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The question of whether the construction of the highway network is economical and can produce positive economic benefits has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years. Previous scholars have explored the impact from multiple perspectives. Our paper draws the "trade potential" model proposed by Armstrong, based on the universal gravity model and the principle of space interaction, which is different from the traffic accessibility, market potential, and market access used in most of the literature. We argue that it is more appropriate to consider both the size impact and the time distance or trade cost impact of the two cities. The paper constructs a conceptual framework and theoretical model for the impact of highways on regional economic growth, measures the "minimum transit time" of highways between prefecture-level cities in China, and calculates the trade potential of prefecture-level cities. Through corresponding empirical model testing, we have obtained some meaningful conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, the promotion of active transport has been a viable solution recommended by transportation researchers, urban planners, and policymakers to reduce traffic congestion and improve public health in cities. To encourage active transport, it is important for cities to provide safe and accessible infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as incentives for individuals to choose active modes of transportation over private vehicles. In this research, we focused on the suburb of Point Cook, located within the City of Wyndham in Melbourne's west, owing to its rising human population and private vehicle ownership. The primary aim of this research is to examine the barriers in the interconnectivity of active transport networks for pedestrians and cyclists and to determine the segments of the transportation network that are not accessible to Point Cook residents. Our methodology is enshrined in the use of Social Pinpoint, which is an online interactive survey platform, and ground surveys (face-to-face interviews). In our assessment of the suburb of Point Cook, we utilised the concept of 20-min neighbourhoods to evaluate the accessibility of many important places within an 800-metre walking distance from residents' homes. Based on our online interactive survey findings, approximately one-third of the individuals engaged in regular walking, with a frequency ranging from once a day to once every two days. One-third of the participants engaged in walking trips once or twice a week, whereas the remaining two-thirds conducted walking trips less frequently than once a week. Almost 89% of the participants expressed varying levels of interest in increasing their walking frequency. The findings showed that improving pedestrian and cycling networks that are easily accessible, well-integrated, inclusive, and safe is a prerequisite for achieving active transport and create neighbourhoods in which everything is accessible within a 20-min walking distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city of Valparaíso, Chile, faces significant mobility challenges due to its steep slopes, complex urban infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions. In this direction, this study explores the potential promotion of E-bike uses by identifying the optimal routes that connect metro stations to strategic hilltop streets in the city. A hybrid methodology combining a multicriteria GIS-based analysis and an experimental study was used to evaluate potential routes and the possibility of increasing the power limitations for non-motorized mobility in Chile. Fifteen routes were assessed based on criteria including the slope, traffic safety, directionality, intersections, and travel distance. The results indicate that routes such as Cumming from Puerto and Bellavista stand out as the most viable for e-bike use given their favorable characteristics. The experimental study revealed that higher-powered E-bikes (500 W and 750 W) would be more able to overcome the steep slopes of Valparaíso, with an average speed of 5.36 km/h and 9.52 km/h on routes with a 10.88% average slope. These findings challenge the current regulatory limit of 250 W for non-motorized vehicles in Chile, highlighting the potential benefits of increasing their power limits to enhance sustainable mobility in the hilly urban contexts of this country. This study highlights the need to adapt urban mobility policies to the unique topographical conditions of each city. Future research should build upon more experimental studies, develop specific street-scale analyses using audit methods, incorporate climate-related variables, and evaluate the economic viability of e-bike infrastructure. Addressing these aspects could position Valparaíso as a leading example of sustainable urban mobility for cities facing comparable challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban pollution awareness is a subject of widespread debate, particularly regarding the role of future urban transportation. In recent years, local policymakers and private operators have implemented various measures to address the negative impacts of transportation, including promoting micro-shared mobility services. Our research investigates the factors influencing citizens' decisions to use these services, focusing on e-bike sharing and e-scooter sharing. We collected data on individual mobility patterns in Italian cities and administered hypothetical choice tasks to examine revealed and stated preferences. Our findings highlight the most influential factors guiding users' decisions and identify the preferred sharing option between e-bikes and e-scooters. The implications of our results could provide valuable insights for local regulators and shared mobility operators in designing effective and sustainable future transportation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review examines governance models in sustainable urban mobility schemes, focusing on citizen participation. Analysing 15 papers from 2010 to March 2023, it differentiates between Democracy-Driven Governance (DDG) and Governance-Driven Democratisation (GDD). Key considerations are stakeholder composition, scheme design, and collaboration motives. Findings indicate that GDD approaches are prevalent, impacting stakeholder integration and exposing participation limitations. The latter accentuates the significance of Collaborative Forms of Governance (CFoG) in fostering substantive citizen participation, thereby contributing to the attainment of SDG 16.7 and SDG 11.2. Consequently, this review elucidates CFoG dynamics, providing critical insights into sustainable urban mobility decision-making practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing street walkability is a critical agenda in urban planning and multidisciplinary research, as it facilitates public health, community cohesion, and urban sustainability. Existing evaluation systems primarily focus on objective measurements, often neglecting subjective assessments and the diverse walking needs influenced by different urban spatial elements. This study addresses these gaps by constructing a comprehensive evaluation framework that integrates both subjective and objective dimensions, combining three neighbourhood indicators: Macro-Scale Index, Micro-Scale Index, and Street Walking Preferences Index. A normalization weighting method synthesizes these indicators into a comprehensive index. We applied this framework to assess the street environment within Beijing's Fifth Ring Road. The empirical results demonstrate that: (1) The framework reliably reflects the distribution of walkability. (2) The three indicators show both similarities and differences, underscoring the need to consider the distinct roles of community and street-level elements and the interaction between subjective and objective dimensions. (3) In high-density cities with ring-road development patterns, the Macro-Scale Index closely aligns with the Comprehensive Index, demonstrating its accuracy in reflecting walkability. The proposed framework and findings offer new insights for street walkability research and theoretical support for developing more inclusive, sustainable and walkable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Online grocery service (OGS) has significantly grown in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This surge has attracted significant scholarly attention and resulted in many scientific articles in the last five years. Adopting a bibliometric review approach, this study attempts to comprehensively and systematically analyse the academic literature on OGS. Design/methodology/approach: A Scopus search using pertinent keywords followed by PRISMA screening identified 384 relevant articles. Articles were analysed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, which employed citation and thematic analysis. Findings: The study identifies the significantly impactful authors, articles, and journals. While the analysis reveals the evolution across four time-frames, it also highlights the clusters representing the literature strands. Six major themes are identified in the literature, and potential future research enquiries are suggested. Originality/value: As the first study to include over 350 articles, it comprehensively represents the current state of the OGS literature, utilising performance and thematic analysis techniques. The article contributes significantly to the academic discourse surrounding OGS by synthesising and presenting diverse themes. Further, the future research questions provide a foundation for advancing the literature and guiding future scholarly work in the OGS domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Car rental and car sharing are two established mobility concepts which traditionally have been offered by specialized providers. Presumably to increase utilization and profitability, most recently, car rental providers began to offer car sharing in addition, and vice versa. To assess and quantify benefits and drawbacks of combining both into a single mobility concept with one common fleet, we consider such combined systems on an aggregate level, replicating demand patterns and rentals throughout a typical week. Our systematic approach reflects that, depending on a provider's status quo, different business practices exist, for example with regard to the applied revenue management approaches. Methodologically, our analyses base on mathematical optimization. We propose several models that consider the different business practices and degrees to which the respective new mobility concept is offered. To support mobility providers in their strategic decision-making, we derive managerial insights based on numerical studies that use real-life data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various innovations have been proposed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of last-mile delivery in urban and rural environments. Notable examples of innovative delivery solutions are parcel lockers, cargo bicycles, crowdsourced delivery, and so on. Methods: This study contributes to the ongoing research by developing a large-scale digital model of England and Wales to evaluate a new generation of solutions for last-mile delivery challenges being faced in both rural areas and cities. The two innovations chosen for comparison in this study are (i) carrier consolidation and (ii) alternative delivery locations (i.e., delivery to the workplace instead of the home). As well as the effect on any individual locations, the digital model evaluates both the benefits for England and Wales as a whole. Furthermore, the influence of the market share on the results, as well as the effect of changing the number of depots, is assessed. Results: By delivering to the customer's workplace instead of the home, the vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) reduce slightly (less than 10%). Carrier consolidation shows significant potential in reducing the overall VKT (up to 53%). When looking at individual areas in isolation, the consolidation option reduces the VKT or changes it up and down all within tolerance. Naturally, the first option causes a significant shift in delivery activity across England and Wales. Areas of central London would see in-excess of a 10-fold increase in the number of parcels delivered, whereas the demand for parcels in rural areas is further, and significantly reduced. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of large-scale and detailed digital models that not only calculate the overall benefits of an innovation but also their effect on each individual area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic and environmental challenges associated with Last Mile Delivery (LMD) give rise to the self-collection concept, yet the practical adoption is often below expectations. In this consumer-centric segment, adequate understandings of consumers are vital but are often lacking. To address this gap, this study examines consumers' LMD preference with the Integrated Choice and Latent Variable framework. A stated choice experiment was commissioned in Singapore during the transition of COVID pandemic toward endemic. Our results showed that consumers accept unattended delivery methods and are no longer concerned with the delivery time window, a traditionally critical delivery attribute. Regarding latent perceptions, this study confirmed the significant effects of value perception on self-collection preferences. Nonetheless, individuals' environmental consciousness was found to be insignificant. The relative effects of specific value statements were quantified using the marginal rate of substitution and the mediation roles of value perception on the sociodemographic-preferences relationships were validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards online shopping, reshaping consumer habits and intensifying the impact on urban freight distribution. This disruption exacerbated traffic congestion and parking shortages in cities, underscoring the need for sustainable distribution models. The European Union's common transport policy advocates for innovative UFD approaches that promote intermodal transportation, reduce traffic, and optimize cargo loads. Our study addresses these challenges by proposing an agile routing algorithm for an alternative UFD model in Barcelona. This model suggests strategically located micro-hubs selected from a set of railway facilities, markets, shopping centers, district buildings, pickup points, post offices, and parking lots (1057 points in total). It also promotes intermodality through cargo bikes and electric vans. The study has two main objectives: (i) to identify a network of intermodal micro-hubs for the efficient delivery of parcels in Barcelona and (ii) to develop an agile routing algorithm to optimize their location. The algorithm generates adaptive distribution plans considering micro-hub operating costs and vehicle routing costs, and using heuristic and machine learning methods enhanced by parallelization techniques. It swiftly produces high-quality routing plans based on transportation infrastructure, transportation modes, and delivery locations. The algorithm adapts dynamically and employs multi-objective techniques to establish the Pareto frontier for each plan. Real-world testing in Barcelona, using actual data has shown promising results, providing potential scenarios to reduce CO2 emissions and improve delivery times. As such, this research offers an innovative and sustainable approach to UFD, that will contribute significantly to a greener future for cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for personal mobility is leading to an increase in vehicle use, which is in turn contributing to higher carbon emissions. It is widely acknowledged that emission-free electric vehicles (EVs) will play a pivotal role in the decarbonization process, particularly in the decarbonization of transport systems. The objective of this paper was to present the trends in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Poland, together with the identification of market shocks and an assessment of the programs supporting electromobility. The number of imported and domestically purchased new and used electric vehicle (BEV) registrations was analyzed using the TRAMO-SEATS and ARIMA-X-12 seasonal adjustment methods. The rise in sales of electric vehicles in Poland was driven by the government's electromobility support programs and alterations to tax legislation, with no discernible seasonal impact. The number of registrations in Poland increased significantly, exhibiting an upward trajectory. However, this growth is constrained by the inadequate number of charging stations, which are primarily powered by electricity derived from coal. Consequently, while the development of electromobility in Poland is evident, the decarbonization process remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of the public value discussion has hindered the development of consensual measurement guidelines for use in public administration practice. This article explores the use of the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) framework in the transportation sector and considers its relevance in assessing public value. A case study is presented on the reconfiguration of a public transport network in the municipality of Arganil, Portugal. The CBA did not fully capture the effects of the network reconfiguration, demonstrating its limitations in assessing public value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationships between energy consumption in agriculture from renewable and non-renewable sources and the production levels in the agricultural sector across European Union countries. Additionally, this study aims to identify countries that differ in the development of their agricultural sector in terms of environmental care and to highlight the causes and consequences of these identified disparities. The classification of countries was conducted using the Principal Component Analysis method and a biplot. Panel data for the period 2000–2022, a VAR model, the impulse response function (IRF), and causality tests were used for this study. The results indicate two distinct groups of countries that significantly differ in adopting green agricultural practices. Only seven EU countries stand out for sustainable agriculture with low pesticide use, a significant share of organic farms, and high use of renewable energy in agriculture. Energy consumption affects agricultural production differently in the two groups of countries studied: in countries with sustainable agriculture, an increase in renewable energy consumption translates into a positive increase in agricultural production. On the other hand, an increase in non-renewable energy consumption shows a dampening effect on agricultural production growth, especially in countries with less sustainable agriculture. The results of this study highlight the need to promote renewable energy development in agriculture and raise awareness about the adverse environmental effects of intensive agriculture while emphasising the positive impact of organic agriculture on agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Strategic Issues of Northern Hungary ECONOMY-REGION-SOCIETY / Észak-magyarországi Stratégiai Füzetek GAZDASAG-REGIO-TARSADALOM is the property of University of Miskolc, Faculty of Economics 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.)

The increasing rate of urbanisation and extreme climatic events represent a constant threat for urban water resources management. In recent decades, Milan Metropolitan Area (Lombardy Region, Northern Italy) has been affected by a) frequent extreme rainfall events, responsible for the flooding of major surface water courses, and b) groundwater management problems, both from a quantitative (i.e. interaction with underground infrastructures) and qualitative point of view. Moreover, the increasing use of groundwater geothermal systems also requires further considerations. This work analyses the literature available in the area regarding surface floods, groundwater quantity, quality, and temperature. Finally, a discussion is provided to understand a) which approaches could promote an effective management of both surface water and groundwater resources b) which points of contact emerge between these two aspects of the urban water cycle, and c) which possible urban interventions could contribute to an integrated and functional management of water resources, also reducing some current issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Active transport– for example walking and bicycling to travel from place to place– may improve physical fitness and health and mitigate climate change if it replaces motorised transport. The aim of this study is to analyse the active transport behaviour of adults living in Germany, to investigate differences among population groups and to determine whether climate protection is a frequent motive for this behaviour. Methods: This study uses self-reported data of 4,971 adults who participated in a national health survey (German Health Update 2021), which was conducted as a telephone survey from July to December 2021. Associations between active transport behaviour and corresponding motives with sociodemographic and health-related variables were analysed using logistic regression models. Results: Of the adult population, 83% use active transport at least once a week. The frequency and duration of walking per week are significantly higher than those for bicycling (walking 214 min/week; bicycling 57 min/week). Those with a lower education level are less likely to practise active transport than those with a higher education level. Furthermore, women are less likely to use a bicycle for transport than men. Among those practising active transport, the most frequently mentioned motive is "is good for health" (84%) followed by "to be physically active" (74%) and "is good for the climate/environment" (68%). Women and frequent bicyclists (at least 4 days/week) mention climate protection as a motive more often than men and those bicycling occasionally. Conclusions: The improvement of active transport, especially among people with lower education and women (for bicycling), may benefit from better insights into motives and barriers. Climate protection is an important motivator for practising active transport within the adult population living in Germany and should therefore have greater emphasis in behavioural change programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding pedestrian perceptions and attitudes is crucial for promoting walking as a daily transportation mode for sustainable mobility and the effective development of smart cities. Pedestrian preferences, shaped by factors such as age, gender, and urban infrastructure, play a pivotal role in travel behaviors. Based on a survey study, this paper examines the impact of individual and urban factors on pedestrian perceptions and attitudes towards walking in the cities of Bologna and Porto. Results reveal that individuals generally value short, safe, and green walking routes, appreciating walking for physical activity, cost savings, and time efficiency. Disliked aspects include adverse weather conditions and walking on inadequate sidewalks. Through carrying out Chi-square statistical analysis tests, a variety of significant correlations between individual and urban variables have been revealed on what people like or dislike about walking. For instance, males, young individuals, and students were more likely to prefer short pedestrian routes, while adults and seniors favored safe and green routes. These findings can assist urban planners in identifying factors that make walking both convenient and enjoyable and in supporting sustainable urban mobility policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rivista Geografica Italiana is the property of FrancoAngeli srl 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.)

The rapid emergence of e-commerce in Vietnam has resulted in significant pressure on freight traffic and the environment, particularly in urban areas. Automated delivery stations (ADSs), also known as smart lockers or parcel lockers, offer a promising solution to improve the sustainability of last-mile delivery systems. However, the adoption of such a sustainable alternative by Vietnamese customers is inadequately understudied. This study primarily aims to investigate factors impacting Vietnamese customers' acceptance of these automated delivery points. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM), a survey following convenience sampling was carried out in Vietnam to assess recent experiences at automated delivery stations. The results showed that innovativeness and location convenience positively influenced consumer intention to use ADS, while perceived time pressure had no impact on consumer intention to use automatic delivery systems. This study provides valuable insights to e-commerce companies to customize their services to match customer preferences, which will optimize last-mile delivery options and thereby promote sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic interest in Online Grocery Shopping (OGS) has proliferated in retailing and business management over the past two decades. Previous research on OGS was primarily focused on consumer-level consequences such as purchase intention, purchase decision, and post-purchase behavior. However, there is a lack of literature integrating intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence the growth of OGS and its impact on purchase outcomes. To address this, we conduct a multi-method review combining traits of a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Analyzing 145 articles through word cloud and keyword co-occurrence analysis, we identify publication trends (top journals, articles) and nine thematic clusters. We develop an integrated conceptual framework encompassing the antecedents, mediators, moderators, and consequences of OGS. Finally, we outline future research directions using Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methods framework to serve as a reference point for future researchers working in OGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diverse marketing channels have been developed with the advent of digitalization. In the fresh food and grocery retail sector, consumers may have a large choice of channels to shop from. In this case, an analysis of their behavior is crucial for retailers. Therefore, the present paper provides a state-of-the-art review of existing papers dealing with consumers' channel choice when buying groceries. Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) is performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) procedure, identifying 36 research papers published in the last decade. Results: The results present the principal methodologies adopted by the analyzed research papers to address this topic, along with the various channels available to consumers to date. Other important outcomes of this review include the main variables that can affect consumer choice when deciding between the available channels and the limitations of the analyzed papers, along with suggestions for future research directions to address these limitations. Conclusions: This paper discusses the essential effects of consumers' channel choice on the logistics and operation services of grocery retailers. It also provides an integrative framework linking the influencing factors of consumer choice with outcomes directly impacting grocery retailers' logistics services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical inactivity is a global public health challenge. At the same time, the societal transformation toward a sustainable and active lifestyle can be observed. Active travel (AT) is one physical activity (PA) domain and combines healthy and sustainable daily behavior. However, it is still unclear whether assumed associations between AT and health are resilient for objective and subjective health outcomes. Since published research on AT has been growing during the last decade, this scoping review aimed to update and summarize the existing evidence. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library, following PRISMA guidelines. In all, 35 papers including 4,857,918 individuals (age range: 18–93 years old) were included. AT is strongly associated with health dimensions with a great body of knowledge showing strong associations between AT and reduced risks for noncommunicable diseases (NCD), especially in comparison to non-AT. Thus, AT can play an important role to prevent the increasing prevalence of NCD. There is a limited amount of research available on health-promoting factors and subjective health. Extracted studies suggest positive connections with AT. Mostly, cycling as a form of AT seems to have a more significant positive association with health compared to walking. Longitudinal studies further support and reinforce these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As urban tourism increases, digital signage landmarks are frequently utilized to develop and enhance the attractiveness of cities for tourism. However, the benefits of this development for local residents have not been fully explored from a sustainability perspective. Thus, this study aims to quantitatively analyze local residents' perceptions of digital signage landmarks in urban areas using one of the prominent icons, the Samseong-dong free display zone in Seoul, Korea. To measure the overall value of the landmarks, this study used a double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method and spike model. Based on the surveys of 600 respondents in Korea, the results show that a household's willingness to pay to support the landmark annually is KRW 5401 (USD 4) on average in the form of income tax. The perceived annual value for the landmark is about KRW 790 million (USD 60 million), surpassing that of typical tourism attractions in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. The demand for CBD grew over time with more individuals consuming CBD products due to its potential therapeutic properties. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and perceptions of Maltese members of the public and health care professionals (HCPs) about CBD, one of the main cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Methods: Surveys aiming to assess the knowledge and perception of the public and HCPs about CBD were developed, validated and disseminated. Results: Four hundred members of the public and 150 HCPs completed questionnaires. Ninety-six percent of participants (n=384) agreed that CBD has a therapeutic effect. Respondents from the general public were mostly knowledgeable about CBD and its use, had positive perceptions in relation to CBD and like HCPs, feel more comfortable if CBD is recommended by HCPs. HCPs were not so knowledgeable about certain aspects on CBD. One hundred and twelve HCPs were not aware that there is only one FDA/EMA approved CBD-based product. HCPs would feel comfortable in prescribing CBD products for pain and insomnia and the majority of them (55%; n=83) believe that CBD has mostly an analgesic effect. Social stigma associated with the use of CBD and potential judgement of HCPs were barriers to CBD use. Conclusion: Increased research, knowledge and availability of prescribing information and guidelines related CBD use might lead to an increased willingness of HCPs to recommend CBD and lead to a decrease in potential barriers associated with its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of traffic assignment consists of determining the routes taken by the users of transportation infrastructure. This problem has been the subject of numerous studies, particularly in analyzing scenarios for developing road infrastructure and pricing strategies. This paper reviews the major progress in the field. Accordingly, it shows that the evolution of intelligent transportation systems and the emergence of connected and autonomous vehicles present new challenges to classical approaches for solving the traffic assignment problem. It addresses two major perspectives: digital twins coupled with artificial intelligence to help decision-makers, and rule-based policy to offer users fair and efficient itineraries while respecting infrastructure capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development, urban planning, mobility, and transport planning, integrated within the context of sustainable urban mobility, have been central themes in both scientific and applied spheres over the past few decades. In port cities, it becomes particularly essential to tackle sustainability issues given the pollution and noise emanating from ships and other port-related activities. To meet mobility and transportation sustainability needs in the port area, a port should implement measures aligned with a sustainable urban mobility planning (SUMP) approach. However, many ports have thus far achieved limited results in this direction due to the absence of an approach to defining sustainable mobility solutions based on the SUMP approach for an urban area associated with the given port. The overall aim of this paper is to support the development of territorial SUMP for port areas by proposing a methodology that identifies and prioritizes sustainable mobility solutions tailored to a specific port area. The proposed methodology is applied in the Port of Bar (Montenegro) through an appropriate case study. In this case study, the methodological steps are systematically followed, resulting in the practical implementation of the selected mobility solution: the use of a hybrid bus for internal employee transportation within the port area. The undertaken case study underscores the simplicity, practical applicability, and adaptability of the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of the Suramadu bridge, the longest bridge in Indonesia connecting the islands of Java and Madura, aimed to stimulate regional economic growth in Madura and reduce disparity. However, 13 years after the construction, significant economic progress in Madura has yet to be seen. This study examines the impact of the bridge construction on the economic growth of Bangkalan, a Madura Island district closest to the bridge from 2010 to 2017. This study employed the synthetic control method (SCM) to construct a synthetic control unit that mimics Bangkalan's economic growth trajectory in the absence of the Suramadu bridge. The SCM allows for comparison of Bangkalan's economic growth trajectory with its synthetic control unit post the Suramadu bridge operation. The finding indicates that the Suramadu bridge provision lower the economic growth in Bangkalan. The finding underscores the imperative for careful infrastructure planning to yield optimal returns. Moreover, it advocates for a holistic approach wherein hard infrastructure initiatives are complemented by investments in soft infrastructure, particularly in education and healthcare sectors. Such integrated strategies are essential for realizing the full potential of infrastructure projects in driving sustainable economic growth. Impact Statement: This study examines the causal impact of infrastructure provision on regional economic growth in Indonesia. This research question is crucial for many developing countries like Indonesia, where public infrastructure is primarily funded through aid and public debt. The analysis indicates that infrastructure provision has, in fact, led to lower economic growth, challenging many previous studies that identify a positive impact of infrastructure development. This finding underscores the importance of effective infrastructure planning and suggests the necessity of complementary public investments to fully realize the potential benefits of infrastructure provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to understand better how attitudes towards the environment could influence preferences and willingness to pay for the development of sustainable tourism products on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria. A hybrid choice model is estimated to analyse how different latent constructs related to environmental concerns affect individuals' preferences for a set of sustainable tourism activities. The data used in the analysis are obtained from a discrete choice experiment where different scenarios with nature-based tourism packages are created. A set of measurement indicators allowed us to gain insight into the underlying latent structure regarding the individuals' attitudes towards the environment. The analysis consists of integrating these attitudes into a choice model, focusing on a market segment primarily composed of potential customers who are young residents and non-residents. The results reveal significant heterogeneity in preferences and willingness to pay for the various activities under study when attitudinal latent factors are incorporated into the model. Our findings provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners promoting sustainable tourism products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carsharing contributes to sustainable urban mobility by reducing private car ownership and use. Thus, policy-makers and planners need to know how cities can foster carsharing and the related benefits. Decentralized mobility hubs are an emerging approach to supporting carsharing. These hubs provide designated carsharing parking spots in the public street spaces of urban residential neighborhoods. The objective is to embed carsharing services into the immediate residential environments of urban households. Thus, the hubs are intended to make carsharing more accessible, reliable, and convenient. However, there is a lack of empirical insights into the impact of decentralized mobility hubs on carsharing. This research uses survey data on carsharing users in the inner city of Hamburg, Germany, to appreciate the actual effects of such hubs on car ownership, transport mode usage, and the perception of carsharing. Decentralized mobility hubs have existed in several high-density residential neighborhoods in Hamburg since 2017. Our findings suggest that the use of these hubs leads to a substantially more positive perception of carsharing and, as a consequence, to a greater willingness of carsharing users to forgo car ownership. Ultimately, by supporting the reduction of private car ownership, the hubs promote not only carsharing, but also the use of other sustainable modes of transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupant behavior is among the main causes for the mismatch between simulated and in-use energy performance of buildings. One of the strategies considered capable of reducing user's behavior induced energy consumption, while increasing indoor environmental quality is the application of Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). In this study, three building user's profiles have been considered depending on their energy consumption. The energy savings due to BACS class increase have been calculated, and a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) has been performed to evaluate the feasibility of different scenarios. Additional co-benefits perceived by the individuals have been accounted for in the form of willingness-to-pay (WTP). The methodology is applied to two case studies: a nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) rural single-family house and a recently renovated dwelling in an apartment block. The results show that the main reductions are achieved by the users' behavior alone, and the adoption of BACS is economically feasible only when an incentive program is in place, and the WTP is repeated as a recurrent co-benefit over the years. In particular, relying only on energy reduction due to higher BACS class introduction is not economically desirable. The greatest savings are achieved by the behavioral change of the user when coupled with BACS, supporting their potential role in improving user's energy literacy. Finally, incentive schemes are necessary to reduce the investment costs of such projects, being these the most influential variables in the feasibility of BACS applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues have reached global attention from both political and social perspectives. Many countries and companies around the world are adopting measures to help change current trends. Awareness of decarbonization in the transportation sector has led to an increasing development of energy storage systems in recent years, especially for ground vehicles. Batteries, due to their high efficiency, are one of the most attractive energy storage systems for vehicle propulsion. As for road vehicles, the growing interest in Electric Vehicles (EVs) is motivated by the fact that they reduce local emissions compared to traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. The purpose of the paper is to present a study on how to plan and implement vehicle charging infrastructure on motorways. In particular, a specific road in Italy is analyzed: the motorway A1 from Milan to Naples with a length of about 800 km. This motorway can be considered representative because it passes through some of Italy's most important cities and regions and may represent the backbone of Italy. A useful model for defining the optimal location of electric vehicle charging stations is presented within the paper. Starting with the data on the average daily traffic flows passing through the main nodes of the motorways section, the demand for the potential vehicles needed to define the number and dimension of charging stations and provide an adequate supply is estimated. The analysis was performed considering five-time horizons (year 2022 to year 2025) and four Scenarios involving the installation of 4, 8, 16, and 32 Charging Stations (CSs) in each service area, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon travel is considered as one of the most important strategies to reduce transportation carbon emissions, and its success is decided by the active participation of residents. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and Attitude-Behavior-Context theory (ABC), this study explores the influencing factors and formation paths of individual low-carbon travel behavior, and analyzes low-carbon travel behavior regarding both daily commuting from residence and tourism destinations. This study collects a sample of 506 respondents and uses Mplus 8.0 to examine the hypotheses. Empirical research results indicate that: (1) A certain gap exists in the individuals' low-carbon travel behavior between daily residence and tourism destination. Differences exist in direct effects, mediating effects and moderating effects. (2) Low-carbon travel behavioral intention plays a significant mediating role in both daily residence and tourism destination, especially the former. Regarding daily residence, individuals' attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control have a positive effect on behavior through behavioral intention. Regarding tourism destination, only the attitude-low-carbon travel behavioral intention-behavior path is significant. (3) Situational factors play a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between low-carbon travel behavioral intention and behavior, especially in tourism destination. This study reveals the internal mechanism of individuals' low-carbon travel behavior and the differences between travel in daily life and tourism, helping to deepen understanding of individuals' low-carbon travel behavior and providing guidance for promoting individuals' low-carbon travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article concerns the recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, transport accessibility, and accommodation availability on the energy intensity of domestic travel by tourists using public transport in spatial and dynamic relations. The article formulated five research questions: (1) Does the improvement of transport accessibility reduce the energy intensity of public tourist transport? (2) Does the improvement of accommodation availability affect the reduction of the energy intensity of domestic tourist trips of Polish residents? (3) Has COVID-19 significantly changed the energy intensity of public tourist transport? (4) Are there any spatial effects of energy intensity of domestic tourist trips of Polish inhabitants resulting from the flow of tourists between regions (voivodeships) of Poland? (5) What would be the path of energy intensity patterns of public tourist transport if fortuitous events did not occur? The study covered 16 Polish voivodeships in 2017–2021. A comprehensive approach was used, combining exploratory analysis of spatial data with regional econometrics, spatial statistics, and spatial econometrics (gravitational model of spatial convergence of energy intensity of public transport of tourists). It has been verified that the energy intensity of domestic tourist travel by public transport is the most sensitive to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the most flexible to changes in transport accessibility. It is less sensitive to changes in accommodation availability. The occurrence of spatial convergence, i.e., the blurring of differences in energy intensity patterns between the analyzed voivodeships, was also identified. An increase in energy intensity in voivodeships defined as neighboring voivodeships by 1% will result in an increase in energy intensity in the i-th voivodeship by 0.2688% on average, which results from the spatial effects of changes in mobility and tourist flows (tourism). Consumption patterns shaped in previous periods also have a significant impact on energy intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with reducing traffic congestion, electric car-sharing (ECS) can also solve travel demand, utilize idle resources, and enhance forms of transportation. Accordingly, university students are identified in Guangzhou, China as a promising customer group for ECS companies. Although university students in Guangzhou, China are unique in the context of ECS, few researchers have studied the factors that influence their willingness to use such services. Hence, this paper investigates the key determinants that affect university students' behavioral intention (BI) to use ECS in Guangzhou, China. Based on an extension of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), this paper examines the effects of the constructs on BI to use ECS and the moderating role of trust in ECS. Based on results from a questionnaire of 486 university students in Guangzhou, China, conditional value (CV) was the most critical driver of BI, followed by personal attitude (PA) and sustainability (SUST). The moderating analysis showed that taking gender, education, and driving experience of university students as control variables, trust was found to have a significant positive moderating impact on the relationship between PA and BI to use ECS, and a significant negative moderating effect of trust on the relationship between CV and BI to use ECS. The implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, in Europe and the US, carsharing has become a mainstream transportation mode offering a sustainable solution to serious urban problems such as pollution, economic crisis, congestion, and parking. In Greece, carsharing is currently entering its commercial phase. Planners and providers strive to gain an insight into the factors influencing the use of carsharing to effectively implement carsharing systems (CSS). In this context, understanding the motives and usage conditions are considered necessary. Based on a qualitative analysis (semi-constructed interviews, n = 52), this paper identifies motivational patterns as well as personal characteristics of potential users that can be further explored through quantitative research methods. During the data analysis process, participants' responses were classified into categories that revealed not only the factors that motivated them but also unveiled the challenges they face when utilizing carsharing schemes. These factors were the following: familiarity, comfort, mindset, everyday life, usability, and economy. Next, these factors were analyzed further based on the personal characteristics of the respondents preparing the ground for quantitative research in future research initiatives. Notably, the present findings could be beneficial to operators, policymakers, and stakeholders endeavoring to appraise shared mobility schemes in Greece and Mediterranean countries in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism transport may lead to significant air emissions and congestion problems on road networks. This is particularly troublesome for nature-based tourism destinations, as they often are in rural areas with low transportation capacities and vulnerable nature. Tourism transport systems are poorly understood, especially multi-modal systems with land and sea dynamics. In this article, we propose a multi-modal transport model that integrates traffic both at land and sea generated by tourism. The model was built on data from an in-situ questionnaire and validated with traffic counts and video recordings for the Geiranger fjord UNESCO world heritage site in Norway. Following a parliament decision to eliminate emissions from sea traffic, four emission reduction scenarios were explored. Results show that cruise-generated tourist buses may significantly contribute to air emissions and the formation of road congestion and emphasize the necessity of having a holistic approach in analyzing consequences of emission reduction policies for tourism transport. The model may be used in transportation planning and policymaking to assess alternative pathways to sustainable tourism transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shifting cargo from roads to eco-friendly inland waterway transport (IWT) is an important step towards reaching the decarbonization goals defined by the European Green Deal. The rehabilitation of nautical bottlenecks is essential to reach the fairway depth which is needed to allow a competitive transport on inland waterways. Aim: The goal of this paper is to (1) identify key performance indicators (KPI) associated with nautical bottlenecks caused by insufficient maintenance, (2) understand the effects of resolving nautical bottlenecks on the identified KPIs and (3) develop a conceptual framework. Methods: To develop the conceptual framework, we carried out a systematic literature review. We analysed the identified literature using qualitative content analysis and thus, derived relevant KPIs and their interdependencies. Findings: Ten KPIs were identified, which could be clustered as being either IWT-related, market-related or location-related. One example for an IWT-related KPI is the vessel draft, while market-related KPIs are e.g., referring to the KPI modal share and location-related KPIs to other KPIs such as fairway depth. Contribution: The conceptual framework visualizes the interdependencies between the KPIs and facilitates further research in this field, i.e., the development of a method for the evaluation of economic benefits of resolving nautical bottlenecks on inland waterways. A scientific method that allows the economic evaluation of resolving nautical bottlenecks it is essential to demonstrates the gain in quantitative net benefit if water levels are sufficient. A quantification of the net benefit serves as a motivator to intensify maintenance work on nautical bottlenecks and to facilitate decision-making regarding infrastructure projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As thresholds to cities, public spaces adjacent to schools play an important role in children's everyday mobilities, potentially shaping their future mobility habits and affective experiences. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the urban design conditions of such spaces, defined as "school squares", and, with the aid of affordance theory, to analyze spatial features and characteristics that might encourage or hinder active and sustainable mobility practices. In the first part of the paper, we define sustainable mobility, conduct a literature review on affective responses to the urban environment, and discuss active school travel (AST) in relation to the design of school squares. By focusing on 416 primary and lower secondary schools in the metropolitan area of Milan, we present an assessment method that is composed of on-desk and on-site surveys. In particular, Phase 1 defines the type of school squares, Phase 2 investigates physical affordances (spatial features and characteristics that directly influence active mobility practices, such as bicycle racks, protective barriers, benches, and parked cars), and Phase 3 discusses symbolic affordances (elements and characteristics that might induce different affective responses to a school square with regard to active mobility, such as bicycle racks, parked cars, greenery, and dustbins). The results indicate that in most cases school squares are characterized by typological confusion that has nothing to do with the school environment: narrow sidewalks, disorder, and low levels of safety. In order to promote active and sustainable mobility choices and enhance children's mobile experiences, it is necessary to address the aforementioned features. The ultimate goal of this paper is to provide insights for developing an urban regeneration framework that considers school squares a safe context and a starting point from which to perform sustainable mobility practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) has the potential to disrupt and fundamentally transform urban transportation. As their implementation becomes imminent on cities' streets, it is of great concern that no comprehensive strategies have been formulated to effectively manage and mitigate their potential negative impacts, particularly with respect to the components of the do no significant harm (DNSH) framework recently introduced in the EU taxonomy. The methodology employed comprises three steps: (i) An extensive literature review on the impact of AVs on the DNSH components; (ii) exploration of designing a coherent pro-active vision by integrating measures identified in the literature as key elements to mitigate the harm; and (iii) an interdisciplinary focus group (FG) to verify whether the impacts of AVs and potential mitigation measures for Bucharest are similar to those identified by the literature and integrated into the pro-active vision. The results suggest that while there are commonalities, variations exist in focus and perspective, underscoring the necessity of examining the mitigation measures encompassed in the vision through additional focus groups conducted in different cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilingualism is a quintessential feature of being Maltese, as speaking multiple languages is an integral part of the island's culture and history of foreign occupation and colonisation. Bilingual identities are shaped by language acquisition and socialisation, and educators construct their own linguistic identities and pedagogies through personal, educational and professional experiences. Maltese teachers believe that they organically use fluid language practices such as code-switching and translanguaging in their classrooms; however, they are uncertain about the benefits of these practices, and how they can utilise them in a structured manner, especially in view of the increase in linguistically diverse classrooms as a result of recent demographic shifts. This paper focuses on the way that Malta's socio-cultural context shapes teachers' linguistic identities, and how this may in turn impact their pedagogy. This study also supports previous research advocating the use of hybridised language practices as the way forward within linguistically diverse classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 15-minute city aims to decentralize the urban economic poles to provide local services to its entire population. The objective of this research is to geographically determine the economic poles in an intermediate Latin American city and evaluate their geospatial coverage. This research develops a geographic accessibility model to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of the economic poles, considering the socioeconomic stratum of households in Manizales (Colombia). Moreover, we apply a spatial regression model of pedestrian trips. Results show that proximity to urban economic poles is directly correlate with pedestrian trips. In Manizales, only 35.8% of the population reaches its closest economic pole within a 15-minute walk; moreover, accessibility inequities mainly affecting lower-income families were detected. The 15-minute city approach poses a high potential to contribute to urban spatial justice to the extent that urban planners facilitate the growth of economic activities and services in neighborhoods, with special attention to the less privileged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand responsive transit (DRT) echoes the new requirements of modern travel on flexibility and carbon reduction, as well as achieving a better match between demand and supply. However, many DRTs still failed. An important step named adaptability analysis helps to understand the context, desirability, and feasibility of introducing DRT. An adaptability analysis includes three sub-questions. Question 1 focuses on policy, regulation, funding, and technologies. Question 2 looks at the interactions of travel demand with operation parameters such as fare and fleet size. Question 3 tries to figure out the impacts of DRT on mobility, society, and the environment. To answer Question 1, macro-level methods collect information and generalise from empirical knowledge, including experience and barriers from real-world operation cases. To answer Question 2, meso-level methods determine the operation mode of DRT by quantifying related factors and establishing evaluation models or boundary condition decision models. To answer Question 3, micro-level methods use microscopic models for simulating the interaction between passengers and vehicles under different scenarios. This paper further discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and future directions of adaptability analysis methods of DRT. Overall, DRT presents great potential and future adaptability analysis should be developed by considering new trends in DRT and more complex and practical-oriented scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the socioeconomic and travel characteristics of student transit users in comparison to other young adults and quantifies behavioral differences in public transit access between these two population groups. Using data from a 2015 system-wide on-board survey in the Denver-Aurora region, CO, we seek to understand whether college and university students make more environmentally sustainable choices when accessing bus and light rail transit as well as identify the determinants of their choices. Our results indicate that student transit riders live in larger households with more vehicles per household member and are located substantially farther from the city center and the light rail compared to other young adults. The majority of student light rail users drive alone to light rail stations and typically do not park at the station that is the closest to their home. On the other hand, most other young adults walk to light rail stations. We also find that travel time and vehicle ownership per household member have a significantly lower impact on student choices. The identified travel differences and behavioral variations between the two population groups may be associated with the lack of affordable housing for students in the central and transit-rich neighborhoods of large metropolitan areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]