Search Results (342)

According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, between 2013 and 2023, 62% of aviation accidents occurred during the approach, landing, and post-impact phases of flight. Hence, this study targets factors contributing to increased accident rates during the final stages of flight. It will review how pilot experience influences decision-making and identifies mitigation strategies, focusing on go-arounds to prevent accidents during these critical phases. Surveys and roundtable discussions were conducted to identify factors influencing pilot performance during approach, landing, and go-around manoeuvres. By using a mixed-methods approach that combined thematic and statistical analyses, key safety factors were identified, including situational awareness, decision-making, and operational complexity. The study also examined the relationship between experience and decision-making, highlighting areas for targeted interventions to improve safety. The research emphasises the importance of integrating decision-making considerations into training programmes and connecting these to human factors. Through identifying areas for improvement, this study offers a safety-driven framework to address decision-making challenges during approach, landing, and go-around phases, with the objective of reducing accident and incident rates in general aviation. Full article

This study investigates the concept of landscape services (LS), which integrate environmental and sociocultural dimensions of sustainable development. Recognizing landscapes as essential to daily life and well-being, the research aims to support sustainable spatial planning by analyzing both their potential and their actual use. The study has three main objectives: (1) to assess the potential of 16 selected landscape types to provide six key LS through expert evaluation; (2) to determine actual LS usage patterns among the local community (residents); and (3) to identify agreements and discrepancies between expert assessments and resident use. The services analyzed include providing space for daily activities; regulating spatial structure through diversity and compositional richness; enhancing physical and mental health; enabling passive and active recreation; supporting personal fulfillment; and fostering social interaction. Expert-based surveys and participatory mapping with residents were used to assess the provision and use of LS. The results indicate consistent evaluations for forest and historical urban landscapes (high potential and use) and mining and transportation landscapes (low potential and use). However, significant differences emerged for mountain LS, rated highly by experts but used minimally by residents. These insights highlight the importance of aligning expert planning with community needs to promote sustainable land use policies and reduce spatial conflicts. Full article

Previous reviews have examined specific facets of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in transportation planning, such as transit-focused applications and open source geospatial tools. However, this study offers the first systematic, PRISMA-guided longitudinal evaluation of GIS integration in transportation planning, spanning thematic domains, data models, methodologies, and outcomes from 2004 to 2024. This study addresses this gap through a longitudinal analysis of GIS-based transportation research from 2004 to 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. By conducting a mixed-methods analysis of 241 peer-reviewed articles, this study delineates major trends, such as increased emphasis on sustainability, equity, stakeholder involvement, and the incorporation of advanced technologies. Prominent domains include land use–transportation coordination, accessibility, artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, and policy evaluation. Expanded data sources, such as real-time sensor feeds and 3D models, alongside sophisticated modeling techniques, enable evidence-based, multifaceted decision-making. However, challenges like data limitations, ethical concerns, and the need for specialized expertise persist, particularly in developing regions. Future geospatial innovations should prioritize the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, inclusive capacity building, and environmental justice to foster equitable and efficient transportation systems. This review highlights GIS’s evolution from a supplementary tool to a cornerstone of data-driven, sustainable urban mobility planning, offering insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance transportation strategies that align with equity and sustainability goals. Full article

The presence of people has a complex relationship with public safety—while it is often associated with increased natural surveillance, it can also attract specific types of crime under certain urban conditions. This exploratory study examines this dual relationship by integrating Jane Jacobs’s urban theories and the principles derived from them in Quito, Ecuador. Anchored in Jacobs’s concept of “eyes on the street,” this research assesses four morphological dimensions—density, land use mixture, contact opportunity, and accessibility through nine specific indicators. A binary logistic regression model is used to examine how these features relate to the incidence of street robberies against individuals. The findings indicate that urban form characteristics that foster “eyes on the street”—such as higher population density and a mix of commercial and residential uses—show statistically significant associations with lower rates of street robbery. However, other indicators of “eyes on the street”—such as larger block sizes, proximity to public transport stations, greater street lighting, and a higher balance between residential and non-residential land uses—correlate with increased crime rates. Some indicators, such as population density, block size, and distance to public transport stations, show statistically significant relationships, though the practical effect size compared to residential/non-residential balance, commercial and facility mix, and street lighting is modest. These results underscore the importance of contextualizing Jacobs’s frameworks and offer a novel contribution to the literature by empirically testing morphological indicators promoting the presence of people against actual crime data. Full article

This study explores the spatial and social implications of urban food systems in Quito, Ecuador, focusing on how food access inequalities reflect and reinforce broader urban disparities. The research addresses a critical problem in contemporary urbanization: the disconnection between food provisioning and spatial equity in rapidly growing cities. The objective is to assess and map disparities in food accessibility using a mixed-methods approach that includes field observation, participatory mapping, value chain analysis, and statistical modeling. Five traditional and emerging food markets were studied in diverse districts across the city. A synthetic accessibility function F(x) was constructed to model food access levels, integrating variables such as income, infrastructure, transport availability, and travel time. These variables were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering to generate three typologies of territorial vulnerability. The results reveal that peripheral areas exhibit lower F(x) values and weaker integration with the formal food system, leading to higher consumer costs and limited fresh food options. In contrast, central districts benefit from multimodal infrastructure and greater diversity of supply. This study concludes that food systems should be treated as critical urban infrastructure. Integrating food equity into land use and mobility planning is essential to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban development. Full article

The integration of shared autonomous vehicles into historic urban areas presents both opportunities and challenges. In heritage-rich environments like very old Asian (such as Suzhou old town, which serves as a use case example) or European (especially Mediterranean coastal cities) areas—characterized by narrow alleys, dense development, and sensitive cultural landscapes—shared autonomous vehicle adoption raises critical spatial and social questions. This study employs a qualitative, user-centered approach based on the ripple model to examine residents’ perceptions across four dimensions: residential patterns, parking land use, regional accessibility, and street-level infrastructure. Semi-structured interviews with 27 participants reveal five key findings: (1) public trust depends on transparent decision-making and safety guarantees; (2) shared autonomous vehicles may reshape generational residential clustering; (3) the short-term parking demand remains stable, but the long-term reuse of space is feasible; (4) shared autonomous vehicles could enhance accessibility in historic cores; (5) transport systems may evolve toward intelligent, human-centered designs. Based on these insights, the study proposes three strategies: (1) transparent risk assessment using explainable artificial intelligence and digital twins; (2) polycentric development to diversify land use; (3) hierarchical street retrofitting to balance mobility and preservation. While this study is limited by its qualitative scope and absence of simulation, it offers a framework for culturally sensitive, small-scale interventions supporting sustainable mobility transitions in historic urban contexts. Full article

The efficient management of urban parking systems has emerged as a pivotal issue in today’s smart cities, where increasing vehicle populations strain limited parking infrastructure and challenge sustainable urban mobility. Aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the strategic goals of smart city planning, this study presents a sustainability-driven, multiagent simulation-based framework to model, analyze, and optimize smart parking dynamics in congested urban settings. The system architecture integrates ground-level IoT sensors installed in parking spaces, enabling real-time occupancy detection and communication with a centralized system using low-power wide-area communication protocols (LPWAN). This study introduces an intelligent parking guidance mechanism that dynamically directs drivers to the nearest available slots based on location, historical traffic flow, and predicted availability. To manage real-time data flow, the framework incorporates message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocols and edge processing units for low-latency updates. A predictive algorithm, combining spatial data, usage patterns, and time-series forecasting, supports decision-making for future slot allocation and dynamic pricing policies. Field simulations, calibrated with sensor data in a representative high-density urban district, assess system performance under peak and off-peak conditions. A comparative evaluation against traditional first-come-first-served and static parking systems highlights significant gains: average parking search time is reduced by 42%, vehicular congestion near parking zones declines by 35%, and emissions from circling vehicles drop by 27%. The system also improves user satisfaction by enabling mobile app-based reservation and payment options. These findings contribute to broader sustainability goals by supporting efficient land use, reducing environmental impacts, and enhancing urban livability—key dimensions emphasized in sustainable smart city strategies. The proposed framework offers a scalable, interdisciplinary solution for urban planners and policymakers striving to design inclusive, resilient, and environmentally responsible urban mobility systems. Full article

With over 180 million tons produced annually and a global market exceeding 500 billion dollars, beer is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, thanks to its broad variety of styles, traditions, ingredients, and brewing techniques. However, behind this widespread popularity lies a potentially impactful production chain, whose environmental impacts remain underexplored, particularly within the craft segment. This research evaluates the sustainability of a hemp-based craft beer produced in the Lazio region (Italy) using an integrated approach that combines life cycle assessment with environmental impact monetization. The results indicate that the main impacts in beer production are related to global warming potential (0.916 kg CO₂ eq/L), terrestrial ecotoxicity (0.404 kg 1.4-DCB eq/L), land use (0.841 m²a crop eq/L), and fossil resource scarcity (0.211 kg oil eq/L), primarily due to malt production and hop transportation. Packaging analysis revealed that including environmental costs, aluminum cans may add an additional environmental cost of €0.80–1.60 per unit, while glass bottles, despite their weight, incur a lower additional cost. For a beer priced at €3.50, this would translate to a real cost of €4.30–5.10, reflecting a 22–45% increase. Improving sustainability in the brewing sector requires strategic actions, such as careful supplier selection and appropriate packaging choices. Overall, sustainability in brewing emerges as a balance between production needs, distribution impacts, and systemic decisions. Full article

This study investigates the factors affecting the choice of school travel mode among students in Mersin, Türkiye, focusing on walking, private car, public transit and school bus. A two-step modeling approach was adopted. First, a latent class cluster analysis (LCCA) was applied to identify subgroups of students with similar characteristics. Then, separate multinomial logit (MNL) models were estimated for each cluster. The data come from the 2022 Urban Transport Master Plan household survey and include 2798 students from 2092 households. The results show that trip distance is the most consistent and significant factor across all clusters, as increasing distance makes students more likely to use motorized modes instead of walking. Gender also demonstrates a consistent influence in specific clusters, where male students are less likely to travel by private car. Similarly, residing in a single-family house consistently increases the likelihood of car use in multiple clusters. Conversely, the influence of household structure, parental education, income, and household size differs significantly between clusters, underlining the importance of considering group-level differences in school travel behavior. These findings suggest that policies aiming to promote sustainable school travel should be sensitive to the needs of different student groups. Integrating land use and transportation planning may help to support active and shared modes of travel. Full article

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) serves as a critical indicator for atmospheric aerosol monitoring and air quality assessment, and quantifies the radiative attenuation caused by airborne particulate matter. This study uses MODIS remote sensing imagery together with land use transition datasets (2000–2020) and road network density metrics (2014–2020), to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of AOD in Zhejiang Province and its synergistic correlations with urbanization patterns and transportation infrastructure. By integrating MODIS_1KM AOD product, grid-based road network density mapping, land use dynamic degree modeling, and transfer matrix analysis, this study systematically evaluates the interdependencies among aerosol loading, impervious surface expansion, and transportation network intensification. The results indicate that during the study period (2000–2020), the provincial AOD level shows a significant declining trend, with obvious spatial heterogeneity: the AOD values in eastern coastal industrial zones and urban agglomerations continue to increase, with lower values dominating southwestern forested highlands. Meanwhile, statistical analyses confirm highly positive correlations between AOD, impervious surface coverage, and road network density, emphasizing the dominant role of anthropogenic activities in aerosol accumulation. These findings provide actionable insights for enhancing land-use zoning, minimizing vehicular emissions, and developing spatially targeted air quality management strategies in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study provides a solid scientific foundation for advancing environmental sustainability by supporting policy development that balances urban expansion and air quality. It contributes to building more sustainable and resilient cities in Zhejiang Province. Full article

The construction of transition rules is the core and difficulty faced by the cellular automata (CA) model. Dynamic mining of transition rules can more accurately simulate urban land use change. By introducing a graph attention network (GAT) to mine CA model transition rules, the temporal and spatial dynamics of the model are increased based on the construction of a real-time dynamic graph structure. At the same time, by adding an agent-based model (ABM) to the CA model, the simulation evolution of different human decision-making behaviors can be achieved. Based on this, an urban expansion scenario prediction (UESP) model has been proposed: (1) the UESP model employs a multi-head attention mechanism to dynamically capture high-order spatial dependencies, supporting the efficient processing of large-scale datasets with over 50,000 points of interest (POIs); (2) it incorporates the behaviors of agents such as residents, governments, and transportation systems to more realistically reflect human micro-level decision-making; and (3) by integrating macro-structural learning with micro-behavioral modeling, it effectively addresses the existing limitations in representing high-order spatial relationships and human decision-making processes in urban expansion simulations. Based on the policy context of the Outline of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) Coordinated Development Plan, four development scenarios were designed to simulate construction land change by 2030. The results show that (1) the UESP model achieved an overall accuracy of 0.925, a Kappa coefficient of 0.878, and a FoM index of 0.048, outperforming traditional models, with the FoM being 3.5% higher; (2) through multi-scenario simulation prediction, it is found that under the scenario of ecological conservation and farmland protection, forest and grassland increase by 3142 km², and cultivated land increases by 896 km², with construction land showing a concentrated growth trend; and (3) the expansion of construction land will mainly occur at the expense of farmland, concentrated around Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan, Shijiazhuang, and southern core cities in Hebei, forming a “core-driven, axis-extended, and cluster-expanded” spatial pattern. Full article

Urban rail transit is a key enabler for optimizing urban spatial structures, and its interactive relationship with land use has long been a focus of attention. However, existing studies suffer from scattered methodologies, a lack of systematic analysis, and insufficient dynamic insights into global trends. This study comprehensively employs CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica to conduct bibliometric and knowledge map analysis on 1894 articles from the Web of Science database between 2004 and 2024, focusing on global research trends, collaboration networks, thematic evolution, and methodological advancements. Key findings include the following: (1) research on rail transit and land use has been steadily increasing, with a significant “US-China dual-core” distribution, where most studies are concentrated in the United States and China, with higher research density in Asia; (2) domestic and international research has primarily focused on themes such as the built environment, value capture, and public transportation, with a recent shift toward artificial intelligence and smart city technology applications; (3) research methods have evolved from foundational 3S technologies (GIS, GPS, RS) to spatial modeling tools (e.g., LUTI model, node-place model), and the current emergence of AI-driven analysis (e.g., machine learning, deep learning, digital twins). The study identifies three future research directions—technology integration, data governance, and institutional innovation—which provide guidance for the coordinated planning of transportation and land use in future smart city development. Full article

Mobility is a fundamental catalyst for urban transformation, particularly in smaller urban centres, where enhanced transport can significantly influence socio-economic dynamics. This study investigates the socio-economic and spatial developments associated with the fixed-link transport corridor connecting the Zealand and Funen islands in Denmark. Despite its importance, a gap remains in understanding how this transport corridor has reshaped inter-regional connectivity over three decades and affected urban development in the surrounding areas. To address this gap, the study analyses the socio-economic effects of improved connectivity, focusing on residential relocation trends, commuting patterns, housing market dynamics, and employment in smaller communities. Adopting a mixed-methods approach that integrates surveys with spatial modelling, the analysis examines changes in commuting habits, economic opportunities, and land use from 1990 to 2018 within a 45 min travel radius of the corridor. The findings reveal that enhanced accessibility has widened commuting ranges, stimulated urban growth, and transformed housing and labour markets. However, these advantages are not evenly distributed, highlighting emerging spatial disparities. By merging empirical data with predictive models, this study enriches the discourse on sustainable urban mobility and spatial equity, providing valuable insights for policymakers and planners as they contemplate future fixed-link transport connectivity aimed at fostering inclusive regional development. Full article

The October 2024 cut-off low event triggered one of the most catastrophic floods recorded in the Valencia Metropolitan Area, exposing significant vulnerabilities in urban planning, infrastructure resilience, and emergency preparedness. This study presents a novel comprehensive assessment of the event, using a multi-sensor satellite approach combined with socio-economic and infrastructure data at the metropolitan scale. It provides a comprehensive spatial assessment of the flood’s impacts by integrating of radar Sentinel-1 and optical Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 imagery with datasets including population density, land use, and critical infrastructure layers. Approximately 199 km² were inundated, directly affecting over 90,000 residents and compromising vital infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, transportation corridors, and agricultural lands. Results highlight the exposure of peri-urban zones and agricultural areas, reflecting the socio-economic risks associated with the rapid urban expansion into flood-prone plains. The applied methodology demonstrates the essential role of multi-sensor remote sensing in accurately delineating flood extents and assessing socio-economic impacts. This approach constitutes a transferable framework for enhancing disaster risk management strategies in other Mediterranean urban regions. As extreme hydrometeorological events become more frequent under changing climatic conditions, the findings underscore the urgent need for integrating remote sensing technologies, early warning systems, and nature-based solutions into regional governance to strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and mitigate future flood risks. Full article

Ports represent the point of intersection between sea and land, as well as a crucial node for the integration of maritime and land transport in the global logistics chain. Consequently, it is crucial to consider an articulated system that includes dry ports, freight interchange and intermodal logistics platforms, since the relationships between the port and the city, as well as those between the different decision-makers involved, are multiple and complex. Maritime transport and port operations have a direct and indirect impact on the surrounding contexts, with significant effects, particularly from an environmental point of view. Therefore, the green transition in logistics, port, and maritime systems is essential for reducing these impacts. In this context, the aspects related to operational practices and terminal design are of great importance. This paper aims to explore sustainable strategies for ports and maritime logistics in order to provide a methodological approach to green transition. The proposed methodology was divided into phases. First, an analysis of international and European legislation was conducted in order to identify the main critical issues. Subsequently, a review of the existing literature and best practices was carried out to identify tested solutions. The third phase included a Stakeholder Engagement Process, centred on the use of a thematic focus group to foster a collaborative approach to the definition of priorities and operational strategies. Part of the proposed methodology was implemented as part of the DEMASTER—Design of Maritime Sustainable Terminals—project, and it can allow for the evaluation of the different options and the identification of more effective and innovative solutions for the green transition. Full article