Search Results (114)

Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) extends edge AI capabilities to resource-constrained devices, offering a promising solution for real-time, low-power intelligence in smart cities. This review systematically analyzes 66 peer-reviewed studies from 2019 to 2024, covering applications across urban mobility, environmental monitoring, public safety, waste management, and infrastructure health. We examine hardware platforms and machine learning models, with particular attention to power-efficient deployment and data privacy. We review the approaches employed in published studies for deploying machine learning models on resource-constrained hardware, emphasizing the most commonly used communication technologies—while noting the limited uptake of low-power options such as Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs). We also discuss hardware–software co-design strategies that enable sustainable operation. Furthermore, we evaluate the alignment of these deployments with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting both their contributions and existing gaps in current practices. This review identifies recurring technical patterns, methodological challenges, and underexplored opportunities, particularly in the areas of hardware provisioning, usage of inherent privacy benefits in relevant applications, communication technologies, and dataset practices, offering a roadmap for future TinyML research and deployment in smart urban systems. Among the 66 studies examined, 29 focused on mobility and transportation, 17 on public safety, 10 on environmental sensing, 6 on waste management, and 4 on infrastructure monitoring. TinyML was deployed on constrained microcontrollers in 32 studies, while 36 used optimized models for resource-limited environments. Energy harvesting, primarily solar, was featured in 6 studies, and low-power communication networks were used in 5. Public datasets were used in 27 studies, custom datasets in 24, and the remainder relied on hybrid or simulated data. Only one study explicitly referenced SDGs, and 13 studies considered privacy in their system design. Full article

This article examines the impact of everyday life infrastructure on well-being through the lens of feminist economics, with a specific focus on gender disparities within the European context. Combining the capability approach (CA) and subjective well-being (SWB) theory, this study introduces a gender-sensitive well-being budget indicator, the Well-being and Infrastructure by Gender Index, or just WIGI, to assess the differential impacts of public expenditures on women and men. Drawing on feminist critiques of infrastructure planning, it highlights how gendered patterns of access and use shape experiences of well-being. The literature review synthesizes recent contributions on well-being measurement, gendered capabilities, and the role of public infrastructure in supporting everyday life. The research utilizes the Benefits of Gender Equality through infrastructure Provision (BGGEIP) survey from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) from 28 EU member states in 2015 to evaluate the contribution of key public services—such as transport, childcare, and healthcare—to individual capabilities and subjective well-being outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of integrating gender-sensitive methodologies into infrastructure planning and public policy to promote social inclusion and equitable well-being outcomes. This article concludes by advocating for feminist economics-informed policies to enhance the responsiveness of public investments to the lived experiences of women and men across Europe. Full article

Nowadays, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the husbandry conditions under which animals are raised, particularly broilers, since broilers are one of the species whose welfare is most impaired in intensive farming systems. One of the primary means of communicating husbandry practices to consumers is through product labelling. Thus, a rising number of animal welfare labelling schemes for broilers are being developed and used across Europe by initiatives of both public and private stakeholders, including NGOs that advocate for animal welfare. This review aims to identify, analyze, and compare these labelling schemes with a focus on the main animal welfare provisions included in them, which contribute to enhanced animal welfare. The schemes were identified through web searches, so that we could visit their official websites, access their standards and regulations and study them in detail. We included in our research only those schemes whose criteria were publicly available. In total, 16 schemes were selected and analyzed. Although these schemes vary in their criteria, they all enhance the welfare standards of broiler production, primarily through incorporating environmental enrichment and/or access to the outdoors. Most schemes define and specify in detail the required animal welfare provisions, setting a clear application frame for the raising period of the birds. However, the welfare of animals during transport and slaughter is often overlooked. Full article

Urban public toilets are essential for improving urban and rural living environments. Traditional evaluations have relied on statistical indicators such as total numbers and network coverage, but have overlooked population demand, limiting their ability to reflect actual service levels and optimize spatial allocation. This study assesses the public toilet service capacity according to spatial accessibility and offers insights into layout optimization. The main urban area of Kunming was considered as the case study. First, the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (G2SFCA) method was used to calculate public toilet accessibility. The service level of public toilets at the community scale was assessed based on the calculation results. Finally, recommendations for the optimization of the spatial layout of public toilet provision are proposed based on the evaluation findings. Results indicate that (1) 57 communities lacked access to public toilets within a 5 min walk, while only two lacked access within 20 min; all communities had access within 30 min; (2) increasing stalls in old public toilets by 50% would meet the policy requirements for most residents; (3) transportation accessibility has a significant impact on residents’ convenience in accessing public toilets. Areas with lower transportation connectivity tend to have poorer toilet accessibility. The construction of new public toilets near road networks can effectively enhance overall restroom convenience for residents in the study area. By integrating public toilet accessibility with resident restroom demand, this study proposes targeted strategies for optimizing the spatial layout of urban public toilets, offering valuable insights and feasible solutions for improving the scientific and rational allocation of urban public resources. Full article

With the increase in urban–rural disparities in China, rural public transportation systems in low-density areas face unique challenges, especially in the contexts of sparse population, complex topography, and uneven resource allocation; research on public transportation in low-density areas has had less attention compared to high-density urban areas. Therefore, how to solve the dilemma of public transportation service provision in low-density rural areas due to sparse population and long travel distances has become an urgent problem. In this paper, a dynamic optimization model based on a two-layer planning framework was constructed. The upper layer optimized the topology of multimodal transportation nodes through the Floyd shortest path algorithm to generate a composite network of trunk roads and feeder routes; the lower layer adopted an improved Logit discrete choice model, integrating the heterogeneous utility parameters, such as time cost, economic cost, and comfort, to simulate and realize the equilibrium allocation of stochastic users. It was found that the dynamic game mechanism based on the “path optimization–fairness measurement” can optimize the travel time, mode, route, and bus stop selection of rural residents. At the same time, the mechanism can realize the fair distribution of rural transportation network subjects (people–vehicles–roads). This provides a dynamic, multi-scenario macro policy reference basis for the optimization of a rural transportation network layout. Full article

Transit deserts, defined by insufficient public transit provision relative to demand, aggravate socio-economic inequalities by restricting access to employment, education, and healthcare. With increasing urbanization and growing disparities in public transport accessibility, identifying transit deserts is critical for equitable mobility planning. As urban populations expand, addressing transit accessibility requires advanced data-driven approaches. This study applies machine learning (ML) models, decision trees (DTs), logistic regression (LR), and random forest (RF), within an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) framework to detect transit deserts in Lucknow, India. Employing a 100 × 100 m spatial grid data, the models classify transit accessibility based on economic status, trip frequency, population density, and service access. The results indicate that RF achieves superior classification accuracy, while DT offers interpretability with slightly lower recall. LR underperforms due to its linear assumptions. The findings reveal the spatial clustering of transit deserts in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. This study advances ML-driven ITS analytics, offering a novel approach for classifying transit accessibility patterns at a granular level, thereby aiding policy interventions for improved urban mobility. Full article

With the growing demand for mobility fueled by global population expansion and rapid urbanization, the intricate interplay between public transport and land use, along with their economic, environmental, and social externalities, has emerged as a critical concern for policymakers and the public alike. This study assembles publicly available academic literature, including papers, reports, books, and news articles, to construct a comprehensive database. Using CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software, this study conducts a visualized analysis of 10,470 scholarly works on public transport and land use published since 1932, identifying and synthesizing the researcher, research stages, research theories, research models, and research hotspots. Findings reveal that since Mitchell and Rapkin first introduced the transport–land use relationship in 1954, research in this field has steadily gained traction, particularly after the 1973 oil embargo crisis. The Journal of Transport and Land Use and institutions such as the University of Minnesota’s Transportation Research Center have played pivotal roles, particularly with the establishment of the World Society for Transport and Land Use Research (WSTLUR). In recent years, China’s high-speed rail expansion has further revitalized interest in this field. Prominent scholars in this domain include Robert Cervero, Reid Ewing, Michael Duncan, and Peter Calthorpe. Major theoretical frameworks encompass utility theory, urban economic theory, and the human–land system theory. Key modeling approaches include the spatial interaction model, the stochastic utility model, and urban economic models. Current research hotspots center on safety and public health, equity and valuation, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as transit-oriented development (TOD) and accessibility. This systematic literature review offers valuable insights to inform land use planning, enhance spatial structure, guide transportation project decision making, and optimize transport infrastructure and service provision. Full article

Urban green spaces face increasing pressure to reconcile ecological conservation with rising public demand as urbanization accelerates. Yet the spatial coupling of human needs and natural provisioning in the urban–rural fringe remains insufficiently understood. Focusing on the country park cluster in Beijing’s Huitian region, this study develops an integrated assessment framework—combining ecological importance, ecological connectivity potential, construction suitability, and recreational demand—to evaluate nature suitability and pinpoint spatial mismatches in human–nature interactions. Ecological importance is quantified through ecological sensitivity analysis and InVEST-based habitat-quality modeling, while ecological connectivity potential is estimated via normalized least-cost corridor analysis. Construction suitability is derived from the proportion of artificial surfaces and road network density, and recreational demand is measured by population concentration, facility density, and transport accessibility. These metrics are synthesized to map nature-suitability patterns and reveal divergences between human demand and ecological provisioning. The results show a pronounced north–south gradient in ecological importance, with Dongxiaokou Ditch and Dongxiaokou Forest Park emerging as ecological hotspots. Nineteen ecological source patches are identified, with the strongest connectivity in the southern sector of Dongxiaokou Forest Park. Areas of high construction suitability coincide with well-developed infrastructure, whereas recreational demand clusters around Tiantongyuan and Beiqing Road. Natural and artificial elements intertwine to form an ecological core of 870.74 hm², yet 13.29% of the study area exhibits mismatches—particularly residential zones lacking green-space access. Over-development within Dongxiaokou Urban Recreation Park likewise falls short of ecological expectations. The study offers targeted recommendations—ecological protection, facility optimization, green-space enhancement, and the integration of multifunctional green infrastructure—and provides a transferable framework for coordinating human and natural systems in other urban–rural fringe contexts. Full article

The publication presents methods and pre-test results of a stand for testing CHSS in terms of resistance to open fire. The basis for the conducted research is the applicable provisions contained in the UN/ECE Regulation R134. The study includes an overview of contemporary solutions for hydrogen storage systems in high-pressure tanks in means of transport. Development in this area is a response to the challenge of reducing global carbon dioxide emissions and limiting the emissions of toxic compounds. The variety of storage systems used is driven by constraints, including energy demand and available space. New tank designs and conducted tests allow for an improvement in systems in terms of their functionality and safety. Today, the advancement of modern technologies for producing high-pressure tanks allows for the use of working pressures up to 70 MPa. The main goal of the presented research is to present the requirements and research methodology verifying the tank structure and the security systems used in open-fire conditions. These tests are the final stage of the approval process for individual pressure vessels or complete hydrogen storage systems. Their essence is to eliminate the occurrence of an explosion in the event of a fire. Full article

Cities are looking for an approach to affordable, integrated and sustainable transport systems across all transport modes and services. Automated vehicle (AV) technologies use emerging technologies to integrate multimodal transport systems and ensure sustainable mobility in a city. Vehicle automation has entered the public conscious with several auto companies leading recent developments in legislation and affordable cars. Governments support AVs through policies and legal frameworks, and it is the responsibility of AV dealers to comply with legal and policy provisions so that the benefits of this new and promising industry can be felt. Despite the growing interest in AVs as a potential solution for sustainable transportation, several research gaps remain in relation to technology and infrastructure readiness, policy and regulation, equity and accessibility concerns, public acceptance and behaviour, and integration with public transport. This paper discusses the challenges and dilemmas of adopting AVs within the existing urban transportation system and within existing design standards in the United Kingdom and explores the progress and opportunities related to policies of transportation that may stem from the emergence of AV technologies in the UK. The potential of AVs is still limited by cyber insecurity, incompetent infrastructure, social acceptance, and public awareness. However, AVs are crucial to a city’s efficiency and prosperity and will become essential components for the provision of more flexible, convenient, integrated and sustainable travel options. Full article

Hospitals play a key role in promoting sustainable and healthy living. Few studies have taken this perspective into account. Therefore, we explored the role of hospital institutions in the development and implementation of sustainability strategies linked to the provision of health services. Applying the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases and the references of the resulting articles in Mendeley Desktop v1.19.8. Articles peer-reviewed between 2016 and 2023 were eligible if they analyzed sustainable healthcare, activities derived from services provided and professional involvement. From the 27 articles that constituted the final sample, two themes were identified: (a) environmental sustainability in healthcare and (b) involvement of healthcare professionals in environmental sustainability. Proposals for sustainable actions to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare related to the use of natural resources, sustainable food, sustainable transport and waste management were reviewed. The role of healthcare workers, their attitudes and perceptions of sustainability and global health improvement were investigated. Reducing health pollution involves addressing excessive or inappropriate consumption of resources and minimizing the environmental footprint of healthcare activities. The different contexts reveal the heterogeneity of the sustainability interventions existing in the healthcare industry, both in terms of subject matter and in terms of the number of publications from each country. Full article

Although the U.S. makes up only 5% of the global population, it accounts for approximately 31% of public mass shootings. Gun violence and mass shootings not only result in loss of life and injury but also inflict lasting psychological trauma, cause property damage, and lead to significant economic losses. We recently developed and published an embedded system prototype for detecting gunshots in an indoor environment. The proposed device can be attached to the walls or ceilings of schools, offices, clubs, places of worship, etc., similar to smoke detectors or night lights, and they can notify the first responders as soon as a gunshot is fired. The proposed system will help to stop the shooter early and the injured people can be taken to the hospital quickly, thus more lives can be saved. In this project, a new custom dataset of blank gunshot sounds is recorded, and a deep learning model using both time and frequency domain features is trained to classify gunshot and non-gunshot sounds with 99% accuracy. The previously developed system suffered from several security and privacy vulnerabilities. In this research, those vulnerabilities are addressed by implementing secure Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) communication protocols for IoT systems, better authentication methods, Wi-Fi provisioning without Bluetooth, and over-the-air (OTA) firmware update features. The prototype is implemented in a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W embedded system platform and successfully tested with blank gunshots and possible false alarms. Full article

Green space is not always equitably located in cities, and the attractiveness of green space varies, leaving some residents with easy access to high-quality parks and others with little or no access or access to under-maintained parks. To remedy these inequities, this study identified attractive and well-utilized recreational green spaces and developed a model to measure the likelihood of using these recreational green spaces (PSG). The goal was to reduce the travel time and cost of walking or using public transportation to get to green spaces and to design all green spaces to be attractive. The data come from the perspective of the city’s public transportation system and residents’ personal choices. First, the attractiveness of recreational green spaces was calculated from big data on the geolocation of cell phones, measuring the level of provision of recreational green spaces and the trip rates of urban residents. After that, the travel cost to reach recreational green space in residential areas was calculated according to residents’ travel habits. Finally, the probability of all recreational green spaces in the city being used was calculated by combining the population size of residential areas. Taking Pu’er City in China as an example, the attractiveness and utilization rates of recreational green spaces were calculated by PSG, and the results of the study showed that the probability of residents choosing to use the recreational green spaces that are closer to the residential area, with a larger population capacity, and with a higher attractiveness is the highest. The results of the study help promote equitable access to health and socialization opportunities for individuals and communities, thereby promoting environmental justice to help mitigate and respond to climate change. Full article

The transport sector worldwide relies heavily on oil products, and private cars account for the largest share of passenger mobility in several countries. Public transport could represent an interesting alternative under many perspectives, including a decrease in traffic, pollutants, and climate emissions. However, for public transport to succeed, it should be attractive for final users, representing a viable alternative to private mobility. In this work, we analyse the spatial distribution of public transport service provision within two metropolitan cities, considering the three key dimensions of mobility, competitiveness, and accessibility of public transport. The results show that private car performs better than public transport in all scopes considered, and that performance indicators are highly variable among city areas, indicating inequalities in social and environmental sustainability in urban systems. The outcomes of the analysis provide interesting insights for policy makers and researchers that deal with similar topics, and can also be extended to other cities and countries. Full article

Transport systems are essential for the path toward sustainable urbanisation and the transition to more sustainable living. Recently, European cities have undergone substantial changes, and suburbanisation is posing new challenges. Suburban areas are often more affordable in terms of housing, but these neighbourhoods tend to be car-oriented. This leads to higher commuter costs, immobility, transport and time poverty, pollution, higher accident rates and a lack of social interactions. To offer sustainable mobility options to citizens, we must comprehensively understand, together with their individual characteristics, their specific mobility practices and the built environment where they live. This study is centred on the Barcelona Metropolitan Region, which has a public transport network that covers its entire area. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between travel behaviour, transport mode use, individual characteristics and built environment characteristics in the place of residence using detailed information sources. Herein, we used data from the 2018 to 2021 annual travel survey conducted in the Barcelona region, together with land use and sociodemographic information. Our findings suggest that transport policies have encouraged sustainable mobility practices, particularly in the centre of Barcelona. Despite the positive results, considerable disparities exist between the inner and outer city, with a notable decline in sustainable mobility practices in the latter, due to the uneven distribution of basic services and uneven provision of public transport, together with lower density areas. Our results demonstrate that this uneven distribution reduces the available sequence profiles of inhabitants. In conclusion, the promotion of sustainable mobility policies necessitates further advances in transport, city and land-use planning that consider equity, gender, the socioeconomic profiles of citizens and mixed urban planning. Full article