• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2013

The importance of R&D has been recognized around the world and Korean research funding has rapidly increased in recent years. As a results, interest in strategic R&D Investment is growing in both the public and private sectors. This study was carried out to find trends in the research projects of the KIGAM since the fiscal year of 1976. The KIGAM expended 1,193.3 billion won during the 36 years from the fiscal years of 1976 to 2011, which is 1,795.8 billion won calculated using the present value in 2011 at discount rate of 5%. R&D expenditure of KIGAM increased approximately 132.9 times from 885 million won in 1976 to 117,600 million won in 2011, and about 24.1 times from 4,882 million won in 1976, as calculated using the present value in 2011. The number of research projects increased about 6.75 times, from 28 projects in 1976 to 189 projects in 2011. Based on research trend analysis over the last 36 years, the percentage of research projects by research fields were as follows: mineral resources research, 39.5%; geologic environmental research, 28.8%; geological research, 15.6%; petroleum and marine research, 12.1%; and policy research, 3.1%. The percentage of the R&D budget dedicated to each type of research were as follows: mineral resources research, 33.1%; geologic environmental research, 25.6%; geological research, 22.8%; petroleum and marine research, 15.9%; and policy research, 2.1%. Allocation of R&D investment was determined by considering the governmental priority of such research, as well as which area were most promising. Based on the research projects trends within KIGAM and analyses of its R&D, we should build our R&D portfolio in the areas of geosciences and mineral resources.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.305-316
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• 2013

To find out if modern roundabout is still effective under drivers behavior and driving conditions in Busan Metropolitan City, the effects before and after introduction of roundabout were analyzed. According to analysis on velocity profile at roundabout, velocity deviation decreased, and average vehicle speed was close to design speed. As a result, it has been confirmed that most roundabouts were properly built. In terms of traffic operation, average vehicle speed improved by 87.2% when a traffic intersection was replaced by a roundabout. therefore, it has been found out that the introduction of roundabout has a positive effect on increasing vehicle speed by reducing traffic congestion. In addition, annual benefits expected from the replacement from a traffic intersection to a roundabout were KRW 872 million as follows; KRW 410 million in traffic communication, KRW 39 million in transportation safety, KRW 255 million in energy saving, KRW 95 million in reduction of air pollution and KRW 73 million in reduction of traffic signal installation cost. In other words, if 10% (193 spots) of all traffic intersections (1,926 spots in total) in Busan City are replaced by roundabouts, the municipal authority would be able to save about KRW 168.3 billion. According to analysis on the benefits expected from the installation of roundabouts compared to the investment cost for traffic intersections, about KRW 679 million could be saved per roundabout. Considering 10% of all traffic intersections in the City of Busan, about KRW 131 billion could be saved annually. The traffic accidents in roundabout usually occur because drivers aren't aware of right-of-way rules. Once the right-of-way rules settle, the number of traffic accidents would significantly decrease. In addition, it is urgent to promote education and campaign for drivers, pedestrians and bikers on the roundabout.