Road traffic pollution and its effect on the internal environment of buildings.

Indoor and outdoor concentrations of various pollutants were measured in a naturally ventilated building in the West End of Edinburgh during and after the period of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to assess the effect upon indoor pollution levels of the closure of some streets in the city. The relationships between indoor and outdoor air qualities in respect of traffic-generated pollutants were studied and the building’s relative attenuation of external pollution levels investigated. The peak concentrations of some of the external pollutants were attenuated by the building and the internal concentrations showed a reduction of up to 30% in some periods. During periods of reduced traffic, the early analyses indicate that the daily mean concentrations of the pollutants were not significantly different from those measured at other times.

Lower limb and associated injuries in frontal-impact road traffic collisions.

Objectives: To study the relationship between severity of injury of the lower limb and severity of injury of the head, thoracic, and abdominal regions in frontal-impact road traffic collisions. Methods: Consecutive hospitalised trauma patients who were involved in a frontal road traffic collision were prospectively studied over 18 months. Patients with at least one Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥3 or AIS 2 injuries within two AIS body regions were included. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the severity of injury to the head, chest or abdomen. Low severity group had an AIS < 2 and high severity group had an AIS ≥ 2. Backward likelihood logistic regression models were used to define significant factors affecting the severity of head, chest or abdominal injuries. Results: Eighty-five patients were studied. The backward likelihood logistic regression model defining independent factors affecting severity of head injuries was highly significant (p=0.01, nagelkerke r square = 0.1) severity of lower limb injuries was the only significant factor (p=0.013) having a negative correlation with head injury (Odds ratio of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.45-0.91). Conclusion: Occupants who sustain a greater severity of injury to the lower limb in a frontal-impact collision are likely to be spared from a greater severity of head injury.

Avian trait-mediated vulnerability to road traffic collisions

Collision with vehicles is an important source of bird mortality, but it is uncertain why some species are killed more often than others. Focusing on passerines,we testedwhether mortality is associated with bird abundances, and with traits reflecting flight manoeuvrability, habitat, diet, and foraging and social behaviours. We also tested whether the species most vulnerable to road-killing were scarcer near (b500 m) or far (N500–5000 m) from roads. During the breeding seasons of 2009–2011,we surveyed roadkills daily along 50 km of roads, and estimated bird abundances from 74 point counts. After correcting for phylogenetic relatedness, there was strong correlation between roadkill numbers and the abundances of 28 species counted near roads. However, selectivity indices indicated that Blue tit (Parus caeruleus), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) and European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) were significantly more road-killed than expected from their abundances, while the inverse was found for seven species. Using phylogenetic generalised estimating equations, we found that selectivity indexes were strongly related to foraging behaviour and habitat type, and weakly so to body size, wing load, diet and social behaviour. The most vulnerable passerines were foliage/bark and swoop foragers, inhabiting woodlands, with small body size and low wing load. The species most vulnerable to road collisions were not scarcer close to roads. Overall, our study suggests that traits provide a basis to identify the passerine species most vulnerable to road collisions, which may be priority targets for future research on the population-level effects of roadkills.

Perfil epidemiológico de la prevalencia de hipoacusia en un grupo de empleados que trabaja en el ambiente urbano, 2015

El propósito de este estudio es determinar la relación entre la exposición ocupacional y los niveles de audición en trabajadores urbanos en espacio abierto (aseo urbano en general). Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal con 491 personas que incluyen hombres y mujeres, cuyo ambiente laboral es el espacio abierto de la ciudad. Los datos se obtuvieron durante los exámenes médicos periódicos realizados en el año 2014 a los empleados de una empresa cuya actividad económica es el aseo urbano, que incluye recolección de basuras, cuidado forestal y de prados de uso común, y limpieza del borde de los andenes. Se realizó estadística descriptiva para las características demográficas y razón de disparidad u Odds Ratio (OR) para buscar la relación de antecedentes y hábitos personales con el riesgo de desarrollar pérdida auditiva. De las 491 personas expuestas a niveles altos de ruido ocupacional, 62% presentó pérdida auditiva, de los cuales la mayoría se desempeña como guadañadores y cortadores de césped, y son personas que llevan trabajando entre 1-5 años en la empresa. Se encontró un aumento estadísticamente significativo entre la baja escolaridad y el riesgo de sufrir hipoacusia (p=0.0001) y un efecto protector del uso de motocicleta y audífonos. La enfermedad vascular periférica, la práctica de tejo y la diabetes mostraron una fuerte tendencia a aumentar el riesgo. La pérdida auditiva encontrada en este grupo no se puede relacionar directamente con la exposición ocupacional a ruido, a pesar de ser trabajos que se llevan a cabo en el espacio urbano. Sin embargo, la baja escolaridad favorece la lesión auditiva y puede verse acelerada por enfermedades de alta prevalencia como diabetes y practicas recreacionales locales.

Asymptotic behavior at infinity of solutions of multidimensional second kind integral equations

We consider second kind integral equations of the form x(s) - (abbreviated x - K x = y ), in which Ω is some unbounded subset of Rn. Let Xp denote the weighted space of functions x continuous on Ω and satisfying x (s) = O(|s|-p ),s → ∞We show that if the kernel k(s,t) decays like |s — t|-q as |s — t| → ∞ for some sufficiently large q (and some other mild conditions on k are satisfied), then K ∈ B(XP) (the set of bounded linear operators on Xp), for 0 ≤ p ≤ q. If also (I - K)-1 ∈ B(X0) then (I - K)-1 ∈ B(XP) for 0 < p < q, and (I- K)-1∈ B(Xq) if further conditions on k hold. Thus, if k(s, t) = O(|s — t|-q). |s — t| → ∞, and y(s)=O(|s|-p), s → ∞, the asymptotic behaviour of the solution x may be estimated as x (s) = O(|s|-r), |s| → ∞, r := min(p, q). The case when k(s,t) = к(s — t), so that the equation is of Wiener-Hopf type, receives especial attention. Conditions, in terms of the symbol of I — K, for I — K to be invertible or Fredholm on Xp are established for certain cases (Ω a half-space or cone). A boundary integral equation, which models three-dimensional acoustic propaga-tion above flat ground, absorbing apart from an infinite rigid strip, illustrates the practical application and sharpness of the above results. This integral equation mod-els, in particular, road traffic noise propagation along an infinite road surface sur-rounded by absorbing ground. We prove that the sound propagating along the rigid road surface eventually decays with distance at the same rate as sound propagating above the absorbing ground.

Psychological predictors of eco-driving: A longitudinal study

Eco-driving has well-known positive effects on fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions. Moreover, eco-driving reduces road-traffic noise, which is a serious threat to the health and well-being of many people. We investigated the psychological predictors of the adoption of eco-driving from the perspective of road-traffic noise abatement. The data came from 890 car drivers who participated in a longitudinal survey over four months. Specifically, we tested the effects of the intention to prevent road-traffic noise, variables derived from the theory of planned behavior (social norm, perceived behavioral control, and attitude), and variables derived from the health action process approach (implementation intention, maintenance self-efficacy, and action control) on the intention to practice eco-driving and on eco-driving behavior. The intention to prevent road-traffic noise was not linked to the intention to practice eco-driving. The strongest predictors of the intention to practice eco-driving were attitude and perceived behavioral control. The strongest predictor of eco-driving behavior was action control. The link between behavioral intention and behavior was weak, indicating that drivers have difficulties putting their intention to practice eco-driving into action. Therefore, intervention efforts should directly address and support the transition from intention to behavior. This could be accomplished by providing reminders, which help to maintain behavioral intention, and by providing behavior feedback, which helps car drivers to monitor their behavior.

Cálculo del ruido de tráfico de una carretera empleando lo especificado en el proyecto IMAGINE

El objetivo del trabajo es estudiar el procedimiento descrito en el proyecto IMAGINE(estimación del nivel de ruido del tráfico rodado que se registra en las carreteras europeas, a partir de la obtención del nivel de potencia sonora del ruido de propulsión y del ruido de rodadura). Para validar el modelo, se compararán los resultados teóricos del proyecto con los niveles registrados en las inmediaciones de la M-40, dentro del campus de la Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica de Telecomunicación. Para obtener los valores reales, además de lo descrito en el proyecto IMAGINE se empleará como método de medida el descrito en la ISO 1996- Parte 2 y con el instrumental con el que cuenta la Escuela. SUMMARY. The objective of this work is to analyse the procedure described in the IMAGINE project(estimation of the road traffic noise level that can be observed in the European roads, by means of obtaining the level of audible power from both the propulsion and rolling noise), in order to validate the model. The theoretical results from the project will be compared against the levels measured in the surroundings of the M-40 in Madrid, within the campus of the Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica de Telecomunicación. To obtain the real values, the IMAGINE project and the methodology described in the norm ISO 1996 - Part 2 will be used, with the equipment made available by the Faculty.

Análisis del ruido de ocio, propuesta de procedimientos y herramientas de gestión

El ruido derivado de las actividades de ocio es uno de los contaminantes acústicos más importantes en la sociedad actual. Este foco de ruido no sólo se encuentra presente en los entorno de los bares, pubs o discotecas, sino también en las zonas donde se desarrollan los eventos festivos de la ciudad. Sin embargo, son pocos los estudios y actuaciones llevadas a cabo desde el punto de vista ambiental que permitan conocer las principales características del ruido de ocio, los métodos de medida o los parámetros más adecuados. Por este motivo, se han fijado en estos aspectos los objetivos de esta tesis doctoral. Para el estudio del ruido de ocio nocturno se ha desarrollado y evaluado un método de medida, basado en la realización de medidas binaurales durante un recorrido y en medidas de larga duración en puntos fijos de las distintas zonas de ocio de Madrid y Cuenca. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, se ha realizado una caracterización acústica del ruido ocio, se ha definido un procedimiento de actuación en el que se incluye un modelo de predicción, y se ha desarrollado un modelo clasificador capaz de diferenciar el ruido de ocio del ruido de tráfico rodado. En el caso de los eventos de ocio también se ha desarrollado un método de evaluación y medida adaptado a sus características, con el que se han medido los eventos más importantes acontecidos durante un año en Madrid y Cuenca, del análisis de estas medidas se ha determinado qué eventos son los más ruidosos, así como sus características principales y las diferencias entre ellos. Este estudio pretende servir de apoyo en la gestión del ruido ambiental derivado de las actividades de ocio, presentando datos cualitativos y cuantitativos de este tipo de ruido en sus distintas facetas y aportando nuevas herramientas que faciliten su gestión. ABSTRACT Leisure noise is one of the most important environmental pollutants nowadays. This noise is not only nearby leisure venues where people go at night, but also around leisure events like popular parties or concerts placed in urban areas. There are few studies and actions about leisure noise from the environmental noise point of view, and consequently, there are no information about the leisure noise characteristics, the most appropriate measurement methods or the most interesting parameters to evaluate this kind of noise. Consequently, these are the aims of this PhD thesis. About the noise around leisure venues, a measurement method has been defined by using the Soundwalker technique. Besides, fixed point measurements have been done in different leisure areas. With the results of these measurements, a noise characterization has been done and a guide has been developed to act in case of leisure noise problems, including a method to predict the leisure noise in this kind of areas. As well as that, a classifying model has been done to differenciate leisure noise and road traffic noise. A measurement procedure has been developed in the leisure events case. Following this procedure, the most important events happened during a year in two different cities have been measured. With these results, the noisiest events, the most important characteristics of each kind of event and the differences between them have been pointed out. This study tries to support the environmental noise management in the leisure noise case. It provides cualitative and quantitative data of leisure noise levels in different situations; it also defines an action protocol to resolve leisure noise problems and it defines new tools to manage this kind of noise.

Health effects of occupational exposure to traffic particles and noise

Exposure to fine particles and noise has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and elevated cardiovascular mortality affecting the worldwide population. Residence and/or work in proximity to emission sources as for example road traffic leads to an elevated exposure and a higher risk for adverse health effects. Highway maintenance workers spend most of their work time in traffic and are exposed regularly to particles and noise. The aims of this thesis were to provide a better understanding of the workers' mixed exposure to particles and noise and to assess cardiopulmonary short term health effects in relation to this exposure. Exposure and health data were collected in collaboration with 8 maintenance centers of the Swiss Road Maintenance Services located in the cantons Bern, Fribourg and Vaud in western Switzerland. Repeated measurements with 18 subjects were conducted during 50 non-consecutive work shifts between Mai 2010 and February 2012, equally distributed over all seasons. In the first part of this thesis we tested and validated measurements of ultrafine particles with a miniature diffusion size classifier (miniDiSC) - a novel particle counting device that was used for the exposure assessment during highway maintenance work. We found that particle numbers and average particle size measured by the miniDiSC were highly correlated with data from the P-TRAK, a condensation particle counter (CPC), as well as from a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). However, the miniDiSC measured significantly more particles than the P-TRAK and significantly less than the SMPS in its full size range. Our data suggests that the instrument specific cutoffs were the main reason for the different particle counts. The first main objective of this thesis was to investigate the exposure of highway maintenance workers to air pollutants and noise, in relation to the different maintenance activities. We have seen that the workers are regularly exposed to high particle and noise levels. This was a consequence of close proximity to highway traffic and the use of motorized working equipment such as brush cutters, chain saws, generators and pneumatic hammers during which the highest exposure levels occurred. Although exposure to air pollutants were not critical if compared to occupational exposure limits, the elevated exposure to particles and noise may lead to a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases in this worker population. The second main objective was to investigate cardiopulmonary short-term health effects in relation to the particle and noise exposure during highway maintenance work. We observed a PM2.5 related increase of the acute-phase inflammation markers C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A and a decrease of TNFa. Heart rate variability increased as a consequence of particle as well as noise exposure. Increased high frequency power indicated a stronger parasympathetic influence on the heart. Elevated noise levels during recreational time, after work, were related to increased blood pressure. Our data confirmed that highway maintenance workers are exposed to elevated levels of particles and noise as compared to the average population. This exposure poses a cardiovascular health risk and it is therefore important to make efforts to better protect the workers health. The use of cleaner machines during maintenance work would be a major step to improve the workers' situation. Furthermore, regulatory policies with the aim of reducing combustion and non-combustion emissions from road traffic are important for the protection of workers in traffic environments and the entire population.

Context sensitive design of provincial road Galliera SP4.

In the past centuries and before the invention of automobile, roads consisted mainly of unpaved paths connecting only few cities. Later, in the beginning of the twentieth century, the automobile was introduced and a new type of the transportation system was born. Therefore, it was necessary to change the condition of roads to fit with the automobiles. With the spread and the development of the automobiles, roads also have developed and increased all over the world. That caused negative effects on the environment and humans’ life quality. Thus, highways associations and communities had to take some steps to reduce these effects and care about environmental and cultural issues with the traditional commitment to safety and mobility, and that is known as context sensitive design. The aim of this thesis is to use the concepts of context sensitive design to reduce the negative environmental impacts of provincial road Galliera, which connects via Colombo in city of Bologna to provincial road 3 in Argelato city. Some solutions were proposed in this thesis to reduce traffic noise, fragmentation, fauna mortality and to improve the aesthetics of the road.

Context-sensitive design in transportation infrastructure: relating tire/pavement noise with wearing course characteristics

A design can be defined as context-sensitive when it achieves effective technical and functional transportation solutions, while preserving and enhancing natural environments and minimizing impacts on local communities. Traffic noise is one of the most critical environmental impacts of transportation infrastructure and it affects both humans and ecosystems. Tire/pavement noise is caused by a set of interactions at the contact patch and it is the predominant source of road noise at the regular traffic speeds. Wearing course characteristics affect tire/pavement noise through various mechanisms. Furthermore, acoustic performance of road pavements varies over time and it is influenced by both aging and temperature. Three experimentations have been carried out to evaluate wearing course characteristics effects on tire/pavement noise. The first study involves the evaluation of skid resistance, surface texture and tire/pavement noise of an innovative application of multipurpose cold-laid microsurfacing. The second one involves the evaluation of the surface and acoustic characteristics of the different pavement sections of the test track of the Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) at the University of Waterloo. In the third study, a set of highway sections have been selected in Southern Ontario with various types of pavements. Noise measurements were carried out by means of the Statistical Pass-by (SPB) method in the first case study, whereas in the second and in the third one, Close-proximity (CPX) and the On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) methods have been performed in parallel. Test results have contributed to understand the effects of pavement materials, temperature and aging on tire/pavement noise. Negligible correlation was found between surface texture and roughness with noise. As a general trend, aged and stiffer materials have shown to provide higher noise levels than newer and less stiff ones. Noise levels were also observed to be higher with temperature increase.

Detection and Tracking of Traffic Signs Using a Recursive Bayesian Decision Framework

In this paper we propose a new method for the automatic detection and tracking of road traffic signs using an on-board single camera. This method aims to increase the reliability of the detections such that it can boost the performance of any traffic sign recognition scheme. The proposed approach exploits a combination of different features, such as color, appearance, and tracking information. This information is introduced into a recursive Bayesian decision framework, in which prior probabilities are dynamically adapted to tracking results. This decision scheme obtains a number of candidate regions in the image, according to their HS (Hue-Saturation). Finally, a Kalman filter with an adaptive noise tuning provides the required time and spatial coherence to the estimates. Results have shown that the proposed method achieves high detection rates in challenging scenarios, including illumination changes, rapid motion and significant perspective distortion

Factors affecting traffic operations on seven-lane cross sections. Final report.

Texas Department of Transportation, Austin