Bus Stop Shelters Research Articles

Performance Evaluation of Emerging Perovskite Photovoltaic Energy-Harvesting System for BIPV Applications

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are emerging photovoltaics (PVs) with promising optoelectronic characteristics. PSCs can be semitransparent (ST), which is beneficial in many innovative applications, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). While PSCs exhibit excellent performance potential, enhancements in their stability and scalable manufacturing are required before they can be widely deployed. This work evaluates the real-world effectiveness of using PSCs in BIPVs to accelerate the development progress toward practical implementation. Given the present constraints on PSC module size and efficiency, bus stop shelters are selected for investigation in this work, as they provide a suitably scaled application representing a realistic near-term test case for early-stage research and engineering. An energy-harvesting system for a bus stop shelter in Astana, Kazakhstan, demonstrates the potential performance evaluation platform that can be used for perovskite solar cell modules (PSCMs) in BIPVs. The system includes maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and charge controllers, which can supply PSCM energy to the electronic load. Based on our design, the bus stop shelter has non-transparent and ST PSCMs on the roof and sides, respectively. May (best-case) and December (worst-case) scenarios are considered. According to the results, the PSCMs-equipped bus stop shelter can generate sufficient daily energy for load even in a worst-case scenario.

Effectiveness of equipping bus stop shelters with cooling and filtering systems in a city with tropical climate

PurposeWaiting for a bus may represent a period of intense exposure to traffic particles in hot and noisy conditions in the street. To lessen the particle load and tackle heat in bus stops a shelter was equipped with an electrostatic precipitator and a three-step adiabatic cooling system capable of dynamically adjust its operation according to actual conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Airbitat Oasis Smart Bus Stop, as the shelter was called, to provide clean and cool air.Design/methodology/approachThe particle exposure experienced in this innovative shelter was contrasted with that in a conventional shelter located right next to it. Mass concentrations of fine particles and black carbon, and particle number concentration (as a proxy of ultrafine particles) were simultaneously measured in both shelters. Air temperature, relative humidity and noise level were also measured.FindingsThe new shelter did not perform as expected. It only slightly reduced the abundance of fine particles (−6.5%), but not of ultrafine particles and black carbon. Similarly, it reduced air temperature (−1 °C), but increased relative humidity (3%). Its operation did not generate additional noise.Practical implicationsThe shelter's poor performance was presumably due to design flaws induced by a lack of knowledge on traffic particles and fluid dynamics in urban environments. This is an example where harnessing technology without understanding the problem to solve does not work.Originality/valueIt is uncommon to come across case studies like this one in which the performance and effectiveness of urban infrastructure can be assessed under real-life service settings.

Linking Police and EMS Records: An Approach to Strengthen Bicyclist Injury Reporting

Bicyclist injuries are underreported in police crash databases. We explored the value of linking police-reported crash data with emergency medical services (EMS) data within the City of Milwaukee, WI. Using data from 2014 to 2016, we linked records by inspection (identical date, similar time of day, and similar roadway location) and found 154 matching records between the two databases (representing 41% of the 375 police crash records and 44% of the 348 EMS injury records). Matched records were more likely to involve fatal and severe injuries according to police-assessed injury ratings. The two datasets also provided different insights into bicyclist injury crashes. Injuries captured only by police reports were significantly more likely than injuries captured only by EMS to be along high-traffic streets and commercial districts and significantly less likely to be near parks. Nearly all police records described the driver and bicyclist movements (e.g., turning) and operating behaviors (e.g., failure to yield) that had contributed to the crash. In addition to capturing more bicyclist injury events, EMS records revealed additional information about their causes. Twenty-three percent of EMS narratives described falls. These falls involved intoxication, striking a curb, swerving to avoid automobiles or other bicyclists, doing tricks, and getting a tire caught in rail tracks. Another 11% described bicyclists striking objects, including a bus stop shelter, stop sign, fire hydrant, and fence. Although there are strengths and limitations to both datasets, linking police-reported crashes with EMS records produced a broader understanding of bicyclist injuries.

Quantifying the Impact of Alternative Bus Stop Platforms on Vehicle Emissions and Individual Pollution Exposure at Bus Stops.

Due to stop-and-go events, bus stops are often treated as “hot spots” for air pollution. The design of bus stops should be optimized to reduce emissions and exposure for transit commuters. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of bus stop platform types on vehicle emissions and individual pollution exposure. Second-by-second emissions data were first collected from one bus using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS). Microscopic traffic simulation was then used to estimate overall traffic emissions under six scenarios with different bus stop settings. Numerical simulation of pollutant dispersion was also conducted to calculate individual pollution exposure at bus stops. The results of PEMS tests showed no significant differences between bus emissions generated near two different types of stops. However, the effect of platform types on overall traffic emissions was revealed using traffic simulation. The results demonstrated that bus bays reduced the emissions of other heavy-duty vehicles. However, bus bays were not always effective during rush hours. The study also highlighted the importance of the location of bus stops, the number of bus lines, and the length of the platform, in addition to dynamic characteristics of traffic flows in the design of bus stop platforms. Bus stop platforms also affected individuals’ exposure due to the changes in the pollutant flow field. The passenger’s exposure at one bus stop was influenced by both the platform type and standing location. Results suggested that in a condition with a wind direction perpendicular to the bus stop shelter, the total exposure level to CO was lower at the bus bay stop if a passenger stood at the upstream of the station platform. However, the exposure was less at the downstream of the curbside bus stop.

Heat-Moderating Effects of Bus Stop Shelters and Tree Shade on Public Transport Ridership.

Rising temperatures threaten the resilience of public transit systems. We determined whether bus stop shelters and tree canopy surrounding bus stops moderated the effect of warm season temperatures on ridership in Austin, Texas, and whether shelters and trees were equitably distributed. For bus stops (n = 2271) of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, boardings per bus were measured 1 April–30 September 2019. Air temperature data originated from the Camp Mabry weather station. Tree canopy was calculated by classification of high-resolution aerial imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program. Data on race, ethnicity, poverty level, median age, and bus commuters within census tracts of bus stops originated from the 2014–2018 American Community Survey. Using multilevel negative binomial regression models, we found that shelters did not moderate the effect of high temperatures on ridership (p > 0.05). During high temperatures, each one-percent increase in tree canopy was associated with a lesser decrease (1.6%) in ridership compared to if there were no trees (1.7%) (p < 0.001). In general, shelters and trees were equitably distributed. Insignificant or modest effects of shelters and trees on ridership during high temperatures may be attributed to the transit dependency of riders. For climate change adaptation, we recommend tree planting at bus stops to protect from ridership losses and unhealthy exposure to extreme heat.

Modeling Photovoltaic Potential for Bus Shelters on a City-Scale: A Case Study in Lisbon

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (SGD7) and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SGD11). Thus, across the globe, major cities are moving in the smart city direction, by, for example, incorporating photovoltaics (PV), electric buses and sensors to improve public transportation. We study the concept of integrated PV bus stop shelters for the city of Lisbon. We identified the suitable locations for these, with respect to solar exposure, by using a Geographic Information System (GIS) solar radiation map. Then, using proxies to describe tourist and commuter demand, we determined that 54% of all current city bus stop shelters have the potential to receive PV-based solutions. Promoting innovative solutions such as this one will support smart mobility and urban sustainability while increasing quality of life, the ultimate goal of the Smart Cities movement.

Solar-powered bus route: introducing renewable energy into a university campus transport system

Abstract. We investigate the application of a solar-powered bus route to a small-scale transportation system, as such of a university campus. In particular, we explore the prospect of replacing conventional fossil fuel buses by electric buses powered by solar energy and electricity provided by the central grid. To this end, we employ GIS mapping technology to estimate the solar radiation at the university campus and, accordingly, we investigate three different scenarios for harnessing the available solar power: (1) solar panels installed on the roof of bus stop shelters, (2) solar panels installed at an unused open space in the university, and (3) solar roads, i.e. roads constructed by photovoltaic (PV) materials. For each of the three scenarios, we investigate the optimal technical configuration, the resulting energy generation, as well as the capital cost for application in the case of NTUA campus in Athens (Greece). The preliminary feasibility analysis showcases that all three scenarios contribute to satisfying transportation demand, proportionately to their size, with scenario (2) presenting the lowest capital cost in relation to energy generation. Therefore, we further explore this scenario by simulating its daily operation including the actions of buying and selling energy to the central grid, when there is energy deficit or surplus, respectively. A sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to ascertain the optimal size of the solar panel installation in relation to profit and reliability. Overall, results indicate that, albeit the high capital costs, solar-powered transportation schemes present a viable alternative for replacing conventional buses at the studied location, especially considering conventional PV panels. We note that present results heavily depend on the choice of capacity factors of PV materials, which differ among technologies. Yet, as capacity factors of PV panels are currently increasing, the studied schemes might be more promising in the future.

Predictors of people's perceptions of second hand smoke exposure as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThere are both environmental and genetic factors which are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) development. The primary objective of this study was to examine the predictors associated with people's attitudes towards second hand smoke exposure being a risk factor for development of MS. MethodsThe data set was drawn from the Health Canada: Smoking Survey conducted in 2004 and 2005 by Environics Research Group in partnership with Health Canada to survey the public in the province of British Columbia (N = 1468), Newfoundland (N = 1442), Quebec (N = 1404), Ontario (N = 1443) and Saskatchewan (N = 1413). A multilevel mixed effects logistic regression model analysis was carried out in order to determine whether people's perceptions of second hand smoking as a risk factor for MS varied based on the province of residence. ResultsAge, sex, having a household member who smoked inside their home, if respondents were bothered by second hand smoke exposure and smoking status were associated with increased odds of people agreeing to second hand smoke exposure being a risk factor for MS development. The province of residence was also a factor in people's perceptions. ConclusionThe study results could guide in the development of stop second hand smoking campaigns on social media, TV and bus stop shelters and enforcement of stricter policies on smoking areas. This could help raise awareness about the risk of second hand smoking and its detrimental effect on people living with MS.

Extreme weather, public transport ridership and moderating effect of bus stop shelters

This paper examines how extreme weather conditions influence urban public transport ridership with a particular focus on the role of bus stop shelters. Using bus ridership data from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, we find that extreme weather such as very high and low temperatures, and heavy rainfall reduces public transport ridership, while bus stop shelters have a modest effect on mitigating ridership losses resulting from these adverse weather conditions. The moderating effect of shelters is more pronounced on weekdays, and for bus stops with lower service frequency and fewer transfers. Our research also shows that the installation of bus shelters correlates with a variety of factors including service frequency, land use types, and local socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Overall, our findings suggest that public transport amenities with weather-proof attributes have the potential to retain and attract more ridership on extreme weather days.

Once, in the streets of a Spanish town: On Rogelio López Cuenca and his Calle Cavafis

Abstract Ever since it first appeared in the Catalan and Castilian sections of the Spanish literary field, the poetry of C. P. Cavafy has been significantly bound up with the visual arts. The very first Spanish edition (Barcelona, 1962) of his poetry in book form, translated brilliantly into Catalan by Carles Riba, included a number of illustrations, by the recently deceased artist Josep Maria Subirachs, which attracted considerable critical attention. Even though it undoubtedly belongs to the tradition fostered by these editions, the work of artist Rogelio López Cuenca entitled Calle Cavafis (1998) represents a rather different poetics and a different political discourse. Fifteen years before the outbreak of the controversy regarding the use of Cavafy’s image and verses on Athenian means of public transport, passengers on urban buses in Malaga (Spain) saw a series of gigantic posters stuck on bus stop shelters every day for two weeks during the autumn of 1998. Combining letters, colours and illustrations, these posters reproduced poems or fragments of poems by Cavafy in Catalan or Castilian and, occasionally, even in the original Greek. Also, during the same period of time, thousands of postcards which also reproduced Cavafy’s verses were distributed and displayed in different bars and pubs all over Malaga city centre. A total number of sixteen poems found their way to these posters and postcards visually and aesthetically – and we might even say politically – (re)elaborated by Rogelio López Cuenca. Starting from this selection of poems and translations, the article proposed here aims to place Rogelio López Cuenca’s artistic intervention in the reception (different readings and uses) of Cavafy’s poetry in Spain and Latin America, and at the same time to inquire into the aesthetic and political presuppositions that inform it.

On the Impact of Antenna Disturbances by Urban Furniture on Deterministic Propagation Simulations

In this work, we study the impact of antenna radiation patterns disturbed by urban furniture on propagation characteristics. The propagation in urban scenario is modeled with a ray-based deterministic tool. Different base station scenarios are discussed: antenna in proximity of a wall; antenna mounted on a lamp post; and antenna on a bus stop shelter. The statistical influence of the support is evaluated comparing the results in terms of pathloss with the ones obtained when the isolated antenna radiation patterns are considered.

The Shelter that Wasn’t There: On the Politics of Co-ordinating Multiple Urban Assemblages in Santiago, Chile

The concept of assemblages has gained an important degree of momentum in urban studies claiming to offer a new ontology for understanding cities as emergent and fluid concatenations of multiple elements. Such a conception, however, has also been criticised in relation to its supposed failure to deal effectively with the issue of power and inequality in urban dynamics. This paper contributes to this on-going discussion by exploring in detail the way in which power was embedded in one particular case: a bus stop shelter located in front of the Biblioteca Nacional in Santiago, Chile. In so doing, it analyses the controversy arising when two large and complex urban assemblages share component/s that each of them claims as exclusive. This situation made necessary practices of co-ordination in which a hierarchy was established between the competing assemblages, involving important transformations in some of its components.

Statistical Study of Variables Associated with Particulate Matter Exposure Levels at Bus Shelters

This study expands on previous work that examined differences in exposure to particulate matter in and around bus stop shelters for passengers waiting along a busy urban corridor in Portland, Oregon. An extensive body of literature has demonstrated the negative health effects of exposure to particulate matter. Although concentrations of particulate matter were known to be greater near busy roadways, little research has been conducted on exposure in and around bus stop shelters. Two sizes of particulate matter were examined in this study: fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. Pearson association tests were run between particulate concentrations and three categories of independent variables: location, traffic, and weather. Significant correlations were observed primarily between particulates and weather (temperature and relative humidity). With 1-min data intervals, a series of log-linear regression models with and without lagged variables was used to estimate the effects of location, traffic, and weather variables on particulate concentrations. The presence of a transit bus stopped at the shelter significantly increased both sizes of particulate matter concentrations. Wind, temperature, and shelter location also had significant effects on ultrafine and PM2.5 levels. The estimated models for particulate concentrations inside and outside the bus stop shelters were compared to demonstrate differences in particulate behavior. Suggestions are made for shelter configuration given environmental and traffic considerations.

The effectiveness of crowdsourcing public participation in a planning context

Governments increasingly turn to the Internet to facilitate public participation activities, part of a recent push toward transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement in decision-making. These activities take many forms, and one specific form, the crowdsourcing model, is examined here for its effectiveness as a public participation method. In 2009, the Next Stop Design project was launched to test the crowdsourcing model in an online public participation experiment for bus stop shelter design. Drawing on the ideals of online democratic deliberation, 23 Next Stop Design participants were interviewed via instant messenger for their perceptions of the project as an effective public participation activity. Findings suggest that crowdsourcing is a promising online public participation method that may complement off–line methods.

A bus stop shelter evaluated from the user’s perspective

This study aims to evaluate the current bus stop shelter model used in Florianópolis, Brazil, through a functional analysis--focused in the relationship between the shelter, the users and their activities--and also to analyse users' perceptions. The methodology consisted of exploratory visits, anthropometric analysis, observation and interviews. The exploratory visit intended to survey the physical characteristics of the shelter (dimensions, materials, colors, displayed information) and its position on the sidewalk. The anthropometric analysis was made to verify whether the dimensions of the shelters were adequate to users' needs. The observation provided data for the analysis of users' behavior, which involved a biomechanical study of their postures, an ownership/occupancy analysis in terms of territoriality and studies about spatial requirements of interpersonal relations (proxemics). The interviews helped to analyze how the user perceives the quality of some of the main functions of the shelter: to provide physical and psychological comfort and to display information about the public transportation system. As a result, the overall conclusion is that shelters do not meet users' needs. Recommendations are provided in order to improve physical and psychological comfort and to display relevant information about the transportation system.

Air Quality at Bus Stops

Congested traffic corridors in dense urban areas are key contributors to the degradation of urban air quality. While waiting at bus stops, transit patrons may be exposed to greater amounts of vehicle-based pollution, including particulate matter (PM), because of their proximity to the roadway. Current guidelines for the location and the design of bus stops do not take into account air quality or exposure considerations. This study compared the exposure of transit riders waiting at three-sided bus stop shelters that either faced the roadway traffic or faced away from the roadway traffic. Shelters were instrumented with air quality monitoring equipment, sonic anemometers, and vehicle counters. Data were collected for 2 days at three shelters during both the morning and the afternoon peak periods. Bus shelter orientation was found to significantly affect concentration of four sizes of PM: ultrafine particles, PM1, PM2.5, and PM10. Shelters with an opening oriented toward the roadway were consistently observed to have higher concentrations inside the shelter than outside the shelter. In contrast, shelters oriented away from the roadway were observed to have lower concentrations inside the shelter than outside the shelter. The differences in PM concentration were statistically significant across all four sizes of particulate matter studied. Traffic flow was shown to have a significant relationship with all sizes of particulate concentration levels inside bus shelters. Microscale anemometer measurements were made next to bus shelters. Both wind speed and direction were shown to affect particulate concentrations differently, depending on shelter orientation.

The Effectiveness of Crowdsourcing Public Participation in a Planning Context

In late 2009, the Next Stop Design project was launched to test the crowdsourcing model in a public participation context for transit planning. Crowdsourcing is an online, distributed problem solving and production model largely in use for business. It leverages the collective intelligence of online communities by soliciting ideas and solutions for an organization from these communities through the form of an open call. Next Stop Design was an online competition where users submitted bus stop shelter designs and voted on the designs of peers to determine a best design. The project provided an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of crowdsourcing as an alternative public participation method for government administration. Online public participation alternatives are increasingly the focus of governments seeking to overcome deficiencies in traditional public participation methods, and the specific online method of crowdsourcing is a promising ideation tool for participatory decision-making. To test Next Stop Design's effectiveness as a public participation tool participants were interviewed to determine their perceptions of the project. In all, 23 Next Stop Design participants were interviewed via instant messenger for this study. Findings presented here suggest that Next Stop Design was perceived to be a generally effective online deliberative democratic process, with perceived weaknesses concerning the facilitation of the project through public voting and the equality of participants on the site in light of apparent voting fraud in the competition.

Уменьшение количества наружной рекламы

The fundamental concept is that public space is not a private property. So, a facade (the outer skin, the last millimeter) belongs to the town, not to the owner of the building. Changing the rendering, a window, adding or removing anything from a facade requires a permission delivered by the town's authority.In places like Paris, Bordeaux, Marseilles, Lyon, Strasbourg… everywhere one can find a registrated building such as a cathedral, a castle, or a group of ancient buildings, a national administration is controlling this permission. This administration is called «historical monuments administration» and is locally lead by a specialized architect.In the late seventies, French government decided to reduce advertising on the roads and on the city walls. Advertising on the road was leading to a confusion reducing the efficacy of the roadsigns and direction signs, which is dangerous. The reduction was under control of a national administration: the ministry of equipment in charge of the roads design. Advertising on the walls with publicity boards was under control of the cities. Every city has a townplanning regulation. Many cities included forbidding advertisement boards on the walls in this regulation.A couple of firms, but mainly once (Decaux) found clever to give a hand to the cities to control advertising. Decaux developed a line of bus stop shelters including advertisements and advertising panels and paid the cities the right to put rather smaller publicities on the public domain.Now Decaux is no more alone on this market and the cities are comparing offers.Marseille turned to a foreign advertising firm who pays three times the price Decaux paid… for half of the advertising surface. Freiburg erased totally the public domain advertisements, selling the tramways and bus coachwork as advertising spaces. Paris is reopening the advertising market before the end of Deacaux's contract and will pay Deacaux a huge amount for this breach of contract. But the price paid by the new contracting party is expected to be over ten times what Decaux is presently paying… So Bertrand de la Noe, the Lord Mayor, decided to reduce by three or four the surface. The Paris citizen will earn 2.5 to 3 times more money getting also a cleaner public space. Yes… as public space, public money belongs to the community of the citizen…The other fundamental laws are commercial: on one hand «low offers make high prices» and on the other hand «too many signs are insignificant».Reducing the number of signs makes the remaining signs more readable, which is the first quality of advertising. That is why every one seems to be satisfied with few publicity. The town gets more money out of it and offers a nice townscape. The publishers are sure to be alone on the market as long as they keep the contract. The publishers are sure to be alone on the market as long as they keep the contract. The firms are guaranteed to be well seen.

Reducing Outdoor Advertising

The fundamental concept is that public space is not a private property. So, a facade (the outer skin, the last millimeter) belongs to the town, not to the owner of the building. Changing the rendering, a window, adding or removing anything from a facade requires a permission delivered by the town's authority. In places like Paris, Bordeaux, Marseilles, Lyon, Strasbourg… everywhere one can find a registrated building such as a cathedral, a castle, or a group of ancient buildings, a national administration is controlling this permission. This administration is called «historical monuments administration» and is locally lead by a specialized architect. In the late seventies, French government decided to reduce advertising on the roads and on the city walls. Advertising on the road was leading to a confusion reducing the efficacy of the roadsigns and direction signs, which is dangerous. The reduction was under control of a national administration: the ministry of equipment in charge of the roads design. Advertising on the walls with publicity boards was under control of the cities. Every city has a townplanning regulation. Many cities included forbidding advertisement boards on the walls in this regulation. A couple of firms, but mainly once (Decaux) found clever to give a hand to the cities to control advertising. Decaux developed a line of bus stop shelters including advertisements and advertising panels and paid the cities the right to put rather smaller publicities on the public domain. Now Decaux is no more alone on this market and the cities are comparing offers. Marseille turned to a foreign advertising firm who pays three times the price Decaux paid… for half of the advertising surface. Freiburg erased totally the public domain advertisements, selling the tramways and bus coachwork as advertising spaces. Paris is reopening the advertising market before the end of Deacaux's contract and will pay Deacaux a huge amount for this breach of contract. But the price paid by the new contracting party is expected to be over ten times what Decaux is presently paying… So Bertrand de la Noe, the Lord Mayor, decided to reduce by three or four the surface. The Paris citizen will earn 2.5 to 3 times more money getting also a cleaner public space. Yes… as public space, public money belongs to the community of the citizen… The other fundamental laws are commercial: on one hand «low offers make high prices» and on the other hand «too many signs are insignificant». Reducing the number of signs makes the remaining signs more readable, which is the first quality of advertising. That is why every one seems to be satisfied with few publicity. The town gets more money out of it and offers a nice townscape. The publishers are sure to be alone on the market as long as they keep the contract. The publishers are sure to be alone on the market as long as they keep the contract. The firms are guaranteed to be well seen.

Shelter from the Storm: Optimizing Distribution of Bus Stop Shelters in Los Angeles

The functions of bus stop shelters and factors affecting their placement at stops in transit systems are analyzed. Drawing on information from a variety of sources, current shelter placement policy in Los Angeles was found to be guided principally by the revenue-generating potential of shelter advertisements, secondarily by political concerns over geographic equity, and only peripherally on the basis of bus stop use. Using data on shelter and stop locations, boardings, and headways, a methodology is developed for measuring the cumulative use of bus stops with regard to person-min of wait time. Then this measure is used to evaluate three scenarios of bus stop placement, each of which optimizes the goals of ( a) private shelter providers, ( b) locally elected officials, and ( c) bus patrons, respectively. The conclusion is that either of the latter two scenarios would dramatically—by 2.3 person-years each day—increase the time that bus patrons in Los Angeles spend under shelter while waiting for buses at stops. This analysis both demonstrates the utility of using stop-coded boarding data in combination with headway data in the planning of bus stop shelters and shows the ineffectiveness and inequities that can arise when the sheltering of waiting passengers is not explicitly incorporated into policies guiding the placement of transit shelters.