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Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 10619

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ramona Quattrini

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Guest Editor

Department of Building, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: digital cultural heritage; HBIM; digital transformation of heritage; 3D digitization; VR/AR/MR

Prof. Dr. Ana B. Berrocal Menárguez

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Guest Editor

Department of Transport Engineering, Regional and Urban Planning, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain
Interests: regional planning; cultural landscapes; heritage

Prof. Dr. Clara Zamorano Martín

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Guest Editor

Department of Transport Engineering, Regional and Urban Planning, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain
Interests: transport and railways planning; railways technology; railways economics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the debate and recent trends in research dealing with railways, touristic itineraries, landscape and heritage digital documentation, while also trying to collect the results of “The European Year of Rail”. The initiative was proposed for 2021 by the European Commission in order to promote the use of railway transport as a stable and innovative type of land transport in achieving the goals of the European Green Deal in the field of transport and is moving towards its conclusion with a series of activities and campaigns highlighting the benefits of rail travel for all, not only for holidaymakers and commuters.

Railway is the most sustainable and efficient collective mode of transport due to its low levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the reliability of its service. For this reason, sustainable mobility policies worldwide  judge railways to be the most appropriate mode. When focusing on the tourism sector, the role of railways is still in full expansion despite the many examples of panoramic and themed trains and railways lines.

Traditionally, tourism packages, as well as the consumption habits of the average tourist, have been oriented towards “destination experiences” or “multiple destinations”, relegating the journey itself to a purely logistical issue. However, the growing patrimonialization of landscapes (i.e., the aesthetic and cultural valuation of territories beyond the tourist attraction centers) represents a unique opportunity for a different tourism model—sustainable tourism that is less congested, allowing wealth re-distribution among territories. In addition, train rides allow the appreciation of landscapes which are not accessible when using other modes of transportation, largely due to the geometric limitations of its layout. This is an advantage for the traveler seeking a scenic experience of high aesthetic quality. Last but not least, the global railways sector is built heritage in itself, for its tangible and intangible cultural values.

The pervasiveness of ICT and the potentials of Digital Cultural Heritage practices are demonstrating promise to consolidate new paradigms and methods in the heritage representation and enhancement, to become a stimulus to community engagement, heritage recognizability and territorial development. In this light, digitization strategies for landscape, tangible and intangible heritage constitutes a challenging field of research, tackling the bottlenecks on the growing performances of data capturing and multiscale acquisitions and seizing the opportunities they provide in order to boost the heritage democratization and landscape sense of belonging, beyond the purposes of tourism.

This Special Issue intends to cover all the above topics with the aim of collecting advancements and best practices in sustainable tourism experiences supported by Digital Cultural Heritage and Railways. A general purpose could be to compare positions in the definition of new paradigms for the sustainable development of touristic flows with regard to cultural experiences on a linear landscape or territorial system, not limited to railways. Both theoretical-methodological reflections as well as success cases are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Ramona Quattrini
Prof. Dr. Ana B. Berrocal Menárguez
Prof. Dr. Clara Zamorano Martín
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

railways landscape
railways heritage
railways tourism
digital transformation of heritage
linear landscape
virtual reality
mobile applications for tourism and heritage knowledge

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation

by Ramona Quattrini, Ana B. Berrocal Menárguez and Clara Zamorano Martin

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15585; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115585 - 03 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 704

Abstract

This Special Issue focuses on the debate and recent trends in research dealing with railways, touristic itineraries, landscape and heritage digital documentation, while keeping in mind the goals of “The European Year of Rail” [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

23 pages, 1178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Methodological Framework Based on a Quantitative Assessment of New Technologies to Boost the Interoperability of Railways Services

by Mehdi Zarehparast Malekzadeh, Francisco Enrique Santarremigia, Gemma Dolores Molero, Ashwani Kumar Malviya, Rosa Arroyo and Tomás Ruiz Sánchez

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10636; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310636 - 05 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1034

Abstract

Concerning the increase in the number of trips and tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic, TSPs (Transport Service Providers) and transport organizations are trying to improve their operability to answer the needs and expectations of passengers. This paper presents a methodology to assess and evaluate to what extent innovative technologies meet the needs of tourists and TSPs involved in the digital ecosystem for door-to-door trips in Europe, making railways and public transport more attractive and consequently encouraging people to use more intermodal solutions in public transport. In this study, two kinds of quantitative data are used: operational KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and USI (User Satisfaction Index) surveys. The Effectiveness concept, as a metric of the capacity to meet these needs and expectations by the innovative technology, is calculated by merging both types of quantitative data. The method considers tourists’ socio-demographic profiles, allowing comparisons among TSPs and profiles for a specific technology, and it is extended to figure out correlations among variables through regression and Bayesian Networks analysis. In addition, specific socio-demographic data relevant to the needs and expectations were studied through the ANOVA test. This work belongs to the methodological framework of the IP4MaaS (Innovation Program 4 Mobility as a Service) project, which sets six demo sites on which this assessment method will be applied in a further stage. The concept of Effectiveness is applied in all the above-mentioned demo sites for the final assessment. Some IT innovations such as Location-Based Experience and Journey Planning have shown high Effectiveness. This work could be interesting for TSPs and IT (Information Technology) developers, researchers, policymakers, and organizations in the transport sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation)

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13 pages, 24964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Method to Select and Optimize Slow Tourism Routes Using a Quality Index Procedure Based on Image Segmentation and DTM Modelling Based on NURBS: The Case Study of Multimodal Access to Inner Places from the Nodes of the Adriatic Coastline’s Infrastructure Bundle

by Domenico D’Uva and Andrea Rolando

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010373 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1506

Abstract

This paper tests a combination of methods that allows for the optimization of a mobility network through the multimodal interchange between fast and slow routes. These routes contribute to mending the relationship between the existing infrastructural networks and the places of interest in the landscape while respecting morphological adaptability. The case study that generated the research question explained above is the Costa dei Trabucchi in Abruzzo, Italy. The choice of a single paradigmatic case study to evaluate the method is based on the need to analyse an edge context with very scarce data, except for the coast. The advantage of this method is the efficiency based on three main conditions: overcoming limitations due to data scarcity, the use of open-source data and the multiscalarity of analyses. The result of this research work is the creation of a useful strategy to identify the most suitable routes in terms of spatial quality and walkability/cyclability. The case study is formed by the territories crossed by a railway line that has recently been decommissioned. The displacement of a railway line creates opportunities to improve the quality and use of the territory locally, with a natural evolution of the track in a greenway, and at the territorial level because it generates a network of better multimodal and sustainable mobility solutions inside and between the surrounding areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation)

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16 pages, 7271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multimodal Access to Minor Places in Heritage-Rich Landscapes: GIS Mapping to Define Slow-Tourism Routes from the Stations in the Railway Networks in-between Turin and Milan

by Andrea Rolando and Alessandro Scandiffio

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15723; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315723 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1449

Abstract

The extraordinary richness of the natural and built heritage, widespread in the landscape which surrounds infrastructures, allows searching for new ways to access the places in a more sustainable way, by exploiting multimodal accessibility between train and bike. The current research shows how the territories in-between the cities of Turin and Milan, characterized by a complex historical landscape, could be enhanced in terms of sustainable tourism by exploiting the potential of the existing railway network and the widespread network of local roads, which make many unique places in these territories easily accessible. A GIS method based on a quantitative approach has been defined, to perform the spatial analysis by mapping the most significant nodes in the railway network, in the most attractive heritage areas localized in the surrounding landscape of infrastructures, to trace slow-tourism routes which can be used both by inhabitants and tourists to move across places in a more sustainable way. The research finds the most attractive heritage areas in the surroundings of local railways, and maps slow-tourism routes that connect local railway stations to surrounding heritage, within 15 min of cycling. The GIS-based method can support decision makers in the definition of new territorial development strategies, with the aim of enhancing the livelihood of the inner and fragile areas of the country that are crossed by the railways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation)

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24 pages, 6723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital and Territorial Trails System for Developing Sustainable Tourism and Enhancing Cultural Heritage in Rural Areas: The Case of San Giovanni Lipioni, Italy

by Carlo Costantino, Nicola Mantini, Anna Chiara Benedetti, Cristiana Bartolomei and Giorgia Predari

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13982; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113982 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2084

Abstract

Depopulation has become a significant issue for local culture and built heritage conservation of many European rural areas. In San Giovanni Lipioni, a province of Chieti (Italy), this phenomenon has increased to the point that, nowadays, there are only 150 inhabitants and no significant economic activities. In this regard, the present paper aims to describe the crucial role of nature-oriented tourism in an economic, social, and revitalization strategy; how digital tools can be used to map and create a territorial trail system between municipalities; and, finally, outline the operations necessary for reactivation. The proposed methodology consists of a first digital survey phase using GPS receivers and outdoor navigation apps. The second phase would create a web platform with a system of virtual itineraries between villages, named “The Golden Leaves Paths”. After that, the last phase concerns the creation of analysis factsheets to guide the maintenance of paths and the design of iconic signage with artistic illustrations based on the oak leaves leitmotif to be installed along the paths. A local social promotion association will employ the outcomes, technical drawings, and strategies to reactivate paths as an attractive element for nature-oriented tourism and create a digital platform to foster the village’s territorial and cultural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation)

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43 pages, 4217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Value of Railway Heritage for Sustainable Development: The Case Study of the Oraviţa–Anina Railway, Romania

by Florentina-Cristina Merciu, Cornel Păunescu, Mircea Dorobanţu and George-Laurenţiu Merciu

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13262; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013262 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2456

Abstract

The value of historical railways and their important role in social, economic, technical, political, and cultural terms has led to their inclusion as industrial heritage attractions. This study aims to evaluate the heritage value of the Oraviţa–Anina linear railway, the first mountain railway in Romania. The assessment of the value of the railway involved both quantitative and qualitative methods. The value was assessed on the basis of a rigorous quantitative evaluation of key attributes of heritage railway, using a system of criteria and indicators. On the other hand, the selected qualitative methodology facilitated the critical interpretation of the perception of the local community as a beneficiary of the railway heritage and as an active stakeholder involved in its reuse. The qualitative evaluation of the heritage railway was also highlighted based on a critical analysis of tourists’ perceptions. The results indicate the usefulness of a mixed methodology for the complex evaluation of the value of a heritage railway and its sustainable capitalization. Railway tourism is a sustainable solution meant to stimulate interest in learning about local history and culture, and can at the same time contribute to the fulfillment of knowledge of the motivations that drive tourist demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage and Railways: Sustainable Tourism Opportunities Boosted by Digital Transformation)

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