Search Results (55)

This study investigates associations between socioeconomic and travel variables among users of the São Paulo metro, focusing on travels made for work and study purposes, which are expected to reflect regular commuting patterns, and identifies the main variables associated with mobility characteristics within this group. Using data from the 2017 Origin–Destination Survey conducted by the São Paulo Metro Company, a set of 10,522 respondents was analyzed. The statistical analysis employed Pearson correlation, factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD), and multiple linear regression. The findings indicate that both socioeconomic and travel variables were significantly associated with mobility characteristics among metro system users in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP). The main variables associated with these mobility characteristics were the distance between origin and destination, the distances to the respective stations, travel duration, age, study status, employment status, education level, Brazilian Criteria score, and number of vehicles. Based on the FAMD, these variables were organized into multiple dimensions that could be descriptively grouped into three main groups of information: travel burden and spatial accessibility; life-stage and educational/occupational profile; and life-stage and socioeconomic position. The socioeconomic composition of consistent metro users predominantly includes middle and middle-lower economic classes, with lower economic class, lower household income, and lower education levels being associated with longer travel distances and durations. The study also revealed that most metro travels are within 20 km, with an average travel time of 74 min. These findings suggest that improved infrastructure and better-distributed metro networks throughout the RMSP may contribute to enhancing accessibility, promoting social inclusion, and improving transportation equity. Full article

Large-scale disasters can result in chronic pollution of coastal environments with unanticipated and poorly quantified impacts, such as the reshaping of marine connectivity. A recent example is the collapse of the Fundão tailings dam in 2015, which released about 50 million m³ of mine waste into the Doce River, affecting one of Brazil’s largest estuarine–mangrove systems. Here, we combine a high-resolution CROCO hydrodynamic simulation with an individual-based Lagrangian model (Ichthyop) to track the dispersal of mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus) larvae from four estuaries along the southeastern Brazilian margin between 2022 and 2024. Trajectories crossing seasonal msPAF fields derived from in situ water-quality measurements were used to quantify larval exposure to contaminants from mine waste. These fields were based on measured concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and Al. Results show that surface shelf flow and mesoscale activity in the vicinity of the Doce River mouth contribute to offshore export of larvae, while the reef-dominated Abrolhos shelf promotes retention. Interannual variability alternates between long-distance export and local retention, associated with regional climate variability. Larval mortality rates caused by offshore advection and lethal temperature are high (65–75%). In addition to these modeled mortality sources, surviving cohorts frequently crossed areas with elevated msPAF values during transport, indicating potential exposure to metal(loid) mixtures. This suggests that the regional connectivity of U. cordatus is under chronic stress that likely compromises the integrity and resilience of coastal populations, since southern estuaries depend strongly on northern larval sources. The integration of Lagrangian simulations with in situ contaminant monitoring and spatially explicit exposure metrics demonstrates that transport pathways regulate not only connectivity among estuaries but also the duration and intensity of larval exposure to pollutants. Full article

Metro systems are high-capacity urban rail networks designed to provide fast, reliable, and efficient transportation. This article presents a comparative benchmarking study of six leading metro systems in Brazil and six prominent international cases, aiming to identify best practices and recurring challenges based on key operational, planning, design, governance, and performance indicators. The Brazilian systems analyzed are located in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Recife, and Salvador, while the international cases include London, Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, New York, and Madrid. The methodology combined documentary research with technical analysis of public data sources, institutional reports, and performance indicators. The results reveal significant contrasts in network scale, operational efficiency, governance models, funding mechanisms, and integration with urban planning. São Paulo’s system stands out for its network robustness, automation, and consolidated monitoring framework, while other Brazilian cities face limitations in service coverage and financial sustainability. The international cases offer valuable insights into fare integration, the use of emerging technologies, and the application of performance metrics to foster more sustainable and efficient high-capacity urban transit systems. The findings provide relevant evidence to support policymakers, transport authorities, and urban planners in improving the planning, management, and sustainability of high-capacity urban transit systems. Full article

Occupational exposure to sharps waste represents a critical challenge for public health systems, directly affecting healthcare workers’ safety, institutional costs, and environmental sustainability. This study aimed to analyze sharps waste management practices and to structure improvement actions for biosafety governance in Brazilian Emergency Care Units (ECUs) through the application of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and DMAIC method (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control). A single multiple-case study was conducted across three public units in different regions of Brazil, combining direct observation, regulatory checklists based on ANVISA Resolution No. 222/2018 (RDC), and cause–and–effect (5M) analysis. The diagnostic phase identified recurrent nonconformities in labeling, documentation, and internal transport routes, primarily due to managerial and behavioral gaps. Based on these findings, the DMAIC framework supported the development of a low-cost, evidence-based action plan that outlined proposed interventions, including visual checklists, standardized internal routes, and key performance indicators (KPIs), intended to strengthen biosafety traceability and occupational safety. The se proposed actions are expected to support continuous learning, staff engagement, and a culture of shared responsibility for safe practices. Overall, the study provides a structured basis for future implementation and empirical validation of continuous improvement initiatives, aimed at enhancing public health governance and occupational safety in resource-constrained healthcare environments. Full article

In the Amazon basin, there are few terrestrial communication routes between cities, so river transport is often the only viable alternative for people and cargo. Although high-speed vessels are common in the region, they face operational challenges that endanger crews and passengers. Moreover, their use can impact the environment in various ways. This paper discusses operational difficulties related to the use of high-speed vessels in the Brazilian Amazon, and details possible environmental impacts, based on literature reviews and photographic information from field surveys in the state of Amazonas. The main operational challenges include interacting with complex flows, the possibility of colliding with fixed and moving objects, and the limitation of navigation routes. The main environmental impacts were classified as related to vessel motion, the propulsion system, and waste disposal. There is a need for increased innovation and research into marine applications and sustainability topics. Technical information must be disseminated more widely, including to remote regions. If the region’s sustainability is to be improved, riverine infrastructure must be enhanced and new technologies adopted. Full article

The electrification of public transport with battery electric buses (BEBs) poses technical, regulatory, and environmental challenges. This paper analyzes the impact of BEB charging on a Brazilian urban medium-voltage (MV) feeder using a novel methodology to convert utility GIS data into OpenDSS simulation models. The study utilizes Geographic Database of the Distribution Company (BDGD) data from the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) and OpenDSS simulations. Motivated by Cuiabá’s proposal to electrify its public bus fleet, four realistic scenarios were simulated, incorporating distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operation. Results show that up to 118 BEBs can be charged simultaneously without voltage violations. However, thermal overload occurs beyond 56 units, requiring conductor upgrades or load redistribution. PV systems can supply up to 64% of the daily energy demand but introduce reverse power flows and overvoltages, indicating the need for dynamic control. V2G operation enables peak shaving but also leads to overvoltages when more than 33 buses inject power concurrently. The findings suggest that while the current infrastructure partially supports fleet electrification, future scalability depends on integrating smart grid features and reinforcing the system. Although focused on Cuiabá, the methodology offers a replicable approach for low-carbon urban mobility planning in similar developing regions. Full article

This paper examines the advances and challenges of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in Brazil, considering their potential in promoting sustainable urban mobility. Rapid urbanization and the predominance of private motorized transport have intensified the need for efficient, accessible, and environmentally sound collective transport solutions. BRT has emerged as a cost-effective alternative to rail systems, combining high capacity, lower implementation costs, and operational flexibility. The study focuses on three Brazilian cities (Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Fortaleza) selected for their regional diversity and distinct BRT models. Using the Delphi method, the analysis was structured around three dimensions: road infrastructure, transport planning and networks, and system operation and performance. Results indicate significant progress in terms of exclusive corridors, integration terminals, express services, and the adoption of Intelligent Transport Systems. However, structural gaps persist, particularly regarding incomplete infrastructure, weak integration between trunk and feeder lines, limited monitoring of feeder services, and insufficient adaptation of networks to urban dynamics. The findings highlight that the effectiveness of Brazilian BRT systems depends on strengthening feeder lines, improving physical and fare integration, and expanding sustainable infrastructure. Full article

In the context of soil management, the porous structure present in these systems plays a relevant role due to its capacity to store and transport water, nutrients, gases, and provide root fixation. A detailed and precise analysis of these structures can assist specialists in determining specific agricultural solutions and management practices for each soil, depending on the characteristics of its porous structure. In this regard, this study presents a hybrid method for segmenting porous structures in micro computed tomography (micro CT) images of carbonate rocks, with a focus on applications in agricultural soil analysis and management. Initially, preprocessing steps such as Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) and histogram specification are applied in order to improve image contrast and uniformity. Subsequently, a UNet convolutional neural network is employed to identify pore contours, followed by the application of two geostatistical approaches, ordinary kriging and Universal Kriging, with the purpose of completing segmentation through the interpolation of unclassified regions. The proposed approach was evaluated using the dataset “16 Brazilian Pre Salt Carbonates”, which includes high-resolution micro CT images. The results show that the integration of UNet with ordinary kriging achieved superior performance, with 79.2% IoU, 93.3% precision, 81.7% recall, and 87.1% F1 Score. This method enables detailed analyses of pore distribution and the porous structure of soils and rocks, supporting a better understanding of inherent characteristics such as permeability, porosity, and nutrient retention in soil, thus contributing to more assisted agricultural planning and more efficient soil use strategies. Full article

Understanding coastal hydraulic processes is essential for sustainable coastal planning and management, especially in semi-arid regions where data scarcity represents a significant challenge. This study sought to apply the Brazilian Coastal Modelling System (SMC-Brasil) to analyse the coastal hydraulic processes present on the Brazilian semi-arid coast in Rio Grande do Norte, seeking to understand its boundary conditions given the scarcity of data and limited monitoring network. The methodological procedures followed five main stages: data collection and processing, running the models, statistical analysis, and interpretation of the results. The simulations identified wave propagation and dissipation patterns influenced by local bathymetric features such as sandy banks and submarine canyons. The modelling indicated waves with an average Hs₅₀% of 1.14 m, with dominant directions from ENE to ESE. Longitudinal flows ranged from 1 to 8 m³/h, with a predominance of east to west at medium and high tides. The modelling indicated spatial gradients of energy and sediment transport compatible with historical records and field observations. The results show that submerged relief irregularities play a central role in regional coastal dynamics, conditioning current flows and deposition. The application of SMC-Brasil has shown potential to fill monitoring gaps in regions with low infrastructure, offering affordable and effective technical support for adaptive coastal planning in the face of climate change impacts. Full article

A three-dimensional numerical model was developed using Delft3D-Flow to simulate temperature dynamics, flow circulation, and sediment transport in Água Preta Lake, a shallow urban lake in the Brazilian Amazon. The simulation incorporated meteorological and physical data—including water inflows, temperature, bathymetry, and bed roughness—collected through in situ campaigns and meteorological stations. It was calibrated using a temperature time series (RMSE = 0.27 °C; MAE = 0.87 °C; R² = 0.79; ρ = 0.89), and validated with two flow velocity measurements (RMSE = 0.009–0.012 m/s; ρ = 0.1–0.5) and with 19 temperature profiles over 4 months (RMSE = 0.08–0.93 °C; MAE = 0.12–2.04 °C; R² = 0.00–0.99; ρ = −0.29–0.99). Due to its shallowness, the lake does not develop thermal stratification, with a maximum vertical temperature difference of only 2 °C. The lake is fed by high-discharge inflows that significantly affect internal circulation and promote resuspension. This may increase turbidity and possibly alter ecological dynamics, favoring eutrophication processes. Additionally, the simulation showed sediment accumulation rate of 27,780 m³/year; if continuous, this indicates complete siltation in about 318 years. These results emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring, effective management of anthropogenic pressures, and restoration efforts, to prevent further degradation of these systems. Full article

Purely electric and hybrid vehicles are emerging as the transport sector’s response to meet climate goals, aiming to mitigate global warming. As the adoption of transport electrification increases, the importance of recycling components of the electric propulsion system at the end of their life grows, particularly the battery pack, which significantly contributes to the vehicle’s final cost and generates environmental impacts and CO₂ during production. This work presents an overview of the recycling processes for lithium-ion automotive batteries, emphasizing the developing Brazilian scenario and more established international scenarios. In Brazil, companies and research centers are investing in recycling and using reused cathode material to manufacture new batteries through the hydrometallurgical process. On the international front, pyrometallurgy and physical recycling are being applied, and other methods, such as direct processes and biohydrometallurgy, are also under study. Regardless of the recycling method, the main challenge is scaling prototype processes to meet current and future battery demand, driven by the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles, pursuing both environmental gains through reduced mining and CO₂ emissions and economic viability to make recycling profitable and support global electrification. Full article

The Brazilian forestry sector comprises 9.94 million hectares of plantations, with eucalyptus dominating 75% of this area for pulp production. Technological advances have enhanced machinery performance, with the cut-to-length system being the primary method for pulpwood production. This study aimed to optimize the operational cycle of the log loader by evaluating productivity, operational cycles, and loading costs. Data were collected in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, from a forestry company operating under varying productivity scenarios and forest rotations. Time and motion studies were conducted to assess the log loader’s cycles, while productivity and cost analyses were performed. The results indicated that predictive models effectively explained productivity variations. The log loader’s productivity increased with the average volume per tree (AVT) and decreased with the number of movements, which consumed 68% of the cycle time due to wood adjustment and stack organization. Stages such as personal breaks, truck movements, crane adjustments, and cleaning of fallen material showed no significant statistical differences. Loading costs rose by up to 154% with increased movements and decreased with a higher AVT. Additionally, loading tri-train trucks significantly influenced transportation efficiency, emphasizing the importance of optimizing the log loader’s cycle to balance costs and enhance transportation operations. Full article

The Brazilian port sector faces an urgent need for modernization to meet the demands of the contemporary global economy. A significant challenge lies in the shallow depth of access channels, which hinders the navigation of larger ships with deeper drafts, and the fact that many ports are constrained by the proximity of large cities, limiting their expansion. This study aims to identify Brazilian ports with the potential to accommodate post-Panamax ships, a critical component of modern maritime trade. Using a multi-criteria evaluation system, five key criteria were selected: water depth, land capacity for expansion, dredging requirements, water accessibility, and transport infrastructure. These criteria were systematically applied to 210 Brazilian port facilities, analyzed through QGIS 3.38.3 software using satellite imagery and literature sources. To prioritize the most suitable ports, Pareto analysis and quartile analysis were employed, resulting in the identification of 58 port facilities as prime candidates for expansion. This research provides a data-driven framework to guide the modernization of Brazilian ports, positioning them to better serve the growing demands of the global maritime industry. Full article

Electric mobility has been widely discussed as a viable solution for decarbonizing the transport sector and promoting urban sustainability. However, the integration of electric mobility into urban planning still requires further in-depth research. This article aims to identify the key attributes linking electric mobility with urban planning through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and to provide an overview of the Brazilian context regarding policies and guidelines for electromobility. The findings indicate that the primary attributes connecting electric mobility to urban planning include the alignment of existing plans and guidelines, sectoral integration, transport infrastructure, multi-sectoral engagement, environmental sustainability, urbanism, user profiles, technologies, and governance. In Brazil, despite the existence of national guidelines, there is still a gap in updating public policies to fully integrate electromobility into urban planning. The study concludes that a stronger integration between electric mobility and urban planning policies is necessary, along with more robust incentives for the electrification of public transport. By identifying these attributes, this study provides a structured framework for policymakers and urban planners to enhance regulatory mechanisms, infrastructure planning, and governance strategies, contributing to more sustainable, resilient, and efficient urban mobility systems. Full article

Community Restaurants (CRs), part of the Brazilian government’s Popular Restaurant Program (PRP), provide free and/or affordable nutritionally balanced meals as an essential strategy to meet the most vulnerable population’s basic needs and rights. This cross-sectional study evaluated the effectiveness of these CRs’ proposed objectives in cities with ≥100,000 inhabitants in Brazil’s northern and northeastern regions—Brazil’s most vulnerable and historically unequal regions. Effectiveness was assessed using a CR evaluation matrix-based indicator system to classify CRs as “not very effective”, “effective”, or “very effective”. Among the 94 CRs assessed (north: n = 23, 24.5%; northeast: n = 71, 75.5%), most were classified as “effective” or “very effective”, except for the northern states of Amapá and Tocantins, whose only CR was rated as “not very effective” and the northeastern state of Sergipe, which had a PR considered “not very effective”. State-operated CRs predominated (north: 82.6%; northeast: 76.1%) and primarily operated Monday to Friday (north: 87.0%; northeast: 59.2%), with 35.2% of the northeast CRs operating daily, serving lunch as the main meal (100%). Average daily meal counts were 486.5 (north) and 926.9 (northeast), and the average meal offering time was from 10:55 am to 1:21 pm in the north and from 10:35 am to 2:00 pm in the northeast region, with costs averaging USD 0.27 and USD 0.20, respectively. All CRs employed a nutritionist as a technical manager responsible for menu planning and demonstrated compliance with essential infrastructure criteria, including regular waste collection, water supply, and proximity to public transport. Most were in areas with sanitary sewage coverage (north: 91.3%; northeast: 98.6%) and had monitoring mechanisms (91.3% north; 94.4% northeast) and prioritization systems for vulnerable populations (north: 73.9%; northeast: 80.0%). These findings indicate that CRs in these regions effectively strive to address food security goals, demonstrating tangible outcomes that benefit society. Full article