The comfort of passengers is one of the most significant advances in modern passenger transport. Despite its subjectivity, it could be related to the lateral accelerations on horizontal curves. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between passengers' comfort and lateral acceleration in two-lane rural mountain roads. Real-vehicle experiments were performed with 58 passengers on one road in the Ecuadorian Andes. They explored the influence of age, sex, level of stress, level of physical pain, speed, and lateral acceleration on passenger comfort. Two instruments were employed to collect data: a survey conducted to the passengers and a precise GPS device. In the survey, the passengers selected their comfort or discomfort within the curve. The GPS collected the vehicle speed, lateral accelerations and, its trajectory. As a result, it calibrated two models using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the factors: comfort values, stress level and lateral acceleration. Besides, it calibrated six models using linear regression with several thresholds of speed. Differences were found between right and left curves, which had not been detected by previous researchers. The research suggests thresholds of lateral acceleration in mountain roads in a Latin American country that would improve their design for better performance and safety.

This study explores an innovative approach to teaching geometric road design in civil engineering education through STEM-based methodologies. Two groups of sixth-semester students at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja participated in distinct projects: one creating physical prototypes and the other developing board games, both centered on road design concepts. The research employed active learning strategies, including challenge-based and group-based learning, to enhance student engagement and comprehension. Data were collected through surveys, which assessed soft skills development and subject knowledge improvement. Results indicate significant enhancements in creativity, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills across both groups. Students reported increased understanding of geometric road design principles, with notable advancements towards advanced knowledge levels after the project. The study also revealed gender differences in project satisfaction and explored team dynamics. Feedback from students highlighted the value of practical application, creativity, and teamwork, while also identifying areas for improvement, such as time management and resource allocation. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting innovative, hands-on approaches in engineering education, particularly in the field of geometric road design.

El gobierno ecuatoriano ha llevado a cabo varias acciones para prevenir y reducir el número de muertes por accidentes de tránsito. Esas acciones se han realizado sin considerar la percepción que tienen los usuarios viales frente a la seguridad vial en general. Al conocerse, los recursos podrían administrarse de mejor manera. En consecuencia, esta investigación explora la percepción que tienen los usuarios viales en una ciudad del Ecuador, para ello, se aplicaron encuestas a 1197 personas (peatones y conductores) en varios sectores de la Ciudad de Loja. En esa encuesta se incluyeron preguntas relacionadas con las sensaciones, emociones y comportamientos de los usuarios en la vía, y su opinión con respecto a los accidentes de tránsito y a las leyes de tránsito vigentes. Los resultados muestran que a la mayoría de conductores les disgusta la forma de conducir de otros conductores, sin embargo, justifican sus maniobras arriesgadas. En cuanto a sensaciones, la mayoría de peatones sienten miedo cuando circulan por la calle, mientras que los acompañantes o copilotos sienten miedo y estrés. Por otro lado, la mayoría de la muestra analizada no está de acuerdo con las leyes de tránsito en general, especialmente con la de consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y del exceso de velocidad. Asimismo, se detectaron dos grupos de mayor riesgo: menores a 30 años y los mayores a 55 años, en los cuales debiera enfocarse las campañas de seguridad vial.

The flipped classroom, as an active learning model, has given remarkable results in several areas in the university teaching; however, its execution is still able to improve. This research shows the implementation and improvement of the flipped classroom model in the course of Pavements. It evaluates their influence on the students’ final grades and their learning experience. Three groups of students participated in this study, who enrolled in the course of Pavements in the Civil Engineering. Group A took the course with the traditional model, while Group B took it with a flipped classroom, and Group C experienced it with a reinforced flipped model. Groups did the course the subject in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Results show that even though with the flipped classroom models, the finals grades did not increase compared to the scores of the traditional model; however, it improved their learning experience. The students were more satisfied with the method; they even asked for fewer modifications than they did in the traditional model. This research shows that adding little academic things to the course, it would greatly influence their students' opinion.