ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY FACTORS OF PLAY-GROUNDS USING THE RANK CORRELATION METHOD

Abstract

The process of rapid development in modern cities has led to a significant number of playgrounds being located in confined areas, near roads with heavy vehicle traffic (including tram tracks), next to short-term parking spaces and refuse containers. Particular attention is paid to unauthorised parking which is caused by a lack of designated parking spaces. In addition, in residential areas of modern megacities there is a lot of infill development, which is an additional source of noise and dust. Thus, a significant number of playgrounds are located in areas with excessive anthropogenic load.
 The materials presented in the article describe the current condition of playgrounds in most big cities of Ukraine. Particular importance is attached to the factors which are connected with vehicle traffic, for example noise pollution, air dustiness and pollutant emissions.
 At the first stage, a list of factors affecting the environmental safety of children's playgrounds in urbanised areas was compiled and analysed.
 The next stage involves the development of a questionnaire and the direct assessment of the influencing factors by the experts involved. The article considers the factors that are rarely considered in the study of the impact of individual anthropogenic factors of the environment on public health, however, in modern conditions they cannot be neglected.
 The final stage consists of data processing and formation of conclusions. Using the method of rank correlation, the main factors of influence on the objects of research are identified.
 The results of the research stated in the article can be used in further study of the subject and in the development of methods to eliminate the influence of the most significant factors affecting the ecological safety of children's playgrounds.