Roads are the main blood vessels of a city. Road Network and its standard indicate the status of a city. Road transportation is under stress due to increase both in population and in vehicles. Apathy shown towards road transportation system, lack of enforcement and improper road culture have resulted in a global epidemic called Road Traffic Injuries (RTI). Across the world, about 1.2 million people lose their lives and as many as 50 millions get injured annually in road crashes. Out of which, 85% of the deaths and 90% of the injuries occur in developing countries. This costs the developing countries about 1-3% of their GNP. An integrated, comprehensive and sustainable road safety management is essential. The government of -- a nation should take the initiative and co-ordinate with all stakeholders of the roads. The participants who can make valuable contributions, other than the government, are the non-Governmental organisation, private stakeholders, driving schools, vehicle manufacturers, medical fraternity, research organisations, media and the road users. Moreover, it requires technical and non-technical measures which have to be taken up simultaneously to curb this major disaster. The purpose of this book is to sensitise all to issue of road safety and to discuss the steps which need to be taken by the government and all stakeholders of the roads. This book is divided into three sections. Sections I discusses the causes responsible for road accidents like alcohol, human error, bad roads, defective vehicles etc. Section II talks about technical and, non-technical steps to curb this disaster, like Intelligent Traffic System (ITS), Road Safety Index, Emergency Medical Services and other tools. Section III consists of country experiences and cases like impact of Road Crashes on the Poor (Bangalore and Bangladesh); Road Safety: Issues and Initiatives in Bangladesh; Road Accident Reporting Computerised System in Thailand; Carriageway and Safety of Life in Nagpur City: Before and After Renovation of Roads and Driving Road Safety Forward (Shell initiatives in the Middle East).

Train travelling is becoming faster and safer due to the advancement in technologies. New technologies are adopted to cope with the increasing demand in the transportation sector especially in rail transport owing to the problems, like congestion, pollution etc faced in road transport. In the current scenario of growing urbanisation and terrorism, a need is felt for an efficient mass transit system ensuring passenger safety. Countries like Japan, China have developed new technologies in rail transit systems, which have simplified the life of commuters. Indian Railways are also not behind in the race of using new technologies. Indian Railways have started metro rails in Kolkata, Delhi and have launched new metro rail projects in many other cities like Mumbai and Bangalore. Over the past few years, positive steps have been taken in creating a modern Mass Rapid transit System in India. Many new technologies have been used in the construction and management of metro rails. The book describes different technologies used by countries world-wide. It covers the experiences and prospects of rail transport in different parts of the world. It also gives and idea of the efforts put in by the Indian Railways in upgrading and modernising their technology and provides a glimpse of their future plans. Indian Railways have taken an encouraging step towards the development of an efficient, new technology based mass urban transit system. With increasing urbanisation and rising population in India, building an efficient mass transit system is a challenge for Indian Railways. Success of Indian Railways to achieve this objective would solve the transportation problems of our cities.

Dams have emerged as one of the most important tools for the management of rivers. Over 45,000 large dams around the world have played an important role in helping communities and economies harness water resources for food production, energy generation, flood control and domestic use. The benefits derived from large dams have made a significant contributions to human development. Floods have taken a large toll of human lives over the years and also caused large economic losses. World Bank is pushing construction of large dams. Along with dams, the river interlinking project is also under consideration in India. The more recent focus has been on the strategic development of sustainable irrigation practices within an integrated Catchment Management context. World Commission on Dams (WCD) has suggested some recommendations and strategic priorities for the construction of dams. WCD report has proved to be important in reducing environmental and social challenges. This book aims at exploring the significance of rivers and dams from economic, ecological, social and cultural angles. The book tries to present general patterns and trends in the management of rivers as well as planning and operation for large dams. The central issues in the large dams debate-the benefits and adverse impacts -- are also considered. The book is presented in three sections: "Rivers and Darns: An Overview", "Key Issues" and "Country Experiences".

Agroforestry is a system of land management that integrates trees and shrub planting with crops of livestock in order to generate economic, environmental and social benefits. This book shows how agroforestry systems contribute in a variety of ways to ecological, social and economic functions. It includes technologies to improve soil fertility, provide fodder fruits, medicines, timber and fuel wood under agroforestry and shows how the knowledge and skills in agroforestry are updated. It helps one to understand the primary motivations that influence farmers to adopt certain agroforestry systems such as food security and improved livelihood. Agroforestry plays a distinct role in providing the farm household stable and ready source of food. The various agroforestry practices which help conserve and rehabilitate ecosystem and support integrated management of farmlands and rural spaces are discussed. It shows how agroforestry is a way of mitigating poverty in low-income countries as in Africa as it provides social and economic well-being to the people. Jathropa, the green fuel for income generation and cleaner environment is grown under agroforestry. The book covers a wide range of articles dealing with (1) agroforestry for improved livelihood; (2) agroforestry for food security and (3) agroforestry for environmental conservation the articles highlight how agroforestry contributes to biodiversity conservation, helps farm diversification while protecting the environment, yields goods and services to society and enhance the fertility of the soil there by preventing land degradation. Agroforestry system also acts as carbon sinks and help augment the carbon storage in agro-ecosystem.

Roads are the main blood vessels of a city. Road Network and its standard indicate the status of a city. Road transportation is under stress due to increase both in population and in vehicles. Apathy shown towards road transportation system, lack of enforcement and improper road culture have resulted in a global epidemic called Road Traffic Injuries (RTI). Across the world, about 1.2 million people lose their lives and as many as 50 millions get injured annually in road crashes. Out of which, 85% of the deaths and 90% of the injuries occur in developing countries. This costs the developing countries about 1-3% of their GNP. An integrated, comprehensive and sustainable road safety management is essential. The government of -- a nation should take the initiative and co-ordinate with all stakeholders of the roads. The participants who can make valuable contributions, other than the government, are the non-Governmental organisation, private stakeholders, driving schools, vehicle manufacturers, medical fraternity, research organisations, media and the road users. Moreover, it requires technical and non-technical measures which have to be taken up simultaneously to curb this major disaster. The purpose of this book is to sensitise all to issue of road safety and to discuss the steps which need to be taken by the government and all stakeholders of the roads. This book is divided into three sections. Sections I discusses the causes responsible for road accidents like alcohol, human error, bad roads, defective vehicles etc. Section II talks about technical and, non-technical steps to curb this disaster, like Intelligent Traffic System (ITS), Road Safety Index, Emergency Medical Services and other tools. Section III consists of country experiences and cases like impact of Road Crashes on the Poor (Bangalore and Bangladesh); Road Safety: Issues and Initiatives in Bangladesh; Road Accident Reporting Computerised System in Thailand; Carriageway and Safety of Life in Nagpur City: Before and After Renovation of Roads and Driving Road Safety Forward (Shell initiatives in the Middle East).

Train travelling is becoming faster and safer due to the advancement in technologies. New technologies are adopted to cope with the increasing demand in the transportation sector especially in rail transport owing to the problems, like congestion, pollution etc faced in road transport. In the current scenario of growing urbanisation and terrorism, a need is felt for an efficient mass transit system ensuring passenger safety. Countries like Japan, China have developed new technologies in rail transit systems, which have simplified the life of commuters. Indian Railways are also not behind in the race of using new technologies. Indian Railways have started metro rails in Kolkata, Delhi and have launched new metro rail projects in many other cities like Mumbai and Bangalore. Over the past few years, positive steps have been taken in creating a modern Mass Rapid transit System in India. Many new technologies have been used in the construction and management of metro rails. The book describes different technologies used by countries world-wide. It covers the experiences and prospects of rail transport in different parts of the world. It also gives and idea of the efforts put in by the Indian Railways in upgrading and modernising their technology and provides a glimpse of their future plans. Indian Railways have taken an encouraging step towards the development of an efficient, new technology based mass urban transit system. With increasing urbanisation and rising population in India, building an efficient mass transit system is a challenge for Indian Railways. Success of Indian Railways to achieve this objective would solve the transportation problems of our cities.

Dams have emerged as one of the most important tools for the management of rivers. Over 45,000 large dams around the world have played an important role in helping communities and economies harness water resources for food production, energy generation, flood control and domestic use. The benefits derived from large dams have made a significant contributions to human development. Floods have taken a large toll of human lives over the years and also caused large economic losses. World Bank is pushing construction of large dams. Along with dams, the river interlinking project is also under consideration in India. The more recent focus has been on the strategic development of sustainable irrigation practices within an integrated Catchment Management context. World Commission on Dams (WCD) has suggested some recommendations and strategic priorities for the construction of dams. WCD report has proved to be important in reducing environmental and social challenges. This book aims at exploring the significance of rivers and dams from economic, ecological, social and cultural angles. The book tries to present general patterns and trends in the management of rivers as well as planning and operation for large dams. The central issues in the large dams debate-the benefits and adverse impacts -- are also considered. The book is presented in three sections: "Rivers and Darns: An Overview", "Key Issues" and "Country Experiences".

Agroforestry is a system of land management that integrates trees and shrub planting with crops of livestock in order to generate economic, environmental and social benefits. This book shows how agroforestry systems contribute in a variety of ways to ecological, social and economic functions. It includes technologies to improve soil fertility, provide fodder fruits, medicines, timber and fuel wood under agroforestry and shows how the knowledge and skills in agroforestry are updated. It helps one to understand the primary motivations that influence farmers to adopt certain agroforestry systems such as food security and improved livelihood. Agroforestry plays a distinct role in providing the farm household stable and ready source of food. The various agroforestry practices which help conserve and rehabilitate ecosystem and support integrated management of farmlands and rural spaces are discussed. It shows how agroforestry is a way of mitigating poverty in low-income countries as in Africa as it provides social and economic well-being to the people. Jathropa, the green fuel for income generation and cleaner environment is grown under agroforestry. The book covers a wide range of articles dealing with (1) agroforestry for improved livelihood; (2) agroforestry for food security and (3) agroforestry for environmental conservation the articles highlight how agroforestry contributes to biodiversity conservation, helps farm diversification while protecting the environment, yields goods and services to society and enhance the fertility of the soil there by preventing land degradation. Agroforestry system also acts as carbon sinks and help augment the carbon storage in agro-ecosystem.