Visualizing greenhouse gas emissions from construction activities using geo-spatial information systems

Purpose – Construction activities, particularly related to transportation, have a considerable impact on the environment and air quality. This paper aims to present a geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design (CAD)-based approach for visualizing, communicating and analysing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from construction activities. Design/methodology/approach – A methodology using GIS is developed to graphically represent spatial aspects of construction. The approach adopted involves use of a 3D model developed in CAD environment, which was synchronized with a construction schedule stored in Excel spreadsheets. GIS environment is used to link spatial and scheduling information relevant to GHG emissions from construction activities. Abaseline was created to enable effective monitoring of construction emissions. Findings – The presented GIS model has the potential to enhance visualisation of distribution and dynamic variations of GHG emissions and could help stakeholders better analyse and understand how construction activities impact the environment. Originality/value – This paper presents a novel method of graphically presenting GHG and other hazardous air emissions from construction activities using a GIS-based approach. The paper presents the result of comparing the 3D surface representation of simulated estimated and actual construction emissions to show the impact of construction activities on the environment to support the engineering analysis and decision-making process

An Agent-based Indoor Wayfinding Based on Digital Sign System

Developing effective urban planning approaches is a major challenge for outdoor and indoor environments. Wayfinding in unfamiliar indoor environments is a prime task which everyone would be encountered. The development of assistive technologies to aid wayfinding is hampered by the lack of reliable and cost-efficient methods providing location information in the environment. We have applied RFID technology as a low-cost and operative approach. Our contribution is the suitable design and placement of digital sign system that can be readily detected by a handheld device. We have simulated the task with an agent-based modeling. The hypothesis of the research is that the wayfinder has a handheld device such as a PDA or a mobile system which receives and responses the signals from digital signs through passive tags. Performance of the simulation showed that the appropriate design of digital signs in an unfamiliar environment would result in a more efficient wayfinding process

Infrastructure Support for Bioenergy Development in Cities

Worldwide, bioenergy production is increasing. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the types of infrastructural modifications necessary to support further bioenergy development in ways that are both cost effective and environmentally sustainable. This paper provides an overview of the infrastructure support crucial for enabling large-scale bioenergy production in cities. Three waste-to-bioenergy pathways to produce biodiesel from waste oils, syngas from plasma gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW), and bioenergy from algae are reviewed. (i) To produce biodiesel from waste oils, a cost-effective feedstock collection system is key as feedstock cost, including transportation cost, is the single largest contributor to total cost. (ii) To promote the production of syngas from MSW by plasma gasification, a decentralized approach is recommended in the near to medium term. This is because at present, there is still little experience operating large MSW plasma gasification plants. A decentralized approach creates opportunities for public-private partnerships, leading to investments to gain operational experience. Soft infrastructure in the form of a well-developed recycling program or legislation is also necessary to ensure the gasification does not compete with recycling for recyclables. (iii) To produce bioenergy from algae, two infrastructures are vital. The first is infrastructure to integrate wastewater treatment and algae cultivation with nutrients and carbon dioxide recycling. The second is infrastructure to create large surface areas from sides of buildings and/or rooftops that are well exposed to sunlight for algae growth. Provided these infrastructures are in place, the three pathways, combined, have the potential to supply up to 12–16 % of Hong Kong’s electricity demand if converting the energy products from the pathways to electricity. Further, the pathways create new interdependencies between the waste and energy sectors. The interdependencies, while synergistic, could lead to new vulnerabilities such that a failure of one sector will cause a failure in the other as well. Care must be taken when designing systems to minimize this