Future Prospects in Sustainable Engineering Development for Transport Infrastructures and Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable Engineering Development for Transport Infrastructures and Systems describes transport infrastructures design and maintenance, and systems of transport planning and operations, which are consistent with wider concerns of sustainability, and sustainable transportation system. The European Union Council of Ministers of Transport defines a sustainable transportation system as one that:

• Allows the basic access and development needs of individuals, companies and society to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health, and promotes equity within and between successive generations.
• Is affordable, operates fairly and efficiently, offers a choice of transport mode, and supports a competitive economy, as well as balanced regional development.
• Limits emissions and waste within the planet's ability to absorb them, uses renewable resources at or below their rates of generation and uses non-renewable resources at or below the rates of development of renewable substitutes, while minimizing the impact on the use of land and the generation of noise.
• Sustainability extends beyond just the operating efficiency and emissions. A life-cycle assessment involves production, use and post-use considerations.

The United Nations in 2015 adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Various SDGs could be related to sustainable transport. These include SDG 3 on health (increased road safety), SDG 7 on energy, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 on resilient infrastructure, SDG 11 on sustainable cities (access to transport and expanded public transport), SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production (ending fossil fuel subsidies) and SDG 14 on oceans, seas and marine resources.

More recently approved 2020, the European Green Deal is a set of policies proposed by the European Commission with the overall goal of achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. The policy area of “Sustainable Industry” includes boosting the modern aspects of industries, influencing the exploration and creation of climate neutral circular economy friendly goods markets; a ‘sustainable products’ policy will focus on reducing the wastage of materials to ensure products will be reused and recycling processes will be reinforced. The policy area of “Building and renovation” focuses on promoting the use of energy efficient methods, and on increasing digitalisation.

The main purpose of this Special Issue is to collect recent contributions in this wide field in terms of both new ideas and emerging trends, actual quantification of actuated interventions, and tested solutions effects.

Dr. Francesco Abbondati
Prof. Dr. Luigi Pariota
Guest Editors

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