Major Transportation Corridors Research Articles

Перспективы развития сетевого взаимодействия в транспортно-логистическом комплексе региона

The article deals with the current issue of development of the transport and logistics system and transport and logical clusters on the territory of the Russian Federation on the basis of network interaction. The subject of the study is the transport and logistics clusters of Russian regions, their importance in the development of the transport and logistics complex and economy of Russian regions. Scientific and theoretical concepts on the research problem and their hierarchy in the transport and logistics complex of the region are considered. The economic essence of the transport and logistics cluster and its structure elements are described, and the economic characteristics of various groups of enterprises depending on the degree of participation in the main business process are presented. A comparative assessment of the state and functioning of transport and logistics clusters on the territory of Russia with the European network of transport and logistics clusters formed during the strengthening of integration of European economies into a single space is carried out and proposals for their development based on network interaction are made. The main research methods are formal logical, system and situational approaches, and statistical analysis. The need to support the formation of transport and logistics clusters through state programs and strategies, forms of public-private partnership in economy, activation of integration ties and integrated development based on basic enterprises is identified. The indicators of functioning of transport and logical clusters on the example of Belgorod region, Primorye Krai, including the level of development of the regional infrastructure, the degree of involvement of the economic power of the region, regions position on major domestic and global transport corridors are analyzed and studied. Based on the results of the work, proposals for the development of network interaction in the transport and logistics complex of the regions were formulated, prospects and directions for improving the economic efficiency of transport enterprises were determined, and the percentage of losses in the industry was reduced. The application of the results is useful in the development of regional socio-economic and transport development programs.

The attractiveness of seaport-based transport corridors: an integrated approach based on scenario planning and gravity models

This paper proposes an innovative foresight methodology to estimate the future port transit throughput volumes in Iran using scenario planning, econometrics, and heuristics calculations. Two critical components of the framework are the gravity models, for estimating potential international trade flows that can pass the ports as transit freight, and the novel approach for calculating the attractiveness of transport corridors. The global business network approach is applied to determine several scenarios using three major driving forces, reflecting the future domestic and international environment affecting Iranian ports transit. For each scenario, a systematic approach is used to quantify the effects of driving forces and obtain port transit throughput for different goods categories. In doing so, the estimated trade flows are assigned to the corridors with the highest attractiveness scores. Major transport corridors such as International North–South Transport Corridor, Belt and Road Initiative, Suez Canal route, TRACECA, Trans Asian Railway, Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), and Trans-Siberian corridor are taken into account in the assessments. The proposed methodology is not country specific, therefore it could provide valuable insights to port authorities to help cope with uncertainties within the international trade and logistics environment when conducting strategic planning.

Genetic structure across urban and agricultural landscapes reveals evidence of resource specialization and philopatry in the Eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica L.

Human activity continues to impact global ecosystems, often by altering the habitat suitability, persistence, and movement of native species. It is thus critical to examine the population genetic structure of key ecosystemservice providers across human‐altered landscapes to provide insight into the forces that limit wildlife persistence and movement across multiple spatial scales. While some studies have documented declines of bee pollinators as a result of human‐mediated habitat alteration, others suggest that some bee species may benefit from altered land use due to increased food or nesting resource availability; however, detailed population and dispersal studies have been lacking. We investigated the population genetic structure of the Eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica, across 14 sites spanning more than 450 km, including dense urban areas and intensive agricultural habitat. X. virginica is a large bee which constructs nests in natural and human‐associated wooden substrates, and is hypothesized to disperse broadly across urbanizing areas. Using 10 microsatellite loci, we detected significant genetic isolation by geographic distance and significant isolation by land use, where urban and cultivated landscapes were most conducive to gene flow. This is one of the first population genetic analyses to provide evidence of enhanced insect dispersal in human‐altered areas as compared to semi‐natural landscapes. We found moderate levels of regional‐scale population structure across the study system (GʹST = 0.146) and substantial co‐ancestry between the sampling regions, where co‐ancestry patterns align with major human transportation corridors, suggesting that human‐mediated movement may be influencing regional dispersal processes. Additionally, we found a signature of strong site‐level philopatry where our analyses revealed significant levels of high genetic relatedness at very fine scales (<1 km), surprising given X. virginica's large body size. These results provide unique genetic evidence that insects can simultaneously exhibit substantial regional dispersal as well as high local nesting fidelity in landscapes dominated by human activity.

Mapping spatial distribution of traffic induced criteria pollutants and associated health risks using kriging interpolation tool in Delhi

The present study undertakes to understand the spatial influence of traffic-induced criteria air pollutants and associated health risks assessment at major transport corridors in Delhi. The study includes the classification of vehicular pollutants parameters into five different distribution categories, i.e., low, moderately low, moderate, moderately high, and high. Spatial distribution maps were developed using Geographic Information System (GIS) environment for eleven districts covering 36 transport corridors of the city. The study demonstrated the concentration of three out of the five ambient air pollutants, namely, NOx, PM10 and PM2.5, with highest values in the range of 294.10–362.57, 203.99–422.42 and 333.71–541.72 μg/m3, respectively. Corresponding National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) values were found to be grossly violated as reflected by NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations with 2–5 times higher values. Remaining two (CO and SOx) were found to be under permissible limits, and most of them exhibited low levels of observed concentrations. The ambient air quality in south, central, east, and New Delhi areas were found to be in high and moderately high categories and necessitating adequate control measures. The study reported a total of 281107, 20791, 31636 expected cases of human exposure to respiratory mortality, cardiovascular mortality and total mortality, respectively whereas, 281107 and 71608 number of cases were reported in relation to respiratory morbidity in terms of COPD hospital admission and cardiovascular morbidity along the transport corridors. The outcome of the study may provide a basis for decision makers to formulate the policy as per the scale of impact of traffic induced air pollution in critical areas around the major transport corridors.

EVALUATION OF PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN FAST DEVELOPING NAGPUR CITY, INDIA

Pedestrian safety has become a major issue in most of the developing countries. Thousands of pedestrians are killed each year but still pedestrian safety remains the most ignored parameter in road design. Even after several studies, pedestrian behavior, which is a complex phenomenon remains poorly understood. Interaction and pedestrian response, especially at the intersections, is a serious concern in road safety. The primary objective of the study is to develop a Pedestrian Safety Index (PSI) by identifying the parameters on which pedestrian safety depends. These parameters have been classified as dependent parameters like pedestrian behavior, street infrastructure, and surrounding environment; and independent parameters like a signal break, crossing location, crossing type and crossing time. Pearson's correlation coefficient and ANOVA Analysis are performed to find the relationship between independent and dependent parameters. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) techniques have been used to prepare the PSI model. The model depicts safety indices at different intersections along the Ring Road which is the major transportation corridor of the city. The data for the analysis was extracted from actual video footages of CCTV installed at the intersections and high-resolution satellite images. The study concludes that the PSI is found to be less at all the intersections along Ring Road and very less in the western segments of the Ring Road Corridor. The values of Pedestrian safety indices are helpful in designing the infrastructure facility at the intersection considering pedestrian safety.

EVALUATION OF PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN FAST DEVELOPING NAGPUR CITY, INDIA

Pedestrian safety has become a major issue in most of the developing countries. Thousands of pedestrians are killed each year but still pedestrian safety remains the most ignored parameter in road design. Even after several studies, pedestrian behavior, which is a complex phenomenon remains poorly understood. Interaction and pedestrian response, especially at the intersections, is a serious concern in road safety. The primary objective of the study is to develop a Pedestrian Safety Index (PSI) by identifying the parameters on which pedestrian safety depends. These parameters have been classified as dependent parameters like pedestrian behavior, street infrastructure, and surrounding environment; and independent parameters like a signal break, crossing location, crossing type and crossing time. Pearson's correlation coefficient and ANOVA Analysis are performed to find the relationship between independent and dependent parameters. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) techniques have been used to prepare the PSI model. The model depicts safety indices at different intersections along the Ring Road which is the major transportation corridor of the city. The data for the analysis was extracted from actual video footages of CCTV installed at the intersections and high-resolution satellite images. The study concludes that the PSI is found to be less at all the intersections along Ring Road and very less in the western segments of the Ring Road Corridor. The values of Pedestrian safety indices are helpful in designing the infrastructure facility at the intersection considering pedestrian safety.

FUZZY ANALYSIS OF COMFORT ALONG TRAVEL CHAINS

The competitiveness of a travel chain largely depends on the travel conditions along the sequence of journeys within the chain. This paper shows a method to analyse and to optimize the service quality along a travel chain. Travel comfort is a very important qualitative feature of the public transportation service, where travel comfort is used in a broader sense to describe ride quality and transfer quality including mobility, information, safety, security, and naturally comfort aspects. The analysis of travel comfort in the literature regards public transportation services. Several synthetic indices, which consider user judgment about service aspects, were developed to describe travel comfort, and comprehensive analyses have been published. However, to describe the competitiveness of the public transport the focus from the individual services should be moved toward the integrated service of the travel chain from the beginning to the end. The characteristics of travel comfort along the travel chain should be described and the location and rate of necessary interventions should be identified. In this paper we analyse the travel comfort features of travel chains. This paper proposes a method, which describes the travel comfort characteristics with synthetic indices based on the individual comfort indices of travel components, and uses a fuzzy approach to give an overall analysis of comfort conditions along the travel chain. The proposed method helps to identify the quality fluctuation and the weak points of a travel chain and makes the attractiveness of alternative travel chains comparable. An illustrative case study was carried out for one of the major transportation corridor of Budapest (Hungary), to exemplify the approach, where the validity of the method was tested as well. The results confirmed the usefulness and applicability of the methodology; by its application very valuable insights can be gained regarding the location and type of the necessary interventions. The results of our research are helpful to evaluate the actual service level of sustainable alternatives of individual car usage and to promote modal shift towards sustainable transportation modes.

The Roadside Healthcare Facility Location Problem A Managerial Network Design Challenge

The population of truck drivers plays a key role in the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases in sub‐Saharan Africa. Truck drivers thereby affect the health and lives of many, but also suffer from poor health and significantly reduced life expectancy themselves. Due to professional circumstances, their health service needs are generally not well addressed. Therefore, the non‐governmental organization North Star Alliance builds a network of healthcare facilities along the largest trucking routes in sub‐Saharan Africa. This paper studies the problem where to place additional facilities, and which health service packages to offer at each facility. The objective combines the maximization of the patient volume at these facilities and the maximization of the effectiveness of the health service delivery to the population served. The latter criterion is modeled through three novel access measures which capture the needs for effective service provisioning. The resulting optimization problem is essentially different from previously studied healthcare facility location problems because of the specific mobile nature of health service demand of truck drivers. Applying our model to the network of major transport corridors in South‐East Africa, we investigate several prominent questions managers and decision‐makers face. We show that the present network expansion strategy, which primarily focuses on patient volumes, may need to be reconsidered: substantial gains in effectiveness can be made when allowing a small reduction in patient volumes. We furthermore show that solutions are rather robust to data impreciseness and that long‐term network planning can bring substantial benefits, particularly in greenfield situations.

PREREQUISITES AND GOALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE

The article considers the process of forming and development of aviation industry of Ukraine. The historic, technical-economic and regulatory preconditions for the industry development were identified. The economic analysis of the financial performance of the economic agents of the industry for the last five years was conducted. The article develops the complex of development goals for the aviation industry and formalizes the implementation process by the certain development paths of air carriers, airports and aircraft manufacturers, including: SE “Boryspil international airport”, SE “Ukraeroruh”, Ukrainian state project-technological scientific-research institute of civil aviation “Ukraeroproiekt”, State aviation company “Kherson-avia”, JSC “Aviakompanija avialinii Ukrainy”, SE “Ternopil’ state aviation enterprise “Universal-Avia”, SE “L’viv Danylo Halytskiy international airport”, JSC “Motor Sich”, CE “Kyiv international airport” and CE “Odesa international airport”. The analysis of the financial data shows a strong growth of assets of airports, but mostly of current assets. The revenue increased almost by a third, but the gross operational profit remains stable as gross profit of financial activity almost doubles. Boryspil international airport dominates the industry as it generates almost half of the revenue from the airport activity. SE “Ukraeroruh” and JSC “Motor-Sich” are two other major agents in the industry. They showed greater increase in revenues than the airports and made a greater contribution into overall industry’s revenue increase. The same conclusion comes about increase in current and fixed assets. The profit analysis reveals that Boryspil international airport and “Motor-Sich” accumulate approximately 90% of the industry overall profit as the other agents are balancing around break-even point. The general financial performance of aviation industry enterprises in Ukraine demonstrates a strong trend for revenue increase, while profit figures are mixed. The financial sustainability looks strong among all types of agents. But as the part of short-term liabilities increases that signals the airports are lacking resources for investments and aim to balance their financial risks by balancing the short-term and long term liabilities. The positive dynamics of air traffic through Ukrainian airports creates great perspectives for the industry development, but it shall be secured by the appropriate investment funding. Ukraine has a great transit potential, as four major European transport corridors passes through the country. The exploitation of this potential under severe political risks challenges the aviation industry development in Ukraine. The aviation industry is an important contributor for national economic growth, expansion of its external trade, development of innovation technologies and increasing of employment ratio. The regulatory support for infrastructure and technology development is also important to provide services au to modern standards of the aviation industry.

The salience of megaregional geographies for inter-metropolitan transportation planning and policy making

Researchers have argued that megaregions are a crucial spatial scale to address infrastructure modernization, growth management, economic development and environmental impacts because processes affecting these domains are highly concentrated within megaregional spaces. This paper evaluates the conceptual issues and policy salience of megaregional planning in the U.S. by analyzing the results of a 2018 survey of 382 designated MPOs. Drawing upon the survey results, we find support for the notion that MPO partnerships operating at the megaregional scale are somewhat widespread and involve MPOs along with other partners, like state DOTs and councils of governments. A subset of common concerns—especially multi-modal freight, major transportation corridors, economic development, intercity rail service, and air quality—appear to motivate megaregional partnerships. MPOs were most likely to engage in megaregion-scale collaborations requiring relatively low levels organizational time and resources versus more substantive collaborative efforts to develop joint plans or coordinated project investments. At the same time, few MPO respondents viewed megaregional scale planning collaborations as a high priority or as highly effective. For the majority of MPOs, it appears likely that the costs of such collaborations currently outweigh prospective benefits. Survey respondents identified increasing staff funding, requiring state DOTs’ statewide plans to address megaregional issues, and facilitating and enabling inter-local agreements for megaregional planning as actions that would enhance the salience and effectiveness of megaregional planning. These actions will likely occur only if planning at this scale is embraced as an important priority by federal and state policy makers.

Changes in travel behavior during flood events in relation to transport modes: the case of Metro Manila, Philippines

Adverse weather conditions like flooding results in changes in travel behavior. The study investigated the behavior of travelers during the last flood event they experienced with respect to the primary mode of travel they used. Variations in their usual travel routine were manifested by a change in departure time, change in mode or route taken, or cancellation of travel. Data were collected from commuters using traditional pen-and-paper questionnaire survey implemented through convenience sampling along major transport corridors in Metro Manila, Philippines. Statistical results showed a significant difference in travel time between normal and disrupted conditions. Tests of independence and binomial models showed that travel behavior change depends on flood characteristics such as location and duration. Developed binomial logit models showed that travelers mainly using road-based transit services are more likely to change travel behavior than their rail counterpart. Succeeding models revealed that the propensity of changing travel behavior also differs depending on the type of mode the traveler primarily uses. The analyses presented in the paper resulted in different recommendations for each transport service to minimize the impacts of disruptions in travel caused by floods.

Regional Seismic Network Monitoring in the Eastern Intermountain West

AbstractThe Intermountain West (IMW) region is bounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west and the Great Plains to the east. Tectonically, the region is dominated by active extension and has moderate to high seismic hazard. Both paleoseismic and historical records include M&amp;gt;7 surface-rupturing earthquakes. The region is also the location of frequent moderate-size (M 5–6) earthquakes. In this article, we focus on the eastern IMW and its six regional seismic networks. We document recent and historical seismicity, describe the evolution of the regional networks, and clarify the rationale for sustained and improved seismic monitoring. Although absolute population is relatively low compared with other parts of the country, the IMW is experiencing rapid growth. Beyond population, there is significant seismic risk posed to major transportation and energy corridors, nuclear generation and storage facilities, dams, national laboratories, military bases, and other critical facilities. Despite the relatively high seismic hazard and increasing risk, seismic monitoring varies from excellent to skeletal, with some seismically active regions having minimal seismographic coverage. Clear monitoring needs for the IMW include increased station density, replacement of outdated seismic equipment, and more stable funding.

Demographic fragmentation of a protected wolverine population bisected by a major transportation corridor

Roads fragment ecosystems around the globe, but the effects of this fragmentation on biodiversity remain poorly understood. Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are snow-dependent carnivores that occur at low densities and they exhibit low genetic diversity at the southern extent of their range where they are snow-limited and fragmented by human development. Therefore, understanding the effect of roads and transportation infrastructure on population connectivity in protected strongholds such as national parks is crucial to effective wolverine management in a changing climate. We assessed whether the Trans-Canada Highway, Canada's largest east-west transportation corridor, affects wolverine gene flow in the Rocky Mountains. We used noninvasive genetic sampling methods (i.e., hair traps, backtracking) to collect DNA samples (i.e. hair, scat) from an 8000 km2 area of Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks and provincial lands and then used population and individual-based genetic analyses (e.g., assignment tests, principal coordinates analysis) to examine genetic structure across the highway in the national parks complex. We collected 2586 DNA samples between 2010 and 2013 from which we identified 49 unique individuals (29 males, 20 females). We detected weak population structure in males and relatively strong genetic differentiation in females spanning the highway with complementary nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Our results demonstrate that sex-biased dispersal across a major highway can lead to genetic isolation and demographic fragmentation in a protected carnivore population, highlighting the urgent need to maintain connectivity for wildlife over an expanding global road network in the face of climate change, landscape degradation, and loss of biodiversity.

Acoustic Absorption Analysis and Modeling of Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract Highway traffic noise is a major environmental issue all over the world. This is particularly annoying to residents who live nearby major transportation corridors. Noise pollution adversely affects the quality of their life. It also causes sleep disturbance and anxiety. The most commonly used noise abatement technique is the use of noise barrier walls, which is costly and not always effective. Reducing the tire–pavement noise at the source is a viable alternative to cut down the noise level. This study examined the use of an impedance tube to measure the acoustic absorption of asphalt mixtures in the laboratory. The effect of various parameters on the acoustic absorption was investigated including aggregate gradation, aggregate type, binder type, percent air voids, and specimen thickness. In addition, factors that could affect the acoustical performance of asphalt mixtures after pavement construction were also investigated including air void structure, surface texture, temperature, and surface conditions. Percent air voids and layer thickness were found to have a significant influence on the acoustic absorption of asphalt mixtures. An analytical model was proposed to estimate the acoustic absorption coefficient of asphalt mixtures during the design stage. A good correlation was found between predicted and measured absorption coefficients in the laboratory. In addition, a double-layer system of asphalt mixtures was found to be effective in providing improved acoustical performance that overcomes the issues associated with the use of open-graded friction course as a wearing surface.

A Deterministic Model Of HIV Transmission Between Two Closed Patches Incorporating The Monod Equation

Among other factors, migration has significantly contributed to the spread of HIV. Recent studies have revealed that new infections occur along major transport corridors and truck-drivers have overall higher prevalence rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections than non-truck drivers’ counterparts. Therefore, there exist a link between population mobility and HIV infection, as populations along transport corridors remain substantial contributors of new infections. This research work documents a deterministic model of the dynamics of HIV transmission between two closed patches that incorporates the Monod equation in migration with truck drivers being the agents of HIV transmission. Migration is considered as a social determinant to health and have a significant impact on health‐related vulnerabilities and access to services. We assumed that susceptible individuals become infected via sexual intercourse with HIV infected truck drivers and all the infected individuals ultimately developed AIDS exponentially. The model also assumed that the patches have different infection and susceptibility rates. The patches basic reproduction number, was determined using the Next Generation Matrix. The results revealed that should be kept below unity to eradicate the transmission of the virus. The Disease-Free Equilibrium Point was obtained based on the signs of the Eigen values of the Jacobian matrix. In the absence, the Disease-Free Equilibrium Point is both Locally Asymptotically and Globally Asymptotically Stable. It was further proved that the model did not display Endemic Equilibrium Point under a special property for epidemic models. The model findings are vital in guiding health practitioners, governmental and non-governmental health agencies in the development of effective mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of HIV. KEY WORDS : HIV/AIDS, Migration, Monod function, Basic reproduction number, Stability Analysis, Equilibria Points. DOI : 10.7176/MTM/9-6-03 Publication date : June 30 th 2019

Rockfall forecasting and risk management along a major transportation corridor in the Alps through ground-based radar interferometry

Rockfalls are a recurrent cause of disruption for transportation corridors running along the bottom of U-shaped alpine valleys. In some scenarios, risk may effectively be reduced only by implementing an early-warning system able to give notice of incipient failures on the slope. This paper describes a successful example of rockfall forecasting and risk management in proximity of the Gallivaggio sanctuary (San Giacomo Valley, Central Italian Alps). Since 2016, a Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar continuously monitored a roughly 500-m high, sub-vertical granitic slope. Monitoring data evidenced the presence and continued movement of a ~ 5000 m3 highly unstable mass, having a projected fall trajectory directly threatening the sanctuary and the adjacent segment of a national road. Traffic and access to the sanctuary were regulated by a sequence of alert thresholds, and restrictive orders were issued according to the activity of the instability. The rock mass eventually fell, and the failure-time was accurately predicted several hours in advance. Despite damage to both the road and buildings, the timely evacuation of the area prevented any loss of life. The case study provides a reference framework to better manage rockfall risk in areas where the installation of adequate protective barriers is not technically feasible.

Classifying and Mapping Periurban Areas of Rapidly Growing Medium-Sized Sub-Saharan African Cities: A Multi-Method Approach Applied to Tamale, Ghana

Periurban areas of growing cities in developing countries have been conceptualised as highly dynamic landscapes characterised by a mixture of socioeconomic structures, land uses and functions. While the body of conceptual literature on periurban areas has significantly increased over the past two decades, methods for operationalising these multi-dimensional concepts are rather limited. Yet, information about the location and areal extent of periurban areas is needed for integrated planning in the urban–rural interface. This article presents the results of a study aiming at classifying and mapping periurban areas along the urban–rural gradient of Tamale, a medium-sized city in Ghana. The study used a quantitative, multi-dimensional methodology involving the following as core elements: (1) a relative measure of how urban a place and its people are in terms of services, infrastructure and livelihoods (urbanicity index); (2) the diversity of households regarding their livelihoods and access to urban services; and (3) land use dynamics. Therefore, data from a household survey, as well as land use and other secondary geospatial data were collected and analysed at different spatial scales. The findings suggested that the periurban space consists of two main zones. Inner periurban areas are driven by urban expansion and the conversion of non-urban into urban land use is most visible here. These areas exhibit higher levels of socioeconomic diversity, compared to both rural and urban areas. Outer periurban areas are less dynamic in terms of land use change and exhibit lower building densities, and compared with rural areas, hold stronger links to the city related to the movement of people and goods. The spatial analysis revealed that periurban areas develop mainly along major transport corridors across administrative divisions, as well as in the form of periurban islands in the rural zone. This study set out to extend existing methodologies to map urban and periurban development in medium-sized cities in sub-Saharan Africa, useful for urban and regional planning beyond administrative boundaries.

Land use/cover change and urban sustainability in a medium-sized city

This study examined the trend in urban growth and vegetation loss and the implication of this on the sustainability of medium-sized cities, using Osogbo, south-west Nigeria as a case. Using multi-temporal Landsat™ images that span 30 years (1986 to 2016), the study employed supervised classification to categorise the land cover into the built-up area, vegetation and water bodies. Findings revealed that the city grew axially along major transportation corridors in the early stage but experienced in-filling, densification and radial outward growth subsequently. The built-up area increased at annual rate of 14.7%, more than the population growth rate of 2.2% while vegetation cover and water bodies recorded an annual change of ‒2.5% and ‒3.5% respectively. Rapid city growth and the resultant land use/cover conversion contribute to the depletion of wetlands and vegetation, thereby constituting a threat to sustainable urban development. Controlled urbanisation is suggested as a panacea to the unsustainable urban expansion which threatens the city's ecological equilibrium.

A model to evaluate energy efficient spatial structure for transportation via spatially balancing the job - house ratio - The case of Sri Lanka

The trend of haphazard land use practices has caused for a massive cost and a congestion in major transport corridors. In this case, a proper combination of land use distribution will be able to optimize the Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) to reduce the transportation-related energy consumption and city congestion. One of the significant approaches of integrating transport and urban development is developing an optimized ratio for administrative level job-house combinations. The objective of this re-search is to develop a method to identify a job-house ratio for each analysis zones where the road congestion will be optimized. The gravity model is used to perform the trip distribution and it is assigned to the road network using the graph theory. The main assumption taken in the study is that the trip generation by a group of population in a particular area is considered as work based trips. The result of the method for Colombo district indicated that the job-house ratio varies from 0.1 to 9.2 resulting an average trip length of 23 km between houses to work locations. However, the method suggested a minimum and maximum value of 0.5 and 4 which reduced the VMT from 46% and average fuel consumption by 22%.

Football Globalization, Fans of European Leagues and the Spatiality of Viewing Centers in a Nigerian City

Football is arguably the world’s most globalized sport, and is implicated in the continuing efforts of social scientists to understand current globalization processes. In cities across the world, transnational broadcast of live matches of European leagues, involving elite clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and other elite teams/players, is engendering ritualized television spectating, which in turn is leading to the proliferation of ‘football bars’ or football viewing centres (FVCs). Globalization-induced telemediation of urban social life and subculture formation is specialized in these ‘virtual stadiums’, entertainment/socializing centres, and ‘windows’ to the outside world, where fan-ship behaviours are both formed and reinforced. The current article attempts to fill the yawning spatiality gap in contemporary literature on football globalization and media transnationalism by exploring FVCs as ‘spatial coordinates’ of globalization, and unpacking its geospatial, socio-demographic and land use change attributes in a typical Nigerian city. The explorative results revealed significant clustering around the central areas with orientation in the direction of the major transportation corridors.