Understanding physical environment through safe highway transport mobility with special review on climate: The highway route Belgrade-Novi Sad, Serbia

Ivana Sentić,Tijana Đorđević

doi:10.5937/gp23-19285

Abstract

This paper focuses on the highway corridor Belgrade-Novi Sad, Serbia and the relationship between the highway and surrounding nature, as an integral part of the spatial entity which the highway belongs to. The paper emphasizes a high importance of studying the physical-geographical factors in the process of highway construction in order to achieve high level of traffic safety. Particular attention was directed to climate elements - the factors that are not so visible, but still may pose a great risk to road safety. Data were taken from CARPATCLIM database and their evaluation was confirmed by the data obtained from CHEK-LISTS. It was found that the climate elements have a strong influence, but it can be successfully controlled by vegetation. Landscape design of both sides of the highway may offer a possibility of mitigating the influence of climate elements, which was also pointed out in the paper.

Highlights

Physical geography studies spatial factors and provides analysis of an interaction of spatial natural phenomena with human activities, as well as human influence on the environment (Gabler, 2015)
By analyzing physical-geographical factors on the researched highway corridor, it was determined that the entire traffic route lies on loess and in the area of VI to VII strength degrees of seismological activities (European Macroseismic Scale, EMS-98), characterized by very strong and powerful earthquakes (Internet 2)
The geographical region through which the highway corridor Belgrade-Novi Sad passes, almost entirely belongs to the Danube river basin; only an insignificant part near Dobanovci belongs to the Sava river basin

Summary

Introduction

Physical geography studies spatial factors and provides analysis of an interaction of spatial natural phenomena with human activities, as well as human influence on the environment (Gabler, 2015). The influence of physical-geographical factors can be altered and adjusted to the needs of people, but it can never be completely eliminated. Traffic planning is predominantly an engineering discipline, because of the validity of design (not to expose the road to landslides, floods, etc.), the physical-geographical studies must be done (Đorđević, 2004). These studies should include a preliminary phase (the choice of route for the road corridor) and field research. Preliminary phase is characterized by: geomorphological analysis of the terrain (preliminary determination of the route, depending on prominent natural obstacles); checking a selected corridor in cooperation with an engineering geologist and a traffic engineer and calculation of preliminary costs

Methods

Results

Conclusion