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The next frontier in clean flight? Jet fuel from city waste

Researchers explore using municipal solid waste as a low-emission, cost-effective feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90%. The study suggests that adopting municipal solid waste-based jet fuels could save airlines money under carbon pricing systems.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2025

Metros cut car use in European cities, but trams fall short

A new study from the Complexity Science Hub found that European cities with a metro system have a significant reduction in car use, with an average of 37% of car trips compared to 50% in cities with only trams and 54% without rail. In contrast, tram cities show no measurable impact on reducing car use.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalNature Cities·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 7, 2025

How emission control policies deliver synergetic climate and environmental health benefits in transportation sector

A policy-specific assessment framework evaluates integrated effects of emission control policies on greenhouse gas mitigation, air quality improvement, and public health protection. China's on-road transportation policies have achieved remarkable progress but face weakening synergies, underscoring the need for deep structural transitions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 30, 2025

Do imported cut flowers spread livestock viruses?

Researchers investigated whether cut flowers from Africa could spread livestock viruses through tiny biting midges. While no midges were found in packaging or transport areas, the study highlights potential risks and suggests measures to reduce them.

SourceWiley·JournalMedical and Veterinary Entomology·DateOct 8, 2025

Crosswalk confusion: MA drivers flummoxed by pedestrian hybrid beacons, find UMass Amherst researchers

A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that nearly a quarter of MA drivers run through the red light at pedestrian hybrid beacons. Drivers also often stop too soon or fail to slow down during flashing yellow phases, causing confusion and potential safety issues.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·TypeObservational study·DateOct 7, 2025

Stronger together: Community involvement is key for new transport adoption

A study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals that community involvement is a powerful driver of acceptance among people with poor health. The research found that increasing the density of stops in residential areas can make demand-responsive transport more accessible to those with limited mobility. The study's findings suggest that...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2025

The insomnia trade-off

A study found that longer commutes and smaller living spaces are associated with poor sleep health among Tokyo residents. Housing choices that balance location and size may help improve sleep health, according to researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2025

PSU research shows Portland transit-oriented developments reduce car trips, especially at affordable housing sites

A new study by Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) reveals that transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Portland metro area generate significantly fewer car trips than previously estimated. At affordable housing sites, car trips were reduced to only a quarter to two-fifths of expected rates.

AI review unveils new strategies for fixing missing traffic data in smart cities

Researchers from Shandong Technology and Business University survey the latest AI-powered techniques to fill in missing traffic data gaps. The study categorizes and compares leading data imputation methods, offering a clear roadmap for researchers and city planners to improve traffic management and smart city operations.

SourceELSP·JournalArtificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 26, 2025

Stepping for digital rewards

A study found that users who exchanged daily walking steps for digital train tickets increased their walking by an average of 626.2 steps/day. Those using shopping coupon incentives walked 715.2 steps/day more on average than non-users. The results suggest effective promotion of active travel through well-designed mHealth apps.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 30, 2025

Study shows making hydrogen with soda cans and seawater is scalable and sustainable

A new process using seawater and recycled soda cans can produce green hydrogen with a low carbon footprint comparable to other green hydrogen technologies. Researchers found that the overall emissions of this method are on par with those of fossil-fuel-based processes, making it a scalable and sustainable option for energy production.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Reports Sustainability·DateJun 4, 2025

New study: Teen drivers safer with more practice

A new study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that teen drivers who practiced more had 30% fewer crash or near-crash incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 82 teen drivers monitored for 22 months, revealing that supervised driving experiences and safety education are crucial for reducing novice driver risks.

UCF’s ‘bridge doctor’ combines imaging, neural network to efficiently evaluate concrete bridges’ safety

Researchers at UCF used a combination of emerging technologies to evaluate the safety of concrete bridges. By combining infrared thermography, high-definition imaging and neural network analysis, they can quickly identify defects and prioritize repairs.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateMay 16, 2025

No car, no problem: Unlikely car-free families

A new study from the Hebrew University explores middle-class parents in Israel who choose to live car-free due to personal values like promoting children's independence and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These 'outlier' families offer valuable insights into reducing society's dependence on private vehicles, highlighting instrumental ...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·TypeObservational study·DateMay 14, 2025

Review and prospects: application of spatio-temporal big data in transportation system resilience studies

A systematic review reveals that spatio-temporal big data applications in transportation resilience studies are most developed in quantitative assessment, but significant gaps remain in real-time monitoring and early warning systems. The study identifies the need for improved data integration frameworks and interdisciplinary cooperatio...

NUS Medicine study: Breaking antibiotic-resistant bacteria’s protective shields opens door for immune system response, offers insights for managing pneumococcal diseases

Researchers have made progress in understanding how Streptococcus pneumoniae constructs its capsule, a critical target for vaccine development. The study identified three categories of transporters that facilitate sugar building block transport, with relaxed specificity transporters posing potential risks to bacterial growth.

From classical hydrodynamics to quantum hydrodynamics and back again – how the Navier-Stokes equations describe quantum systems

Researchers from the University of Warsaw have shown that Navier-Stokes equations can be generalized to quantum systems, specifically quantum liquids with restricted particle motion. This discovery opens up new possibilities for research into transport in one-dimensional quantum systems.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 4, 2025

New research shows a scientific approach can optimize bike lane planning

A new study by University of Toronto researchers has developed a model that can help municipalities choose optimal locations for bike lanes, minimizing congestion and increasing cycling ridership. The model uses traffic and commuter mobility data to predict the impact of bike lane expansion on driving travel time and emissions.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalManagement Science·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2025

Black men — including transit workers — are targets for aggression on public transportation, study shows

A new study by Gwendolyn Purifoye found that Black men are targeted with aggression on buses and trains, leading to erosion of their sense of dignity and self-worth. The researchers observed repeated avoidance behaviors by non-Black passengers and surveillance by authority figures.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSociology of Race and Ethnicity·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2024

Turning carbon emissions into methane fuel

Chemists at Ohio State University have developed a novel way to capture and convert carbon dioxide into methane, utilizing nickel-based catalysts and reducing the need for massive amounts of energy. This breakthrough could pave the way for more efficient climate mitigation technologies and help close the carbon cycle.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024

Solving computationally hard problems with 3D integrated photonics

Researchers have developed a reconfigurable three-dimensional integrated photonic processor specifically designed to tackle the subset sum problem, a classic NP-complete challenge. The processor operates by allowing photons in a light beam to explore all possible paths simultaneously, providing answers in parallel and demonstrating hig...

Machine learning analysis sheds light on who benefits from protected bike lanes

Researchers use machine learning to analyze optimal bike lane placement in Toronto, balancing accessibility for all with overall efficiency. Key findings include a trade-off between equity and utility, with essential routes like Bloor West's bike lanes serving neighbourhoods far from their endpoints.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·DateOct 15, 2024

Study: Conflicting goals, focus on economic development lead to underperforming streetcar systems

Cities with high-performing streetcar systems prioritize transporting people to desired locations, while those that focus on economic development often experience poor performance. The study highlights the importance of focusing on passenger attraction and coordinated fare policies for successful streetcar systems.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2024

Study shows rates of e-bike injuries rise fourfold and powered scooter injuries nearly double

A new study reveals a significant increase in e-bike and powered scooter injuries between 2019 and 2022, with rates rising by 293% and 88%, respectively. The research highlights the need to improve micromobility injury surveillance and identify strategies for cities to promote safe user practices.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 24, 2024

The impact of AI on specific jobs

A study using machine learning to analyze patents and job task descriptions found that AI is likely to augment rather than replace many jobs. The most impacted occupations included orthodontists, security guards, and air traffic controllers.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 24, 2024

Half of Uber, Lyft trips replace more sustainable options

A California study found that over 50% of ride-hailing trips replaced more sustainable forms of transportation or created new vehicle miles, highlighting the need to improve the sustainability of ride-hailing services. The study also identified disparities in trip cancellations among low-income and minority groups.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·TypeSurvey·DateAug 28, 2024

Study: Flying keeps getting safer

A new MIT study analyzes airline safety trends over the past few decades and finds that commercial flight has become roughly twice as safe each decade since the 1960s. The study estimates that passengers are about 39 times safer than they were in the 1968-1977 period, with a 1 in 13.7 million risk of fatality per boarding.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Air Transport Management·DateAug 8, 2024