scholarly journals Comparative Analyses of Parameters Influencing Children Pedestrian Behavior in Conflict Zones of Urban Intersections

Safety ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Deluka-Tibljaš ◽  
Irena Ištoka Otković ◽  
Tiziana Campisi ◽  
Sanja Šurdonja

Children pedestrians make up 30% of the total number of children injured in road traffic in the EU. Research shows that children are injured more often in the urban areas, in residential areas near schools and parks, often at intersections and pedestrian crossings. In this study, children’s traffic behavior was analyzed by observation of signalized pedestrian crosswalks. According to the same methodology, the research was conducted in three cities in two countries (Enna, Italy, Osijek and Rijeka, Croatia) with different urban and traffic characteristics. A total of 900 measurements were analyzed, 300 in each of the cities at 18 pedestrian crosswalks located in an urban setting in the vicinity of primary schools. A detailed statistical analysis of the influence parameters shows that, as general influence parameters, pedestrian crosswalk length, movement in a group and the age of children can be distinguished. Factors that have proven to have a significant influence on the movement of children in two of the three cities observed are gender, supervision by adults, running and cellphone use. The result can serve as a valuable input for interventions in traffic education as well as a basis for the improvement of traffic conditions at intersections where children are regularly present.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Zivadinovic ◽  
M Jevtic ◽  
N Dragic ◽  
S Bijelovic

Abstract Objective Increased noise level represents a significant public health problem in urban environments. The aim of this paper is to examine the annoyance of the population by road traffic noise in the City of Novi Sad. Methods The results of 161 24-hour noise measurements in Novi Sad were analyzed. Measurements were done by Public Health Institute of Vojvodina, according to accredited and standardized national methodology during 2012 - 2016. Results Total noise indicator (Lden) / night noise indicator (Lnight) ranged from 61,1 dB / 50,7 dB in residential, up to 66,3 dB / 58,1 dB in recreation / hospital areas, 68,0 dB / 60,3 dB in city traffic areas and 70,2 dB / 62,7 dB in business and residential areas. Taking into account the results and using methodology prescribed by national regulations, the percentage of highly annoyed population (% HA) was found to be in the range 11-25% during the day, and 6-13% during the night. Using ISO 1996-1:2016, prevalence of a population highly annoyed (PHA) was established to be in the range 9,2-33,9% in residential; 18,4-45,7% in recreation / hospital areas 22,9-50,6 in city traffic; 27,7-55,4% in business and residential areas. Conclusions The results confirm that urban noise seriously disturbs people. It was established that about a half of the population was highly annoyed which poses a serious challenge for public health. The results have social, health and economic importance for the population. Activities to reduce the noise level could also stimulate economic, health, social and community programs for sustainable development aiming to preserve and improve human health. Acknowledgment: Supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia - Project “Biosensing Technologies and Global System for Continuous Research and Integrated Management”, No.43002 Key messages Continous noise monitoring is important for understanding the impact of noise on human health. About a half of the population was highly annoyed by noise, which poses a big challenge for public health in urban areas.


Groupwork ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-47
Author(s):  
Yukti Lamba ◽  
George Palattiyil

Recent years have seen migration becoming a focus of attention for policy makers and humanitarian practitioners across the world. Migration can be both internal and external and involve one of the most vulnerable groups in our society – children. In India, data point to a considerable number of children running away from their parental homes in rural villages and migrating to urban areas in search of better opportunities. Many end up in cities like Delhi where they are exposed to a number of risks and vulnerabilities. While many of these children reach cities with dreams of making it big, the reality of living on the street is fraught with a number of challenges. Transient and often moving in groups, meeting them alone for a chat is nearly impossible and even when one manages to have an individual meeting, curiosity impels others to join in. Against this backdrop, the lived experiences of migrant children in Delhi were studied using a group method as evidence suggests that group work as a method is being increasingly used in research with children (Darbyshire et al., 2005; Jason Davis & Lopez-Carr, 2010; Gibbs, 2007). As children feel more comfortable discussing their problems in groups than when they are alone with the researcher, this way, innovative techniques such as drawings, storytelling and alike were practiced to initiate discussions with and amongst migrant children that helped to explore their pre and post-migration experiences. Further, we examine the effectiveness of group work as a method for researching with children and its innovativeness in eliciting deeper meanings to their lives in comparison to other methods such as interviews or observation. Ethical issues of this method, particularly concerning informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality, are addressed while encouraging the children to tell their stories in an open and honest manner. At the end of the sessions, many children reported that they felt heard and listened to, that their voice mattered, and that they developed a self of self. We conclude the paper with a careful consideration of some of the issues and challenges of employing group work as a research method with migrant children in an urban setting.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Somluk Bunnarong ◽  
Prapatpong Upala

Background:In Thailand, it has the second highest road traffic fatality rate in the world at 36.2 deaths per 100,000 populations. The pedestrian crash zones are based on the road and physical environment, vehicle and driver behavior and pedestrian behavior, especially the area around the school. Therefore, this paper would like to improve safety by identifying crash area through Geographic Information Systems (GIS).Objective:The objective of this paper is to identify pedestrian crash zones of primary schools and secondary schools in Bangkok, Thailand through the spatial analysis and GIS tool.Method:The research methodology was the data collection from pedestrian-vehicle crashes in 2016 at 12 schools of 1,218 locations in Bangkok. The data analysis used GIS for geocoding the crash locations. The spatial patterns and pedestrian crash zone map were applied by Moran’s I statistic and the Kernel Density Estimation (KDE).Results:The Moran’s index showed that the accident locations within school zone were a clustered pattern considering on Moran’s Index which approached +1 and the z-scores greater than 2.58. The KDE showed that the pedestrian crash zones were different depending on the physical environment; however, the most significant areas were at urban areas, crowded areas, and intersections of arterial roads and local roads about 508 meters from the school center.Conclusion:This research could be concluded that the spatial patterns and pedestrian crash zone map will assist the transportation planners and traffic police for identifying crash locations and specific vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians and bicycle users.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-59
Author(s):  
Naceur Khadidja ◽  
Mohamed Maatoug ◽  
Benaichata Lazreg ◽  
Hermann Heilmeier ◽  
Mykola Kharytonov

23 primary schools have been selected in Tiaret city, and the collection of PM2.5 was performed in the morning, afternoon and evening, in the presence and absence of the pupils. The results found have shown a gradient of concentrations of PM2.5 by site typology. Low and average concentrations are recorded in the areas close to forests: 23.32±2.77 µg/m3 and the high concentrations are observed in the sites exposed to road traffic: 33.57±3.27 µg/m3 in winter. However, concentrations recorded in the urban sites are lower in the summer (sites exposed to road traffic: 25.33±2.85 µg/m3, sites close to the forests 23.78± 1.92µg/m3). We also noticed that the dominance of PM2.5 has been observed in the vicinity of the major axes of movement. The dispersion of these particles is illustrated by a detailed maps. The maps present information obtained by hierarchical classification, they aim to answer a need for spatial knowledge of the problem of particulate pollution in urban areas in the city of Tiaret. The hierarchical classification allowed to distinguish three groups of schools: urban, urban highly subject to dense road traffic and schools close to green spaces and forests. The results obtained revealed a high contamination of the atmospheric environment of the city of Tiaret by PM2.5 aerosols, taking into account the results recorded in primary schools. Mass concentration of PM2.5 in the 1st period (autumn and winter) is higher than that of the 2nd period (spring and summer). Indeed, the highest concentrations are recorded in the presence of pupils in winter.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Papanikolaou ◽  
N. Skenteris ◽  
S.M. Piperakis

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of low, medium, and high traffic road noise as well as irrelevant background speech noise on primary school children’s reading and mathematical performance. A total of 676 participants (324 boys, 47.9% and 352 girls, 52.1%) of the 4th and 5th elementary classes participated in the project. The participants were enrolled in public primary schools from urban areas and had ages ranging from 9 to 10 years and from. Schools were selected on the basis of increasing levels of exposure to road traffic noise and then classified into three categories (Low noise: 55–66 dB, Medium noise: 67–77 dB, and High noise: 72–80 dB). We measured reading comprehension and mathematical skills in accordance with the national guidelines for elementary education, using a test designed specifically for the purpose of this study. On the one hand, children in low-level noise schools showed statistically significant differences from children in medium- and high-level noise schools in reading performance (p<0.001). On the other hand, children in low-level noise schools differed significantly from children in high-level noise schools but only in mathematics performance (p=0.001). Girls in general did better in reading score than boys, especially in schools with medium- and high-level noise. Finally the levels of noise and gender were found to be two independent factors.


2013 ◽  
Vol 664 ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Coppi ◽  
Laura Peruzzi ◽  
Andrea Vallati

In urban areas, one of the most significant variables of environmental pressure is the road traffic, which contributes significantly to the configuration of urban acoustic environment. The redevelopment of degraded areas, particularly from the environmental point of view, contains specific actions to mitigate the impacts due to this source, while preserving the mobility. This memory illustrates a possible redevelopment of the EUR district of Rome, through the burying of Via Cristoforo Colombo. The purpose of this study was to compare the current environmental pressure determined by the traffic with the hypothetical after burying of Via Cristoforo Colombo, taking into account that the area has a strong mixture of sites for tertiary and residential areas. The results of the study may be a useful tool for redevelopment to public administration, as part of cost/benefit assessments.


Author(s):  
Heng Li ◽  
Hui Xie

Urban expressways can generate excessive noise in the surrounding urban areas, and it tends to be more complex in mountainous cities, due to the undulating terrain, dense population and compact urban structures. This article aims to investigate the objective acoustic environment and road traffic noise exposure, including the noisy evaluation, annoyance and effect of roadside apartments in residential areas close to urban expressways in the high-density, high-rise, mountainous city of Chongqing. Three housing estates were selected for a series of field measurements, questionnaire surveys and noise mapping. There was a significant negative correlation between night-time noise levels and the distances to the urban expressway ( p <  0.01). Moreover, the differences between the daytime and night-time noise levels were generally insignificant (0.7 to 3.6 dBA) at the roadside locations. Differences in reaction to noise exposure in a variety of both person-related and housing condition variables were found, especially between roadside and non-roadside locations or residents. In addition, 75.0% of roadside residents identified the traffic noise as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ annoying, and 66.7% of them regarded the acoustic environment as the priority environmental factor that needs to be improved. Difference in the ‘bedroom-window orientation’ had a significant effect on subjective noise evaluation. Rectangular-shaped apartments along the roadside obtain better noise reduction capacities than tower-blocks through the simulation. The acoustic performance of road cuttings, as an appropriately designed earth embankment, is improved along with deeper vertical alignment, and slope angles of 30° and 75° should be avoided.


Author(s):  
А.В. Терешкин ◽  
А.Л. Калмыкова ◽  
Т.А. Андрушко

Вертикальное озеленение с участием различных видов лиан в современных условиях имеет важное эстетическое и санитарно-гигиеническое значение. Особо актуально решение вопросов обогащения флоры городских территорий лианами в степных районах в связи с бедным видовым составом и резким ухудшением экологической ситуации. Объектами исследований являлись 7 видов лиан, различных жизненных форм (однолетние, многолетние), произрастающие в населенных пунктах Саратовской области (Аткарск, Саратов). Цель исследований – изучение эколого-биологических особенностей и мелиоративных свойств лиан и выявление перспектив их использования в вертикальном озеленении селитебных территорий Саратовской области. В ходе исследования видового состава, были выявлены наиболее популярные виды однолетних лиан: ипомея красно-голубая (Ipomea tricolor (L.) Roth) и ипомея пурпурная (Ipomea purpurea (L.) Roth), горошек душистый (Lathyrus edoratus L.), настурция (Tropacolum peregrinum L.) и фасоль огненно-красная (Phaseolus coccineus). Большинство (70%) из них произрастают в местах ограниченного пользования. Изученные виды лиан в исследуемых регионах достигают средних природных показателей (при наличии надлежащего ухода), обладают хорошими показателями жизненного состояния, обильно цветут и плодоносят. При воздействии токсикантами различной концентрации на листовые пластинки лиан установлено их степень устойчивости. Выявлено, что однолетние лианы лучше использовать в декоративных целях, а не в санитарно-гигиенических. Сравнительная оценка однолетних видов с многолетними лианами (девичий виноград пятилисточковый и клематис тангутский) показывает устойчивость многолетних видов (в среднем на 3 балла - 40%). Разработаны варианты декоративных композиций с участием травянистых лиан. По степени декоративности выделены однолетние лианы – Ipomea tricolor, I. purpurea (37 – 41 балл), средней степенью отличаются – Lathyrus edoratus (33 балла), Tropacolum peregrinum (30 баллов) и Phaseolus coccineus (20 – 27 баллов). Преимущество многолетних лиан заключается в их устойчивости к резким изменениям климатических условий (на 40 %) по сравнению с однолетними формами. Поэтому они более предпочтительны для озеленения городской среды. Для усиления декоративного эффекта в сезонном аспекте рекомендуются сочетать расширение видового и формового разнообразия растений (многолетние и однолетние лианы, древесно-кустарниковая, цветочная растительность). Установлено, что природно-климатические условия зоны степи и лесостепи в пределах Саратовской области являются достаточно благоприятными для нормального роста и развития древесно-кустарниковой растительности, в том числе травянистых лиан. Таким образом, обоснованное применение древесных лиан в комплексе с традиционными видами насаждений позволит создать комфортные условия проживания населения, регулировать оптимальный температурный баланс и создавать благоприятные микроклиматические условия. Vertical gardening with different types of vines in modern conditions is important aesthetic and sanitary-hygienic value. It is especially important to address the issues of enrichment of the flora of urban areas with vines in the steppe regions due to poor species composition and a sharp deterioration of the ecological situation. The objects of research were 7 species of lianas, various life forms (annual, perennial), growing in the settlements of the Saratov region (Atkarsk, Saratov). The aim of the research is to study the ecological and biological features and reclamation properties of vines and identify the prospects for their use in vertical gardening residential areas of the Saratov region. In the study, species composition was the most popular species of annual vines: morning glory red-blue (Ipomea tricolor (L.) Roth) and purple morning glory (Ipomea purpurea (L.) Roth), the fragrant pea (Lathyrus edoratus L.), nasturtium (Tropacolum peregrinum L.) and runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus). Most (70%) of them grow in restricted areas. Studied species of vines in the study regions reach average natural performance (with proper care), have good indicators of vital condition, bloom abundantly and bear fruit. When exposed to toxicants of different concentrations on the leaf blades of vines established their degree of stability. It was revealed that the annual vines are better used for decorative purposes, and not in the sanitary-hygienic. A comparative assessment of annual species with perennial vines (maiden grapes and clematis Tangut) shows the stability of perennial species (an average of 3 points-40%). The options and decorative compositions with the participation of herbaceous vines. According to the degree of decoration of the allocated annual vine – Ipomea tricolor, I. purpurea (37 – 41 points), the average degree of differ – Lathyrus edoratus (33 points), Tropacolum peregrinum (30 points) and Phaseolus coccineus (20 to 27 points). The advantage of perennial vines is their resistance to sudden changes in climatic conditions (40 %) compared to annual forms. Therefore, they are more preferable for greening the urban environment. To enhance the decorative effect in the seasonal aspect, it is recommended to combine the expansion of species and form diversity of plants (perennial and annual lianas, tree and shrub, floral vegetation). It is established that the climatic conditions of the steppe and forest-steppe zone within the Saratov region are quite favorable for the normal growth and development of tree and shrub vegetation, including herbaceous lianas. Thus, the reasonable use of wood vines in combination with traditional types of plantings will create comfortable living conditions for the population, regulate the optimal temperature balance and create favorable microclimatic conditions.


Author(s):  
Herni Halim ◽  
◽  
Nur Fatin Najiyah Hamid ◽  
Mohamad Firdaus Mahamad Yusob ◽  
Nur Atiqah Mohamad Nor ◽  
...  

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