Department of Civil Engineering \ Transportation

Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment

The National University of Malaysia

Semester I - Session 2015/2016

Urban Transport Planning

Task 8 / Environmental Impact

Name Student

Ameer Abdul Adheem Hussein

P81466

Lecturer

PROF. DATO' IR. DR RIZA ATIQ ABDULLAH BIN O.K. RAHMAT

Task 8 \\

Choose any highway construction. Evaluate development impact to the environment in the following areas, both during and after construction:

(a) Soil and erosion. Likely impacts for soil quality and soil erosion are assessed.

(b) Water (Change in hydrological characteristics (change in ground water level), change in water quality).

(c) Flora (Impact for rare plant species).          

(d) Fauna (Impact for rare animal species).             

(e) Noise.                          

(f) Air quality.               

(g) Society life and economical activity.      

(h) Land use (Change in land use, possible conflicts with the existing land use plans).

(i) Cultural heritage.           

(j) Landscape (Compatibility with the plans of nature frame. Impact for valuable landscape complexes, protected areas).

Solution \\

Introduction:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. An environmental system has been developed to minimize the environmental impact of projects. Details to the contractor will mitigate construction impacts and documents the contractor’s plans for inspecting, monitoring, Construction of transport infrastructure can have significant environmental impacts of not undertaken with care. The objective to study the impact on environment to provide construction workers with the knowledge to identify environmental issues associated with their activities and best practice methods to minimize environmental impact. It will also outline environmental legal obligations relevant to construction activities.

Completion and maintenance of the highway in Iraq (Highway No.1&NO.2), which is the first project of its kind in the country in terms of linking the eastern Mediterranean countries, the Arab Gulf States as well as linking the provinces of Western diameter and Central by the South with a length of 1,200 kilometers almost start from the Iraqi border - the Syrian and Iraqi-Jordanian to the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border add to branch to the center of Basra province, and because of the magnitude of this project, which was longer because of Iraq's largest and sprayed ways for quick passage of the world.Designed braces numerous horizontal to spare road users unchanged boredom and drowsiness and because of Driving for long distances on a straight road and designed brackets horizontal diameters and large due to design high speed (140 km \ h) has been made Visibility (Sight Distance) high and designed the road to six lanes with a corridor to stand forced the along the straighter road with airstrips compelling aircraft number \ 6 and all intersections containing bridges two levels or three levels and the number of high bridges 113 bridge and the number of the lower bridges 85 bridge and there are several parking for cars stations (Parking area) passenger comfort and is equipped with a fence and a protective Negotiable lift and furnished the road all the requirements traffic safety so as to ensure the comfort and the safety, speed and access to the target, such as fencing and protective fencing wire and fences safety of bridges and signs of traffic types and reflectors phosphorous and system lighting of the junctions and

the phone system forced route planning and designed the way to take the focus of the weight of a central rate of 16.3 tons and contains the way a number of the rest stations and packaging fuel with centers for the immediate and ambulance traffic control points.

Highway in Iraq (Highway No. 1 & No. 2 with line red), in terms of linking the eastern Mediterranean countries, the Arab Gulf States.

(a) Soil and erosion:Soil erosion is one form of soil degradation along with soil compaction, low organic matter, loss soil structure, poor internal drainage, salinization, and soil acidity problems. These other forms of soil degradation, serious in themselves, usually contribute to accelerated soil erosion.

Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process on all land. And the distribution of soil forms present varies considerably along the route in keeping with changing topography and position on the slope. Soil erosion may be a slow process that continues relatively unnoticed, or it may occur at an alarming rate causing serious loss of topsoil. The loss of soil from farmland may be reflected in reduced crop production potential, lower surface water quality and damaged drainage networks.

Soil stabilization protects soil from erosion, waterlogging and salinization. Amenity Vegetation beautifies or enhances the character of an area heritage may be of historical importance or protected by legislation.

There are some streams in the project that are crossed by one or more of the roads alternatives and thus, would be soil affected because road works, also flow rainwater of sides of highway causing soil erosion.

(b) Water (Change in hydrological characteristics):

Some picture Highway No. 1 in Iraq

Some of the rain water usually seeps into the ground, but when they fall on the ground is a window such as asphalt roads, parking lots, it begins to flow in a slope, and this sketch set forth below to illustrate the percentages and the change in hydrological characteristics (change in the groundwater level, and change in water quality). Due to road works and the movement of heavy equipment, machinery and soil compaction; it will impact for ground water and water quality, and it will also contaminate the groundwater.

(c) Flora:  May be urban street trees or remnant native vegetation; Vegetation has a range of benefits including biodiversity contains a diverse range of plants and provides, habitat for animals and insects, remnant native vegetation or naturally occurring local native plants include trees, small ground covers, native grasses, wetland plants and marine plants, these plants been located in natural scrub or in isolated plants in a modified setting. The pollution with particles is suspension (dust) may generate negative effects, should be for the protection of flora the road alignment and does not cross the forest areas.

(d) Fauna: Native vegetation provides habitat for native animals, reptiles and insects including shelter, food, protection from predators and breeding areas. The Environmental Management Implementation Plan identifies any special requirements for protecting native fauna on your site.

Construction sites may encroach on native animal habitat and it is important to make sure that no native animals are harmed or killed during construction operations. If animals, including lizards and snakes, are found on site and are likely to be damaged by earthmoving equipment, they should be relocated to an area away from the project.

Ensure that no runoff of materials, fuels or other substances is allowed to enter storm water drains, watercourses and the marine environment to avoid damage to aquatic and marine animals and fish, usually in certain parts of the new road section perennial or semi-perennial streams and small wetlands occur.

The flora and fauna in areas to be impacted by the proposed road should be adequately assessed, to ensure that no protected or threatened species are lost:

- Appropriate fencing should be erected to prevent animals and livestock from gaining access to the proposed road.

- The presence of threatened bird species should be established and disruption of these species during the breeding season avoided.

- Existing wetlands should be conserved.- Impacts on wells and the Stream of rivers on various farms along the

route should be addressed.

(e) Noise:                      Excessive noise can be a considerable nuisance to neighbors. It is important to minimize noise emissions, particularly outside normal operating hours and in areas of sensitive land use.

Vibration excessive vibration may cause property damage and be a nuisance to neighbors. Vibration may be due to blasting, piling, truck movements and compacting operations.

Existing sources of noise along the route would include traffic, agricultural activities (tractors) and road traffic using the secondary and farm roads in the area. Stakeholders are concerned about the potential noise from the highway and its visual impact on the environment. Key issues raised are:

- The highway will be visible from farmhouses and be unsightly.- The noise (large vehicles) and air pollution (dust) that will be

generated during construction of the road will be disturbing.

The design engineers will be advised sites so that they can incorporate noise-reducing surfaces at these points.

(f) Air quality:            

The main component of air pollution derived from construction activities is fugitive dust. Fugitive dust is the generation of sufficient particulate matter that some portion of the material escapes beyond the construction boundary. Fugitive dust emissions can be created by many construction related activities. Reasonable precautions are typically sufficient to control fugitive dust emissions during construction. Dust can cause a nuisance to neighbors and impact on the environment by contaminating plants and watercourses.New road construction per se is not a marked generator of dust since effective dust suppression systems exist. However, gaseous emissions as a result of increased traffic volumes may affect the air quality. Other air emissions are related to the exhaust fumes of equipment. These emissions are generally controlled by ensuring that equipment is well maintained.

(g) Society life and economical activity:Interest by stakeholders in becoming involved in aspects of the project that would boost the local economy. Stakeholders asked if local expertise and resources could be used whenever possible. Key issues rose included:

- The proposed roads may impact negatively on the economic viability of businesses.

- Quality of life for adjacent residents will be affected by the proposed road.

- Local labor should be utilized of the project, and created new job opportunities.

- If possible, local haulage companies should be used to transport materials.

- Informal settlements next to the proposed his should be provided with a bridge or underway to enable safe crossing of the highway.

- Transport costs would become prohibitive if local road users have to pay toll fees.

- Informal settlements should be addressed in accordance with the responsibilities of the various spheres of government.

(h) Land use:Most of the land along the proposed route; is proclaimed paved roads. The existing paved roads pass through numerous small towns, where the land use can be classified as residential and industrial. The proposed new road passes through farmland primarily used for agriculture and grazing. Numbers of stakeholders have expressed concern of the value and viability of their farms could be negatively impacted by the construction of the proposed road. The principal issues of concern are that:

- The value of farmland will be lowered, especially if the road traverses their land. But during operation increases the value of farmland, especially lands on road sides.

- The economic viability of farms would be negatively impacted upon.- Existing agricultural infrastructure such as crop sprayers, boreholes,

pipelines, points of access to farms or portions of farms would be affected.

- Current farming practices on certain portions of farms may no longer be viable if these areas are split by a road.

(i) Cultural heritage:Definition of material and cultural resources that it includes any movable or immovable objects, sites, structures, groups of structures, natural monuments and landscapes of archaeological, historical, archaeological, religious and aesthetic and cultural significance, and others. The physical cultural resources may be located in urban or rural areas, and can be above or below ground or under water. These cultural resources may be of interest at the local level and at the provincial level or the national level, or within the international community, and in the case of accidents lead to results or raised on the physical and cultural resources that may occur during the implementation of sub-projects, the contractor must inform the municipality immediately, and this means that:

- Contractor is responsible for identifying the following "measures to find the assets" in the event of detection of culturally valuable materials during drilling.

- Stop working immediately after the discovery of any material doubted that have historical value of the archaeological excavation, or other cultural; announce the results to the project manager, and should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

- Protect the artifacts as well as the possible use of plastic sheeting, and implement measures to achieve stability in the region, if necessary, for the protection of archaeological pieces correctly.

- Prevent and punish any unauthorized access to the artifacts.- Restart construction work after obtaining permission from the relevant

authorities.- Control access to the site.      

(j) Landscape:Create highways may cause loss humid lands; and deforestation; and the transfer of houses and housing, and the associated noise and nuisance and concern for the population in the region.The most obvious effects on landscape beautiful of those relating to the proposed projects directly, and can it is associated with the event that causes them.Visual pollution phenomenon has become one of the most important problems that we face in this Era and is linked to the loss of a sense of beauty and the collapse of considerations, aesthetic, satisfaction, and acceptance for images unsightly and spread until it became the visual scale of the eyes of the norm and the law exists and is even more dangerous

Photos remove some of the cultural heritage landmarks because of the conflict with the highways.

whenever the eye accustomed to it, so take it this is in place and are difficult to repair.And pollution optic is feeling alienated soon see the views or manifestations of non-aesthetic or repulsive in the built environment elements or structural voids or ways inconsistent and incompatible with both the environment natural, climatic, and functional or values religious, and moral or cultural or values aesthetic or architectural.

Conclusion:

n Impact onDuring

ConstructionDuring operation

a Soil and erosion Effects on soils due to road works and the movement of heavy equipment, machinery and sand. Including: sand and soil compaction and causing loss of topsoil.

Soil stabilization protects the soil from erosion, waterlogging and salinity comfort outlines or enhance the heritage character of the area may be of historical significance or protected by legislation.

b Water (Change in hydrological characteristics)

Effect on change in hydrological characteristics.

Prevent some of the rain water of seeps into the ground, and effect on change in hydrological characteristics.

c Flora The destruction of vegetation due to road works and the movement of equipment and heavy machinery, and deposition materials and construction waste as well as waste water.

The pollution with particles is suspension (dust) may generate negative effects, should be for the protection of flora the road alignment and does not cross the forest areas.

d Fauna Construction sites may encroach on native animal habitat. If animals, including lizards and snakes, are found on site and are likely to be damaged by earthmoving equipment, they should be relocated to an area away from the project.

Putting fencing erected to prevent animals and livestock from gaining access to the road.

e Noise Make a noise as a result of the rehabilitation of roads, especially bulldozing roads to loading and unloading operations and the use of vehicles and heavy equipment, as well as other activities related to constructions.

Existing sources of noise along the route would include traffic.

f Air quality The impact on air quality as a result of the rehabilitation of roads, especially roads and bulldozing operations of loading and unloading mechanisms and the use of heavy equipment, as well as other activities related to constructions.

Gaseous emissions as a result of increased traffic volumes affect the air quality.

g Society life and economical activity

Impact negatively on the economic viability of businesses. Quality of life for adjacent residents will be affected by the road. Local labor should be utilized if the project created new job opportunities, local haulage companies should be used to transport materials. Informal settlements next to the proposed his should be provided with a bridge or underway to enable safe crossing of the highway.

Marginalized neighborhoods and residential complexes on both sides of the highway because of the installation of the fence. Transport costs would become prohibitive if local road users have to pay toll fees. Informal settlements should be addressed in accordance with the responsibilities of the various spheres of government.

h Land use (possible conflicts)

The value of farmland will be lowered, especially if the road traverses their land. The economic viability of farms would be negatively impacted upon. Pipelines points of access to farms or portions of farms would be affected. Effect on vendors shops, and small businesses, which exceeded the limits of the road or completely adjacent to him, as a result the road building and installation of the fence.

Increases the value of farmland, especially lands on road sides. Current farming practices on certain portions of farms may no longer be viable if these areas are split by a road.

i Cultural heritage Some areas or buildings; are threatened by too much pressure and other, suffer from neglect or destruction; it is important to save these and it is important factor in creating desirable cities or areas and tourist attraction. These areas should be looked at as assets, not as just things that must be preserved.

Effect on some areas Cultural heritage that may occur during the implementation the road.

j Landscape (Compatibility with the plans of nature frame)

Create highways may cause loss humid lands, and deforestation, and solid waste generation resulting from construction project are potential to landscape impact. Landscape such as reserve pores’, existing lake, flora, and protected areas will be polluted. Due to the leachate that produced by solid waste.

Create highways cause in lands loss, and deforestation; and effect on landscape beautiful.