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Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems
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Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 2483

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yao Jia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Economics and Management, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
Interests: transportation network analysis; transportation system reliability; public transportation and shared mobility; transportation data analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Achieving sustainable transportation is a central challenge for cities in reaching climate neutrality, improving public health, and ensuring social equity. While technological advancements provide essential tools, their effective integration and societal benefits fundamentally depend on sound decision-making mechanisms, effective governance models, and forward-looking policy design. This Special Issue focuses on navigating the trade-offs among environmental, economic, social, and political dimensions, and aims to develop decision-making frameworks, evaluation tools, and innovative policies that can guide systemic transformation.

This Special Issue seeks to bridge academic research and policy practice by compiling high-quality research on decision-making and policy innovation for sustainable transportation. We are interested in how evidence can inform decision-making, how actionable policy solutions can be designed, and how their effectiveness can be scientifically evaluated, ultimately fostering the transition toward low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive urban mobility.

We welcome submissions of original research and review papers. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Governance models and multi-stakeholder collaboration mechanisms for sustainable urban transport.
  • Policy mix design, evaluation, and comparative analysis (e.g., for EV adoption, public transit prioritization, congestion charging).
  • Decision-support systems based on multi-criteria decision analysis, cost–benefit analysis, and life-cycle assessment.
  • Behavioral insights and demand management strategies to encourage mode shift and sustainable travel choices.
  • Equity and justice impact assessments of transportation policies and infrastructure investments.
  • Financing mechanisms and public–private partnership models for sustainable transport.
  • The role of digitalization and artificial intelligence in transport policy formulation.
  • Resilience strategies for transport systems in response to climate change and disruptive risks.
  • Integrated policy strategies linking transportation with land use, energy, and public health agendas.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yao Jia
Guest Editor

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. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 transportation
  • policy design and evaluation
  • decision-making
  • governance
  • equity
  • climate mitigation
  • transport demand management
  • resilient infrastructure

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 877 KB  
Article
Economic Valuation of Road Traffic Accidents in Slovakia: Comparing the Value of Statistical Life and Relative Severity Index for Transport Policy Decision-Making
by Miloš Poliak and Laura Škorvánková
Systems 2026, 14(5), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050579 - 19 May 2026
Viewed by 201
Abstract
The paper analyses the economic impact of the reduction in road traffic accidents in Slovakia between 2000 and 2024 and quantifies both direct and indirect costs of road crashes. Over this period, annual crashes declined from more than 50,000 to approximately 11,500 and [...] Read more.
The paper analyses the economic impact of the reduction in road traffic accidents in Slovakia between 2000 and 2024 and quantifies both direct and indirect costs of road crashes. Over this period, annual crashes declined from more than 50,000 to approximately 11,500 and fatalities from over 600 to 262, demonstrating the effectiveness of national road safety strategies. The methodology is based on the national road accident database, complemented by macroeconomic and demographic indicators, and follows European recommendations for the valuation of external costs of transport. The study applies the value of a statistical life, the value of a statistical life year, the relative severity index and the critical accident rate, with particular emphasis on comparing the value of a statistical life and the relative severity index. The total VSL-based economic costs of road traffic crashes in 2024 are estimated at approximately €1.25 billion, underscoring the scale of the socioeconomic burden. Building on the forecasted values for 2025, the paper further tests and compares these methodologies on a specific road section, illustrating their practical implications for project appraisal and safety management. The results confirm that VSL-based estimates systematically exceed RSI-based estimates by 21–45% per year, reflecting the broader societal costs captured by the VSL concept. The study shows that investments in safety measures are economically worthwhile and reduce the burden on public finances, while also highlighting the need to harmonize methodologies and improve data quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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25 pages, 8081 KB  
Article
Decision-Support Systems Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Assessing Electric Vehicle Adoption Policies
by Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima and Jakub Więckowski
Systems 2026, 14(5), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050551 - 13 May 2026
Viewed by 299
Abstract
This paper assesses the challenges and policy responses for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Africa. We applied a decision support system framework comprising a new integration of the RANking COMparison Method (RANCOM) and Root Assessment Method (RAM) for the first time [...] Read more.
This paper assesses the challenges and policy responses for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Africa. We applied a decision support system framework comprising a new integration of the RANking COMparison Method (RANCOM) and Root Assessment Method (RAM) for the first time in the literature to address the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problems based on expert opinions. Six experts evaluated five criteria along with ten policy responses. While the weights of criteria are computed via the RANCOM method, the RAM approach ranks the policy responses. Moreover, the Compromise Fuzzy Ranking (CFR) method defines the consensus rankings via both positional ranks and preference scores. Furthermore, a three-stage comparative analysis is carried out for criteria weighting, policy responses ranking, and alternative consensus ranking. A sensitivity analysis is carried out including the consideration of experts’ significance according to their experience and their omission. The findings indicated the most critical challenges were the scarcity in charging infrastructure and the affordability and accessibility issues. The resilient charging infrastructure is the most appropriate policy response. The findings direct planners and EVs policymakers across the continent toward a policy that will ensure a clean and sustainable transportation system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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19 pages, 2670 KB  
Article
Understanding Behavioral Uncertainty in Parking Reservation Systems: A Hybrid SEM-Logit-Machine Learning Approach
by Can Wang, Xiaofei Ye, Xingchen Yan, Tao Wang and Jun Chen
Systems 2026, 14(5), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050537 - 9 May 2026
Viewed by 264
Abstract
Parking reservation systems (PRS) are promoted as smart urban parking tools, yet their continued use remains limited because users face both technological uncertainty and schedule-related uncertainty. This study develops a behavioral analysis framework that combines structural equation modeling (SEM), a stated-preference binary logit [...] Read more.
Parking reservation systems (PRS) are promoted as smart urban parking tools, yet their continued use remains limited because users face both technological uncertainty and schedule-related uncertainty. This study develops a behavioral analysis framework that combines structural equation modeling (SEM), a stated-preference binary logit model, and Random Forest learning. SEM examines how perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, social influence, and behavioral attitude shape intention to reuse. The binary logit model examines whether users retain their reserved lot under 10 reservation mechanisms and three arrival scenarios. Random Forest is then used to test nonlinear prediction and interaction effects, with intention to reuse measured as the average of the two reuse-intention items and model performance evaluated by the conventional coefficient of determination (R2), mean squared error, and mean absolute error. The results show that perceived risk suppresses perceived usefulness and behavioral attitude, early and especially late arrival sharply reduce reservation retention, and discount intensity is the strongest positive operational lever. Random Forest additionally shows that the effect of perceived risk depends on perceived ease of use: a more intuitive interface buffers the negative effect of risk on predicted reuse intention. These findings indicate that behavioral uncertainty in PRS is simultaneously perceptual, situational, and interactive. PRS design should therefore combine flexible time management, transparent real-time information, and low-friction user interfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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44 pages, 2200 KB  
Article
An Integrated CRITIC-MARCOS and Entropy-MARCOS Framework for Electric Bus Selection: Robustness and Sensitivity in Objective Multi-Criteria Decision-Making
by Gültekin Altuntaş
Systems 2026, 14(5), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050473 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 435
Abstract
The accelerating electrification of public transport systems has increased the need for objective and transparent decision-support tools in electric bus (e-bus) procurement. Although multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches are frequently employed to evaluate e-bus alternatives, limited attention has been paid to the consistency of [...] Read more.
The accelerating electrification of public transport systems has increased the need for objective and transparent decision-support tools in electric bus (e-bus) procurement. Although multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches are frequently employed to evaluate e-bus alternatives, limited attention has been paid to the consistency of rankings produced by different objective weighting techniques. This study addresses this gap by proposing an integrated evaluation framework that combines the CRITIC-MARCOS and Entropy-MARCOS methods to assess e-bus alternatives against technical and operational criteria. Six e-bus models are evaluated using nine performance indicators structured as benefit and cost criteria, reflecting the procurement context of a central public transport authority in a large metropolitan area. Criterion weights are independently calculated using the CRITIC and Entropy approaches and subsequently integrated into the MARCOS method to generate alternative rankings. To examine the robustness of the results, a sensitivity analysis based on the TOPSIS and Average Ranking Methods is conducted. The findings indicate that the proposed framework produces consistent and stable rankings across different weighting techniques. These results suggest that integrating multiple objective weighting methods within an MCDM framework can enhance transparency and reliability in high-investment public transport procurement decisions and support strategic planning for low-carbon urban mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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27 pages, 2137 KB  
Article
An Integrated Hesitant Fuzzy Decision-Making Framework with a Novel Distance Measure for Used Aircraft Selection
by Qingguo Shi and Fei Gao
Systems 2026, 14(5), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050470 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 254
Abstract
The rapid expansion of air cargo transportation has necessitated fleet expansion to meet growing demand. Due to the high capital costs associated with new aircraft acquisitions, attention has increasingly shifted toward used aircraft as a cost-effective alternative. However, selecting an appropriate used aircraft [...] Read more.
The rapid expansion of air cargo transportation has necessitated fleet expansion to meet growing demand. Due to the high capital costs associated with new aircraft acquisitions, attention has increasingly shifted toward used aircraft as a cost-effective alternative. However, selecting an appropriate used aircraft from a range of heterogeneous options is a critical multi-criteria decision-making challenge. To address this issue, this study introduces an integrated decision-making framework for used aircraft selection by combining the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and the best–worst method (BWM) in a hesitant fuzzy environment. First, in response to the limitations of existing distance measures, a novel distance measure for hesitant fuzzy sets (HFSs) is proposed that explicitly incorporates the hesitation degree to better capture uncertainty. Subsequently, this measure is incorporated into a modified hesitant fuzzy TOPSIS (M-HFTOPSIS) to enable a more precise evaluation of alternatives. The hesitant fuzzy BWM (HFBWM) is employed to calculate criteria weights, and the proposed M-HFTOPSIS is used to rank the alternatives. A case study involving ten criteria from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparative results demonstrate that the proposed approach provides reasonable and reliable outcomes and that the enhanced HFS distance measure effectively models the differences between hesitant fuzzy sets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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28 pages, 12958 KB  
Article
Multi-Objective Emergency Facility Locations Considering Point-Flow Integration Under Rainstorm Environments
by Chao Sun, Huixian Chen, Xiaona Zhang, Peng Zhang and Jie Ma
Systems 2026, 14(5), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050454 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 427
Abstract
Urban transportation systems are facing increasingly severe threats from extreme weather events such as rainstorms, which can trigger cascading failures and lead to regional traffic paralysis. The strategic location of emergency facilities to enhance system resilience has emerged as a critical proactive prevention [...] Read more.
Urban transportation systems are facing increasingly severe threats from extreme weather events such as rainstorms, which can trigger cascading failures and lead to regional traffic paralysis. The strategic location of emergency facilities to enhance system resilience has emerged as a critical proactive prevention strategy. This study proposes a multi-objective hierarchical coverage location model that integrates point and flow demands to improve the resilience of urban road traffic systems under rainstorm conditions. First, the resilience risk levels of road nodes were quantified using an entropy-weighted TOPSIS method that combines topological attributes, traffic flow performance, and indirect propagation intensity. Second, a flow-capturing mechanism was introduced to address the dynamic rescue demands of stranded vehicles in motion, enabling the pre-positioning of “safe havens” along critical travel routes. The model balances two objectives: maximizing the resilience risk value of the covered demands and minimizing facility construction costs. A case study was conducted in Jianghan District, Wuhan, a flood-prone area, and the NSGA-II algorithm was employed to solve the multi-objective optimization problem. The results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly outperforms traditional single-demand location models in terms of coverage effectiveness and cost efficiency, achieving improvements in resilience risk coverage of up to 311.6% and cost reductions of up to 63.6%. This study provides a systems science perspective for pre-disaster emergency resource allocation, shifting the paradigm from infrastructure-centric protection to human-centered rescue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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38 pages, 3864 KB  
Systematic Review
After-Sales and Maintenance Services: The Hidden Pillar Behind a Successful Electric Vehicle Deployment—A Systematic Literature Review
by Alina Panciu, Claudiu-Vasile Kifor, Marinela Ință, Lucian Lobonț and Mihai Victor Zerbes
Systems 2026, 14(6), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14060642 (registering DOI) - 4 Jun 2026
Abstract
This paper examines the state of the academic literature on the development of after-sales and maintenance services for electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting their critical yet underexplored role in the transition to electrified mobility. Against the backdrop of rising EV sales, this study investigates [...] Read more.
This paper examines the state of the academic literature on the development of after-sales and maintenance services for electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting their critical yet underexplored role in the transition to electrified mobility. Against the backdrop of rising EV sales, this study investigates how service ecosystems influence long-term adoption. A systematic review was conducted to identify recurring themes, barriers, and proposed solutions related to EV maintenance and after-sales systems. The findings indicate that, despite lower mechanical complexity compared to internal combustion vehicles, EVs generate new service demands due to their reliance on electronics, software, and high-voltage systems. Key barriers to EV adoption include high purchase costs, limited charging infrastructure, and shortages of skilled technicians, which collectively affect consumer confidence beyond the point of acquisition. The analysis shows that after-sales services constitute both a technical and economic bottleneck in large-scale EV diffusion. The existing literature predominantly emphasizes theoretical solutions, such as digitalized maintenance and data-driven business models, with limited focus on practical implementation strategies. This paper concludes that sustainable EV adoption depends not only on technological and infrastructural progress but also on workforce adaptation, proposing a transitional management framework to support independent workshops in shifting toward fully electric service operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making and Policy Strategies for Sustainable Transportation Systems)
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