Spatial analysis of accessibility to support decision-making in urban investments : a case in Amazonia - Brazil

City planning processes are often supported by decision-making methods that involve selection, evaluation and combination of several factors. Also, nowadays, the accessibility is one important issue for the development of cities. So, factors closely related to the accessibility are very relevant to identify and assess the location of urban facilities, which stresses the interest of evaluating accessibility methods. The main goal of the paper is to present an accessibility evaluation model applied in Santarém, in Brazil, a city located midway between the larger cities of Belem and Manaus. The paper describes the research instruments, sampling method and data analysis proposed for mapping urban accessibility. Basic activities (education, health, services, leisure and commerce) provided by the city were used to identify the main key-destinations. The model was implemented within a Geographic Information System and integrates the individual’s perspective, through the definition of each key destination weight, reflecting their significance for daily activities in the urban area. T he results of this model application can support city administration decision-making for new investments in order to improve urban quality of live. In addition, the model can simulate and analyze several planning proposal for the city, e.g., expansion of the transport network, the construction of new education and health services, helping to understand which will be the consequences of those actions

Factors associated with musculoskeletal an postural discomfort of bus drivers

Background: Sitting and driving for long hours can subject bus drivers' bodies to the stress of poor blood circulation and static muscle contractions. Body posture and workplace ergonomics influence musculoskeletal and discomfort. Consequently, musculoskeletal stress and inadequate posture increase muscle and joint overloads. Such factors contribute to the discomfort of these workers and increase their health problems. However, the factors associated with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort among bus drivers are insufficiently understood. The objectives of this study is to identify repetitive and forced postural changes, which cause musculoskeletal disorders, with bodily discomfort and worsening injuries and to detect incompatibilities between the anthropometry of drivers and the working environment of the bus, in addition to recommend preventive measures. Methods: Through an empirical and observational method, 65 drivers and 38 buses were surveyed, over four months in a bus transportation company in Bel em, State of Par a, Brazil. Ergonomics of the cabin features and techniques to assess postural discomfort have been implemented; Measurements of the vehicle cabin were made for the conformity evaluation to the Brazilian standards; Interviews with drivers to survey their socio-ergonomic profile and complaints about health problems; Questionnaire, performed after the drivers' working day, using Corlett and Bishop's body part discomfort scale to assess the interviewee's direct experience of discomfort in different body parts. Results: The profile of drivers, most of them are over 50 years old and have more than 6 years in the occupation, and with frequent long time shifts and overtime, can explain tiredness and discomfort. The lower back region is the most prevalent for discomfort level. Repetitive and forced postural changes were observed, performed in an almost fixed position in the sitting posture. The permanent musculoskeletal disorder arises from this longlasting static sitting posture between the seat and the steering wheel. Conclusion: Findings reveal that ergonomic layout of the cabin features could be improved by ergonomic changes in the design. Psychological and physical stresses characterize bus driving conditions and fatigue, overwork, and traffic environments, which contributed greatly to the symptoms observed and the respective diseases. Twenty six percent of bus drivers who participated in the study are burdened with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort that could eventually lead to the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Henceforth, ergonomic changes are recommended for posture adjustment and maintaining the driver vigilant for long working hours, including simple adjustments, such as instructing the driver to take more frequent breaks. Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorder(s). Bus drivers. Ergonomic features

Contributos da mobilidade urbana na promoção de cidades felizes em cidades inteligentes

O processo desordenado de urbanização nas grandes cidades no mundo tem causado redução na qualidade de vida no ambiente urbano de circulação, com a presença constante de congestionamentos e acidentes de trânsito. Além disso, há perdas econômicas e de produtividade per capita para a sociedade como um todo. O planejamento urbano tornou-se um desafio permanente de promover o desenvolvimento sustentável e, também, para garantir um ambiente de negócios atrativo para novos investimentos. A mobilidade urbana ganhou dimensão social estratégica de planejamento, tema constante nas discussões sobre o futuro das cidades, sendo elemento norteador de ocupação e adensamento populacional, servindo de suporte para os projetos urbanos dentro do conceito emergente de cidades inteligentes[1]

The influence of socio-spatial segregation on urban mobility indicators: the case of Belém – PA/ A influência da segregação sócio-espacial nos indicadores de mobilidade urbana: o caso de Belém - PA

The article discusses how the suburb socio-spatial segregation influences the urban mobility of a population, using Belém-PA, Brazil as a case study. The methodology started from the integration of socioeconomic and transport microdata for areas containing selected household and their spatial location, that were obtained from the 2010 Brazilian Census. In the spatial analysis of these microdata, the variation in the average commute time for each resident was observed, given the geographic location of the central business district (CBD) and other commercial and industrial agglomerations. In the results, the generated maps, compared to the on-site visit, allowed to identify the subareas with major and minor mobility and the priorities for investment in transport infrastructure

Evaluation of perception on environmental movement: accessibility centered in the user

Introduction: The discussion about accessibility in urban environments is observed in several studies,but the vast majority focuses attention on structural elements and not the user. Objective: This study proposes a method of assessing urban environmental movement, from the point of view of its users, to identify the relationship between perceived barriers and facilitators in the environment movement and aspects of the body functions and structures and the users’ participation in activities, which denotes the degree of accessibility of these people in this space. Method: It describes a case study in Belem, Para state, utilizing a method of assessing the perception of users, based on indicators of environmental factors, activity and participation, structure and functions of the body, highlighted by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – ICF. Results:The main finding of this study indicates that people’s perceptions about their environment directly influences the movement involved in their occupations. Conclusion: Studies with this content are relevant and necessary in our current society, because they reveal how changes in major urban centers influence the accessibility and involvement of people in their occupations, thereby directly interfering with their health, quality of life, and participation in society

A viabilidade do corredor arco norte: revisão de literatura e perspectivas de pesquisas no Brasil : Arco norte corridor viability: literature review and research perspectives in Brazil

O Corredor Arco Norte foi proposto como alternativa para o escoamento da produção do planalto central do Brasil, em particular, do Estado do Mato Grosso. A análise dos estudos de viabilidade do corredor Arco Norte concretizou-se no meio técnico e acadêmico em face do potencial de desenvolvimento da região Norte, com demanda de carga de soja em expansão e as facilidades de transportes existentes, tais como portos e rede viária intermodal. Ademais, a rede de transportes utilizada pelas regiões Sudeste e Sul estão cada vez mais em estágio de esgotamento de capacidade e acréscimos de custos. Há diversos aspectos tratados através de estudos técnicos governamentais e privados, bem como na academia, porém, observou-se a necessidade de condensar esses estudos, para verificar de fato os avanços de conhecimentos existentes e, ainda, a necessidade de questões a serem melhor debatidas. Diante do exposto, este artigo apresenta uma revisão de literatura referente aos estudos sobre Corredor Arco Norte, publicados em fontes de acesso público, identificando-se os resultados obtidos e sugerindo futuras pesquisas. A metodologia consistiu numa pesquisa teórica, com revisão sistemática de literatura, partindo da descrição do Corredor Arco Norte, apresentação dos estudos obtidos de bases de busca brasileiras, da análise e condensação de conteúdo; seguida de discussão sobre os resultados e recomendações de caminhos de avanços nas pesquisas. Dentre os resultados obtidos, mostrou-se o potencial do projeto para o país em diversos aspectos; o conhecimento da literatura existente e; as questões que precisam ser melhores ou, ainda, não foram investigadas

Optimization method applied to decision-making on intermodal alternative for soybean outflow in the State of Pará-Brazil

In Brazil, the sector of agribusiness suffers with the lack of infrastructure for the production outflow and as transportation costs increase, they affect its competitiveness in the world scenario. In this work, an optimization model was developed to support decision-making to soybeans transport for export, in regions in the state of Para (Brazil) near to Tocantins-Araguaia waterway. The study applied a Linear Programming model, adopting the transport problem, in search of minimizing the costs of alternative routes, restricted to the respective supply and demand limitations. The model aimed to minimize the transport costs from the production centers to the exporting port, through the current infrastructure and suggesting the road and waterway intermodal alternative by means of the interior navigation, considering diverse points for transshipment. The results showed a cost reduction for production outflow in the base year of the study when the intermodal transport was used. Furthermore, the new routes only by waterway created a new transport network configuration, decreasing the road distances for the municipalities production outflow, supporting the increasing of competitiveness of the state, as well as providing wealth generation in the region

Modelagem da acessibilidade como suporte à tomada de decisão em investimentos urbanos na Amazônia: O caso de Santarém-PA

O artigo trata da dinâmica do transporte Expresso na rede fluvial amazônica, à luz das transformações sociais ocorridas no espaço regional-global e, para isso, busca-se compreender as principais rotas e conexões onde esses barcos se fazem presentes na região. Foram utilizadas como bases analíticas os conceitos de espaço, técnica, fluxos e redes, que se colocam como dispositivos analíticos importantes nas ciências humanas, devido à capacidade para compreender a articulação entre os lugares, pois a sociedade, assim como os meios de transportes, organiza-se em redes. Para principal obtenção de dados utilizou-se o trabalho de campo, que foi realizado a partir de entrevistas e viagens nas embarcações, bem como visitas a órgãos competentes. Tomou-se como ponto de partida o Porto da Manaus Moderna, visto que o fluxo da navegação amazonense acontece predominantemente à partir deste porto. Após essa etapa, investigou-se mais profundamente as calhas do Rio Amazonas e Solimões, priorizando as seguintes rotas: Manaus-Tabatinga e Manaus-Coari-Tefé. Investigou-se, também, o funcionamento dos Expressos em Itacoatiara, já que essa cidade apresenta função de distribuição na rede fluvial para outras cidades do entorno. O crescimento do uso dos barcos Expressos, cuja prioridade é o transporte de passageiros, é evidente em várias rotas, visto que realizam viagens mais 16 DAVID, R. C. A. Universidade Federal do Amazonas TERRA DO MAR DOCE: Contribuições da Academia para a Navegação na Amazôniav.1, n. 1, 2020, p. 13-43 velozes do que as embarcações de transporte misto, ao mesmo tempo apresentam custo maior para os passageiros. Estes barcos estão presentes em várias rotas do transporte regional, modificando a maneira tradicional de articulação entre cidades na Amazônia, pois o tempo dos deslocamentos é consideravelmente reduzido com a utilização dos Expressos. Desta forma, percebe- se uma tendência de expansão deste serviço para outras rotas no Amazonas, basicamente ligando as principais cidades do estado à capital Manaus, maior mercado de origem e destino de passageiros

A spatial multicriteria model for urban accessibility mapping

Accessibility is nowadays an important issue for the development of cities. It is seen as a priority in order toguarantee equal access to fundamental rights, to improve the quality of life of citizens and to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, mobility or ability, have equal access to all the resources and benefits cities have to offer. Consequently, factors closely related to the accessibility have gained a higher relevance for identifying and assessing the location of urban facilities. The main goal of the paper is to present an accessibility evaluation model applied in Santarém, in Brazil, a city located midway between the larger cities of Belem and Manaus. The research instruments, sampling method and data analysis proposed for mapping urban accessibility are described. Daily activities were used to identify and group key destinations. The model was implemented within a geographic information system and integrates the individualâ s perspective through the definition of each key destination weight, reflecting their significance for daily activities in the urban area. Accessibility to key destinations was mapped over 24 districts of the city of Santarém. The results of this model application can support city administration decision-making for new investments in order to improve urban quality of life