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A bumpy ride: structural inequalities, quality standards, and institutional limitations affecting cycling infrastructure
(Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Tiznado-Aitken, Ignacio; Mora Vega, Rodrigo; Oyarzun, Gabriel; Vergara, Jaime; Vecchio, Giovanni; CEDEUS (Chile)
Structural socio-economic and institutional limitations can affect the implementation of cycling infrastructure. More stringent cycling infrastructure standards aiming to solve deficiencies might exacerbate disparities, especially in poor districts with fragmentary governance. Using an audit and quantitative and spatial analysis of cycleways, this paper examines to what extent structural inequalities and governance issues affect the availability and quality of cycling infrastructure, considering new indicative and normative standards aiming at improving cycling infrastructure in Santiago, Chile. Our results show that the distribution of cycleways is unequal and only partially complies with national quality standards. All districts in the city have both high and low standard bicycle lanes, but since district finances have huge differences, this can lead to inequalities in cycle coverage and districts' capabilities to address current standard problems. This raises relevant challenges regarding governance and how to ensure an equitable distribution of cycling infrastructure in Global South cities.
A comparative study of soil metal concentrations in Chilean urban parks using four pollution indexes
(2022) Vega, Alejandra; Arce, Guillermo; Rivera, Javier I.; Acevedo, Sara E.; Reyes Paecke, Sonia; Bonilla, Carlos A.; Pasten Gonzalez, Pablo Arturo; CEDEUS (Chile)
Toxic metal enrichment in urban soils from natural and anthropogenic sources is a public health concern thatchallenges sustainable urban development. Active and legacy mining is likely a major contributor of localizedmetal pollution in resource-based economies, although other sources associated with industrial and trans-portation activities may also contribute in urban settings. In mining countries, such as Chile, with no soil qualityregulation, public policies that seek to protect human health should assess metal distribution and pollution in-dexes to guide interventions, especially in urban green spaces. To assess the role of active and legacy miningwaste sites within the urban and peri-urban areas, metal concentrations in the soils of urban parks weremeasured in this study, and four pollution indexes were calculated for four cities of Chile. Copiap ́o and Andacolloin northern Chile represented the cities with several active and legacy mining waste sites located within theurban and peri-urban areas, while conurbation La Serena-Coquimbo and Gran Santiago represented the cities inmining districts that lacked major mining waste sites within their urban perimeters. A total of 82 (Copiap ́o), 30(Andacollo), 26 (La Serena-Coquimbo), and 59 (Gran Santiago) composite surface soil samples were collectedfrom the urban parks. Considering Canadian guidelines for residential/parkland soils, the value for Cu (63 mg/kg) was found to be exceeded in 99%, 50%, 100%, and 97% of samples collected from Copiap ́o, La Serena-Coquimbo, Andacollo, and Gran Santiago, respectively. The guidelines for lead (140 mg/kg) and zinc (250mg/kg) were exceeded in less than 12% of samples collected from Copiap ́o and Gran Santiago. Arsenic was notmainly quantified (<10% quantification frequency, quantification limit = 36 mg/kg). The calculated modifiedpollution load, Nemerow, and soil quality indexes indicated that soils in the urban parks were more polluted incities with urban mine wastes, however, the pollution load index ranked higher metal pollution in Gran Santiago.This study presented the first comparative study of metals in urban parks of Chile, highlighting a large proportionof parks with soil copper concentrations above the international guidelines, while showing higher median values in cities containing urban mine waste disposal sites.
A discrete-event public transportation simulation model to evaluate travel demand management impacts on waiting times and crowding conditions
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Soza-Parra, J.; Tiznado-Aitken, Ignacio; Muñoz Abogabir, Juan Carlos; CEDEUS (Chile)
Several approaches have been proposed and adopted by researchers and decision-makers to improve and deal with public transport operation issues, especially travel demand management (TDM) measures. Disruptions like lockdowns provoked by weather conditions, political riots, special events, natural disaster issues, or the recent COVID-19 pandemic create a need for tools to manage public transport demand and supply o keep users circulating in an efficient, convenient and safe manner. Our work develops a simulation tool of the operations of a public transport system using smart card, GTFS and census data to evaluate the impacts of different intervention scenarios using the pandemic context as a case study. Using a pre-pandemic baseline scenario, we study the impact of several travel demand and public transport supply measures, focusing the analysis on waiting times and crowding conditions inside vehicles and platforms. As a result, we generate easy-to-analyze visual outputs that facilitate prioritizing actions at the metropolitan and district level, identifying where and when waiting times and crowding conditions would exceed certain thresholds.
A global horizon scan for urban evolutionary ecology
(2022) Verrelli, Brian C.; Alberti, Marina; Des Roches, Simone; Harris, Nyeema C.; Hendry, Andrew P.; Johnson, Marc T. J.; Savage, Amy M.; Charmantier, Anne; Gotanda, Kiyoko M.; Govaert, Lynn; Miles, Lindsay S.; Rivkin, L. Ruth; Winchell, Kristin M.; Brans, Kristien I.; Correa, Cristian; Diamond, Sarah E.; Fitzhugh, Ben; Grimm, Nancy B.; Hughes, Sara; Marzluff, John M.; Munshi-South, Jason; Rojas Quezada, Carolina Alejandra; Santangelo, James S.; Schell, Christopher J.; Schweitzer, Jennifer A.; Szulkin, Marta; Urban, Mark C.; Zhou, Yuyu; Ziter, Carly; CEDEUS (Chile)
The impact of urbanization on biodiversity has been well documented, yet research into the complex dynamics of ecological and evolutionary processes in urban areas is still in its infancy. When novel research challenges emerge, a horizon scan exercise is an integrated approach that brings together global interdisciplinary-minded individuals to identify future research questions that can influence new collaborations and funding agenda. Our horizon scan identified 30 questions for future research in urban evolutionary ecology covering themes in fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes, temporal and spatial scales, sustainability, climate change, sociopolitical and ethical considerations, and innovation in technology. Research on the evolutionary ecology of urban areas reveals how human-induced evolutionary changes affect biodiversity and essential ecosystem services. In a rapidly urbanizing world imposing many selective pressures, a time-sensitive goal is to identify the emergent issues and research priorities that affect the ecology and evolution of species within cities. Here, we report the results of a horizon scan of research questions in urban evolutionary ecology submitted by 100 interdisciplinary scholars. We identified 30 top questions organized into six themes that highlight priorities for future research. These research questions will require methodological advances and interdisciplinary collaborations, with continued revision as the field of urban evolutionary ecology expands with the rapid growth of cities.
A Novel Offsite Construction Method for Social Housing in Emerging Economies for Low Cost and Reduced Environmental Impact
(MDPI, 2023) Tapia Reed, Danilo Alejandro; González Hormazábal, Marcelo Andrés; Vera Araya, Sergio Eduardo; Aguilar, Carlos
Offsite construction methods have shown many advantages over traditional construction techniques, especially related to efficiency and productivity during the construction phase. Nevertheless, offsite construction generally involves oversizing the internal structure of the modules due to the internal stresses produced during transport and lifting operations, producing an increase in material usage, direct cost, and carbon footprint. In developing countries, the direct cost of social housing is the most important factor determining the feasibility of construction. For this reason, oversizing the internal structure of the modules can play an important role in the adoption of a modern construction technique such as offsite construction systems. In order to solve this issue, a temporary reusable stiffener structure is proposed to allow an economical offsite construction system using a lightweight steel framing structure used in traditional methods. The reusable structure was designed using a finite element method, and the direct cost and carbon footprint of the structure were evaluated. The results show that the proposed construction strategy allows for a low cost and reduced environmental impact due to a lower usage of materials in the modules and the possibility of a circular economy approach to the reusable structure.
A stochastic model for bus injection in an unscheduled public transport service
(2020) Morales Navarrete, Diego Fabián; Muñoz Abogabir, Juan Carlos; Gazmuri S., Pedro; CEDEUS (Chile)
Accessibility and the Capabilities Approach: a review of the literature and proposal for conceptual advancements
(TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2021) Vecchio, Giovanni; Martens, Karel; CEDEUS (Chile)
The Capability Approach, developed by Sen and Nussbaum, has recently gained increasing attention in the transport literature. This paper adds to this growing body of literature by investigating how the approach can generate consistent evaluative approaches to inform (urban) transport planning. The paper reviews the mobility literature that has investigated the Capabilities Approach and identifies the opportunities and challenges of employing the approach as a basis for transport planning. The review highlights the different, and sometimes patchy, ways in which the key notions of the approach have been conceptualised and operationalised. Discussing this growing but scattered literature, the paper embraces the emerging direction that understands accessibility as the capability that transport planning and policy should consider. Further refining this understanding, the paper proposes a twofold evaluative approach combining a top-down and a bottom-up component to capture the myriad of conversion factors shaping people's accessibility-as-capability and functioning. By systematically adopting the Capabilities Approach, transport planning and mobility policies will be directed to enhancing each person's freedom to pursue the life they have reason to value in contemporary societies.
Air Pollution and Cardiorespiratory Changes in Older Adults Living in a Polluted Area in Central Chile
(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2022) Cortes Arancibia, Sandra Isabel; Leiva Cisternas, Cinthya Aracely; Ojeda Valenzuela, María José; Bustamante-Ara, Natalia; Wambaa, Wanjiku; Domínguez, Alan; Pasten Salvo, Carlos; Rodriguez Peralta, Camila; Rojas Arenas, Barbara; Vargas Mesa, Diego; Ahumada Padilla Ericka Del Pilar; CEDEUS (Chile)
One recognized cause of cardiorespiratory diseases is air pollution. Older adults (OA) are one of the most vulnerable groups that suffer from its adverse effects. The objective of the study was to analyze the association between exposure to air pollution and changes in cardiorespiratory variables in OA. Observational prospective cohort study. Health questionnaires. blood pressure (BP) measurements, lung functions, respiratory symptoms, physical activity levels, and physical fitness in high and low exposure to air pollution were all methods used in evaluating OAs in communes with high contamination rates. Linear and logistic models were created to adjust for variables of interest. A total of 92 OA participated in this study. 73.9% of the subjects were women with 72.3 +/- 5.6 years. 46.7% were obese, while 12.1% consumed tobacco. The most prevalent diseases found were hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Adjusted linear models maintained an increase for systolic BP of 6.77 mmHg (95% CI: 1.04-12.51), and diastolic of 3.51 mmHg (95% CI: 0.72-6.29), during the period of high exposure to air pollution. The adjusted logistic regression model indicated that, during the period of high exposure to air pollution increase the respiratory symptoms 4 times more (OR: 4.43, 95% CI: 2.07-10.04) in the OA. The results are consistent with an adverse effect on cardiorespiratory variables in periods of high exposure to air pollution in the OA population.
Air pollution and environmental epidemiological evidence in Chile: alerts for decision-makers and citizens
(2023) Cortés Arancibia, Sandra; CEDEUS (Chile)
Air pollution in Chile presents unique challenges, exacerbated by inequalities and geographical and climatic diversity. Current policies have not succeeded in aligning air quality with international and national standards, nor have they significantly mitigated public health impacts, despite being more advanced than those in other Latin American countries. The evidence on the health damages caused by air pollution is compelling, showing harmful acute and chronic effects across various life stages. Yet, current measures do not effectively reduce exposure to pollutants. The monitoring network, which reports data from stationary and mobile sources, does not always detect early fugitive emissions and is limited to regulated pollutants, leaving areas without adequate monitoring coverage and without management plans for critical episodes outside of autumn and winter and for a reduced number of pollutants. In the context of climate change, which increases the frequency of forest fires, Chile is experiencing a deterioration of air quality, highlighting the need to expand critical episode management beyond the current Air Pollution Prevention and/or Atmospheric Decontamination Plans. Integrated intersectoral plans need to be improved and extended to address the high exposure to pollutants, due to the large number of people exposed, and a broad population health risks, including quality of life. Decarbonisation by 2040 based on the Sustainable Development Goals is an important pillar of the strategy, but a public debate is needed to establish additional actions for addressing environmental injustice, improving equity and reducing current exposure to air pollutants.
Ambient particulate matter in Santiago, Chile : 1989-2018 : A tale of two size fractions
(2020) Jorquera, Héctor; CEDEUS (Chile)
An assessment of the ecological validity of immersive videos in stated preference surveys
(ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2020) Rossetti Youlton, Tomás; Hurtubia González, Ricardo; CEDEUS (Chile)
Images, videos, and virtual reality have been widely used in the literature to portray complex attributes to survey respondents. It is reasonable to expect immersive videos will be increasingly used in the future due to their decreasing costs and potentially more accurate representation of reality. Nevertheless, the literature has not sufficiently tested their ecological validity, which can be defined as the extent to which the results they produce in a laboratory setting, such as in choice experiments, are close enough to the results that would have been obtained in a real-life setting. The following work presents a comparison of two representation formats, images and immersive videos, to verify if they can elicit the same perceptual responses of pedestrians as real environments. To do this, a survey was carried out using these two formats as well as on-site interviews. Using a MIMIC approach, and after controlling for all relevant sociodemographic variables, results show that perceptions elicited through immersive videos were not different from those elicited in reality in one qualitative variable (perception of safety and security) out of three relevant ones identified. Furthermore, results also show immersive videos can induce a smaller distortion than photographs.
An integrated study of health, environmental and socioeconomic indicators in a mining-impacted community exposed to metal enrichment
(2019) Moya, Pablo M.; Arce, Guillermo J.; Leiva Cisternas, Cinthya Aracely; Vega, Alejandro S.; Gutierrez Muñoz, Santiago Yvan; Adaros, Héctor; Muñoz, Luis; Pastén González, Pablo Arturo; Cortés Arancibia, Sandra; CEDEUS (Chile)
The occurrence of toxic metals and metalloids associated with mine tailings is a serious public health concern for communities living in mining areas. This work explores the relationship between metal occurrence (e.g., spatial distribution in street dusts), human health indicators (e.g., metals in urine samples, lifestyle and self-reported diseases) and socioeconomic status (SES) using Chanaral city (in northern Chile) as study site, where a copper mine tailing was disposed in the periurban area. This study model may shed light on the development of environmental and health surveillance plans on arid cities where legacy mining is a sustainability challenge. High concentrations of metals were found in street dust, with arsenic and copper concentrations of 24 +/- 13 and 607 +/- 911 mg/kg, respectively. The arsenic concentration in street dust correlated with distance to the mine tailing (r = - 0.32, p-value = 0.009), suggesting that arsenic is dispersed from this source toward the city. Despite these high environmental concentrations, urinary levels of metals were low, while 90% of the population had concentrations of inorganic arsenic and its metabolites in urine below 33.2 mu g/L, copper was detected in few urine samples (< 6%). Our results detected statistically significant differences in environmental exposures across SES, but, surprisingly, there was no significant correlation between urinary levels of metals and SES. Despite this, future assessment and control strategies in follow-up research or surveillance programs should consider environmental and urinary concentrations and SES as indicators of environmental exposure to metals in mining communities.
Assessing cohesion and diversity in the collaboration network of the SALURBAL project
(2023) Baquero, Sofia; Montes, Felipe; Stankov, Ivana; Sarmiento, Olga L.; Medina, Pablo; Slesinski, S. Claire; Diez-Canseco, Francisco; Kroker-Lobos, Maria F.; Teixeira, Waleska; Vives Vergara, Alejandra; Alazraqui, Marcio; Barrientos-Gutierrez, Tonatiuh; Diez Roux, Ana V.; CEDEUS (Chile)
The SALURBAL (Urban Health in Latin America) Project is an interdisciplinary multinational network aimed at generating and disseminating actionable evidence on the drivers of health in cities of Latin America. We conducted a temporal multilayer network analysis where we measured cohesion over time using network structural properties and assessed diversity within and between different project activities according to participant attributes. Between 2017 and 2020 the SALURBAL network comprised 395 participants across 26 countries, 23 disciplines, and 181 institutions. While the cohesion of the SALURBAL network fluctuated over time, overall, an increase was observed from the first to the last time point of our analysis (clustering coefficient increased [0.83-0.91] and shortest path decreased [1.70-1.68]). SALURBAL also exhibited balanced overall diversity within project activities (0.5-0.6) by designing activities for different purposes such as capacity building, team-building, research, and dissemination. The network's growth was facilitated by the creation of new diverse collaborations across a range of activities over time, while maintaining the diversity of existing collaborations (0.69-0.75 between activity diversity depending on the attribute). The SALURBAL experience can serve as an example for multinational research projects aiming to build cohesive networks while leveraging heterogeneity in countries, disciplines, career stage, and across sectors.
Assessment of Residential Satisfaction in Mehr Housing Scheme: A Case Study of Sadra New Town, Iran
(Routledge Journals, 2017) Etminani-Ghasrodashti, Roya; Majedi, Hamid; Paydar, Mohammad; CEDEUS (Chile)
This paper aims to contribute to theory and practice concerning residential satisfaction in public housing through an assessment of the Mehr housing scheme (MHS), which is a significant project of the Iranian government's current development plans. This study is based on household surveys conducted in two MHS projects in the new town of Sadra, Iran. Data were collected through a sample of residents to explore their satisfaction with physical characteristics of housing units, public facilities and services, and also the social participation and cohesion among residents. Using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and categorical regression, the hypothesis that satisfaction is based on the relationship between different key factors was tested. The results of descriptive analysis demonstrate that only 32.5% of respondents were satisfied with living in MHS. Findings from categorical regression revealed that built environment variables such as buildings' physical features were the main determinants of respondents' overall satisfaction while the social features of the housing projects had little to no impacts on residents' contentment. These results suggest that while primary aspirations for physical characteristics of public housing and access to essential services and facilities were disregarded by planners, social association, cohesion and ties among residents will likely become less important.
Assessment of the flood mitigation ecosystem service in a coastal wetland and potential impact of future urban development in Chile
(2022) Rojas, Octavio; Soto, Evelyn; Rojas Quezada, Carolina Alejandra; López, J. Javier; CEDEUS (Chile)
A worldwide increase in flooding due to climate change and population growth in exposed areas is expected, especially in coastal areas; therefore, nature-based solutions (NBS) for risk reduction are necessary to increase the resilience of cities, particularly in developing countries, which usually lack large budgets for structural measures but have natural areas such as wetlands that can be used as NBS. The flood mitigation ecosystem service of a coastal wetland in central Chile was analyzed. Using hydrological and topo-bathymetric data, two flood hazard scenarios were modeled: (i) S1 current and (ii) S2 projected, which was established based on land-use planning instruments and urban projects developed since 1954. Flood hazard maps for different return periods were obtained and indicators related to the mitigation potential of the wetland were calculated. It was proven that urban project development has intensified since 2000, mainly in the form of real estate development, with an increase in occupation of 50%, and the wetland area is projected to be further reduced by around one third, decreasing potential flood mitigation. Thus, for an extreme return period, in this case 500 years, the water volume stored by the wetland would decrease by more than 38% and the flooded area of the wetland by 30%, increasing flooding and vulnerability of the urban area, with various repercussions for surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure. The number of people and homes affected would increase by around 6% and 8%, respectively, such that the affected land value would reach an additional US$55 million, which would be very detrimental in a city that has seen its natural spaces encroached upon by gray infrastructure. This research reaffirms the need to support the restoration and conservation of coastal wetlands under pressure from urban development in an area with a lack of green infrastructure planning.
Barreras estructurales en la caminabilidad y accesibilidad a escala de barrio. Estudio de tres casos en Santiago de Chile
(2020) Berrios Álvarez, Emilio Moisés; Greene, Margarita; CEDEUS (Chile)
Dada la relevancia de la accesibilidad a bienes y servicios urbanos en la calidad de vida de los habitantes, y considerando que la caminata representa el principal modo de transporte en el Gran Santiago -34,6% de los viajes, según la Encuesta de Origen y Destino de 2012 (Universidad Alberto Hurtado, 2014)-, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo analizar y comparar las barreras estructurales que inciden en el área caminable a escala de barrio y estimar sus posibles efectos en los patrones de movilidad y acceso a bienes y servicios, en tres conjuntos habitacionales del Gran Santiago: población Juan Antonio Ríos sector 3B (Independencia), villa San Cristóbal (Recoleta) y villa Los Sauces (La Florida). Para cada caso, se identificaron las principales barreras materiales, ya sean naturales (ríos, cerros) o artificiales (carreteras, pasos bajo/sobre nivel) y algunas barreras intangibles (asociadas a la seguridad vial o delictual). Se comparó la superficie teórica máxima del barrio caminable (euclidiana) con la “real” calculada mediante análisis de red (sobre la base de recorridos de 20 min), considerando las condiciones de cruce de las principales vías, cuantificando sus efectos en tiempo y distancia y la consiguiente accesibilidad a equipamiento y servicios. Además, se analizó la configuración de la trama vial y peatonal, contrastando su integración a escala local y global basada en mapas axiales. Finalmente, se analizaron los patrones de movilidad de la población según datos de zona EOD 2012. Los resultados muestran una clara disminución del área real del barrio caminable (a un tercio del área euclidiana), producto de la trama y de las diversas barreras existentes, lo que se refleja en la accesibilidad a bienes y servicios vía caminata. Estos resultados permiten proponer además que, si bien una mayor distancia promedio de caminata no se relaciona con una mayor área caminable, la cercanía a centralidades sí se asocia con la prevalencia de este modo de transporte.
Can Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) contribute towards the implementation of biophilic urbanism in urban planning? The case of Chilean Municipal Regulatory Plans
(Elsevier Inc., 2022) Carter V.; Henriquez C.; Henriquez C.; CEDEUS (Chile)
© 2022 Elsevier Inc.The COVID-19 crisis has again highlighted our need to be in close contact with nature. Approaches such as biophilic urbanism, which seek to re-naturalize cities through its inclusion in planning and design, have thus gained relevance. The biophilic urbanism approach is materialized through the Biophilic Cities Network (BCN) and uses indicators to measure cities' biophilic performance. To date, Chilean cities have not formally implemented the approach. However, the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), a mandatory policy process, requires the inclusion of environmental issues in Chilean urban planning. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which SEA might contribute towards the implementation of biophilic urbanism in planning processes. We analyze how local governments have been including biophilic elements in their SEA processes by exploring the Communal Regulatory Plan (PRC). We perform a content analysis on the indicators in 135 reports associated with each SEA process. The analysis revealed 286 of 1,006 indicators containing biophilic elements extracted from the biophilic cities indicators. We found that biophilic elements linked with the inhabitant's engagement and well-being were largely absent. Conversely, those indicators related to the creation of new green urban infrastructures were widely represented. Overall, the paper hints at the potential usefulness of the SEA to increase biophilic urbanism implementation in urban planning by applying indicators that include biophilic elements.
Cerros isla en las ciudades de Chile: oportunidades para una planificación ecológica
(Universidad de Chile. Instituto de la Vivienda, 2023) Picon Meleda, María Catalina; Contreras, Carolina; Berrizbeitia, Anita; Barrera, Francisco de la; Reyes-Paecke, Sonia; CEDEUS (Chile); Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Arquitectura
Island hills (IHs) represent elements of important natural and cultural heritage value. However, despite their notable presence in Latin American cities, there is little documented knowledge that may facilitate their recognition and incorporation into urban planning. The objective of this work is to identify, classify, and characterize the mostly non-urbanized IHs located within the urban area of the 16 regional capital cities of Chile. The 75 IHs identified were classified into three typologies and characterized according to their land coverage, buildings, and associated regulations. In the 16 cities, there are 32 urban island hills, 24 urban hills on the urban edge, and 19 hills that are part of mountain ridges on the urban edge, concentrated in Santiago, Concepción and Copiapó. These covers consisting of by native forest, shrublands, and forestry plantations in the southern part of the country, and soils with scarce vegetation in the northern area, reflecting the geographic diversity as well as the pressures and uses that exist in the territory. Thus, Concepción’s IHs have 30% or more of their surface covered by forestry plantations; and of the total, 83% of the IHs have built elements and 36% have heritage elements. In terms of urban regulations, there is no typical zoning for hills, and diverse uses coexist.
Characterizing the public transport service level experienced by users: An application to six Latin American transit systems
(2022) Batarce, Marco; Muñoz Abogabir, Juan Carlos; Torres Rivas, Ignacia; CEDEUS (Chile)
We present a method oriented to determine indicators representing different dimensions of users' travel time, such as in-vehicle time and its variability. We focus the service level measurement on users, but not their subjective perception, since we build the indicators from objective data. We apply the method to six Latin American cities, which shows the method's flexibility to fit different available information collected from sources such as in-field measurements or electronic control systems for bus operations. The method's core is the selection of a representative sample of trips. We estimate the service level based on different variables (e.g., speed, frequency, travel time, and waiting time) for every sampled trip. The contribution of this work is the design and implementation of a methodology for service level evaluation. As a byproduct, we compare public transportation systems' levels of service in the studied cities.
Children and young people’s unaccompanied mobility: the role of the built and social environments in an unequal Latin American Metropolis
(2024) Waintrub Santibáñez, Natan; Jones, Peter; Tyler, Nick; CEDEUS (Chile)
Unaccompanied trips are highly beneficial for children, yet their practice is difficult in unequal Latin American metropoles. This article investigates how the built and social environments influence children and young people’s trips in Santiago de Chile. It does so by reporting the findings of a stated preference questionnaire in which children and young people were invited to choose the preferred environment to walk unaccompanied in between pairs of images illustrating different social and physical attributes. The findings suggest that Santiago’s inequalities are mirrored in the environments through which children and young people prefer to walk unaccompanied. Attributes that enhance the streetscape (e.g., well-kept footpaths, grass), provide recreation and natural surveillance positively affect children’s willingness to make unaccompanied trips in wealthy areas. By contrast, those attributes are less significant for children and young people from other parts of the city, where other features have a greater impact (e.g., strangers drinking alcohol, off-licences, vehicles parked on the footpath). Furthermore, young girls are greatly discouraged from travelling unaccompanied in most circumstances, in both wealthy and not-wealthy areas. Public policies should prioritise non-wealthy neighbourhoods, improve the built environment, and strengthen local communities and local familiarity to create safer spaces that encourage unaccompanied trips.

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