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Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 11568

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Prof. Massimo Di Gangi

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Guest Editor

Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Interests: urban transport; route choice; route planning

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The challenge of sustainable development is particularly important in cities. The central element of every city is the transport system, which on the one hand allows economic and social development and on the other creates serious problems for environmental development. Recent years have seen the interaction of ICT systems and energy systems with transport systems. This has led to multiple advances in transport systems that are called upon to perform new functions with respect to both passengers and freight.

The two main directions of research and experimentation that we hope to focus on in this Special Issue are goods and passengers.

Research on goods may concern not only the classic types of purchase demand and supply associated with brick-and-mortar stores, but also the new forms of commerce involved in the large field of e-commerce. A further research interest in in how e-commerce is, in turn, specialized for the new user behavior, and therefore for the modification of demand and the reorganization of supply. Finally, we are interested in the reinterpretation of city logistics, from the new vehicle routing processes to pick-up points.

Regarding passengers, research can concern the classic types of individual and collective transport both in supply and demand; we would be particularly interested in research that deals with new forms of passenger travel, both in user behavior, presenting more advanced formulations of behavior, and with travel that emerges with forms of deep integration such as MaaS.

In both passenger and freight, research may concern the advances of the general formulation of "transport system modelling", with particular attention paid to all forms of dynamic modeling: from the routes of freight vehicles to passenger decision-making in MaaS, covering all the previously introduced components. In this context, research may be of interest which considers not only the ordinary operating conditions of a transport system, but also extraordinary conditions due to the presence of anthropic or natural risks.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Sustainable urban mobility;
Emerging technologies and advanced traffic management;
Public transportation and shared mobility;
Mobility as a service (MaaS) and sustainable development in transportation;
E-commerce: advanced city logistics models;
E-commerce: advanced user behavioral models;
Sequential demand models;
Transit network modelling with dynamic approach;
Risk and resilience in urban transportation systems;
Intelligent transportation systems and urban evacuation.

Looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Massimo Di Gangi
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 transportation
smart city
intelligent transportation systems
mobility as a service (MaaS)
city logistics
demand models
dynamic simulations
risk analysis
transit assessment
network design
intelligent transportation systems.

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 3317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Reduction in Transportation Systems: The Role of Digital Twins According to a Bibliometric-Based Literature Review

by Vittorio Astarita, Giuseppe Guido, Sina Shaffiee Haghshenas and Sami Shaffiee Haghshenas

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083212 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 412

Abstract

Urban areas, with their dense populations and complex infrastructures, are increasingly susceptible to various risks, including environmental challenges and infrastructural strain. This paper delves into the transformative potential of digital twins—virtual replicas of physical entities—for mitigating these risks. It specifically explores the role of digital twins in reducing disaster risks, such as those posed by earthquakes and floods, through a comprehensive bibliometric-based literature review. Digital twins could contribute to risk reduction by combining data analytics, simulation, and predictive modeling by creating virtual replicas of physical entities and integrating real-time data streams to better address and manage risks in urban environments. In detail, they can help city planners and decision-makers analyze complex urban systems, simulate potential scenarios, and predict potential outcomes. This proactive approach allows both the identification of vulnerabilities and better implementation of targeted mitigation strategies to enhance urban resilience and sustainability. More informed decisions can be made relying on simulations, and it can also be possible to optimize resource allocation and better respond to emerging challenges. This work reviews the key publications in this domain, with the aim of finding relevant papers that can be useful to urban planners and policy-makers. The paper concludes by discussing the broader implications of these findings and identifying challenges in the widespread adoption of digital twin technology, including data privacy concerns and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. It also outlines prospective avenues for future research in this emerging field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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21 pages, 17059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Sustainable Mobility: Evaluating New Bicycle and Pedestrian Links to Car-Oriented Industrial Parks with ARAS-G MCDM Approach

by Jurgis Zagorskas and Zenonas Turskis

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2994; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072994 - 03 Apr 2024

Viewed by 594

Abstract

The aim of this research is to address the challenge of transforming car-oriented industrial parks into pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environments. Through the implementation of a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, the study aims to evaluate alternative pathway connections and assess their potential impact on bicycle and pedestrian traffic volumes. By enhancing the connectivity of the cycling pathway network, the research seeks to demonstrate the potential for substantial increases in cycling and walking within industrial zones. This research leverages a multi-criteria decision-making framework, specifically the ARAS-G method, and integrates geographic information system analysis alongside Python scripting to project future bicycle usage and assess alternative pathway connections. The study underscores the potential for substantial increases in cycling and walking by augmenting the connectivity of the cycling pathway network. The findings hold practical significance for urban planners and industrial zone developers, advocating a holistic approach to sustainable transportation. The research contributes a comprehensive set of criteria encompassing connectivity, safety, accessibility, efficiency, integration within the urban fabric, and cost-effectiveness to evaluate sustainability and prioritize actions and measures for reestablishing industrial zones as bicycle-friendly spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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13 pages, 897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methods for Risk Reduction: Modelling Users’ Updating Utilities in Urban Transport Networks

by Giuseppe Musolino

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062468 - 15 Mar 2024

Viewed by 485

Abstract

The paper deals with transportation system models (TSMs) on behalf of methods for risk reduction in urban areas. As far as urban transport networks are concerned, further development of models is necessary in order to capture the potentialities of emerging information and communication technologies (e-ICTs) in providing valuable information about the evolution of a transportation network during an evacuation. A new learning process structure has been proposed to take into account how the path costs (disutilities) in ordinary and emergency conditions will be perceived and updated by the users. The data provided by emerging ICT allow for the incorporation of dynamics inside the network model, concerning the update of information provided by the internet of things and big data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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29 pages, 4638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on a Joint Distribution Vehicle Routing Problem Considering Simultaneous Pick-Up and Delivery under the Background of Carbon Trading

by Lingji Ma and Meiyan Li

Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1698; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041698 - 19 Feb 2024

Viewed by 669

Abstract

In order to explore the positive impact of the joint distribution model on the reduction in logistics costs in small-scale logistics enterprises, considering the demand on enterprises for simultaneous pick-up and delivery, as well as the cost of carbon emissions, this study considers the vehicle routing problem of simultaneous pick-up and delivery under a joint distribution model. First of all, an independent distribution model and a joint distribution model including fixed transportation, variable transportation, time penalty, and carbon emissions costs are established; second, by adding the self-adaption cross-mutation probability and the destruction and repair mechanism in the large-scale neighborhood search algorithm, the genetic algorithm is improved to adapt to the solution of the model in this paper, and the effectiveness of the improved algorithm is verified and analyzed. It is found that the improved genetic algorithm is more advantageous than the original algorithm for solving the problems of both models designed in this paper. Finally, the improved genetic algorithm is used to solve the two models, and the results are compared and analyzed. It is found that the joint distribution model can reduce the total cost by 6.61% and the carbon emissions cost by 5.73%. Additionally, the impact of the carbon trading mechanism on the simultaneous pick-up and delivery vehicle routing problem under the joint distribution model is further explored. The results of this study prove that enterprises can effectively reduce costs, improve profits, reduce carbon emissions, and promote the sustainable development of logistics enterprises under the condition of joint distribution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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17 pages, 1943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methods for Risk Reduction: Training and Exercises to Pursue the Planned Evacuation

by Francesco Russo and Corrado Rindone

Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041474 - 09 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 834

Abstract

Natural and anthropic disasters produce relevant economic and environmental losses at a global level. Many countries have adopted a risk management cycle to limit these losses. Agenda 2030 defined specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relative targets dedicated to disaster risk reduction. Planned actions can pertain to the context “before” or “after” a disastrous event. The United Nations recommend a risk-informed approach for achieving the SDGs by working on anticipation and prevention. Planning with training and exercises, referring to transport systems in emergency conditions, can limit disaster impacts and strongly support the pursuit of sustainability. This research focuses on actions and methodologies for increasing preparedness levels “before” a disastrous event, to improve the capabilities of managers and people by increasing awareness of the effects of planned actions. Transport system models (TSMs) play an important role in simulating the evacuation of people to reduce theoretical risk, thereby reducing theoretical exposure. In this work, a method is presented that allows us to investigate how this theoretical reduction can become effective, through training and exercises. The paper proposes a general framework of training and exercises for risk reduction based on a given transportation planning model. The framework supports ex ante evaluations of exposure reduction produced by an evacuation plan. The obtained results show that the effectiveness of the planned actions increases with different levels of exercise implementation. The progressive implementation of exercises contributes to achieving the risk reductions estimated at the evacuation planning stage. The TSM in the mitigation phase is the basis for the development of specific quantitative evacuation plans, that must be implemented in the preparedness phase by means of training and exercises to test the planned actions in terms of reducing the exposure risk component. Some exercises implemented worldwide verify the proposed framework by means of some empirical evidence. The results and discussions reported in this paper can be useful for researchers, decisionmakers, and society by offering a contribution to the growing knowledge about risk and the potential actions and their relative effects on reducing it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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12 pages, 958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Courier Delivery in a Smart City: The User Learning Process of Travel Costs Enhanced by Emerging Technologies

by Francesco Russo and Antonio Comi

Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16253; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316253 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 934

Abstract

This paper surveys urban courier routing, pointing out the learning process of the generalized travel cost enhanced by using innovations related to the introduction of emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs, i.e., the internet of things, big data, block chain and artificial intelligence), considering a smart city. Couriers, when planning in advance or choosing the routes in real time for delivering to citizens as well as to business users (including retailers), need to consider both the driving and walking routes (i.e., from the delivery bay to the customers) to optimize their activities. A two-layer literature optimization model is recalled, and the main scientific people-centered challenges that need to be addressed under the light of emerging ICTs are identified and explored, which are the learning process of routing attributes, as well as the opportunity to book on-street delivery bays in advance or in real time. Then, after a literature review on modeling courier activities, a unitary formulation is presented that combines old and real-time network data. In addition, integration with new telematics solutions (i.e., delivery bay booking) is pointed out. Finally, discussions on innovations and cost optimization are presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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15 pages, 3167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Freight Distribution in Small Islands: Integration between Naval Services and Parcel Lockers

by Massimo Di Gangi, Antonio Polimeni and Orlando Marco Belcore

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7535; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097535 - 04 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1408

Abstract

Freight transportation in urban areas represents an essential activity from the standpoint of economic development; in recent years, the spread of e-commerce (also accelerated by COVID-19) has contributed to increasing the demand for freight distribution over short distances. In most cities, the approaches and measures are often based on new technologies. Nevertheless, today there are contexts wherein delivery operations represent critical tasks to be solved. Furthermore, low accessibility areas, such as small islands, present further problems due to their exclusive dependence on maritime links (and often low-reliability services). This paper tackles this topic, formulating and solving a distribution problem by linking shipping services with last-mile distribution operated by means of an automatic delivery service (parcel lockers). A test application is proposed by considering the small island of Lipari in the archipelago of the Aeolian islands (Sicily, Southern Italy). The results show that such a type of service could reduce the user’s waiting time when compared to traditional home deliveries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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19 pages, 649 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consumer Perceptions of Online Shopping and Willingness to Use Pick-Up Points: A Case Study of Morocco

by Alaa Eddine El Moussaoui, Brahim Benbba, Anicia Jaegler, Taoufiq El Moussaoui, Zineb El Andaloussi and Loqman Chakir

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7405; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097405 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2994

Abstract

The use of pick-up points by consumers is one of the most developed areas of research in the literature on last-mile logistics over the last decade. In this regard, several researchers have attempted to expose the factors that influence consumers’ online shopping behavior and their willingness to use pick-up points. However, no study has addressed this issue in African countries. The aim of this research is to examine the online shopping behavior of Moroccan consumers, focusing on their opinions about using pick-up points to receive/return goods purchased online. This research adopted a qualitative approach through focus group sessions with Moroccan consumers. The results indicate that temporal and spatial flexibility, competitive prices, and the quality of the retailer’s website are the main factors encouraging consumers to buy online. On the other hand, product risk, delivery risk, privacy, and security were identified as the factors that prevent consumers from buying online. In contrast, the location, density, security, and opening hours of pick-up points were considered to be the factors that influence the Moroccan consumer’s choice to use this delivery option when buying online. These findings are important both for parcel delivery companies that want to establish pick-up point networks in Casablanca and for public authorities and local communities that want to formulate policies and implement strategies leading to more sustainable urban environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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19 pages, 4374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Reliability-Based Traffic Equilibrium Model with Boundedly Rational Travelers Considering Acceptable Arrival Thresholds

by Liang Wang, Lei Zhao, Xiaojian Hu, Xinyong Zhao and Huan Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6988; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086988 - 21 Apr 2023

Viewed by 945

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of boundedly rational decision characteristics on travelers’ route choice behavior. The concept of boundedly rational confidence level (BRCL) is redefined, which is the probability that a trip arrives between the acceptable earliest arrival time and the acceptable latest arrival time on the shortest travel time budget (TTB). Mathematically, the acceptable boundedly rational arrival thresholds are proposed. Then, a reliability-based boundedly rational traffic equilibrium model (R-BRTE) considering both travel time reliability and acceptable arrival thresholds is developed. Moreover, the equivalent variational inequality problem and uniqueness of solution on the proposed model are proved. A route-based solution algorithm is used to solve the proposed R-BRTE model. Numerical results present the important decision ideas of the proposed model. The results demonstrate that travelers’ bounded rationality has a great impact on their route choice behavior and network performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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18 pages, 3191 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Objective Intercity Carpooling Route Optimization Considering Carbon Emission

by Xiaojuan Lu, Jianjun Wang, Choon Wah Yuen and Qian Liu

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2261; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032261 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1364

Abstract

In recent years, intercity carpooling has been vigorously developed in China. Considering the differences between intercity carpooling and intracity carpooling, this paper first defines the intercity carpooling path optimization problem with time window. Based on the balance of interests among passengers, platform, and government, a multi-objective function is constructed to minimize passenger cost, maximize platform revenue, and minimize carbon emission cost, with vehicle capacity, boarding and alighting points, vehicle service, and other constraints. Secondly, in order to further improve the coordination ability and search speed of the operator, this paper uses the particle swarm optimization algorithm to help the operator remember the previous search position and iterative information, and designs the PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) improved NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm) algorithm to solve the multi-objective model. Finally, the feasibility of the model is verified by numerical analysis of Xi’an–Xianyang intercity carpool. The results show that the path of vehicle 1 is 5-8-O-D-16-13, the path of vehicle 2 is 7-3-6-O-D-15-11-14, and the path of vehicle 3 is 2-1-4-O-D-12-10-9. Compared with NSGA-II algorithm, the PSO-NSGA-II algorithm designed in this paper has significant advantages in global search ability and convergence speed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Transport and Vehicle Routing)

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