The experience with user-friendly environmental evaluation software in the city of Khon Kaen, Thailand

Abstract

The paper describes the use of two user-friendly environmental evaluation software packages developed at the Transport Systems Centre, at the University of South Australia, and aspects of their application in the Asian context in the city of Khon Kaen, Thailand. The issues of environmental modelling in regional Asian cities and the differences between traditional 'Westem' models and problems encountered in the Asian environment are addressed. One of the models, SIMESEPT, is used to screen for potential problem areas within the Khon Kaen road network. This is achieved using the Knowledge-Based Expert System (KBES) component of the SIMESEPT package. The other model, NetNoise, is used to predict the distribution of noise originating from the road traffic network of the city and to analyse these problem areas. NetNoise also provides some benefit to the user through its use as an educational tool and assists in exploring the various options available for traffic management in the city regardingnoise amelioration. The unique distinctions between NetNoise and SIMESEPT willbe described in detail and the potential factors contributing to the problematic areas in the Khon Kaen road network are also discussed. The outputs from the two packages canbe used to prioritise detailed investigation or traffic-calming schemes to the problematic areas in the road network. The MapInfo Geographical Information System (GIS) package has been used to integrate, store, manage, analyse, and display all geographical data, their associated attributes, as well as the analysed results derived from both NetNoise and SIMESEPT. GIS is an ideal tool for displaying the spatial distribution of traffic noise in relation to the road network of concern.NetNoise and SIMESEPT coupled with MapInfo can provide anew way of thinking about and a new means of analysis for handling traditional environmental problems.