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How can transport system in cities can affect the environment?
Changing the physical environment
The video above shows how the forest is cleared to build transport network. This is common as cities expand.
The development of transport systems requires physical space and natural vegetation is cleared to build roads. Forests are divided into smaller fragments, reducing the size of animal habitats and restricting animal movement. When animals try to cross busy roads to get to the other side of the forest, they become victims of roadkill. Creating overpasses or wildlife corridors to enable animals to cross from one end of the forest to the other. One example will the Eco-link@BKE.
Increasing carbon footprint
Transport systems in the cities can have great impact on the environment by increasing the carbon footprint. Carbon footprint is the measure of greenhouse gases emitted to support human activities. When there are too much greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, it results in enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. Consequentially, climate change brings about environmental conditions that can also impact transport systems.
Greater human activities lead to more greenhouse gases emitted and contribute enhanced greenhouse effect. More heat is trapped and increase global temperature leading to global warming and climate change. Transport activities account for 25 to 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Records from the USA showed that the transportation sector is the largest contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.
How can transport system in cities can affect the people?
1. Improved mobility for the elderly and people with disabilities
In Singapore, the provision of age-friendly and barrier-free transport systems enable the elderly and people with disabilities to move around and access opportunities independently, thereby improving their mobility.
2. Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion occurs when road usage approaches or exceeds road capacity.
Causes of traffic congestion:
● Road usage
○ Road usage patterns: number of private vehicles vs public transport
○ Time of the day: peak hour - mornings and evenings when people travel between home and work
● Road capacity
○ Number of roads, number of lanes on the road
○ Efficiency of network e.g. density, number of dead-ends, ability to switch from one road to another easily
Impacts of traffic congestion:
● Long queues of slow-moving vehicles means longer travelling times for all road users.
● People might be late for work and this affects productivity.
● Traffic congestion can affect the physical and emotional well-being of those caught in traffic.
● Long travelling times may tire out both drivers and passengers.
● Driver may become frustrated and display aggressive behavior or lose concentration, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.
● Fuel consumption: When vehicles remain stationary or constantly start and stop due to traffic congestion, more fuel is burnt and wasted.
● Increased emission of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide.
● Worsened air quality.
3. Health risks
Air pollution
When fuel is burnt to power transport modes, harmful pollutants and particulate matter are released into the atmosphere. A severe type of air pollution produced by vehicle exhaust, power plants and factories is smog. Smog and outdoor air pollution increase health risk, causing respiratory problems such as breathing difficulty, asthma, eye irritation, lung infection and a higher risk of lung cancer. Studies have found that vehicle emissions have caused nearly 5,000 premature deaths in the UK, and over 53,000 premature deaths in the US annually.
Noise pollution
As people become more reliant on transport modes, traffic noise becomes a problem. The World health Organisation has recommended reducing road traffic noise levels produced to below 53 decibels (dB). Traffic noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects. According to a 2020 European Environment Agency report, one in four Europeans are exposed to exposed to road traffic noise levels that exceed 55 dB. Excessive noise can disturb sleep, reduce work performance, provoke annoyance, cause mental stress, result in hearing impairment and even trigger heart-related illness.
Smog in New Delhi, 2021
Private vehicle registrations have tripled in the last 15 years - there are now more than 13 million on the capital's roads. Vehicle emissions accounted for more than half of the city air's concentration of PM2.5 - the smallest airborne particles most hazardous to human health - at the start of November 2021.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/delhis-choked-roads-worsen-indias-toxic-smog-crisis
Drivers in Jakarta spend an average of 22 days a year in traffic. This resulted in many missing important events as well as productivity.
4. Safety risks
Road accidents
Road accidents account for about 90 per cent of all transport accidents on average.
● Transport accidents have implications on healthcare, insurance, damage to property and life.
Measures to reduce traffic accidents:
● Measures such as regulating the use of mobile device while driving
● Setting up more speed cameras to deter and detect speeding
● Road safety education aimed at promoting safety among all road users.
As traffic volume increases, some transport modes may be deemed to be less safe.
Crimes associated with overcrowded public transport
Public transport can become overcrowded, especially during peak periods. Large crowds increase the risk of
● Theft
● Outrage of modesty
● Terrorist attacks
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