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Abstract There is evidence that local traffic density and living near major roads can adversely affect health outcomes. We aimed to assess the relationship between local road length, proximity to primary highways, and cause-specific mortality in the 1991 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort (CanCHEC). In this long-term study of 2.6 million people, based on completion of the long-form census in 1991 and followed until 2011, we used annual residential addresses to determine the total length of local roads within 200 m of postal code representative points and the postal code's distance to primary highways. The association between exposure to traffic and cause-specific non-accidental mortality was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for individual covariates and contextual factors, including census division-level proportion in high school, the percentage of recent immigrants, and neighborhood income. We performed sensitivity analyses, including adjustment for exposure to PM 2.5 , NO 2 , or O 3 , restricting to subjects in core urban areas, and spatial variation by climatic zone. The hazard ratio (HR) for all non-accidental mortality associated with an interquartile increase in length of local roads was 1.05 (95% CI 1.04, 1.05), while for an interquartile range increase in proximity to primary highways, the HR was 1.03 (95% CI 1.02, 1.04). HRs by traffic quartile increased with increasing lengths of local roads, as well as with closer proximity to primary highways, for all mortality causes. The associations were stronger within subjects' resident in urban core areas, attenuated by adjustment for PM 2.5 , and HRs showed limited spatial variation by climatic zone. In the CanCHEC cohort, exposure to higher road density and proximity to major traffic roads was associated with increased mortality risk from cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, COPD, respiratory disease, and lung cancer, with unclear results for diabetes. Highlights • The association between exposure to traffic and mortality was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. • Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality related to length of local roads and proximity to primary highways were calculated. • HRs by traffic quartile increased with greater lengths of local roads, and with closer proximity to main highways. • The associations were stronger within subjects' resident in urban core areas, attenuated by adjustment for PM 2.5. • HRs showed limited spatial variation by climatic zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Large scale road traffic is a complex system that could be modelled with a multilevel approach. Most of the multilevel models from the literature have fixed a priori the two levels of detail (micro-meso, micro-macro, meso-macro). This paper has two goals: it presents the state of the art related to large scale traffic models, and it gives the main research direction to create a novel multilevel model that support dynamic selection of the level during the simulation. Our proposal is based on an organizational modelling approach and the use of the concept of holon (agent composed of agents). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the methods of mathematical modeling and simulation of processes of local interaction in transport systems. Described transport flow models, developed by the author, based on extension of the microscopic Treiber's model and on the queuing theory. These models cover more details of behavior of flow participants on signal-controlled crossroads. modification. The article describes a model of traffic on the ring road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has been used extensively in the US and Canada since the 1950s and offers the potential for significant new sources of oil and gas supply. Numerous other countries around the world (including the UK, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia and Argentina) are now giving serious consideration to sanctioning the technique to provide additional security over the future supply of domestic energy. However, relatively high population densities in many countries and the potential negative environmental impacts that may be associated with fracking operations has stimulated controversy and significant public debate regarding if and where fracking should be permitted. Road traffic generated by fracking operations is one possible source of environmental impact whose significance has, until now, been largely neglected in the available literature. This paper therefore presents a scoping-level environmental assessment for individual and groups of fracking sites using a newly-created Traffic Impacts Model (TIM). The model produces estimates of the traffic-related impacts of fracking on greenhouse gas emissions, local air quality emissions, noise and road pavement wear, using a range of hypothetical fracking scenarios to quantify changes in impacts against baseline levels. Results suggest that the local impacts of a single well pad may be short duration but large magnitude. That is, whilst single digit percentile increases in emissions of CO 2 , NO x and PM are estimated for the period from start of construction to pad completion (potentially several months or years), excess emissions of NO x on individual days of peak activity can reach 30% over baseline. Likewise, excess noise emissions appear negligible (< 1 dBA) when normalised over the completion period, but may be considerable (+ 3.4 dBA) in particular hours, especially in night-time periods. Larger, regional scale modelling of pad development scenarios over a multi-decade time horizon give modest CO 2 emissions that vary between 2.5 and 160.4 kT, dependent on the number of wells, and individual well fracking water and flowback waste requirements. The TIM model is designed to be adaptable to any geographic area where the required input data are available (such as fleet characteristics, road type and quality), and we suggest could be deployed as a tool to help reach more informed decisions regarding where and how fracking might take place taking into account the likely scale of traffic-related environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microblogs like Twitter 1 are sources for a lot of useful information. But these information are unstructured. To automatically process it, these information have to be extracted with the help of natural language processing techniques. Corresponding systems for information extraction have to be trained and validated with manual annotated data. This paper presents an approach for the cooperative creation of annotated corpora for training and validation of information extraction systems supported by statistical analyses. 1 https://twitter.com/ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many transportation agencies such as Departments of Transportation in the USA are using Asset Management Optimization models to plan their maintenance and rehabilitation projects. Currently available commercial solutions are often focused only on global asset performance/money spent aspect of the problem and do not take into account the benefits of synergy between the projects, i.e. the benefits of scheduling nearby projects in the same year in order to take advantage of fixed cost savings due to economies of scale. At the strategic level adding variables and constraints to account for these economies of scale are not practical since such models often already have millions of variables and constraints and adding anything new could reduce the performance significantly. Looking at the problem from a tactical perspective however it is possible to run an analysis on the global work plan that can improve cost savings from economies of scale with subtle changes to the originally analyzed performance. For example, in case of pavement management it is a common result to see gaps in the produced theoretical work plans along a route that would result in increased mobilizations to accomplish the plan. This results in extra costs both for the agency and road user. A common result might suggest fixing miles 1-8 and 9-10 in the one year and then fixing mile 8-9 in a subsequent year. Even if this solution provided the best performance for the money it is impractical to actually do it, it would make much more sense to simply fix entire 10 mile segment while achieving almost the same performance and saving mobilization costs which can be significant cost savings. A project coordination optimization model would analyze economies of scale problems such as these while also considering network constraints such as limited budgets and resources available within the administrative unit managing the work plan. This paper proposes an optimization model, referred to as Project Coordination model throughout the paper, that would attempt to improve an already created work plan by slightly changing the project schedules such that the adjusted plan would achieve similar performance while providing a more practical solution by maximizing economies of scale with reduced delivery and mobilization costs. The results of applying proposed model to one illustrative example and two real life work plans are presented and thoroughly analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focused on modelling Black Carbon (BC) concentrations in two busy street canyons, the Crown and Belliard Street in Brussels. The used original Operational Street Pollution Model was adapted to BC by eliminating the chemical module and is noted here as CANS BC . Model validations were performed using temporal BC data from the fixed measurement network in Brussels. Subsequently, BC emissions were adjusted so that simulated BC concentrations equalled the observed ones, averaged over the whole period of simulation. Direct validations were performed for the Crown Street, while BC model calculations for the Belliard Street were validated indirectly using the linear relationship between BC and NO x . Concerning the Crown Street, simulated and observed half-hourly BC concentrations correlated well ( r = 0.74) for the period from July 1st, 2011 till June 30th, 2013. In particular, CANS BC performed very well to simulate the monthly and diurnal evolutions of averaged BC concentrations, as well as the difference between weekdays and weekends. This means that the model correctly handled the meteorological conditions as well as the variation in traffic emissions. Considering dispersion, it should however be noted that BC concentrations are better simulated under stable than under unstable conditions. Even if the correlation on half-hourly NO x concentrations was slightly lower ( r = 0.60) than the one of BC, indirect validations of CANS BC for the Belliard Street yielded comparable results and conclusions as described above for the Crown Street. Based on our results, it can be stated that CANS BC is suitable to accurately simulate BC concentrations in the street canyons of Brussels, under the following conditions: (i) accurate vehicle counting data is available to correctly estimate traffic emissions, and (ii) vehicle speeds are measured in order to improve emission estimates and to take into account the impact of the turbulence generated by moving vehicles on the local dispersion of BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An integrated modelling approach is adopted to estimate microscale urban traffic emissions. The modelling framework consists of a traffic microsimulation model developed in PARAMICS, a microscopic emissions model (Comprehensive Modal Emissions Model), and two dispersion models, AERMOD and the Quick Urban and Industrial Complex (QUIC). This framework is applied to a traffic network in downtown Toronto, Canada to evaluate summer time morning peak traffic emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) during five weekdays at a traffic intersection. The model predicted results are validated against sensor observations with 100% of the AERMOD modelled CO concentrations and 97.5% of the QUIC modelled NO x concentrations within a factor of two of the corresponding observed concentrations. Availability of local estimates of ambient concentration is useful for accurate comparisons of predicted concentrations with observed concentrations. Predicted and sensor measured concentrations are significantly lower than the hourly threshold Maximum Acceptable Levels for CO (31 ppm, ∼90 times lower) and NO2 (0.4 mg/m3, ∼12 times lower), within the National Ambient Air Quality Objectives established by Environment Canada. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ground vibrations due to road traffic constitute a major environmental problem. This paper presents a numerical model for the analysis and prediction of the ground vibrations due to the road traffic. A car model with four degrees of freedom is used for the determination of the load due to the road traffic. The load is then introduced in a 3D finite difference model for the determination of the traffic-induced ground vibrations. The numerical model is validated using field data. Numerical analyses show that both the amplitude and frequency of the traffic-induced vibrations are mainly affected by the vehicle speed, the road unevenness and the vehicle suspension system. Some recommendations are suggested for the reduction of these vibrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Air pollution is a common problem in mega-cities in Asia, resulting in high levels of particulate matter (PM). In this study, 24 h samples of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) was collected for two weeks in urban locations in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan. The samples were analyzed for twenty n-alkanes, fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and eighteen oxygenated PAHs (oxy-PAHs). The results were compared to a reference location in Umeå, Sweden. The main objectives were: to characterize the organic fraction in PM2.5, with focus on oxy-PAHs, PAHs and n-alkanes, assess relationships between compound groups, and investigate possible source categories. Mean PM10, levels were 260 μg m−3, and 334 μg m−3 and mean PM2.5 levels were 86 μg/m3and 68 μg m−3 in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, respectively. The higher ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 in Kabul than Mazar-e Sharif or Umeå was reflected in the high number of small particles, as collected by a particle counter. Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif had high levels of PAHs and oxy-PAHs compared to Umeå and previously reported data from Western countries. Generally, the highest individual levels of oxy-PAHs were found for ketones (0.27–33 ng m−3), whereas the quinone levels were lower (0.027–3.1 ng m−3). High correlations (r > 0.96) between PAHs and oxy-PAHs were found at both locations. Diagnostics for n-alkanes, such as the carbon preference index, and the most abundant species, C max, and the presence of unresolved complex mixture indicated a higher contribution from coal and petroleum sources in Kabul. Models generated by principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) both suggested separate sources for lower molecular weight n-alkanes and higher molecular weight n-alkanes. The PAHs and the oxy-PAHs were not separated in either the PCA or the PMF models, indicating that they had similar sources and are perhaps relatively unspecific as source markers. Nevertheless, the PAHs and oxy-PAHs were good markers for bad air quality in the urban locations in Afghanistan in comparison to data from Western countries. Based on the models and diagnostic ratios it is suggested that traffic and combustion of coal and biomass were the dominating sources of the high levels of particle-bound organic compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: A common contention is that the construction of highway bypasses negatively impacts the economy of local communities by reducing pass-by traffic for businesses. However, as access to specific business'' account records is limited, this impact is difficult to quantify. Another common contention is that bypasses contribute to a reduction in overall crashes in the community and in the surrounding areas. Even though a large number of bypasses have been constructed in the State of Iowa over the past several years, their actual impact in terms of traffic safety has not been quantified. Objectives: This study seeks answers to the following questions: (a) Are bypasses in Iowa associated with a reduction in crash frequencies and crash rates on the bypassed highway? (b) Do bypasses in Iowa introduce a reduction of overall crash frequencies and rates or do they merely shift crashes from the highways through the communities to the bypasses with no significant overall reduction? Method: We obtained crash information from the Iowa DOT at 19 sites on which a bypass was constructed sometime during the past 23years. We also obtained the same information at six sites used as comparison sites on which no bypasses were constructed at least until 2005. We them employed a Bayesian approach to estimating the association between the construction of the bypass and crash rates, while also accounting for other factors. Results: The construction of bypasses in Iowa is associated with a significant increase in traffic safety both on the main road through town and on the combined main road and bypass roadway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Time–activity patterns are an important determinant of personal exposure to air pollution. This is demonstrated by measuring personal exposure of 16 participants for 7 consecutive days: 8 couples of which one person was a full-time worker and the other was a homemaker; both had a very different time–activity pattern. We used portable aethalometers to measure black carbon levels with a high temporal resolution and a PDA with GPS-logger and electronic diary. The exposure to black carbon differs between partners by up to 30%, although they live at the same location. The activity contributing most to this difference is transport: Average exposure in transport is 6445 ng m−3, followed by exposure during shopping (2584 ng m−3). Average exposure is lowest while sleeping (1153 ng m−3) and when doing home-based activities (1223 ng m−3). Full-time workers spend almost twice as much time in transport as the homemakers. As a result of the study design we measured in several different homes, shops, cars, etc. enabling a better insight in true overall exposure in those microenvironments. Other factors influencing personal exposure are: background concentrations and location of residence in an urban, suburban or rural environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effects of source inhomogeneity on pollutant dispersion from a cubic building array are investigated as a function of the external wind direction. Using building-resolving large-eddy simulation, it is found that the results depend strongly on the source location and source uniformity inside a near-field region defined by a radius of homogenisation (RAD) based on the spatial autocorrelation of the pollutant concentration. The sensitivity of the RAD to the source location changes abruptly around 30° and is greatly reduced for wind angles between 30 and 45°, in agreement with velocity statistics and the mean horizontal streamlines. The optimal source allocation, which is a proxy for emissions from time-dependent traffic, also changes around 30°. This work clarifies the relationship between inhomogeneous velocity and pollutant statistics and may be applied to the formulation of traffic control policy. [Display omitted] • Pollutant concentrations in the near field are sensitive to the source distribution. • The extent of the near field can be estimated using a simple statistical method. • Near-field dispersion strongly reflects velocity statistics near the source. • Optimal source allocations are determined for different external wind directions. • Velocity and near-field pollutant statistics change dramatically around 30°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size resolved emission factors for submicrometer particles related to trace gases have been obtained from measurement data at a suburban road side, with a traffic intensity of 18,000 vehicles per day. Number of particles with diameter 10–368 nm, trace gases (NO, NOx,O3 and SO2), traffic and meteorology parameters were measured outside of Göteborg, Sweden. Size distributions of small particles at the site are presented and their relation to meteorological and traffic related variables was evaluated. Wind speed correlated negatively with 10–368 nm particles and temperature correlated negatively with the smaller particles (10–60 nm). Nitric oxide was shown to be a better tracer for traffic related ultrafine particles, than traffic intensity itself.The calculated emission factor, with errors at 95% confidence level, for particles in the range 10–368 nm is presented in relation to nitrogen oxides. The emission factors were 268±60 and 176±37 particles cm-3 per ppb NO and NOx, respectively. The particle emission factors for 10–100, 10–50, 50–170 and 170–368 nm were 260±70, 228±52, 41±11 and <1 particle cm-3 per ppb NO, respectively. The size distribution of the emissions is given by number of particles normalised by the width of the size bin, i.e. in units of dNd log Dp-1 ppb-1. The maximum normalised emission factor was 450 cm-3 per ppb NO for 20 nm particles. The shape of the size distribution of emissions revealed one sharp peak at 20 nm, with a small shoulder at 70 nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]