Research Typology and Knowledge Needs for Development in Africa

International audienceThe management of scientific activities efficiently with the aim of development requires that their objectives, methods, roles and their links are clarified. In addition to the three usual research types - basic research, applied research and experimental development, the targeted societal research for decision-making is presented with its specificities. The relevant contrast appears to be less between basic research and experimental development, or between government-driven and society-driven research, than between market-driven research and public-service research. The open knowledge plays here a fundamental role in the evolution of the societies and in their development. The knowledge economy promotes useful research with a technological purpose, which makes very marginal the knowledge production and all what could allow the citizens as the societies to revitalise and redefine themselves, and to answer the present challenges. Eventually, we propose some tracks to strengthen research-developing capabilities in Africa

On-Board Emission Measurement of High-Loaded Light-Duty Vehicles in Algeria

International audienceA sample of eight private gasoline and diesel conventional light-duty vehicles (LDVs) in use with various ages, carrying a load of 460 kg, were tested on a representative trip in the traffic flow of the city of Blida to obtain emission factors representing the actual use conditions of Algerian LDVs. The gas sampling system (mini-constant volume sampling) as well as the analyzers are carried on-board the vehicle. Around 55 tests were conducted during 3 months covering more than 480 km under various real driving conditions. The mean speed downtown is about 16.1 km/hr with a rather low acceleration, an average of 0.60 m/sec2. For each test, kinematics are recorded as well as the analysis of the four emitted pollutants carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and total hydrocarbons. Emission factors were evaluated according to speed for each category of gasoline and diesel engines. The influence of some parameters such as cold/hot start, age of vehicle and its state of maintenance are discussed. Results are compared with the European database ARTEMIS for comparable vehicles. These measurements contribute to the development of unit emission of the vehicles used in Algeria, which are necessary for the calculation of emission inventory of pollutants and greenhouse gases from the road transportation sector. The unit emissions constitute a tool of decision making aid regarding the conception of new regulations of vehicle control and inspection in Algeria and even in similar developing countries

Caractérisation du parc de véhicule algérien et son usage

International audienceThe work started in 1994 aims to characterize the Algerian fleet and its development with usual parameters such as the annual mileage, age and speed by type of vehicle. The methodology used is based on vehicles observation and data collection by surveys and the follow-up of cohort. Investigations are conducted regularly in various sites around the country during the years 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005. In 2003, two surveys were conducted in Blida and Algiers for measuring speeds with speedmeter for different vehicle categories. The results of the 2001 survey showed an average annual mileage of passenger cars of 24600 km and 42730 km. for light duty vehicles for all fuel types. During the two consecutive periods, 1998-2001 and 2001-2005, the rate of vehicles observed aged less than five years varies from 6 to 9%, while the administrative fleet reported 4% for both periods. The fleet observation shows the share of old vehicles older than 20 years in sharp decline from one period to another for each age group and vehicle category with an average of 0.4% per year. The parameters of survival of vehicles were used to build static and running fleets and evaluate the mileage for each category of vehicle per age class and fuel type

Pollution par les particules fines dans l'agglomération d'Alger

International audienceAbsract The study presents the levels of air pollution by fine particulates matters PM-10, PM-2.5 and PM-1 at five different sites in the great Algiers. The results revels that fines particles rise high levels and exceeds le European and WHO guidelines. The respirable fraction PM-2,5 constitute approximately 60% in mass of the PM-10. It is shown that PM-10 particles follow a bimodal distribution which is characteristics of the urban background. The size distribution of heavy metals associated to particles depending of the emission source. The lead which is relatively abundant in Algiers is associated to the very fine particles. The study presents also correlations between some parameters