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Urban Science
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Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for...
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Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for Urban Mobility

A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Mobility and Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 September 2026 | Viewed by 4404

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nenad Ruškić

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Guest Editor
Department of Traffic Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: traffic; transport; road capacity; intersection capacity
Prof. Dr. Valentina B. Mirović

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Guest Editor
Department of Traffic Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: transportation planning; urban mobility; demand models; data collecting and analysis; environmental impact of traffic

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid urbanization, the proliferation of heterogeneous data sources, and advances in computational intelligence have opened new opportunities for understanding and optimizing urban mobility systems at scale. This Special Issue addresses the emerging challenges and opportunities in the design, management, and operation of next-generation urban mobility.

The collection showcases cutting-edge research on modeling human and vehicular mobility, leveraging urban computing techniques for data-driven decision-making, and developing intelligent transportation systems that enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Contributions cover a broad spectrum of topics, including data collecting and analysis, travel demand and land use models, social impact and accessibility of urban transport, machine learning and artificial intelligence for traffic prediction, transport models and digital twins, large-scale mobility simulations, IoT-enabled sensing and control, multimodal transport integration, environmental impact of traffic, and policy-driven approaches for sustainable, user-centric mobility.

By bridging disciplines such as computer science, transportation engineering, urban studies, and environmental engineering, this Special Issue highlights how intelligent, data-informed solutions can drive the transformation of urban mobility toward safer, more adaptive, and environmentally sustainable systems.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Prof. Dr. Nenad Ruškić
Prof. Dr. Valentina B. Mirović
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. Urban Science 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 1800 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

  • demand modeling
  • data collecting
  • macro and micro modeling
  • urban mobility
  • accessibility
  • intelligent transportation system
  • transport models
  • digital twins
  • environmental impact of transport
  • social impact of transport

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 6750 KB  
Article
Evaluating Intersection Performance Under Land-Use-Generated Traffic Increases: A Turbo Roundabout Application
by Nenad Ruškić, Andrea Kovačević, Valentina Mirović and Jelena Mitrović Simić
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050233 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Large retail developments act as strong trip attractors and can substantially alter traffic demand patterns at adjacent urban intersections. This paper analyzes the operational impacts of a major shopping center on two nearby signalized intersections in Novi Sad, Serbia, and evaluates the effects [...] Read more.
Large retail developments act as strong trip attractors and can substantially alter traffic demand patterns at adjacent urban intersections. This paper analyzes the operational impacts of a major shopping center on two nearby signalized intersections in Novi Sad, Serbia, and evaluates the effects of reconstructing one of them into a turbo roundabout. Traffic data collected before and after the shopping center opening, as well as before and after the intersection reconstruction, were analyzed using calibrated and validated microsimulation models. Results indicate that peak-hour traffic volumes increased by 8.38% and 6.96% at the analyzed intersections following the shopping center opening, leading to increased delays and operational stress under fixed signal control, particularly under unbalanced turning demands. The conversion of the three-leg signalized intersection into a turbo roundabout resulted in substantial reductions in average delay and improvements in level of service under identical traffic demand conditions, mainly due to the elimination of left-turn signal phases and reduced conflict interactions. The findings confirm that turbo roundabouts can provide significant operational benefits in dense urban environments characterized by strong directional flows; however, their effectiveness is highly context-dependent and influenced by traffic composition and geometric constraints. The results are interpreted as representative of typical weekday peak conditions, acknowledging data and temporal limitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for Urban Mobility)
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26 pages, 3607 KB  
Article
Unconventional Roundabouts: Third-Generation Insights from the United States and Europe
by Lorenzo Brocchini, Antonio Pratelli, Saša Ahac, Maja Ahac, Marjana Petrović, Luka Novačko, Reginald Souleyrette and Teng Wang
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(4), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10040215 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 498
Abstract
This paper presents a comparative analysis of unconventional roundabouts, commonly referred to as third-generation roundabouts, based on case studies from the United States and Europe, specifically Croatia and Italy. These intersection designs deviate from traditional circular geometries to overcome limitations in safety, capacity, [...] Read more.
This paper presents a comparative analysis of unconventional roundabouts, commonly referred to as third-generation roundabouts, based on case studies from the United States and Europe, specifically Croatia and Italy. These intersection designs deviate from traditional circular geometries to overcome limitations in safety, capacity, and spatial integration, especially in constrained or high-demand environments. The study focuses on three major typologies: raindrop, turbo, and two-geometry roundabouts (TGRs), examining their geometric characteristics, operational principles, and context-specific implementations. Based on real-world examples and qualitative assessments, each national section investigates design rationale and performance considerations in relation to local traffic dynamics. The paper contributes to the understanding of adaptive and context-sensitive intersection design, offering a conceptual framework for comparing unconventional roundabout typologies across different regulatory environments. The comparative analysis reveals that each typology responds to specific operational and spatial constraints rather than representing a universally optimal solution. In particular, raindrop and dog-bone roundabouts are most effective in interchange contexts, turbo roundabouts enhance safety and capacity in regulated multilane environments, while TGRs provide greater adaptability in constrained and irregular urban settings. These findings highlight the importance of context-dependent design strategies and support the need for flexible and context-sensitive evaluation frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for Urban Mobility)
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27 pages, 6364 KB  
Article
Assessing Accessibility to Regional Hubs Through Integrated DRT–Rail Services: Evidence from a Case Study in Southern Italy
by Antonio Russo, Tiziana Campisi and Giovanni Tesoriere
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(3), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10030174 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1076
Abstract
Demand-responsive transport (DRT) services are increasingly recognised as an effective solution for enhancing accessibility, particularly in low-demand and peripheral areas. Existing scientific research has investigated DRT as a feeder service to modal interchange nodes, with a specific focus on railway hubs. In this [...] Read more.
Demand-responsive transport (DRT) services are increasingly recognised as an effective solution for enhancing accessibility, particularly in low-demand and peripheral areas. Existing scientific research has investigated DRT as a feeder service to modal interchange nodes, with a specific focus on railway hubs. In this study, an accessibility indicator is developed to compare direct road-based access to regional hubs with multimodal access combining road and rail, enabled by DRT services. The indicator is derived from a detailed analysis of road travel times and scheduled rail services and is applied within a regional-scale framework. Under the hypothesis that travel originates in the centre of each municipality in the area under consideration, two travel times are calculated: the time for the road alternative, based on the characteristics of the road network, and the time for the combined alternative, based on the attributes of the rail network. The resulting indicator allows for identification of the alternative that is more time-competitive for medium-distance travel on a regional scale and for mapping accessibility to attraction centres on a municipal basis. The methodology is applied to a case study in Sicily, Southern Italy. The analysis considers trips from all Sicilian municipalities to the metropolitan areas of Palermo, Catania, and Messina, assessing both the current situation and future scenarios based on planned railway infrastructure upgrades. The results indicate that, while direct road access remains the most efficient option for a large share of municipalities, the multimodal DRT–rail alternative becomes competitive in areas located near railway stations, particularly under scenarios that include major rail interventions, such as the upgrading and speed enhancement of the Palermo–Catania railway corridor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for Urban Mobility)
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21 pages, 1149 KB  
Article
The Formation Mechanisms of Intra-Urban Commuting Flows from a Relational Perspective: Evidence from Hangzhou, China
by Jianjun Yang and Gula Tang
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(3), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10030165 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 507
Abstract
Intra-urban commuting plays a fundamental role in shaping urban spatial structure and daily mobility patterns. Existing studies have largely explained commuting flows using attribute-based or distance-centred approaches. Such approaches overlook the interdependent and relational nature of commuting within complex urban systems. This study [...] Read more.
Intra-urban commuting plays a fundamental role in shaping urban spatial structure and daily mobility patterns. Existing studies have largely explained commuting flows using attribute-based or distance-centred approaches. Such approaches overlook the interdependent and relational nature of commuting within complex urban systems. This study constructs a subdistrict-level commuting network using anonymised mobile phone signalling data from Hangzhou, China, and a valued exponential random graph model (valued ERGM) to examine how commuting flows are generated through the interaction of network self-organization, local job-housing conditions, and multi-dimensional proximity. The results reveal strong endogenous dependence exemplified by reciprocal commuting ties. Employment agglomeration and public rental housing provision are associated with stronger integration of subdistricts within the commuting network, while high housing prices and certain residential amenities are associated with reduced inter-subdistrict commuting. Beyond geographic distance, metro connectivity, administrative affiliation, and social interaction are significantly associated with commuting flows. This study advances a relational explanation of intra-urban commuting and demonstrates the methodological value of valued ERGMs for analysing weighted urban flow networks. The findings have implications for integrated transport, housing, and governance strategies, particularly transit-oriented development, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and the strategic siting of affordable housing, aimed at promoting more locally embedded and sustainable urban mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for Urban Mobility)
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15 pages, 3357 KB  
Article
Fine-Grained Vehicle Make and Model Recognition for Smart City Environmental Monitoring: A YOLO11-Based Two-Stage Framework
by Aya Elouali and Antonio J. Jara
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(2), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10020074 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1211
Abstract
Accurate, real-time vehicle identification is essential for data-driven urban planning, enabling applications like emissions monitoring and the enforcement of environmental regulations. However, identifying a vehicle’s model, generation, and production year remains a significant challenge for VMMR systems. This is especially true when cameras [...] Read more.
Accurate, real-time vehicle identification is essential for data-driven urban planning, enabling applications like emissions monitoring and the enforcement of environmental regulations. However, identifying a vehicle’s model, generation, and production year remains a significant challenge for VMMR systems. This is especially true when cameras capture multiple vehicles simultaneously under suboptimal imaging conditions. This challenge is amplified in Europe, as most existing VMMR datasets are designed for non-European markets. To address this, we present two contributions: a newly curated dataset of 84,732 images across 625 classes, and a robust two-stage YOLO11 system trained on this data. The dataset focuses on the European market and realistic viewpoints like front and rear angles. The system, comprising a Vehicle Localization Module (VLM) and a Fine-Grained Classification Module (FGCM), performs detailed model classification without relying on license plates or additional sensors. When tested on real European traffic footage, our system achieved 80% accuracy and outperformed models trained on U.S.-centric datasets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mobility Modeling, Land Use Patterns, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for Urban Mobility)
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