Johannes Gruber

Neighbourhood deprivation and outlet density for tobacco, alcohol and fast food: first hints of obesogenic and addictive environments in Germany

OBJECTIVE The current discussion regarding ‘place effects on health’ is increasingly focusing on the characteristics of a specific physical environment. Our study investigated whether socially deprived residential areas are more likely than affluent neighbourhoods to provide access to addictive substances and fast food. DESIGN In this ecological study the total number of tobacco, alcohol and fastfood outlets was recorded and visualized using a geographic information system. Area affluence was measured through the percentage of parents with children of kindergarten or school age with joint annual taxable income ,h12 272. SETTING Eighteen social areas in Cologne, Germany. SUBJECTS All social areas in four districts in Cologne, Germany, with a total of 92 000 inhabitants, were analysed. RESULTS In the investigation area, 339 tobacco, 353 alcohol and sixty-seven fastfood outlets were identified. As area affluence declined the availability of the following potentially health damaging sources increased: cigarettes (Kendall’s tau50?433; P50?012), alcohol (Kendall’s tau50?341, P50?049) and fast food (Kendall’s tau50?473; P50?009). CONCLUSIONS The availability of addictive substances and fast food can be seen to have a contextual influence on an individual’s lifestyle and can, in the form of physical exposure to obesogenic and addictive environments, contribute to a culmination of health risks.

Innovative Two Wheeler Technologies for Future Mobility Concepts

With the requirements of European Commissions White Book that demand emission-free city logistics in major urban areas until 2050, cargo bicycles may play a significant role for last mile deliveries. They require less space than vans and can be parked on the sidewalk. These electrically assisted bicycles, tricycles or quadracycles do not emit any local emissions and are capable to transport 50-250 kg of cargo. But, in topologically moved areas the capacity of conventional battery concepts constrains the transport range: delivery tours by bike can have a daily mileage up to 50-80 km. In the urge of finding energy carriers with a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries hydrogen comes into the focus for innovative and sustainable cargo bike propulsion systems. This paper outlines the DLR activities to develop a versatile hydrogen fuel cell and its thermal management which suits the transport needs of commercial last mile deliveries with cargo bikes. First studies show that cargo cycles have high potentials not only in postal services but also for the growing courier and parcel service. Active thermal management systems to increase the range and the hill climb capability, the life time and the operational capability like shortening the refilling time are introduced in this paper.

Innovationsbereitschaft von Fahrrad- und Autokurieren gegenüber Elektro-Lastenrädern – eine (ir)rationale Entscheidung?

Stadtische Kurierdienstleistungen werden derzeit vor allem per Pkw und Fahrrad erbracht, wobei die Verkehrsmittelwahl in der Regel von selbststandigen Kurieren getroffen wird. Dieser Beitrag zeigt auf, dass aus okonomischer und okologischer Sicht die Nutzung von Elektro-Lastenradern fur diese Transportaufgaben sinnvoll ware, insbesondere bei Jahresfahrleistungen zwischen 11.000 und 18.000 km. Als weitere Determinanten mussen aber auch die Soziodemographie, berufsbezogene Praktiken sowie individuelle Einstellungen der Kuriere berucksichtigt werden, um die Innovationsbereitschaft gegenuber Elektro-Lastenradern und damit die Erfolgsaussichten dieses Fahrzeugtyps im Wirtschaftsverkehr bewerten zu konnen.