Interview with Dr. Antonio Comi—Author of Applied Sciences Title Story Article in Q3 2024

The following is an interview with Dr. Antonio Comi:

1. Congratulations on your publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and summarize the main content and key findings of your title story article for our readers?
Thank you! It is a pleasure to be here. I am Antonio Comi, a full professor in transportation at the University of Roma Tor Vergata, within the Department of Enterprise Engineering “Mario Lucertini”. I lecture in the Theory of Transportation Systems and Freight Transportation. My main research areas include transportation planning, passenger and freight transportation, city logistics, and discrete choice modeling. Recently, I have been focusing on electric mobility and the opportunity offered by telematics in improving travel experiences both for passengers and commercial drivers. One of the key studies that we have been working on is exploring how electric vehicles can offer new opportunities for electric grids. In the study that we (co-authored with Dr. Ippolita Idone) published in Applied Sciences, we discussed the potential of using electric vehicles to support the grid, specifically through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows the energy stored in parked electric vehicles to be used to support grid demands.

2. What motivated you to submit your paper to our journal? And in your opinion, what benefits do authors gain when publishing in Applied Sciences?
I was delighted to submit because I have published in Applied Sciences before. I had two papers published—one on city logistics focusing on the benefits coming from the use of eco-friendly vehicles, and one on the use of electric vehicles to support the needs of the electricity grid. I think Applied Sciences is a high-level journal with a wide reach. It allows researchers to share their work with a large audience worldwide, which is crucial for spreading knowledge. It is important that our research reach a global audience, and Applied Sciences is a platform that does just that, as evidenced by the large number of views from various countries.

3. What inspired you to conduct research on this topic related to the title story article?
I was involved in a national project focused on improving electric grids, specifically how to utilize the energy stored in electric vehicle batteries. We often think of electric vehicles as just a means of transportation, but during the day when many vehicles are parked, their batteries hold significant amounts of energy. This energy can be used to support the grid during peak demand times, helping to stabilize energy grids and reduce the need for additional energy production, with high sustainability benefits.

4. What do you think sets your paper apart and what contributed to its selection as the title article?
I believe that the paper stands out because it highlights new opportunities for improving sustainability, not just within cities but also globally. As energy demands continue to increase, it is essential to find ways to optimize energy production and consumption. The concept of using electric vehicles to support the grid helps to achieve this by utilizing stored energy instead of letting it go unused, which is what makes this research so valuable.

5. What advice would you give to researchers aiming to publish high-impact papers?
To publish high-impact papers, researchers need to have a clear vision of their research and understand its position within the broader context. It is important to articulate how their work advances knowledge and contributes to innovation in a way that is easy to understand. The contribution should be clear from the very first line of the paper, and the methodology should be straightforward. This helps to ensure that the research reaches a broad audience and attracts interest from others in the field.

6. Did you encounter any significant challenges while conducting your research? If so, how did you overcome them?
My research spans various areas, from freight transportation to city planning, transit, micromobility, evacuation, and electric mobility, and with each new field, we face unique challenges. However, it is essential to look toward the future and focus on creating a sustainable world, which motivates us to keep pushing forward. We are not just focusing on low-emission solutions but also on economic and social sustainability. Applied Sciences provides a great platform for sharing these insights beyond our specific field, which is beneficial in addressing these challenges.

7. Since Applied Sciences is an open access journal, how do you think open access publishing benefits authors and the broader research community?
I think open access is the future of publishing. It allows researchers to share their findings quickly with a wide audience, accelerating the spread of knowledge and innovation. Traditional publishing methods limit access to a select group, but open access makes research accessible to anyone, anywhere. This facilitates faster innovation and ensures that important discoveries reach those who can benefit from them, regardless of their ability to access traditional publications.