Green and Smart Transportation Systems: AI-Driven Technologies for Autonomous and Sustainable Mobility

Dear Colleagues,

As a vital component of global infrastructure, transportation systems face increasing pressure to enhance efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. The development of AI-driven technologies and the integration of autonomous systems across all modes of transportation, from maritime to land-based and air transport, is paving the way for more sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions. Autonomous and smart transportation systems are transforming how vehicles, vessels, and infrastructure interact to improve safety, reduce emissions, and optimize operations in real-time.

This Special Issue focuses on the development of smart and green transportation systems, incorporating AI-driven innovations, digital infrastructures, and autonomous technologies across a range of transportation modes. By integrating advanced AI algorithms, sensor technologies, and cloud–edge collaborative frameworks, we aim to enhance the coordination and efficiency of transportation systems, from autonomous ships and self-driving vehicles to intelligent air-traffic management and smart public transport networks.

We invite high-quality papers that present cutting-edge research and strategies in the following areas:

• AI-driven autonomous systems: Applications of AI in autonomous vehicles, vessels, and aircraft for improving safety, decision-making, and operational efficiency across transportation modes.
• Autonomous and intelligent transportation systems (ITSs): Frameworks and methodologies for integrating autonomous vehicles, ships, aircraft, and digital infrastructure for coordinated, efficient, and sustainable transport operations.
• Cloud–edge collaborative frameworks for multi-modal transport: Designing cloud–edge architectures that distribute computing power and intelligence across vehicles, infrastructure, and control centers, enabling seamless coordination across transportation systems.
• Advanced sensor technologies for environmental awareness: Radar, LiDAR, cameras, and other sensor systems used to enhance perception and navigation in autonomous transport systems across land, water, and air.
• Cooperative control and communication protocols: Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and ship-to-ship (S2S) coordination for autonomous operations in dynamic and congested environments.
• Intelligent control systems for dynamic mobility: Control systems for maneuvering and stability in autonomous land vehicles, maritime vessels, and aircraft, enabling real-time adjustments in complex environments.
• Simulation and digital twin technologies: Virtual environments and digital twin technologies for testing, validating, and optimizing autonomous transportation systems in a wide range of real-world scenarios.
• Case studies and global trials: Lessons learned from pioneering projects and pilot trials in autonomous shipping, self-driving cars, and drones.
• Sustainable and green transport solutions: Development of green technologies for reducing carbon emissions, including energy-efficient propulsion systems and renewable energy sources

Prof. Dr. Chunhui Zhou
Prof. Dr. Yuanzhou Zheng
Dr. Zhongyi Sui
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Future Transportation is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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.

• AI
• autonomous vehicles
• cloud–edge
• cooperative control
• real-time
• digital twin technologies
• net-zero carbon
• self-driving cars
• drones
• green transport
• renewable energy