Traffic congestion and associated air pollution - Problems

Traffic congestion and associated air pollution - Problems

1. Congestion

   • Lack of Concentration
     • Drivers can become frustrated and complacent when in traffic for a long time, leading to them making irrational decisions or not concentrating to a safe degree and therefore causing more traffic collisions and ultimately more deaths.
   • Frustration
     • If people are in traffic for a long time it is not uncommon to get frustrated if they are going to be late. This results in drivers getting frustrated which will lead to a lack of concentration.
   • Increased air pollution in slow moving traffic
     • Traffic results in cars moving very small distances at a time, resulting in the cars remaining in lower gears. Lower gears burn fuel less efficiently, resulting in increased greenhouse emissions, and therefore increase the amount of smog in the air, resulting in poorer air quality and higher health risks.

2. Air Pollution

   • Smog
     • "Smog" is an amalgamation of "Smoky Fog" and is caused by the exhaust emissions of motor vehicles and factories, consisting of mainly smoke and Sulphur Dioxide. Smog is a problem because when inhaled it can damage the lungs, as well as eyes and nose inflamation.
       • https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/smog.htm
   • Lead in fuels
     • Tetraethyllead was a main component in motor vehicle fuels, whilst not used as much in developed countries, it is still prominent in some third world countries. It is a problem because it is poisonous and and neurotoxin.
       • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraethyllead
   • Greenhouse gasses
     • Greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, and various Nitrogen Oxides are all produced when fuels are burned. The release of these fuels results in deterioration of the ozone layer which is a main factor of global warming