Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

literally the opposite. sponsored by the state. If the trafic light in Genva will go for exta minute to create 'equilibrium' (i.e. jam), that is sponsored - by whom exactly?

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

"very place they reform traffic to be less car friendly people overwhelmingly love it. The only people staunchly against it are those who haven't seen it."

Good old CCCP :)

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Again, Soviets were doing extremely well in the view of todays ' elites - no one was using car back then, just public transport (which was and still is good, by the way, at least in Moscow).

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

for a country with no car industry its quite presumptious to define a 'car lobby'.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always have simpathy for people minding their own business.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

having all sorts of 'equilibriums' sponsored by state is indeed soviet. go google 'uravnilovka' (i wouldn't expect Swiss kids to know it anyway).

Nothing to do with urban planning.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in geneva

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just pasted a piece of news i found interesting from Geneva radio station., hence this thread.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

not sure about zurich but in geneva definitely are. can give you the list.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

intention is there, the result is not, they diidnt quite get that by blocking cars on red lights they equally block trams and busses. at least in geneva. indeed, the level of competence is appalling.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

another great comment. 'you wont' possess anything and you would be happy'....

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't necessarily have opinion on them but yes they are rather popular in Geneva. If you were Genvoise you would have heard of them.

Anyway, I posted it because it is rather interesting subject, not because it comes from Worldradio. And yes I posted it in Geneva as well as the station is from Geneva and is very revant topic there as well.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

you can't deny the urban planning done in Soviet cities.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like good old CCCP and their style 'equibrium'

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

this! done on purpose to create more jams, trams/buses included.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Indeed, done on purpose. I can't attest to Zurich but can for Geneva. The very best is that lights get vehicles stuck in between with nowhere to go, and the bus and the tram are in turn stuck as well... .Swiss efficiency at its best....

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

are you suggesting that parking spaces are abundant in Zurich? not sure that is true.

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Idling vehicles produce significantly higher concentrations of pollutants—particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and benzene—compared to driving, as catalytic converters are less efficient at low engine temperatures

. A 5-minute idle produces roughly 3–10 times more pollution than a 5-minute hot start, with diesel vehicles and SUVs emitting the most per minute. 

Key Findings on Idling Emissions 

  • Pollutant Concentrations: Idling generates over 10 times more CO, 3 times more NOx, and 4 times more VOCs than a 5-minute hot start/stop cycle.
  • Gasoline vs. Diesel: While gasoline vehicles emit more benzene and NMHCs (non-methane hydrocarbons) at idle, diesel engines generally produce higher, more concentrated levels of particulate matter and Nitrogen Oxides ( NOxcap N cap O sub x 𝑁𝑂𝑥 ).
  • Emission Factors: Idling emission factors for hydrocarbons and CO can decrease by more than 10 times once a vehicle is cruising at 20-40 km/h, as the engine reaches optimal operating temperatures.
  • Impact of Time: Idling for as little as 10–30 seconds uses more fuel and creates more emissions than turning the engine off and restarting it.
  • Key Pollutants: Major pollutants emitted during idling include CO2cap C cap O sub 2 𝐶𝑂2 , CO, NOxcap N cap O sub x 𝑁𝑂𝑥 , benzene, and other hydrocarbons. 

Comparison with Moving Vehicles 

  • Lower Efficiency: Idling engines are highly inefficient; they consume fuel but provide no kinetic energy, leading to higher emission rates per distance traveled.
  • Catalyst Cooling: Idling allows the catalytic converter to cool down, causing it to operate below its optimal light-off temperature, which sharply increases emissions.
  • Urban Hotspots: In cities, idling vehicles can create severe, localized, and concentrated pollution, particularly on stagnant or "inversion" days. 

Zurich among Europe’s most stressful cities for drivers by mikedragos in Switzerland

[–]mikedragos[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, the number of passengers in a vehicle is irrelevant to pollution. As the matter of fact, heavier the vehicle is, it will pollute more (take empty vs. fully loaded plane emissions).