Chapter 11 – Sustainable Management of Transport Systems

Comprehensive flashcards covering the sustainable management of transport systems, environmental and social impacts, and specific management strategies in Singapore and globally.

How did the construction of the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) affect the local environment?

It divided forests into smaller fragments, reduced animal habitat sizes, restricted movement, and threatened endangered species, eventually leading to the construction of the Eco-Link@BKE to restore connections.

What modification was made to the Singapore River during the construction of MRT tunnels?

The river was diverted by excavating a new channel and building a new bridge; the original waterway was restored after completion.

How was the topography of Chek Lap Kok modified for the Hong Kong International Airport?

The mountainous island was leveled from a peak of $100\,m$ to $7\,m$ above sea level and then expanded via reclamation to four times its original area.

Define 'carbon footprint' as used in the context of transport systems.

The measure of greenhouse gases emitted to support human activities, primarily produced when fuel is burnt for energy.

What are the six greenhouse gases identified in the transcript?

Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbon, perfluorocarbon, and sulfur hexafluoride.

What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions is accounted for by transport activities?

Transport activities account for $25\%$ to $30\%$ of greenhouse gas emissions.

What are the three criteria for selecting the location of a Silver Zone in Singapore?

High proportion of senior residents, high accident rates involving senior pedestrians, and close proximity to amenities frequented by seniors.

What is the reduced speed limit enforced within a Silver Zone?

$40\,km/h$.

How does traffic congestion adversely affect air quality and carbon footprint?

When vehicles remain stationary or constantly start and stop, more fuel is burnt and wasted, increasing emissions.

What health risks are associated with smog produced by vehicle exhaust?

Respiratory problems such as breathing difficulty, asthma, eye irritation, lung infection, and lung cancer.

At what decibel level does road traffic noise begin to cause health effects?

Above $53\,dB$.

What is the primary goal of car-lite policies?

To drastically reduce car usage by encouraging alternatives like public transport, walking, and cycling, while constraining vehicle ownership and road usage.

What is a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) in the context of Singapore's transport management?

A right to own and use a vehicle for $10$ years, obtained via bidding, which adds significant cost to the price of a new vehicle.

What are the specific travel time goals mentioned in Singapore’s Land Transport Master Plan for 2040?

The development of "20-minute towns" and a "45-minute city."

How is a 'pedestrian shed' defined in integrated land use planning?

The walkable distance from a location, defined as a $5$-minute or $400\,m$ walk.

How does the Green Man+ scheme assist elderly pedestrians and PWDs?

It provides up to $13$ seconds of additional green man time when they tap a senior citizen concession card on the traffic light pole reader.

What are the potential benefits of Autonomous Vehicles (AV) for urban transport?

Prevention of road accidents, improved road safety, and reduced emissions/energy consumption through fuel-efficient technology.

Compare the ambient noise level of an electric bus to a typical diesel bus.

The ambient noise level of an electric bus is $75\,dB$, which is three points lower than a typical diesel bus.

What is the environmental impact of 60 electric buses in terms of carbon dioxide reduction?

They reduce carbon dioxide emissions by $7,840$ tonnes a year, equivalent to the emissions from $1,700$ cars.

What are the primary challenges of implementing Electric Vehicles (EV) for large-scale usage?

They are more expensive (costing twice as much as diesel buses) and require more R&D to reduce costs.