Biomonitoring of air quality in the Bodoquena microregion, Mato Grosso Do Sul: mutagenic and morphoanatomical alterations in Tradescantia pallida (rose) D.R. Hunt var. purpurea

The objective of this study was to assess air quality in relation to vehicular traffic flow in cities located at different elevations in the Bodoquena microregion, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. To do so, a micronucleus test was carried out using the TRAD-MCN bioassay on young Tradescantia buds collected from February to November 2018 in seven cities of the microregion with different traffic flow intensities. Meteorological parameters were evaluated, and vehicular traffic was counted to determine traffic flow in each city. With data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and processing in Esri ArcGIS® software version 10.5.1, the regions was mapped based on an Elevation Model. Morphoanatomical analyses were performed according to standard methodology. Measurements were taken of thickness, length and width of tissues and structures, including the upper and lower cuticle, upper and lower epidermis, hypodermis and mesophyll. The greatest traffic flow was found in the cities of Bodoquena, Guia Lopes da Laguna, Jardim, and Porto Murtinho, with the period from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. showing the highest traffic flow. The greatest frequency of mutagenic alterations was found in the city of Guia Lopes da Laguna, although the results did not differ significantly from Bonito, Caracol, and Jardim. Throughout the biomonitoring, the summer and autumn seasons showed the greatest micronuclei frequencies in all evaluated cities. Variations in the tissue/structure thickness was observed across cities and seasons, but with a decrease in thickness during autumn. In general, the tissues/structures were smaller for the cities of Nioaque and Porto Murtinho, while the anatomical and morphological characteristics of leaf length and thickness showed no differences among cities. We found limited correlation between micronuclei frequency and traffic flow, supporting the hypothesis that although mutagenic alterations are observed in T. pallida, in this microregion the changes are numerically lower when compared to other regions of the state. In light of the genotoxic and morphoanatomical factors assessed herein, the Bodoquena microregion appears to be well preserved in terms of air quality, presenting low micronuclei frequency and a limited reduction in tissues and leaf structures, regardless of the season.

Prediction of L10 and Leq Noise Levels Due to Vehicular Traffic in Urban Area Using ANN and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interface System (ANFIS) Approach

Recently in urban areas, road traffic noise is one of the primary sources of noise pollution. Variation in noise level is impacted by the synthesis of traffic and the percentage of heavy vehicles. Presentation to high noise levels may cause serious impact on the health of an individual or community residing near the roadside. Thus, predicting the vehicular traffic noise level is important. The present study aims at the formulation of regression, an artificial neural network (ANN) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) model using the data of observed noise levels, traffic volume, and average speed of vehicles for the prediction of L10 and Leq. Measured noise levels are compared to the noise levels predicted by the experimental model. It is observed that the ANFIS approach is more superior when compared to output given by regression and an ANN model. Also, there exists a positive correlation between measured and predicted noise levels. The proposed ANFIS model can be utilized as a tool for traffic direction and planning of new roads in zones of similar land use pattern.

Numerical simulation of box culverts subjected to different physical actions and design regulations

This research work was intended to provide a broad and suffcient solution to areas of diffcult vehicular traffic, where during the rainy season some watersheds present a non negligible water flow. The research carried out the structural design of different geometries of box culverts, to provide a solution to vehicular continuity in areas affected by water ows that interrupt pedestrian and vehicle traffic, endangering human lives. The structural designs followed the standards established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Offcials and the Colombian bridge code. The designs were carried out using commercial software SAP2000 for analysis and design through Visual Basic programming, allowing a wide range of geometries and boundary conditions to be established. The structural designs indicated a significant difference in quantities of work in the construction of the box culverts for different geometries, indicating higher volumes of concrete for the designs made using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Offcials code compared to Colombian bridge code. The Colombian bridge code has higher steel requirements for fills less than 3.00 m, while for greater heights the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Offcials code has the highest steel requirements.

Perception Based Evaluation of Pedestrianization at Liberty Market Lahore

Numerous individuals believe that non-motorized modes normally, walking, cycling, and biking, are less privileged to utilize public roads than motor vehicles. More often, pedestrians and cyclists are not facilitated to use the public road to avoid traffic delays. This highlights the biasness of transportation planning practices towards motorized travel and constant negligence in the planning of pedestrian infrastructure. Pedestrianization is adopted as a distinctive practice around the globe; it implies the expulsion of vehicular traffic from the avenues of urban regions as it holds significant social, affordable, and ecological advantages. But in Pakistan, there are no such instances of pedestrianization, especially in Lahore there are three models Liberty Market, Anarkali and Fortress Stadium. In Anarkali Market pedestrianization venture was a disappointment, while in Liberty Market pedestrianization task is a triumph. This study explores the factors contributing to the success of pedestrianization through literature review and detailed survey from shopkeepers and pedestrians of Liberty Market. It was gleaned out that landscaping, street furniture and overall ambience are not the only factors for the success of a pedestrianization, but security, parking facilities, adherence to law and maintenance of order plays a vital role as well.

Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid PSO Enhanced ANFIS Model in Prediction of Traffic Flow of Vehicles on Freeways: Traffic Data Evidence from South Africa

In the last few years, there has been a significant rise in the number of private vehicles ownership, migration of people from rural areas to urban cities, and the rise in the number of under-maintained freeways; all these have added to the perennial problem of traffic congestion. Traffic flow prediction has been recognized as the solution in alleviating and reducing the problem of traffic congestion. In this research, we developed an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system trained by particle swarm optimization (ANFIS-PSO) by performing an evaluative performance of the model through traffic flow modelling of vehicles on five freeways (N1,N3,N12,N14 and N17) using South Africa Transportation System as a case study. Six hundred and fifty (650) traffic data were collected using inductive loop detectors and video cameras from the five freeways. The traffic data used for developing these models comprises traffic volume, traffic density, speed of vehicles, time, and different types of vehicles. The traffic data were divided into 70% and 30% for the training and validation of the model. The model results show a positively correlated optimal performance between the inputs and the output with a regression value R2 of 0.9978 and 0.9860 for the training and testing. The result of this research shows that the soft computing model ANFIS-PSO used in this research can model vehicular traffic flow on freeways. Furthermore, the evidence from this research suggests that the on-peak and off-peak hours are significant determinants of vehicular traffic flow on freeways. The modelling approach developed in this research will assist urban planners in developing practical ways to tackle traffic congestion and assist motorists and pedestrians in travel behaviour decision-making. Finally, the approach used in this study will assist transportation engineers in making constructive and safety dependent guidelines for drivers and pedestrians on freeways.

Road traffic noise assessment in a hospital area in Umuarama - Brazil

In hospital environments, high noise levels can result in damage to patients' treatments, delaying their rest and recovery. The sound pressure level (SPL) in hospital areas during the day must not exceed 50 dB and 45 dB (A) at night, according to NBR 10.151/2019. This research aimed to carry out environmental monitoring of equivalent sound pressure levels (LAeq) at fifteen points in the vicinity of three hospitals in the central region of the municipality of Umuarama-PR, during working days, at four different times, in the months of August, September and November 2018 and continued in March 2019. To this end, we sought to map the LAeq of the points, compare them with data from municipal and federal legislation and relate the LAeq to the volume of vehicular traffic. The collected SPL were higher than recommended by NBR 10.151 at all times and measurement points, during the week, and when considering the municipal regulations, only one point is in the equipment's accuracy limit. From the statistical analysis, a very strong correlation was observed between LAeq and the total volume of vehicles, and also a strong correlation between the descriptors L10 and L50 and the volume of vehicles. The Traffic Noise Index (TNI) was also calculated and the LAeq values ​​were compared with a subjective noise rating. The results show a scenario of noise pollution in the area and there is a need for the application of mitigating measures.

Review Paper on Capacity and Delay Time Assessment on Signalized Arterials with Cargo Deliveries

Freight conveyances on signalized city street are perceived as path hindrances all through the span of conveyance. Traffic sticking related with metropolitan cargo conveyances has acquired expanding consideration as of late. As traffic architects and organizers are entrusted with discovering answers for achieve complete interest all the more economically with confined street limit. Despite the fact that trucks make up just a minor extent of vehicular traffic, however they gain a more prominent measure of the absolute expense of postponements. Developing discussion of arrangements to move conveyances to off hours are proposed to moderate the impacts of on traffic sticking. This paper audits on how the cargo conveyances effect on street limit and postpone time. This paper reviews various related research paper that how actually freight delivery effect on street capacity of road and also greater impact on travel time. Because if proper planning is not going to done it leads to traffic congestion problem. Keywords: Signalized City road, Cargo delivery, Capacity, Delay time