Environment

Engaging the International Community: Research on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Applications to Improve Environmental Performance

Shladover, Steven
Barth, Matthew J
Zhang, Wei-Bin
2011

This project was proposed to build on the exposure that the authors of this report have had during the past two years to the thinking of the Japanese and European thought leaders about how Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) can contribute toward meeting environmental goals, especially for reducing CO2.

The ISTEA/ITS Connection In California: The State Of The Relationship And Opportunities For Productive And Beneficial Linkages

Miller, Mark
Jia, Wenyu
1998

This report describes research which had three objectives: 1) investigate the current state of California's implementation of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) with respect to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), 2) assess the extent to which ITS has been integrated within the State's transportation planning process, and 3) recommend opportunities for linkages between ISTEA and ITS that have not yet been recognized. A literature search was first conduced which studied the key features of ISTEA, specific ITS-related issues, the institutional environment, and...

The Access Control Problem on Capacitated FIFO Networks with Unique O-D Paths is Hard

Erera, Alan L.
Daganzo, Carlos F.
Lovell, David J.
1999

This paper is concerned with the performance of multi-commodity capacitated networks with continuous flows in a deterministic but time-dependent environment. For a given time-dependent origin-destination (O-D) table, it asks if it is easy to find a way of regulating the input flows into the network so as to avoid queues from growing in it. It is shown that even if the network structure is very simple (unique O-D paths) finding a feasible regulation scheme is a `hard' problem. More specifically, it is shown that even if all input functions are smooth, there are instances of the problem with...

Integrated Roadway / Adaptive Cruise Control System: Safety, Performance, Environmental and Near Term Deployment Considerations

Zhang, Jianlong
Ioannou, Petros
2004

In this project, we design two new Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems based on driver comfort, safety, vehicle following performance, environmental and traffic flow characteristics considerations. A new variable time headway rule is proposed and used to meet these considerations. Analysis and simulations are used to evaluate and compare the two designs. The first ACC system (referred to as ACC01) incorporates two controllers: one for speed tracking and one for vehicle following. The second ACC system (referred to as ACC02) treats the vehicle following task as a special speed tracking...

Longitudinal Model Development For Automated Roadway Vehicles

Mcmahon, Donn H.
Hedrick, J. K.
1990

In today’s society minimizing the use of the roadways is becoming an issue of increasing concern.Many major cities in the US are plagued with such problems as traftic congestion, poor air quality, andsafety problems. To solve these problems research throughout the world is being conducted on the use ofautomated roadways.Currently in the state of California research is being conducted involving several major institutionsas to the feasibility of the automated roadway. The Program on Advanced Technology for the Highway,PATH, aims to increase the capacity of the most used highways, to decrease...

Potential for Increasing Health-Beneficial Participation in Cycling for Transportation: A “Stages of Change” Perspective on Barcelona’s Bike Sharing Program

Nazelle, A De
Curto, A
Donaire-Gonzalez, D
Mendez, MA
2013
The multiple benefits of active transportation, from non-communicable disease prevention to climate change mitigation, have led to increasing interests in developing multi-disciplinary health impact assessments (HIA) of walking and cycling strategies. However a fundamental uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of policies to change travel and physical activity behaviour remains. Our study aimed to assess the ability of bike sharing programs to facilitate contemplation and change in individuals to begin cycling for travel purposes. Methods: Participants living and working or attending school...

The Spatio-Temporal Clustering of Green Buildings in the United States

Kaza, N
Lester, TW
Rodriguez, DA
2013

This paper explores the spatial and temporal patterns of green building in the commercial and institutional sectors in the US. While these buildings are becoming more commonplace, they have yet to reach a critical mass to affect the entire construction industry. Given the potential for green building practices to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, the paper seeks to understand the geography of green building. Using multiple metrics, it explains the patterning of geography of LEED and Energy Star certified buildings in the US. Strong evidence is found of clustering at the...

El Oso Andino (Tremarctos Ornatus) Fuera de las Areas Protegidas en Colombia

Rodriguez, D
2015

The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus; 70-195 kg; VU) is the only actual South American bear and its habitat comprises Andean forests. The expansion of the agricultural frontier, the conflict retaliation hunting, the road infrastructure, and the lack of effective preservation practices are its threats. The mountain ranges cover 31.3% of the Colombian territory over 400 m.a.s.l., and constitute the backbone of its river structure. It has 326 Protected Areas (AP’s): 66 nationally, 170 regionally, and 90 locally, which take up 49,528.64 km2, 10.3 % of the Colombian Andean region. 166,779 km2...

The Effects of Urban Form on Ambient Air Pollution and Public Health Risk: A Case Study in Raleigh, North Carolina

Mansfield, TJ
Rodriguez, DA
Huegy, J
Gibson, JMD
2014

Since motor vehicles are a major air pollution source, urban designs that decrease private automobile use could improve air quality and decrease air pollution health risks. Yet, the relationships among urban form, air quality, and health are complex and not fully understood. To explore these relationships, we model the effects of three alternative development scenarios on annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in ambient air and associated health risks from PM2.5 exposure in North Carolina's Raleigh-Durham-...

A42 Transportation, Air Pollution and Physical ActivitieS (TAPAS): A Comprehensive Research Programme on Active Travel

Nazelle, A De
Rojas-Rueda, D
Jerrett, M
Rodriguez, D
Cole-Hunter, T
Donaire, D
Andersen, Z
Nieuwenhuijsen, MJ
2015
Encouraging walking and cycling as means of transportation may have diverse benefits, such as reduced pollutant emissions and increased physical activity in the population. At the same time, individuals who shift to active travel modes may also experience increased risks of traffic...