Large-Scale Systems: Sustainable Economy and Transport in the Modern World

Dear Colleagues,

The growth in economic systems’ scale that has been observed in recent years can be explained by the geographical division of production processes, and this causes the formation of global transport corridors and supply chains. Transport, playing an important role in the economic and social development of countries and regions, contributes to the support of both intersectoral and interregional cooperation. In this sense, transport can be considered as a mechanism that ensures the sustainability of large-scale economic systems.

The development of engineering and technology has led to a steady trend toward increasing the intellectualization and digitalization of systems and processes. The development of concepts such as Smart City, Industry 4.0, etc., requires smart and reliable functioning of industrial and urban systems as components of the regional economic system. This is achieved through the process of integration of cyber-physical systems and communication channels to smart factories that use data and digital technologies to provide more efficient solutions and improve the quality of life.

The downside of significant achievements in technological, economic and social development is the negative impact of various human activities in the form of increasing rates of environmental degradation and the depletion of natural resources. In this regard, one of the most important tasks of modern economic policy is to find solutions to reduce the negative impact of industry and transport on the environment and on public health. The stability and efficient functioning of enterprises in the industrial and transport sectors are prerequisites for the development of the economy, ensuring national security and improving the welfare of the population. Comprehensive strategic projects should be encouraged to digitally transform systems and means of safe public and freight transport, and to increase energy efficiency while reducing environmental pollution. Therefore, the formation of sustainable innovations that ensure integrated economic development, including sustainable transport mobility and environmental safety, is one of the main priorities today.

In this Special Issue, we are open to articles on developing and driving sustainability in large-scale systems, including (but not limited to) the adoption of smart and digital technologies. Similar technologies that increase transport mobility and road safety can be implemented in the form of intelligent transport systems and their elements (unmanned aerial vehicles and connected cars, traffic detectors, adaptive (smart) traffic lights, devices for automatically fixing violations, electronic means of payments without interruption, parking meters, connected information boards and automated lighting control). Materials describing the rational use of natural resources based on resource-saving technologies, including issues of monitoring environmental parameters and reducing the environmental burden on the environment in the framework of a green and circular economy, are welcome. We will be happy to consider works related to the formation of investment safety and the attractiveness of industries, regions and countries as a whole, including the issues of risk management when organizing the operation of production systems under conditions of uncertainty.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Sergio A. Useche
Dr. Jaehyung An
Prof. Dr. Irina Makarova
Dr. Polina Buyvol
Guest Editors

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