Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
M. Moghadami; A. Rasaizadi; M. Askari
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This research attempted to analyze the negative and positive aspects of Coronavirus: its effect on air quality and traffic volume. The sample city of this research was Tehran and transportation behavior toward the Coronavirus and minor quarantines in specific. METHODS: Six ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This research attempted to analyze the negative and positive aspects of Coronavirus: its effect on air quality and traffic volume. The sample city of this research was Tehran and transportation behavior toward the Coronavirus and minor quarantines in specific. METHODS: Six indices were considered for Tehran city in two consecutive years (in quarantine period): carbon mono-oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matters, air quality index, and daily traffic volume, which depart from Tehran city to other destinations. Daily traffic volume changes were examined for four roads separately, and total departed trips were also investigated. This comparison was made graphically and statistically by using the regression model and one-way t-test. FINDING: Results showed that from 20th February to 19th March, the average of produced CO, NO2, and PM10 decreased in 2020 compared to 2019, but other indices related to air pollution were increased in 2020. The average daily traffic in existing roads of Tehran City was declined significantly in 2020. Regression models and a one-way t-test showed that the growth rate of emission production was higher in 2019 compared to 2020. Also, this rate for daily traffic volume was higher from March 20 to April 19 of 2020 compared to 2020. CONCLUSION: The regression model on indices showed valuable results. For instance, the O3 emission slope in the second month reduced from 0.6 to 0.5; however, the exiting traffic of Tehran city reduced by 47 percent that indicates the higher resident population of Tehran city compare to the last year.
Urban transportation systems and traffic management
R. Ramezanian Bozorg Ghasem Abadi; A. Mohammadi; F. Moattar
Abstract
Traffic is one of the main sources of air pollution in metropolitan areas. With development of transportation system, inappropriate vehicle production, and the use of low-quality fuels, increased pollution in these areas is inevitable. The current study tries to determine PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO emission ...
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Traffic is one of the main sources of air pollution in metropolitan areas. With development of transportation system, inappropriate vehicle production, and the use of low-quality fuels, increased pollution in these areas is inevitable. The current study tries to determine PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO emission dispersion, caused by traffic, using CALINE4 software. According to research findings, during one month in each of 3 different seasons, CO levels varied between 30-55ppm. Also, NO2 levels, at all stations in Tehran, varied between 0.1- 0.4ppm; values above 0.05 represent pollution by diesel-fueled vehicles, mostly old and outdated public transportation buses. Modeling of suspended particles smaller than 2.5 microns indicated that pollution at all of the 10 stations was between 65-113μg/m3, which was above standard (35μg/m3). In addition, during all the studied months, the amount PM10 varied between 105-193μg/m3, and in some areas, it was above the Standard of the Iranian Department of the Environment (DOE) of 150μg/m3. According to matrix of internal and external factors analysis, strategies to be considered are of Weakness/Opportunity type (benefiting from opportunities and overcoming existing weaknesses). By forming a Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), W/O strategies of SWOT matrix were prioritized. As a result, increased budget for environmental control in the area (39.5), cooperation and coordination between the private and public sectors (69.4), equipping the public transportation with low-energy and green vehicles (48.4), widespread public awareness campaign (98.3), and transferring the polluting industries to suburban areas (78.3) were selected as top strategies for managing traffic-borne air pollutant in District 12 of Tehran.
