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    <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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      <title>Low-cost carriers and European tourists in Italy: Has anything changed after the COVID-19 pandemic?</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2704268</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study examines how international air passenger flows to Italy have changed after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the choice between low -cost carriers and fullservice carriers. Using a unique dataset from ISTAT and a multiple logistic regression model across 2019 (pre-pandemic), 2020 (pandemic), and 2022 (post-pandemic), we estimate the probability of choosing a low-cost carrier as a function of five European countries of origin, the Italian macro area of destination, and the season of travel. The main findings show that the hierarchy of preferences has not changed, but the magnitude of the probabilities changed substantially after the pandemic. In particular, the probability of choosing a low-cost carrier for travel to southern Italy decreased in the post-pandemic year compared to 2019, with potential implications for tourism development in peripheral regions. Furthermore, tourists who choose to fly with lowcost carriers have helped mitigate the typical summer peak season. Finally, the relative importance of origin markets changed, especially for Germany. These findings provide new evidence on post-pandemic adjustments in European air travel and offer insights for airlines and policymakers seeking to understand evolving demand patterns.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:14:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2704268</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>The evaluation of the economic equilibrium test on railways: Concept, approaches and application</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2704266</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This paper evaluates the economic equilibrium eest (EET), an EU regulatory tool that governs entry of new open access passenger rail services when they overlap with services delivered under public service contracts (PSCs). The EET is meant to balance competition in commercial rail with the financial sustainability of subsidised public service obligations. A review of EU legislation is combined with a comparative analysis of national methodologies and an exhaustive study of decision practice in France, Italy and Spain from 2019 to 2024. Eleven regulatory decisions applying the EET are identified and it is examined how regulatory bodies assess substitutability, model demand diversion and revenue abstraction, and weigh financial impacts against potential passenger benefits. The evidence shows that regulatory bodies prioritise the projected financial effects on PSCs, while consumer benefits are usually treated as secondary and often qualitatively. Decisions are highly sensitive to methodological choices and to PSC design (notably contract size and duration). Despite these variations, all analysed decisions authorised market entry, suggesting that the EET has not been systematically used in these countries to block competition.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:14:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2704266</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Digitalization and planning of NEXTGEN public transport: The case of Italy</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2701512</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In many countries, the public transport sector faces various technological challenges, including automation, digitalisation processes, the diffusion of shared mobility services, and the development of new mobility paradigms (e.g. Mobility as a Service). Despite the proliferation of literature addressing individual transport technologies or regulatory reforms, there is a paucity of empirical evidence concerning the influence of regulatory frameworks on the implementation of multiple technological innovations within highly regulated public transport markets. The present study aims to address this gap by developing and applying a structured scoring system to analyze the relationship between public policies and technological innovation in the domain of local public transport. The present study focuses on Italy as a paradigmatic case of a regulated European market, with the framework being applied to the top 20 public transport companies in terms of passengers carried, assessing the adoption of 15 key technologies in terms of infrastructure, vehicles and services. The main results show a relevant underutilization of available technological potential: even the most innovative transport companies implement less than half of the technological solutions nowadays available on the market. This work indicates that regulatory incentives and targeted public funding are crucial to shape innovation strategies, often favoring companies that already own greater resources and organizational capacity.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2701512</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Aligning transit provision with urban morphology: A diagnostic assessment of Porto and Cagliari</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2728344</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transit accessibility in cities is shaped not only by service provision but also by the extent to which transit networks align with the structural hierarchy of streets. This paper develops a reproducible, data-efficient framework that integrates angular segment analysis from Space Syntax, proximity-based transit catchments, and population-weighted exposure measures to assess how well transit stops correspond to high-integration corridors. Two indicators operationalise this assessment: the Gap Index, which identifies the share of population exposed to high-integration corridors lacking nearby transit service, and the Equity Ratio, which compares exposure levels across demographic groups. The framework is applied to Porto and Cagliari, two Mediterranean port cities that share comparable urban morphologies but exhibit contrasting mobility outcomes. Findings reveal a strong divergence. Porto demonstrates complete proximity coverage of its structurally high-integration corridors, indicating a close alignment between transit routing and the spatial configuration of the street network. However, Cagliari displays a pronounced proximity deficit, with a substantial share of high-integration corridors lying outside 300 m transit stop catchments. These results suggest that differences in accessibility between the two cities arise not from population distribution or morphological potential but from strategic choices in transit routing. The study shows how morphology-aware indicators can help planners detect accessibility gaps that conventional supply-side assessments overlook and highlights the value of integrating spatial configuration analysis into routine diagnostic practices. The proposed framework offers a transferable basis for monitoring alignment between street structure and transit provision, supporting more responsive and equitable mobility strategies in port-city contexts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2728344</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Towards digital twin of railway stations</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764239</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Railway station managers are increasingly facing overcrowding and congestion problems, as growing demand over time has exceeded the capacity of existing infrastructure. This trend is partly due to the evolving role of stations, which have transformed into complex multimodal and multifunctional hubs that offer not only transport services but also commercial activities and social functions. To address these challenges, innovative tools are needed to accurately determine service requirements and effectively support station planning and operations. In particular, the availability of real-time (big) data—enabled by the widespread deployment of reliable, low-cost sensors—combined with increased computing capacity and the rise of high-performance AI-based algorithms, has made it possible to create digital twins of transport infrastructures. These digital twins are virtual representations of the current state of infrastructure, capturing both the physical assets and the performance of supply and demand flows. They enable the efficient implementation of real-time control policies to optimize the system’s state over time. This study represents an initial step toward developing a Digital Twin (DT) for railway stations by introducing a modelling framework that integrates macroscopic access/egress mode choice models with microscopic pedestrian route choice simulation. The framework is applied to FNM Bovisa-Politecnico station in Milan (Italy), a key node in the regional rail network. The proposed modelling architecture functions as an offline simulation tool, advancing the state of the art for practitioners involved in railway station design and management. It also lays the groundwork for future online Digital Twin applications by enabling the integration of real-time data. The results demonstrate that the combined modelling approach provides a detailed understanding of passenger access, egress, and circulation patterns within the station. This, in turn, enables infrastructure managers to assess performance more effectively and identify critical areas that require intervention.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764239</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Factors Influencing Car Use and Car Drivers’ Willingness to Use Bicycles, E-scooters, and Public Transport: A Binary Logistic Regression Analysis</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764226</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Shifting users toward sustainable transport modes is a key goal of Transport Demand Management (TDM), which aims to influence travel behaviour. Workplace Travel Plans (WTP), a core strategy within TDM, are designed to encourage employees to adopt more sustainable commuting options. Achieving this requires understanding why employees prefer private cars over alternative modes and their willingness to change. This study investigates the factors influencing private car use, satisfaction with car-based commuting, and employees’ willingness to switch to bicycles, e-scooters, or Public Transport (PT). An online survey conducted among employees in Italy collected 2,314 valid responses, of which 57% reported using private cars. Satisfaction with car use was measured using a four-point Likert scale, revealing that 76.88% of car users were satisfied or very satisfied. Despite this, 70% expressed no interest in switching to bicycles (72.4%) or e-scooters (78.7%), although 62% showed a greater willingness to use PT. Binary logistic regression analysis identified key factors influencing car use. Comfort, independence during travel, the need to accompany others, the availability of non-work activities, the lack of PT, and having a family member who cannot commute independently were all positively associated with car use. In contrast, parking difficulties, travel costs, and environmental concerns were negatively associated. These findings offer valuable insights for urban policymakers aiming to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable commuting. Tailored interventions addressing both practical needs and perceived barriers can support a smoother transition toward greater use of PT and other sustainable modes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764226</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Logistics services by autonomous vehicles in urban areas: An empirical study for safety assessment</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764227</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2023, five small autonomous vehilces (AVs) operated logistics services in a pedestrian area in the city centre of Trikala, Greece. The AVs are Yapes and have been designed for last mile deliveries in pedestrian-centred environments. The pilot lasted about three months. The main objectives of Trikala logistic pilot, funded by the european SHOW project, were the following: Perform last mile deliveries with a homogeneous prototype fleet of AVs; Collect data for assessing service performances; Monitor the acceptance levels of both users of the logistic service and not users (population moving in the area where the AVs operate). The pilot application was organised in two phases: a pre-demo for the technical validation of the service and a final demo phase in which the service was operated after solving the problems that emerged in the first phase. The pre-demo phase was carried out first at the Joint Reseach Center of the European Community in Ispra, Italy, to verify the safety of interactions between Yapes and cyclists, and then in Trikala to verify the safety of interactions between Yapes and people who frequent the pedestrian area (pedestrians and cyclists) at the same location where the logistic services were later operated by the Yapes. This study examines videos recorded in the field at a location in Trikala to understand the severity of interactions between small AVs and pedestrians. The severity of the interactions was quantified using two methodologies. The first is well-established in the literature and adopts the surrogate safety measure of post-crossing time, but requires manual analysis of the videos which is cumbersome and where errors are easy to make. The other methodology applied is new and is based on machine learning, which allows the data to be processed automatically and thus makes it easier and more rigorous to process safety indicators. The results of the 2 methodologies are presented and firstly compared.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764227</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Routes over transport networks: challenges and opportunities for sustainable logistics cooperation</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764221</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The European Commission’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality must include emission reduction measures for the transport sector, which is responsible for about one-quarter of Europe’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. To address these challenges, modelling tools become essential, as they play a crucial role in providing policymakers with quantitative insights on the feasibility of proposed targets. The aim of the proposed research is to emphasise the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative modelling tools in driving the transport industry towards a sustainable future. To this end, this research introduces an original approach focusing on a novel modelling tool aimed at promoting load consolidation in road logistics networks. The present work focuses on a variant of the origin-destination shortest-path problem with the goal of fostering cooperation between shippers and logistics service providers. The objective function has multiple cost components, including expenses related to fuel, tolls, and pollutant emissions. Moreover, vehicle load capacities are incorporated in the model to promote the pooling of loads, thus minimising the number of vehicles required to satisfy demand. The chosen origin-destination routes are derived from the supply-demand matrices, obtained from the simulated reference scenario based on the underlying network and data provided by the European Commission and described in this work. The considered instances refer to the Italian territory. With these aspects in mind, we analyse the impact of the different cost components in the selected routes and the role played by the cooperation between shippers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764221</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Simulation-Optimization Approach for Container Flow Management of a Maritime Terminal Network</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764219</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Port networks are crucial to the entire logistics supply chain. They are complex systems increasingly congested due to their limited capacity and possible bottlenecks. In this paper we present a simulation - optimization approach to improve the efficiency of the containerized flow from a terminal in the Genoa port network, Italy, to the hinterland. We focus on the evaluation of train loading and container storage systems, analyzing the effect of variations in the sequence of handling operations. The simulation model is used to perform scenario analysis and identify critical factors, such as congestion and delays, within the terminal. An optimization procedure is then applied to increase efficiency by implementing dispatching rules that govern the flow of containers from the yard to train loading, while minimizing the energy consumption of the RMGs involved in the handling movements. The performance indices of interest are indeed the consumption of RMGs and the dwell time of containers in the yard waiting to be loaded onto trains. We use a simulation-optimization procedure to analyze the import flow from the PSA Genoa Pra terminal. The experimental results show that this approach provides a basis for decision-making by logistics service operators, reducing consumptions, improving deliveries, and optimizing network flows by simplifying operations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764219</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Performance of a Bus Rapid Transit line with a single dedicated lane system: the case of Catania</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764214</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a public transport system designed to provide a high-quality experience using rubber-tired vehicles and operating on the road network with protected lanes. BRT can represent an effective low-cost solution for car-dependent cities. However, it is important to understand how to integrate it into the current transport infrastructure. This paper presents some results of a participatory/technical process aimed at analysing different alternatives with relevant stakeholders and find the most accepted and technically sound solution. The case of a BRT line in Catania (Sicily) with an alternating running direction of the bus on a single lane is here proposed and analysed via microsimulation. This proposal is considered a potential way to provide a high-quality service while minimizing the interference with current viability. Results give specific suggestions based on system performance according to different design hypothesis.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764214</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A General Model for Sustainable Vehicle Fleets Battery Capacity Optimization: Case Study on the Italian Fire and Rescue Service Fleet</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2734898</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This article develops a methodology to analyze and compare a combustion engine vehicle fleet to an alternative sustainable one, maintaining high efficiency and resilience during specific operations. This work proposes an algorithm that can assist a generic decision-maker in making the challenging choice of transitioning from a standard and well-established traditional mobility to a novel and more sustainable one. The simulation's statistical analysis results show the effectiveness of electrifying a conventional internal combustion vehicle fleet into an electric and plug-in hybrid electric one. The algorithm was designed, tested, and applied to the Italian National Fire Rescue and Service Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco (CNVVF). Due to the peculiarities of the institutional activity of the public rescue and safety service of the CNVVF, it is crucial and mandatory to have a tool that can evaluate the effects of replacing traditional mobility while maintaining high efficiency and business continuity. All the analyses were performed using historical data of the fire and rescue service activities of the CNVVF.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:56:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2734898</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing bicycle convenience in car-dependent cities</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2725120</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To address issues associated with traditional motorised transport, urban mobility is undergoing a profound transformation. Although cycling is being promoted as an alternative to the car in the mobility plans of several Mediterranean cities, the proportion of people using it remains low. While establishing adequate infrastructure and services is necessary, it is not sufficient to encourage behavioural change. Alongside physical interventions, soft measures are also required. Intuitive tools that compare the costs (not limited to monetary ones) of different transport modes with cycling are necessary. Such tools have been developed for other fields or modes but are currently lacking for bicycles. To address this gap, this study presents a methodology for developing a user-oriented decision-support tool that evaluates the economic, spatial and environmental effects of switching from motorised to bicycle transport in car-dependent cities. It assesses several key performance indicators derived from a review of the scientific literature. These include health impacts, congestion rates, connectivity and the user-friendliness and security of the relevant infrastructure. Different user profiles enable a tailored evaluation for each respondent. The architecture of the tool is presented and the prototype is then tested through a targeted pilot distribution in the Metropolitan City of Venice (Italy). The results should be interpreted as a proof of concept rather than as representative estimates of population-level cycling potential. They illustrate each respondent's performance according to their identified journey, providing a more informed understanding of their choices. Furthermore, some of the answers relating to the criticalities of the network can be translated into data-driven recommendations for urban and transport planners. This suggests that, to improve the potential of bicycles as a sustainable transport mode in car-dependent urban areas, physical interventions related to modal choice should be complemented by behavioural initiatives.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:56:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2725120</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Exploring cargo bike viability for last-mile delivery in European capitals: A mass-participation multi-city Multi-Criteria Satisfaction Analysis</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2725742</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The rapid growth of e-commerce has intensified urban freight challenges and increased interest in cargo bikes as a potentially more sustainable last-mile delivery option. However, public acceptance of cargo bike deliveries remains underexplored. However, comparative evidence on citizens’ acceptance of such services across cities remains limited. This study conducts a mass-participation survey across six European capital cities to evaluate citizens’ acceptance of a hypothetical cargo bike delivery service (“EcoDeliver”). We apply a multi-city MUlticriteria Satisfaction Analysis (MUSA) model to analyze overall acceptance and criterion-level evaluations across environmental impact, noise, traffic congestion, safety, and shipping cost. Approximately 2500 citizens assessed the projected performance of the proposed service scenario. The results indicate generally positive evaluations of the hypothetical service, with environmental impact, noise reduction, and congestion reduction receiving the most favorable responses overall. At the same time, the relative importance of the evaluation criteria and the shape of the acceptance functions vary across cities and demographic groups, revealing differences in how citizens prioritize key attributes of urban logistics services. These results provide a more differentiated understanding of public preferences and show that similar overall acceptance levels may be associated with distinct local priority structures. Methodologically, the study illustrates how MUSA can be used to structure and compare large-scale citizen evaluations in participatory urban logistics research.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:56:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2725742</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Rail Service Quality and Regional Well-Being: Evidence from Italy</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2775390</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This article reports on a study that used artificial intelligence, composite indicators, and transportation economics to quantify how perceived rail quality contributes to sustainable regional development in Italy. The authors analyzed user-generated social media posts with deep learning and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, focusing on perceptions of rail service quality, specifically punctuality, cleanliness, crowding, frequency, accessibility, and safety. The authors then aggregated these dimensions of perceived quality into a single measure using the DP2 distance-based method.  This Service Satisfaction Index (SSI) was then used to analyze the relationships between SSI, subjective wellbeing, GDP, and transport investment. The authors found that perceptions of rail service influenced subjective well-being and are positively correlated with state and territory gross product.  In addition, a clear South-North divide in perceptions of service quality clearly underlie structural inequalities in transport infrastructure.  The authors conclude with a brief discussion of the policy implications of their findings, particularly for reducing regional inequalities and improving sustainability.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:55:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2775390</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>The Black Hole Approach and the Italian Experience</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2739264</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Spatial disorientation poses a significant hazard to aviators, particularly during low-visibility conditions, such as nocturnal operations or adverse weather scenarios. Visual illusions, exacerbated by the absence of external references, can mislead pilots into incorrect judgments of aircraft orientation, potentially resulting in catastrophic consequences. Perrone's black hole approach theory describes how lateral reference loss distorts perceived approach angles during landing.  This study systematically assessed black hole approach risk at 119 Italian civil and military airports using Perrone's visual slant misperception formula to calculate apparent glide path angles. airports were categorized into four risk levels: low (2-4°), moderate (4-6°), medium (6-8°), and high (>8°). results: analysis revealed that nine airports (7.6% of total) presented medium to high risk (descent angles =6°) yet lacked Precision approach Path indicator (PaPi) systems as of February 2025. Further investigation demonstrated that none of these airports are authorized for nighttime operations; thus, primary black hole approach conditions are avoided. These findings raise questions about whether airports lack PaPi systems because night operations are not authorized or whether the absence of visual aids drives operational limitations. results underscore the critical importance of comprehensive pilot training in recognizing and recovering from spatial disorientation, relying on onboard instruments, and implementing advanced guidance systems. the analysis highlights the role of visual aids, such as PaPi and the instrument Landing System, in ensuring flight safety and demonstrates the need for standardized risk assessment protocols that integrate airport physical characteristics with operational context and available safety infrastructure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:55:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2739264</guid>
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