sustainable management of transport systems Flashcards
how do transport systems impact the environment
- Changes to the physical environment impact flora and fauna
- Increased carbon footprint
explain changes to the physical environment
how do transport systems impact the environment
- Physical space is needed to build transport systems.
- Natural vegetation and landscapes are cleared → deforestation
- Habitat fragmentation, loss of animal habitats, restricts animal movement, loss of wildlife.
- Animals may attempt to cross the roads, leading to road accidents, or the animals get killed.
- Modification of natural landscapes such as mountains, river channels, slopes and seas to allow transport modes to access them.
what are examples of habitat fragmentation
loss of animal habitat
impact of habitat fragmentation
restricts animal movement → loss of wildlife.
how to prevent animals from being killed
build wildlife corridors to allow animals to move safely across roads.
example of wildlife corridors
- Eco-link@BKE
- built over the Bukit Timah Expressway to connect Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
examples of modifications
- Build tunnels through mountain
- Build roads along mountain sides
- Diversion of river channels
why build tunnels through mountain
to reduce travel time
why build roads along mountain sides
to travel across mountains
why divide river channels
to create a more direct path to locations
example of diversion of river
Singapore River was diverted twice to allow for the safe construction of the MRT tunnels connecting Fort Canning and Chinatown stations on the Downtown Line.
explain increase carbon footprint
- fossil fuels are used to power motorised transport modes → increased carbon footprint
- Burning of fossil fuels generate greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
- Transport activities account for up to 25-30% of all greenhouse gases released
- As cities develop, transport systems will grow, and carbon footprints will increase.
why is it bad that fossil fuels generate greenhouse gases
- Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere that trap heat to keep the Earth warm.
- Excessive concentrations of greenhouse gases due to human activities leads to enhanced greenhouse effects, global warming and climate change.
what does a carbon footprint measure
the amount of greenhouse gases released during human activities.
How Do Transport Systems Impact People in Cities?
- Improved mobility for elderly and people with disabilities
- Traffic congestion
- Health risks
- Safety risks
explain improved mobility for elderly persons with disabilities
(how do transport systems impact people in cities)
- Access to barrier-free and age friendly transport systems is important for independent living for the elderly and physically impaired.
- Singapore has designed Silver Zones
what is mobility
ability of people and freight to move from one place to another
why is mobility important
allows people access to goods and services, and opportunities for business, education and employment.
examples of ways to improve mobility
- pedestrian crossings that have longer crossing times (elderly and the disabled)
- need wider pedestrian lanes (wheelchairs and personal mobility devices)
where are silver zones located
areas in neighbourhoods that have higher concentrations of the elderly.
features of silver zones
- Brightly marked signage and yellow painted road strips
- Vehicular speed limit capped at 40km/h.
- Reduction of lanes at some road sections
- two-stage crossing
- Mountable centre dividers
what is the use of brightly marked signage and yellow painted road strips
to alert motorists to the start of a Silver Zone
what is the use of reducing the speed limit
so the elderly can cross the road safely
what is the use of the reduction of lanes at some road sections
to shorten crossing distance and reduce time taken to cross roads
what is the use of two stage crossing
that allows senior pedestrians to rest in the middle of a crossing
what is the use of mountable centre dividers
enable emergency vehicles to pass over them when safe to do so
Introduction of Silver Zones has reduced_
accidents involving elderly by 75% in 2019
indicators of traffic congestion
(how do transport systems impact people in cities)
- Long vehicle queues.
- Slow-moving vehicles.
- Longer travelling times for all road users.
impacts of traffic congestion on people
- Experience more accidents and delay for events.
- Experience frustration.
- Waste more time travelling.
- Display aggressive behaviour.
- Lose concentration.
impacts of traffic congestion on the environment
When congestion occurs, vehicles spend more time on the road, consuming more fuel and causing more pollution → increased carbon footprint
what are the health risks
(how do transport systems impact people in cities)
- air pollution
- noise pollution