Vladimír Adamec

Levels and Health Risk Assessment of PM10 Aerosol in Brno, Czech Republic

OBJECTIVE The main effort of this work was to evaluate the situation of the atmosphere in selected regions of Brno during the years 2009-2013 and to estimate health risks which might come up due to the increased concentrations of airborne particulate matter. METHODS PM10 samples were collected in four areas varying in degree of automobile traffic using automatic and gravimetric sampling methods. PM10 concentrations were assessed using Spearmans rank correlation coefficient. Health risks were estimated based on calculation of relative risks and population for four health endpoints. The selected health outcomes were premature mortality, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and chronic bronchitis. RESULTS The highest PM10 concentrations were measured in two regions with high traffic loads T1, T2 and background region B2. The values were 34.33 ± 11.52 µg·m-3 in 2010, 34.87 ± 12.03 µg·m-3 in 2013 and 34.52 ± 8.81 µg·m-3 in 2009, respectively. The highest correlation was between T1 and T2 having Spearmans correlation coefficient 0.888 followed by T1-B1 pair with coefficient 0.886. For all health outcomes, the highest health effect of PM (E) was determined for T2 site in 2010 which was 48 ± 14, 49 ± 21, 44 ± 19 and 24 ± 10 for premature mortality, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and chronic bronchitis, respectively. CONCLUSION The concentrations are highly correlated, especially in traffic regions. The annual concentrations did not exceed the legislation limit but 24-hours limit was exceeded more than two times in several cases. The highest number of cases with a given health outcome was estimated in traffic regions especially for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality.

Impact of usable coefficient of adhesion between tyre and road surface by modern vehicle on its dynamics while driving and braking in the curve

The paper deals in detail with the analysis of driving and braking of the Volvo V40 T5 AWD Cross Country vehicle in the curve with radius 30, 40 and 50 meters laying emphasis on usable coefficient of adhesion values between tyre and road surface in the longitudinal and lateral direction. Individual dynamical driving and braking experiments in the curve were carried out using both modes of the Volvo stability system DSTC. We found out the range of values of coefficient of adhesion in the longitudinal and lateral direction depending on the vehicle speed and curve radius of the road. Experimentally determined values are utilised efficiently for the calculation of limit speed of a modern vehicle in the curve or, for instance, at the forensic reconstruction of a road accident.

Issues of Hazardous Materials Transport and Possibilities of Safety Measures in the Concept of Smart Cities

The transportation of goods and supplies is an essential part of maintaining a functioning urban infrastructure. It also involves the transport of dangerous goods. This type of transportation may especially in the urban areas signify a high risk that may significantly damage the critical infrastructure of the city, if there is an accident and leakage of dangerous chemical substances. The aim is therefore, to minimize the risk and its consequences. The effective instruments are through the identification, analysis and assessment of these risks, searching for critical areas in cities and ensuring the application of prevention and safety measures. This paper aims to introduce the issue of the risks associated with the transportation of hazardous substances in the cities and to propose measures that are in accordance with the concept of Smart Cities, in order to contribute to create of functional communication network, traffic flow in cities and increasing the security of critical infrastructure.