scholarly journals Is the Green Wave Really Green? The Risks of Rebound Effects When Implementing “Green” Policies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5411
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Bloder ◽  
Georg Jäger
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Traffic System ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
Car Use ◽  
Reduce Emissions

Traffic and transportation are main contributors to the global CO2 emissions and resulting climate change. Especially in urban areas, traffic flow is not optimal and thus offers possibilities to reduce emissions. The concept of a Green Wave, i.e., the coordinated switching of traffic lights in order to favor a single direction and reduce congestion, is often discussed as a simple mechanism to avoid breaking and accelerating, thereby reducing fuel consumption. On the other hand, making car use more attractive might also increase emissions. In this study, we use an agent-based model to investigate the benefit of a Green Wave in order to find out whether it can outweigh the effects of increased car use. We find that although the Green Wave has the potential to reduce emissions, there is also a high risk of heaving a net increase in emissions, depending on the specifics of the traffic system.

scholarly journals Impact Assessment Model for the Implementation of Cargo Bike Transshipment Points in Urban Districts

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Assmann ◽  
Sebastian Lang ◽  
Florian Müller ◽  
Michael Schenk
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Transportation ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Urban Districts ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Cargo Bike ◽  
The Impact

Mitigating climate change and improving urban livability is prompting cities to improve sustainability of urban transportation and logistics. Cargo bikes, in combination with urban transshipment points, are gaining momentum as a green last mile alternative. Although a wide body of research proves their viability in dense urban areas, knowledge about planning urban transshipment points is very limited. This also entails the siting of such facilities and the assessment of effects on emissions. This study therefore presents a first quantitative scenario-based model that assesses the impacts on a district. It examines different strategies for siting urban transshipment points in a single district and its effect on traffic, the carbon footprint, and air quality to give strategic insights where to create candidate locations for such facilities. Our result contributes to knowledge of planning urban transshipment facilities and assessing the impact of different configurations. The findings demonstrated that the use of cargo bikes to make courier, express, and parcel (CEP) deliveries in urban districts could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG), particulate matter (PM10), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions significantly. However, the choice of vehicles completing inbound and outbound processes and the strategies for siting urban transshipment points display widely differing and even conflicting potential to reduce emissions.

Proposed Traffic Light Control Mechanism Based on Multi-Agent Coordination

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-812
Author(s):  
Satoshi Kurihara ◽  
◽  
Ryo Ogawa ◽  
Kosuke Shinoda ◽  
Hirohiko Suwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Flow ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Light Control ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Control Framework ◽  
Traffic Light Control ◽  
Multi Agent

Traffic congestion is a serious problem for people living in urban areas, causing social problems such as time loss, economical loss, and environmental pollution. Therefore, we propose a multi-agent-based traffic light control framework for intelligent transport systems. Achieving consistent traffic flow necessitates the real-time adaptive coordination of traffic lights; however, many conventional approaches are of the centralized control type and do not have this feature. Our multi-agent-based control framework combines both indirect and direct coordination. Reaction to dynamic traffic flow is attained by indirect coordination, whereas green-wave formation, which is a systematic traffic flow control strategy involving several traffic lights, is attained by direct coordination. We present the detailed mechanism of our framework and verify its effectiveness using simulation to carry out a comparative evaluation.

scholarly journals Building a Large-Scale Micro-Simulation Transport Scenario Using Big Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Joerg Schweizer ◽  
Cristian Poliziani ◽  
Federico Rupi ◽  
Davide Morgano ◽  
Mattia Magi
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Demand Model ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Gps Traces ◽  
The City

A large-scale agent-based microsimulation scenario including the transport modes car, bus, bicycle, scooter, and pedestrian, is built and validated for the city of Bologna (Italy) during the morning peak hour. Large-scale microsimulations enable the evaluation of city-wide effects of novel and complex transport technologies and services, such as intelligent traffic lights or shared autonomous vehicles. Large-scale microsimulations can be seen as an interdisciplinary project where transport planners and technology developers can work together on the same scenario; big data from OpenStreetMap, traffic surveys, GPS traces, traffic counts and transit details are merged into a unique transport scenario. The employed activity-based demand model is able to simulate and evaluate door-to-door trip times while testing different mobility strategies. Indeed, a utility-based mode choice model is calibrated that matches the official modal split. The scenario is implemented and analyzed with the software SUMOPy/SUMO which is an open source software, available on GitHub. The simulated traffic flows are compared with flows from traffic counters using different indicators. The determination coefficient has been 0.7 for larger roads (width greater than seven meters). The present work shows that it is possible to build realistic microsimulation scenarios for larger urban areas. A higher precision of the results could be achieved by using more coherent data and by merging different data sources.

scholarly journals Flood Risk Assessment in an Underground Railway System under the Impact of Climate Change—A Case Study of the Barcelona Metro

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwar Forero-Ortiz ◽  
Eduardo Martínez-Gomariz ◽  
Manuel Cañas Porcuna ◽  
Luca Locatelli ◽  
Beniamino Russo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Maximum Rainfall ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Metro Systems ◽  
Flooding Events ◽  
The Impact

Flooding events can produce significant disturbances in underground transport systems within urban areas and lead to economic and technical consequences, which can be worsened by variations in the occurrence of climate extremes. Within the framework of the European project RESCCUE (RESilience to cope with Climate Change in Urban arEas—a multi-sectorial approach focusing on water), climate projections for the city of Barcelona manifest meaningful increases in maximum rainfall intensities for the 2100 horizon. A better comprehension of these impacts and their conditions is consequently needed. A hydrodynamic modelling process was carried out on Barcelona Metro Line 3, as it was identified as vulnerable to pluvial flooding events. The Metro line and all its components are simulated in the urban drainage models as a system of computational link and nodes reproducing the main physical characteristics like slopes and cross-sections when embedded in the current 1D/2D hydrodynamic model of Barcelona used in the project RESCCUE. This study presents a risk analysis focused on ensuring transport service continuity in flood events. The results reveal that two of the 26 stations on Metro Line 3 are exposed to a high risk of flooding in current rainfall conditions, and 11 of the 26 stations on Metro Line 3 are exposed to a high risk of flooding in future rainfall conditions for a 20-year return period event, which affects Metro service in terms of increased risk. This research gives insights for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance urban flood risk management, as a reasonable approach to tackle this issue for Metro systems worldwide. This study provides a baseline for assessing potential flood outcomes in Metro systems and can be used to evaluate adaptation measures’ effectiveness.

scholarly journals Design of an Agent-Based Traffic Control System

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6S3) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Traffic Environment ◽  
Traffic Control System

Traffic control system is an imperative instrument in traffic management and smart urban development. However, most of the current traffic control systems cannot intercommunicate nor interact with each other. Most importantly, none of these systems are proactive and reactive to their immediate traffic environment. Thus, this study explores the design of an agent-based traffic control system where traffic lights can interact and inter-communicate to take prompt traffic control decisions within a traffic area. The study presents an agent-based traffic control system known as ATC. ATC system design was done using Design Science Research Process Model while the system was evaluated using qualitative research methodology. The study argues that there is need for traffic control system to be more reactive and proactive to their immediate traffic environment in order to limit traffic jam in urban areas.

Agent-based Modeling of Human Exposure to Urban Environmental Stressors – A Docking Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sascha Hokamp ◽  
Sven Rühe ◽  
Jürgen Scheffran
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
Docking Study ◽  
Agent Based Modeling ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Agent Based

<p>The goal of environmental exposure modelling is to link fundamental human activities with stress via the environment. Stress is here defined as environmental conditions negatively affecting human health and well-being. Especially in urban areas, humans can be exposed to multiple stressors such as air pollution, noise (e.g. traffic), and heat. The importance of being able to predict the exposure level in urban areas is increasing due to ongoing urbanization and global climate change. For instance, in Germany annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions have been reduced by 28% from 1990 to 2014 but contributions by the transport sector have been quite stable (from 0.163 GtCO2Equivalents in 1990 to 0.160 GtCO2Equivalents in 2014 (Umweltbundesamt, 2016). Yang et al. (2018) provides a stylized agent-based model of human exposure to environmental stressors (heat, rain, NO2) for Hamburg, Germany. Within this ABM, the changing exposure to environmental stressors is analyzed for citizens as a function of time and location. The population is classified into different archetypes; they range from young, single students to families with children to old, rich and single persons. While their choice of transportation is a function of exposure, commuting time and costs, each agent has different preferences and different rates to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The agents are moving in multiple layers of housing (e.g. residential buildings) and infrastructure (e.g. streets, subway). Depending on the agent types, bike, car or public transport is chosen as the preferred mean of transport. However, Yang et al. (2018) consider stylized agent-based dynamics without any interaction among the agents. We provide a multi-agent docking study of human exposure to environmental stressors implemented in Netlogo and find distributional and relational equivalence (Axtell et al., 1996, Hokamp et al. 2018) to Yang et al. (2018). To put it differently, we analyze interacting individual heterogeneous agents in an actual urban environment. Results give information about the mean of transportation with the lowest exposure and how very low costs for public transport affect choices of transportation and so the road traffic. Further, the results may be used by policy makers and citizens (e.g. via mobile devices using an app) to improve environmental quality of life.</p><p><br>References</p><p>Axtell, R., Axelrod, R., Epstein, J.M., and Cohen, M.D. (1996) Aligning simulation models: a case study and results. Computational & Mathematical Organization Theory, 1 (2), 123–141.</p><p>Hokamp, S., Gulyas, L., Koehler, M. and Wijesinghe, S. (2018), Agent-based Modelling and Tax Evasion: Theory and Application, 3-35, Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.</p><p>Umweltbundesamt (2014) Submission under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol 2016 – National Inventory Report for the German Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2014.</p><p>Yang, L. E., Hoffmann, P., Scheffran, J. , Rühe, S. , Fischereit, J. and Gasser, I. (2018), An Agent-Based Modeling Framework for Simulating Human Exposure to Environmental Stresses in Urban Areas, Urban Science, 2, 36.</p>

Perancangan Sistem Kontrol Lampu Lalulintas Cerdas Dengan Menggunakan Mikrokontroler dan Kamera

Jurnal MIPA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Tjerie Pangemanan ◽  
Arnold Rondonuwu
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Digital Image ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Processing Method ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Traffic System ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Adjustment System ◽  
System Time

Masalah lalu lintas  merupakan salah satu  masalah yang sangat sulit diatasi dengan hanya menggunakan system waktu (timer). Oleh sebab itu diperlukan suatu system pengaturan otomatis yang bersifat real-time sehingga waktu pengaturan lampu lalu lintas dapat disesuaikan dnegan keadaan di lapangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengembangkan suatu simulasi sistem yang mampu mengestimasi panjang antrian kendaraan menggunakan metoda pengolahan citra digital hanya dengan menggunakan satu kamera untuk dijadikan parameter masukan  dalam menghitung lama waktu nyala lampu merah dan lampu hijau. Oleh karena itu, sistem lalulintas sangatlah diperlukan, sebagai sarana dan prasarana untuk menjadikan lalulintas lancar, aman, bahkan sebagai media pembelajaran disiplin bagi masyarakat pengguna jalan raya. Penelitian ini penulis menggunakan sistem pengontrolan berbasis citra digital dimana camera sebagai sensor. Untuk aplikasi dari  semua metode dalam penelitian ini digunakan Microcontroller AurdinoTraffic problems is one of the problems that is very difficult to overcome by only using the system time (timer). Therefore we need an automatic real-time adjustment system so that the time settings for traffic lights can be adjusted according to the conditions on the ground. This study aims to develop a system simulation that is able to estimate the length of the vehicle queue using a digital image processing method using only one camera to be used as input parameters in calculating the length of time the red light and green light. Therefore, the traffic system is very necessary, as a means and infrastructure to make traffic smooth, safe, even as a medium for disciplined learning for road users. In this study the authors used a digital image-based control system where the camera as a sensor. For the application of all methods in this study, Aurdino Microcontroller is used

The implications of climate change on residential water use: a micro-scale analysis of Portland (OR), USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Shandas ◽  
Meenakshi Rao ◽  
Moriah McSharry McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Residential Water Use ◽  
Residential Water

Social and behavioral research is crucial for securing environmental sustainability and improving human living environments. Although the majority of people now live in urban areas, we have limited empirical evidence of the anticipated behavioral response to climate change. Using empirical data on daily household residential water use and temperature, our research examines the implications of future climate conditions on water conservation behavior in 501 households within the Portland (OR) metropolitan region. We ask whether and how much change in ambient temperatures impact residential household water use, while controlling for taxlot characteristics. Based on our results, we develop a spatially explicit description about the changes in future water use for the study region using a downscaled future climate scenario. The results suggest that behavioral responses are mediated by an interaction of household structural attributes, and magnitude and temporal variability of weather parameters. These findings have implications for the way natural resource managers and planning bureaus prepare for and adapt to future consequences of climate change.

Managing African Urbanization in the Context of Environmental Change

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaib Lwasa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Urbanization Rate ◽  
Development And Management

Africa’s urbanization rate has increased steadily over the past three decades and is reported to be faster than in any other region in the world . It is estimated that by 2030, over half of the African population will be living in urban areas . But the nature of Africa’s urbanization and subsequent form of cities is yet to be critically analyzed in the context of city authorities’ readiness to address the challenges . Evidence is also suggesting that urbanization in African countries is increasingly associated with the high economic growth that has been observed in the last two decades . Both underlying and proximate drivers are responsible for the urbanization, and these include population dynamics, economic growth, legislative designation, increasing densities in rural centers, as well as the growth of mega cities such as Lagos, Cairo and Kinshasa, that are extending to form urban corridors . With the opportunities of urbanization in Sub–Saharan Africa, there are also challenges in the development and management of these cities . Those challenges include provision of social services, sustainable economic development, housing development, urban governance, spatial development guidance and environmental management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction . The challenge involves dealing with the development and infrastructure deficit, in addition to required adaption to and mitigation of climate change . This paper examines the current state of urban management in Africa .

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