scholarly journals Evanescing Beauty and Viability of Coastal Beaches of Colombo District.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivakumaran Sivaramanan ◽  
Sarath Wimalabandara Kotagama
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Railway Track ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Drainage Canals ◽  
Source Level

Abstract According to a weekly beach survey conducted for two months and data analysis done by Clean Coast Index (CCI) method, some beaches in the Colombo district are located in the backyard of suburb residences and become the dumping sites for the adjacent community, such as Moratuwa and Ratmalana. Beaches in Wellawatte, Dehiwala, Bambalapitiya, and Kollupitiya hold trash from mixed sources such as domestic dumping, wastes from commercial activities such as hotels, from running trains and beach visitors, and beaches in Mt.Lavania, Galle face, and Mattakuliya hold similar kind of wastes that are mostly from beach visitors including tourists. Furthermore, wastes from fishing-related activities are abundant in Dehiwala, they are nylon fishing nets, ropes, and polystyrene floats. Besides, PET bottle usage by the fisherman also significantly high. In urban areas such as Kollupitiya, Bamblapitiya, Wellawatte, and Dehiwala most of the wastes are carried by the drainage canals. Mechanized beach grooming is not possible in most of the locations due to the presence of the Southern railway track and the rocks. Thus, to seek sustainable solutions source-level mitigation plans have to be implemented such as source-level waste categorization (already in action), penalties, waste bins in public transport (trains), and billboards in public transport (“Please do not through your garbage outside”), deposit refund scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles, public awareness and stewardship programmes, waste bins at identified locations in the beach, screening floating plastics at canals by sieves and banning of certain types of plastics (e.g. plastic wraps or packaging materials, straws, spoons, yoghurt cups, and styrofoam). Also, it is possible to design regenerative solutions such as provide incentives e.g. offering travel free pass for waste plastic bottles (in Indonesia) and waste to energy projects ( Muthurajawela).

scholarly journals Development of Rice Bran Mixed Porous Clay Bricks for Permeable Pavements: A Sustainable LID Technique for Arid Regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1443
Author(s):  
Fawaz Alharbi ◽  
Meshal Almoshaogeh ◽  
Md. Shafiquzzaman ◽  
Husnain Haider ◽  
Md. Rafiquzzaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Rice Bran ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Stormwater Management ◽  
Permeability Coefficient ◽  
World Health ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Permeable Pavements ◽  
Clay Bricks

Permeable pavement provides sustainable solutions for urban stormwater management. In this research, the potential of rice bran mixed porous clay bricks were evaluated for permeable pavements. Physical, mechanical and hydrological properties along with stormwater treatment capabilities of the brick samples were assessed. The study found that ratio of rice bran and clay soil has significant impacts on the properties of the produced bricks. Water adsorption and porosity increased with increasing rice bran ratio. Compressive strength of brick samples decreased from 29.6 MPa to 6.9 MPa when the ratio of rice bran was increased from 0% to 20%. The permeability coefficient increased from 4 × 10−4 to 1.39 × 10−2 mm/s with the increase in rice bran from 0% to 30%. The preamble clay bricks were efficient to remove turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), five days’ biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and heavy metals (Mn, Cu, and Zn) from stormwater to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for wastewater reuse application. The bricks with ≤10% of rice bran achieved the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard of the desire compressive strength and permeability coefficient for pedestrian and light traffic pavements. The porous bricks prepared in this study can be used to construct permeable pavements and would be a sustainable low impact developments technique for stormwater management in urban areas.

scholarly journals Social distancing in public transport: mobilising new technologies for demand management under the Covid-19 crisis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Hörcher ◽  
Ramandeep Singh ◽  
Daniel J. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
New Information ◽  
Occupancy Rates

AbstractDense urban areas are especially hardly hit by the Covid-19 crisis due to the limited availability of public transport, one of the most efficient means of mass mobility. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, public transport operators are experiencing steep declines in demand and fare revenues due to the perceived risk of infection within vehicles and other facilities. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of implementing social distancing in public transport in line with epidemiological advice. Social distancing requires effective demand management to keep vehicle occupancy rates under a predefined threshold, both spatially and temporally. We review the literature of five demand management methods enabled by new information and ticketing technologies: (i) inflow control with queueing, (ii) time and space dependent pricing, (iii) capacity reservation with advance booking, (iv) slot auctioning, and (v) tradeable travel permit schemes. Thus the paper collects the relevant literature into a single point of reference, and provides interpretation from the viewpoint of practical applicability during and after the pandemic.

scholarly journals Gender Inequality in Safety and Security Perceptions in Railway Stations

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4007
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Coppola ◽  
Fulvio Silvestri
Keyword(s):  
Gender Gap ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
Revealed Preference ◽  
Behavioral Models ◽  
Mobility Patterns ◽  
Railway Stations ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Disaggregate Data

Recent studies have shown that gender is the personal aspect that mostly affects mobility patterns and travel behaviors. It has been observed, for instance, that female perception of unsafety and insecurity when traveling using public transport forces them to make unwanted travel choices, such as avoiding traveling at certain times of day and to specific destinations. In order to improve the attractiveness of public transport services, this gender gap must not be overlooked. This paper aims at contributing to research in gendered mobility by investigating differences in safety and security perceptions in railway stations, and by identifying which policies could be effective in bridging any existing gap. The methodology includes the collection of disaggregate data through a mixed Revealed Preference/Stated Preference survey, and the estimation of fixed and random parameters behavioral models. Results from a medium-sized Italian railway station show that female travelers feel safer in the presence of other people; they prefer intermodal infrastructures close to the entrance of the station and commercial activities in the internal premises. Moreover, unlike male travelers, they do not appreciate the presence of hedges and greenery outside stations.

scholarly journals Volcanic Ash as a Sustainable Binder Material: An Extensive Review

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1302
Author(s):  
Andrés Játiva ◽  
Evelyn Ruales ◽  
Miren Etxeberria
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Portland Cement ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Cement Clinker ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Cement Production ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Alkali Activated

The construction industry is affected by the constant growth in the populations of urban areas. The demand for cement production has an increasing environmental impact, and there are urgent demands for alternative sustainable solutions. Volcanic ash (VA) is an abundant low-cost material that, because of its chemical composition and amorphous atomic structure, has been considered as a suitable material to replace Portland cement clinker for use as a binder in cement production. In the last decade, there has been interest in using alkali-activated VA material as an alternative material to replace ordinary Portland cement. In this way, a valuable product may be derived from a currently under-utilized material. Additionally, alkali-activated VA-based materials may be suitable for building applications because of their good densification behaviour, mechanical properties and low porosity. This article describes the most relevant findings from researchers around the world on the role of the chemical composition and mineral contents of VA on reactivity during the alkali-activation reaction; the effect of synthesis factors, which include the concentration of the alkaline activator, the solution-to-binder ratio and the curing conditions, on the properties of alkali-activated VA-based materials; and the mechanical performance and durability properties of these materials.

scholarly journals Informal park-and-ride behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
Jelena Simićević ◽  
Vladimir Molan ◽  
Nada Milosavljević
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Travel Behaviour ◽  
Urban Transport ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Park And Ride ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Parking Management

Sustainable parking management in central urban areas typically involves implementation of restrictive parking measures. Discouraged by parking measures users seek for an alternative option. Some of them self-initiatively found a way not to completely abandon driving: they drive and park outside the central area and reach the final destination by public transport. This travel pattern is known as “informal Park-and-Ride“ (PnR), and should be estimated as relatively positive because the critical “last mile” is travelled by public transport. As PnR demand grows, policy-makers should consider its formalisation and integration into the urban transport policy. This paper aims to identify informal PnR users in Belgrade and to investigate their motives, requests and preferences towards this option. The findings should be of importance when planning and developing formal PnR sites, which can largely increase user willingness to accept restrictive parking measures, i.e. to adopt more sustainable travel behaviour.

scholarly journals Municipal Solid Waste to Energy Generation in Bangladesh: Possible Scenarios to Generate Renewable Electricity in Dhaka and Chittagong City

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Nazmul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Msw Management ◽  
Msw Incineration ◽  
The World ◽  
Renewable Electricity Generation

Increased generation of methane (CH4) from municipal solid wastes (MSW) alarms the world to take proper initiative for the sustainable management of MSW, because it is 34 times stronger than carbon dioxide (CO2). Mounting land scarcity issue around the world brands the waste to energy (WtE) strategy for MSW management in urban areas as a promising option, because WtE not only reduces the land pressure problem, but also generates electricity, heat, and green jobs. The goal of this study is to evaluate the renewable electricity generation potential and associated carbon reduction of MSW management in Bangladesh using WtE strategies. The study is conducted in two major cities of Bangladesh: Dhaka and Chittagong. Six different WtE scenarios are evaluated consisting of mixed MSW incineration and landfill gas (LFG) recovery system. Energy potential of different WtE strategy is assessed using standard energy conversion model and subsequent GHGs emissions models. Scenario A1results in highest economic and energy potential and net negative GHGs emission. Sensitivity analysis by varying MSW moisture content reveals higher energy potential and less GHGs emissions from MSW possessing low moisture content. The study proposes mixed MSW incineration that could be a potential WtE strategy for renewable electricity generation in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Quality of Bus Services Performance: Benefits of Real Time Passenger Information Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Monzon ◽  
Sara Hernandez ◽  
Rocio Cascajo
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Travel Behaviour ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Sustainable Transport ◽  
The Public ◽  
Steady Growth ◽  
Bus Services

One of the main problems in urban areas is the steady growth in car ownership and traffic levels. Therefore, the challenge of sustainability is focused on a shift of the demand for mobility from cars to collective means of transport. For this purpose, buses are a key element of the public transport systems. In this respect Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) systems help people change their travel behaviour towards more sustainable transport modes. This paper provides an assessment methodology which evaluates how RTPI systems improve the quality of bus services performance in two European cities, Madrid and Bremerhaven. In the case of Madrid, bus punctuality has increased by 3%. Regarding the travellers perception, Madrid raised its quality of service by 6% while Bremerhaven increased by 13%. On the other hand, the users´ perception of Public Transport (PT) image increased by 14%.

The impact of future cities on commuting patterns: An agent-based approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1079-1096
Author(s):  
Marcello Marini ◽  
Anna P Gawlikowska ◽  
Andrea Rossi ◽  
Ndaona Chokani ◽  
Hubert Klumpner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Simulation Framework ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Transportation Sector ◽  
Commuting Time ◽  
Commuting Patterns ◽  
The Impact

Over the next 35 years, the population of Switzerland is expected to grow by 25%. One possible way to accommodate this larger population is to transform smaller cities in Switzerland through the direct intervention of urban planners. In this work, we integrate agent-based simulation models of people flow, mobility and urban infrastructure with models of the electricity and gas systems to examine the increase of the density of existing residential zones and the creation of new workplaces and commercial activities in these urban areas. This novel simulation framework is used to assess, for the year 2050, two different scenarios of urbanization in a region with small urban areas. It is shown that a densification scenario, with a preference for multi-dwelling buildings, consumes 93% less land than a sprawl scenario, with a preference for single-family houses. The former scenario also accommodates 27% more people than the latter scenario, as there is a higher penetration of battery electric vehicles – and therefore reduced air pollution from the transportation sector – and also a larger shift of commuters to the use of public transport. However, in the former scenario, the commuting time is 20% longer. The outcome of this work demonstrates how this novel simulation framework can be used to support the formulation of policies that can direct the transformation of urban areas.

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