores highest in both the extent of exposed area and the number for exposed population. Again, results agree between the two models, but differences between the models are higher for the risk than for the hazard results. The analysis gives a good overview of the landslide hazard and risk hotspots in Europe and allows a simple ranking of areas where mitigation measures might be most effective.

The speeding driver: who, how and why?

Abstract: This report provides details of a Scottish Executive study on the causes and consequences of speeding The study consisted of a literature review, driver focus groups, interviews with drivers after collisions, a review of anti-speeding campaigns in Scotland, an analysis of police speeding offence records, and a household survey of 1000 drivers The main findings were that excessive urban speed has decreased over the last 10 years, public support for traffic restraint measures has increased but for safety cameras had decreased, attitudes to speed limits were lax, most speeding offences occurred on urban roads, that male drivers were more likely to be more than 20mph over the speed limit, that 30-35% were likely to speed on the motorway, 10% were likely to speed on rural roads, and drivers in the 21-29 age group were more likely to speed than older drivers For male drivers, the more road types for which their normal speed exceeded the speed limit, the more likely they were to have recently been involved in an acident Over half the drivers were more likely to drive faster when running behind schedule or when late for an appointment There was little effect on the likelihood of detection on the choice of speed Women were more likely to believe that speed limits were set correctly, and to be in favour of speed cameras than men Speeding drivers, especially younger male drivers, were suggested as targets for anti-speeding campaigns

Use of aggregates from recycled construction and demolition waste in concrete

Abstract: Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste constitutes a major portion of total solid waste production in the world, and most of it is used in land fills. Research by concrete engineers has clearly suggested the possibility of appropriately treating and reusing such waste as aggregate in new concrete, especially in lower level applications. This paper discusses different aspects of the problem beginning with a brief review of the international scenario in terms of C&D waste generated, recycled aggregates (RA) produced from C&D waste and their utilization in concrete and governmental initiatives towards recycling of C&D waste. Along with a brief overview of the engineering properties of recycled aggregates, the paper also gives a summary of the effect of use of recycled aggregate on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. The paper concludes by identifying some of the major barriers in more widespread use of RA in recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), including lack of awareness, lack of government support, non-existence of specifications/codes for reusing these aggregates in new concrete.