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Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 January 2022) | Viewed by 20843

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gino D’Ovidio

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil, Construction-Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Interests: high-temperature superconducting magnetic-levitation transport systems; sustainable mobility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Antonio Ometto

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Guest Editor

Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
Interests: electric propulsion; hybrid power unit; hydrogen-powered vehicles; energy storage systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced passenger transport systems and sustainable mobility are two closely related issues where technological and system innovation plays a key role in defining the boundaries of new transport scenarios compatible with operative, public health, and environmental constraints. Therefore, high-performance vehicles in terms of dynamics, safety, comfort, low energy consumption, public health, and environmental friendliness are required. Several innovative technological solutions that have been studied and tested in different specific application sectors can also be utilized in passenger transport. The study of both new technology applications and design methods to improve the performance of advanced transport systems is still a research topic to be developed.

This Special Issue will highlight new opportunities and challenges for passenger advanced and sustainable transport systems, focusing on technological advancements, tests, applications, and management. We welcome papers on:

Evaluating the integration of advanced technologies in passenger transport systems including: bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail train (LRT), low-speed Maglev (LSM), personal rapid transit (PRT), automated people mover (APM), hybrid electric and fuel cell cars, high-speed rail (HSR), high-speed Maglev (HSM), and evacuated tube transport (ETT);
Analysis, modeling and evaluation of the passenger transport systems performance, including the simulation of advanced devices for:

Vehicle clean propulsion and lift;
Energy cycle management and power fluxes control;
Vehicle operation management;

Planning, management, and cost analyses of experimental or advanced urban transport systems;
Feasibility and case studies evaluating application of advanced transport systems as integration of existing ones;
New transport systems concepts and future perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Gino D’Ovidio
Prof. Dr. Antonio Ometto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Advanced transport systems
Sustainable mobility
Transport technologies
Vehicle clean propulsion and lift
New transport systems

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 7269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Battery-Free Sustainable Powertrain Solution for Hydrogen Fuel Cell City Transit Bus Application

by Giuseppe Fabri, Antonio Ometto, Marco Villani and Gino D’Ovidio

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5401; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14095401 - 30 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1825

Abstract

The paper presents a sustainable electric powertrain for a transit city bus featuring an electrochemical battery-free power unit consisting of a hydrogen fuel cell stack and a kinetic energy storage system based on high-speed flywheels. A rare-earth free high-efficiency motor technology is adopted to pursue a more sustainable vehicle architecture by limiting the use of critical raw materials. A suitable dynamic energetic model of the full vehicle powertrain has been developed to investigate the feasibility of the traction system and the related energy management control strategy. The model includes losses characterisation, as a function of the load, of the main components of the powertrain by using experimental tests and literature data. The performance of the proposed solution is evaluated by simulating a vehicle mission on an urban path in real traffic conditions. Considerations about the effectiveness of the traction system are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility)

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20 pages, 11491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Operating Mode Study of a New Concept Maglev Car Employing Permanent Magnet Electrodynamic Suspension Technology

by Ze Zhang, Zigang Deng, Shuai Zhang, Jianghua Zhang, Li’an Jin, Xiaochen Sang, Pengfei Gao, Jing Li and Jun Zheng

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 5827; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13115827 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3643

Abstract

Based on the principle of permanent magnet electrodynamic suspension (PMEDS), a new concept maglev car was designed by using rotary magnetic wheels and a conductor plate. It has the advantages of being high-speed, low-noise, environmentally friendly, safe and efficient. The PMEDS car is designed to use a permanent magnet electrodynamic wheel (EDW) to achieve the integration of levitation force and driving force. The levitation force is generated by the repulsive force of the eddy current magnetic field, and the driving force is generated by the reaction force of magnetic resistance. A simplified electromagnetic force model of the EDW and a dynamics model of the PMEDS car were established to study the operating mode. It shows that the PMEDS car can achieve suspension when the rotational speed of the EDWs reaches a certain threshold and the critical speed of the EDWs is 600 rpm. With the cooperation of four permanent magnet EDWs, the PMEDS car can achieve stable suspension and the maximum suspension height can reach 7.3 mm. The working rotational speed of EDWs is 3500 rpm. At the same time, the movement status of the PMEDS car can be controlled by adjusting the rotational speed of rear EDWs. The functions of propulsion, acceleration, deceleration, and braking are realized and the feasibility of the PMEDS car system is verified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility)

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19 pages, 1575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Virtual Airport Hub—A New Business Model to Reduce GHG Emissions in Continental Air Transport

by Wojciech Paprocki

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 5076; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13095076 - 30 Apr 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2781

Abstract

The virtual airport hub business model is an innovative solution supported by digital technologies; the implementation of which in continental air transport may lead to a reduction in energy consumption and to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The prerequisites for the implementation of the described solution are as follows: striving to implement the GHG emission reduction strategy laid out in the Paris Agreement (2015) and the European Green Deal (2019) as well as the EU digitalization strategy (2020). The use of predictive analytics to identify the mobility needs of population and operational capabilities of the sector gives an opportunity to plan travel flows and to create an appropriate set of direct connections among regional airports every day. The results of the analysis of data from 2019 on the amount of energy consumption and GHG emissions indicate that in Europe, it would be possible to achieve reduce GHG emissions by 5% without reducing the number of passengers using air transport. The study was prepared after conducting literature studies, data analysis, and using the method of formulating scenarios. The proposed solution has the features of an innovative business model, the implementation of which allows for obtaining more favorable effects using already available resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility)

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21 pages, 7779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Rail Transit Stations Affect the Population Density Changes around Them? The Case of Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area

by Saad AlQuhtani and Ardeshir Anjomani

Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3355; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13063355 - 18 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3840

Abstract

This study investigates changes in population density in 454 block groups within a one-mile buffer around rail transit stations (the study area) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. The research uses three analysis approaches to explore a correlation between proximity to rail stations and population density changes. Changes in population density between 2000 and 2014 are calculated. Changes in population density in the study area are compared to the remainder of the block groups within the four counties served by the same rail transit systems. An innovative approach is employed to select the best regression model using the data of the study area. A relationship between the independent variables and the changes in population density is formulated. The proximity of block groups in the study area to the nearby highway ramps or city centers is also investigated during the study period. Results show that it has a positive impact on population density. Changes in population density within the block groups located beyond the one-mile buffer, especially toward outlying areas, are greater than those within the one-mile buffer. Unexpectedly, it is found that an increase in the percentage of employed and white residents leads to an increase in population density. Other interesting results show that the number of jobs is in inverse proportion to the population density. However, block groups that are developed as part of transit-oriented development (TOD) are dramatically higher in population density than the other block groups. These results represent a beneficial contribution to the field of urban planning. Urban planners and policymakers can also use the findings to adopt specific policies for increasing density, advancing rail transit systems’ success, increasing transit usage, and sustaining station area development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility)

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16 pages, 4416 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Road-Network Robustness toward Flood-Resilient Transportation Systems

by Suchat Tachaudomdach, Auttawit Upayokin, Nopadon Kronprasert and Kriangkrai Arunotayanun

Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3172; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13063172 - 13 Mar 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3253

Abstract

Amidst sudden and unprecedented increases in the severity and frequency of climate-change-induced natural disasters, building critical infrastructure resilience has become a prominent policy issue globally for reducing disaster risks. Sustainable measures and procedures to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery of infrastructures are urgently needed, but the standard for measuring such resilient elements has yet to be consensually developed. This study was undertaken with an aim to quantitatively measure transportation infrastructure robustness, a proactive dimension of resilience capacities and capabilities to withstand disasters; in this case, floods. A four-stage analytical framework was empirically implemented: (1) specifying the system and disturbance (i.e., road network and flood risks in Chiang Mai, Thailand), (2) illustrating the system response using the damaged area as a function of floodwater levels and protection measures, (3) determining recovery thresholds based on land use and system functionality, and (4) quantifying robustness through the application of edge- and node-betweenness centrality models. Various quantifiable indicators of transportation robustness can be revealed; not only flood-damaged areas commonly considered in flood-risk management and spatial planning, but also the numbers of affected traffic links, nodes, and cars are highly valuable for transportation planning in achieving sustainable flood-resilient transportation systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility)

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21 pages, 2798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis: Understanding the Facilitators and Barriers to Its Introduction

by Luis Oliveira, Arun Ulahannan, Matthew Knight and Stewart Birrell

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8798; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12218798 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4390

Abstract

The shift to electric vehicles has brought about the potential to reduce the environmental damage caused by road transport. However, several challenges prevent wider adoption of electric vehicles, such as: a lack of charging facilities, long charging times, limited range, and the inconvenience of cable charging. These barriers are more pronounced for taxis, which generally cover longer distances than regular cars and have fewer opportunities for recharging. This research aims to evaluate wireless charging for range extended electric taxis, as a strategy to minimise these challenges and facilitate the electrification of fleets. A mixed methods approach, combining quantitative vehicle tracking with qualitative interviews and focus groups with drivers and local authority representatives, provided an understanding of ‘facilitators’ and ‘barriers’ to the introduction of wireless chargers in London and Nottingham, UK. Results indicated that current wired charging infrastructure does not facilitate recharging opportunities during taxi working hours, causing longer shifts or lower earnings. Drivers reported running on a range extender petrol engine once the battery is depleted, limiting the environmental benefits of electric taxis. We conclude that wireless chargers could facilitate the increased driving range of existing electric taxis if installed where drivers stop more often. The results support the implementation of opportunistic, short but frequent charging boosts (known as choko-choko) as part of policies to alleviate the barriers to the introduction of wireless charging of electric taxis, and foster more sustainable means of road transportation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Transport Systems and Methods for Design of Sustainable Mobility)

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