TOPIC
Motorized transport in cities with the use of private automobiles has resulted in a vast array of negative externalities – traffic congestion, air, and noise pollution. In the interest of improving urban air quality and protecting human health, active transportation, particularly bicycling, is encouraged for both commuting and short distance utilitarian trips. However, recent research has highlighted that the benefits of bicycling may be partially offset by the potential adverse health impacts due to bicyclists’ exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). In fact, it has been reported that cyclists may be exposed to higher concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants than other road users owing to their proximity to traffic, high respiration rates, and longer journeys. Hence, there is a need to provide solutions to reduce this exposure (TRAP). To evaluate the influence of TRAP on cyclability, we developed a new cycling framework, referred to as cycling index, which serves as a practical tool for cyclists to consider in terms of selecting appropriate cycling routes while commuting to work from home and back. This index incorporates four sub-indices (air quality, accessibility, suitability, and perceptibility) into the proposed framework. For this work, we used Singapore as a testbed. Urban and transport planners and environmental policymakers can make use of the newly developed cycling index objectively and design cycling infrastructure accordingly in a comprehensive manner.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Professor Bala is a tenured Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at National University of Singapore (NUS). He has established an internationally recognized research program in Urban Air Quality at NUS. The main goal of his interdisciplinary research is to advance understanding of environmental issues on scales ranging from local to global, and to develop cost-effective technologies to mitigate these impacts. He has carried out his collaborative research projects in several countries. His work also addresses several aspects of air quality and climate change including its mitigation and adaptation. Prof Bala’s research has resulted in more than 280 papers in scholarly journals with an H-index of 89 and 24,800 citations, 22 book chapters and 1 book. He is a highly cited researcher. He has delivered numerous plenary and keynote lectures in international conferences. He has received many research awards including “Alan Berman Research Publication Award (Department of the Navy (USA))”, “Highly Cited Research Article Award (Elsevier)” and “PROSE (Professional and Scholarly Excellence) Award”. He has also received numerous teaching awards. He has been recognized among top 100 scientists in Asia based on his research contributions (Asian Magazine, 2017). He is a Lead Author for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)’s 6th Global Environment Outlook Report. He is a member of the Science Panel of the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership (APCAP), appointed by UNEP. He is Vice-President of IUAPPA (International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations). He is an Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Prof Bala is an Editor of Aerosol and Air Quality Research and on the editorial board of several international journals including Atmosphere and Scientific Reports. He is currently holding the title of Keppel Professor in Sustainability Solutions (Endowed Chair Professorship) in recognition of his international reputation.