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Urban Science
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Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban...
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Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Mobility

A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 1679

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fatemeh Nasr Esfahani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
Interests: electric vehicles; power electronics; power systems; machine learning; artificial intelligence; control and optimisation; microgrids
Prof. Dr. Carrie M. Hall

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering Department, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
Interests: modeling and control of advanced internal combustion engines and automotive powertrains; development of clean and efficient utilization of alternative fuels

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Mobility”, focuses on the transformative role of advanced transportation technologies and electric vehicles (EVs) in shaping the future of urban mobility. As cities worldwide grapple with challenges such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and climate change, smart transportation systems and the widespread adoption of EVs offer sustainable solutions that enhance urban efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve public health.

This Special Issue invites interdisciplinary research exploring how smart technologies, such as intelligent transportation systems (ITSs), the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data, are revolutionizing urban transport networks. It also highlights the importance of EV infrastructure, renewable energy integration, and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) in promoting cleaner, safer, and more accessible transportation options.

By addressing technological innovations, policy development, and social equity considerations, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the global dialog on sustainable urban development. Contrinbutions should focus on topics including smart mobility strategies, autonomous and connected vehicles, last-mile delivery solutions, and the environmental and health impacts of urban transportation systems. The goal is to showcase research that supports the transition toward smarter and more resilient low-carbon cities through innovative transportation solutions.

The integration of smart transportation systems and electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping urban mobility, offering promising pathways toward sustainable, efficient, and intelligent urban environments. As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of urbanization, congestion, pollution, and climate change, the advancement of smart mobility solutions, including connected transport networks, autonomous vehicles, shared mobility services, and the electrification of transport fleets, is emerging as a key enabler of sustainable urban development.

Smart city transportation leverages information and communication technologies (ICTs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize traffic flow, reduce emissions, and enhance the efficiency, safety, and accessibility of urban transport systems. Meanwhile, the proliferation of electric vehicles, supported by renewable energy integration, smart charging infrastructure, and policy incentives, is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving urban air quality, and fostering energy sustainability.

This Special Issue, entitled “Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Mobility”, aims to explore cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and practical applications that advance smart and sustainable transportation in urban settings. It seeks to address interdisciplinary approaches that connect urban planning, transportation engineering, environmental science, and public policy to foster the development of resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon urban mobility ecosystems.

Aligned with the journal’s focus on sustainability, smart technologies, urban planning, and transportation systems, this Special Issue invites contributions that explore how smart transportation strategies and EV adoption can contribute to urban sustainability, public health improvement, climate action, and technological innovation.

We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and case studies on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Smart mobility systems and intelligent transportation technologies;
  • EVs and their integration into smart grids;
  • Infrastructure for EV charging in urban environments;
  • Autonomous electric vehicles and shared mobility;
  • Policy frameworks and incentives for EV adoption and smart mobility;
  • Urban logistics, freight electrification, and last-mile delivery innovations;
  • The environmental impacts of EVs and smart transportation on urban air quality;
  • Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms and user behavior analysis;
  • Data-driven urban planning and real-time traffic management;
  • Cybersecurity and privacy issues in connected transportation systems;
  • Life cycle analysis and sustainability assessments of EV technologies;
  • Public health and social equity implications of smart transportation systems.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and advancing the knowledge and practice of smart and sustainable urban mobility.

 

Dr. Fatemeh Nasr Esfahani
Prof. Dr. Carrie M. Hall
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. 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 1600 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

  • smart cities
  • intelligent transportation systems
  • electric vehicles
  • urban mobility
  • sustainable transportation
  • autonomous vehicles
  • renewable energy integration
  • IoT in transportation
  • smart grid integration
  • cybersecurity in smart mobility

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 4256 KB  
Article
Enhancing Safety Measures at Stop-Controlled Intersections: A Study on LED Backlit Signs and Drivers’ Behavior in Montréal, Québec
by Maziyar Layegh, Matin Giahi Foomani and Ciprian Alecsandru
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(9), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9090375 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
This study evaluates the safety impacts of upgrading traditional STOP signs to light-emitting diode (LED)-illuminated backlit STOP signs at urban intersections, aiming to address visibility and conspicuity concerns that affect driver behavior and intersection safety. STOP signs are critical for regulating traffic flow [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the safety impacts of upgrading traditional STOP signs to light-emitting diode (LED)-illuminated backlit STOP signs at urban intersections, aiming to address visibility and conspicuity concerns that affect driver behavior and intersection safety. STOP signs are critical for regulating traffic flow and minimizing conflicts, yet their effectiveness can diminish under low-visibility conditions. To assess the effectiveness of LED-enhanced signage, a before–after study was conducted using surrogate safety measures. Key performance indicators included vehicle speeds, driver compliance rates, and vehicle-to-vehicle interactions, recorded both prior to and following LED implementation. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze driver behaviors, and a calibrated microscopic simulation model, optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA), was applied to estimate traffic conflict frequencies. Video data were processed to extract driver trajectories and reactions under varying signage conditions. Results showed LED STOP signs improved compliance rates from 60% to 85%, reduced average vehicle speeds by 25%, and increased post-encroachment times. Conflict analysis revealed significant reductions in vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian conflicts, particularly at night. These findings highlight the effectiveness of LED signage in enhancing intersection safety and offer important implications for urban traffic management and the adoption of advanced traffic control technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Mobility)
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26 pages, 1065 KB  
Article
Electric Vehicles Sustainability and Adoption Factors
by Vitor Figueiredo and Goncalo Baptista
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(8), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9080311 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1010
Abstract
Sustainability has an ever-increasing importance in our lives, mainly due to climate changes, finite resources, and a growing population, where each of us is called to make a change. Although climate change is a global phenomenon, our individual choices can make the difference. [...] Read more.
Sustainability has an ever-increasing importance in our lives, mainly due to climate changes, finite resources, and a growing population, where each of us is called to make a change. Although climate change is a global phenomenon, our individual choices can make the difference. The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, making the transition toward sustainable mobility a critical priority. The adoption of electric vehicles is widely recognized as a key solution to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. However, their widespread acceptance depends on various technological, behavioral, and economical factors. Within this research we use as an artifact the CO2 Emission Management Gauge (CEMG) devices to better understand how the manufacturers, with integrated features on vehicles, could significantly enhance sales and drive the movement towards electric vehicle adoption. This study proposes an innovative new theoretical model based on Task-Technology Fit, Technology Acceptance, and the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand the main drivers that may foster electric vehicle adoption, tested in a quantitative study with structural equation modelling (SEM), and conducted in a South European country. Our findings, not without some limitations, reveal that while technological innovations like CEMG provide consumers with valuable transparency regarding emissions, its influence on the intention of adoption is dependent on the attitude towards electric vehicles and subjective norm. Our results also support the influence of task-technology fit on perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use, the influence of perceived usefulness on consumer attitude towards electric vehicles, and the influence of perceived ease-of-use on perceived usefulness. A challenge is also presented within our work to expand CEMG usage in the future to more intrinsic urban contexts, combined with smart city algorithms, collecting and proving CO2 emission information to citizens in locations such as traffic lights, illumination posts, streets, and public areas, allowing the needed information to better manage the city’s quality of air and traffic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Mobility)
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