Abstract In the alignment of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) growing importance for investments’ decisions this paper presents an index for evaluating sustainable practices of road construction companies. For assessing the sustainable practices, it was developed a hierarchical framework based on environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The practices’ themes and its respective practices were found in the literature, and were selected and validate by an expert’ panel. That resulted in 12 practices themes and the 37 most relevant practices to the road construction sector. For each practice it was established a set of indicators. For the sustainable practices index, the dimensions and practice’s themes weights were determined using the Simplified Process Hierarchical Analysis method, applied to a second experts’ panel. By linking the sustainable practices to measurable indicators, it was possible to attain an overall sustainable practices index for road construction companies. The SPC method used in this case study emphasized practices in the “social” and “environmental” dimensions, with weights of 0.459 and 0.344. The framework elaborated is practical and expeditious, which has a feasible approach to tackling main ESG issues, helping road construction companies and governments preparedness for the new demands of investors and stakeholders.

Resumo No alinhamento da crescente importância ESG (Ambiental, Social e Governança) para as decisões de investimento, este artigo apresenta um índice para avaliação de práticas sustentáveis de empresas de construção de rodovias. O índice desenvolvido pode ser utilizado para auxiliar na tomada de decisões estratégicas de escolha de empresas durante a fase de licitação e / ou para autoavaliação de uma empresa. Para avaliação das práticas sustentáveis foi desenvolvido um quadro hierárquico baseado nas dimensões ambiental, social e econômica, com seus respectivos temas de práticas. Os temas de práticas e suas respectivas práticas foram encontrados na literatura e foram selecionados e validados por um painel de especialistas. Isso resultou em 12 temas de práticas e as 37 práticas mais relevantes para o setor de construção rodoviária. Para cada prática foi estabelecido um conjunto de indicadores. O método SPC utilizado neste estudo de caso enfatizou as práticas das dimensões “sociais” e “ambientais”, com pesos de 0,459 e 0,344, respectivamente. A estrutura do framework elaborada é prática e ágil, com uma abordagem viável para lidar com as principais questões ESG, ajudando as construtoras de estradas e os governos a se prepararem para as novas demandas de investidores e partes interessadas.

Resumo O percurso casa/trabalho é responsável por boa parte dos deslocamentos diários nas áreas urbanas, e que também ocorre durante o intervalo de almoço. Por isso, este trabalho tem o objetivo de abordar a questão dos refeitórios dentro das empresas e realizar um estudo de opinião sobre os refeitórios no ambiente de trabalho. Foi aplicado um questionário para funcionários de 16 empresas da região de Bauru para avaliar as empresas que possuem refeitórios e as que não possuem, buscando analisar os tempos de percurso e sua influência na qualidade de vida do trabalhador. A pesquisa analisou também os modais de transporte utilizado pelos funcionários e o tempo gasto em cada modal no trajeto casa/trabalho.

Abstract The commute home/work is responsible for most of the daily displacements in urban areas, and which also occurs during the lunch break. Therefore, the following study aims to address the issue of the in-company restaurant and conduct a study of opinion about the restaurants inside the companies. A questionnaire for the employees of 10 companies in the region of Bauru was applied to evaluate companies with and without a restaurant, seeking to analyze the commute times and their influence on the quality of life of the worker. The survey also examined the modes of transport used by staff and the time spent in the commute.

Abstract The objective of this paper is compare the common traffic lights (CTL) to three different types of traffic lights with countdown displays (SCD) and assess their effects on road safety and capacity. This comparison is required because the results found in the literature are divergent among countries and cities, and one of the SCD analyzed in our study is different from the SCD used worldwide. An observational before-after study was conducted to evaluate the safety and capacity in a period of one year before and one year after the implementation of the SCD in three Brazilian cities. The results indicate that the SCD models 1 and 3 had around 35%±14% reduction in the total number of accidents; the model 2, does not have significant reduction. In order to perform the capacity analysis a framework for data collection and an adaptation for estimation of initial lost time in each phase were developed. Considering the capacity analysis there was a reduction around 11% in the lost time in SCD model 1, 7% in SCD model 2 and 3% in SCD model 3. However the implications of this on capacity are trifle due to a small increase in the average headways for all SCD models compare to CTL.

Compósitos de matriz polimérica reciclada reforçados com farinha de madeira podem ser uma alternativa viável para a substituição da madeira e de polímeros virgens em materiais empregados em pisos, batentes de portas, janelas e revestimentos externos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar alguns parâmetros físicos e mecânicos de compósito com farinha de madeira de Pinus taeda e elliotti e polipropileno reciclado, sem o emprego de compatibilizantes ou aditivos. Os compósitos foram separados em quatro traços, sendo eles: 100% polipropileno, 90% polipropileno com 10% de farinha de madeira, 80% de polipropileno com 20% de farinha de madeira e 70% de polipropileno com 30% de farinha de madeira. Para caracterização do compósito foram utilizadas as normas ASTM D-638-10, ASTM D256-00, ASTM D570-98, ASTM D1238-10 e ASTM G-155-05 e também a análise de superfície por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os ensaios de estabilidade dimensional apresentaram resultados satisfatórios. Mesmo o compósito com maior porcentagem de farinha de madeira (30%) apresentou um melhor índice de fluidez de 10,0MFI, sendo considerado compatível com os índices para PP (polipropileno) virgem da norma ASTM D-1238-10. A inclusão de farinha de madeira (FM) proporcionou a obtenção de compósitos com boas características mecânicas que podem ser aplicados na fabricação de diferentes materiais, empregados especificamente em ambientes externos.

Recycled polymer matrix composites reinforced with wood flour can be a viable alternative for the replace-ment of wood and virgin polymers in materials used in floors, door frames, windows and external cladding. The objective of this research was to determine some physical and mechanical parameters of composite made with Pinus taeda and elliottii wood flour (WF) and recycled polypropylene (PP), without the use of compatibilizers or additives. The composites were separated into four traits, namely 100% PP, 90% PP with 10%, WF 80% PP with 20% WF and 70 % PP with 30% WF. The characterization of the composite followed the standards ASTM D-638-10, ASTM D256-00, ASTM D570 -98, ASTM D1238 -10 and ASTM G 155-05, it was also employed the surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy. The dimensional stability tests showed satisfactory results. Even the composite with a higher percentage of wood flour (30%) had a flow index of 10 MFI, considered compatible with that observed for PP (polypropylene) virgin by standard ASTM D 1238-10. The inclusion of wood flour (FM) afforded composites with good mechanical characteristics which can be applied in manufacture of different materials, specifically employed outdoors.

This study evaluated the physical and mechanical characteristics of particleboards made of bamboo waste from the species Dendrocalamus giganteus bonded with two different types of adhesives: urea-formaldehyde (UF) and a castor oil based adhesive (M). Thus, eight types of particleboards were produced in the proportions of 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% for each adhesive. The results showed that particleboards produced with UF and M adhesives had acceptable behavior for physical tests according to the Brazilian standard NBR 14810. The results attained in mechanical tests (MOR and MOE), for all particleboards, were below the requirements for structural usage. This indicates that the residue of bamboo is a feasible raw material alternative for particleboards produced for non structural purposes, such as liners, partitions and other uses for internal seal. Regarding the adhesives, the particleboards produced with UF particleboards showed superior results for both physical and mechanical characteristics, when compared to M particleboards with the same percentage of adhesive.