Means Of Public Transportation Research Articles

ERGONOMIC AND LOGISTIC ENSURING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMFORT DURING THE ORGANIZATION OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION IN A SMALL-CAPACITY BUS

Purpose. The most important advantage of passenger transport by road is the high quality of transport service, which depends on the organization of the transport process, structural features and technical condition of the rolling stock used and the route, the development of the route network and other factors. Comfort reflects the properties of bus passenger transportation, which lead to the creation of the necessary service conditions and convenience for passengers in the bus, at the start-end and transit points on the basis of regulatory documents approved in the prescribed manner. Features of the design of small-capacity buses in terms of comfort and safety of passenger transportation and provision of proper travel conditions mostly determine the scope of use of buses of this class by types of connections and length of routes. The purpose of the paper is the development of a structural model, based on the analysis of the main factors affecting the determination of the comfort of a small-capacity bus for urban transportation during the transportation of passengers. Methods. The analysis of literary sources showed that indicators of comfort (as well as indicators of information service, speed, timeliness, safety of cargo, safety), which refer to indicators of the quality of passenger transportation, are decisive in this group of indicators. From the point of view of Ukrainian legislation and regulatory framework, the concepts of passenger bus capacity and comfort are analyzed. The main factors that determine the comfort of small-capacity buses for urban transportation during the transportation of passengers are determined. Ensuring the comfort of passenger transportation in a small-capacity city bus is determined by compliance with ergonomic requirements, which, in turn, depends on the design features of the arrangement of the area intended for passengers. Scientific novelty. It is proposed to evaluate the comfort category in the urban public road transport system using a structural model that combines two sets of factors – logistic and ergonomic. The logistic set of factors includes characteristics in time and space, that is, characteristics of comfort outside the means of urban public road transport. The ergonomic set of factors includes characteristics that describe comfort in vehicles. Practical significance. On the basis of this model, possible ways of ensuring ergonomic requirements for the layout of the interior and interior of small-capacity buses for urban passenger transportation are proposed. It was established that the main factors of the redistribution of transport mobility between urban passenger transport and transport for individual use are the insufficient comfort of passenger transport or the insufficient density of the route network.

A Queue-SEIAR model: Revealing the transmission mechanism of epidemics in a metro line from a meso level

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities worldwide. The metro, an essential means of public transportation in many cities, is particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus due to its limited space and complex passenger flow structure. As the basis of quick and effective management decision-making, it is very important but intractable to accurately and quickly capture the transmission mechanism of epidemics in the metro line. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a meso-level Queue-SEIAR model. The Queue-SEIAR model integrates a feedback queuing network model, which captures the nonlinear stochastic effect of the congestion propagation on passenger mobility dynamics in the metro line, with an extended SEIAR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Asymptomatic, and Recovered) epidemic model in multiple-subgroups situations. The risk of infection within a metro line is measured using the Total Number of Newly Exposed Travelers (TNNET). The Euler’s method is used to solve the Queue-SEIAR model, with time complexity that is independent of passenger volumes and station and train capacities, making it suitable for the analysis and decision-making of large-scale metro lines. The Queue-SEIAR model is validated versus the micro-level agent-based simulation. Numerical experiments reveal some interesting findings: (1) The gap between the Queue-SEIAR model and the benchmark Macro-level Epidemic Model (MEM) in terms of TNNET will become larger with congestion; (2) From the Queue-SEIAR model, low-demand and low-risk stations may become high-risk because of the congestion propagation, while MEM does not reveal such a pattern; (3) There exists a moderate allowed entering proportion, train dwell time, and social distance to minimize the TNNET; (4) The optimal social distance increases as the train headway or travel demand increases; and (5) The epidemic prevention effectiveness of side platforms surpasses that of island platforms.

Effectiveness of electric mass transit buses as a means of public transportation, Lagos case study

The world's transition to more environmentally friendly transportation modes has attracted attention to the importance of electric vehicles in reducing the negative environmental impacts of transportation. In Nigeria, where transportation services are primarily fueled by petrol and diesel, CO2 emissions amounted to approximately 27 million in 2020. Recently, two electric buses and a charging station were launched as proof of concept for a project aimed at supporting the transformation of Lagos public transportation to a carbon free mobility system. Considering that Lagos is currently dealing with rapidly increasing urbanization and a growing transportation industry, the integration of electric vehicles promises tremendous benefits but requires careful evaluation. This study therefore evaluates the feasibility of electric vehicles in Nigeria, using Lagos as a case study. The study uses a multidimensional approach involving questionnaires, interviews, inspections, and the development of an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) model. With an OEE of 51%, results indicate that the use of electric mass transit buses is sustainable. However, in order to achieve more significant impacts and better performance of the buses, it is necessary to improve the quality of public transportation and integrate renewable energy sources in Nigeria. Overall, this study contributes to the advancement of the ongoing project in Lagos, fostering a paradigm shift towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly mobility in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study promotes the development of an inclusive and broadly applicable methodology for evaluating and advancing transportation solutions globally.

Public transportation means as seen by citizens: Approaching the case of the Dominican Republic

Especially in lowand middle-income countries, key constraints such as dense traffic flows, jams, and pollution constitute frequent issues that potentially explain many negative consequences in terms of (e.g.) efficiency, sustainability, and mobility safety. In this regard, recent evidence supports the idea that fostering public transportation is crucial to offering solutions for this difficult panorama. However, transport mode-related choices and shifts have been proven to depend highly on key perceptions and needs of potential users. The aim of this study was to analyze a set of key users’ perceptions, usage, and perceived quality of public transportation in the Dominican Republic, as well as to explore the most relevant features for Dominicans from the “desired quality” paradigm. For this research at a national level, data retrieved from a nationwide sample of 1254 inhabitants of the Dominican Republic was used, proportional to the ONE census in terms of sex, age, habitat, and region. Overall, the results show that the general quality of transportation is 6.70 points out of 10. The use of public transportation in the Dominican Republic has a medium-low rating and is very focused on urban buses (41 %) and public cars (27.1 %). Nonetheless, the metro remains the most highly rated means of transport (M = 8.75). Concerning the quality variables analyzed, the highest scores are for accessibility (M = 7.08) and frequency of service (M = 6.99). Further, Dominicans focus on improving comfort, vehicle conditions, and safety. This study constitutes a first approximation to the desired quality of public transportation for Dominican Citizens, which may help policymakers scope user-based needs in public transportation systems and encourage a more frequent (and friendlier) public transport use in the country.

Navigating health challenges: the interplay between occupation-imposed movement restrictions, healthcare access, and community resilience

BackgroundTransportation plays a significant role in health, community resilience, and access to basic needs such as healthcare, social services, education, and job opportunities. Health and community resilience are, however, impacted by a multitude of complex and unequal factors, such as transportation restrictions exacerbated by the Israeli occupation. The goal of the research was to examine the intricate relationships that exist in Palestine between movement restrictions imposed by occupation, health outcomes, and community resilience.MethodA self-structured questionnaire, devised based on expert conversations and previous literature, was used in this descriptive, quantitative study to explore health and resilience outcomes. Age, gender, marital status, place of residence, and means of transportation were among the various factors that were utilized to describe the socio-demographics of the study sample (n = 202). The researchers employed stepwise multiple regression and descriptive statistics for the data analysis.ResultsStudy findings indicated that transportation restrictions have significant direct and indirect health consequences. A significant direct effect is observed, signifying a negative correlation between restrictions and health; increased transportation restrictions are consistently correlated with a decline in health. The study emphasized how place of residence affects health outcomes, with higher scores for campers and people living in green line areas. It also underscores that public means of transportation are found to be better for health outcomes than private cars.ConclusionThis study emphasized that roadblocks, checkpoints, and military incursions make it difficult for Palestinians to receive medical care, which has a detrimental impact on their health and well-being. It also underscores the need for significant reforms in Palestinian health and transportation systems to enhance infrastructure and healthcare access. The Palestinian Authority should invest in public transportation and community resilience programs to address transportation-related health issues, especially in villages, due to frequent settler attacks.

Safety performance of dedicated and preferential bus lanes using multivariate negative binomial models for Bogotá, Colombia

Public transport priority systems such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Buses with High Level of Service (BHLS) are top-rated solutions to mobility in low-income and middle-income cities. There is scientific agreement that the safety performance level of these systems depends on their functional, operational, and infrastructure characteristics. However, there needs to be more evidence on how the different characteristics of bus corridors might influence safety. This paper aims to shed some light on this area by structuring a multivariate negative binomial model comparing crash risk on arterial roads, BRT, and BHLS corridors in Bogotá, Colombia. The analyzed infrastructure includes 712.1 km of arterial roads with standard bus service, 194.1 km of BRT network, and 135.6 km of BHLS network. The study considered crashes from 2015 to 2018 –fatalities, injuries, and property damage only– and 30 operational and infrastructure variables grouped into six classes –exposure, road design, infrastructure, public means of transport, and land use. A multicriteria process was applied for model selection, including the structure and predictive power based on [i] Akaike information criteria, [ii] K-fold cross-validation, and [iii] model parsimony. Relevant findings suggest that in terms of observed and expected accident rates and their relationship with the magnitude of exposure –logarithm of average annual traffic volumes at the peak hour (LOG_AAPHT) and the percentage of motorcycles, cars, buses, and trucks– the greatest risk of fatalities, injuries, and property damage occurs in the BHLS network. BRT network provides lower crash rates in less severe collisions while increasing injuries and fatalities. When comparing the BHLS network and the standard design of arterial roads, BHLS infrastructure, despite increasing mobility benefits, provides the lowest safety performance among the three analyzed networks. Individual factors of the study could also contribute to designing safer roads related to signalized intersection density and curvature. These findings support the unique characteristics and traffic dynamics present in the context of Bogotá that could inform and guide decisions of corresponding authorities in other highly dense urban areas from developing countries.

A Robust RF-Based Wireless Charging System for Dockless Bike-Sharing

In the past few years, dockless bike-sharing has become a popular means of public transportation and brought significant convenience to millions of citizens. As one of the key components of a shared bike, the smart locking/unlocking module has proposed a new challenge of how to provide robust power supplement for them. Current charging solutions for shared bikes are mainly based on mechanical power and solar power, and rarely take user experience and charging delay into consideration. In this paper, we design a robust RF-based wireless charging system for dockless bike-sharing. Our system utilizes radio frequency (RF) power to provide stable charging service while preserving the quality of service. In our system, an RF wireless charging sensing node is integrated on the bike's basket, so that the mutual interference during charging process and space occupation can be reduced. In order to reduce charging delay, we first design an efficient charging direction scheduling algorithm for a single charger. Then, we extend the solution to multiple-charger scenarios via dynamic programming. Our system has been successfully implemented on a dockless bike-sharing system. The experimental results verify that our design can satisfy the charging demands of shared-bikes and achieve <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$85\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> of the optimal solution.

Socio-demographics, Causes of Injuries, and Rehabilitation Injury Categories in a Commercial Motorcycle Road-Related Orthopedics and Neurological Surgery Cohort in Eldoret, Kenya

Commercial motorcycle road related orthopedics and neurological injuries are one of the major causes of short- and long-term consequences requiring timely interdisciplinary referrals and in-patient physiotherapy rehabilitation together with out-patient follow-ups, to maintain and improve physical and functional level of patients. Spinal cord injuries and fractures of the vertebra and lower extremities remain one of the causes of mortality, impairments and disability to the riders, passengers and pedestrians. The objective of the study was to explore socio-demographic characteristics, causes of injuries, rehabilitation injury categories following commercial motorcycle road-related orthopedics and neurological surgery, Eldoret, Kenya. In this prospective cohort study, purposive sampling was adopted to select a sample size of 79 participants for a 6 months period of March 2021-July 2022 in 5 level hospitals, Eldoret, Kenya. The data was entered and analyzed with SPSS 20. The findings show that, from the patients’ bio-data during the study period, 79 out 150 were admitted with commercial motorcycle road-related orthopedics and neurological injuries for surgery with a prevalence rate 53%. All (100%) participants from socioeconmic backgrounds used commerical motorcycles as means of public transport. Male participants constituted to 62% and 38% females with a ratio of male to female of 4.9:3. Majority (94%) of participants were aged between 18 to 44 years with 62% aged between 18-34 years. Sixty-six per cent (66%) were admitted to orthopedics while 34% in neurological wards. All (100%) of the participants reported physical impairments and functional limitations with reduced independence level following commercial motorcycle road-related orthopedics and neurological injuries. All (100%) were referred for post-operative physiotherapy by orthopedics and neurological surgeons. More than half (62%) participants did not intend to continue with outpatient and follow-up physiotherapy rehabilitation. Majority (78%) paid their hospital health bills out of pocket with 51% coming from needy socio-economic class. However, 75% of the participants had requested for a waiver from a social worker. Based on the findings, the study concludes that interdisciplinary referral for post-operative physiotherapy by orthopedics and neurological surgeons were excellent. As a result, there is need for out-patient post-operative physiotherapy follow-ups and sensitization of NHIF registration and uptake by workers in informal sectors.

Adaptive ECMS With Gear Shift Control by Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm and Neural Network for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Buses

The Plug-in hybrid electric bus (PHEB) is an important means of public transportation. For PHEB, this paper proposes an energy management strategy that considers both gear shift control and power splitting. For gear shift control, a large number of gear-switching data under different working conditions are calculated by using the dynamic programming algorithm. The neural network is trained by these data in the offline part so that it can provide the appropriate gear-switching signal in time in the online model. For power-split control, this paper mainly selects an improved equivalent fuel consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) and uses the grey wolf optimization algorithm to iteratively solve the optimal equivalent factor. The proposed control strategy has not only been verified under various operating conditions but also verified by relevant experiments on the HIL platform. The results show that the proposed strategy has better fuel economy than ECMS and the rule-based strategy under the provided mixed operating conditions. Compared with the dynamic programming algorithm, the fuel consumption is only increased by 3.23%, but the problem of the curse of dimensionality is avoided.

Analisis Kepadatan Lapangan Menggunakan Metoda Sand Cone Di Jalan Perumahan Ekajaya Permata 1 Sicincin Kota Payakumbuh

Every housing complex must have adequate road access because roads are a means of public transportation used by the community to support daily activities. Road infrastructure makes transportation easier and allows people to carry out activities. The road foundation layer will experience a decrease in the soil's bearing capacity as traffic flow increases, because the road structure distributes the load to all layers beneath it and supports the weight of vehicles passing on it. In circumstances like this, road construction must be of the utmost importance, and data about the existing soil on the site must be tested first. In this research, the author took a residential road that had just been built and still had a layer of compacted pavement. By making this road, people can more easily access transportation and feel comfortable when using it. Field density analysis was carried out on Jalan Perumahan Ekajaya Permata 1 Sicincin, Payakumbuh City. The sand cone method or sand cone test is used to calculate the degree of soil density. Various measurements are calculated, including sand bulk density, soil bulk density, water content, dry soil bulk density, and degree of field density. Tests were carried out at ten points at a distance of 25 meters each. The average soil water content is 7.73%. According to SNI 03-2008-1992, the recommended value of soil density is 95%. The test results show that the average degree of density in the field is 72.51%. Because the soil density in the field does not yet meet the soil density requirements of 95%, it is necessary to increase the compaction further until it meets the specified density requirements.

Digital public transport in New Economy – contemporary mobility trends

Public transport is treated as a nerve of all city systems. Changing cities need proper transport – contemporary trends play important role in the development of public transport in a requiring environment. In particular, the development of public transport means today phenomena such as IT systems, big data, alternative energy sources, autonomous mobility, transport effectiveness, sharing economy and personal mobility (micromobility). Author presents contemporary trends that affect cities mobility. The macroeconomic context was also taken into account – the COVID-19 pandemia, inflation, migration trends. Changes in the demand and supply of transport services have become one of the challenges for cities in the new, digital, post-pandemic perspective. The purpose of this article is to review current trends in public transport development and mobility changes. The article is an attempt to answer the questions: what is the impact of digitization and technology development on the development of public transport? How are contemporary social, economic and political problems and are they strongly changing public transport? Article is based at critical analysis of literature and selected case studies. The result of research work is the indication of the most important directions for the development of public transport and the related risks and opportunities.

Safety Evaluation of the First Bus Rapid Transit System in Tanzania

The first bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Tanzania and the third in Africa became operational in 2016. As it was introduced to relieve congestion and promote efficient means of public transportation, most previous researchers have focused on its effectiveness on travel time reliability. While travel time is important, the safety aspect of the BRT system is equally important. This study conducted a comprehensive safety evaluation of the BRT system in Tanzania using five years (2016–2020) of crash data. The hot spot analysis was conducted to identify locations experiencing more crashes. The text mining approach was used to understand the key themes from crash narratives. The established themes were further analyzed using a Bayesian network (BN) to understand their association with the severity of crashes that involved BRT buses. Analysis of the results showed that major intersections and locations with commercial activities are the hot spots for crashes involving BRT buses. The text network revealed that most crashes involving a BRT bus and pedestrians were associated with drivers failing to obey traffic control devices. Crashes involving a collision between BRT buses and non-motorized road users were more likely to be severe. The BN findings showed that distraction, collision with non-motorized road users, and disregarding traffic control devices are associated with a higher likelihood of severe crashes. The findings are anticipated to assist agencies in improving the safety of existing and future BRT systems.

Collective water transport electrification: Venetian ferry boat case study

This paper studies and analyzes the energy transition of ferry boats used in Venice as a means of public transportation. Thus, the goal is to reduce their environmental impact by replacing the current installed thermal propulsion with an equivalent low-emission electric type. A study was conducted aimed at sizing the most suitable electric motor and battery pack to be installed, as well as the most suitable charging system for the vehicle and the area involved in this case study. The shift to electric traction will bring new challenges for the service, but also the possibility to decarbonize the water transport in Venice, preserving air quality and the monuments of the UNESCO site. Therefore, it is noted how these changes may impact service delivery.

Understanding the behavioral intention of the rural population to use demand-responsive transport services

Global efforts to reduce carbon emissions include endeavors to raise the use of public transport means. In rural areas, this poses a distinctive challenge. Demand-responsive transport (DRT) services are a form of public transport that is regarded as a potential contribution to the required mobility behavior change. They mainly utilize small floor buses and require a pre-booking of each trip (via internet, app or telephone). Despite the growing number of active DRT services and trial operations, occupation numbers remain small. To understand this gap, this study investigates latent constructs that influence the behavioral intention of inhabitants living in rural regions to use DRT services. For this purpose, a questionnaire based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology was adapted, tested independently through an exploratory factor analysis and distributed in Austria. The sample (n = 186) was subjected to a structural equation model. Results show that performance expectancy and attitude towards public transport have a significant impact on the behavioral intention of inhabitants to use DRT services in rural regions, whereas the attitude towards private cars was insignificant. Inter alia, we suggest concentrating on the determination of people’s specific everyday mobility needs in rural areas, analyzing and optimizing the public transport offer as an interrelated system, and communicating its benefits more efficiently.

Selection of Propulsion System for Electric Amphibious Bus to Alleviate Traffic Congestion in the Jabodetabek Area

High vehicle growth in Jakarta is not balanced with traffic growth, the level of congestion in Jakarta continues to increase every year. To overcome this congestion, innovation is needed to utilize the river as a means of public transportation. The amphibious bus is an alternative public transportation option in the Jabodetabek area to break congestion. The amphibious bus design must be supported by a propulsion system that can operate on land and water. The amphibious bus propulsion system is a must, according to river conditions and operational requirements. The selection of the drive system is carried out by means of analysis The driving criteria factors needed according to the specifications of the amphibious bus are power, efficiency, size, cost, and maneuverability. These criteria become indicators in determining the type of mover. This study aims to select the prime mover system based on criteria and specification requirements. The selection uses the process hierarchy analysis (AHP) method by giving weight to the criteria for each driver, and type of mover in the water, namely waterjets, azimuth-podded, Paddle Wheels, Cycloidal Propellers and propulsion on land diesel engines, gasoline engines, and electric engines. The results showed that the order of the propulsion selection criteria was propulsion power being the top priority, followed by maneuverability, energy efficiency, cost, operational and investment, and propulsion size and weight. The results of the AHP show that the main options are propulsion systems in water, namely waterjets and diesel engine propulsion systems on land. System Water Jet has a propulsion power of 1000 kW, has high maneuverability, energy efficiency of 85%, and a maximum speed of 60 Km/hour so it can meet the specifications of an amphibious bus drive. For operations on land, the main choice of propulsion system for amphibious buses is a diesel engine with a power of 250 HP and 800 Nm of torque providing strong torque and a wide cruising range. This system has a range of up to 800 km, a maximum speed of 120 km/h, and exhaust emissions of Euro 5.

Should Smart Cities Introduce a New Form of Public Transport Vehicles?

This study shows the concept of an innovative road and rail vehicle as a new form of public transport. Our literature review shows that the idea of a “smart city” contains not only new tools but also vehicles or infrastructure. The new vehicle is proposed based on the observed development of urban public transport means and other novel solutions. A slight innovation proposed here could allow the use of typical and operated tram routes for modified buses. A new type of vehicle could use both the existing tram routes and newly constructed sections with no tracks. It is assumed that new vehicles would drive with trams on the same, shared tracks. All of the conditions should reduce the costs of developing public transport networks in many cities where tram networks already exist. This paper contains a description of the idea and a potential case study location. The implementation conditions are outlined in the Discussion section. The title’s question is also considered there: “Should smart cities introduce a new form of public transport vehicles?” In addition, the potential benefits as well as threats are presented. Conclusions define the next steps for the research. So, this paper is an introduction to the wider research. It will popularize the idea of a new vehicle and could motivate the industry to construct a prototype. At this stage, no models or detailed calculations were conducted.

Analysis of Electric Bus Utilization for Urban Transport using Bus Route, Passenger Demand and Fuel Consumptuion (Blok M-Kota Corridor Case)

Buses as a means of public transportation can greatly reduce traffic problems in urban areas through the use of, among other things, innovative techniques and technologies. The development of innovative technologies increasingly oriented towards the electrification of vehicle propulsion systems is expected to lead to the reduction of harmful emissions, increased vehicle efficiency, improved performance, reduced fuel consumption, and reduced noise. This study aims to determine the comparison of Transjakarta electric buses with conventional buses owned by Transjakarta, identify and evaluate the condition of the electric bus side. This study uses quantitative methods. The results of the study show a comparison of the operational cost calculation as indicated by the calculation of direct costs and indirect costs. The unit price for a bus/km for a diesel bus is Rp. 51,796, on the electric bus Rp. 224,991, and BBG buses for Rp. 82,227. where in the comparison of BOK diesel buses are cheaper than electric buses and CNG. The most expensive cost is the replacement of spare parts, especially the price of the battery which needs to be replaced every 10 years. 3,876, while bbg buses require much cheaper, which is Rp. 630. The calculation results of the electric bus battery consumption on the use of 1 route with a distance of 30.8 on weekdays on average 11.5% while on weekends it is 9.5%. At the kWh consumption, the electric bus requires the consumption of kWh per trip with a distance of 31.4 km is 23.57 kWh. From this value, it is known that the efficiency is 1.3 km/1 kWh. In charging the battery, the average battery charging time on the electric bus is 134 minutes or about 2.23 hours.

Subway station dust-induced pulmonary inflammation may be due to the dysfunction of alveolar macrophages: Possible contribution of bound elements

With its increasing value as a means of public transportation, the health effects of the air in subway stations have attracted public concern. In the current study, we investigated the pulmonary toxicity of dust collected from an air purifier installed on the platform of the busiest subway station in Seoul. We found that the dust contained various elements which are attributable to the facilities and equipment used to operate the subway system. Particularly, iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), zirconium (Zr), barium (Ba), and molybdenum (Mo) levels were more notable in comparison with those in dust collected from the ventilation chamber of a subway station. To explore the health effects of inhaled dust, we first instilled via the trachea in ICR mice for 13 weeks. The total number of pulmonary macrophages increased significantly with the dose, accompanying hematological changes. Dust-laden alveolar macrophages and inflammatory cells accumulated in the perivascular regions in the lungs of the treated mice, and pulmonary levels of CXCL-1, TNF-α, and TGF-β increased clearly compared with the control. The CCR5 and CD54 level expressed on BAL cell membranes was also enhanced following exposure to dust, whereas the CXCR2 level tended to decrease in the same samples. In addition, we treated the dust to alveolar macrophages (known as dust cells), lysosomal and mitochondrial function decreased, accompanied by cell death, and NO production was rapidly elevated with concentration. Moreover, the expression of autophagy- (p62) and anti-oxidant (SOD-2)-related proteins increased, and the expression of inflammation-related genes was dramatically up-regulated in the dust-treated cells. Therefore, we suggest that dysfunction of alveolar macrophages may importantly contribute to dust-induced inflammatory responses and that the exposure concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mo, Zr, and Ba should be considered carefully when assessing the health risks associated with subway dust. We also hypothesize that the bound elements may contribute to dust-induced macrophage dysfunction by inhibiting viability.

Identifying 'Urban Void' Along the Shortest Path in the University Tramway and Walking Environment

The New City of Ali Mendjli tram line is more than just a public transportation axis; it represents a new tourist product that strongly impacts the socioeconomic environment and the city's image. Since its inauguration in 2014, it has been catering to a student population estimated at 60,000. However, the layout of this dedicated line raises issues concerning the accessibility of the neighborhoods and the buildings it serves. Throughout its 400m corridor, we have identified accessibility constraints stemming from inadequate topography, indirect access to buildings within the central areas, and an unclear urban landscape, unfortunately, unqualified due to the city's design based on a network of vehicular traffic. In this quintessential university town, student housing can present an opportunity for sustainable development, especially when taking advantage of its proximity to the tramway. Therefore, the New City needs to craft a distinctive image worthy of its status and display its local identity. This article aims to identify the tramway as a means of public transportation concerning its practical, comfortable, and secure usage. Additionally, we seek to explore perspectives on optimizing university commuters' movements through walking. To achieve this, we present an experience that analyzes students' perception of their university environment, its strengths, and risks regarding circulation, pathways, and locations through the interpretation of visual diagrams. The conclusions drawn from this exercise will aid in designing "void frameworks" intended as markers to assist pedestrians in orienting themselves from the tramway, ensuring sustainable development for the New City of Ali Mendjli.

Dylematy interpretacyjne stosowania sygnałów drogowych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem sygnalizatora S-2 w „bezpiecznym” zarządzaniu ruchem drogowym. Część I/III

Interpretative dilemmas of the use of road signals with particular emphasis on the S-2 signal in “safe” traffic management The paper is devoted to the issue of signal traffic control in the context of proper design, opinion, and approval of traffic organization, focusing on the safety principles and practices of road users. Formal and legal aspects derived from the basic provisions of the Act on Road Traffic and its executive acts are explained in depth. Both designers and traffic management authorities have a major dilemma about the interpretation of many signal phase systems. This is confirmed by the results of a study - as many as 71% of the analyzed intersections contained errors in the application of the signal allowing turning in the direction indicated by the “green arrow”. In the paper the possibilities of using individual traffic signals on roads and intersections, and the problems associated with the so-called “green arrow” in particular are explained. Interpretative shortcomings regarding the traffic control of public transport means, traffic control at pedestrian crossings and in the “intersection areas”, including the entrance of a non-public road are thoroughly characterized. The paper is divided into three parts. The first one is devoted to the legal basis of signal traffic control in Poland, and description of the rules of traffic participants’ movement in the conditions of traffic controlled by traffic lights. The three-part paper, as a whole, will be crowned by the authors' conclusions in the final part, along with recommendations for amendments to the Act on Road Traffic and executive acts.