Major Roads Research Articles

Assessment of Index-Based Traffic Noise Annoyance Level at Major Road Intersections in a Tourist City: A Case Study towards Environmental Sustainability

Urban noise pollution poses significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability, particularly in rapidly developing tourist destinations. Noise pollution and associated annoyance level in five major intersections of Cox's Bazar City, Bangladesh, was assessed in this study during the peak tourist season. Noise measurements were conducted using various indices (L10, Leq, and TNI) across morning, midday, and afternoon time slots. TNI scores were compared with Mean Dissatisfaction Score (MDS) standards to assess traffic-induced noise annoyance levels. Additionally, a survey of 675 respondents was conducted to assess their perceptions of noise pollution. Statistical analyses included linear regression for noise indices, multinomial logistic regression for TNI-related dissatisfaction, and ordinal logistic regression for respondents' perceived annoyances. Results revealed significant noise pollution issues, with Leq scores consistently exceeding national guidelines across all intersections and time periods, particularly on weekends during afternoon timeslots. TNI values frequently surpassed standard dissatisfaction regulations, with 19 out of 105 time slots exhibiting extreme dissatisfaction levels. Link Road and Kolatoli Circle intersections consistently showed higher noise levels and dissatisfaction. Over 95% of survey respondents perceived increased noise pollution during peak tourist seasons, with 87.11% describing it as "extremely" or "very" noisy. Longer exposure duration and awareness of health risks were significantly associated with reported perceived annoyance levels. Respondents reported various health impacts, including annoyance (84.44%), headaches (62.37%), and cognitive impairment (44.44%). This comprehensive study provides valuable insights for policymakers, city planners, and environmentalists to develop sustainable urban strategies that balance the acoustic environment with the well-being of residents and tourists alike.

المُظَاهَرَاتُ أصلُها وَحُكْمها في الإسلام

The topic of protests and Islam's stance on them are covered in this study. In recent years, there has been a discernible rise in demonstrations in many nations, with people taking to the streets and other locations for a variety of causes, such as political, social, economic, and so forth. These events, which are ways of expressing opinions, might be referred to as protests or demonstrations. Plan of research: It included three chapters, a preface, an index, a conclusion, and an introduction. There are the following chapters: - The definition of demonstrations and terms associated with them are covered in the first chapter. It has two prerequisites: The first prerequisite is a linguistic and terminological definition of demonstrations. The second prerequisite consists of terms associated with protests and their distinctions, such as rebellion, banditry, and strike. - The second subject is the sorts and purposes of protests in Islam: It has two prerequisites: The first prerequisite is the purpose of Islamic protests. The types and sorts of demonstrations are the second prerequisite. - The third topic is Islamic laws governing protests and their management. It has two prerequisites: The first prerequisite is Islamic regulations on demonstrations and protests. The second prerequisite is the Islamic ruling concerning protests. The most significant findings I came to after conducting the research are included in the conclusion. These findings include: - The term "demonstrations" is not new and normally refers to advocacy and support, but in modern times, it has come to refer to gatherings that take place in the streets and on public roads for the sake of an interest or to combat corruption. - Demonstrations are mostly used to communicate and express opinions, whether they be ones of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, and their motivations are centered around seeking an interest or combating corruption.

(Wo)Man-Made Public Space

Women experience limitations in public space regarding their safety, comfort, and accessibility, which might be mitigated by urban design. This article addresses the question: How can public space become more gender-inclusive through the implementation of design principles focused on meeting the needs of women? It draws on existing literature combined with empirical observations and interviews, to establish a framework of eight design principles (safety cues, informal surveillance, legibility, spatial appropriation, representation, diversity, slow modes and ease of use) to make public spaces more gender-inclusive. The principles are applied in an exemplary design case focused on a public street in the city centre of Heerlen, Netherlands , which currently faces many of the issues that are especially limiting to women. Active public spaces, meaning spaces that encourage user engagement and interaction, often already contain some elements outlined in the framework, leading to easier fulfilment of the design principles. The application of the principles is limited to one design case, and the focus is restricted to women’s experiences. When applying the principles in other cases or typologies, the implications of the proposed design guidelines need to be carefully considered.

Autonomous and Electric Vehicles in Urban Living Labs: Smart Mobility Strategies for the Future

The deployment of electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles on public roads presents a significant challenge that can be addressed through previously established frameworks developed globally for implementing these technologies as part of an urban living lab (ULL). This systematic review, based on records from four distinct databases, focuses on projects that have conducted deployments of self-driving technologies in streets within urban environments. The review describes relevant information about various initiatives, including a classification of the stages of development reached according to the urban area covered, safety considerations, and lessons learned for optimal deployment. On-board sensing technology, digital infrastructure, and energy and communication systems emerge as the essential components of a ULL with autonomous vehicles (AVs). A crucial goal for smart cities is ensuring the scalability of large-scale deployments of such ULLs for safe, clean, and future mobility experimentation. This can only be achieved through effective coordination among academia, government, industry, and society to guarantee the successful integration of multiple projects in a unique environment.

Obesogenicity perception of food environments in adults: A cross-sectional study in urban areas of Santiago, Chile.

In Chile, there is a high prevalence of obesity, and most people have an inadequate quality of food. Food environments can constitute barriers that prevent healthy food choices and lead to overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related non-communicable diseases. There are international instruments that allow the characterization of food environments. In Chile, there are no studies on the perception of food environments. This study aimed to characterize the perception of obesogenicity of food environments in the urban Chilean population using an instrument previously validated in Chile. This is a cross-sectional study with probabilistic sampling. The "Perceived Nutrition Environment Measures Survey", based on the Chilean model of food environments, was applied to 256 participants from two urban communities of the Metropolitan Region. Scores were calculated for the instrument items, which allowed calculating scores by environments included in the Chilean model of Food Environments. Negative scores were related to a higher obesogenic level. The results show that the domestic food environment is perceived as less obesogenic (median of 15.8 points), with more than 90% of households having fruits, vegetables, and legumes, even though the supply food environment was negative (median -0.19 points). However, about 50% of households had ultra-processed foods. The street food environment was perceived as the most obesogenic (median -1.91 points), with more than 60% of the participants indicating difficulty finding healthy options. According to the level of obesogenicity of the environments studied, it is necessary to have public policies that improve them and ensure the availability and physical and economic access to healthy food, particularly in the food supply and public road environments.

Fixing motorisation: The logics of infrastructure solutionism in Bengaluru

Cities often deploy infrastructure-based solutions to tackle problems such as congestion caused by increasing motorisation rates. Such solutions include the introduction of complete streets or improved public transit systems. However, these solutions are often viewed as ‘quick fixes’ that are expected to resolve issues with ease. This article examines this phenomenon, which we call infrastructure solutionism, through two case studies in Bengaluru, India – re-shaping public transportation to attract car users through demand management, and redesigning major streets to accommodate varied users through parcelling. Through these case studies, it becomes evident that infrastructure solutions did not address the problems caused due to motorisation. Building upon the literature on technological solutionism in Science and Technology Studies, this article unpacks rationalities of infrastructure solutionism by examining material, valuational and expectational commitments mobilised through each case, and suggests that such solutions appear to be concerned with city image building, rather than addressing the chokehold of automobilisation.

Index of development of transport infrastructure as a factor of sustainable development of the coastal zone of the Sea of Azov, Russia

As a zone of interaction between land and sea, coastal zones are becoming a strategic area for achieving a sustainable expansion of economic space. The object of study is the coastal zone of the Sea of Azov (Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory). The subject of the study is an assessment of the dynamics of transport infrastructure development index as a factor in the sustainable development of the coastal zone of the Sea of Azov.Methodological approaches to assessing the sustainable development of the territory were based on a methodology based on methods of system analysis, mathematical modeling, and GIS technologies. An indicator has been formulated that considers the area of the territory, the population, the length of public roads of local importance, the shipment of goods of local production, the work and services performed on their own, in order to measure the ‘economic’ load on the transport infrastructure.The analysis of the state of the transport infrastructure of the regions of the coastal zone for the period from 2015 to 2021 was carried out. Based on an analysis of the transport infrastructure index, it was concluded that the attraction of municipalities to the Rostov agglomeration, together with the strengthening of social, trade and infrastructure contacts with megacities will lead to a further increase in the anthropogenic load on the territory. The areas studied of the Krasnodar Territory belong to the Northern Economic Zone – a territory with a diversified economy, characterised by cross‐border links with neighboring regions.Highways are the most important link in the transport and logistics system. The level of development and the technical condition of the road network have a significant and diverse impact on the economic and social development of both the state as a whole and it individual regions.

Optimized demand-based charging networks for long-haul trucking in Europe

Abstract Battery electric trucks (BETs) are the most promising option for fast and large-scale CO2 emission reduction in road freight transport. Yet, the limited range and longer charging times compared to diesel trucks make long-haul BET applications challenging, so a comprehensive fast charging network for BETs is required. However, little is known about optimal truck charging locations for long-haul trucking in Europe. Here we derive optimized truck charging networks consisting of publicly accessible locations across the continent. Based on European truck traffic flow estimates for 2030 and actual truck stop locations we construct a long-term charging network that minimizes the total number of required locations. Our approach introduces an origin-destination pair sampling method and includes local capacity constraints to compute an optimized stepwise network expansion along the highest demand routes in Europe. For an electrification target of 15% BET share in long-haul and without depot charging, our results suggest that about 91% of electric long-haul truck traffic across Europe can be enabled already with a network of 1,000 locations, while 500 locations would suffice for about 50%. We furthermore show how the coverage of origin-destination flows scales with the number of locations and the size of the stations. Ideal locations to cover many truck trips are at highway intersections and along major European road freight corridors (TEN-T core network).

Multitemporal Monitoring of Rocky Walls Using Robotic Total Station Surveying and Persistent Scatterer Interferometry

Rockfall phenomena are considered highly dangerous due to their rapid evolution and difficult prediction without applying preventive monitoring and mitigation actions. This research investigates a hazardous site in the Municipality of Vecchiano (Province of Pisa, Italy), characterized by vertical rock walls prone to instability due to heavy fracturing and karst phenomena. The presence of anthropical structures and a public road at the bottom of the slopes increases the vulnerability of the site and the site’s risk. To create a comprehensive geological model of the area, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) photogrammetric surveys were conducted to create a 3D model useful in photointerpretation. In accessible and safe areas for personnel, engineering–geological surveys were carried out to characterize the rock mass and to define the portion of rock walls to be monitored. Results from nine multitemporal Robotic Total Station (RTS) measurement campaigns show that no monitoring prisms recorded significant displacement trends, both on the horizontal and vertical plane and in differential slope distance. Additionally, satellite Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) analysis indicates that the slopes were stable over the two years of study. The integration of these analysis techniques has proven to be an efficient solution for assessing slope stability in this specific rockfall-prone area.

Application of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model for solar plant location selection

This study aims to systematically evaluate and identify the most suitable locations for establishing solar farms in the United Kingdom. It employs a comprehensive Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model that incorporates the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. Eight potential locations have been identified and selected for their climatic conditions and other pertinent parameters. These potential locations underwent additional assessment considering several factors including temperature, annual hours of sunshine, absolute humidity, proximity to major roads, distance from the power network, and potential demand. The data was normalized to eliminate scale effects and improve comparability. A MATLAB program has been developed with universality and user-friendliness in mind. Its purpose is to establish location selection factors graphs according to application-specific criteria and generate the matrix representation of these graphs for each potential candidate location. The permanent matrix, a composite metric synthesizing six criteria, identifies Torquay as the optimal location with a permanent value of 18.16. This quantitative approach, intersected with qualitative assessments, presents a clear hierarchy of site suitability. The model's simplicity, scalability, and proven accuracy make it a valuable tool for assessing renewable energy project viability in diverse regions.

Estimation of the Service Life of Approach Slabs of Road Bridges Based on the Statistical Modeling Method

The article discusses the durability and reliability of a separate element – bridge approach slab, which is justified by the need to maintain a satisfactory technical condition of Ukrainian bridges in general and traffic safety on public roads with limited funding during martial law. The scope of the research is forecasting the residual service life of bridge elements (on the example of approach slabs) using probabilistic methods. Approach slabs are designed to smoothly and safely connect the road approach embankment with the bridge to gradually equalize the elastic modulus of the carriageway from a less rigid asphalt pavement on an elastic base to a more rigid one on a reinforced concrete slab. The main defects in the destruction of approach slabs are: changes in the longitudinal profile of the road due to the collapse and subsidence of the soil under the approach slabs; longitudinal and transverse cracks in the asphalt concrete pavement on the bridge approaches; and potholes that lead to an increase in the additional dynamic load on the bridge deck.

Data fusion for enhancing urban air quality modeling using large-scale citizen science data

Rapid urbanization has led to many environmental issues, including poor air quality. With urbanization set to continue, there is an urgent need to mitigate air pollution and minimize its adverse health impacts. This study aims to advance urban air quality modelling by integrating a dispersion model output with large-scale citizen science data, collected over a 4-week period by 642 participants in Cork City, Ireland. The dispersion model enabled the identification of major sources of NO2 air pollution while also addressing gaps in regulatory monitoring efforts. Integrating the diffusion tube data with the dispersion model output, we developed a data fusion model that captured localized fluctuations in air quality, with increases of up to 22μg/m3 observed at major road intersections. The data fusion model provided a more accurate representation of NO2 concentrations, with estimates within 1.3μg/m3 of the regulatory monitoring measurement at an urban traffic location, an improvement of 11.7μg/m3 from the baseline dispersion model. This enhanced accuracy enabled a more precise assessment of the population exposure to air pollution. The data fusion model showed a higher population exposure to NO2 compared to the dispersion model, providing valuable insights that can inform environmental health policies aimed at safeguarding public health.

До проблеми визначення пройденого шляху для розрахування плати за проїзд автомобільними дорогами

Introduction. Various contactless vehicle identification systems on public roads are widely used in global practice. They solve a wide range of problems, from tracking traffic flows and collecting tolls for road usage to designating parking spots and digital identification. A key role in implementing the state's transportation strategy is played by the development of transport infrastructure, the most crucial component of which is the public road network of national importance. This network has suffered damage due to the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. The network is vital for the country's defense logistics, industrial and agricultural efficiency, and ensuring adequate societal communication. The main source of road infrastructure funding is the Road Fund, formed from revenues from excise duties and import tariffs on petroleum products, as well as excise duties and import tariffs on vehicles and tires imported into Ukraine.

Системи перерозподілення транспортних потоків. Транспортні розв'язки. Застосовувані терміни

Summary Introduction. In the introduction to the paper, the common questions concerning the assurance of the terminological congruence of national standards’ provisions, when being harmonized, with provisions of regional or international standards were outlined and also important sources of appropriate regional information in the sector of the transport infrastructure were identified. Problem statement. The issue of the paper concerns terminological matter in the domain of definitions for the interchange systems on motor roads peculiarly those constituting international traffic arteries and for elements of such systems. Purpose. The paper is aimed on the analysis of scientific sources and provisions of the EU regulatory acts to state the problems and develop the propositions concerning initial points for the enlargement of the structure of terminology relating the interchange systems on motor roads constituting international traffic arteries.

Lifetime engineering principles in highway asset management

Introduction. An important tendency of our time is sustainability, good value for money and long-term planning. These are also the goals of the recently developed discipline, lifetime engineering. Although the principles of the science were originally developed for buildings and engineering structures, they can also be adapted to public roads. The article — through a case study in Hungary — presents the applicability of life engineering science to public road asset management. Besides, examples of pavement structure design, durability, maintenance-operation and environmental protection are also presented. Problem Statement. The typical lifetime engineering science principles used in the presentation were: increasing (pavement) life cycle; complex, multi-disciplinary design methodology; modular design; effective, quality insurance methods; high level satisfaction of the customers’ needs; minimisation of lifetime costs; sustainable, end-of-life strategies. It is emphasized that lifetime engineering is based on specific basic principles that effectively promote an up-to-date approach to any discipline related to engineering infrastructure. The paper shows that the efficacy of a road asset management. can be considerably increased if some elements of lifetime engineering are utilized.

Концептуальні засади визначення ефективності виконання завдань і заходів державних цільових програм розвитку для підвищення ефективності управління автомобільними дорогами

Introduction. Effective functioning of road transport is only possible when the quantitative growth, quality level, and technical condition of roads meet the demands of road transport. This combination of road network characteristics can only be achieved with adequate funding to implement all planned works. Investments in road infrastructure can become a catalyst for economic recovery and growth, as they will improve logistics capabilities, reduce freight and passenger transportation costs, and enhance regional competitiveness. Problem Statement. In the first decades of independence, the road industry faced chronic underfunding, which negatively affected its development. The situation worsened with the full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation in 2024. According to the World Bank's “Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA3)” report, post-war recovery needs for public roads and bridges alone are estimated at around USD 28.8 billion. For the rapid and quality restoration and development of Ukraine, this issue is critically important, as the state of the roads affects transportation costs, prices, employment levels, and the overall pace of economic development. Furthermore, the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation raises questions about ensuring reliable logistics routes, prompt transportation of humanitarian aid, and the country's defense capabilities.

Впровадження автоматизованих систем моніторингу мостових споруд в Україні: Світовий досвід та національні перспективи

ntroduction. Highway bridges are an important element of the transport infrastructure of any country, and Ukraine is no exception. Their safe operation is critical to ensure the sustainable functioning of logistics systems and economic development of regions. However, due to constant loads, the impact of natural factors and insufficient funding for maintenance, a significant number of bridges in Ukraine are in poor technical condition. Accordingly, it is necessary to take measures to diagnose the condition of bridges in a timely manner and prevent possible accidents. In this context, automated condition monitoring systems (ACMS) are an effective tool for ensuring the smooth operation of such structures. Problem Statement. There are more than 16 thousand bridges on public roads of national importance in Ukraine, more than half of which do not meet modern standards for dimensions and load capacity. The problem is particularly acute for bridges that have been in operation for more than 40 years, as they are more prone to accidents. Due to the lack of systematic monitoring and control of the technical condition of such structures, there is a threat of their destruction. In the world practice, automated monitoring systems are actively used to prevent such situations. In Ukraine, the need to implement such systems is becoming increasingly relevant in the face of increased requirements for infrastructure security.

Research on the Delineation Method of Urban Community Living Circle Based on Transportation Network Analysis in Yuanping, China

In the context of accelerating global urbanization and the demands for high-quality and sustainable development, the exploration of an urban community living area delineation method based on traffic network analysis offers a fresh perspective for defining urban living areas. This paper employs a traffic network analysis method rooted in objective analysis. It leverages open-source big data on Points of Interest (POI) from public facilities and road network data obtained from relevant urban planning to construct a comprehensive road network dataset for the central urban area. Following the construction of the road network dataset, the paper conducts a service area and accessibility analysis of public facilities, which serves as an initial step in outlining the boundaries of the urban community living area. Subsequently, the delineation is further refined by considering factors such as development boundaries, as well as natural and man-made constraints such as rivers, railways, and major roads. The boundaries of the urban community living area undergo further adjustments, taking into account the scope of the development boundary and various constraining elements such as rivers, railways, and main roads. A final revision is made by considering subjective factors, where the boundaries of the ten-minute urban community living area are ultimately determined through extensive communication and coordination with various stakeholders. This approach is aimed at meeting the current societal development needs, which include breaking down segregation, fostering social interactions, strengthening neighbourly relationships, enhancing overall quality of life, promoting sustainable development, and creating a more humane and sustainable city. Its ultimate goal is to enable residents to feel a sense of belonging and happiness within the bustling urban environment.

The innovated national noise monitoring network in The Netherlands

Over ten years ago, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment started monitoring noise emissions from major roads and railways in The Netherlands. Today, this monitoring program is still going strong. The measured data is used to validate the yearly reported noise production levels calculated by the Dutch road and railway authorities, to monitor trends in noise production, and to check the validity of the Dutch noise calculation method. Measurements in the entire network are performed at an altitude of four meters close to fifty meters from the major road or railway in free field as these are the requirements for the reported calculated levels. The network therefore, has to operate stand-alone, resulting in challenges in terms of power supply, datastorage and communication. Ten years ago, we started with a battery-powered network of simple and cost-effective dataloggers. Recently, we made innovations by transitioning to a solar-powered network of modern sound level meters with remote data communication. In this presentation I will give a brief history of this monitoring network, how it developed, and show you the possibilities of the present-day innovated network.

A case study on the exposure-response relationship of sleep disturbance due to road traffic noise - As a case in Japan in the 2020s

A socio-acoustic survey was conducted among residents living along major arterial roads in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, to examine the occurrence of sleep disturbances due to road traffic noise. Lnight noise maps was introduced for estimating ranges from 30 dB to 80 dB. We asked the frequency of "difficulty falling asleep," "nocturnal awakenings," "early morning awakenings", "feeling unrefreshed in the morning",and "daytime sleepiness" due to road traffic noise. Cases experiencing any of these items more than three times a week were defined as "highly sleep disturbed (HSD)", and that one or twice a week were defined as "sleep disturbed (SD)", respectively. The exposure response relationships between those and Lnight were examined with the independent variables of noise sensitivity, gender, and age. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that Lnight, and noise sensitivity had a significant effect on SD, while noise sensitivity significantly affected HSD. We show the results of this study in comparison with previous surveys on sleep disturbances conducted in Japan and other regions.