City Of Maribor Research Articles

Towards Smart Traffic Planning by Traffic Simulation on Microscopic Level

In this paper the consequences of road closures considering the introduction of a smart city solution, namely traffic simulation on micro level, are analyzed. The use-case comes from the city of Maribor in Slovenia with about 100 thousand inhabitants. To perform the analyses, the open source road traffic simulation package SUMO (simulation of urban mobility) has been employed to analyze the effects of the introduction of traffic regulations in real environment. Using it by experts in a plan-do-check-act loop, multiple scenarios with lesser impact of traffic regulations, as opposed to ad-hoc scenarios usually employed (e.g., for road works, events, etc.), can be considered and the best one chosen, leading to a smart city solution.

A Methodological Framework for Sustainable Office Building Renovation Using Green Building Rating Systems and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Sustainable development is a priority for the future of our society. Sustainable development is of particular importance to the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, both for new buildings and for the renovation of existing buildings. Great potential for sustainable development lies in the renovation of existing office buildings. This paper introduces a new framework for identifying the best set of renovation strategies for existing office buildings. The framework applies selected green building rating system criteria and cost-effective sustainable renovation solutions based on cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and thus provides a novelty in decision-making support for the sustainable renovation of office buildings at an early-stage. The framework covers all necessary steps and activities including data collection, determination of the required level of renovation, selection of the green building rating system, identification of impact categories and criteria, and final evaluation and decision-making using CBA. The framework can be used in conjunction with different systems and according to different regional characteristics. The applicability of the addressing procedure is shown through a case study of a comprehensive renovation of an office building in the city of Maribor.

APPROACH TO REFURBISHMENT OF TIMBER PRESCHOOL BUILDINGS WITH A VIEW ON ENERGY AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

The refurbishment of educational buildings usually involves a variety of measures aiming at reducing energy demands and improving building functionality to achieve higher living comfort. This paper aims to develop an approach for determination of comprehensive refurbishment strategy upon existing preschool buildings in Slovenia from the aspects of energy and economic efficiency. The main idea of the approach is to separate and individually analyse the investments into those related to energy efficiency improvements and those related to improvements of building functional quality through the step-by-step evaluation of individual measures. The proposed approach was applied on the case study of the existing timber preschool building in the city of Maribor. Generally, the highest energy savings are detected only in the case of combination of multiple renovation measures. Moreover, the economic indicators show low efficiency for almost all measures if they are treated separately. Additionally, the analysis reveals that certain measures are totally inefficient in terms of energy, yet they are highly beneficial from the viewpoint of building functional quality, which indicates the importance of the multi-perspective assessment of renovation process. The conclusions of this study can be implemented to similar building types and construction ages in similar climatic and economic environments.

OPTIMIZATION OF A STEEL PENSTOCK WITH STIFFENER RINGS

The paper presents the optimization of a high-pressure steel penstock with stiffener rings, which is constructed in a bored tunnel for a pump storage hydroelectric plant. The optimization is performed using nonlinear programming (NLP) methods, and an NLP optimization model is developed. The mass of the steel structure is defined in the objective function to be minimized and structural (in)equality constraints are imposed. The latter comprise the dimensioning equations of a steel penstock, which is exposed to the internal and external water pressure cases. Only the main constraints are introduced in the paper. They include checking the circumferential stresses in the pipe owing to internal water pressure, as well as the critical pressures in the steel liner and stiffener rings when the pipe is exposed to the external water pressure. The numerical example at the end of the paper describes the optimization of the high-pressure steel penstock for the pumped hydropower plant Kozjak, which will be constructed in Slovenia near the city of Maribor.

Bus-arrival time prediction using bus network data model and time periods

Real-time information system about bus arrival and departure times at bus stops is one of the key elements of high-quality public transport. To provide accurate prediction of bus arrival at the bus stop the information of current position of the bus and bus travel time to the target stop are required. This paper investigates the bus velocity during different time periods and the impact of the bus network data model on the real-time prediction of arrival times at bus stops. The proposed model classifies bus travel times into time periods with respect to the historical data and the data model of the bus network. Discussion of four types of data model is presented, such as: a data model defined by bus stops and junctions of the roads, a data model defined only by bus stops, a data model which addresses the individual parts of the network in relation to the potential barriers that affect the travel speed of buses, and a data model with fixed-length links of the bus network. The analysis is performed in two different environments, the city of Ljubljana and the city of Maribor. The travel times are classified according to the average travel speed into four time periods: morning, afternoon, weekend and off-peak periods. Simulations showed that both the data model of the bus network and classifying runs into time periods affect the accuracy of predictions of bus arrival times at bus stops.

Improving efficient resource usage and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by optimizing fleet management for winter services

Heavy duty vehicles (HDVs), such as those used for winter services (e.g. snow plowing), are responsible for around 25% of CO2 emissions caused by road transportation, which is also a challenge of energy resources. In this paper an optimization approach developed for the fleet management of winter services is presented, which was also evaluated in city of Maribor, Slovenia. The algorithm used is based on a mathematical graph theory, specifically on a solution to the Chinese postman problem, using two types of optimization: 1) optimization of the entire plan of the winter service and 2) optimization of the completed part of the planned service.The winter service includes plowing and a salting process that requires refilling the salt reservoirs on the vehicles. In our real-world case only one base was available for refilling the salt reservoirs, so two additional optimization approaches were evaluated: a) optimization of the traversals of plans starting form a single base and b) using proposed three additional recharge bases distributed across the city and recharging at the closest base when needed. The results of the optimization suggested a reduction of route length by 28.3% when executing the entire plan. When considering a redistribution of the salting material at three other locations, our estimation has showed that additional savings up to 9.8% could be achieved regarding to the selection of those locations. Less routes traveled consequently leads to a reduction of resource usage (diesel) and lower CO2 emissions. When executing 15 plans in a single winter service campaign, 210 L less diesel was used, resulting in 1.362 t less CO2 emissions per campaign, representing a reduction of 30%.Our model was initially based on real-life snow plowing processes and their statistics; where possible we used real-life data to configure the model, such as the salting material, loading times, the quantity of salting material distributed per km, the characteristics of the plowing vehicle, etc. Due to the heavy conditions during the execution of planned winter services, plans sometimes had to be readjusted on the go. Combining optimization with custom software for real-time execution, planning and service monitoring, assisted from the cloud, provided even more deterministic cost and environmental management, and gave further opportunity for optimization processes.

Bus-stop Based Real Time Passenger Information System – Case Study Maribor

Real time passenger information system is one of the key element of promoting public transport. For the successful implementation of real time passenger information systems, various components should be considered, such as: passenger needs and requirements, stakeholder involvement, technological solution for tracking, data transfer, etc. This article carrying out designing and evaluation of real time passenger information (RTPI) in the city of Maribor. The design phase included development of methodology for selection of appropriate macro and micro location of the real-time panel, development of a real-time passenger algorithm, definition of a technical specification, financial issues and time frame. The evaluation shows that different people have different requirements; therefore, the system should be adaptable to be used by various types of people, according to the age, the purpose of journey, experience of using public transport, etc. The average difference between perceived waiting time for a bus is 35% higher than the actual waiting time and grow with the headway increase. Experiences from Maribor have shown that the reliability of real time passenger system (from technical point of view) must be close to 100%, otherwise the system may have negative impact on passengers and may discourage the use of public transport. Among considered events of arrivals during the test period, 92% of all prediction were accurate. The cost benefit analysis has focused only on potential benefits from reduced perceived users waiting time and foreseen costs of real time information system in Maribor for 10 years’ period. Analysis shows that the optimal number for implementing real time passenger information system at the bus stops in Maribor is set on 83 bus stops (approx. 20 %) with the highest number of passenger. If we consider all entries at the chosen bus stops, the total perceived waiting time on yearly level could be decreased by about 60,000 hours.

Raising Awareness of Urban Environment Development in Primary Schools

Abstract In the past few years, excessive efforts have been made to increase the city’s attractiveness and its international positioning. Also studies on the so-called city destination branding are on the rise. Theorists, as Ramirez (2001), Marzano and Scott (2009), among many others, are discussing different aspects of this complex process. Many approaches and strategies are dealing with the positioning of urban environments and city destinations, trying to provide at least some partial answers about achieving this objective. With proper marketing and branding, cities can do a lot to attract tourists and visitors. For successful city marketing and branding and for the successful long-term positioning of the destination in general, it is necessary to involve the key stakeholders and collaborate with as many as possible despite the fact that the branding of a city destination (or any destination for that matter) is a complex process. It is significant that all the stakeholders, who are always carriers of different interests, are invited to collaborate in the planning of the tourism development and tourism development strategies, from the government, the private sector, schools etc. It is also important to involve the citizens, who can provide a valuable opinion about the environment they live in – what they like about their environment, what suggestion would they give to tourists about gastronomy, attractions, shops, events, etc. It is significant that citizens are proud of their urban environment, that they know their own environment, and that they have the motivation for the involvement in the process of improvement of their home environment (through projects, discussions, etc.). It is impossible to create attractive urban environments or cities if residents do not have a positive opinion about the place they live in. That is why it is essential for the education institutions at all levels, but especially for the institutions at the primary levels to educate children, toddlers, pupils, students, about the importance of urban environment development and create a positive learning environment, where children are able to develop as residents with a great understanding of the potential of the environment they live in. The paper explores the importance of raising awareness of the urban environment in primary schools from the theoretical, analytical and practical point of views. In the paper, we will examine whether primary schools in the city of Maribor, Slovenia educate children about their urban environment, if they are creating positive learning environments, where children can develop into proud citizens aware of the significance of the urban environment and its consequences for the quality of their lives. Further on, the curricula in chosen primary schools in Maribor is going to be analyzed. With the survey, we will try to identify the degree of children’s awareness of their surrounding urban environment, the information they receive about their environment, and their attitude towards it. And finally, what is most important, we will try to show the extreme significance of the learning environment and the curricula for raising the awareness of the environment and growing into responsible adults who will also act responsibly towards their urban environments.

Determination of micro-organic contaminants in groundwater (Maribor, Slovenia)

Micro-organic (MO) contaminants in groundwater can have adverse effects on both the environment and on human health. They enter the natural environment as a result of various processes, their presence in groundwater is the result of current anthropogenic activity and pollution loads from the past. A study on the occurrence and concentrations levels of selected contaminants in water was performed in the city of Maribor, Slovenia. A total of 56 groundwater and 4 surface water samples were collected in together four rounds in different hydrogeological periods (dry and wet seasons), and a total of 13 selected contaminants were analysed in this study. Carbamazepine, propyphenazone, caffeine, 2-methyl-2H-benzotriazole (2-MBT) and 2.4-dimethyl-2H-benzotriazole (2.4-DMBT) were determined as indicators of urban pollution, while pesticides and their metabolites (atrazine, desethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, terbuthylazine, desethylterbuthylazine, metolachlor, simazine, propazine) were mainly defined as indicators of crop production. All of the selected MO contaminants were detected both in the aquifer and Drava River. The most frequently detected MO compounds in groundwater were desethylatrazine (frequency of detection 98.2%; max. concentration 103.0ngL−1), atrazine (94.6%; 229ngL−1), 2.4-DMBT (92.9%; 273ngL−1), carbamazepine (80.4%; 88.00ngL−1), desethylterbuthylazine (76.8%; 7.0ngL−1) and simazine (76.8%; 29.6ngL−1), whereas propyphenazone (14.3%; 10.7ngL−1) was the least frequently detected. Detected MO concentrations in the study were compared with results published elsewhere around the world. Concentrations in groundwater indicate specific land use in their recharge areas. On the basis of correlations and the spatial distribution of selected MOs, groundwater origin for every sampling point was determined. Sampling sites were divided into three different groups for which indicative groundwater quality properties were defined.

Urban Hackathon – Alternative Information Based and Participatory Approach to Urban Development

Although hackathon is generally known and used event-format in the world of software engineering, it has in recent years also been used in other fields, as i.e. participatory urbanism, in US often referred to as civic hackathon. Hackathon in general is an event at which problems are solved in a limited time frame with intense participant collaboration. The focus of a hackathon is usually predefined; however creativity in problem solving is at the forefront of all activities. The paper will describe the specifics of urban hackathon, a derivative form of civic hackathon, which uses similar approach, harnessing the potential of information technologies and stakeholders involvement in the field of urban development and urban renewal. Despite vast amount of information and unprecedented potentials of existing technologies, they are not being used to full potential in the practise of urban development. At the same time, the importance of horizontal integration between different professions, inclusion of stakeholders, communities and researchers is increasingly becoming the central theme in managing the contemporary urban environment.Through the analysis of existing literature and web sources the paper presents hackathons dealing with urban issues worldwide and their characteristics. Furthermore, thorough the case-study analysis of tools, processes and experiences of three urban hackathons held in Maribor/Slovenia in 2015 as a part of the Actors of urban change program (Living city project), the paper describes the impacts of this approach on public discourse and actions taken in solving the urban renewal problems in the city of Maribor.

Development of a liquid chromatographic method based on ultraviolet–visible and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection for the identification of nitrocatechols and related tracers in biomass burning atmospheric organic aerosol

Studying the chemical composition of biomass burning aerosol (BBA) is very important in order to assess their impact on the climate and the biosphere. In the present study, we focus on the characterization of some newly recognized biomass burning aerosol tracers including methyl nitrocatechols, nitroguaiacols and 4-nitrocatechol, but also on nitrophenols, methyl nitrophenols and nitrosalicylic acids, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. For the purpose of their separation and detection in atmospheric aerosol, a new chromatographic method was initially developed based on reversed-phase chromatography coupled with ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) detection. The method was afterwards transferred to a liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-LITMS) system in order to identify the targeted analytes in winter aerosol from the city of Maribor, Slovenia, using their chromatographic retention times and characteristic (-)ESI product ion (MS(2) ) spectra. The fragmentation patterns of analytes obtained with LITMS are presented. Additional nitro-aromatic compounds (m/z 168 and 182) closely related to the targeted nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols were detected in the aerosol. According to their MS(2) spectra these compounds could be attributed to methyl homologues of methyl nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols. The proposed LC/MS method results in a better separation and specificity for the targeted analytes. Several nitro-aromatic compounds were detected in urban BBA. The LC/MS peak intensity of the newly detected methyl nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols is comparable to that of the methyl nitrocatechols, which also qualifies them as suitable molecular tracers for secondary biomass burning aerosol.

Footbridge Studenci over the Drava River in Maribor, Slovenia

The paper presents the design and construction of the new footbridge Studenci over the Drava River in Maribor. In 2004, the City of Maribor issued an open, anonymous national call for proposals for the reconstruction of the old bridge. In spite of the fact that it was an existing bridge that was to be reconstructed, the new bridge appeared in a new, entirely different, contemporary image. The existing old bridge structure of two steel I-shaped girders with concrete deck was replaced by a new, steel, transparent, space truss structure, with a wooden deck and linear LED illumination. Only the supports from the old bridge were preserved and these also were reconstructed and strengthened. The 'structural solution' as presented in this paper, received a Footbridge Award in 2008.

Ethnological Research Applicability in Designing Urban Contents in Green Areas of Maribor

Parks, avenues, squares, open spaces and other green areas are established spatial categories and something that can always be seen in all urban centres, also in Maribor. Different ways of life are reflected in green areas because it is about the public spaces for socializing, recreation and relaxation. These are the spaces offered by the city to its residents for the very activities mentioned before. And since ethnology primarily deals with a way of life by which the contemporary and past forms and contents of the social and cultural life are characterized, the ethnological aspect of dealing with the green areas is specific and of key importance to an overall understanding of them. Both differences and similarities between the City Park and the Slomšek Square (i.e., between the two different types of green areas in the City of Maribor) are telling their part of the story of the city in the same relevant way.
 
 KEYWORDS: • ethnology • urban culture • green areas • heritage • municipality • Slovenia