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Sustainability in Urban Transportation Planning

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

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Editor

Department of Architecture, Federico II University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy
Interests: transport system analysis and management; smart and sustainable mobility; cooperative driving; rail and metro systems; energy-saving applications; travel demand estimation; passenger behavior simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Transportation management is a key area of the urban planning process that is strictly related to the development and design of land use and the built environment. Transport infrastructure and services play a crucial role in the sustainable development of urban areas, so need to be properly designed and integrated into the urban environment during an early planning phase. The scenario changes according to the analyzed case, i.e. developed or developing countries.

This Special Issue is related, but not limited, to methodologies, applications, and best practices aimed at integrating transportation systems design and management within a sustainable urban planning framework. This could include planning and operating traditional transport modes in a sustainable perspective (e.g., with the implementation of energy-saving strategies in railway systems) and by promoting new forms of transport, namely shared mobility, electric vehicles, cooperative driving, PT-Maas etc. Technical tools required for this purpose include simulation techniques, optimisation procedures, artificial neural netowrks (ANNs), data-driven approaches etc.

Original works in this context, as well as review papers, are strongly encouraged.

Dr. Marilisa Botte
Collection Editor

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 collection 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

  • Urban planning practices
  • Sustainable urban mobility
  • Interaction among transport systems, infrastructure, and environment
  • Network hierarchization of urban transport systems
  • Land use and accessibility
  • Energy saving strategies and technologies
  • Pricing policies
  • First/last mile services
  • Shared mobility
  • Electric and autonomous vehicles
  • Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
  • Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS)
  • Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and related implications on urban mobility (e.g., PT-Maas)
  • Advanced simulation models and methods for transport systems
  • Traffic optimization, control and management
  • Artificial neural network adoption
  • Data-driven approaches

Published Papers (24 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021, 2020

14 pages, 1268 KiB  
Article
Joint Optimization of Distance-Based Fares and Headway for Fixed-Route Bus Operations
by Myungseob (Edward) Kim and Eungcheol Kim
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15352; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su152115352 - 27 Oct 2023
Viewed by 705
Abstract
This paper proposes a profit maximization problem designed for fixed-route bus operations, optimizing two key variables: distance-based fares and headways. This study formulates a profit maximization problem while considering the dynamic nature of transit ridership influenced by various demand elasticities. The elasticity of [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a profit maximization problem designed for fixed-route bus operations, optimizing two key variables: distance-based fares and headways. This study formulates a profit maximization problem while considering the dynamic nature of transit ridership influenced by various demand elasticities. The elasticity of demand is modeled using parameters such as onboard time, waiting time, and fare. Three primary constraints are considered: (1) a financial constraint ensuring the profit (including government subsidy) is non-negative, (2) a demand constraint that ensures actual demand is non-negative (i.e., elastic demand function value is between zero and one, and (3) a maximum headway constraint that limits passenger waiting times to half the headway duration, so that no passengers wait more than one bus. Notably, this research goes beyond the existing literature, which predominantly focuses on average fares, by exploring the implications of a distance-based (user-based) fare structure. A genetic algorithm is used to find solutions. The study employs numerical analyses to verify the solution method and conducts sensitivity analyses on critical input parameters. This study is suitable for one time block (e.g., multiple hours) for a steady demand, and can be extended into multiple time periods to reflect demand changes with the time of day. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021, 2020

20 pages, 966 KiB  
Article
Proactive and Sustainable Transport Investment Strategies to Balance the Variance of Land Use and House Prices: A Korean Case
by Seongkyun Cho, Keechoo Choi and Yongju Yi
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14191; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142114191 - 31 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1143
Abstract
The transport infrastructure sustaining the ascension of land values while synergizing with the industries is a condition optimized for economic sustainability. In general, although transport investment aims to create a more reliable, less congested, better-connected transport network, the secondary aim is to facilitate [...] Read more.
The transport infrastructure sustaining the ascension of land values while synergizing with the industries is a condition optimized for economic sustainability. In general, although transport investment aims to create a more reliable, less congested, better-connected transport network, the secondary aim is to facilitate balanced and sustainable development by enhancing accessibility to infrastructures. Although the current investment principle in Korea more or less reflects the primary purpose, the second aim is not fully reflected and might be too strict about measuring the balanced and sustainable influence on the regional economy. Considering that the house price is an output of regional production, this research tried to establish more proactive quantitative models explaining how ‘transport accessibility to infrastructure’ raises the apartment price in South Korea while interacting with the industries. This study achieved four main results according to the model. First, most urban infrastructures raise apartment prices per square meter about ten times higher than most industries, given a percentage change. Second, the synergy between industrial sales and infrastructural accessibility was negative in most cases, showing a limit of infrastructural investment alone to facilitate sustainable development. Third, an impoverished area tends to conclude positive synergies between industries and infrastructures, justifying more infrastructural investment in those poor areas. Finally, a public service behaves as infrastructure, which re-examines public services’ functionality of the prime water. Conclusively, this research proved that accessibility to core infrastructures is essential in conjunction with land use status resulting from industrial geography to rebalance Korean apartment prices for sustainable investment in transportation sectors. Full article
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24 pages, 4024 KiB  
Article
Effects of Changes in Discretionary Trips and Online Activities on Social and Mental Health during Two Different Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia
by Arif Budiarto, Nur Shalin Abdi, Dimas Bayu Endrayana Dharmowijoyo, Nursitihazlin Ahmad Termida, Basil David Daniel, Nur Sabahiah Abdul Sukor and Liza Evianti Tanjung
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13776; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142113776 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1427
Abstract
An aggregate analysis shows that undertaking fewer work and leisure trips during the pandemic had negative effects on mental health, but reducing trips to grocery shops, pharmacies and parks had the opposite effect, but there is a lack of studies on the effects [...] Read more.
An aggregate analysis shows that undertaking fewer work and leisure trips during the pandemic had negative effects on mental health, but reducing trips to grocery shops, pharmacies and parks had the opposite effect, but there is a lack of studies on the effects of behaviour change on mental health using a disaggregate analysis. Beside mental health, a lockdown is assumed to cause social isolation, which is hypothesised to also deteriorate social health due to reducing one’s time spent socialising. This study fills these research gaps and examines the effects of behaviour change on social and mental health during the pandemic. Travel restraints have been relaxed and tightened several times, but no study has investigated the behaviour changes and discrepancies in social and mental health between Malaysia’s strict and relaxed periods. Around 438 respondents reported their behaviour changes during two different travel restraint periods and before the pandemic. This study confirms that the relaxation period caused a significant increase in the number of discretionary trips in Malaysia; however, the increase in discretionary trips did not have any significant effects in improving mental and social health. A disaggregate analysis showed that grocery shopping and socialising trips had negative effects on mental health, as opposed to previous studies using an aggregate analysis. Socialising trips, however, helped to improve the social health conditions. Full article
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22 pages, 1835 KiB  
Article
Do Citizens Understand the Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development? Exploring and Modeling Community Perceptions of a Metro Line under Construction in Thessaloniki, Greece
by Apostolos Papagiannakis and Athena Yiannakou
Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7043; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14127043 - 08 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is an integrated urban and transport planning approach that aims to mitigate urban sprawl and car use, enhance neighborhood livability, increase public transport use, and promote sustainable mobility. Although TOD is widely accepted by academics, planners, and policymakers, the question [...] Read more.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is an integrated urban and transport planning approach that aims to mitigate urban sprawl and car use, enhance neighborhood livability, increase public transport use, and promote sustainable mobility. Although TOD is widely accepted by academics, planners, and policymakers, the question of how citizens acknowledge its expected benefits remains open. This paper explores citizen satisfaction and perceptions of their neighborhood and investigates their awareness of TOD’s potential for sustainable revitalization and regeneration of metro areas in Thessaloniki, a compact Mediterranean city that is introducing a new urban rail system. Our research is based on a questionnaire survey, conducted within the catchment areas of two future metro stations, which present different spatial and socio-economic characteristics. For the data analysis, we use inferential statistics analysis and ordinal logistics regression to investigate the variations in citizens’ perceptions. Findings reveal that even if there is a statistical difference between people’s perceptions regarding the main spatial features of their neighborhoods, respondents in both areas express similar major concerns about public space, walkability issues, transit quality, and the positive effects that the metro could offer regarding urban revitalization and development. Furthermore, age, income, and personal travel behaviors appear to be significantly related to the level of satisfaction with public transport and the willingness to increase transit use because of the metro. We argue that citizens’ pre-construction surveys can support local policy makers in tailing and optimizing a TOD project implementation based on the community’s needs and priorities. Such surveys operate as knowledge production platforms to strengthen policy efficiency and reinforce the feelings of trust between citizens and local policy makers. Full article
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14 pages, 3850 KiB  
Article
Neural Network and Spatial Model to Estimate Sustainable Transport Demand in an Extensive Metropolitan Area
by Antonio A. Barreda-Luna, Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz, Alejandro Flores Rangel and Omar Rodríguez-Abreo
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 4872; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14094872 - 19 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2087
Abstract
Urban renewal projects worldwide focus mainly on resolving motorized, personal, and low occupancy problems instead of sustainable mobility. As part of the process, traditional field audits have a high cost in time and resources. This paper reviews a spatial model of accessibility and [...] Read more.
Urban renewal projects worldwide focus mainly on resolving motorized, personal, and low occupancy problems instead of sustainable mobility. As part of the process, traditional field audits have a high cost in time and resources. This paper reviews a spatial model of accessibility and habitability of the streets, oriented to the location of the volume of people moving sustainably out of an extensive street network. The exercise site is in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area, the second largest in Mexico. Here, the population that moves sustainably as the collective (public and enterprise transportation) and the active (cycling, walking, and others) represents a considerable portion (49%) of travelers, thus, confirming the need for intervention. The spatial model is elaborated in a Geographical Information System (GIS), and the main results are compared with the actual public transport demand using a neural networks process. The results of the tool as a predictor have a 91% efficiency, making it possible to determine the location of urban renewal projects related to the volume of people moving sustainably. Full article
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17 pages, 835 KiB  
Article
Ride-Hailing Service Adoption and Local Context in Motorcycle-Based Societies: Case Study in Hanoi, Vietnam
by Nguyen Hoang-Tung, Hoang Thuy Linh, Hoang Van Cuong, Phan Le Binh, Shinichi Takeda and Hironori Kato
Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 728; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14020728 - 10 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3984
Abstract
The ride-hailing service (RHS) has emerged as a major form of daily travel in many Southeast Asian cities where motorcycles are extensively used. This study aims to analyze the local context in motorcycle-based societies, which may affect the establishment of travelers’ choice set [...] Read more.
The ride-hailing service (RHS) has emerged as a major form of daily travel in many Southeast Asian cities where motorcycles are extensively used. This study aims to analyze the local context in motorcycle-based societies, which may affect the establishment of travelers’ choice set after the appearance of RHSs. In particular, it empirically compares three types of choice-set structures in the context of urban travel mode choice by estimating standard logit and nested logit models to test six hypotheses on the associations of RHS adoption with its determinants. Revealed preference data of 449 trips from both RHS users and non-RHS users were collected through a face-to-face interview-based questionnaire survey in Hanoi, Vietnam, in December 2020. The results of model estimations revealed: (1) a substitutional effect for two-wheelers but not for four-wheelers, (2) a significant positive influence of car ownership on car RHS adoption but not on motorcycle RHS adoption, (3) significantly high sensitivity to travel time of motorcycle RHS but not of car RHS, (4) a significant negative effect of traffic congestion on car RHS adoption but an insignificant one on motorcycle RHS adoption, and (5) a significant positive association of an individual’s experience in using a smartphone with car RHSs but insignificant association with motorcycle RHSs. Our findings suggest that transportation policies of RHS motorcycles should be different from those of RHS cars because of the heterogeneity in travel behaviors of RHS users between them. They also indicate that the transition from motorcycles to cars as well as the difference in service availability among different types of RHSs should be incorporated into the development of transportation policies in Southeast Asian cities. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2020

32 pages, 8202 KiB  
Article
Integrated Optimization of Line Planning, Timetabling and Rolling Stock Allocation for Urban Railway Lines
by Wenliang Zhou and Mehdi Oldache
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13059; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313059 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1744
Abstract
In order to improve train operation planning from the two perspectives of enterprise operating costs and passengers’ travel time, this paper proposes an integrated optimization model of three sub-problems, namely line planning, timetabling and rolling stock allocation for urban railway transit lines based [...] Read more.
In order to improve train operation planning from the two perspectives of enterprise operating costs and passengers’ travel time, this paper proposes an integrated optimization model of three sub-problems, namely line planning, timetabling and rolling stock allocation for urban railway transit lines based on passengers’ travelling demands and the constraints of the urban rail line. The model features dwelling time at stations, turnaround operations at terminal stations, entering/exiting depot operations and an assignment for passengers’ travelling flow. We propose a solution method based on a metaheuristic method that simulates annealing to generate an optimal solution for the overall problem using MATLAB. Finally, we use the example of Xi’an metro line one to demonstrate the performance of the model. Full article
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25 pages, 5591 KiB  
Article
Land Consumption of Delivery Robots and Bicycle Couriers for On-Demand Meal Delivery Using GPS Data and Simulations Based on the Time-Area Concept
by Maren Schnieder, Chris Hinde and Andrew West
Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11375; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132011375 - 14 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2320
Abstract
Regulating the curbside usage of delivery vehicles and ride-hailing services as well as micromobility has been a challenge in the last years, a challenge which might worsen with the increase of autonomous vehicles. The contribution of the research outlined in this paper is [...] Read more.
Regulating the curbside usage of delivery vehicles and ride-hailing services as well as micromobility has been a challenge in the last years, a challenge which might worsen with the increase of autonomous vehicles. The contribution of the research outlined in this paper is an evaluation method of the land use of on-demand meal delivery services such as Deliveroo and UberEats. It evaluates the effect parking policies, operating strategy changes, and scheduling options have on the land consumption of bicycle couriers and sidewalk automated delivery robots (SADRs). Various operating strategies (i.e., shared fleets and fleets operated by restaurants), parking policies (i.e., parking at the restaurant, parking at the customer or no parking) and scheduling options (i.e., one meal per vehicle, multiple meals per vehicle) are simulated and applied to New York City (NYC). Additionally, the time-area requirements of on-demand meal delivery services are calculated based on GPS traces of Deliveroo and UberEats riders in two UK cities. The simulation in the paper shows that SADRs can reduce the time-area requirements by half compared with bicycle couriers. The effect of operating strategy changes and forbidding vehicles to park at the customer’s home is small. Delivering multiple meals in one tour halves the time-area requirements. The time-area requirements based on GPS traces is around 300 m2·min per order. The study allows policymakers to learn more about the land use of on-demand meal delivery services and how these can be influenced. Hence, they can adjust their policy strategies to ensure that on-demand meal delivery services are provided in a way that they use land effectively, reduce external costs, improve sustainability and benefit everyone. Full article
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15 pages, 2764 KiB  
Article
Spatial Modelling of Modal Shift Due to COVID-19
by Simona Šinko, Klemen Prah and Tomaž Kramberger
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13137116 - 24 Jun 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2035
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused many changes in people’s life. One of the most significant is the travel behaviour and transport mode choice. This study focus on the changes that the inhabitants of Vienna made in their travel choices because of the virus. [...] Read more.
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused many changes in people’s life. One of the most significant is the travel behaviour and transport mode choice. This study focus on the changes that the inhabitants of Vienna made in their travel choices because of the virus. The same research about spatial modelling the transport mode choice of commuters in Vienna was completed in 2019 and is a topic addressed in our previous work. Based on our developed methodology, this article indicates that public transport is not a dominant transport mode choice as it was before the virus outbreak. The main result of this paper is geographically defined areas of application of individual alternatives shown on the final map of modal shift in Vienna, which could provide theoretical support for policymakers and transportation planners. For the city of Vienna, we found that the area of the city where cars are now used has increased, which certainly has a negative impact on air quality and life in the city. The advantage of the methodology is that it can also be applied to other cities in the world. Full article
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13 pages, 4391 KiB  
Article
Cyclic Weighted k-means Method with Application to Time-of-Day Interval Partition
by Gaizhen Wang, Wei Qin and Yunhao Wang
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4796; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13094796 - 24 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1620
Abstract
Time-of-day interval partition (TIP) at a signalized intersection is of great importance in traffic control. There are two shortcomings of the traditional clustering algorithms based on traditional distance definitions (such as Euclidean distance) of traffic flows. First, some continuous time intervals are usually [...] Read more.
Time-of-day interval partition (TIP) at a signalized intersection is of great importance in traffic control. There are two shortcomings of the traditional clustering algorithms based on traditional distance definitions (such as Euclidean distance) of traffic flows. First, some continuous time intervals are usually divided into small segments. Second, 0 o’clock (24 o’clock) is usually selected as the breakpoint. It follows that the relationship between TIP and traffic signal control is neglected. To this end, a novel cyclic distance of traffic flows is defined, which can make the end of the last cycle (24 o’clock of the last day) and the beginning of the current cycle (0 o’clock of the current day) cluster into one group. Next, a cyclic weighted k-means method is proposed, with centroid initialization, cluster number selection, and breakpoint adjustment. Lastly, the proposed method is applied to a real intersection to evaluate the benefits of traffic signal control. The conclusion of the empirical study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of the method. Full article
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13 pages, 6099 KiB  
Article
Modeling Population Spatial-Temporal Distribution Using Taxis Origin and Destination Data
by Fatema Rahimi, Abolghasem Sadeghi-Niaraki, Mostafa Ghodousi and Soo-Mi Choi
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3727; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13073727 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
During dangerous circumstances, knowledge about population distribution is essential for urban infrastructure architecture, policy-making, and urban planning with the best Spatial-temporal resolution. The spatial-temporal modeling of the population distribution of the case study was investigated in the present study. In this regard, the [...] Read more.
During dangerous circumstances, knowledge about population distribution is essential for urban infrastructure architecture, policy-making, and urban planning with the best Spatial-temporal resolution. The spatial-temporal modeling of the population distribution of the case study was investigated in the present study. In this regard, the number of generated trips and absorbed trips using the taxis pick-up and drop-off location data was calculated first, and the census population was then allocated to each neighborhood. Finally, the Spatial-temporal distribution of the population was calculated using the developed model. In order to evaluate the model, a regression analysis between the census population and the predicted population for the time period between 21:00 to 23:00 was used. Based on the calculation of the number of generated and the absorbed trips, it showed a different spatial distribution for different hours in one day. The spatial pattern of the population distribution during the day was different from the population distribution during the night. The coefficient of determination of the regression analysis for the model (R2) was 0.9998, and the mean squared error was 10.78. The regression analysis showed that the model works well for the nighttime population at the neighborhood level, so the proposed model will be suitable for the day time population. Full article
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18 pages, 1204 KiB  
Review
Mobility as a Service and Public Transport: A Rapid Literature Review and the Case of Moovit
by Georgina Santos and Nikolay Nikolaev
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3666; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13073666 - 25 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5488
Abstract
Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is often proposed as a tool for achieving sustainable mobility and, in particular, increasing the share of public transport trips in cities. In this paper we conduct a rapid review of the literature on MaaS and, using Moovit [...] Read more.
Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is often proposed as a tool for achieving sustainable mobility and, in particular, increasing the share of public transport trips in cities. In this paper we conduct a rapid review of the literature on MaaS and, using Moovit as a case study, we explore the association between the popularity of searches in Google using the term “Moovit” and the share of workers that commute by public transport. The exercise focuses on metropolitan areas in the United States over the period 2010 to 2019. We find a positive correlation, and we speculate that metropolitan areas with pre-existing higher shares of workers commuting by public transport tend to be metropolitan areas where use of Moovit is more likely. Full article
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19 pages, 2186 KiB  
Article
Bottom-Up Strategies for Shared Mobility and Practices in Urban Housing to Improve Sustainable Planning
by Jutta Deffner, Jan-Marc Joost, Manuela Weber and Immanuel Stiess
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2897; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052897 - 08 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2952
Abstract
Recent years have seen the development of numerous innovations in social, constructional, and transportation planning for different forms of communal housing. They illustrate how more sustainable practices in transport and land use can be achieved through the collective provision and use of space [...] Read more.
Recent years have seen the development of numerous innovations in social, constructional, and transportation planning for different forms of communal housing. They illustrate how more sustainable practices in transport and land use can be achieved through the collective provision and use of space and mobility services. The question remains, however, of who needs to be involved in such bottom-up approaches and when in order to ensure their success. What changes are necessary to anchor these approaches in the wider context of urban and transport planning? This paper presents three examples of neighbourhood mobility concepts and the collaborative use of space and land. A research project accompanied the development of these concepts in a real-world laboratory design. The scientists used social-empirical methods and secondary analyses to evaluate social and ecological effects, economic viability and the process of joint development. The results show the high sustainability potential of such neighbourhood concepts: they enable residents to meet their mobility needs, while using fewer vehicles through shared use, reducing the number of journeys and changing their choice of transport. At the same time, promoting and developing community services has been shown to be inhibited by preconditions such as existing planning law. Opportunities and obstacles have been identified and translated into recommendations for action, focusing on municipal urban planning, transport planning, and the housing industry. Full article
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13 pages, 3186 KiB  
Article
A Trial-and-Error Toll Design Method for Traffic Congestion Mitigation on Large River-Crossing Channels in a Megacity
by Xinyuan Chen, Yiran Wang and Yuan Zhang
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2749; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052749 - 03 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1492
Abstract
In this study, we addresse traffic congestion on river-crossing channels in a megacity which is divided into several subareas by trunk rivers. With the development of urbanization, cross-river travel demand is continuously increasing. To deal with the increasing challenge, the urban transport authority [...] Read more.
In this study, we addresse traffic congestion on river-crossing channels in a megacity which is divided into several subareas by trunk rivers. With the development of urbanization, cross-river travel demand is continuously increasing. To deal with the increasing challenge, the urban transport authority may build more river-crossing channels and provide more high-volume public transport services to alleviate traffic congestion. However, it is widely accepted that even though these strategies can mitigate traffic congestion to a certain level, they are not essential approaches to address traffic congestion. In this study, we consider a channel toll scheme for addressing this issue. Additional fares are applied to private vehicles, that an appropriate number of private vehicle drivers are motivated to take public transport or switch to neighboring uncongested river-crossing channels. To minimize the toll surcharge on both neighboring channels, while alleviating the traffic flow to a certain level, in this study, we provide a bi-objective mathematical model. Some properties of this model are discussed, including the existence and uniqueness of the Pareto optimal solution. To address this problem, a trial-and-error method is applied. Numerical experiments are provided to validate the proposed solution method. Full article
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15 pages, 705 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Approach of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making and Grey Theory for Evaluating Urban Public Transportation Systems
by Ahmad Alkharabsheh, Sarbast Moslem, Laila Oubahman and Szabolcs Duleba
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2740; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13052740 - 03 Mar 2021
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 3687
Abstract
Improving the local urban transport system’s quality is often seen as one of the critical points for the government and the local operator. An amelioration of the system can improve users’ satisfaction and attract new users while simultaneously decreasing traffic congestion and pollution. [...] Read more.
Improving the local urban transport system’s quality is often seen as one of the critical points for the government and the local operator. An amelioration of the system can improve users’ satisfaction and attract new users while simultaneously decreasing traffic congestion and pollution. Efficient methodologies are required to achieve sustainable development regarding complex issues associated with traffic congestion and pollution. In this study, we propose using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) grey values to overcome the limitations of the uncertainty in the classical AHP approach. The presented grey-AHP model assumes an efficient contrivance to facilitate the public transport system’s supply quality evaluation, especially when respondents are non-experts. Finally, we estimate and rank the public transport system’s supply quality criteria by adopting the proposed model for a real-world case study (Amman city, Jordan). The study’s outcome shows the effectiveness and the applicability of the developed approach for enhancing the quality of the public transport system. Full article
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18 pages, 3552 KiB  
Article
Challenges and Opportunities in Early Stage Planning of Transport Infrastructure Projects: Environmental Aspects in the Strategic Choice of Measures Approach
by Sofia Eckersten, Berit Balfors and Ulrika Gunnarsson-Östling
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1295; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13031295 - 26 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2334
Abstract
The Strategic Choice of Measures (SCM) approach aims to integrate different perspectives and identify measures to adapt new infrastructure projects to their local context at an early stage of Swedish transport planning. SCM is a loosely structured framework for collaboration between actors from, [...] Read more.
The Strategic Choice of Measures (SCM) approach aims to integrate different perspectives and identify measures to adapt new infrastructure projects to their local context at an early stage of Swedish transport planning. SCM is a loosely structured framework for collaboration between actors from, e.g., municipalities and the Swedish Transport Administration, in order to facilitate the coordination of transport planning and land use planning. This paper aims to explore the consideration of environmental aspects in early-stage transport planning by analyzing the SCM approach. An explorative research approach is applied based on literature studies, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group interview. The result shows that in the SCM process, environmental aspects such as noise and air pollution generated by road traffic in urban areas, engage the actors, whereas aspects related to landscape and water were perceived as poorly addressed and received less attention. The consideration of environmental aspects in the SCM process is affected by the local and national authorities’ different interests and the competences involved. To consolidate environmental aspects in early transport planning, these aspects need to be explicitly addressed in the SCM guidelines and the link between the SCM and preceding and following planning stages needs to be strengthened. Full article
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18 pages, 3602 KiB  
Article
Usage and User Characteristics—Insights from MOIA, Europe’s Largest Ridepooling Service
by Nadine Kostorz, Eva Fraedrich and Martin Kagerbauer
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 958; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13020958 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4459
Abstract
New, i.e., shared and digitized, mobility services have been entering urban mobility markets around the globe. Among these new offerings is ridepooling, a mobility solution that bundles requests from passengers with similar routes in real-time and matches them with a vehicle. Ridepooling is [...] Read more.
New, i.e., shared and digitized, mobility services have been entering urban mobility markets around the globe. Among these new offerings is ridepooling, a mobility solution that bundles requests from passengers with similar routes in real-time and matches them with a vehicle. Ridepooling is quite novel in Germany and knowledge about users, changes in travel behavior, and impacts on the urban traffic system is scarce. To address this gap, we conducted an online survey among users and non-users of MOIA, a German ridepooling provider. Over 12,000 respondents completed the survey. The article presents results on ridepooling users’ characteristics and usage patterns. We found that MOIA users cover all age groups and are multimodal travelers—which leads us to assume that ridepooling enriches mobility portfolios and also serves as an alternative to the private car. MOIA is mostly used occasionally and, in particular, during the evening or the night. A specific focus of the article lies on users with mobility impairments as well as how and by whom ridepooling is used on work-related trips. Both topics are particularly relevant in light of changing travel patterns and transforming urban transport systems towards more sustainability. Full article
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12 pages, 2429 KiB  
Article
The Potential Impacts of Electric Vehicles on Urban Air Quality in Shanghai City
by Xiaojian Hu, Nuo Chen, Nan Wu and Bicheng Yin
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 496; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13020496 - 07 Jan 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5223
Abstract
The Shanghai government has outlined plans for the new vehicles used for the public transportation, rental, sanitation, postal, and intra-city freight to be completely powered by electricity by 2020. This paper analyzed the characteristics of vehicle emissions in Shanghai in the past five [...] Read more.
The Shanghai government has outlined plans for the new vehicles used for the public transportation, rental, sanitation, postal, and intra-city freight to be completely powered by electricity by 2020. This paper analyzed the characteristics of vehicle emissions in Shanghai in the past five years. The potential reduction in road traffic related emissions due to the promotion and application of electric vehicle in Shanghai was evaluated. The potential reduction was quantified by vehicular emissions. The vehicular emissions inventories are calculated by the COPERT IV model under the different scenarios, of which the results indicate that promoting electric vehicles is the efficient measure to control all road traffic related emissions and improve urban air quality. The results also provided basis and support for making policies to promote and manage electric vehicles. Full article
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2020

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6 pages, 190 KiB  
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Reflecting on an Integrated Approach for Transport and Spatial Planning as a Pathway to Sustainable Urbanization
by Juhyun Lee
Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 10218; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su122310218 - 07 Dec 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3015
Abstract
An integrated approach to transport and spatial development has been promoted over the past decades not only in North America and Europe but also in rapidly growing cities in Asia as a means to achieve sustainable urbanization. Some fundamental issues are yet to [...] Read more.
An integrated approach to transport and spatial development has been promoted over the past decades not only in North America and Europe but also in rapidly growing cities in Asia as a means to achieve sustainable urbanization. Some fundamental issues are yet to be discussed. To what extent does land use and transport integration (LUTI) meet its goals including triggering sustainable land use and enhancing environmental quality? What are the key barriers and opportunities to achieving broader social outcomes such as wellbeing of local populations? This paper critically reflects on LUTI planning and practice in rapidly developing cities with focus on ongoing challenges and opportunities to facilitating sustainable urban development. It points out that without establishing institutional harmonization between spatial and transport planning, LUTI policies are hardly implemented, thus rarely resulting in effective and sustainable land use. Moreover, enhancing the social outcomes by an integrated planning approach requires development control that facilitates various actors to embed quality criteria in development around nodes. Balancing development incentives and restrictive measures for development is critical. Finally, to facilitate sustainable outcomes across varied localities in cities, bottom-up and top-down planning approaches need to be reconciled through the strategic and operational phase of transport projects. Full article
15 pages, 2432 KiB  
Article
A Data-Driven Approach to Trip Generation Modeling for Urban Residents and Non-local Travelers
by Fan Yang, Linchao Li, Fan Ding, Huachun Tan and Bin Ran
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7688; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12187688 - 17 Sep 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2144
Abstract
Trip generation modeling is essential in transportation planning activities. Previous modeling methods that depend on traditional data collection methods are inefficient and expensive. This paper proposed a novel data-driven trip generation modeling method for urban residents and non-local travelers utilizing location-based social network [...] Read more.
Trip generation modeling is essential in transportation planning activities. Previous modeling methods that depend on traditional data collection methods are inefficient and expensive. This paper proposed a novel data-driven trip generation modeling method for urban residents and non-local travelers utilizing location-based social network (LBSN) data and cellular phone data and conducted a case study in Nanjing, China. First, the point of interest (POI) data of the LBSN were classified into various categories by the service type, then, four features of each category including the number of users, number of POIs, number of check-ins, and number of photos were aggregated by traffic analysis zones to be used as explanatory variables for the trip generation models. We used a random tree regression method to select the most important features as the model inputs, and the trip models were established based on the ordinary least square model. Then, an exploratory approach was used to test the performance of each combination of the variables with various test methods to identify the best model for residents’ and travelers’ trip generation functions. The results suggest land use compositions have significant impact on trip generations, and the trip generation patterns are different between urban residents and non-local travelers. Full article
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21 pages, 4056 KiB  
Article
Internet of Vehicle Empowered Mobile Media Scenarios: In-Vehicle Infotainment Solutions for the Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
by Zhiyuan Yu, Doudou Jin, Xiaoxiao Song, Chao Zhai and Desheng Wang
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7448; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12187448 - 10 Sep 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5197
Abstract
Recently, the commercial potentials and practical values of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) have been witnessed for sustainable development of smart cities in the field of intelligent transportation. Driven by the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), vehicles gradually become mobile living spaces to satisfy [...] Read more.
Recently, the commercial potentials and practical values of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) have been witnessed for sustainable development of smart cities in the field of intelligent transportation. Driven by the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), vehicles gradually become mobile living spaces to satisfy diverse demands of occupants, where the media functionalities, scenario scopes, and user engagements can be all expended dramatically. In the era of 5G/B5G, the intelligent connected vehicles are considered as super media because of the improved In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI). In this paper, relying on the advanced communication and intelligent techniques, we investigate the IoV-based vehicle-mounted media scenarios and construct IVI solutions for the MaaS. Firstly, we propose the characteristics of vehicle-mounted media scenarios and present the IVI evolution from the aspects of hearing, vision and multi-sensory media services. Secondly, we point out the main features and limitations of IoV-based IVI in 3G/4G. Finally, exploring the potential of super media, both the linkage display and IVI collaborative modes in vehicle-centric media scenarios are introduced as IVI solutions for the MaaS in 5G-V2X and beyond, which intend to further improve the audio-visual experiences of occupants and observers in urban environments. Full article
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19 pages, 2239 KiB  
Article
Strong Sustainability in Public Transport Policies: An e-Mobility Bus Fleet Application in Sorrento Peninsula (Italy)
by Armando Cartenì, Ilaria Henke, Clorinda Molitierno and Luigi Di Francesco
Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7033; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12177033 - 28 Aug 2020
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3264
Abstract
Sustainability can be defined as the capacity to satisfy current needs without compromising future generations. Sustainable development clashes with the transport sector because of the latter’s high fossil fuels usage, consumption of natural resources and emission of pollutant and greenhouse gases. Electric mobility [...] Read more.
Sustainability can be defined as the capacity to satisfy current needs without compromising future generations. Sustainable development clashes with the transport sector because of the latter’s high fossil fuels usage, consumption of natural resources and emission of pollutant and greenhouse gases. Electric mobility seems to be one of the best options to achieve both the sustainability goals and the mobility needs. This paper critically analysed weaknesses, strengths and application fields of electric mobility, proposing a real case application of an e-mobility bus fleet in Sorrento peninsula (Italy). The aim and the originality of this research was to propose a public transport design methodology based on a “strong sustainability” policy and applied to a real case study. To be precise, the renewing of the “old” bus fleet with a diesel plug-in hybrid one charged by a photovoltaic system was proposed, aiming to both improve environmental sustainability and perform an investment return for a private operator in managing the transport service. The proposed case study is particularly suitable because the peculiar morphology of the Sorrento peninsula in Italy does not allow other types of public transport services (e.g., rail, metro). Furthermore, this area, rich in UNESCO sites, has always been an international tourist destination because of the environment and landscape. Estimation results show that the new e-mobility bus service will be able to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions up to the 23%, with a financial payback period of 10 years for a private investor. Full article
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26 pages, 6033 KiB  
Article
A Rational Decision-Making Process with Public Engagement for Designing Public Transport Services: A Real Case Application in Italy
by Armando Cartenì, Luca D’Acierno and Mariano Gallo
Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6303; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12166303 - 05 Aug 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4546
Abstract
The sustainable design of public transport services is a crucial issue that may affect the economy of local areas and the social inclusion of their inhabitants. Indeed, transport accessibility of households, businesses, and retail activities is one of the main drivers that influence [...] Read more.
The sustainable design of public transport services is a crucial issue that may affect the economy of local areas and the social inclusion of their inhabitants. Indeed, transport accessibility of households, businesses, and retail activities is one of the main drivers that influence location choices and sustainable development and where the public transport services may play a key (positive) role. Furthermore, the economic crisis of the 2009 and the current ones caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has further limited the funds available for public services, including the transport sector. In this critical context, sound design of public transport services assumes great importance, especially in light of financial constraints. Starting from these considerations, the aim of this paper has been to propose an innovative methodology for designing public transport services based on a rational decision-making process with stakeholder engagement, aiming to perform a sustainable development perspective. The proposed methodology combines technical aspects, social and political issues, equity perspectives, and it is aimed in obtaining a design solution that can be accepted by the whole community. The proposed theoretical design methodology has also been applied to a case study in order to verify its applicability to a real context, consisting of the design of the public transport plan of the province of Foggia in southern Italy. Applications results show that the sustainable design scenario is not only the best ones from a technical point of view, but also participated, equitable, and approved by both policymakers and stakeholders. Full article
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27 pages, 4510 KiB  
Article
A Structural Analysis for the Categorization of the Negative Externalities of Transport and the Hierarchical Organization of Sustainable Mobility’s Strategies
by Ioannis Chatziioannou, Luis Alvarez-Icaza, Efthimios Bakogiannis, Charalampos Kyriakidis and Luis Chias-Becerril
Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 6011; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12156011 - 27 Jul 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5033
Abstract
Transport systems are capable of contributing to the economic robustness of a geographic area and the well-being of its inhabitants via the supply of the necessary assets for the mobility of people and goods. However, transport projects have the capacity to produce several [...] Read more.
Transport systems are capable of contributing to the economic robustness of a geographic area and the well-being of its inhabitants via the supply of the necessary assets for the mobility of people and goods. However, transport projects have the capacity to produce several negative externalities such as water pollution, air pollution, barrier effects, noise, and ecological impact, which affect the quality of people’s life. Considering these facts, the main purpose of this study is to indicate methodologically how the negative externalities of transport are interlinked, so that to promote sustainable mobility development. This paper reveals via the method of structural analysis, the interrelations between the negative externalities of transport, firstly to organize them hierarchically and secondly to evaluate the potential of sustainable mobility strategies concerning the co-benefits generated by their implementation for society. The results show that the negative externalities of transport are not isolated phenomena; on the contrary, they are interlinked and can be organised hierarchically according to the relationships between them so that certain public policies can be prioritized and the negative impacts of transport can be tackled more effectively. The most critical negative externalities are the invasion of public space for the construction of more roads, along with road accidents, congestion, and local air pollution. On the other hand, the most important group of strategies for sustainable mobility are the ones oriented to urban design, and more specifically to transit-oriented development. Full article
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