Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Research Articles

Driving towards Sustainability: Wireless Charging of Low-Speed Vehicles with PDM-Based Active Bridge Rectifiers

The surge in demand for eco-friendly transportation and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure necessitates innovative solutions. This study proposed a novel approach to charging slow-moving vehicles, prioritizing efficiency and minimizing output pulsation. Central to the research is the development of a receiver-side power-regulated constant charging system, focusing on power regulation and maintaining consistent charging parameters. This system integrates a receiver-side pulse density-modulated active bridge rectifier, dynamically adjusting driving pulse density to regulate delivered power. Additionally, a receiver-side reconfigurable compensation network ensures constant current and voltage delivery to the charging device, eliminating the need for an additional D.C.-D.C. converter. A 3.3 kW charging structure employing a multi-leg inverter topology and energizing four ground-side transmitter pads exemplifies the proposed approach. The vertical air gap of charging pads is 150 mm, and the system achieves a maximal efficiency of 93.4%. This innovative strategy holds significant promise for advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure and meeting the evolving demands of the EV market.

Advancing the understanding of successful technology implementation factors within state DOTs: a maturity model perspective

In an effort to improve the security, dependability, and quality of infrastructure systems, the implementation of complex transportation construction and maintenance projects is essential. Building upon a previous study that identified six crucial factors for effectively implementing new and emerging technologies in the State Department of Transportations (DOTs), this research aims to comprehensively explore six critical factors using a maturity model perspective. DOTs have shown increasing interest in adopting emerging and wireless technologies, as evident in various Federal Highway Administration Every Day Counts initiative. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, using survey responses from DOT personnel to evaluate the relative significance of technology implementation factors and subfactors. The six factors for successful technology implementation explored in this study are Organization Structure, Information Technology Infrastructure, Data Security, Information Workflow, Personnel Training, and Stakeholder Engagement. The study also evaluates the relative importance of People, Process, and Technology for each of these six factors. The paper focuses on providing detailed insights into the different criteria of each technology implementation factor and subfactor to guide agencies in successful technology deployment. Understanding these factors is critical to deploying emerging technologies successfully, which, in turn, leads to much-needed efficiency and productivity in highway construction and asset management. The findings of this study can help DOTs prioritize their technology investments and ultimately contribute to the development of a more advanced and sustainable transportation infrastructure system.

Stabilization of Loose Soils as Part of Sustainable Development of Road Infrastructure

In the context of growing demand for road infrastructure expansion, sustainability is of key importance. Enhancing road construction technology ensures efficient, durable transportation infrastructure, vital for economic growth. Responsible road construction, especially in areas of historical and environmental significance, is essential. Preserving ecosystems and local heritage in road planning protects valuable areas and supports regional sustainability. Rural roads, often in forested areas, should maintain natural aesthetics. Economic challenges require flexible, efficient roads. Many existing unpaved roads, especially in rural and forest environments, fail to meet increasing traffic and load of heavy agricultural and maintenance vehicles. Soil stabilization methods, discussed in various publications, offer sustainable solutions. Research on ecofriendly binding additives provides the opportunity to reduce cement consumption and CO2 emissions. Such innovations enhance road efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and benefit the environment. Investing in modern road technologies mitigates climate change effects by reducing emissions and protecting ecosystems. Our research indicates that soil stabilization technologies significantly improve road strength and durability. Additives can increase compressive strength by over 50% with minimal cement content. Continued research into road quality and durability is vital for sustainable transport infrastructure development. The results presented in this paper were obtained after two periods of solidification: after 7 and 30 days, with three types of ads (ion-exchangeable, chemical, and polymeric) to cement. In all tests, compaction strength improved by at least 35% in samples with the lowest cement content.

Sustainable Financing for Transport Infrastructure: An Integral Approach for the Russian Federation

The development of global transport infrastructure is a crucial aspect of economic growth and prosperity. In this study, the main trends in the development of global transport infrastructure are analyzed, with a focus on the state and trends in the functioning of the national transport infrastructure of the Russian Federation. By identifying key problems and determinants of financial growth, a preliminary decomposition is made to guide future development. Proceeding from the fact that the innovative development of Russia’s transport infrastructure should occur through state stimulation of the development of intellectual and partnership relationships and the formation of a digital environment for managing projects for its innovative transformation at the state level, this study identifies the goals, methods, and levels of ensuring the implementation of innovative transformations in transport infrastructure. Consideration of the historical aspects of the formation of the modern economy and comprehension of the mechanisms of state management and tools to ensure innovative transformations in the sphere of transport allowed us to identify three stages (dogmatic, strategic regulation, and innovative integration) of transformation regarding the theory of the state management for the innovative development of transport infrastructure in Russia. Taking into account the content of these periods of transformation allowed us to detail the specifics of the modern stage; highlight the shortcomings; and propose theoretical and methodological foundations for revising the provisions of the state regulation of innovative development in transport infrastructure. To determine the effectiveness of the processes of the state regulation of innovation activity in the transport industry, we propose a model for assessing the effectiveness of innovation activity in the transport complex, which is presented in the form of a three-level parametric system, where the first group of indicators allows us to assess the innovation activity of economic entities in the transport industry; the second allows us to assess innovation potential; and the third allows us to assess the effectiveness of innovation. The novelty of the proposed model is the consideration of the principles of dynamism, perspective, and expediency, and its application allows us to establish the level of innovative development in transport infrastructure. An important factor in ensuring the sustainable development of a country’s economy and forming its positive image in the world is its financial attractiveness. Therefore, the assessment of financial attractiveness is a priority task for the development of modern sustainable transport infrastructure in Russia.

Dynamics of Urban Transport Arrangement Policies to Support the Achievement of Sustainable Transportation

This article analyses the dynamics of the transport policy of the government of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and the administration’s efforts to organise transportation for sustainability. A qualitative method with a case study approach is used in the research. For data analysis, an interactive model and NVivo 12 Plus qualitative data analysis software were used. The results suggested several initiatives that the government of Yogyakarta must undertake to implement sustainable transportation, including transportation policies, infrastructure development and public awareness. The Yogyakarta government does not yet have regulations that form the basis for the implementation of sustainable transportation in the region. Sustainable transport has only recently become a developmental priority in the 2020–2024 regional mid-term development plan, which reflects the Indonesian government’s lagging in promoting sustainable transport on a national and regional scale. For sustainable transport infrastructure, the government of Yogyakarta has operated the rapid bus system Trans Jogja for public transport. However, the implementation of Trans Jogja has been suboptimal because it is considered unable to meet the needs of the community and forces the people of Yogyakarta to use private vehicles for daily mobility. Therefore, The Yogyakarta government is currently working on electric energy-based public transportation (electromobility), which is more environmentally friendly as it does not use fuel oil and has low emissions.

Seismic loss and resilience modeling of bridges in soft soils: towards the design of sustainable transportation infrastructure facilities

ABSTRACT Local site characterization and regional tectonic environment are crucial when designing earthquake-resistant bridges. Insufficient understanding of these factors can lead to significant seismic damages and low resilience of bridge components. In this study, the seismic loss and resilience of bridges located in soft soil are examined based on proposed fragility functions at both the individual element and system levels. The effects of aging and construction quality are also taken into account to evaluate the seismic performance of bridges. The findings of this study revealed that bridges in soil class D are the most vulnerable in all seismic and structural integrity scenarios. Bridges with inadequate seismic design may not have the necessary flexibility to absorb and dissipate seismic energy. The findings of this study can also contribute to evaluating transportation network functionality and decision-making procedures within a designated framework for disaggregation in any earthquake scenario

Sustainable Transportation Infrastructures in Iowa—Goals and Practices

The need to incorporate sustainability principles and practices is increasing for environmental and economic reasons. It is imperative to identify and operationalize sustainability strategies into core administrative, planning, design, construction, operational, and maintenance activities for the transportation infrastructure systems by integrating sustainability into decision-making processes. The primary goal of this study is to develop an implementation plan for achieving more sustainable transportation infrastructure systems in Iowa. This research aims to guide the adoption of sustainable strategies, balancing cost, performance, and environmental impact in transportation infrastructure development. This paper presents efforts to develop a methodology for identifying the best sustainable practices for implementation in transportation infrastructure practices in Iowa by surveying state DOTs to learn about their sustainability goals and practices, identifying existing sustainability attributes and sustainable practices, and developing a GIS database where construction, materials and performance data of sustainable practices can be stored and analyzed.

Optimizing electric vehicles charging for enhancing environmental sustainability and reducing carbon emissions of freight transport: case of Czech Republic

The limited infrastructure of charging stations, which is crucial in route planning and total journey time and creates uncertainty in efficiency and operating costs, calls for new economic and statistical methods in sustainability development and environmental economics. This paper aims to examine the challenges of integrating electric vehicles into freight transport to improve distribution logistics’ environmental sustainability, which represents one of the pathways for reducing environmental risk. The analysis results underscore the inadequacy of the truck charging station network in the Czech Republic. This insufficiency presents an opportunity to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions through strategic analysis and optimizing charging station locations. The difficulty of identifying optimal locations for these stations, given truck availability, requires using multi-criteria decision-making techniques such as the Analytical Network Process (ANP). Municipalities with limited access to existing logistics facilities were considered during the simulation. This way, 15 new locations were identified for municipalities with insufficient distance to a charging station.By implementing the ANP method, the study contributes to a more environmentally sustainable transportation infrastructure, highlighting the potential for significant reductions in carbon emissions through improved charging station networks. These results apply to other countries and can provide novel insights on optimizing charging station locations for sustainable economic development and reducing freight transport’s carbon emissions and environmental risks.

Reducing transport sector CO2 emissions patterns: Environmental technologies and renewable energy

The research explores the impact of environmental technologies and renewable energy on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the EU transportation sector (2007–2020). Utilizing panel corrected standard error and feasible generalized least squares methods, the study uncovers key drivers influencing declining CO2 emissions. The results reveal a significant and variable effect of environmental technologies and renewable energy on CO2 emissions in the EU transport sector, emphasizing the positive correlation between increased renewable energy adoption and emission reduction. This underscores the necessity for heightened EU investment in sustainable transport infrastructure and clean energy solutions, encompassing initiatives like electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and biofuels. The study further recommends promoting renewable energy sources for transport systems, aligning with the broader goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Law. Additionally, the research provides essential insights into policy implications, emphasizing a multifaceted approach including comprehensive strategies for cleaner transportation, innovation, and education to accelerate the transition towards sustainable practices in the EU.

Analysis of Non-workers Activity-Travel Mode Choice Behaviour for the Effective Usage of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure

Homemakers, the unemployed, and retirees are examples of non-workers who typically have a greater amount of time than workers. As a result, their travel patterns, and reactions to changes in travel management measures are distinct from those of working individuals. This study provides statistical and exploratory analysis of the activity-travel node choice patterns of non-workers in Bangalore North. The study uses primary activity-travel survey data obtained by conducting person to person questionnaire survey. The data obtained provides an overview of socioeconomic characteristics and activity-travel behavior of non-workers for various activities. Public, private, and NMT vehicles are the different modes considered when determining the choice of mode of travel for the effective usage of sustainable transportation infrastructure. According to the Multinomial Logistic Regression (MNLR) analysis carried out for this study, the main factors that significantly affect non-workers’ choice of mode are gender, two-wheeler ownership, travel time, and travel distance. The analysis also reveals that non-workers don’t prefer using public transit for most of their activities. To encourage non-workers to commute more regularly by public transport, transportation professionals and governments may view this as a crucial topic for future development and planning.

Digital Twin Framework for Bridge Structural Health Monitoring Utilizing Existing Technologies: New Paradigm for Enhanced Management, Operation, and Maintenance

Bridges are one of the most important elements of a sustainable transportation infrastructure network and require significant care to guarantee they function in a safe and reliable manner. Ensuring effective bridge maintenance and life cycle management in the face of aging and deterioration requires precise performance data and efficient assessment technologies. Because of the overall mediocre quality of U.S. infrastructure, there is a crucial need to enhance its monitoring and management. Digital twin is an emerging and promising concept that can offer the required solution. Advances in sensors, computing, communications, and predictive data analytics, coupled with biannual inspections, offer a wealth of bridge assessment data that will need a centralized digital twin framework for integration, analysis, and optimal decision-making with regard to maintenance. Leveraging and integrating these technologies in the new paradigm of a bridge digital twin will provide state transportation agencies with additional resources not previously available to enhance bridge operation and maintenance. A major value of a digital twin is the new knowledge created by the integration of information resources. This paper provides a framework for bridge digital twin that incorporates existing technologies, namely, building information modeling, structural health monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, and geographic information systems. The paper also provides an overview of practical applications and use cases of digital twin for bridges and structures, and offers an assessment of the challenges posed by the technology.

Geosynthetic Solutions for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Development

Geosynthetic engineering has made significant advances during the past decade in the areas of manufacturing and practical applications. As a result, geosynthetics have become essential materials that facilitate construction, better improve short- and long-term performance, and reduce long-term maintenance costs in routine civil engineering projects. Geosynthetics are also being recognized as fundamental to sustainable infrastructure development as they reduce the carbon footprint generated by infrastructure development by minimizing the use of natural construction materials. Creative use of geosynthetics in geo-engineering practices is expected to continue to expand as innovative materials and products are becoming available. In this paper, we begin by discussing issues related to climate change. The sustainable benefits of geosynthetics are then presented by demonstrating the potential of geosynthetics to significantly reduce carbon footprints compared to traditional solutions. Finally, recent geosynthetic technologies have been introduced for use in transportation infrastructure. The pathway forward of the geosynthetic technology is also discussed from the view of sustainable infrastructure development.

Enhancing the Sustainable Transportation Facilities Infrastructure Need with the Trip Generation Modeling

The transportation system is considered as one of the most important sustainable infrastructures in a country. Enhancing its need for development to cover the requirements of the inhabitants in a city is vital and the starting point for that is the consideration of the total number of trips generated to cover the commercial, educational, work and entertainment needs. In the present work, the trip generation in Baghdad was monitored and modeled. A questionnaire was designed and distributed among the western part of the city to obtain information regarding the number of trips generated daily by the household. Various aims of the trips and their duration as conducted by the members of each household were obtained, analyzed, and modeled. The obtained trip generation statistical model of Baghdad urban area can be implemented in the future development of the sustainable transportation infrastructure and predict its need for expansion and development.

An assessment of sustainable transport infrastructure in a national healthcare system

IntroductionHealthcare contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions, which can be reduced by promoting sustainable mobility amongst staff commuting. This study aims to investigate the national sustainable transport infrastructure for staff of healthcare facilities and utilise this data to develop a novel scoring and ranking system. MethodsThis was an empirical retrospective observational study. Data was collected on all 47 hospitals sustainable transport infrastructure. A working group calculated the weighted scores for each sustainable transport data point. These scores were used to calculate the Total and Active Sustainability Scores for each hospital, allowing a ranking to be formed. Results7 of 47 (15 %) hospitals had EV charging on campus. 17 of 47 (36 %) hospitals had secure bike parking. 2 of 47 (4 %) hospitals had a “bike hub”. 18 of 47 (38 %) hospitals had a bike lane. 13 of 22 (59 %) city hospitals had bike sharing facilities. 42 of 47 (89 %) hospitals had one public transport route. City hospitals ranked higher in both Total & Active Sustainability Scores. DiscussionThis study explored a new concept of measuring sustainable transport infrastructure. Frameworks examining sustainability are available, however, none allowed for ranking of hospitals. This study highlights the lack of both research in this field and sustainable transport infrastructure in hospitals.

A profitability assessment of fast-charging stations under vehicle-to-grid smart charging operation

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, a key driver for reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability, promises significant economic benefits through efficient energy exchanges between electric vehicles (EVs) and power distribution grids. However, the inherent uncertainty and variability in EV charging behavior pose challenges in accurately estimating potential economic gains from coordinated smart charging, presenting difficulties for charging service providers. In response to this, our study introduces a data-driven framework for assessing the profitability of fast-charging stations based on real-world operational data. This framework integrates data analytics, mixed-integer optimization, and behavioral theory. To address the computational challenge posed by optimizing charging schedules for numerous sessions, a tailored sub-gradient method is proposed. Additionally, a logit-based choice model is incorporated to account for the participation decisions of users. The flexibility of 0.7 million charging session profiles is thoroughly analyzed under peak-shaving incentives from the grid and quantifies the resultant monetary benefits. The analysis further extended to multiple influencing factors such as climate and the Covid-19 pandemic. Results suggest that fast charging stations under a coordinated charging scheme could experience a monthly bill curtailment of 20–30% compared to uncoordinated circumstances. These findings could pave the way for more efficient and profitable V2G operations, thereby accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Application of Factor Analysis and Structure Equation Modelling for Evaluation of Key Performance Indicators for Development of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure

Application of Factor Analysis and Structure Equation Modelling for Evaluation of Key Performance Indicators for Development of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure

Exploring the Transport Infrastructure Sustainability Performance: An Investigation of the Transportation Projects in Saudi Arabia

In the Saudi Arabian construction projects, the transport infrastructure sustainability assessment has become a priority in recent years. The purpose of this research is to assess the sustainability performance of transport infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. It specifically seeks to assess the effects of these initiatives on the environment, society, and economy, while highlighting their advantages and disadvantages as well as potential areas for development. A key objective of this evaluation is to provide thoughtful analysis and suggestions for improving Saudi Arabia’s transportation infrastructure development. The study was conducted using a Likert-scale questionnaire survey among 197 professionals in Saudi Arabia. The Cronbach’s alpha test was conducted to assess the validity of the survey. Moreover, statistical analysis using SPSS software 25 was used along with the Spearman correlation test to evaluate the respondent behavior of the survey. The investigation serves as a foundation for devising strategies and policies to promote sustainable transportation practices in Saudi Arabia. The study’s insights can guide effective planning and regulations that prioritize sustainability, environmental preservation, and public support. By focusing on these outcomes, transportation networks can be improved, environmental impacts reduced, construction methods enhanced, and safety ensured for workers and the public. A durable, effective, and environmentally conscious transportation infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s present and future generations could be achieved by embracing sustainable transportation infrastructure and giving priority to the determined results.

Next Generation Small Urban Manufacturing: Apprentices’ Perspective on Location Factors, Mixed-Use, and Shared Spaces

Advancements in technology and architecture enable mixed-use development while normative settings like the European Commission’s New Leipzig Charter support the concept of a productive city. Nonetheless, small urban manufacturers (SUMs) including crafts still face displacement due to property prices, conflicts with housing, planning laws, and building regulations. Urban planning and economic development emphasise the importance of identifying and redeveloping suitable sites for urban manufacturing companies. Largely unanswered, however, is whether the next generation of manufacturers (apprentices) want mixed-use locations within the city or space sharing, and if so, under which conditions. Based on two written surveys, this article examines the location requirements of SUMs in Germany and the willingness of apprentices in the Ruhr area to embrace mixed-use buildings and shared spaces. The study focuses on three craft groups: store crafts, workshop crafts, and construction site crafts. The results show that SUMs in Germany and manufacturing apprentices in the Ruhr prioritise car- and security-related infrastructure, as well as low real-estate costs. Store crafts specifically seek affordable and well-connected ground-floor locations. Construction site crafts prioritise (un)loading facilities for trucks on industrial land over sustainable transport infrastructure, and they differ significantly from the other craft groups in terms of mixed-use preferences. However, all craft groups express openness to mixed-use locations with offices and additional workshops and shared spaces like garages, canteens, and showrooms. The article suggests that commercial courtyards could effectively meet the requirements and desires of apprentices and urban planners alike.

The value of green infrastructure to property prices: Evidence from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Green infrastructure supports residential choice, provides sustainable transport and contributes to liveable neighbourhoods. This study investigates the value of green infrastructure, defined as built environment features (e.g., green spaces, beaches), facilities (e.g., fitness equipment in parks) and sustainable transport infrastructure (e.g., heavy rail, light rail and bus), to property prices in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia as a case study. The main difference of this study from previous ones is the evaluation scope is not limited or attached to a particular transport infrastructure project but instead considers a whole city. The impacts of green infrastructure are measured taking account of geographical differences across the city using a multi-level regression modelling approach to identify the implicit value of green infrastructure in residential property prices. The results suggest only those elements of green infrastructure that can provide a direct service to people (e.g., fitness equipment) are positively valued. Importantly from a sustainable transport perspective, the current public transport network and services have a negative impact on property price suggesting public transport might not be meeting property owners’ expectations. The paper discusses the implications of the model results for literature and policy on green infrastructure.

Risk and Cost Analysis Study Occupational Health and Safety (K3) On Passenger Terminal Building Works New Mentawai Airport Development Project

To provide adequate and quality air transportation facilities and infrastructure by developing and maintaining a sustainable air transport infrastructure, it is ?required attention to occupational safety and health risk factors. These factors need to be analyzed in order to achieve zero accidents in the implementation process. This study aims to identify OHS risk factors, determine the highest OHS risk factors and then prepare a Construction Safety Plan (RKK) based on the highest OHS risk factors in The Terminal Building Construction Of The New Mentawai Airport Development Project, to determine the control of these risks. Interviews, and questionnaires as well as the results of previous studies, were collected to determine the risk factors for OSH. The Analytical Hierarchy Process method was applied to determine the highest risk factor which was carried out by compiling the AHP questionnaire and inputting it in the Expert Choice application. The Construction Safety Plan is prepared after the AHP analysis, in which the required OHS costs are also known. There are 4 aspects of risk factors: Workers Aspect, Management Aspect, Equipment Aspect, and the Environment Aspect with 24 risk factors. The risk factor for worker burnout, which is part of the worker aspect and is carried out in structural work, is the highest. Furthermore, the Construction Safety Plan (RKK) is prepared based on the Regulation of the Minister of Public Works of the Republic of Indonesia Number 10 of 2021 concerning Guidelines for Construction Safety Management Systems with an OHS cost of this construction IDR 698,250,000.00. This study emphasizes the importance of paying attention to risk factors, namely the burnout condition of workers, which is rarely considered in the implementation of construction work.