Uploaded on 2015-05-02 by VickiLonghurst

[1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14305698256407083.jpg **London Bridge** Visible information: public transport (buses / bike lanes), waste management (bins), historic buildings alongside brand new architecture (the Shard), commuters (pedestrians & vehicles – cars/bikes), management of commuters (parking restrictions, signage for pedestrians (Thames path). Invisible information: Patterns of multiple users of the bridge and its surrounding buildings at different times of day and night. Differing levels of carbon emissions produced by various methods of transport & buildings of different ages/design. Understanding the patterns and transport preferences of commuters combined with a detailed understanding of the carbon emissions produced by these various activities at different times of day and night together can help city planners to reduce the carbon footprint of London and to improve quality of life for commuters and residents alike. Information can be gathered on peak commuter activity, congestions spots at specific times and in precise locations (e.g. approaching the bridge) as well as idling times caused by this congestion. This can be done on a minute by minute (second/second) basis using digital technology/GPS/ big data allowing the ever increasingly efficient design of public transport timetables with information being immediately shared with the commuters to help to alleviate problems. (e.g. bus stops with real time bus arrival times, mobile phone apps with real time train times). An understanding of the behaviour of commuters and the detailed nature of bus journeys during peak time can also provide knowledge about how and when carbon (and other greenhouse gases)are emitted allowing for the design of ever more efficient buses (for example the 3 kinds of hybrid buses that can be found in London). This contributes to a more liveable urban space by reducing air pollution and improving air quality for commuters and residents alike. A recent study by Healthy Air campaign, Kings College London and Camden Council investigated the differing health risks facing commuters using different types of transport. They found that car drivers had higher risks of inhaling fumes than cyclists during their commutes. This type of information can help planners to design the urban landscape to suit the patterns of commuters and reduce health risks, for example by designing wider pavements (sidewalks) so pedestrians are further removed from traffic, or investigating new construction materials that absorb carbon (as has been done in Rome). Alternatively, as London has done, these issues can be tackled by zoning, introducing congestions charges for car drivers in the most congested areas, to reduce total number of vehicles and the associated air pollution caused in the first place. Understanding the patterns of commuters can also help in the design of integrated transport systems; for example where to locate the ‘Boris bike’ stations or what times London Bridge’s parking restrictions should be applied, or when bus lanes should operate. This integrated approach based on large amounts of data is vital for the liveability of London, where millions of pounds are lost each year through the impacts of transport delays on workers.