Safe Services Research Articles

Investigating the factors determining service quality in Bhopal’s multimodal public transport system: A factor analysis

Multimodal public transport systems are crucial for sustainable urban mobility in growing cities like India. This study investigates the factors determining service quality in Bhopal’s multimodal public transport system using factor analysis. A survey of 650 regular users was conducted to assess service quality perceptions. Exploratory factor analysis revealed six significant factors: integration (22.12 % of variance explained), reliability (14.30 %), comfort (9.38 %), safety (8.07 %), accessibility (6.85 %), and customer service (5.74 %). The factors demonstrated high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.8). Satisfaction levels varied across factors, with accessibility and comfort receiving higher ratings than reliability. Demographic comparisons revealed significant differences based on gender and age. The findings provide insights into the critical factors shaping service quality perceptions and offer a framework for assessment. The results highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly in areas with lower satisfaction levels. This research contributes to the literature on public transport service quality in developing cities and underscores the importance of considering passenger perspectives in multimodal transport planning and management. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on public transport service quality in developing cities and underscores the importance of considering passenger perspectives in the planning and management of multimodal transport systems.

Reinforcement learning-based drone-assisted collection system for infection samples in IoT environment

Since infectious disease surveillance and control rely on efficient sample collection, it is important to research the infection sample collection system. The combination of Internet of Things (IoT) and drone technology provides an emerging solution to this issue. This paper designs a drone-assisted collection system for infection samples (DASS) that provides safe, intelligent, and efficient sample collection services. In this system, flexible collector drones gather infection samples from remote users and return to designated transit points to unload. Meanwhile, deliverer drones shuttle between the testing center and transit points, transporting all packaged infection samples to the testing center. However, the moment when users post collection requests is unknown. This dynamism and uncertainty present new challenges for the routing and scheduling of heterogeneous drones. To address this issue, this paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning-based dynamic sample collection (RLDSC) scheme. Considering the differences in infection samples, minimizing age of samples (AoS) is introduced as an objective. Simulation results indicate that the RLDSC scheme outperforms existing solutions in both effectiveness and efficiency.

Satellites state vectors refinement based on international laser ranging system using machine and deep learning

With the increasing number of space objects in near-Earth space, the necessity of high-precision determination of space objects state vectors, as well as its classification by size, velocity, and potential danger to active satellites and space stations is becoming increasingly important for space flight safety services. In case of necessity of taking decisions of satellites orbit corrections and avoiding space emergency situations in real time mode artificial intelligence services could be used. The results proposed in this study show that machine and deep learning models can significantly improve the accuracy of determining the space objects state vector for classical numerical models and space catalogs, that is very essential task for safety space flights. The parameters of the Two-Line-Elements catalog and the model of it convertation to state vector are considered as input data to process, International Laser Ranging Service data from ground stations is considered as the ground truth measurements. The methodology considered here can be applied to any artificial space objects with various orbit parameters, thus, helps to provide space flights safety assurance.

Time-dependent corrosion behavior of EH36 steel caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on big data monitoring technology

Marine microbial corrosion poses a significant threat to the safe service of marine engineering equipment. Previous studies have often failed to thoroughly analyze the continuous and prolonged microbial corrosion process, resulting in an incomplete understanding of microbial corrosion mechanisms involved at various stages and the development of ineffective control strategies. This study employed a corrosion big data online real-time monitoring technique to investigate the time-dependent corrosion behavior of EH36 steel caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in aerobic environments over a 30-d incubation period. It was found that P. aeruginosa accelerated the corrosion of EH36 steel in the early stages by enhancing the cathodic oxygen reduction process. As oxygen levels declined, P. aeruginosa transitioned from aerobic to anaerobic respiration, promoting corrosion through biocatalytic nitrate reduction. In the later stages, the reduction in sessile cell counts, extreme low oxygen concentration, and dense surface film increased the charge transfer and film resistances, ultimately leading to corrosion inhibition. The weight loss and electrochemical data confirmed the effectiveness of the big data monitoring technique in investigating microbial corrosion, which provides new approaches for diagnosing and preventing microbial corrosion.

Bio-inspired widening concrete using cellulose nanofiber to enhance multiscale Fiber–Matrix interface

The cracking issue at the bonded interface due to the differing shrinkage performances of newly poured concrete and existing concrete poses a significant threat to the safe service of composite structures. Inspired by the musculoskeletal system, we propose the use of multiscale hybrid reinforced concrete materials, incorporating basalt fiber (BF), polypropylene (PP) fiber, and cellulose nanofiber (CNF), for bridge widening structures. Experimental investigations were carried out to assess the bond splitting tensile strength, diagonal shear strength, crack resistance, development of drying shrinkage deformation, and the propagation behavior of restrained shrinkage-induced cracks in both new and old concrete reinforced with single and hybrid combinations of BF, PP fiber, and CNF. The microstructure, phase composition, and pore structure evolution of BF, PP fiber, and CNF-reinforced concrete were observed and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results indicate that the incorporation of BF, PP fiber, and CNF exhibits excellent synergistic effects, improving the bond and shrinkage performance of the concrete interface. As the CNF content increases, the macro fiber–matrix interface improves. This bio-inspired work will contribute to the development of strong, tough, and sustainable concrete for bridge widening structures.

Effect of pre-strain on hydrogen-induced delayed cracking and hydrogen trapping behavior in high-strength martensitic steels

Pre-strain is a key factor affecting the critical conditions for hydrogen-induced delayed cracking (HIDC). In this study, the threshold stress and critical hydrogen concentration for HIDC of MS1300 and MS1500 steels with different pre-strains were measured by constant load tensile (CLT) tests. The results demonstrated that although MS1500 has higher strength, its safe service strength is lower than that of MS1300 when the hydrogen content exceeds 0.5 wppm. Additionally, the hydrogen penetration, thermal desorption spectroscopy, and hydrogen microprinting methods were also used to analyze the hydrogen-induced failure mechanism. These studies provide an effective data reference for improving the industrial production process.

Cultural Perceptions of Language Development in a Population Sample of 54-Month-Old Children From Aotearoa New Zealand.

There is a dearth of information on cultural perceptions of children's language development for ethnic minorities in New Zealand to guide service provision. The current study explored differences across ethnicities in mothers' report of language concern and child language scores within a complex cultural, social, educational, and political context. Data from the antenatal and 54-month waves of Growing Up in New Zealand were utilized. At the 54-month wave interviews, 5,053 mothers were asked if language concerns had been raised and to rate their child's main language proficiency along with other measures. Logistic regression models (including influencing variables) indicated Chinese, Indian, and other Asian mothers were less likely to report language concern, whereas Māori, Pacific, other Asian, and Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African children were more likely to score low on the language measure. Higher maternal education was associated with higher child main language scores, but not with language concerns. Child multilingualism was not associated with low language scores, and these mothers were less likely to raise concern. This study demonstrated differences by ethnicity in mothers' language concern and child main language scores, which are likely to affect access to speech-language pathology services, as these typically rely on parent concern being expressed. Cultural bias in the language measure may also be present. Further research is needed to ask ethnic communities their views on culturally appropriate ways to identify children with communication needs and to develop culturally safe services.

Factors influencing abortion care-seeking outside of formal healthcare settings: lived experiences from Rwandan young women

BackgroundInformal abortions, commonly known as unsafe abortions, refer to all induced abortions that occur outside of formal healthcare settings conducted without the assistance of a licensed, trained healthcare provider. Despite the legalization of safe induced abortion care services, informal abortions continue to be among the major causes of maternal mortality and morbidity among young women in Rwanda living in rural areas with limited or no access to safe abortion care services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experience of seeking informal abortions from the perspective of young women in rural Rwanda and to identify the underlying factors for these women seeking abortion care services outside of the formal healthcare setting.MethodsThis qualitative study was guided by a descriptive phenomenology in rural Rwanda, specifically in a selected district located in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Ten young women between 18 and 24 years of age, who had the experience of seeking informal abortion services from informal providers within the last eight years participated in audio-recorded, in-depth, face-to-face interviews. Collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) seven steps of the phenomenological method.ResultsThe study found that young Rwandan women still seek unregulated abortions to end their unintended pregnancies due to limited access to or utilization of sexual reproductive health and rights services. Among the reasons for seeking abortion care services outside of the formal healthcare setting in Rwanda were sociocultural and economic factors and the stigma associated with terminating unintended pregnancies before marriage.ConclusionIn light of the findings of this study, the authors recommend the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders to expand access to comprehensive adolescent and youth-friendly reproductive health and reproductive rights while addressing the sociocultural stigma through public awareness and economic factors that play a big role in unregulated abortions rather than safe abortion care services.

Sickness absence duration of stress complaints, adaptation disorder or burnout in the Netherlands

Abstract In the Netherlands, occupational physicians can diagnose burnout when employees report sick. Their guideline distinguishes between stress complaints lasting < 3 months, adaptation disorder with complaints lasting 3-6 months and burnout with complaints lasting > 6 months at moment of diagnosis. The Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) is recommended to assess and monitor. The new Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) might be an alternative. Research questions were: 1) What are the sickness absence duration, 4DSQ and BAT-scores of absentees diagnosed with stress complaints, adaptation disorder and burnout?; 2) Is the BAT a better predictor of sickness absence duration than the 4DSQ? From 2020-2023, data was collected among all 3,462 employees who were absent due to stress complaints, adaptation disorder or burnout at one large occupational health and safety service via registry data and an employee questionnaire. Results show that two-thirds of those with stress complaints, half of them with adaptation disorder and one third with burnout were absent for less than half a year. 4DSQ and BAT scores differed significantly between the three groups (p<.05). The BAT explained 0.8% of variance in absence duration (p< .001) when controlled for covariates, which explained 1.6% of variance (p< .001). The explanation by BAT was 1.9% within the group with stress complaints (p = 0.002), .4% within the group with adaptation disorder (p=.022) and absent within the group with burnout. Comparable results were found for the 4DSQ. The differences in absence duration between the three groups aligned with the Dutch guidelines. The BAT nor the 4DSQ were clinically relevant predictors of duration of absence for stress-related diagnoses among absentees in the Netherlands. To reduce productivity loss, it seems better to report sick when still in the stage of stress complaints than to wait until a full burnout has developed. The BAT and 4DSQ might help risk assessment in the working population. Key messages • The sickness absence duration of Dutch employees diagnosed with burnout is much longer than that of those with adaptation disorder or stress complaints. • Both the instrument recommended in the guideline and the new instrument have no clinical relevance in predicting sickness absence duration of stress-related diagnoses.

Inequalities in emergency service accessibility: spatial analysis of urban infrastructure

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between emergency response times and crash severity in New York City, focusing on spatial disparities and their implications. It examines how these disparities impact disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly regarding traffic safety and emergency service accessibility.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses comprehensive spatial analysis techniques, including hotspot mapping, network analysis for travel time modeling, local bivariate correlation analysis and service area calculations. It maps crash data alongside emergency facility locations, considering peak-hour traffic. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is integrated to evaluate socioeconomic factors influencing accessibility. This approach provides a nuanced understanding of how emergency response times correlate with crash severity at the census block level, accounting for socioeconomic disparities.FindingsThis study reveals significant disparities in emergency response times across New York City. In high-poverty, predominantly minority areas, response times are 2–3 min longer than average, correlating with a 15% increase in severe injury rates. Over 20% of neighborhoods show correlations between response times and crash severity, with positive linear (5.51%), negative linear (10.72%), concave (2.44%) and convex (2.80%) relationships. Blocks with positive linear relationships have a mean ADI rank of 3.918. During peak hours, 69.7% of Manhattan blocks show negative relationships, the highest among boroughs.Originality/valueThis research highlights spatial justice issues in urban emergency response systems, emphasizing the need for localized, data-driven planning and infrastructure adjustments. By integrating the ADI, the multifaceted approach reveals the complex dynamics of socioeconomic factors and emergency service accessibility that have not yet been investigated in diverse urban communities.

Service Quality and Passenger Satisfaction on the Coastal Routes of Southwest Crete

The aim of this paper is to validate the correctness of the defining variables (categories) used by Sitzimis (2024a) to measure the quality of services provided on the coastal lines of southwest Crete. In this context it tries to determine both how much they affect the overall passenger satisfaction and which one is the most important. This research is both novel and distinct and could hopefully be expanded to include comparable coastal routes around the world and other means of transport. It is also expected to benefit shipowners, passengers, and policymakers by maintaining the level of services provided at a satisfactory level. Methodologically, we have used confirmatory factor analysis to determine the real factors affecting the quality of coastal services in southwest Crete. A non-parametric correlation test has been applied between the degree of satisfaction and the above factors. It has shown that there is a moderate positive correlation. We have tested through multiple regression both the extent to which these factors have an impact on passengers’ satisfaction and their relative significance. The resulting evaluation factors are "comfort, safety, land and on-board services", "pricing policy" and "route reliability". They have predicted 63.5% of passengers’ satisfaction variance and the first factor is the most significant. Their improvement is expected to stimulate the users’ satisfaction. Ιt appears that the five categories used by Sitzimis, and their hierarchical classification, have not been fully confirmed by the factor analysis.

Urban Livability Assessment in South Korea: Incorporating Climate Change Vulnerability

This study aims to develop an urban livability assessment index that incorporates climate change vulnerability and to apply this index to urban areas in South Korea, thereby analyzing the impact of climate change on living environments and quality of life. Existing frameworks for livability indices often fail to adequately reflect the long-term risks associated with climate change. Consequently, this research proposes a new livability index that includes climate change vulnerability, establishing a policy foundation aimed at protecting and enhancing the quality of life for urban residents. The methodology integrates existing livability indicators with climate change vulnerability indicators across 219 cities and districts in South Korea. Utilizing panel regression analysis and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) analysis, the study evaluates the spatial clustering characteristics and potential risks in each area. The results indicate that urban infrastructure significantly influences livability, with climate change vulnerability indicators forming high clusters primarily in southern regions. Furthermore, the study confirms economic disparities within the metropolitan area, as well as the exacerbation of social inequalities in regions vulnerable to disaster safety and social services. This research underscores the necessity of integrating climate change vulnerability into livability indices, suggesting that such indices can serve as critical criteria for urban policy formulation and the evaluation of regeneration projects.

ბეტონში წყლის შემამცირებელი და შეკავშირების მარეგულირებელი ქიმიური დანამატების შესახებ

The article states that in order to prolong the safe service life of concrete under the influence of various artificial and natural factors, an appropriate chemical admixtures is used. Using water-reducing and bonding control chemical admixtures mainly reduces the frictional force between the cement particles. This simplifies the transportation of the concrete mixture, its placement in the construction formwork, and its reinforcement. It is possible to control the setting time of concrete according to climatic conditions. Laboratory and field tests are required to select this supplement. It is necessary to carry out proper scientific-research work on the establishment and application of the mechanism of influence of the water-reducing and bonding control chemical additive on the properties of concrete.

Healthcare leadership practice and associated factors among primary healthcare managers in East Gojam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a mixed method study

BackgroundLeadership plays a critical role in the delivery of person centered, safe, efficient, and effective healthcare services globally. Poor healthcare leadership contributes to low staff motivation, patient dissatisfaction, and reduced healthcare-seeking behavior. However, there is limited evidence on healthcare leadership practice and associated factors among primary healthcare managers in the study area and at large in Ethiopia. Therefore, the findings of this study will contribute to improved healthcare leadership practices among primary healthcare managers.MethodFacility-based cross-sectional study supplemented with qualitative inquiry was conducted in the East Gojam zone among 532 primary healthcare managers selected by a two-stage stratified random sampling technique. A pre-tested and structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported into Stata version 14.0 for analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with healthcare leadership practice, and statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05 with a 95% CI. Six key informant interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was used for the qualitative study.ResultThe magnitude of healthcare leadership practice among primary healthcare managers in the East Gojam zone was 45.7% (95% CI: (41.4, 50.0)). Factors associated with healthcare leadership practice were age [β = 0.44, 95% CI: (0.16, 0.71)], training in healthcare leadership practice [β = 1.19, 95% CI: (0.19, 2.20)], experience sharing [β = 1.68, 95% CI: (0.59, 2.76)], organizational communication [β = 0.19, 95% CI: (0.05, 0.33)], managerial working experience [β = 0.94, 95% CI: (0.18, 1.69)] and emotional intelligence [β = 0.35, 95% CI: (0.31, 0.38)].Conclusion and recommendationThe magnitude of healthcare leadership practice among primary healthcare managers in the East Gojam zone was low as compared with a previous study in Ethiopia. It was significantly associated with age, training in leadership, experience sharing, organizational communication, managerial working experience, and emotional intelligence. Thus, human resource managers at primary healthcare level should consider older and more experienced candidates during assigning managers, organize training on healthcare leadership and experience sharing with model managers to improve the leadership practice of primary healthcare managers in the East Gojam zone.

ANEL: a novel efficient and lightweight authentication scheme for enhancing security in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) using elliptic curve cryptography

Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) offer immense potential for revolutionizing modern transportation systems through real-time communication and interaction between vehicles and roadside infrastructure. These networks can significantly enhance traffic management, improve safety, and support various vehicular services. However, ensuring secure communication in VANETs remains a critical challenge due to the highly sensitive nature of the data exchanged, such as location and personal information. Current authentication schemes, including the ANEL scheme, exhibit vulnerabilities like data interception and tracking risks. In this paper, we propose a novel, efficient, and lightweight authentication scheme that leverages elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and message mapping techniques to address these security issues. The proposed solution strengthens encryption, enhances privacy protection, and mitigates risks such as unauthorized access and man-in-the-middle attacks. Furthermore, the scheme offers scalability and distinguishes between regular and priority users, making it adaptable to various VANET applications. This approach significantly improves the overall security and privacy framework of VANET systems while ensuring the efficient use of computational resources in vehicular environments.

Analysis of hydrogen-induced cracking mechanism in quenching and partitioning steels

Quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels are extensively used in the automotive industry due to their exceptional strength and ductility. However, the impact of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) poses a huge challenge to the safe service of Q&P steels, highlighting the necessity to investigate the hydrogen-induced cracking mechanisms. This study investigates the hydrogen-induced failure mechanisms in Q&P steels through experiments and finite element simulations, focusing on microstructure, local stress heterogeneity, hydrogen distribution characteristics, and hydrogen-induced cracking. The results reveal that hydrogen cracking nucleation in Q&P steel is primarily due to the further accumulation of hydrogen in local high-stress martensitic/austenitic regions.

Perceived stakeholder benefits of continuously training general practitioners in the same rural or remote practice: interviews exploring the Remote Vocational Training Scheme.

Explore stakeholder perspectives of the benefits of continuously training general practitioners in the same rural or remote practice in distributed locations via the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS). Online one-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 RVTS staff, participants and supervisors from all states and territories between 16 October and 24 November 2023. Data were deductively and inductively coded by stakeholder type and the range of benefits, and the findings were informed by insights from a project reference group and a stakeholder advisory group. Questions explored the benefits of the RVTS - a program which supports doctors already working in rural, remote and First Nations communities to train towards general practice or rural generalist fellowship while remaining in the same practice. Perspectives on the nature and spread of benefits. Broad benefits were perceived to flow to four system-level stakeholders: communities, health services, participants and policy makers. Perceived participant and community benefits were doctors staying longer in distributed locations with tailored place-based supports and training, doctors building relationships with patients, and doctors learning through longitudinal care. Health service benefits included reduced reliance on locums, improved continuity of accessible and appropriate services in areas otherwise facing major recruitment and retention issues, and the doctors having more time to contribute to improving service quality and upskilling local staff. Policy-maker benefits were sustaining safe and high quality services for distributed populations with high needs. The RVTS model was perceived to offer diverse benefits for different system stakeholders which could improve quality of learning, service delivery and community care. It also aligned with key policy directions for a distributed and sustainable generalist workforce under the goals of the National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021-2031 and the directions set by the independent review of overseas health practitioner regulatory settings led by Robyn Kruk. However, models like the RVTS largely rely on distribution levers to recruit more doctors to the locations it supports.

Enhancing the Vehicular Public Key Infrastructure to Develop Privacy-Preserving Authentication Scheme for Vanet by Using PCM and MSS Scheme

This article proposes a security-based authentication as well as efficient certificate management approach for VANET to detect fraudulent nodes with better precision, less latency and overhead. The primary purpose of the developed system is to establish effectual and heftiness of VANET security that lead to the stability of overall network. VANETs are composed of vehicles and Road Side Units (RSUs) assisting with network management and the vehicles connect with one another and RSUs to furnish roadside information and safety solutions. Security is an essential factor in VANETs because the confidentiality of humans (passengers) is paramount; hence, Vehicular Public Key Infrastructure (VPKI) is utilised to offer authentication and safety services in VANETs. The developed structure provides an encrypted VANET transmission infrastructure by utilising the concepts of Merkle Signature Scheme (MSS) and Pseudo-code Certificate Management (PCM) to minimise overhead for communication and latency while ensuring entity authenticity. Messages are authenticated by sender, encoded with a vehicular public key distributed by a PCM-MSS and decrypted by the destination, resulting in every transmission including a certification from a reliable authority. During that verification, the transmitter and receiver of message’s authentication and validation is accomplished. Simulation findings show that the proposed approach improves the reliability of identifying hostile nodes and PDR while reducing authentication delays and overhead.

Water and energy deprivation: Addressing the problem of essential utility services poverty in Mayotte

Among the 17 sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 are ensuring “availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation” and “access to modern energy sources”. One problem for Mahorais households is access to safe, clean and affordable essential utility services, such as electricity, water and sewerage. Moreover, Mayotte, a French oversea department, is experiencing an unprecedented drought. The island, which is sinking into a severe water crisis, has been depriving its inhabitants of running water two days out of three since the beginning of September 2023. We define a new concept of utility services poverty (basic utility services deprivation) based on the theoretical capabilities framework of Sen and Nussbaum. Using a latent class model, we identify households that are poor in utility services and characterize four household profiles. One main advantage of this methodology is replicability in many Low and Middle Income Countries’ (LMICs). We demonstrate that access to water is more discriminatory than access to electricity in Mayotte. The top priority in fighting utility services poverty should be access to water and sanitary facilities. Public policies should be implemented not according to income but to facilitate water and energy access and improve basic hygiene conditions notably through social housing.

Primary Eyecare Glaucoma Service (PEGS): a mixed methods service evaluation.

A pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of a Primary Eyecare Glaucoma Service (PEGS), with low-risk glaucoma patients being reviewed within primary care optometry. 98 low-risk glaucoma patients were identified as suitable for monitoring in primary care and reviewed by accredited optometrists in community practice supported by a clinical management plan. Safety was assessed by reviewing concordance of management plans created by primary care optometrists and the secondary care team. Patients' and primary care optometrists' feedback were collated via surveys. Carbon emissions were calculated through comparison of patient travel to primary and secondary care. 93.8% of patients reviewed by primary care met criteria for ongoing monitoring in primary care after initial review with 4.9% of patients being recalled to secondary care due to clinical instability. Safety and efficacy were demonstrated with agreement of management plans between primary and secondary care of 97.8%, kappa =0.88 (95% confidence intervals 0.60-1.00), with no patients being identified as false negatives where recall back to secondary care was required. Overall satisfaction with PEGS was 100% according to a patient survey. Respondents of the primary care optometry survey felt very or somewhat confident in delivering care, with comments suggesting they felt supported by secondary care. Carbon emissions are reduced by approximately two thirds when patients are seen in primary care versus attending the hospital. PEGS is a safe and effective service, reducing the burden for secondary care, while carbon emissions are reduced due to shorter travelling distances, demonstrating environmental sustainability.