Browsing by Author "Gazmuri, Pedro"

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    Cost-Effective Measures for Reducing Road Fatalities in the Short Term
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2011) Ignacio Rizzi, Luis; Cumsille, Sebastian; Fresard, Francisco; Gazmuri, Pedro; Carlos Munoz, Juan
    When traffic safety statistics in less developed countries (even those where enormous progress has been made in the last years) are compared with those of more advanced countries, it is evident that there is still a great deal to be done. Using Chile as a case study, we propose a set of measures to significantly reduce fatalities in the short term. A simple methodology is proposed to guide the process of selecting the most promising measures, taking into account their cost-effectiveness. Eight such measures are identified and their potential benefits and costs of implementation are estimated for our case study. Special care is taken in choosing measures aimed at protecting vulnerable road users who represent around 50% of road fatalities in Chile. The plan we propose has the potential to reduce 460 fatalities per year (i.e. 21%), as a conservative estimate. A discussion on the transferability of these results to other developing nations is offered.
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    On-site subcontractor evaluation method based on lean principles and partnering practices
    (ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS, 2007) Maturana, Sergio; Alarcon, Luis Fernando; Gazmuri, Pedro; Vrsalovic, Mladen
    Subcontracting has greatly increased in the construction industry. It helps shift risk from the main contractor to the subcontractor and promotes specialization. Inadequate subcontracting management, however, may result in an adversarial relationship between main contractors and their subcontractors, uncoordinated on-site execution, and disappointing quality and schedule fulfillment. New subcontractor management methods and tools are being developed and tested as part of a collaborative research project led by the Catholic University Production Management Center with the participation of the Chilean Construction Chamber and several construction companies. The experience gained by testing prototype tools and methods on selected projects enabled us to develop an on-site evaluation method based on lean principles and partnering practices. This method allows main contractors to help subcontractors improve their performance by providing them with periodic feedback. It also supports subcontractor selection based on their previous performance, which helps foster collaborative relationships with those that consistently perform well. The results of the application of the method in two case studies are discussed.