Category «Research»

The Lancet: new evidence on asthma incidence attributable to NOx

Paediatric asthma incidence is associated with exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), but the TRAP-attributable burden remains poorly quantified. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a major component and common proxy of TRAP. In a new study, researchers estimated the annual global number of new asthma cases attributable to NO2 exposure at a resolution sufficient to resolve …

Air pollution in Europe: new facts and figures about NOx

In a new paper, Cedric D. Koolen and Prof. Dr. Gadi Rothenberg outline the serious problems caused by air pollution in Europe. Using two types of metrics, level assessment, and trend assessment, they quantify the contribution of ammonia, NOx, SOx, non‐methane volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter in terms of years of life lost per capita …

PhD Katrien De Langhe (B): What role for rail in urban freight distribution?

Many institutions encourage the use of environment-friendly transport modes. Subsequently, local authorities take increasing measures to prevent negative transport-related externalities in urban areas. Hence, logistics service providers consider alternative ways to deliver goods in urban areas. Which alternative mode is appropriate depends on multiple factors, including the available transport infrastructure, the freight volume, the time …

Cabs and curb allocation: can we learn lessons for city logistics?

The University of Washington Urban Freight Lab released the results of a pilot study on Curb Allocation Change supporting easier and less disruptive passenger pick-ups and drop-offs by cabs. The study tested the traffic impacts of providing more passenger load zones paired with in-app geofencing technology that guided drivers and riders to designated load/unload locations.

Park and parcel: are we walking or driving?

Light goods vehicles are an important part of London traffic. With changes to delivery demand and traffic patterns more broadly, they often have a big impact on cities. A group of researchers partnered with industrial organizations specializing in last-mile parcel delivery, thereby gaining access to data which allowed researchers to construct an agent-based model of the …

Best practices to improve heavy vehicle safety in urban freight

Heavy vehicle safety accreditation schemes exist within the UK for road safety in urban freight. These schemes are supported by a regulatory framework requiring minimum standards for road transport operators. Cities such as London and New York have introduced local regulations to improve the safety of heavy vehicles through requirements for improved driver field of view …