Highway Expansion Research Articles

To build or not to build? Megaprojects, resources, and environment: An emergy synthesis for a systemic evaluation of a major highway expansion

Systems thinking and emergy synthesis are applied to transport studies in order to assess the socio-ecological convenience of a civil infrastructure: they are presented as comprehensive evaluation tools to go beyond conventional approaches like cost-benefit analyses, while geobiophysically including the overall resource consumption and the release of pollutants. Focusing on road systems, the massive expansion works on the mountainous section of Italian major highway A1 are chosen as a case study: such recently completed project is compared with the no-build option, considering alternative scenarios ranging from dedicated mobility policies using the old infrastructure to a partial modal shift to rail transport. Results are expressed in terms of total invested emergy, emergy per passenger-kilometer, and per ton-kilometer; data can be easily read also in terms of environmental, physical, and financial units. The convenience of the expansion works results highly questionable: the annually required emergy is shown to significantly increase: +24% for passengers and +51% for freight averagely (i.e., with or without services besides energy and material inputs). A key role is played by saved travelling time (computed as driving labor), able to mitigate but not to reverse the situation while representing a controversial accounting item. Instead, alternative uses and policies for the old infrastructure would all have yielded significant savings. In light of the above, some conclusions are drawn on societal priorities, including a critical reappraisal of time saving as an often unsustainable driver within a still mostly unquestioned ‘more and faster’ mantra. The need to support ecologically and strategically sustainable societal decision-making in the transportation sector is therefore framed in wider thoughts on economic planning and resource allocation, while envisaging a tranformation towards a prosperous and sustainable future.

Additional Earth Pressure of Retaining Wall Caused by Vehicle Load

The additional load caused by vehicles is an important consideration in the design of highway retaining structures. This study investigated the additional earth pressure of retaining wall caused by vehicle load. Combined with the construction of a cantilever retaining wall in the Liandu-Jinyun section of 330 National Highway Expansion Project, a series of soil pressure boxes was embedded above the floor of the retaining wall and on the inside of the vertical plate. After the wall was constructed, a 30 t dump truck was used as the load source and asked to stop at designated places, the additional vertical and lateral earth pressure caused by vehicles (static load) was tested, and the test results were compared with the calculated results obtained using the standard uniform distribution method in the current highway design code and the Boussinesq solution of elastic mechanics. Results reveal that the additional lateral earth pressure along the wall shows a nonlinear distribution, the maximum value appears in the middle of the wall, and the peak value decreases as the distance of the truck from the retaining wall increases. The distribution pattern of additional vertical earth pressure on the floor in the cross-section direction is also non-linear. Agreat difference exists between the measured and calculated results. Using the uniform distribution method to determine the additional lateral earth pressure caused by the vehicle load may underestimate the bending moment or anti-overturning moment resulting from the additional lateral earth pressure, which may cause failure of the anti-bending and anti-overturning abilities of the retaining wall to meet the requirements. For the variable section retaining wall (the wall section size decreases with the wall height), the shear strength of the middle and upper parts of the wall may be insufficient, and shear failure may occur. The tested additional lateral earth pressure is basically the same as the Boussinesq solution, but the vertical additional earth pressure is larger than the Boussinesq solution. This study suggests the use of the Boussinesq solution with multiple lanes and standard vehicles as the additional load caused by vehicle when designing the retaining wall (especially heavy duty road retaining wall).

The impact of highways on population redistribution: the role of land development restrictions

Abstract We study the role of land development restrictions for the effects of highway expansion on the spatial distribution of population for the Netherlands. Introducing an IV approach to address multiple endogenous interaction variables, our findings show that new highways accelerated population growth in peripheral areas, but had no apparent effect in suburban municipalities, in line with the presence of development restrictions. Highway expansions caused a ‘leapfrog’ pattern in which suburban growth skipped development-restricted areas and expanded into farther located peripheral areas.

Estimation of passengers’ benefit accrued by expressway expansion using an integrated demand model

Estimation of passengers’ benefit accrued by expressway expansion using an integrated demand model

高速公路改扩建中乳化沥青冷再生混合料设计方法优化研究

高速公路改扩建中乳化沥青冷再生混合料设计方法优化研究

Spatio-temporal forest cover dynamics along road networks in the Central Himalaya

Global road network has expanded at an unprecedented rate in the last century, and is needed for economic and social growth. However, the road networks through forest landscapes open it up for further exploitation and act as permanent scars on these fragile ecosystems. This has driven greater interest in studying ecological impacts of the road networks on forest cover dynamics. Our study assessed changes in forest canopy density (FCD) using satellite-based indices, and forest fragmentation using Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) for 2000 and 2016 in the Central Himalaya. The analysis reports reduction in areas with high FCD from 85% of geographical area in 2000 to 76% in 2016. Specific to road sites, maximum change has taken place owing to expansion of national highway (NH) 72 from two-lane in 2000 to four-lane in 2016. MSPA results also support this argument as forest fragmentation has substantially increased along the road transects, especially NHs and metalled roads. The study asserts that metalled forest roads at lower elevations and closer to the forest periphery have greater detrimental effects on surrounding ecosystems than unmetalled forest roads. Reason being continuous disturbance due to heavy traffic load, ease of accessibility to forest and added anthropogenic disturbances near the periphery. As ecological impacts of road network have not been mainstreamed into research and policy making in Himalaya, the findings from this study shall improve knowledge on the current status and potential future pathways of sustainable infrastructure development in Himalaya in particular and mountains around the globe in general.

Making Black Communities Matter: Race, Space, and Resistance in the Urban South

This article examines the intersection of race, space, and resistance as we revisit the legacies and contemporary implications of urban development policies in historically Black communities. With the understanding that spatial matters are Black matters (and Black matters are spatial matters), we argue that exploring this intersection allows us to raise questions about the differential impact of urban policies on Black communities. Against the historical backdrop of devastation and loss caused by urban renewal and highway construction in the mid-20th century, activists and residents fight current proposals for a highway expansion project originally called TBX. While we examine the proposed project and its implications for the entire city, we are particularly focused on responses to this project by communities we have studied for many years. Drawing on ethnographic research in two historically Black communities, we discuss the work of two Black women leaders, whose struggles for spatial justice are informe...

Put a park on it: How freeway caps are reconnecting and greening divided cities

The international green infrastructure literature has examined rails-to-trails and freeway-to-boulevard conversions, but these strategies can be impractical or politically unfeasible. An understudied movement among United States cities has demonstrated a strategy for greening freeways that remain in service: freeway cap parks, or decks with parks built in the air space directly above below-grade freeway sections that can help reintegrate communities, conceal traffic, reduce air pollution, and provide green space. We provide the first assessment of the design, function, and placement of freeway cap parks and assess the emerging sustainability discourse of cap park planning. We examine 18 completed and 9 proposed cap parks in 24 U.S. cities to identify four cap park development models that can be adapted worldwide to green below-grade freeway segments and reconnect communities. Given historic disparities in freeway placement, we examined the distribution of cap parks and found they are located in areas that could help address disparities in park access in freeways corridors. Our detailed case studies stress the struggle within the cap park sustainability discourse to balance economic, environmental, and equity concerns. Dallas' Klyde Warren Park is an economic success story, but illustrates how developers use cap parks to sideline equity concerns. Denver's proposed I-70 cap park illustrates strategies to mitigate environmental justice impacts of freeway expansion projects, but equity concerns remain given continuing impacts of the expanded freeway system. Cap parks should be embraced as a vital component of green infrastructure that reconnects and greens cities divided by freeway construction, but planners should take strong steps to address housing affordability and gentrification concerns for adjacent communities.

Highways and Growth : A Causal Analysis for India

The paper investigated the relationship between the growth of highways and economic growth. We tested for mutual causality between the growth of road networks (which were functionally divided as state highways and national highways) and growth in investment and GDP. We employed time series data set containing observations of growth in road route kilometres by type for India over the period from 1972 - 2016 to fit a vector autoregressive model with exogenous variable describing the growth in road networks, GDP, and gross capital formation. We also checked if the establishment of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had any significant impact on the economy. The results indicated the existence of bidirectional causality between growth in GDP and growth in national highways and a unidirectional causality was seen from growth in national highways to growth in gross capital formation. Additionally, it was observed that the growth in state highways led to subsequent growth in national highways as well. The NHDP programme had a significant impact on the expansion of national highways, but no causal influence could be empirically identified on GDP and gross capital formation.

Implications of highway development and expansion on urban resident in Nigeria: a case study of Abeokuta Metropolis

Roads remain the major tool for facilitating the mode of moving goods and people across the country to accelerate economic and business activities. Modern businesses, industries, trades and general activities depend on transport and transport infrastructure, the movement of goods and services from place to place becoming vital and inseparable aspects of global and urban economic survival. This study examined the implications of highway development and expansion on urban residents in Abeokuta city. Data was obtained from the administration of questionnaires to 545 residents of Abeokuta city, who were randomly selected. Simple descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed. The findings show that the traffic flow was found to be very smooth and free due to the wide and good condition of the highway; the residents stated that highway expansion allow increase in inflow of new residents, businesses and puts pressure on the existing houses thus there is increase in value of houses as a result of increase in demand; residents believe that the expansion of roads has opened up the area for more businesses which now causes high cost effect on rent and leases in the study area. The research suggests that all road designs, construction and rehabilitation work should be handled by competent engineers who must give guarantee on the roads for a specified period. The proper functioning of an urban area depends on an efficient transportation network; this contributes to the economy of Abeokuta directly through influx of people. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v37i2.3

I B. Authorization, Extension and Adjustment on ProjectI B1. NDRC “Official Reply Approving the Guangdong Province Sanbao to Shuikou Highway Expansion Project” Development Reform Infrastructure (2016) No. 1874, 30 August 2016. NDRC Official Reply Approving the Guangdong Province Sanbao to Shuikou Highway Expansion Project Development Reform Infrastructure (2016) No. 1874

I B. Authorization, Extension and Adjustment on ProjectI B1. NDRC “Official Reply Approving the Guangdong Province Sanbao to Shuikou Highway Expansion Project” Development Reform Infrastructure (2016) No. 1874, 30 August 2016. NDRC Official Reply Approving the Guangdong Province Sanbao to Shuikou Highway Expansion Project Development Reform Infrastructure (2016) No. 1874

Transport policies, induced traffic and their influence on vehicle emissions in developed and developing countries

We consider the implications of highway expansion and travel demand management policies for road traffic emissions. We examine the extent to which induced traffic and travel can partly erode the benefit of emission reduction arising from capacity expansion, and compare the results with corresponding values for user benefits. We then consider the effect on emission profiles over time of congestion charging which attempts to reduce travel demand in the peak period. Using a simplified partial equilibrium simulation model over a twenty five year period we contrast the situations in developed and developing countries where the emission profiles may take very distinct forms. We show that, due to the alignment of 'volume' effects and 'speed' effects, the benefit of emission reduction associated with capacity expansion policies may be severely compromised by induced traffic, and exceeds that of user benefits. We confirm that demand management policies which internalise the costs of congestion can be effective in containing or reducing emissions over the simulation period, and in ameliorating the effects of induced traffic that accompany capacity expansion. We establish multiplier relationships between the reduction of emissions and the quantity of demand priced off or otherwise restrained from use of a road, and examine for different traffic growth rates the implication for effectiveness of demand-based policies.

Transport Infrastructure, City Productivity Growth and Sectoral Reallocation:

This paper examines the impact of highway expansion on aggregate productivity growth and sectoral reallocation between cities in China. To do so, I construct a unique dataset of bilateral transportation costs between Chinese cities, digitized highway network maps, and firm-level census. I first derive and estimate a market access measure that summarizes all direct and indirect impact of trade costs on city productivity. I then construct an instrumental variable to examine the causal impact of highways on economic outcomes and the underlying channels. The results suggest that highways promoted aggregate productivity growth by facilitating firm entry, exit and reallocation. I also find evidence that the national highway system led to a sectoral reallocation between cities in China.

Transport Infrastructure, City Productivity Growth and Sectoral Reallocation: Evidence from China

This paper examines the impact of highway expansion on aggregate productivity growth and sectoral reallocation between cities in China. To do so, I construct a unique dataset of bilateral transportation costs between Chinese cities, digitized highway network maps, and firm-level census. I first derive and estimate a market access measure for cities in China from 1995 to 2005. I then examine the channels through which the highway infrastructure affected economic outcomes. The results suggest that highways promoted aggregate productivity growth by facilitating the entry of new firms and reallocation among existing firms. I estimate the aggregate economic impact of China's national highway system and find that eliminating all highways in China would decrease aggregate productivity by 3.2%. There is also evidence that the national highway system led to a sectoral reallocation between cities in China.

Analysis Method on Network Capacity of Belt Freeway

An analysis method on network capacity of belt freeway based on road network reserve capacity is put forward in this paper. Through the introduction of multiple multiplier, the method can simply analyse the maximum traffic volume contained by belt freeway in the conditions of a given network basic demand and meeting the constraints of road traffic capacity and service level. In comparison to the traditional method, the proposed method takes into consideration actual network structure, OD flow distribution, the traveller choosing the way, etc. Additionally, the analysis conclusion is more consistent with the actual situation. Analysis results of belt freeway capacity of Yancheng city in China show that the presented method is not only simple and practical, but also can objectively reflect the status of the belt freeway capacity, and provide a basis for decision-making of belt freeway expansion and urban expressway construction.

Environment Impact Assessment of Highway Expansion – A Review

Highway expansion improves the quality of existing roads and enhances the connectivity between prime economic centres. The escalating traffic and need to bolster the economic capability of the area leads to the expansion of highways. Moreover, the accession activity disturbs the ecosystem and induces myriad changes in the surrounding panorama. Also, it affects both abiotic and biotic components, directly and indirectly. Thus, to know and predict the impact on the environment and socio-economic conditions of the residents, Environment Impact Assessment of National Highways is imperative. Therefore, this paper reviews the influence of highway expansion on air, water and soil quality and the socio-economic conditions and health of the natives.

From Classroom to Asylum

From Classroom to Asylum

Highway Infrastructure, Protected Areas, and Orchid Bee Distribution and Conservation in the Brazilian Amazon

Scientists regularly lament that development and habitat destruction in once isolated and distant areas are promoting species extinction before species can even be known by science. In the Brazilian Amazon, the government’s Plan for Growth Acceleration in part involves major improvements and expansion of highways. Such infrastructure has long been linked to the main causes of deforestation in this region. It is essential for scientists to assess where to target bio-diversity collections in relation to the location of road development and existing protected areas. The objective of this study was to amass all of the records of occurrence of orchid bees in digital form, in order to obtain a spatial picture of our knowledge thus far and to make recommendations about priority areas for future collections and the role of protected areas in species conservation. The collection data used for this study come from various collection efforts, and were also gathered from the literature. The collection data were then imported into a Geographic Information System, making it possible to integrate other spatial data layers such as highways, conservation units, indigenous lands and forest cover. Results show a major need for collections along the BR 163 and BR 230 highways, heavily deforested areas with few conservation units. We suggest the creation of conservation units and recommend that abandoned areas be allowed to remain fallow as a way to help save additional biodiversity in the area of influence of these two main highways.

Impact of Climatic Change on Avian Populations: Implication for Long Term Conservation in Wildlife Genetic Resources

Climate change is a multidimensional challenged on bird population indirectly. Wildlife species are not equally at risk when facing climate change. Several species-specific attributes have been identified as increasing species vulnerability to climate change, including diets, migratory strategy, main habitat types and ecological specialization. Conservationists mostly used small number of species as surrogates to help them tackle conservation problems. Having served as reliable indicators of environmental change for centuries, bird populations now indicate that global warming have set in motion as a powerful chain of effects in ecosystems worldwide. The effect of climate change on the variation of species distribution is a matter of conservation emphasis globally. Successful management and conservation of species and their respective habitat dilemma under climate change rely on our ability to model species-habitat interaction and predict species distribution under changing environmental condition. We realize birds every day and they contribute much to our personal lives through attracting public attention. Beyond their aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, activities associated with birds. Everywhere birds are an integral part of our natural ecosystems. Birds pollinate plants and disperse their seeds, thereby facilitating genetic exchange and seed germination. They can serve as sensitive ecological indicators of threats to environmental health. Habitat loss, highway expansion, environmental unfriendly infrastructures, pollution and climate change have already led bird species becoming listed as threatened or endangered under the endangered species act. Climate change will almost certainly cause more species to be added to these lists, as well as exacerbate the challenges rare, threatened and endangered species already face. Moreover, large contractions in the range of many currently common and widespread species are expected.

The Impact of Highways on Population Redistribution: The Role of Land Development Restrictions

We study the role of land development restrictions for the effects of highway expansion on the spatial distribution of population. We demonstrate that these restrictions strongly interfered with the effects of highways in the Netherlands. Introducing an IV approach to address endogenous interaction variables, our findings show that new highways accelerated population growth in peripheral areas, but had no such effect in central cities and suburban municipalities. We find that due to development restrictions near larger cities, the highway expansion caused a ‘leapfrog’ pattern, in which suburban growth skipped development-restricted areas and expanded into farther located peripheral areas.