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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: 24 July 2026 | Viewed by 26819

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marek Stawowy

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Department of Air Transport Engineering and Teleinformatics, Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, 75 Koszykowa St., 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: information quality; uncertainty modeling; neural networks; intelligent transportation systems; image processing; reliability; exploitation; maintenance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Adam Rosiński

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Guest Editor

Department of Air Transport Engineering and Teleinformatics, Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, 75 Koszykowa St., 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: intelligent transportation systems; electronics (analog and digital) and issues related to reliability; exploitation, diagnostics, and design of electronic security systems (intrusion detection, video surveillance systems, access control systems, fire alarm systems, voice evacuation systems, monitoring systems, and systems integration), with a special regard for their use in transport
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jacek Paś

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Guest Editor

Division of Electronic System Exploitations, Institute of Electronic Systems, Faculty of Electronics, Military University of Technology, 2 Gen. S. Kaliski St., 00-908 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: electromagnetics; electromagnetic compatibility; EMC; RF circuit simulation; railway; electrical engineering; diagnostics; electronic security systems-operation; operational reliability of electronic security systems; issues of power supply of electronic systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Michał Wiśnios

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Guest Editor

Division of Electronic Systems Exploitations, Institute of Electronic Systems, Faculty of Electronics, Military University of Technology, 2 Gen. S. Kaliski St., 00-908 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: signal processing in video systems; the process of operating electronic security systems in state critical infrastructure facilities and in transit; the use of artificial intelligence in security system sensors, especially in fire alarm systems; the use of artificial intelligence in intelligent transport systems; analysis of the transmission process of wireless alarm and fault signals in electronic security system intelligence in intelligent transport systems; use of infrared technology in sensors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are inviting submissions to this Special Issue of Sustainability, entitled “Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals”.

This Special Issue will discuss issues related to this theme, namely: intelligent transport system (ITS) applications, ITS applications in sustainable growth, ITS modelling considering sustainable development, ITS information quality (IQ) modelling and measurement quality (MQ) modelling, and developing information and communication technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) systems for ITS. Studies of sustainable growth in ITS analysis regarding reliability and exploitation will be accepted, as well as those exploring the development of energy systems in this field. Considering all of the above, we chose to curate a Special Issue on these issues, and contributions may discuss a range topics, including the following:

ITS applications in sustainable growth;
ICT and AI systems for ITS applications towards sustainable development;
IQ assessment and estimation of MQ influence for sustainable growth;
ITS analysis in terms of reliability and exploitation, considering sustainability;
Power grids and microgrids for ITS, considering sustainability;
Information quality, dimensions of IQ, features of IQ dimensions, and IQ assessment;
Influence of ITS on quality of life.

Dr. Marek Stawowy
Dr. Adam Rosiński
Dr. Jacek Paś
Dr. Michał Wiśnios
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. 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

intelligent transport systems
sustainable growth
transport system applications
information quality
communication systems
reliability and exploitation
artificial intelligence
quality of life

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 1195 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnosis of the Economic Condition of International Road Freight Transport Companies in 2009–2024

by Małgorzata Zysińska and Maciej Menes

Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1572; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031572 - 4 Feb 2026

Viewed by 880

Abstract

Sustainability is increasingly viewed as a crucial element shaping contemporary transport policies and operational strategies. This article presents a comprehensive economic evaluation of Polish international road freight carriers in 2024 compared with the results from previous years. It introduces an original and innovative method for assessing the economic condition of transport companies, based on real-time operational data and an integrated demand–supply diagnosis of the road freight market, which also supports macroeconomic forecasting. The study covers carriers operating in Eastern and European Union (EU) markets and spans an exceptionally long period (2009–2024), enabling the identification of long-term trends across four business cycles. Unlike existing research, which typically analyses isolated profitability or efficiency indicators, the proposed method offers a universal and contextual framework linking economic outcomes with detailed company characteristics. It provides a structured assessment of cost components across eight categories and reveals relationships between economic performance and factors such as transport directions, fleet utilisation, company size, diversification strategies, and region of origin. The analysis includes a comparison of two carrier groups, statistical profiling of companies, and average vehicle kilometre costs by company size and transport direction. This contextual analysis, including a comparison between the Polish and Lithuanian markets, strengthens the credibility of the results by situating them within a broader comparative framework and supporting a more accurate interpretation of the observed patterns. The pilot nature of this cross contextual approach constitutes an additional contribution of the study, providing a basis for future comparative research on the functioning of transport enterprises across the EU and the Eastern markets. In addition, the assessment incorporates a pilot comparative study of external factors influencing the transport market, conducted among Polish and Lithuanian companies. This multifaceted and internationally unprecedented approach strengthens the interpretability of the results and offers a robust foundation for strategic decision-making and organisational adaptation in an increasingly competitive and uncertain transport market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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25 pages, 5018 KB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Donations’ Delivery Process at the Food Bank of Bogotá: A Vehicle Routing Approach

by Luz Helena Arroyo, Alejandra Castellanos, Viviana Reina, Gonzalo Mejía, Agatha Clarice da Silva-Ovando and Jairo R. Montoya-Torres

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020848 - 14 Jan 2026

Viewed by 838

Abstract

The Food Bank of Bogotá is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide food aid to economically vulnerable people and others. One of its key operations is the distribution of food to over 600 beneficiaries. In this research, we present the design and implementation of a computer application that calculates the delivery schedule of the Food Bank vehicles. Firstly, the beneficiaries of the Food Bank are clustered into four delivery zones, and their orders are assigned to specific weeks of the month. Next, a variant of the Capacitated Periodic Vehicle Routing Problem (CPVRP) is solved with an open-source tool. Lastly, routes are assigned to days of the week depending on the traffic conditions. The numerical results showed significant improvements in terms of total time reduction with respect to the business-as-usual practice. This tool is essentially for the monthly planning of the distribution of routes. These routes eventually will need adjustments because of changes in the beneficiaries’ demand, traffic conditions, fleet availability, and so forth. At the time of writing, the model is being integrated with another application that records and tracks the orders in the Food Bank. The users of this application would handle the daily operation and will make manual adjustments if needed. Finally, we discuss the main limitations of the application, which lie primarily in the need to educate both the Food Bank staff and the beneficiaries’ management, who are accustomed to last-minute orders, very tight time windows, and reactive delivery schedules that are highly inefficient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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28 pages, 2781 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Powertrain Options for Long-Term Rental with Implications for Sustainable Transport

by Ewelina Sendek-Matysiak

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020553 - 6 Jan 2026

Viewed by 723

Abstract

In recent years, long-term vehicle rental has gained importance as a flexible and cost-effective mobility solution. This model reduces the high initial costs associated with vehicle purchases, ensures predictable expenses through fixed monthly payments, reduces the risk of depreciation, and enables systematic fleet renewal, supporting its adaptation to changing environmental regulations and technological advancements. This paper proposes a tool to support the process of selecting propulsion technologies in long-term rental fleets, taking into account their economic, technical, environmental, and social implications for sustainable fleet management. The developed procedure combines secondary fleet data analysis, expert research conducted among service providers, and multi-criteria analysis conducted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method. The results indicate that under current conditions in Poland, combustion vehicles remain the optimal solution for fleet operators, while electric vehicles—despite their environmental benefits and additional benefits—remain the least competitive. The proposed approach is comprehensive, adaptable, and easy to implement, providing a practical tool for fleet operators and end users. The results also provide guidance for public decision-makers on strengthening the market position of low- and zero-emission vehicles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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19 pages, 2001 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling the Sustainable Development of the Ground Handling Process Using the PERT-COST Method

by Artur Kierzkowski, Jacek Ryczyński, Tomasz Kisiel, Ewa Mardeusz and Olegas Prentkovskis

Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11278; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411278 - 16 Dec 2025

Viewed by 728

Abstract

Aircraft turnaround efficiency is a key determinant of the sustainability of air transport systems. Each stage of ground handling—passenger disembarkation, baggage handling, refuelling, and ancillary services—contributes to the total turnaround time, with direct implications for airport capacity, operating costs, and environmental performance. Using empirical records from ground operations, the study characterizes the duration and variability of individual activities and identifies the main process bottlenecks. Building on this evidence, a comparative PERT-COST protocol with explicit threshold rules (quantized billing steps for selected resources) is developed and applied across predefined scenarios (remote versus gate, day versus night, low versus high fuel uplift, with versus without a second baggage team) under both linear and threshold cost models. The protocol aligns with ITS-enabled decision support by mapping stochastic activity times to cost-of-crashing functions and by providing harmonized performance metrics: final time T, total cost ∑ΔC, and efficiency η (EUR/min). The results show that moderate time reductions are attainable at reasonable cost, whereas aggressive targets that lie below the structural minimum are infeasible under current constraints; gate stands reduce the attainable minimum time but increase the marginal price near the minimum, and night operations raise costs without improving that minimum. These findings delineate the most productive intervention range and inform operational choices consistent with sustainability objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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27 pages, 821 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Rebound Effect of Autonomous Vehicles on Vehicle Miles Traveled: A Synthesis of Drivers, Impacts, and Policy Implications

by Kyoungho Ahn, Hesham A. Rakha and Jinghui Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10089; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210089 - 12 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3764

Abstract

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), including privately owned self-driving cars and shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs), hold great potential to transform urban mobility by enhancing safety, accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability. However, their widespread deployment also carries the risk of significantly increasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a phenomenon known as the rebound effect. This paper examines the VMT rebound effects resulting from AV and SAV deployment, drawing on recent studies and global case insights. We conducted a systematic narrative review of 48 studies published between 2019 and 2025, drawing on academic sources and credible agency reports. We do not conduct a meta analysis. We quantify how different automation levels (SAE Levels 3, 4, 5) impact VMT and identify the primary factors driving VMT growth, namely: reduced perceived travel time cost, induced demand from new user groups, modal shifts away from transit, and empty VMT. Global case studies from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are reviewed alongside regional policy responses. Quantitative analyses indicate moderate to significant VMT increases under most scenarios—for example, approximately 10 to 20% increases with conditional automation and potentially over 50% with high/full automation, under the circumstances of no effective policy interventions. Meanwhile, aggressive ride-sharing and policy interventions, including road pricing and transit integration, can mitigate or even reverse these increases. The discussion provides a critical assessment of policy strategies such as mileage pricing, SAV incentives, and integrated land-use/transport planning to manage VMT growth. We conclude that without proactive policies, widespread AV adoption is likely to induce a rise in VMT, but that a suite of well-designed measures can steer automated mobility towards sustainable outcomes. These findings help policymakers and planners balance AV benefits with congestion, energy use, and climate goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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31 pages, 4294 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms for Sustainable Attack Detection in Intelligent Transportation Systems Using Long-Range Sensor Network Technology

by Zbigniew Kasprzyk and Mariusz Rychlicki

Sustainability 2025, 17(20), 8985; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17208985 - 10 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1126

Abstract

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) play a crucial role in building sustainable and resilient urban mobility by improving traffic efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and lowering emissions. The integration of IoT technologies, particularly long-range low-power networks such as LoRaWAN, enables energy-efficient communication between vehicles and road infrastructure, supporting the sustainability goals of smart cities. However, the widespread deployment of IoT devices also introduces significant cybersecurity risks that may compromise the safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability of transportation systems. To address this challenge, we propose a method for generating synthetic network data that simulates normal traffic and DDoS attacks by randomly selecting distribution parameters for features like packets per second and unique device addresses, enabling evaluation of machine learning algorithms (e.g., Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, SVM, XGBoost) using F1-score and AUC metrics in a controlled environment. By enhancing cybersecurity and resilience in ITS, our research contributes to the development of safer, more energy-efficient, and sustainable transportation infrastructures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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20 pages, 3551 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Electric Propulsion System Digital Twin for Multi-Rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

by Michał Jerzy Wachłaczenko

Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4901; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114901 - 27 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3749

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming a major part of the civil and military aviation industries. They meet user needs for effective supply transportation and the real-time acquisition of accurate information during air operations. Recently, concerns about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased due to the use and depletion of fossil fuels, shifting attention toward the broader use of electric propulsion as a green technology in different sectors, including transportation. The long-term objective of this work is to build a prototype of a hybrid electric propulsion system (HEPS) dedicated to a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle with a MTOW of 25 kg and an onboard electric voltage of 44.4 V. The main components and operating principles of the HEPS were defined. The main HEPS digital twin block modules and their operations were described. Using the developed digital twin structure and operational model, simulations were carried out. Based on the results, it can be demonstrated that the use of hybrid electric propulsion allows for a significant increase in the flight time of a multi-rotor UAV. The developed DT can be used as a tool for optimizing the operation of the HEPS prototype and for redefining mathematical models of individual components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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20 pages, 5971 KB

Open AccessArticle

Using Artificial Intelligence to Predict Power Demand in Small Power Grids—Problem Analysis as a Method to Limit Carbon Dioxide Emissions

by Tomasz Ciechulski, Jacek Paś, Marek Stawowy and Stanisław Duer

Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3694; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083694 - 18 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

The article discusses the application of advanced data mining methods applicable to electricity consumption within a local power system in Poland. This analysis involves power demand. It is aimed at predicting daily demand variations. In such a case, system demand is characterized by high variability over a short period of time, e.g., 24 h. This constitutes a significant issue within a small power grid. It entails effective load programming on a given day and time. Therefore, the authors of the paper suggested employing artificial intelligence to forecast industrial power grid load for successive time intervals of the operation process. Such a solution applied within a power system enables appropriate start-up/shut-down planning, as well as generator operation at a specific capacity in power plants. It thus allows continuous power system (on-line) load demand balancing. Predicting power system load also involves determining moments, e.g., of power plant start-up, transition times to maximum or minimum output, or also the shut-down of such a process. This means ongoing and continuous (automatic) impact on electricity distribution. It significantly reduces carbon dioxide atmospheric emissions and allows zero-emission, e.g., wind, hydro, geothermal, or solar plants to meet current power needs. The issue associated with operating small ‘island’ power systems is a dynamic and rapid change in power demand. This is related to the area-based—‘island’—use’ of available power sources that can only be operated within a specific area. A very important problem occurring within these structurally small grids is the continuous forecasting of load changes and real-time response to power demand (i.e., balancing power demand through in-house or available power sources). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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22 pages, 2411 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Air Cargo Handling System Assessment Model: A Hybrid Approach Based on Reliability Theory and Fuzzy Logic

by Jacek Ryczyński, Artur Kierzkowski and Anna Jodejko-Pietruczuk

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10469; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310469 - 29 Nov 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6551

Abstract

(1) Background: This paper presents the results of a study on developing a hybrid evaluation model for air cargo handling systems, combining fuzzy logic and reliability theory. (2) Methods: The research methodology consisted of two stages: the first used reliability analysis to calculate the performance of individual processes in the cargo handling system. In contrast, the second used fuzzy logic to integrate these metrics and generate an overall system evaluation. Statistical metrics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to construct adaptable membership functions for the fuzzy logic model. (3) Results: 27 test scenarios were built, in which the impact of individual compositions of operator teams (depending on their experience) implementing individual air cargo handling processes on the final assessment of the entire system was examined. Configurations with experienced operators consistently achieved the highest performance evaluations, although the strategic integration of less experienced personnel in noncritical roles was shown to maintain system functionality. (4) Conclusions: The results confirm that the proposed model is a practical decision-support tool for air cargo terminal management. It enables precise process evaluation, supports resource optimization and increases air cargo operations’ overall reliability and efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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22 pages, 3267 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the Configuration of Airport Security Control Systems on the Implementation of Assumptions of the Sustainable Development Policy

by Artur Kierzkowski, Jacek Ryczyński, Tomasz Kisiel and Ewa Mardeusz

Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8750; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208750 - 10 Oct 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5269

Abstract

Research by scientists dealing with sustainable development issues in the aviation industry security focuses on finding solutions that constitute the so-called ‘golden mean’ between appropriate efficiency and high levels of system safety and reliability (including human reliability). The features mentioned above have been repeatedly investigated in various studies, but always individually—to date, no one has proposed a solution indicating the balance point of all the abovementioned features. Here we propose a solution to this research gap: a model for assessing the configuration of airport security control systems. The model allows for the optimal configuration of airport security control systems. The multi-level model validation presented in the article was performed, among others, based on one of the airports in Poland, and showed that the correct configuration of the system can bring energy savings of 913,500 kWh/year in the case of large international airports. Additionally, the article discusses all solutions and modern technologies equipped with devices supporting the passenger and baggage screening process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contribution of Intelligent Transport Systems to Sustainable Development Goals)

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