The engineering research community is urged to follow three routes to realize fully sustainable transportation networks.

A new report from the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA), an initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, advocates leveraging data-informed operations to improve transportation systems; advancing sustainable technologies that incorporate versatile materials; and improving equity and accessibility through transportation device and service design. The document is the result of a diverse array of experts, practitioners and academics convened by ERVA to identify engineering research priorities pertaining to infrastructure, vehicles and transportation modes, data and the community.

Current and future vehicles and modes of transportation must emphasize reliability, sustainability and safety without sacrificing environmental and economic benefits. Source: Clemson University

Priorities include the development of sensors and data-informed algorithms to permit self-diagnosing, healing, and adaptive transportation system infrastructures and that are affordable and scalable. Materials research is needed to develop construction materials and methodologies to increase the sustainability, adaptability and resiliency of transportation infrastructure components.

In addition, batteries, charging infrastructure and power grids must be bult that are more efficient and affordable for all modes of electric vehicles. Opportunities for bolstering the sustainability of air and freight transportation are also identified.

Researchers must leverage expertise in mechanical, materials, computer and electrical engineering, along with urban planning, to explore the concept of self-sustaining community microgrids that democratize accessibility.

According to Erin Santini Bell, professor and chair of the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and co-chair of the ERVA Thematic Task Force that framed the visioning event, “This report offers a framework for the entire engineering research community to invest their resources and talent to address the problems surrounding transportation networks and their broader impact on society.”

Access the Sustainable Transportation Networks report.