Editorial: Technologies for cleaner and resilient transportation and transit systems

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Provides a curated overview of current research frontiers in transport decarbonization and circular economy, serving as a reference for future work.

🏢実務担当者:Offers examples of implementable technologies (e.g., recycled plastic sleepers, robotic forklifts) that can reduce operational costs and emissions.

🏛政策担当者:Showcases technological pathways for transport decarbonization, supporting regulatory and investment decisions.

Figure 1. Scope for design and application of urban transportation systems for sustainable cities. It demonstrates the relationship between transportation density and travel distance, which is used to select optimal mode of transport in practice. This figure was redrawn by using Generative AI (Google Gemini), modified from Japan Overseas Rolling Stock Association (2007). This research topic thereby encourages new research that promotes the green industrial revolution. It paves the way for a green transition for industry by creating markets and innovative solutions for clean technologies and products. This special issue also aims to attract original research and innovation in future technologies for sustainable transportation and transit systems and new approaches to increase equity and accessibility to sustainable mobility solutions. It collects state-of-the-art reviews, original articles, perspective and opinion pieces, and case study reports to showcase new technologies across value and supply chains for cleaner and resilient transportation and transit systems.On this ground, Kaewunruen et al. (2023) explored how the railway sector can move beyond simple carbon neutrality by adopting a "circular economy" (CE) framework. They argue that while railways are often seen as the "greenest" transport option, the industry still faces massive challenges in eliminating waste and carbon throughout its entire lifecycle. "Top-down" policies are often ineffective because the railway system is too complex and fragmented. Instead, a successful transition to a circular economy requires tactical, bottom-up solutions and holistic system-thinking that starts at the design phase rather than just focusing on recycling at the end. To truly reach net zero and beyond, the railway industry must transform its mindset from "cradleto-grave" to "cradle-to-cradle" (infinitely regenerative). The paper emphasizes that public demand is necessary to propel policymakers and supply chain actors toward these more integrated, circular practices. Liu et al. (2024) assessed how modern sensors can more accurately measure the internal stress and deformation of roads. The research aims to provide high-precision data to improve asphalt pavement design, which is often based on simplified mathematical models that don't always match real-world performance. The study uses Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors-optical fibers that change how they reflect light when stretched-to monitor the "static strain" (the physical response to a non-moving weight) within four different types of asphalt road structures. The paper highlights that traditional strain gauges often fail because they are fragile and have low survivability during the harsh road-building process (which involves heavy rolling and high heat). FBG sensors proved to be a "feasible and reasonable" alternative, surviving the installation and providing much more reliable data than older electric sensors. Luomala et al. (2024) investigated the use of recycled plastic waste as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete, steel, and wood railway sleepers. The study specifically looks at plastic fractions that are currently incinerated (burned for energy) to see if they can instead be "upcycled" into durable infrastructure to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The study quantified the potential in Finland, noting that there is enough e-waste (ABS) and packaging waste flow to support industrial-scale production of these sleepers. Using these materials would help the transport sector meet stricter sustainability targets by turning a waste problem into an infrastructure solution. The authors conclude that while energy used to move trains is the biggest part of a railway's carbon footprint on busy lines, on low-to-medium traffic lines, the materials (sleepers) become a dominant factor. Transitioning to recycled ABS plastic sleepers is a pragmatic and effective way to achieve a circular economy in the rail sector. Jalal et al. (2025) presented a prototype for an automated, remote-controlled robotic forklift designed to improve safety and efficiency in small, crowded warehouses. They developed a semi-automated robotic forklift with several innovative features, including eco-friendly & electric attribute: being battery-operated, it eliminates toxic exhaust fumes and reduces the carbon footprint compared to diesel or gas-powered models. The study concludes that this robotic forklift is a viable, sustainable, and safe alternative for modern material handling. By combining 360-degree manoeuvrability with remote smartphone operation, it addresses both the physical limitations of small warehouses and the life-threatening safety risks associated with traditional forklift operations. Virin et al. (2025). It explores how the increasing use of micro-mobility vehicles, like e-scooters, can be leveraged to monitor urban infrastructure. The study investigates using the vibrations experienced by an e-scooter to automatically classify the roughness and type of road surfaces. This data acts as a proxy for "ride quality" and is used to predict the mechanical stress (high cycle fatigue) that the scooter itself undergoes, which is critical for preventative maintenance and safety. The study successfully linked surface textures to the fatigue thresholds of the escooter. This means a city or a rental company could use this technology to identify which parts of their fleet need maintenance based on the specific routes and vibrations they have encountered. The research presents a low-cost, crowdsourced alternative to expensive, specialized road-surveying vehicles. By using the sensors already present in most riders' pockets (smartphones), city planners can gain high-resolution data on road quality, and escooter operators can extend the lifespan of their vehicles through proactive, data-driven repairs.Based on the work in this special issue, multi-scale and cross-functional technologies and innovation for cleaner and resilient transportation and transit systems are clearly highlighted. This includes state-of-the-art research into decarbonisation, circular economy, cleaner materials, cleaner manufacturing, low carbon infrastructures, net zero, and energy efficiency within transportation and transit systems. Undeniably, these recent outcomes will make strong scientific, societal and industrial impacts in the very near future.

• openalex https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1904217first seen 2026-06-27 05:04:18