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Electric car sharing and smart charging

A study by Empa researchers found that electric car sharing can reduce emissions by up to 82%, but achieving cost savings and low-emission charging simultaneously is rare. The optimal charging strategy would require real-time tariff models, automated systems, and incentives like CO₂ prices.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2025

Ideas for aerodynamic drag reduction for 400km/h high-speed trains

Researchers achieved a significant reduction in aerodynamic drag by optimizing multiple train components, including nose shape and pantograph design. The study found that simultaneously enhancing these components can deliver notable improvements and even certain bogie fairing configurations might offer advantages over traditional designs.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalAdvances in Wind Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 27, 2025

A new Concordia study reimagines parcel delivery with robots, EVs and lockers

A new Concordia study reimagines parcel delivery by integrating electric vehicles, autonomous delivery robots, and self-service lockers to prioritize high-value customers like Amazon Prime members. The innovative model cuts route and vehicle use costs by up to 53% compared to traditional methods.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2025

Overtaking the odds: Do passing zones make rural roads safer?

Researchers found that roads with passing zones have 11% fewer total crashes and 12% fewer fatal/injury-causing crashes compared to sections without marked passing zones. The study suggests that wider, straighter, flatter roads with more visibility are associated with lower crash risk.

SourcePenn State·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 15, 2025

Mortality among surgeons in the United States

A recent study reveals that surgeons in the United States have a disproportionately high mortality rate compared to other highly educated professionals, including nonsurgeon physicians. The study suggests that factors such as work environment and lifestyle may contribute to this disparity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·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

Study: Emotional responses crucial to attitudes about self-driving cars

A new study from Washington State University examines the role of emotional responses in shaping public attitudes toward self-driving cars. Researchers found that feelings of excitement and curiosity, as well as beliefs in technology's social benefits, play a significant role in determining whether people would adopt autonomous vehicles.

SourceWashington State University·JournalTransportation Research·TypeSurvey·DateMay 27, 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.

Motorcycle helmet laws save lives: Study shows universal laws increase helmet use and reduce injury severity

A study found that universal helmet laws in North Carolina resulted in higher helmet use rates (94%) compared to South Carolina (47%), leading to less severe injuries. The study also highlighted the human toll of not wearing helmets, including longer ICU stays and more ventilator support.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 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

Farm robot autonomously navigates, harvests among raised beds

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed an autonomous driving algorithm for robots to navigate raised cultivation beds, utilizing lidar point cloud data. The system enables precise movement and accuracy in both virtual and actual environments, promising to expand tasks beyond harvesting to monitoring and pruning.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2025

New sensor could help prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions

Researchers have developed a new sensor to detect hazardous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries, which could prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the reliability of battery-powered technologies. The sensor detects trace amounts of ethylene carbonate vapour, targeting potential battery failures before they escalate into disasters.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025

Footprints of deep-sea mining

A recent study published in Nature Communications provides detailed data on the far-field spatial footprint of mining-induced plume dispersion and redeposition beyond the mining area. The research found that sediment concentrations were up to 10,000 times higher near the mining site and returned to normal levels after 14 hours.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMar 5, 2025

New technique to make food deliveries more efficient

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique to improve the efficiency of food-delivery operations. The technique accounts for key factors such as food supply, location, and vehicle capacity to determine optimized routes that make food delivery faster and more fuel-efficient.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2025

College commuters: Link between students’ mental health, vehicle crashes

A study at Florida Atlantic University reveals a correlation between commuter students' mental health status and increased risk of being involved in a crash while driving. Researchers found that students with anxiety or depression may be more likely to be distracted or exhausted, impairing their ability to focus on the road.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 5, 2025

How simple prompts can make partially automated cars safer

A new study found that driving-related conversational prompts improve driver performance in taking control of the vehicle, but only when drivers are engaged. Conversely, non-driving related tasks like solving anagrams can significantly decrease performance and render prompts ineffective.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalHuman Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2025

Empowering numerical weather predictions with drones as meteorological tools

Researchers evaluate drones' potential for long-term daily collection of meteorological data, showing promising results and cost-effectiveness. The study demonstrates that drones can provide accurate measurements comparable to traditional methods, improving the accuracy of numerical weather predictions and disaster prevention.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2025

Pre-seed funding to recolor the world greener

Kobe University has developed a new way to produce colors using nanospheres, which could reduce the environmental impact of paints and cosmetics. The technology uses silicon spheres to scatter light, creating bright and brilliant colors that do not fade or change with viewing angle.

Drivers of electric vehicles are more likely to be at fault in road traffic crashes than drivers of petrol and diesel cars

A comparative study by Lero reveals that electric vehicles have a higher chance of experiencing an at-fault insurance claim, with a 4% increase in crashes compared to internal combustion engines. The research also found that hybrids show no further increased risk, indicating EVs have a higher risk profile.

SourceLero·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2024

Teens benefit from a new primary care virtual driving assessment model

A new virtual driving assessment model integrated into primary care has shown promising results, with 77% of teens agreeing to recommend it to friends and wanting to retake the test. The assessment provides personalized feedback to identify risks and areas for improvement, addressing a leading cause of adolescent morbidity and mortality.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 22, 2024

Retention ponds can deliver a substantial reduction in tire particle pollution, study suggests

A new study reveals that retention ponds and wetlands can significantly reduce the amount of tyre particles entering aquatic environments, with an average reduction of 75%. The research found that tyre wear particles outweigh other forms of microplastics, but are also removed in greater quantities.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2024

Over half of global commutes are by car, says study

According to a new study, around 51% of global commutes are made by car, varying greatly across regions. In contrast, cities like Copenhagen, Paris, and Utrecht rely heavily on cycling and public transportation. The US also shows minimal variation in modal share across cities, with nearly 92% of commutes made by car.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalEnvironment International·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2024

Safety assessments for older drivers would benefit from introducing spatial orientation tests

A new study from the University of East Anglia found that older adults with worse spatial orientation ability experience greater difficulty when making turns across oncoming traffic, which is a significant risk factor for fatal road traffic accidents. Spatial orientation skills are essential for mentally determining position and vehicl...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Gerontology·TypeSurvey·DateMar 1, 2024

Pedestrian injuries from falls versus motor vehicle collisions: are we lacking critical policy and interventions?

A recent study found that pedestrian injuries from falls exceed those from motor vehicle collisions in the US, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed EMS data and found that pedestrians over 50 years old were 3.9 times more likely to experience severe injuries from falls compared to motor vehicle collisions.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateJan 31, 2024