Sustainable Digital Transformation in Transport Systems
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 980
Special Issue Editors
Interests: digital transformation; transport decarbonization; port and terminal efficiency; intermodal systems; risk management; decision analytics; carbon pricing
Interests: digital transformation; operational optimization; ntelligent transport system; maritime safety; sustainable logistics; urban transport
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The transport system is seeing increasing adoption of digital technologies while facing simultaneous pressures from rapid digitalization and decarbonization goals. An array of digital tools, e.g., IoT, AIS, satellite data, AI, digital twins, blockchain/smart contracts, automation, cloud computing, etc., aim to improve operational efficiency, safety and transparency. However, these tools also introduce new risks such as cybersecurity, privacy and interoperability. With sustainability goals now necessitating measurable reporting and outcomes across emissions reduction, safety and social equity, there exist pressing limitations. Additionally, climate volatility and supply chain disruptions exacerbate the need for adaptive and resilient operations. Hence, a multidisciplinary approach is needed, aligning digital technologies with people, processes and policies for sector-specific contexts.
The aim of the Special Issue is to showcase how digital transformation delivers verifiable environmental and social performance in the transport system. We welcome high-quality, novel research that addresses (but is not limited to) the following:
- Sustainability initiatives including green fuels, shore power, carbon tracking and emission-reduction technologies;
- Electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles or charging infrastructure for fleet transition, charging optimization;
- Automation and autonomous systems, e.g., self-driving vehicles, drones, automated port cranes with safety assurance and/or risk management;
- Workforce, skills and organizational change required for sustainable digital transformation or transition;
- Policies and market mechanisms that accelerate sustainable digital transformation;
- Guidelines or models to ensure secure and sustainable interoperable data sharing within the transport ecosystem;
- Advanced methods to measure and attribute sustainability impact;
- Resilience to climate and disruption using predictive analytics, digital twins and/or decision support;
- Equity and safety outcomes, e.g., how to track, report and improve them alongside efficiency.
This Special Issue encompasses these themes and welcomes further research or interdisciplinary work that advances sustainable digital transformation for various transport sectors, including air, maritime, rail and land transport. We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Yimiao Gu
Dr. Hui Shan Loh
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
- sustainable digital transformation
- alternative fuel
- electrification
- analytics and digital twin
- climate adaptation
- data analytics
- ESG reporting
- green transport corridors
- Mobility-as-a-Service
- circular economy
- intelligent transport systems (ITS)
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