Net Impacts of Streetcar Operations on Traffic Congestion in Melbourne, Australia

Author(s):  
Duy Q. Nguyen-Phuoc ◽  
Graham Currie ◽  
Chris De Gruyter ◽  
William Young

Public transit is widely recognized to reduce urban traffic congestion, as it encourages automobile travelers off the road. However, streetcars have been criticized for causing traffic congestion because large trams must operate in mixed traffic on narrow, congested streets. At the same time, streetcars reduce congestion by encouraging automobile drivers to use trams. So what is the net effect of streetcars on congestion? This paper presents a new method for assessing the net traffic congestion effects associated with streetcar operations in Melbourne, Australia, which has the largest streetcar network in the world. Impacts were determined with the use of a traffic network model to compare congestion with trams and without trams. The positive impacts of trams were estimated by using mode shift from tram to automobile when tram services were removed. Negative impacts were explored by considering streetcar traffic operations, the impact of curbside tram stops, and the effect of exclusive priority tram lanes on traffic flow. Findings show that the streetcar network in inner Melbourne results in a net congestion benefit to traffic; a 3.4% decrease in vehicle time traveled and total delay on the road network was established. The streetcar network also contributes to reducing the number of moderately congested links by 16%. Areas for future research are suggested, such as exploring the spatial distribution of the mode shift to automobile and the long-term effect of trams on traffic.

Noise Mapping ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Aletta ◽  
Stefano Brinchi ◽  
Stefano Carrese ◽  
Andrea Gemma ◽  
Claudia Guattari ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study presents the result of a traffic simulation analysis based on Floating Car Data and a noise emission assessment to show the impact of mobility restriction for COVID-19 containment on urban vehicular traffic and road noise pollution on the road network of Rome, Italy. The adoption of strong and severe measures to contain the spreading of Coronavirus during March-April 2020 generated a significant reduction in private vehicle trips in the city of Rome (-64.6% during the lockdown). Traffic volumes, obtained through a simulation approach, were used as input parameters for a noise emission assessment conducted using the CNOSSOS-EU method, and an overall noise emissions reduction on the entire road network was found, even if its extent varied between road types.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sartika Nisumanti ◽  
Evina Krisna

<p><em>The roads</em><em> </em><em>transportation is an </em><em>important infrastructure as one of the land transportation infrastructures for the movement of social activities and to support economic development, specifically in Palembang City. </em><em>The population growth of Palembang City has resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles and highway users. As a result</em><em>, transportation activities in Palembang, especially at Parameswara </em><em>roads are increasing. </em><em>The impact of this, there will be heavy traffic volume, resulting in conflicts on the road, which lead to traffic accidents. </em><em>Therefore</em><em>, there will be congestion and a decrease in the performance of the road speed.</em></p><p><em>The research is conducted at Parameswara Road in Palembang that visually diminished the ability to accommodate the road traffic volume per day, accordingly the effect of traffic that occurs due to the lack of road capacity as the sequence of large volume traffic. The purpose of this study is to determine the capacity and level of road services to carried out the performance value on this road. The method used in the analysis is the Greenshield model, Greenberg, and Underwood. This study explains the maximum volume at peak hour that develop on Monday is between 1561 smp/hour and 1549 smp/hour. Whereas the lowest is around 1225 smp/hour and 1008 smp/hour that occurs on Sunday. Therefore, the analysis of service level on the research years at Parameswara Road depicts the saturated traffic conditions and low starting speed with D service index category and service level analysis at 10 years of planning time projections, the lpda result is from 2022 to 2026, The Parameswara road conditions at E and F service index categories are the traffic jam circumstances and slight speed. Hence, it necessitates constructing a non-plot way at Parameswara Road intersection to tackle this traffic congestion.</em></p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>:<strong> </strong></em><em>Greenshield, Greenberg, Underwood</em>, <em>Road Capacity</em><em>.</em></p>


Author(s):  
Muhammad Hamdan ◽  
Othman Omran Khalifah ◽  
Teddy Surya Gunawan

Traffic congestion plagues all driver around the world. To solve this problem computer vision can be used as a tool to develop alternative routes and eliminate traffic congestions. In the current generation with increasing number of cameras on the streets and lower cost for Internet of Things(IoT) this solution will have a greater impact on current systems. In this paper, the Macroscopic Urban Traffic model is used using computer vision as its source and traffic intensity monitoring system is implemented. The input of this program is extracted from a traffic surveillance camera and another program running a neural network classification which can classify and distinguish the vehicle type is on the road. The neural network toolbox is trained with positive and negative input to increase accuracy. The accuracy of the program is compared to other related works done and the trends of the traffic intensity from a road is also calculated.


Author(s):  
Elizaveta Derevenets ◽  
Elizaveta Derevenets

Gelendzhik is the resort town, there aren't a lot of industrial enterprises here. The main pollutant is transport. The work purpose is the assessment of a condition of the artificial landings of a pine located along the Federal highway "Don" and landings, which is nearly the sea coast. Researches were conducted to a standard technique of the General vital state (A. S. Bogolyubov). The assessment of a condition of pines was carried out during 6 years: from 2010 to 2015. For carrying out research we used 6 experimental grounds on the Markotkhsky spine and 2 control grounds within the town. We investigated 24 trees on each platform, middle age of the trees were 30 - 40 years. Results. 1. The condition of trees in the pine forests located in immediate proximity with the Federal highway "Don" (No. 1, 2, 3) is unsatisfactory. As even weak influences of the majority of atmospheric gaseous pollutants (sulphurous gas, nitrogen oxides, etc.) give effect of a necrosis and hloroz of pine needles, the condition of pines is connected with technogenic pollution. So near the Federal highway "Don" the air environment is strongly polluted by exhaust gases. Information of 2012 confirm that negative influence of the route on Markotkh's vegetation decreases at reduction of load of the route. 2. On the sites located above on a slope (No. 4,5,6) thanks to remoteness and the wind mode intensity of influence of pollutants is lower and a condition of pines the quite satisfactory. 3. Trees on the sites located near the sea (No. 7,8) are in a good shape. Small deterioration of a state is noted in very droughty years. Conclusion. Results of six years' research show that the condition of the plantings which are in close proximity with the road worsens. It is explained by increase in intensity of the movement on the road, especially during a resort season. Gelendzhik is the city with a good ecological shape, but the damage to environment is already caused. If not to take measures, we can lose a unique part of the nature in the future, recreate it will be impossible. Measures of reduction of negative impact of exhaust gases were offered. Results of researches are transferred to ecological department of the City administration of Gelendzhik.


Author(s):  
Elizaveta Derevenets ◽  
Elizaveta Derevenets

Gelendzhik is the resort town, there aren't a lot of industrial enterprises here. The main pollutant is transport. The work purpose is the assessment of a condition of the artificial landings of a pine located along the Federal highway "Don" and landings, which is nearly the sea coast. Researches were conducted to a standard technique of the General vital state (A. S. Bogolyubov). The assessment of a condition of pines was carried out during 6 years: from 2010 to 2015. For carrying out research we used 6 experimental grounds on the Markotkhsky spine and 2 control grounds within the town. We investigated 24 trees on each platform, middle age of the trees were 30 - 40 years. Results. 1. The condition of trees in the pine forests located in immediate proximity with the Federal highway "Don" (No. 1, 2, 3) is unsatisfactory. As even weak influences of the majority of atmospheric gaseous pollutants (sulphurous gas, nitrogen oxides, etc.) give effect of a necrosis and hloroz of pine needles, the condition of pines is connected with technogenic pollution. So near the Federal highway "Don" the air environment is strongly polluted by exhaust gases. Information of 2012 confirm that negative influence of the route on Markotkh's vegetation decreases at reduction of load of the route. 2. On the sites located above on a slope (No. 4,5,6) thanks to remoteness and the wind mode intensity of influence of pollutants is lower and a condition of pines the quite satisfactory. 3. Trees on the sites located near the sea (No. 7,8) are in a good shape. Small deterioration of a state is noted in very droughty years. Conclusion. Results of six years' research show that the condition of the plantings which are in close proximity with the road worsens. It is explained by increase in intensity of the movement on the road, especially during a resort season. Gelendzhik is the city with a good ecological shape, but the damage to environment is already caused. If not to take measures, we can lose a unique part of the nature in the future, recreate it will be impossible. Measures of reduction of negative impact of exhaust gases were offered. Results of researches are transferred to ecological department of the City administration of Gelendzhik.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Jevtic ◽  
C Bouland

Abstract Public health professionals (PHP) have a dual task in climate change. They should persuade their colleagues in clinical medicine of the importance of all the issues covered by the GD. The fact that the health sector contributes to the overall emissions of 4.4% speaks to the lack of awareness within the health sector itself. The issue of providing adequate infrastructure for the health sector is essential. Strengthening the opportunities and development of the circular economy within healthcare is more than just a current issue. The second task of PHP is targeting the broader population. The public health mission is being implemented, inter alia, through numerous activities related to environmental monitoring and assessment of the impact on health. GD should be a roadmap for priorities and actions in public health, bearing in mind: an ambitious goal of climate neutrality, an insistence on clean, affordable and safe energy, a strategy for a clean and circular economy. GD provides a framework for the development of sustainable and smart transport, the development of green agriculture and policies from field to table. It also insists on biodiversity conservation and protection actions. The pursuit of zero pollution and an environment free of toxic chemicals, as well as incorporating sustainability into all policies, is also an indispensable part of GD. GD represents a leadership step in the global framework towards a healthier future and comprises all the non-EU members as well. The public health sector should consider the GD as an argument for achieving goals at national levels, and align national public health policies with the goals of this document. There is a need for stronger advocacy of health and public-health interests along with incorporating sustainability into all policies. Achieving goals requires the education process for healthcare professionals covering all of topics of climate change, energy and air pollution to a much greater extent than before.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2329
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Macioszek ◽  
Agata Kurek

Continuous, automatic measurements of road traffic volume allow the obtaining of information on daily, weekly or seasonal fluctuations in road traffic volume. They are the basis for calculating the annual average daily traffic volume, obtaining information about the relevant traffic volume, or calculating indicators for converting traffic volume from short-term measurements to average daily traffic volume. The covid-19 pandemic has contributed to extensive social and economic anomalies worldwide. In addition to the health consequences, the impact on travel behavior on the transport network was also sudden, extensive, and unpredictable. Changes in the transport behavior resulted in different values of traffic volume on the road and street network than before. The article presents road traffic volume analysis in the city before and during the restrictions related to covid-19. Selected traffic characteristics were compared for 2019 and 2020. This analysis made it possible to characterize the daily, weekly and annual variability of traffic volume in 2019 and 2020. Moreover, the article attempts to estimate daily traffic patterns at particular stages of the pandemic. These types of patterns were also constructed for the weeks in 2019 corresponding to these stages of the pandemic. Daily traffic volume distributions in 2020 were compared with the corresponding ones in 2019. The obtained results may be useful in terms of planning operational and strategic activities in the field of traffic management in the city and management in subsequent stages of a pandemic or subsequent pandemics.


Author(s):  
Mary L. Still ◽  
Jeremiah D. Still

Human factors research has led to safer interactions between motorists through redesigned signage, roadway designs, and training. Similar efforts are needed to understand and improve interactions between cyclists and motorists. One challenge to safe motorist-cyclist interactions are expectations about where cyclists should be on the road. In this study, we utilize more directive signage and additional lane markings to clarify where cyclists should ride in the travel lane. The impact of these signifiers was examined by having motorists indicate where cyclists should ride in the lane, how difficult it was to determine the correct lane position, and how safe they would feel if they were in that lane position. Results indicate that more directive signage – “bicycles take the lane”-and painted hazard signifiers can change motorists’ expectations, so they are more aligned with safer cyclist positioning in the lane.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3585
Author(s):  
Dariusz Masłowski ◽  
Małgorzata Dendera-Gruszka ◽  
Ewa Kulińska

In the current era of urban development, people are already using electric vehicles more and more often for transport purposes, which reduces negative impacts on the environment. However, there are still vehicles in towns and cities that run on ordinary internal combustion engines. Performing optimization measures on the operation of these vehicles improves their performance, which can result in positive sustainable development effects. This article presents measures to reduce the wear and tear of urban vehicles and outlines a decision model to determine which of the vehicle parts described suffer the most frequent wear and tear under urban conditions. The article presents a list of structural elements that are most affected by urban traffic, as well as corrective actions to improve such specialized vehicles. Based on the decision analysis, Rule 1 was eliminated as having the least significant impact on vehicle wear and tear, and the least significant impact on urban safety. On the other hand, the most worn-out elements were found to be gearboxes, clutches, bus levelling electronics, and brake pads and discs. The decision-making model made it possible to identify the factors which have the greatest impact on reducing safety in urban spaces.


Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Bérengier ◽  
Judicaël Picaut ◽  
Bettina Pahl ◽  
Denis Duhamel ◽  
Benoit Gauvreau ◽  
...  

Traffic noise is considered by people as one of the most important sources of environmental discomfort. A way to limit the traffic noise is to reduce the noise emission, for example, by using specific low noise pavements, particularly in suburban areas. However, in real situations, it can be difficult to evaluate the impact of a given pavement, because it depends, for example, on the road geometry, the meteorological conditions, or the distance of the receiver position. Finally it can be difficult to select the most appropriate pavement for a given noise reduction objective. In this paper, a simple method is proposed to evaluate the noise impact of a pavement, in typical road geometries and environmental conditions. The proposed approach uses two databases, the first one based on measurements of emission spectra of road vehicles on several typical pavements, the second one made of pre-calculations of noise propagation for typical road configurations. Finally, the method is implemented in an interactive web tool, called DEUFRABASE, which allows one to obtain a fast estimation of the L Aeq (1 h or 24 h) and L den noise levels for various pavements and road configurations, as functions of the traffic flow and composition. By comparing the method with measurements, it is showed that the tool, although based on a restricted number of pavements and on several simplifications, can predict the noise impact of typical road configurations, with an acceptable error, most often less than 2 dB.


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