Why does rain have greater impact on transportation during rush hour?5 answersRain has a greater impact on transportation during rush hour due to various factors. Studies show that heavy rain can lead to road waterlogging, significantly reducing traffic speed and volume, especially in developing countries with poor drainage systems. Additionally, rainfall intensities are directly linked to increased traffic congestion, with smaller cities being more vulnerable to these effects than megacities. Rainfalls exacerbate traffic congestion, resulting in substantial economic losses, as evidenced by the significant impact on traffic congestion index (TCI) and associated economic costs in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Therefore, the combination of reduced speed, increased congestion, and economic losses during rainfalls, particularly during rush hour, underscores the heightened impact of rain on transportation systems.
What are the impacts of traffic congestion?5 answersTraffic congestion has significant impacts on various aspects such as quality of life, economy, health, and the environment. It leads to increased commuting time, fuel consumption, and vehicular exhaust emissions. The economic impact of congestion can be substantial, with daily costs exceeding hundreds of thousands of euros in some cities. Congestion also affects people's health, as it results in increased spending on transportation, impacting their economy. Furthermore, traffic congestion contributes to environmental pollution, including increased CO2 emissions, which have adverse effects on climate change. Mitigation strategies such as ride-sharing, better public transportation, and infrastructure improvements are suggested to reduce traffic congestion and its negative impacts. Overall, traffic congestion has wide-ranging consequences on society, the economy, health, and the environment.
How water bodies affect microclimate?4 answersWater bodies have a positive impact on the microclimate by improving thermal comfort, regulating temperature, and reducing humidity. They can create a cooling effect in urban areas during summer, especially in the afternoon. The proximity to water bodies is correlated with a better cooling effect. Water bodies also have a significant effect on temperature and humidity, with the scale, shape, and dispersion of the water body influencing the microclimate. Increasing the greenery and reducing building density and man-made surfaces can further enhance the microclimate. Water bodies can absorb and store more heat, resulting in lower surface temperatures compared to concrete surfaces. The scale of water bodies has a slight effect on the microclimate, but it can help adjust temperature and humidity in public spaces.
How water bodies attenuate urban heat islands?5 answersWater bodies attenuate urban heat islands by reducing ambient air temperature, surface temperatures, and altering flow velocity. They have a stronger cooling effect compared to vegetation and can effectively alleviate the thermal environment. Water bodies can lower daytime temperatures and the cooling distance can reach up to 800m. They weaken the quantitative correlation between land cover and land surface temperature, particularly for green spaces within 200m. Water bodies absorb and store more heat, resulting in lower surface temperatures compared to concrete surfaces. Evaporative cooling from water bodies can mitigate the urban heat island effect by lowering urban temperatures. However, the specific influence of water bodies on urban temperatures and the role of urban design in transferring the cooling influence from water bodies to the city require further study.
What factors affect traffic congestion?5 answersFactors that affect traffic congestion include density, land use patterns, network connectivity, vehicle regulatory, infrastructure, road maintenance, traffic regulations, number of registered vehicles, accidents, fatalities, fare prices, public transport options, roadway design factors, T-joints, cross joints, bus stops, humps, traffic lights, traffic signal controls, congestion pricing, turning restrictions, traffic routing, per capita road area, car ownership, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
How does traffic congestion impact the health of individuals and communities?3 answersTraffic congestion has significant impacts on the health of individuals and communities. It has been found to contribute to poor quality of community life, leading to frustration, stress, and decreased productivity. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) resulting from congestion is a major public health concern, causing a wide range of adverse health outcomes such as premature mortality, cognitive decline, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity. The economic costs of congestion, related to fuel and time wasted, have been estimated, but few studies have quantified the public health impacts and compared them to the economic costs. Moreover, the impacts of congestion on health vary across urban areas due to factors like road infrastructure, population density, and atmospheric conditions influencing pollutant formation. Measures to combat stress and improve transportation systems are needed to mitigate the health impacts of traffic congestion.