scholarly journals The Effect of Tree Plantations on Moderating Air Temperature in Arafat, Makkah for the Period 2002-2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-72
Author(s):  
Atef M.F. Mohammed Atef M.F. Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Temperature Trend ◽  
Tree Plantation ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Land Usage ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Hajj Season ◽  
Positive Significant Trend ◽  
Makkah City

Recently many studies have shown that average temperature has increased globally. However, temperature trends vary in different parts of the world due to local geographical, climatic, land usage and various socio-economic factors. This study focuses on temperature trend in Makkah and intends to investigate the effect of vegetations on temperature trend. Temperature trend is analyzed from two meteorological monitoring sties in Arafat and Waly Al-Ahd area for the period 2002-2016. The two sites have demonstrated opposite trends from each other for the above period. In Arafat area temperature has not increased and has rather decreased during the last 15 years (-0.05oC/year). The negative trend in Arafat was more evident since 2009 (-0.21oC/year). In contrast, Waly Al-Ahd area demonstrated positive significant trend (+0.14oC/year). In Arafat area mass tree plantation has taken place during the last couple of decades. Furthermore, Arafat has experienced no urbanization, as it is one of those Holy areas that are reserved for the purpose of Hajj. During the study period greenery in Arafat area has increased significantly since the plantation project was started in 1986. In contrast rapid urbanization, resulting in increase in energy use, road traffic, and change in land usage has led to temperature rise in most parts of the Makkah City including Waly Al-Ahd. This study shows how local factors, such as vegetation can affect local temperature trend. Arafat tree plantation project can be used as a good example to encourage more tree plantation in the Holy sites to cope with the increasing heat in the coming decades. Trees also provide shelter from the blazing sun, especially during Hajj season in Makkah, where temperature reaches as high as 50oC in summer months and probably will continue to rise in the future.

Road Safety in Developing Countries - The Case of Transportation Management in Dar Es Salaam City

2012 ◽  
Vol 178-181 ◽  
pp. 1806-1814
Author(s):  
Philemon Kazimil Mzee ◽  
Yan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Policy Objective ◽  
Transportation Management ◽  
Transport Services

Countries of the developing world are characterized by rapid urbanization, high growth rates in traffic and congestion and decreasing regulation of public transport. Because the majority of the developing world's inhabitants are dependent on public transport services for their mobility needs, the need for safe, effective and efficient public transport is essential to ensure adequate, affordable, accessibility and the continuing sustainable development of livelihoods in the rural and urban. Finally, recommendations are made to reduce both the severity and number of public transport accidents in the future. This paper highlights the historical road safety and the transportation management in Dar es Salaam. In the field of road traffic control and management, the primary policy objective is to develop appropriate institutional and organizational arrangement towards further efficient road use.

scholarly journals Two decades of in-situ temperature measurements in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere from IAGOS long-term routine observation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Berkes ◽  
Patrick Neis ◽  
Martin G. Schultz ◽  
Ulrich Bundke ◽  
Susanne Rohs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Temperature Trend ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Medium Range Weather Forecast ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Geographical Regions

Abstract. Despite several studies on temperature trends in the tropopause region, a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of temperatures in this climate-sensitive region of the atmosphere remains elusive. Here we present a unique global-scale, long-term data set of high-resolution in-situ temperature data measured aboard passenger aircraft within the European Research Infrastructure IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System, www.iagos.org). This data set is used to investigate temperature trends within the global upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere (UTLS) for the period 1995 to 2012 in different geographical regions and vertical layers of the UTLS. The largest amount of observations is available over the North Atlantic. Here, a neutral temperature trend is found within the lowermost stratosphere. This contradicts the temperature trend in the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) ERA-Interim reanalysis, where a significant (95 % confidence) temperature increase of +0.56 K/decade is obtained. Differences between trends derived from observations and reanalysis data can be traced back to changes in the temperature bias between observation and model data over the studied period. This study demonstrates the value of the IAGOS temperature observations as anchor point for the evaluation of reanalyses and its suitability for independent trend analyses.

A Review of Adverse Effects of Road Traffic Noise on Human Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (01) ◽  
pp. 1830001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devi Singh ◽  
Neeraj Kumari ◽  
Pooja Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Health Hazards ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Rapid Urbanization

Noise pollution due to road traffic is a potential threat to human health. Since it is a global hazard, the rapid urbanization and exponential traffic growth have aggravated the problem. Population residing along the busy traffic lanes is continuously exposed to the sound levels which are above the permissible limits. This constant exposure to noise pollution is a cause of concern as it leads to several adverse impacts on human health. Traffic noise causes irritation and annoyance, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disease, risk of stroke, diabetes, hypertension and loss of hearing. It results in decreased work performance. The present review highlights the serious health hazards of road traffic noise (RTN) which needs to be curbed. Preventive measures of noise pollution can help in combating noise-induced health hazards and increased work performance.

scholarly journals Driving Forces of Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Based on Expanded IPAT Decomposition Analysis: Evidence from ASEAN and Four Selected Countries

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaruwan Chontanawat
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Driving Factors ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Rapid Urbanization

ASEAN is a dynamic and diverse region which has experienced rapid urbanization and population growth. Their energy demand grew by 60% in the last 15 years. In 2013, about 3.6% of global greenhouse-gas emissions was emitted from this region and the share is expected to rise substantially. Hence, a better understanding of driving forces of the changes in CO2 emissions is important to tackle global climate change and develop appropriate policies. Using IPAT combined with variance analysis, this study aims to identify the main driving factors of CO2 emissions for ASEAN and four selected countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand) during 1971–2013. The results show that population growth and economic growth were the main driving factors for increasing CO2 emissions for most of the countries. Fossil fuels play an important role in increasing CO2 emissions, however the growth in emissions was compensated by improved energy efficiency and carbon intensity of fossil energy. The results imply that to decouple energy use from high levels of emissions is important. Proper energy management through fuel substitution and decreasing emission intensity through technological upgrades have considerable potential to cut emissions.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of temperature trends in IPCC CMIP5 simulations with observations, reanalyses and CMIP3 models

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1705-1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Xu ◽  
L. Zhao ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Coupled Model ◽  
Temperature Trend ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Cmip5 Models ◽  
Model Intercomparison ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Intercomparison Project ◽  
Stratospheric Cooling ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. On the basis of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and the climate model simulations covering 1979 through 2005, the temperature trends and their uncertainties have been examined to note the similarities or differences compared to the radiosonde observations, reanalyses and the third Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) simulations. The results show noticeable discrepancies for the estimated temperature trends in the four data groups (radiosonde, reanalysis, CMIP3 and CMIP5), although similarities can be observed. Compared to the CMIP3 model simulations, the simulations in some of the CMIP5 models were improved. The CMIP5 models displayed a negative temperature trend in the stratosphere closer to the strong negative trend seen in the observations. However, the positive tropospheric trend in the tropics is overestimated by the CMIP5 models relative to CMIP3 models. While some of the models produce temperature trend patterns more highly correlated with the observed patterns in CMIP5, the other models (such as CCSM4 and IPSL_CM5A-LR) exhibit the reverse tendency. The CMIP5 temperature trend uncertainty was significantly reduced in most areas, especially in the Arctic and Antarctic stratosphere, compared to the CMIP3 simulations. Similar to the CMIP3, the CMIP5 simulations overestimated the tropospheric warming in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere and underestimated the stratospheric cooling. The crossover point where tropospheric warming changes into stratospheric cooling occurred near 100 hPa in the tropics, which is higher than in the radiosonde and reanalysis data. The result is likely related to the overestimation of convective activity over the tropical areas in both the CMIP3 and CMIP5 models. Generally, for the temperature trend estimates associated with the numerical models including the reanalyses and global climate models, the uncertainty in the stratosphere is much larger than that in the troposphere, and the uncertainty in the Antarctic is the largest. In addition, note that the reanalyses show the largest uncertainty in the lower tropical stratosphere, and the CMIP3 simulations show the largest uncertainty in both the south and north polar regions.

scholarly journals A Multilevel Analysis of Perceived Noise Pollution, Geographic Contexts and Mental Health in Beijing

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Ma ◽  
Chunjiang Li ◽  
Mei-Po Kwan ◽  
Yanwei Chai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Healthy City ◽  
Wide Range

With rapid urbanization and increase in car ownership, ambient noise pollution resulting from diversified sources (e.g., road traffic, railway, commercial services) has become a severe environmental problem in the populated areas in China. However, research on the spatial variation of noise pollution and its potential effects on urban residents’ mental health has to date been quite scarce in developing countries like China. Using a health survey conducted in Beijing in 2017, we for the first time investigated the spatial distributions of multiple noise pollution perceived by residents in Beijing, including road traffic noise, railway (or subway) noise, commercial noise, and housing renovation (or construction) noise. Our results indicate that there is geographic variability in noise pollution at the neighborhood scale, and road traffic and housing renovation/construction are the principal sources of noise pollution in Beijing. We then employed Bayesian multilevel logistic models to examine the associations between diversified noise pollution and urban residents’ mental health symptoms, including anxiety, stress, fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbance, while controlling for a wide range of confounding factors such as socio-demographics, objective built environment characteristics, social environment and geographic context. The results show that perceived higher noise-pollution exposure is significantly associated with worse mental health, while physical environment variables seem to contribute little to variations in self-reported mental disorders, except for proximity to the main road. Social factors or socio-demographic attributes, such as age and income, are significant covariates of urban residents’ mental health, while the social environment (i.e., community attachment) and housing satisfaction are significantly correlated with anxiety and stress. This study provides empirical evidence on the noise-health relationships in the Chinese context and sheds light on the policy implications for environmental pollution mitigation and healthy city development in China.

scholarly journals Creation of Zero CO2 Emission Plants Due to Energy Use: A Case Study in Crete, Greece

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
John Vourdoubas
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Co2 Emission ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Intensity ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Tree Plantation ◽  
Electricity Use ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic System

Creation of zero CO2 emission enterprises due to energy use in Crete, Greece has been examined with reference to an orange juice producing plant (Viochym). Energy intensity at Viochym has been estimated at 1.66 KWh per € of annual sales. Oil used for heat generation has been replaced with solid biomass produced locally in Crete and resulting in zero CO2 emissions due to the use of heat. Offsetting CO2 emissions due to grid electricity use has been proposed with two options. The first includes the installation of a solar photovoltaic system with nominal power of 417 KWp, according to net metering regulations, generating annually 625 MWh equal to annual grid electricity consumption in the plant. Its capital cost has been estimated at 0.5 mil € which corresponds to 1.07 € per kg of CO2 saved annually.The second option includes the creation of a tree plantation in an area of 107 hectare resulting in carbon sequestration equal to carbon emissions in the plant due to electricity use. Both options for offsetting CO2 emissions in Viochym have various advantages and drawbacks and they are considered realistic and feasible, resulting in the elimination of its carbon emissions due to energy use. Improvement of the energy intensity of various processes in Viochym could result in lower CO2 emissions and smaller sizing of the required renewable energy systems for eliminating them.

scholarly journals An Update of U.S. Temperature Trends

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 4906-4914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Qi Lu ◽  
Robert Lund ◽  
Lynne Seymour
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Missing Data ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Temperature Trend ◽  
Standard Errors ◽  
Trend Study ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Record Length

Abstract This note updates the temperature trend study of the contiguous 48 United States by Lund et al. for data observed during the 4-yr period 1997–2000. A parsimonious changepoint parameterization is now used, and the methods for handling missing data are improved. The number of stations with useable data has now increased from 359 to 969, thereby improving the accuracy of the reported spatial patterns in the trends. The average record length of the 969 stations is now 103 yr, with the longest record starting in 1812 and the shortest in 1926. The methodological improvements and additional 4 yr of data produce slightly smaller trend estimate standard errors. Warming is found in the Northeast, West, and northern Midwest, with slight cooling in the Southeast; overall, the trends here suggest more warming than those of the Lund et al. study.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of temperature trends in IPCC CMIP5 simulations with observations, reanalyses and CMIP3 models

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 3621-3645 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Xu ◽  
A. M. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Coupled Model ◽  
Temperature Trend ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Cmip5 Models ◽  
Model Intercomparison ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Intercomparison Project ◽  
Stratospheric Cooling ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. On the basis of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and the climate model simulations covering 1979 through 2005, the temperature trends and their uncertainties have been examined to note the similarities or differences compared to the radiosonde observations, reanalyses and the third Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) simulations. The results show noticeable discrepancies for the estimated temperature trends in the four data groups (Radiosonde, Reanalysis, CMIP3 and CMIP5) although similarities can be observed. Compared to the CMIP3 model simulations, the simulation in some of CMIP5 models were improved. The CMIP5 models displayed a negative temperature trend in the stratosphere closer to the strong negative trend seen in the observations. However, the positive tropospheric trend in the tropics is overestimated by the CMIP5 models relative to CMIP3 models. While some of the models produce temperature trend patterns more highly correlated with the observed patterns in CMIP5, the other models (such as CCSM4 and IPSL_CM5A-LR) exhibit the reverse tendency. The CMIP5 temperature trend uncertainty was significantly reduced in most areas, especially in the Arctic and Antarctic stratosphere, compared to the CMIP3 simulations. Similar to the CMIP3, the CMIP5 simulations overestimated the tropospheric warming in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere and underestimated the stratospheric cooling. The crossover point where tropospheric warming changes into stratospheric cooling occurred near 100 hPa in the tropics, which is higher than in the radiosonde and reanalysis data. The result is likely related to the overestimation of convective activity over the tropical areas in both the CMIP3 and CMIP5 models. Generally, for the temperature trend estimates associated with the numerical models including the reanalyses and global climate models, the uncertainty in the stratosphere is much larger than that in the troposphere, and the uncertainty in the Antarctic is the largest. In addition, note that the reanalyses show the largest uncertainty in the lower tropical stratosphere, and the CMIP3 simulations show the largest uncertainty in both the south and north polar regions.

scholarly journals Reinforcement Learning Agent under Partial Observability for Traffic Light Control in Presence of Gridlocks

10.29007/bdgn ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanapapas Horsuwan ◽  
Chaodit Aswakul
Keyword(s):  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Light Control ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Partial Observability ◽  
Traffic Light Control ◽  
Network Area

Bangkok is notorious for its chronic traffic congestion due to the rapid urbanization and the haphazard city plan. The Sathorn Road network area stands to be one of the most critical areas where gridlocks are a normal occurrence during rush hours. This stems from the high volume of demand imposed by the dense geographical placement of 3 big educational institutions and the insufficient link capacity with strict routes. Current solutions place heavy reliance on human traffic control expertises to prevent and disentangle gridlocks by consecutively releasing each queue length spillback through inter-junction coordination. A calibrated dataset of the Sathorn Road network area in a microscopic road traffic simulation package SUMO (Simulation of Urban MObility) is provided in the work of Chula-Sathorn SUMO Simulator (Chula-SSS). In this paper, we aim to utilize the Chula-SSS dataset with extended vehicle flows and gridlocks in order to further optimize the present traffic signal control policies with reinforcement learning approaches by an artificial agent. Reinforcement learning has been successful in a variety of domains over the past few years. While a number of researches exist on using reinforcement learning with adaptive traffic light control, existing studies often lack pragmatic considerations concerning application to the physical world especially for the traffic system infrastructure in developing countries, which suffer from constraints imposed from economic factors. The resultant limitation of the agent’s partial observability of the whole network state at any specific time is imperative and cannot be overlooked. With such partial observability constraints, this paper has reported an investigation on applying the Ape-X Deep Q-Network agent at the critical junction in the morning rush hours from 6 AM to 9 AM with practically occasional presence of gridlocks. The obtainable results have shown a potential value of the agent’s ability to learn despite physical limitations in the traffic light control at the considered intersection within the Sathorn gridlock area. This suggests a possibility of further investigations on agent applicability in trying to mitigate complex interconnected gridlocks in the future.

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