Toward Sustainable and Low Carbon Road Transportation: Policies, Tools, and Planning Methods

Abstract

The road sector is the dominant transport mode in terms of demand for both passengers and goods. But at the same time, it is responsible for almost 72% of total greenhouse gas emissions from transport (including international aviation and international shipping) [1]. The Special Issue on Sustainable Road Transportation Planning was inspired to investigate how to face the challenges on emissions reduction and to look ahead for advanced solutions from the planning and operational side. During the last decade, road transportation has faced overwhelming changes: New travel modes have emerged, advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) have aided mobility service provision, and new regulations and economic standards appeared. No matter whether transportation services are new or traditional, road planning should consider sustainability targets to improve social, environmental, and economic requirements, meaning low carbon and more efficient transport networks. Under this consideration, 14 papers by authors coming from 11 countries contributed to construct a picture of recent findings and techniques on the road transportation sector toward sustainable planning.