Size-Segregated Elemental Profile and Associated Heath Risk Assessment of Road Dust along Major Traffic Corridors in Kolkata Mega City

Particle size distribution (PSD) of road dust has significant repercussions on atmospheric pollution by road dust resuspension. The PSD of road dust at a few major commercial, traffic, and residential sites in Kolkata mega city was analyzed in the size range of <28–2000 µm. Predominance of the coarse size range (212–600 µm followed by 106–212 µm) was observed. In size-segregated road dust, Fe (4.02–31.2 g kg−1) dominated other elements and was followed by Mg (2.13–10.9 g kg−1), Mn (79.2–601 mg kg−1), Li (395.8–506.8 mg kg−1), and others. Fine particles (<28 μm) had higher elemental concentrations than coarser ones. Cd and Li showed the highest degree of enrichment compared to the Earth’s crust, but only Cd posed significant ecological risk due to its high ecological toxicity. Individual elements did not post significant non-cancer health risks, except for Li in children. However, the cumulative non-cancer risk from all toxic elements for children was almost four times higher than the acceptable level. Lifetime exposure to carcinogenic elements at the current level may pose 5 to 6 times higher cancer risk in the adult population than the acceptable risk of one in a million.

Use of Selected Geospatial Tools for the Purposes of Reconnaissance

The implementation of modern tools in the military system constitutes an important step in supporting the decision-making process. The impact of new GIS technologies is important for the assessment of the battlefield . According to assumptions, reconnaissance is a continuous process that crowns the assessment of the opponent and of the battlefield. Site assessment is an element of the command process where the conclusions of the task analysis includes an assessment of the potential opponent together with his modus operandi and an assessment of the environment . As part of the Information Preparation of the Battlefield (hereinafter referred to as IPB), the identification of threats and limitations has an impact on the identification of potential approach routes, traffic corridors and maneuvers in assigned areas and lanes . The end result is the determination of the maneuverability of forces and resources owned or those of the opponent. The information is to relate to the impact of the terrain components on the scope and nature of conducted activities, and the hydrometeorological conditions are to relate to the impact on the terrain, equipment, and people . As far as it regards the analysis of the environment and the opponent, it is possible to apply modern technologies to shorten the time for the analyses performed within the ongoing decision-making process.

State of Urban Transport in a Nigerian Traditional City

This study appraised the state of urban transport in a Nigerian traditional city. It examined commuters’ socio-economic and transit characterization, assessed the quality of transport infrastructural facilities and services, and identified the challenges of urban transport services in Ibadan city, Nigeria. 163 copies of questionnaires were systematic randomly administered on commuters along six (6) selected traffic-corridors in Ibadan. Both descriptive and inferential (Binary Logistics Regression) statistics were used for data analysis. Major findings revealed majority (about 40%) of commuters were civil servants and earn above 90,000 naira as monthly income. Mean Weighted Value results show that taxi (3.913) and motorcycle (3.756) are dominant and most patronized means. Similarly, the availability (4.075), safety (4.000) and affordability (3.625) were most-weighted factors influencing commuting modal choice, while a trip to work (3.718) and market (3.200) are most generated trips in Ibadan. Meanwhile, most of the assessed infrastructural facilities were of poor quality, while peak/off-peak transit issues (4.050) and vehicular mechanical failure (3.487) were major challenges affecting urban commuting. Binary logistics regression results show that the condition of urban transport infrastructural facilities significantly influence overall satisfaction with urban commuting (p < 0.000). Cox & Snell's R-Square (36%) and Nagelkerke’s R (70%) show that the model is relevant in predicting the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The study concluded that there is a need to improve urban transport system towards ensuring commuters satisfaction and urban development. Hence, recommended among others, integrated transport system with smart devices and improved conventional public transport scheme in Ibadan.

MEASURING AND MAPPING NOISE POLLUTION IN THE CITY OF BANJA LUKA

Noise pollution may have negative impacts on human health and environmental. The primary aim ofthis study is was to determine and mapping the noise pollution in the urban part of the city Banja Lukain Bulevar Cara Dušana by evaluating noise levels in the boulevards. The aim of this investigation isalso compare measured noise levels in the boulevards with legislation. The measured values exceededthe level of noise allowed. Because they are at all measuring points at study area mixing two zones I(hospital, rehabilitation) and III (trading, business, housing and housing next to traffic corridors,warehouses excluding heavy transport) it can be concluded that the noise level values in this area arealarming.

SPATIAL PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLD TRAVEL IN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Household travel is the major origin of traffic flow in the urban centres. Urban residents travel for various purposes; planning and managing urban travel requires that city planners and managers understand their flow pattern across the city space. This study therefore, was conducted to analyse the spatial pattern of household travel in Minna City, Nigeria. The data were collected through questionnaire administration on 1,303 respondents using Open Data Kit (ODK) package. To do this, the city was divided into four cluster zones, from which three different residential densities were selected in each of the zones. The study reveals that trip generation and attraction is significantly different among different residential densities in the city. The analysis of variance reveals there is significant difference in trip distances covered by different residential area in the city with a p-value of <0.001. The study therefore recommends that there is need to create spatial balance in the location of services needed and land use activities across the residential densities and also provide an effective and efficient public transportation system to the city residents especially along the main traffic corridors.