Ground-level ozone (O₃) is mainly produced during daytime in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light and later destroyed by nitrogen oxides during nighttime. However, light pollution caused by the excessive use of artificial lights may disrupt the chemistry of night-time ground-level O₃ by providing enough energy to initiate nighttime ground-level O₃ production. In this study, nighttime (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) ground-level O₃, nitrogen oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxides (NO₂) concentrations were observed for three years (2013, 2014, and 2015). The existence of O₃ was found during nighttime, especially in urban areas with a concentration range of 8–20 ppb. The results suggested that nighttime variations of ground-level O₃ concentrations were higher in urban areas than in suburban areas. The mean nighttime O₃ concentration at urban sites varied, possibly because the distribution of anthropogenic lights around the urban sites is brighter than in suburban locations, as indicated by the data from the light-pollution map. This anthropogenic light has not caused the suspected nighttime photolysis processes, which directly slowed nighttime oxidation. The photochemistry rate of JNO₂/k₃ was supposed to be near zero because of the absence of photochemical reactions at night. However, the minimum concentration in all urban and suburban sites ranged from 2–3 ppb, indicating that O₃ might also form at night, albeit not due to light pollution.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a preemptive tool used by engineers, environmental consultants and planners to avoid the most likely adverse consequences of development projects. As a planning tool, EIA should curb the harmful effects from all stages of a project lifecycle. Landslides and flash floods are the most common problems faced by Malaysians almost yearly due to rapid development, especially that involving modification of watercourses, clearing of land and projects on hill slopes. Despite such issues, existing legislation and new guidelines have been enacted by the Malaysian government and must be followed by any proposing project team before starting development projects. The Department may have accepted an EIA report of the project. Still, several developments may have neglected the guidelines, especially during construction involving earthworks and exposure of the surrounding environment, place and people to a high risk of disaster caused by mishaps and accidents. The incidence of landslides and flash floods as reported in newspapers, journals, reports and books since 1919 is explored in this study to determine the details of the losses and locations. Despite the enactment of the new EIA law, landslides and flash floods continue to occur. This situation justifies the need to revise the approach based on sizes and include other factors, namely, the risk indices for disaster to happen and the effectiveness of EIA in reducing disaster risks in projects.

Traffic emissions in developing townships are less studied compared to major townships and cities. The Electrified Double-Track Project (EDTP) rail line is a linear project traversing from south to north of peninsular Malaysia. Construction of this line has somewhat affected the traffic flow in terms of delay and congestion, affecting traffic-related emissions. A study on the emission fluctuations due to traffic flow changes during the electrified double-track rail line construction was carried out in Parit Buntar, a developing township north of Peninsular Malaysia. Currently, not many primary study reports furnish insights into the effect of the project’s construction phase. Sidra 6.1 were used to estimate the traffic flow delay and level of service (LOS) at signalised intersections from traffic surveys of six intersections. These inputs were also used to estimate the fuel consumption and cost of fuel consumption for all three stages of emission contribution, namely before construction, during construction, and after construction (commissioning phase). The respective fuel consumption (L/hr.) before the construction, during construction, and post-construction were (437, 174, and 198) at J1, (-, 1650, and 264) at J2, (475, 2429, and 2384) at J3, (332, 336, and 261) at J4, and (206, 13996, and 452) at J5. This study found that a proper signal phasing post construction has improved delay time and traffic emission. The findings should be relevant for researchers interested in the emissions within the developing townships, especially in enhancing road layouts for the sustainability of life and well-being in the local and broader contexts.