Thanks to both the digital transformation and recently-introduced modes of transport (e.g. automated vehicles, ride‑hailing, car sharing, demand-responsive transport systems, and micro-mobility), a wider range of options are now available to improve accessibility and to promote inclusive mobility solutions which address the needs of vulnerable population groups. However, as the complexity of the transport system increases on both the demand and the supply side, new challenges arise for transport planners and researchers. These include, but are not limited to, issues relating to sustainability, economic feasibility, and the acceptability of innovative and technologically advanced transport solutions. Indeed, the broad spectrum of potential impacts upon transport systems, and on society as a whole, must be carefully addressed.
In this respect, a new collaborative paradigm bridging the gap between decision-makers, technicians, and users is crucial to achieve sustainable solutions that simultaneously meet both the users’ needs and preferences. To this end, it will be necessary to, on the one hand, expand the assessment capabilities of tools and models, e.g. including social and equity issues, and, on the other hand, to cope with new mobility concepts adapting to a rapidly changing world.
This Topical Collection contains contributions that advance the research on collaborative approaches and solutions for inclusive transport systems, exploring unresearched fields and/or proposing up-to-date policy recommendations to lead the transition towards future sustainable mobility scenarios.
Edited by: Pierluigi Coppola (Politecnico di Milano, Italy) | António Lobo (University of Porto, Portugal)