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Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications
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Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2021) | Viewed by 80767

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Luigi dell’Olio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transport, Projects Technologies and Processes, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
Interests: transportation; quality of service; public transport; land use; stated preference survey
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable transport models are a fundamental tool to analyze the behavior of users and goods in transport networks. These models allow the optimization of mobility considering the associated social, economic, and environmental effects.

In this Special Issue, we invite papers related to all transport modes, which propose related mathematical models in the analysis, modeling, or promotion of sustainable mobility in all its aspects. Novel contributions proposing new theoretical insights, method development, or applications are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Luigi dell’Olio
Guest 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 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

  • Sustainable mobility planning, policies, and governance
  • Methodologies, practices, and policies for achieving behavioral change
  • Transport demand management
  • Equity, social justice, and gender equality
  • Traffic safety
  • Global warming
  • Carbon-neutral fuel and green mobility
  • Electric vehicles 
  • Renewable energies
  • Public transport and transit-oriented development
  • Sustainable cities
  • Smart mobility, smart cities, and smart grids
  • New traffic management systems
  • Maas (Mobility as a service)
  • Green logistic
  • Freight transport

Published Papers (20 papers)

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19 pages, 887 KiB  
Article
An Ecosystem Innovation Framework: Assessing Mobility as a Service in Budapest
by Athena Roumboutsos, Ioanna Pagoni, Athena Tsirimpa and Amalia Polydoropoulou
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3753; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073753 - 28 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3228
Abstract
Smart Mobility and the introduction of innovation in the complex and dynamic actor ecosystem of urban transport is faced with the need to manage change in order to secure sustainability and protect against negative externalities. The present contribution provides decision-makers with a tool [...] Read more.
Smart Mobility and the introduction of innovation in the complex and dynamic actor ecosystem of urban transport is faced with the need to manage change in order to secure sustainability and protect against negative externalities. The present contribution provides decision-makers with a tool to assess innovation strategies and monitor change over time. The proposed EcoSystem Innovation Framework (ESIF) is applied to a flagship innovation: Mobility as a Service (MaaS). The application concerns the City of Budapest, a location with highly-utilized resources and low car ownership, in contrast to other locations where MaaS is implemented. The ESIF is constructed through qualitative research (stakeholder workshops, interviews, document collection and analysis) for three (3) points in time: Summer 2018; Summer 2019 and end of 2020 (first year of the COVID-19 pandemic). The ESIF analysis was able to guide decision-makers and highlight potential future trends demonstrating the potential of the ESIF framework. For the City of Budapest, the ESIF highlighted the delicate balance in the promotion of MaaS, as the dichotomy between public and private on-demand mobility may trigger a negative modal shift. The COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced this potential. Despite public sector efforts, market opportunity has surfaced leading to contrasting interests in the ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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22 pages, 1514 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Comparison of the Effects of Different Traffic Conditions on Urban Road Environmental External Costs
by Mohammad Maghrour Zefreh and Adam Torok
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3541; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063541 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2221
Abstract
External costs that are associated with air pollution, climate change linked to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and noise are among the most important environmental externalities that are generated by road transport, which have been well monetized. This paper theoretically investigates the effects of [...] Read more.
External costs that are associated with air pollution, climate change linked to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and noise are among the most important environmental externalities that are generated by road transport, which have been well monetized. This paper theoretically investigates the effects of different traffic conditions on the environmental external costs of urban roads where traffic flow is more complicated than un-interrupted traffic flows. A Monte Carlo method is used to theoretically simulate traffic speed in different traffic conditions. Subsequently, the emitted carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and noise were estimated in each of the theoretically simulated traffic conditions. Finally, the environmental external costs in each traffic condition were calculated taking the EU average costs values into account. The results showed that, when compared to free-flow condition, the total air pollutant and GHG external costs (€2010) have been increased by 6%, 31%, 44%, 50%, and 93% in under-saturated flow, accelerated flow, decelerated flow, congestion, and over-saturated congestion, respectively. Furthermore, the total noise cost (€2010/year/person exposed), as compared to free-flow condition, has been decreased by 2%, 11%, 12%, 36%, and 69% in accelerated flow, under-saturated flow, congestion, over-saturated congestion, and decelerated flow, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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26 pages, 27607 KiB  
Article
Building a Model of Integration of Urban Sharing and Public Transport Services
by Marcin Jacek Kłos and Grzegorz Sierpiński
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3086; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063086 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2318
Abstract
The intense growth of cities affects their inhabitants to a considerable extent. The issues facing the traveling population include congestion and growing harmful emissions. Urban transport requires changes towards eco-friendly solutions. However, even though new forms of traveling (sharing services) are being implemented, [...] Read more.
The intense growth of cities affects their inhabitants to a considerable extent. The issues facing the traveling population include congestion and growing harmful emissions. Urban transport requires changes towards eco-friendly solutions. However, even though new forms of traveling (sharing services) are being implemented, their integration with public transport remains problematic. On account of the large number of available services combined with the absence of their integration, city inhabitants are faced with the dilemma of choosing between one or several transport modes which would enable them to make the given trip. The main goal of this article is to propose a model for integration of different transport services which could support those who intend to travel in the decision-making process. Therefore, the parameters of a model of urban sharing services were identified and classified. The parameters discussed in the paper with reference to an extensive literature review describe how individual sharing services are functioning. What has also been identified is the location-specific factors as well as those related to the potential area of operation which affect the integration with public transport. In order to take all the relevant parameters into account and find a solution to the problem at hand, a multi-criteria decision-making approach has been proposed. To this end, scores and weights determining their impact on the model have been established. For purposes of the solution in question, the relevant calculations were conducted by referring to an actual need to travel between selected locations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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23 pages, 2628 KiB  
Article
Mobility Choices—An Instrument for Precise Automatized Travel Behavior Detection & Analysis
by Thomas Feilhauer, Florian Braun, Katja Faller, David Hutter, Daniel Mathis, Johannes Neubauer, Jasmin Pogatschneg and Michelle Weber
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1912; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041912 - 10 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2200
Abstract
Within the Mobility Choices (MC) project we have developed an app that allows users to record their travel behavior and encourages them to try out new means of transportation that may better fit their preferences. Tracks explicitly released by the users are anonymized [...] Read more.
Within the Mobility Choices (MC) project we have developed an app that allows users to record their travel behavior and encourages them to try out new means of transportation that may better fit their preferences. Tracks explicitly released by the users are anonymized and can be analyzed by authorized institutions. For recorded tracks, the freely available app automatically determines the segments with their transportation mode; analyzes the track according to the criteria environment, health, costs, and time; and indicates alternative connections that better fit the criteria, which can individually be configured by the user. In the second step, the users can edit their tracks and release them for further analysis by authorized institutions. The system is complemented by a Web-based analysis program that helps authorized institutions carry out specific evaluations of traffic flows based on the released tracks of the app users. The automatic transportation mode detection of the system reaches an accuracy of 97%. This requires only minimal corrections by the user, which can easily be done directly in the app before releasing a track. All this enables significantly more accurate surveys of transport behavior than the usual time-consuming manual (non-automated) approaches, based on questionnaires. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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14 pages, 1523 KiB  
Article
A Novel Distributed System of e-Vehicle Charging Stations Based on Pumps as Turbine to Support Sustainable Micromobility
by Gabriella Balacco, Mario Binetti, Leonardo Caggiani and Michele Ottomanelli
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1847; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041847 - 8 Feb 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2672
Abstract
Recent statistics shows that CO2 emissions from road transport have been increasing. In addition, the paradigm of “more electric vehicles” does not seem to be positive from the environmental point of view. In fact, assuming the current energy mix system, studies focusing [...] Read more.
Recent statistics shows that CO2 emissions from road transport have been increasing. In addition, the paradigm of “more electric vehicles” does not seem to be positive from the environmental point of view. In fact, assuming the current energy mix system, studies focusing on Life Cycle Assessment and Well-To-Wheels analysis demonstrate that electric vehicles are less eco-friendly than traditional internal combustion-based engines. Then, it is mandatory to shift toward renewable energy sources to produce electricity with less CO2 emission. In this work, it is proposed to use a new e-vehicles charging system based on Pumps used as Turbine (PATs). This system uses the pressure in excess that could be available in a water distribution network (WDN). Such an excess of pressure is usually destroyed by pressure-reducing valves with the aim to reduce water leaks. PATs are also able to reduce water pressure and produce electrical energy that can be supplied to e-vehicles charging stations. Then, a bi-level methodology to design and optimize the e-charging stations system for (individual or shared) e-bikes and/or e-scooters is proposed. The method allows determining the optimal number of e-vehicles, charging stations docks, and PATs on the study area according to the WDN layout and hydraulic properties as well as the road network characteristics and demand of e-vehicles. The potential of the methodology is shown by an application to a real case study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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21 pages, 579 KiB  
Article
Simulation, Optimization, and Machine Learning in Sustainable Transportation Systems: Models and Applications
by Rocio de la Torre, Canan G. Corlu, Javier Faulin, Bhakti S. Onggo and Angel A. Juan
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031551 - 2 Feb 2021
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 9580
Abstract
The need for effective freight and human transportation systems has consistently increased during the last decades, mainly due to factors such as globalization, e-commerce activities, and mobility requirements. Traditionally, transportation systems have been designed with the main goal of reducing their monetary cost [...] Read more.
The need for effective freight and human transportation systems has consistently increased during the last decades, mainly due to factors such as globalization, e-commerce activities, and mobility requirements. Traditionally, transportation systems have been designed with the main goal of reducing their monetary cost while offering a specified quality of service. During the last decade, however, sustainability concepts are also being considered as a critical component of transportation systems, i.e., the environmental and social impact of transportation activities have to be taken into account when managers and policy makers design and operate modern transportation systems, whether these refer to long-distance carriers or to metropolitan areas. This paper reviews the existing work on different scientific methodologies that are being used to promote Sustainable Transportation Systems (STS), including simulation, optimization, machine learning, and fuzzy sets. This paper discusses how each of these methodologies have been employed to design and efficiently operate STS. In addition, the paper also provides a classification of common challenges, best practices, future trends, and open research lines that might be useful for both researchers and practitioners. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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19 pages, 523 KiB  
Article
Reduced Order Modeling Methods for Aviation Noise Estimation
by Ameya Behere, Dushhyanth Rajaram, Tejas G. Puranik, Michelle Kirby and Dimitri N. Mavris
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1120; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031120 - 21 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2105
Abstract
A key enabler for sustainable growth of aviation is the mitigation of adverse environmental effects. One area of concern is community noise exposure at large hub airports serving growing population centers. Traditionally, community noise exposure is computed using noise contours around airports, which [...] Read more.
A key enabler for sustainable growth of aviation is the mitigation of adverse environmental effects. One area of concern is community noise exposure at large hub airports serving growing population centers. Traditionally, community noise exposure is computed using noise contours around airports, which requires knowledge of a large dataset pertaining to the air traffic operations at the airport of interest. Due to the underlying variability in real-world aircraft operations, numerous assumptions need to be made which adversely affect the accuracy of the model. Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) methods provide a new framework for the retention of a large number of these parameters, thus improving model speed and accuracy. In this work, a proper orthogonal decomposition in conjunction with a response surface methodology-based surrogate model is used to create a rapid noise assessment model. Validation is performed against results obtained from the aviation environmental design tool with quantitative error metrics and visual contour comparisons. Obtained results are encouraging and motivate further work in this area with other ROM methods. ROM based models for noise assessment expand the solution space for noise mitigation strategies which can be evaluated, and therefore can lead to novel solutions which cannot be found with traditional modeling methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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26 pages, 13590 KiB  
Article
Examining the Effects of the Sacramento Dockless E-Bike Share on Bicycling and Driving
by Dillon T. Fitch, Hossain Mohiuddin and Susan L. Handy
Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010368 - 3 Jan 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3658
Abstract
One way cities are looking to promote bicycling is by providing publicly or privately operated bike-share services, which enable individuals to rent bicycles for one-way trips. Although many studies have examined the use of bike-share services, little is known about how these services [...] Read more.
One way cities are looking to promote bicycling is by providing publicly or privately operated bike-share services, which enable individuals to rent bicycles for one-way trips. Although many studies have examined the use of bike-share services, little is known about how these services influence individual-level travel behavior more generally. In this study, we examine the behavior of users and non-users of a dockless, electric-assisted bike-share service in the Sacramento region of California. This service, operated by Jump until suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, was one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., and spanned three California cities: Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Davis. We combine data from a repeat cross-sectional before-and-after survey of residents and a longitudinal panel survey of bike-share users with the goal of examining how the service influenced individual-level bicycling and driving. Results from multilevel regression models suggest that the effect of bike-share on average bicycling and driving at the population level is likely small. However, our results indicate that people who have used-bike share are likely to have increased their bicycling because of bike-share. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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25 pages, 93339 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Environmental and Economic Footprint of Electronic Toll Collection Lanes: A Simulation Study
by Ioannis-Dimosthenis Ramandanis, Ioannis Politis and Socrates Basbas
Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9578; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229578 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3922
Abstract
Electronic toll collection (ETC) plays, as part of transport demand management (TDM) measures, an important role in preventing traffic congestion and improving the environmental conditions in urban and rural areas. An attempt is made in the framework of this paper to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Electronic toll collection (ETC) plays, as part of transport demand management (TDM) measures, an important role in preventing traffic congestion and improving the environmental conditions in urban and rural areas. An attempt is made in the framework of this paper to evaluate the overall performance of a toll station when a lane is dedicated to ETC. The case study refers to a toll station in the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area, Greece. Scenarios considered specific traffic characteristics, variable toll booth setups, and different penetration rates of the ETC tag users for car and heavy vehicles. The tool used in the evaluation process was the PTV Vissim traffic simulation software. The operation of the toll station during a specific peak-hour period was simulated with the aid of the specific software. In total, 39 alternative scenarios were developed and compared to determine the level of penetration rate for which the ETC lane would be effective for different toll booth setups. Results showed that when the right lane of the toll station is converted to ETC lane, the penetration rate of this lane must be greater the 15% for the private vehicles and 20% for the heavy goods vehicles (HGV) to reduce traffic congestion and to improve environmental conditions. It was also found that when an additional ETC lane was introduced to the existing toll station set up, traffic congestion and the associated environmental conditions were much improved even for low penetration rates. It must be noticed that the results from the use of discounted cash flow methods like internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV) and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) showed that all economic indicators converge as penetration rate increases in all toll booth setups. Therefore, there is a specific penetration rate threshold above which the economic viability of the investment is secured. These findings can assist the design of an effective policy in terms of the optimized operation of a toll station and sustainable mobility planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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20 pages, 1128 KiB  
Article
Maritime Cargo Prioritisation during a Prolonged Pandemic Lockdown Using an Integrated TOPSIS-Knapsack Technique: A Case Study on Small Island Developing States—The Rodrigues Island
by Christos A. Kontovas and Krishna Sooprayen
Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7992; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197992 - 27 Sep 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3272
Abstract
Many remote areas, such as island states, are highly dependent on the transportation of cargo, and any disruptions similar to the 2020 pandemic lockdowns can negatively affect their respective supply chains. These disruptions could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis. It is therefore [...] Read more.
Many remote areas, such as island states, are highly dependent on the transportation of cargo, and any disruptions similar to the 2020 pandemic lockdowns can negatively affect their respective supply chains. These disruptions could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis. It is therefore imperative to develop a cargo prioritisation process to ensure that essential commodities are transported. We propose a decision-aid tool that integrates two methods: (a) the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and (b) the knapsack problem. Containers are prioritised based on attributes such as their importance and their economic value. TOPSIS is used to calculate a score for each container and the knapsack problem determines the containers to be imported respecting the transportation capacity constraints. The practical applicability of the model is demonstrated by a case study on a Small Island Developing State. The proposed decision-aid tool could also be extended to be used in disaster relief situations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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23 pages, 803 KiB  
Article
A Taxonomic Analysis of Smart City Projects in North America and Europe
by Guido Perboli and Mariangela Rosano
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7813; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187813 - 22 Sep 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3759
Abstract
In recent years, the concept of a “Smart City” became central in the agenda of researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders. Although the application of information and communication technologies on city management has advanced exponentially, also other components would be needed for building a truly [...] Read more.
In recent years, the concept of a “Smart City” became central in the agenda of researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders. Although the application of information and communication technologies on city management has advanced exponentially, also other components would be needed for building a truly sustainable urban environment. Researchers from different domains debated the definition of a smart city and the conceptual variants. However, a broad view of the smart city field is still missing. This paper attempts to fill this gap by proposing a taxonomic classification of the most 105 outstanding smart city projects in Europe and North America. Collected data are then processed by statistical tools for clearly highlighting the success factors, trends and future paths in which all these projects are moving, along with different aspects (e.g., business model, purpose, industry). We then investigate the European and the North American Smart City concepts, illustrating the key role of mixed public and private partnerships in creating successful projects and the focus on the urban transportation, and freight and last-mile delivery in particular. Moreover, it emerges how the business modeling and the exploitation aspects have still low integration in the projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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16 pages, 305 KiB  
Article
Identifying the Factors That Increase the Probability of an Injury or Fatal Traffic Crash in an Urban Context in Jordan
by Tasneem Miqdady and Juan de Oña
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7464; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187464 - 10 Sep 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
The lack of robust studies carried out on urban roads in developing countries makes it difficult to enhance traffic safety, ensuring sustainable roads and cities. This study analyzes the contribution of a number of explanatory variables behind crashes involving injuries on arterial roads [...] Read more.
The lack of robust studies carried out on urban roads in developing countries makes it difficult to enhance traffic safety, ensuring sustainable roads and cities. This study analyzes the contribution of a number of explanatory variables behind crashes involving injuries on arterial roads in Irbid (Jordan). Five binary logistic regression models were calibrated for a crash dataset from 2014–2018: one for the full database, and the others for the four main crash causes identified by Jordanian Traffic Police reports. The models show that whatever the crash cause, the three most significant factors linked to an injury or fatality lie in urban road sections that are in large-scale neighborhood areas, have fewer than six accesses per kilometer, and have a low traffic volume (under 500 veh/h/ln). Some of these results agree with previous studies in other countries. Jordan’s governmental agencies concerned with urban road safety might use these results to develop appropriate plans and implement priority actions for each crash cause, in addition to undertaking further research for comparative purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
24 pages, 2559 KiB  
Article
On the Potential Impacts of Smart Traffic Control for Delay, Fuel Energy Consumption, and Emissions: An NSGA-II-Based Optimization Case Study from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
by Mohammed Al-Turki, Arshad Jamal, Hassan M. Al-Ahmadi, Mohammed A. Al-Sughaiyer and Muhammad Zahid
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7394; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187394 - 9 Sep 2020
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4038
Abstract
Intelligent traffic control at urban intersections is vital to ensure efficient and sustainable traffic operations. Urban road intersections are hotspots of congestion and traffic accidents. Poor traffic management at these locations could cause numerous issues, such as longer travel time, low travel speed, [...] Read more.
Intelligent traffic control at urban intersections is vital to ensure efficient and sustainable traffic operations. Urban road intersections are hotspots of congestion and traffic accidents. Poor traffic management at these locations could cause numerous issues, such as longer travel time, low travel speed, long vehicle queues, delays, increased fuel consumption, and environmental emissions, and so forth. Previous studies have shown that the mentioned traffic performance measures or measures of effectiveness (MOEs) could be significantly improved by adopting intelligent traffic control protocols. The majority of studies in this regard have focused on mono or bi-objective optimization with homogenous and lane-based traffic conditions. However, decision-makers often have to deal with multiple conflicting objectives to find an optimal solution under heterogeneous stochastic traffic conditions. Therefore, it is essential to determine the optimum decision plan that offers the least conflict among several objectives. Hence, the current study aimed to develop a multi-objective intelligent traffic control protocol based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) at isolated signalized intersections in the city of Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MOEs (optimization objectives) that were considered included average vehicle delay, the total number of vehicle stops, average fuel consumption, and vehicular emissions. NSGA-II simulations were run with different initial populations. The study results showed that the proposed method was effective in optimizing considered performance measures along the optimal Pareto front. MOEs were improved in the range of 16% to 23% compared to existing conditions. To assess the efficacy of the proposed approach, an optimization analysis was performed using a Synchro traffic light simulation and optimization tool. Although the Synchro optimization resulted in a relatively lower signal timing plan than NSGA-II, the proposed algorithm outperformed the Synchro optimization results in terms of percentage reduction in MOE values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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23 pages, 6652 KiB  
Article
Multi-Objective Approach for Optimization of City Logistics Considering Energy Efficiency
by Mohammad Zaher Akkad and Tamás Bányai
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7366; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187366 - 8 Sep 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3771
Abstract
Urban population increase results in more supply chain operations in these areas, which leads to increased energy consumption and environmental pollution. City logistics represents a strategy of efficient freight transportation and material handling to fulfill customer and business demands. Within the frame of [...] Read more.
Urban population increase results in more supply chain operations in these areas, which leads to increased energy consumption and environmental pollution. City logistics represents a strategy of efficient freight transportation and material handling to fulfill customer and business demands. Within the frame of this paper, the authors describe an optimization model of a multi-echelon collection and distribution system, focusing on downtown areas and energy efficiency, sustainability, and emission reduction. After a systematic literature review, this paper introduces a mathematical model of collection and distribution problems, including package delivery, municipal waste collection, home delivery services, and supply of supermarkets and offices. The object of the optimization model is twofold: firstly, to design the optimal structure of the multi-echelon collection and distribution system, including layout planning and the determination of required transportation resources, like e-cars, e-bikes, and the use of public transportation; and secondly, to optimize the operation strategy of the multi-echelon supply chain, including resource allocation and scheduling problems. Next, a heuristic approach is described, whose performance is validated with common benchmark functions, such as metaheuristic evaluation. The scenario analysis demonstrates the application of the described model and shows the optimal layout, resource allocation, and operation strategy focusing on energy efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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15 pages, 1500 KiB  
Article
Trip Chaining Model with Classification and Optimization Parameters
by Domokos Esztergár-Kiss
Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6422; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166422 - 10 Aug 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2636
Abstract
In order to model the complex requirements of users travelling in an urban environment, the relevant parameters for creating activity chains have to be identified. In this study, travel related parameters were collected and grouped into two main types: classification parameters and optimization [...] Read more.
In order to model the complex requirements of users travelling in an urban environment, the relevant parameters for creating activity chains have to be identified. In this study, travel related parameters were collected and grouped into two main types: classification parameters and optimization parameters. In the case of optimization parameters, further grouping was performed where general and comfort parameters were introduced. Additionally, the possible values and data sources of the parameters were identified. A utility function was created to take into account the optimization parameters and the weights. Weights related to comfort optimization parameters were aggregated to decrease the number of required settings by the users. Finally, the features of the proposed optimization algorithm are described. With the identified parameters, aggregated weights and elaborated utility function activity chains can be optimized for users with different requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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15 pages, 1901 KiB  
Article
“Mobility as a Service” Platforms: A Critical Path towards Increasing the Sustainability of Transportation Systems
by Carlos Oliveira Cruz and Joaquim Miranda Sarmento
Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6368; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166368 - 7 Aug 2020
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 8106
Abstract
Urban mobility is experiencing a profound change. Mobility patterns are becoming more complex, and typical home–work–home travel is no longer the rule, as journeys tend to connect multiple points in a rather inconstant pattern. This has changed the approach to transport planning. Existing [...] Read more.
Urban mobility is experiencing a profound change. Mobility patterns are becoming more complex, and typical home–work–home travel is no longer the rule, as journeys tend to connect multiple points in a rather inconstant pattern. This has changed the approach to transport planning. Existing transportation planning and operation approaches have been focussed on the ability to identify and forecast typical home–work/school–home travel and subsequently plan the transport system accordingly. The traditional approach has been: Forecast - > plan - > deliver. New mobility patterns and mobility solutions are characterised by greater flexibility, taking advantage of the “sharing concept” and simultaneously providing solutions that have lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These dynamics and an evolving environment raise several new challenges at different levels, fostering the development of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). This system transforms the physical transportation system into a commodity and takes advantage of the internet of things (IoT). However, the onset of MaaS solutions is anything but linear. Several business models have emerged, with different partners originating from different industries (e.g., technological, transport operators, infrastructure managers, etc.) developing their own solutions, often in competition with others. It is not unusual to find different MaaS solutions in the same city, which integrate different solutions. This paper intends to provide an analysis on the main challenges affecting mobility in general, and MaaS in particular, as well as the main business models used for delivering MaaS solutions. The paper uses a case study in Lisbon to illustrate some of the challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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17 pages, 3373 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Potential of Short Sea Shipping and the Benefits in Terms of External Costs: Application to the Mediterranean Basin
by Antonio Comi and Antonio Polimeni
Sustainability 2020, 12(13), 5383; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135383 - 3 Jul 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3481
Abstract
The paper aims to investigate short sea shipping services as a competitive, sustainable freight transport system which is able to respond to economic, social and environmental needs. An assessment methodology is proposed which considers an aggregate discrete choice model, simulating the split between [...] Read more.
The paper aims to investigate short sea shipping services as a competitive, sustainable freight transport system which is able to respond to economic, social and environmental needs. An assessment methodology is proposed which considers an aggregate discrete choice model, simulating the split between the competitive transport alternatives in the Mediterranean basin. The proposed methodology was used to assess the potential of short sea shipping (SSS) and the net benefits deriving from lower external costs in the north-western Mediterranean basin. Two future scenarios are considered: introduction of new SSS services as envisaged by current EU projects and plans, and the introduction of new SSS routes and an increase in frequencies of existing services. Significant results were obtained in terms of shifting freight traffic from the road network as well as external benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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20 pages, 324 KiB  
Article
Weighted Variables Using Best-Worst Scaling in Ordered Logit Models for Public Transit Satisfaction
by Iván Manuel Mendoza-Arango, Eneko Echaniz, Luigi dell’Olio and Eduardo Gutiérrez-González
Sustainability 2020, 12(13), 5318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135318 - 1 Jul 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1923
Abstract
Customer overall satisfaction regarding a public transport system is dependent on the satisfaction of the users with the attributes that make up the service, as well as the contribution that each of these attributes makes to explain the overall satisfaction. A common way [...] Read more.
Customer overall satisfaction regarding a public transport system is dependent on the satisfaction of the users with the attributes that make up the service, as well as the contribution that each of these attributes makes to explain the overall satisfaction. A common way of analysing the contribution of service attributes to explain overall satisfaction is through the use of ordered logit or probit models. This article presents an ordered logit model that considers the weighting of independent variables through the explicit importance calculated on the basis of a best-worst case 1 choice task. For the calculation of importance, a multinomial logit model has been estimated which considers the heterogeneity of the sample through systematic variations in user tastes. In this way, it is possible to establish a level of importance of each specific attribute for each type of user. The results show that the importance varies considerably depending on different socio-economic and mobility-base variables. On the other hand, the inclusion of the weighted variables in the ordered logit model improves its fit. Therefore, the results make possible to develop policies focused on improving satisfaction on specific user targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 849 KiB  
Review
Impact Assessments of New Mobility Services: A Critical Review
by Tom Storme, Corneel Casier, Hossein Azadi and Frank Witlox
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3074; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063074 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5583
Abstract
Assessing the impact of new mobility systems (e.g., shared mobility services, mobility as a service (MaaS), and Mobihubs) in urban contexts remains a challenging endeavor due to the varying priorities (social, economic, and environmental) of different stakeholders and restricted and/or limited availability of [...] Read more.
Assessing the impact of new mobility systems (e.g., shared mobility services, mobility as a service (MaaS), and Mobihubs) in urban contexts remains a challenging endeavor due to the varying priorities (social, economic, and environmental) of different stakeholders and restricted and/or limited availability of data. In a broad sense, new mobility services (NMS) can be characterized as a way of optimizing the ownership and use of a variety of mobility resources, tailored to the needs of an entire (urban) community. In this context, providing an up-to-date and critical review on the impact of NMS is the main contribution and added value of this study. To this end, this study presents an in-depth review of NMS and their diverse features (e.g., car sharing, bike sharing, Mobihubs, etc.), as an alternative to privately-owned travel modes. By reviewing more than 100 relevant sources from academic journals (Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science) and media reports, this study explains the key elements on how to address the impact assessment of NMS in terms of social, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainable mobility services. This study concludes that the implementation of NMS offers the potential to promote efficiency, sustainability, social equity, and quality of life. The main findings of this study serve as a perfect starting point for mobility providers and policymakers who are concerned about the growing demands for clean and green cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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28 pages, 3618 KiB  
Review
A Review of Optimal Charging Strategy for Electric Vehicles under Dynamic Pricing Schemes in the Distribution Charging Network
by Adil Amin, Wajahat Ullah Khan Tareen, Muhammad Usman, Haider Ali, Inam Bari, Ben Horan, Saad Mekhilef, Muhammad Asif, Saeed Ahmed and Anzar Mahmood
Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 10160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310160 - 4 Dec 2020
Cited by 92 | Viewed by 8747
Abstract
This study summarizes a critical review on EVs’ optimal charging and scheduling under dynamic pricing schemes. A detailed comparison of these schemes, namely, Real Time Pricing (RTP), Time of Use (ToU), Critical Peak Pricing (CPP), and Peak Time Rebates (PTR), is presented. Globally, [...] Read more.
This study summarizes a critical review on EVs’ optimal charging and scheduling under dynamic pricing schemes. A detailed comparison of these schemes, namely, Real Time Pricing (RTP), Time of Use (ToU), Critical Peak Pricing (CPP), and Peak Time Rebates (PTR), is presented. Globally, the intention is to reduce the carbon emissions (CO2) has motivated the extensive practice of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The uncoordinated charging and uncontrolled integration however of EVs to the distribution network deteriorates the system performance in terms of power quality issues. Therefore, the EVs’ charging activity can be coordinated by dynamic electricity pricing, which can influence the charging activities of the EVs customers by offering flexible pricing at different demands. Recently, with developments in technology and control schemes, the RTP scheme offers more promise compared to the other types of tariff because of the greater flexibility for EVs’ customers to adjust their demands. It however involves higher degree of billing instability, which may influence the customer’s confidence. In addition, the RTP scheme needs a robust intelligent automation system to improve the customer’s feedback to time varying prices. In addition, the review covers the main optimization methods employed in a dynamic pricing environment to achieve objectives such as power loss and electricity cost minimization, peak load reduction, voltage regulation, distribution infrastructure overloading minimization, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Sustainable Transportation Models and Applications)
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