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It is important to evaluate the performance of industries in a growing economy like India through responsible resource use assessments. The article estimates ecological footprint (EF) to communicate the environmental effects of a paperboard and paper production unit in India based on information collected through face-to-face interview method. EF has been calculated by adopting component or bottom-up approach taking into consideration all the components of EF (land, energy, freight and employees transport, water, materials and wastes). Results show that the total EF for production and allied activities of the case study unit varies between 5,62,845 and 2,15,564 ha and EF per tonne of production varying between 23.61 and 9.03 ha. This is based on the production of 23,828 Mt of output of specialty and tissues paper, and the variation occurs due to higher and lower conversion factor for materials and water. The hotspots of EF are energy, materials and wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to identify complementary strategies for urban freight logistics in a low emission zone (LEZ) that can be implemented in downtown Medellin, Colombia. The strategies will be executed by identifying the characteristics and problems of the business establishments in the area and the entrepreneurs’ opinions. Design/methodology/approach: First, a literature review is performed to identify global and complementary strategies for the future LEZ, which is the study subject. Then, a “pilot” zone (a main corridor) of downtown Medellín is selected, and the business establishments of the area are identified to spot problems and evaluate possible strategies for the future LEZ. This identification and evaluation phase is conducted by interviewing logistics managers in 105 establishments selected in the corridor for analysis. Findings: One of the outstanding findings concerns the specificity of the logistics and mobility problems in downtown Medellin, located in Colombia, a developing country. The main issues are traffic congestion, lack of regulation and control in loading and unloading areas, as well as inadequate infrastructure for these operations. These obstacles significantly impact business activities and air quality in the area. The proposed solutions to complement the LEZ strategy for freight transport focus on improving regulation, establishing specific loading and unloading areas, exploring sustainable transportation options such as the cargo bike, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses. This emphasizes the situation’s complexity and the need for a comprehensive approach to address these logistical and environmental challenges. Originality/value: This study analyses urban freight logistics strategies that complement the traffic flow restriction policies imposed by low-emission zones. Unlike other studies that address these two issues independently, this paper specifically examines how to improve a LEZ as a comprehensive strategy to reduce the environmental impact of freight transport. In addition, it is noted that most publications tend to focus on passenger mobility strategies, which highlights the potential for research in the freight logistics field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, high-speed rail systems serve nearly 2 billion passenger-km daily. By virtue, they are a critical infrastructure like telecommunication and power networks. Accordingly, they become a catalyst for societal and economic growth stemming from the mobility business. The highspeed rail operations are very complex and interdependent, owing to the escalated demands for longdistance interconnected transportation. In recent years, there have been unreasonable delays for passengers as a new norm due to unfortunate train cancellations and relaxation of mobility performance requirements. Therefore, accurate measurements, monitoring and prediction of disruptive impacts and service performance metrices are indispensable. Within the scope of high-speed rail services, this paper examines how agent-based and multi-agent-based models are utilized to address such the challenges. Our findings reveal that the current use of agents or multi-agent models has some limitations for practical applications. Previous studies showed that mathematical methods to assess the resilience of critical infrastructures, railway scheduling, and vehicle dispatching can yield more satisfactory outcomes, although the approaches can be relatively time-consuming. In contrast, agent-based and multi-agent-based models can shorten processing time and uncover disruptive events more promptly. The paper thus showcases several emerging concepts, including i) the utilization of big data for crisis management, ii) interconnectivity analysis of high-speed rail infrastructures, and iii) enhancement of transport resilience. In addition, our findings identify the most influential agents and their possible applications to enhance systems resilience of highspeed rail networks when dealing with unforeseen physical and cyber threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the optimal operation of ocean container ships, this paper presents a two-level planning model that takes into account carbon tax policies. This model translates the CO2 emissions of ships into carbon tax costs and aims to minimize the overall operation costs of the ships. In top-level planning, the model considers factors such as speed, cargo load, and energy consumption to establish an objective function and optimization strategy. In bottom-level planning, the model involves ship stability and imposes corresponding constraints. By integrating the two levels of planning, a ship operation optimization model that considers multiple factors is obtained. With practical ocean container ships as cases, through numerical examples and sensitivity analysis, the constraint, stability, and structural feasibility of the constructed model are confirmed. The research results of this paper provide a decision-making basis for optimizing the operation of oceanic container ships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart cities need energy-efficient and low-emission transportation for people and goods. Most studies focus on sustainable urban-transportation systems for passengers. Freight transportation in cities has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to greenhouse gases emissions and negative externalities, such as traffic congestion. The purpose of this paper is to identify through a systematic literature review which innovations (hardware and software) applied by logistics service providers (LSPs) in sustainable urban freight (SUF) are suitable to support the transition to energy-efficient smart cities. We propose to classify the existing innovations in last-mile delivery for SUF into categories: (1) urban freight consolidation and/or trans-shipment; (2) the Consumer as a Service Provider (CaaSP); (3) choice of transportation modes. We introduce the concept of CaaSP as an innovative solution in last-mile delivery (LMD), where customers take over some transport operations with the use of smart technologies, and thus reduce the energy demand. We consider the modes of transportation, such as: drones, autonomous delivery robots, autonomous vehicles, cargo bikes (including e-cargo bikes, e-tricycles), electric vehicles (mainly vans), and combined passenger-and-cargo transportation rapid-transit systems. From the analyzed dataset, we find that energy-efficiency in smart cities can be improved by the consolidation of parcels in micro-depots, parcel lockers, and mobile depots. We analyze smart technologies (the Internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence, and digital twins), which enable energy efficiency by reducing the energy demand (fuel) of SUF, due to better operational planning and infrastructure sharing by logistics service providers. We propose a new IEE matrix as an actionable tool for the classification of innovations applied by LSPs in SUF, according to the level of their interconnectivity and energy efficiency. Additionally, this paper contributes to the theory by exploring possible future research directions for SUF in energy-efficient smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Efficient city logistics is essential to build smart sustainable cities where inhabitants' well-being is a priority. Meanwhile, despite the great importance of city logistics processes, their improvement is problematic for many cities. Although solutions from the field of emerging technologies are more and more often used, the question is whether implementing technological tools and filling cities with sensors is a sufficient solution that can solve the problems of intensely growing urban freight transport. The aim of the paper is to examine the role of knowledge management in city logistics and identify barriers to the implementation of knowledge-based city logistics. A key element of the research procedure was an expert survey, to which 31 international experts specialising in city logistics issues were invited, characterised by extensive experience working on research projects in the area of interest. Four knowledge management processes have been transferred to the city logistics area. The results of the study show that the difficulties are observed mainly in the processes of data gathering and knowledge acquisition. The main reason for difficulties in that area is the reluctance of city users, retailers, transport and logistics operators to share information. Identifying these processes as the most problematic is a valuable hint for logistics managers, municipalities and academics. To improve knowledge-based city logistics, it is therefore necessary to focus on these processes and look for the best solutions and new forms of organisational and business support. The solution to the problems identified in the study is the proposal to create a city logistics collaborative knowledge base which is a combination of an IT tool ‐ the CL knowledge management platform, and the Freight Quality Partnership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime transport helps the development of the economy of countries. Improving the current situation in this type of transport requires the application of modern software tools for assessment, analysis and forecasting. The aim of this paper is to suggest an approach for an in-depth analysis of marine traffic near to independent ports. This approach is tested and validated for the Varna and Constanta ports for the period 2004–2021. Data from Eurostat are used. This paper proposes a new methodology for an in-depth analysis and forecasting of marine traffic of independent nearby ports using public data. Correlations, multiple regression, graphical methods, seasonality and trendlines are used to test and validate the proposed methodology. The results show that the proposed methodology may be applied for other independent ports and periods. The results show some interesting facts about the analyzed ports of Varna and Constanta. Our initial assumptions that these two independent ports have similar seasonality is rejected. The novelty of the paper refers to a new methodology for the in-depth analysis and forecasting of marine traffic of independent nearby ports using public data. Using the methodology in this paper (for an in-depth analysis of marine traffic of independent nearby ports) similar research may be done for other nearby ports and periods. Other research may focus on finding the specific types of cargo for each port influencing the differences in seasonality. Nearby ports with separate management may use the proposed methodology for better cargo planning and investment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Airfreight transport refers to the shipment of goods by air from one location to another and is often perceived as a contributor to global carbon emissions. The environmental impacts associated with airfreight are of notable and genuine concern. Such concerns have often led to calls for measures to ban or limit air freight as a mode of transportation for goods. Whilst the majority of these calls are perceived to be well placed, it is nevertheless essential to acknowledge the climate justice implications associated with such measures, particularly in the context of perishable products like fresh produce. Methods: The aim of this study is to thoroughly examine the socioeconomic implications of banning air-freighted fresh produce and to recommend practices that can minimize the environmental impacts. Utilizing Blue Skies Holdings Ltd., Pitsford, UK as a case study, this paper undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the potential climate justice ramifications associated with the prohibition of air-freighted fresh produce. Results: The analysis highlights the intricate interplay between the environmental and socioeconomic dimensions of the issue. By investigating the carbon emissions attributed to aviation and air logistics in particular and meticulously scrutinizing the possible consequences of an airfreight ban in relation to vulnerable communities within developing economies that are heavily reliant on fresh produce exports, the study contributes insights to guide policy discourse and the decision-making processes within commercial entities with respect to their carbon emissions reduction strategies. Conclusions: Accordingly, this study provides a number of recommendations for various actors, particularly commercial stakeholders, who deal with air-freighted fresh produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the port domain, quayside container cranes are an indispensable component of maritime freight transport. These cranes are not only costly but also associated with safety accidents that often result in casualties and property loss, severely impacting port operations and the surrounding environment. Given their complex operational environment, rapid technological updates, high dependency on human factors, and the challenges of maintenance and inspection, the safety of quayside container cranes is a significant concern for port enterprises and managers. This paper, based on the operational modes and structural characteristics of the cranes, divides them into five main systems and identifies twenty-eight safety evaluation indicators, covering a comprehensive range of risk factors from equipment integrity to operator behavior, as well as environmental factors. However, numerous pain points exist in the safety risk evaluation process of quayside container cranes, such as fuzziness, uncertainty, and complex multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) environments. These issues make traditional safety evaluation methods inadequate in accurately reflecting the actual safety conditions. Therefore, this paper proposes a safety evaluation method for quayside container cranes based on the Best–Worst Method (BWM) and Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy VIKOR. This method effectively overcomes the uncertainties and fuzziness of traditional safety evaluation methods by integrating the decision maker's preference information from the BWM and the fuzzy handling capability of Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy sets, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the evaluation results. A case study was conducted on a quayside container crane at a specific port. Through empirical analysis, the feasibility of the proposed method was validated. Overall, the safety evaluation method for quayside container cranes based on the BWM and Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy VIKOR proposed in this paper enriches the theoretical research on the safety risk assessment of quayside container cranes and offers a new approach and tool for port enterprises and managers in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to evaluate whether the data from consignors, logistics service providers (LSPs) and consignees contribute to the prediction of air transport shipment delays in a machine learning application. Design/methodology/approach: The research database contained 2,244 air freight intercontinental shipments to 4 automotive production plants in Latin America. Different algorithm classes were tested in the knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) process: support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), artificial neural networks (ANN) and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). Findings: Shipper, consignee and LSP data attribute selection achieved 86% accuracy through the RF algorithm in a cross-validation scenario after a combined class balancing procedure. Originality/value: These findings expand the current literature on machine learning applied to air freight delay management, which has mostly focused on weather, airport structure, flight schedule, ground delay and congestion as explanatory attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-time dynamic coupling under the virtual-coupling technology guarantees running multi-group trains in different sections based on passenger flow's spatial and temporal distribution characteristics. It enables more flexible transport organization modes such as full-length and short-turn routing and the express/local stop mode. Utilizing the redundant capacity of the airport line to carry out coordinated transportation of passengers and goods is an essential means of relieving urban traffic pressure, saving energy, and protecting the environment. To promote urban rail transit to achieve the goal of "double-carbon," the optimization of passenger and freight cooperative transport schemes based on the virtual coupling technology for the airport line of the rail transit is investigated. Based on the train operation of full-length and short-turn routing under the virtual-coupling technology, according to the unbalanced distribution characteristics of passenger and freight flows in urban rail transit, this paper constructs an optimization model of urban rail transit capacity allocation to minimize passenger travel costs, enterprise operation costs, and carbon emission costs, and considering the constraints of the carbon emission policy, with the constraints such as the train operation safety, the constraints of the balance of the passenger flow and freight flow loading. The multi-objective model to solve the optimization problem has been designed. Given the complexity of the multi-objective model solution, an improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm is designed, and the algorithm makes use of the screening function of the constraints during the initial population generation process, which effectively balances the relationship between the whole process of screening and time-consumption of the NSGA-II algorithm. Taking Wuxi Metro Line 3 as an example, the results show that: (i) Compared with the traditionally large and small crossing mode, full-length and short-turn routing of virtual coupling Trains proposed in this paper can reduce the average waiting time of passengers by about 2.01min, the cost of carbon emission by 15.7% and the cost of enterprise operation by 20.2%, and at the same time, improve the average total rate by about 50%, which verifies that the virtual formation technology is conducive to improving the efficiency of passenger travel and reducing the operating cost and the carbon cost. It is also beneficial for improving passenger traveling efficiency. (ii)The single-alignment fixed configuration mode, compared with the single-flow mode, can increase the average full-load rate by 26.6% while increasing the passenger travel cost by only 0.98% and reducing the carbon emission cost by a small margin; the virtual configuration technology based-on the large and smallalignment operation and transport scheme increases the passenger travel cost by about 0.3% and further reduces the carbon emission cost by 1.9%. They further reduced the carbon emission cost by 1.9% while increasing the average total occupancy rate by about 5.8%. The proposed models and algorithms provide some decision support for urban rail transit operators to optimize transport schemes under different carbon emission policies and the virtual coupling operation mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A planned interruption of railway infrastructure is a situation where the operation of the track line or the operation of railway transport is limited. If there is also a restriction on the railway infrastructure, it means there will be complications not only for passengers but, above all, for railway undertakings operating freight transport. However, because of the planned railway infrastructure interruption, the quality of services provided not only to passengers but also to freight transport is decreasing. The aim of this paper is to propose effective planned maintenance works based on the analysis and evaluation of the processes performed during the planned railway infrastructure interruption or restriction. The research describes the process of affected railway infrastructure from technical, cost, and safety points of view. A methodological procedure is proposed under the condition of the Czech infrastructure manager. The main method is the calculation of the costs for the railway infrastructure manager and railway operator during the infrastructure interruption. The application part is undertaken using two interrupted lines according to the established alternative timetable in the area of České Budějovice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation is a broad multidisciplinary science concerned with the study of transportation network design, vehicle application engineering, as well as transportation operations and management. Due to the breadth of the topic and the increasing complexity of the decision processes involved in managing transportation operations, transportation has become a fertile field of study for operations research. Inspired by this, we have compiled this special issue of the Annals of Operations Research comprising of 24 new research contributions and two systematic literature reviews supporting and categorizing the current state of transportation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constant and significant growth in containerised cargo has put tremendous pressure on many customs administrations around the world. Cambodia is no exception, and Sihanoukville International Port (SIP) Customs faces increasing challenges in achieving its objective of ensuring effective customs control while promoting trade facilitation. This paper examines the IT system, risk management system, and relevant legislation to identify the main barriers preventing Customs from achieving this objective. It concludes that while significant efforts have been made by the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) to address generic challenges, several more specific and practical solutions are required to effectively manage the particular issues being faced at SIP. The paper concludes by providing practical recommendations to deal with the identified challenges in accordance with international standards and best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess whether condensation will occur on the shipside of a bulk grain cargo hold during transportation at sea, this paper has established a ventilation model for the bulk cargo hold of the ship, and optimized the model according to the characteristics of the solid bulk grain stowed on a moving ship at sea. The temperature field, micro-airflow field and relative humidity field of the bulk grain in a cargo hold are simulated by using fluent software (v.2020). Incorporating the impact of grain moisture exchange, the Equilibrium Relative Humidity (ERH) method is introduced alongside the Dew Point (DP) method to determine the condensation on the shipside of the cargo hold. The results of simulation are in agreement with the practical observation results obtained from an actual ship with a heavy cargo damage claim. Conclusively, this paper finds that the risk of the condensation on the shipside of a bulk grain cargo hold always exists if the inner part of the shipside is directly in contact with the grain. Meanwhile, when the grain temperature near the shipside decreases, the moisture in the cargo hold will migrate to the shipside due to the temperature gradient. Furthermore, the longer the voyage, the more obvious the migration of moisture from the central part of the bulk grain to the shipside, and the greater the risk of condensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of trucks is very diverse, but the main purpose is freight transportation. When cargos are transported, the truck's suspensions are heavily loaded, so failures also occur most often in the suspension elements. For axles of trailers - tubular construction failures occur, they crack. Axle failure investigations are required to determine the cause of the failure. The paper analyses three-axle truck trailer suspension. Axle failure analysis and axial deformation modelling were performed to determine trends and causes of truck trailer suspension axle failures. Different cases with axles of tubular construction with wall thicknesses of 9 and 11 mm were modelled. The paper presented visual failure analysis of truck trailers suspension axles and finite element modelling results of axle's deformation of different geometrical parameters. The results were discussed and conclusions were drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining which ports to call at in a maritime loop is considered as an important determinant factor for shipping companies which impacts not only on efficiency, and productivity but also on transportation costs. The port selection process becomes more challenging and sensitive if the market is for perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables. Specifically, this paper aims to develop an efficient maritime supply chain for reefer cargo. A case study of refrigerated cargo trade between West-Africa and West-Europe is investigated for which the main objective is to minimize the trade route's supply chain costs. To do so, the paper analyzes various scenarios based upon the different types of cargo (transshipment and non-transshipment), commodity types (dry and reefer), and a combination of different (un)loading ports in and the Rotterdam–Gibraltar range. Four African ports, namely Tema (Ghana), Douala (Cameroon), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), and Dakar (Senegal), are considered for the outbound leg (Africa–Europe), while several ports in the E.U. and the U.K. are selected as inbound leg. The analysis is initiated by applying a data-gathering strategy to get the relevant container flow from European ports to West-African ports. Then, a chain cost modelling approach is used to determine what the sailing schedule of the vessel should be. By performing the import/export cargo volume and maritime and supply chain costs are calculated, which can be used by the involved stakeholders to decide which ports are the best to call on a specific route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a conceptual framework proposal for integrating urban freight initiatives (UFIs), or city logistics initiatives, into urban planning and urban management (UPUM) land use and infrastructure systems. As a novel approach, this framework integrates three components: Firstly, a conceptual basis on three economic geography theory principles—location, agglomeration, and urbanisation. Secondly, spatial analysis and subsequent clustering integrate companies' spatial positions, their proximity to other companies, their freight intensity, and the characteristics of the zonal road infrastructure; these clusters are defined as freight traffic zones (FTZs). Thirdly, a functional yet strategic UFI clustering or grouping is proposed to work in an optimised and integrated manner with the FTZs' opportunities for efficiency and reduced externalities. It is expected that the integrated result of these three components can serve to optimise freight initiatives and road infrastructure from a city governance perspective, reduce freight externalities, and function as a stakeholder cooperation tool from government-led, policy-driven perspectives. This research also identifies and characterises various variables influencing the emergence and existence (planned or organic) of FTZs and shows how these could be incorporated into high-level UPUM processes. Although it is deemed that the principles and methodological approach followed here could be common to urban areas, an example for the Metropolitan Area of the Aburra Valley (MAAV), in Colombia, is presented as an initial case study. Conclusively, this paper introduces a pioneering methodology for integrating UFIs into city or metropolitan governance, offering guidance for policymakers to promote sustainable freight systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global maritime emissions, a 3% contributor to greenhouse gases, anticipate a surge of 90–130% by 2050. Regulatory challenges persist due to international governance gaps. Legislative strides, including the EU Emission Trading System, highlight global efforts. In the U.S., despite legislative commitment, consensus hurdles impede cross-regional carbon management. Prevailing top-down emissions estimation methods warrant scrutiny. This paper unveils U.S. maritime emissions intricacies, focusing on carbon accounting, transfer, and compensation for cargo and tanker vessels. Leveraging AIS data (2018–2022), an activity-based/bottom-up approach navigates emissions calculations, aiming to reshape understanding and foster strategic reductions. The study bridges gaps in U.S. maritime emission research, promising insights into transfer and compensation dynamics. By concentrating on high-impact vessel types, it contributes to emissions mitigation strategies, steering towards a sustainable U.S. maritime future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorting out the requirements for intelligent functions is the prerequisite and foundation of the top-level design for the development of intelligent ships. In light of the development of inland intelligent ships for 2030, 2035, and 2050, based on the analysis of the division of intelligent ship functional modules by international representative classification societies and relevant research institutions, eight necessary functional modules have been proposed: intelligent navigation, intelligent hull, intelligent engine room, intelligent energy efficiency management, intelligent cargo management, intelligent integration platform, remote control, and autonomous operation. Taking the technical realization of each functional module as the goal, this paper analyzes the status quo and development trend of related intelligent technologies and their feasibility and applicability when applied to each functional module. At the same time, it clarifies the composition of specific functional elements of each functional module, puts forward the stage goals of China's inland intelligent ship development and the specific functional requirements of different modules under each stage, and provides reference for the Chinese government to subsequently formulate the top-level design development planning and implementation path of inland waterway intelligent ships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convergence of modern technology and supply chain operational dynamics has shaped the fabric of today's freight transportation practice and made the role of electric vehicles (EVs) profoundly significant in regular use in business operations. In addition to the expanding prevalence of EVs and charging infrastructures for medium and heavy-duty supply chain transport systems, it challenges the business community for deployment purposes. Moreover, these intelligent transport systems for modern supply chain organizations delve into the heart of a transformative realm, offering opportunities for academics and practitioners to explore the tools, strategies, methodologies, and training operation managers that propel enterprises toward EV-driven operational excellence. This paper describes a reference map that relates to different interface types and consists of various categories of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The paper also reviews security and privacy threats associated with the reference map interfaces and relevant components and presents highlighted security protection solutions in academic literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development in freight transportation networks is becoming increasingly important due to its significant role in the economic development process and its impacts on the environment. Governments usually improve sustainability dimensions in freight transportation by imposing taxes on transportation networks. Therefore, they should extend their knowledge of interactions between sustainability dimensions and how their interventions affect the sustainability of the transportation sector. In this regard, we analyze duopoly competition in three freight transportation networks in the context of government intervention. These networks include green, semi-green, and non-green modes, where the green and semi-green networks are regarded as environmentally sustainable networks. In this paper, two bi-level mathematical models are proposed, in which a government, as a Stackelberg leader, levies fuel consumption taxes based on environmental and economic concerns. A Nash game was built at the lower level to examine price competitiveness in the transportation market. A case study was conducted in the Tehran-Esfahan freight transportation networks (Iran). Due to the complexity of the bi-level models, the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker approach was adopted to unify the models. Finally, the relevant calculations were performed based on actual information. The results of the problems in the case study showed the economic and environmental dimensions are contradictory and that the government's minimization of economic risks aids in ensuring environmental sustainability. Also, improving energy efficiency in transportation networks can have negative environmental consequences. However, when accompanied by government intervention, improving energy efficiency effectively reduces the fuel consumption rate. Moreover, government support will reduce total fuel consumption by reducing green vehicle fuel taxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the elimination of the negative impacts of transport on road safety, the European Union is taking various measures resulting from its commitment to improve road safety. The main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of social legislation on road transport safety using real research and to identify the factors influencing the violation of the legislation depending on the type of transport carried out in domestic or international road freight transport. Answers from the respondents are used in the segmentation of truck drivers based on input data describing the factors influencing the violation of traffic rules. Two-step cluster analysis is a suitable method for the segmentation of truck drivers based on input data. These data are obtained through a questionnaire from a total of 472 Czech and Slovak truck drivers. The results show that the optimal number of types of truck drivers with different characteristics is four. All of the clusters are described and compared. The majority of truck drivers do not violate social legislation for several reasons, such as traffic accidents (almost 67%), complications in meeting the loading or unloading deadline (less than 88%), poorly planned transport routes (more than 90%) and driving home (almost 80%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arrival of the hydrogen (H2) economy has been the subject of many studies. Earlier articles were over-optimistic about the timing and extent of global H2 uptake, and predicted private vehicles as leading the way to a H2 economy. The recent strong rise in the global electric vehicle fleet has inevitably led to a reassessment of the prospects for H2, at least for transport. This review paper examines how researchers over recent decades have envisaged how the H2 economy would arrive, and why it was desirable, or even inevitable; it also looks at the future prospects for the H2 economy. The key findings are as follows: ? Among the leading energy forecasting bodies, particularly the International Energy Agency (IEA), even the most optimistic scenarios predict under 10% H2 penetration by 2050. ? IEA forecasts are very optimistic about the prospects for the introduction of carbon dioxide removal technologies and growth of dispatchable sources of low-carbon energy. ? More realistic IEA forecasts would increase the need for the growth of intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar. The subsequent requirement for energy storage would in turn help the case for H2 adoption. ? No new technologies are on the horizon to decisively tip the balance in favor of H2. ? It is concluded that a global H2 economy is still distant, but it could arise in energy-poor countries such as Japan and South Korea, and it could find a niche in freight transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing import volume of China's oil and natural gas, the structure of China's energy supply chain (ESC) has become more and more complex. How to use the "Belt and Road" (OBOR) layout to promote China's regional energy cooperation and ensure China's energy security has become an important international issue facing China. This paper constructs an ESC network model in the context of the OBOR, and finds out the position of China in this network model. This paper also finds out the role law of each risk influencing factor, analyzes the degree of its influence, and puts forward some suggestions on the risk management of ESC according to the analysis results. This paper proposes to use decision tree algorithm to guide the development and construction of Sino-Lao economic and trade cooperation, which will help analyze and help the construction and research of Sino-Lao economic and trade cooperation and sustainable energy freight corridor. Based on the energy cooperation between China and the countries along the "Belt and Road," this paper analyzes the network structure of energy cooperation under the "Belt and Road" background based on the small-world network theory. This paper analyzes the important role of core countries in the ESC through the analysis of the basic parameters of the small-world network, the efficiency of energy cooperation, and the stability of energy cooperation. According to the value of each vertex degree obtained by the calculation formula of entropy value, the entropy value of the ESC network structure under the background of OBOR can be obtained as 2.408. It calculates that the maximum and minimum entropy of the ESC network structure at this time are 3.09 and 2.21 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Since airlines that employ their resources effectively will achieve operating profitability, air route resource allocation is significant for airlines. This study aims to investigate an appropriate model to reallocate resources into each air route of an airline company. Design/methodology/approach - This study proposes a network centralized data envelopment analysis (DEA) models with slack-based measure (SBM). The proposed model not only takes into account the two interconnected stages but also considers the nonradial approach with transfer-in and transfer-out slacks for resource reallocating. Furthermore, the authorsmodify the objective function to an input-oriented function with SBM, and divide the model into passenger and freight parts, which makes the model more realistic for the characteristic of air routes. Findings - The empirical analysis using an airline company's internal data provides airline operators with information on how they increase or decrease input resources, which can serve as a practical guideline of resource reallocation. Specifically, the results indicate that the airline company should increase their input resources into longhaul air routes such as KOR-OCN while decreasing their input resources into short-haul air routes such as Korean-Oceania (KOR-OCN), Korean-Chinese (KOR-CHN), Korean-SoutheastAsian (KOR-SEA), Korean-Japanese (KOR-JPN). Originality/value - Although some papers evaluate air route efficiencies based on the DEA approach, a few existing papers have addressed resource allocation for air routes. This paper is the first to study the resource reallocation for air routes based on the DEA approach, contributing to the literature in expanding the scope of research on resource reallocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Active transportation referring to non-motorized modes of transport is promoted and popularized both in practice and in the scientific literature, while their use for urban freight transport has been largely neglected. Thus the main scope of the paper is to indicate the development potential of micromobility use in urban freight transport and to check its influence on urban sustainability. Methods: The authors have hypothesized that active means of transport, with a focus on micromobility, have great development potential in freight transportation in cities. The implemented methods for analyzing the relationship between users' characteristics, micromobility, and its impact on urban sustainable development, were logit and probit modelling. The authors' system includes an analysis of factors connected with the topics of sustainability and micromobilty, that have met an essential scientific gap that this paper addresses. Logistic (logit) regression is used mainly for binary, ordinal, and multi-level outcomes to find the probability of success (i.e. occurrence of some event). Probit regression, however, is primarily used in binary response models and assumes the normal distribution of data. Results: The main finding of the article has led the authors to the statement that active means of transport, including micromobility have great development potential in freight transportation in cities. Conclusions: Knowledge of the acceptance of micromobility solutions is essential for municipal authorities in shaping the development of urban transport systems. Thus proper strategies and actions need to be prioritized to leverage the sustainability-related co-benefits of active transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the urgent need to discover innovative and sustainable approaches to address the strain on urban resources, this paper introduces a novel concept proposing the utilization of "sleeping assets". These sleeping assets encompass three distinct categories of urban infrastructures: neglected routes, idle real estate, and underused resources. By harnessing these assets, cities can alleviate the intense competition for land, traffic infrastructure, and parking areas. The findings presented in this paper are derived from an extensive literature study and expert interviews conducted with relevant stakeholders from Hamburg, Paris, Stockholm, and Vienna. Building upon the most pertinent insights from the literature and a structured content analysis of the interviews, we outline the advantages of employing sleeping assets for urban logistics initiatives. Additionally, we identify seven main categories of implementation barriers that must be taken into account. The results of this study reveal political and legislative barriers as one of the major impeding factors in initiating the utilization of sleeping assets. To address these barriers, this paper points towards crucial leverage for cities and provides an outlook on possible forms of sustainable urban logistics implementation. Thus, this work can support researchers as well as practitioners from city administrations and urban logistics interested in using sleeping assets by encouraging the exploitation of unused potential and avoiding particular implementation pitfalls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Port-centric intermodal transshipment hubs are significant nodes in the global freight network and are likewise the gateway to a country's external communications. It is vital to increase the service capacity of PCITHs, and it is necessary to assess the service capacity of port-centric intermodal transshipment hubs to respond to the growth of economies and global freight needs. This study provides a detailed definition of port-centric intermodal transshipment hubs through a review of relevant kinds of works from the literature and analyzes their primary functions. Based on the research perspective of sea–rail intermodal transportation, the three evaluation dimensions of service capacity of port-centric intermodal transshipment hubs are divided into radiation scale capacity, transportation connection capacity, and resource integration capacity, focusing on the functions of cargo aggregation, cargo transfer, and connection of different transportation modes. The service capacity evaluation indicators were then selected based on the three dimensions. The subjective and objective weightings were calculated by the G1 weighting method and the modified CRITIC method, and the combination weightings were determined based on game theory. The service capability of port-centric intermodal transshipment hubs was evaluated by the fuzzy matter element method, and the evaluation results were quantified by the Euclidean closeness degree. Finally, through the barrier degree model, the current indicators of PCITHs that urgently need improvement were explored, and targeted improvement suggestions are proposed in this paper. The results show that Tianjin Port has the highest service capacity, followed by Ningbo Zhoushan Port. The port rail dedicated line mileage is the most critical area that needs attention in Ningbo Zhoushan Port and Qingdao Port. Tianjin Port needs to improve the container sea–rail transportation volume, while Guangzhou Port and Xiamen Port need to improve the sea–rail container handling capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Facultad de Ingeniería Universidad de Antioquia is the property of Universidad de Antioquia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

China's regional economic competition is intensifying; in particular, the cluster development of air transport, high-end manufacturing, and modern service industries is closely related to the construction of regional airports. Local governments have listed aviation hubs as the hardcore advantage of high-quality growth in the new era, but it may also lead to excessive convergence and preferential system competition. Based on the "GDP competition" of local governments in China, this paper uses panel data of 78 airports in mainland China from 2001 to 2018 and tries to explore the causes of airport preferential policies. The Synthetic Control Method is used to study the influence of preferential policies on airport passenger and cargo flow, and then the Spatial Durbin Model is used to verify the spatial spillover effect of aviation hubs, which may be magnified by the preferential policies. This paper finds that the impact of preferential policies on airports in central and western China is mainly reflected in the increase of cargo throughput, and there is a spatial siphon effect on cargo throughput between airports. The implementation of the preferential policy enhances this spatial siphon effect, which in turn leads to more fierce competition. The research results show that the preferential policies, issued in central and western aviation economy, have shown a trend of evolving in the direction of vicious competition. Before the airport preferential system produces more negative effects, it should be corrected in time, and each aviation economic zone in the central and western regions should be scientifically coordinated and reasonably planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a collection of papers presented at the 49th European Transport Conference (ETC), organized by the Association for European Transport (AET). The conference focused on a wide range of transport topics, including advanced modeling, sustainable planning, and public transport. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held online for the second year in a row. The papers in this collection address issues such as accessibility, transport network modeling, and societal transitions. They cover topics such as the implementation of the 15-minute city concept, the perception of shared mobility services by people with disabilities, and the impacts of autonomous vehicles on road capacity. The collection aims to contribute to improving citizens' quality of life and supporting environmentally-friendly and resilient mobility options. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Urban freight transport has recently garnered significant attention from both professionals and academics due to its pivotal role in fostering economic and social development. Despite notable progress, this sector faces challenges that hinder its long-term sustainability. Addressing these issues and ensuring the lasting sustainability of urban freight transport require a thorough assessment and monitoring process utilizing specific indicators. Methods: This paper introduces a set of indicators developed using a three-step methodology aimed at assessing the sustainability progress of urban freight transport. Initially, we present a long list of indicators drawn from the existing literature. Subsequently, we consider five essential properties: achievability, data availability, predictability, relevance, and comprehensibility. Lastly, we apply a multi-criteria analysis methodology that utilizes these properties to assess the long lists encountered during the selection process. The chosen indicators are those that do not register a value of "0" for any of the specified properties. To enhance reliability, the indicators are collaboratively identified by a minimum of two experts. Results: By carefully selecting 18 indicators based on five sustainability dimensions (economic, environmental, social/societal, political, and spatial), our approach ensures a robust evaluation framework. Conclusions: These indicators serve as valuable tools for stakeholders in comprehensively evaluating the sustainability aspects of urban freight transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Battery electric trucks (BETs) represent a well-suited option for decarbonizing road freight transport to achieve climate targets in the European Union. However, lower ranges than the daily distance of up to 700 km make charging stops mandatory. This paper presents an online algorithm for optimal dynamic charging strategies for long-haul BET based on a dynamic programming approach. In several case studies, we investigate the advantages optimal strategies can bring compared to driver decisions. We further show which charging infrastructure characteristics in terms of charging power, density, and charging station availability should be achieved for BETs in long-haul applications to keep the additional time required for charging stops low. In doing so, we consider the dynamic handling of occupied charging stations for the first time in the context of BET. Our findings show that, compared to driver decisions, optimal charging strategies can reduce the time loss by half compared to diesel trucks. To keep the time loss compared to a diesel truck below 30 min a day, a BET with a 500 kWh battery would need a charging point every 50 km on average, a distributed charging power between 700 and 1500 kW, and an average charger availability above 75%. The presented method and the case studies' results' plausibility are interpreted within a comprehensive sensitivity analysis and subsequently discussed in detail. Finally, we transformed our findings into concrete recommendations for action for the efficient rollout of BETs in long-haul applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to contribute to the process of evaluating urban rail infrastructure projects through the presentation of the methodology and the results of a preliminary feasibility study concerning the revitalization, development, and (re)integration of the rail with road, maritime, and air transportation in the Zadar urban area. The analysis included the identification and evaluation of rail infrastructure alignment variants that would ensure the revitalization of the existing railway infrastructure, relocation of freight rail traffic from the narrow and densely developed suburban coastal area, promotion of intermodal passenger and freight transportation, improvement of urban and regional accessibility and connectivity, increase of traffic safety, reduction of travel time and operating costs, and decrease of traffic impacts on the environment. By consulting legal frameworks, spatial planning documentation, and analyzing the socio-economic context and existing transportation infrastructure function, six variants for the (re)development of the rail infrastructure were designed. As their design approached the area's transportation issues from different angles and could contribute differently to the area's economic, social, and territorial issues, a multi-criteria analysis supplemented with a partial cost–benefit analysis was conducted to select the most suitable variant. The evaluation was based on seven weighted criteria quantified by the normalization of 32 indicator values, scored from 1 to 5, where a score of 5 was considered the highest. Weighting the scores according to the ratios determined through a consultation process with stakeholders resulted in ranking the best variant with a total score of 3.7 and the worst one with a total score of 2.6. To avoid potential objections that the set of criteria weights used was subjective and the result biased, a sensitivity analysis was carried out by systematically varying the weights among criteria. The results showed that the best-ranked variant was also the least sensitive to applied weight shifts, with a score range of 0.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In seaports, the automatic Grab-Type Ship Unloader (GTSU) stands out for its ability to automatically load and unload materials, offering the potential for substantial productivity improvement and cost reduction. Developing a fully automatic GTSU, however, presents a unique challenge: the system must autonomously determine the position of the cargo hold and the coordinates of the working point and identify potential hazards during material loading and unloading. This paper proposes AI models designed to detect cargo holds, extract working points, and support collision risk warnings, utilizing both the LiDAR sensor and the camera in the GTSU system. The model for cargo hold detection and collision warning was developed using image data of the cargo hold and grab, employing the You Only Look Once model. Concurrently, the model responsible for extracting the coordinates of working points for the GTSU system was designed by integrating the cargo hold detection and point cloud processing models. After testing the AI models for the lab-scale GTSU, the results show that the cargo hold detection and collision warning models achieve an accuracy of approximately 96% and 90%, respectively. Additionally, the working point coordinates extracted from the sensor system show a deviation of 5–10% compared to traditional measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern rail/road transportation systems are critical to global travel and commercial transportation. The improvement of transport systems that are needed for efficient cargo movements possesses further challenges. For instance, diesel-powered trucks and goods trains are widely used in long-haul unimodal transportation of heavy cargo in most landlocked and developing countries, a situation that leads to concerns of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide coming from diesel fuel combustion. In this context, it is critical to understand aspects such as the use of some parameters, variables and constraints in the formulation of mathematical models, optimization techniques and algorithms that directly contribute to sustainable transportation solutions. In seeking sustainable solutions to the bulk cargo long-haul transportation problems in Zambia, we conduct a systematic review of various transportation modes and related mathematical models, and optimization approaches. In this paper, we provide an updated survey of various transport models for bulk cargo and their associated optimized combinations. We identify key research challenges and notable issues to be considered for further studies in transport system optimization, especially when dealing with long-haul unimodal or single-mode heavy cargo movement in countries that are yet to implement intermodal and multimodal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban rail transit has the potential to utilize surplus capacity to carry out urban freight transportation during off-peak periods. Based on the characteristics of virtual coupling operation and organization mode, this paper comprehensively considers the competition between passenger flow and freight flow, takes the train stopping plan and train carriage allocation as the main decision variables, and takes the minimization of passenger waiting time and the maximization of average full load rate as dual objectives to construct a multi-objective optimization model of passengerfreight collaborative transport scheme of urban rail transit under virtual coupling conditions. The multi-objective optimization model is developed to obtain the system optimization of the train stopping plan, running plan, carriage allocation plan, and passenger-freight collaborative transport plan. Numerical experiments are designed to verify the model's validity, using Wuxi Metro Line 3 as an example, and the NSGA-II algorithm solves all experiments. The results of the algorithm show that, compared to the traditional single passenger transport with a fixed large coupling, the scheme in this paper can simultaneously improve the average full capacity of the whole line by about 38.5% during the study period with only 0.65 minutes increase in the average passenger waiting time for the same number of rolling stocks, which can effectively shorten passenger travel time and improve the quality of passenger service in urban rail transit while ensuring transport efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Angles: French Perspectives on the Anglophone World is the property of Societe des Anglicistes de l Enseignement Superieur and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Avances en Ciencias e Ingeniería is the property of Avances en Ciencias e Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In spite of the established literature-based evidence regarding the consequences of large truck accidents, limited body of research has been done on the characteristics and risk factors of such road accidents in Iraqi cities and governorates. According to national statistics, there has been a steady increase in the number of trucks and truck-related crashes over the past ten years. This paper aims to investigate the characteristics and risk factors associated with accidents involving large trucks in Al-Najaf governorate. A sample of 400 truck drivers were randomly selected and interviewed to collect the needed accident data. Four generalized linear models have been built; ordinal regression model for total injuries, binary logistic model for fatal accident occurrence, multinomial logit model for accident frequency, and ordinal regression model for accident cost. The analysis results revealed several influential predictors including truck driver age, education level, type of collision, truck speed, truck type, and street lighting condition. The obtained findings should be enlightening and helpful for government organizations looking to promote safety measures for sustainable freight truck transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly evolving global marketplace, the logistics sector faces a multitude of challenges that demand implementation of more resilient solutions to respond to any future disturbance. Synchromodal transport, which is viewed as an extension of multimodal transport, is known as a key answer to this issue, as it provides more flexible and sustainable freight transport and also focuses on collaboration between different logistics players. We consider synchromodal transport as a collection of agents that not only have their own characteristics and behaviors, but also interact with each other, which impacts the entire system. In this paper, we study the system using an Agent-Based Modeling approach. The network represents the combination of long-haul and drayage transport, where pre-haulage and end-haulage are done only by truck, and the rest can be done by trucks, trains, or barges. A numerical experiment is conducted to evaluate cost savings and emissions reduction under different logistics service providers' relation and re-routing scenarios. Our findings show that synchromodal scenarios are more economically and environmentally efficient, and that they lead to higher flexibility and reliability compared to business-as-usual scenarios. Additionally, our model verifies that the cost saving is considerable when logistics service providers collaborate with each other. The results of sensitivity analyses show consistent overall trends when comparing the different scenarios. Therefore, the conclusions drawn from the original experiment appear to be applicable, not only for that specific instance, but have broader relevance and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the development of a numerical analysis model, which enables the calculation of the cargo transport capacity of a vehicle that circulates through a vacuum tube at high speed, whose effectiveness in transport is analyzed. The simulated transportation system is based on vehicles moving in vacuum tubes at high speed, a concept commonly known as Hyperloop, but assuming the vehicles for cargo containers. For the specific vehicle proposed, which does not include a compressor and levitates on magnets, the system formed by the vehicle and the vacuum tube has been conceptually developed, establishing the corresponding mathematical relationships that define its behavior. To properly model the performance of this transport system, it has been necessary to establish the relationships between the design variables and the associated constraints, such as the Kantrowitz limit, aerodynamics, transport, energy consumption, etc. Once the model was built and validated, it was used to analyze the effects of the variation of the number of containers, the operating speed and the tube length, considering the total and specific consumption of energy. After finding the most efficient configuration regarding energy consumption and transport effectiveness, the complete system was calculated. The results obtained constitute a first approximation for the predesign of this transport system and the built model allows different alternatives to be compared according to the design variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart city refers to the use of various information technologies to improve the lives of citizens. However, in terms of transportation and sales of goods, traditional methods require a lot of manpower and material resources, and cannot be automatically identified. In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of product identification, product sorting is automated. It uses the powerful feature learning and expression capabilities of deep convolutional neural networks to automatically learn product features, thereby achieving high-precision image classification. Therefore, this paper first proposes an improved VGG network, combines transfer learning to establish a deep learning recognition model, and finally conducts multiple sets of experiments on the 131-category Fruit-360 dataset. The results show that when the Adam optimizer is used for iterative training for 30 rounds and the batch_size is 64, the accuracy of the algorithm proposed in this paper reaches 94.19% on the training set, 97.91% on the validation set, and 92.2% on the test set top1. The accuracy rate on the test set top5 is as high as 100%. Therefore, the method in this paper can solve the problems caused by traditional methods and provide useful help for smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the issue of unproductivity during the implementation of operations in inland container terminals. The authors hypothesize that the two main factors influencing the number of unproductive manipulations are the adopted operating strategy and the occupancy level of the storage yard. The presented model classifies the operation time and the waiting time for container handling separately, and also compares the impact of the terminal storage occupancy and selected strategies on the handling time. Based on the collected data, the impact of the number of occupied storage places and the frequency of repetition of operations on the average time of handling a freight unit are simulated. It is noticed that increasing the occupancy of the terminal area above 35% results in a significant increase in the frequency of repetition of operations. In the case of terminal area occupancy of about 50%, the average waiting time for service and the service of a freight unit itself may vary significantly, depending on the adopted strategies for the implementation of operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]