The Sustainable Transportation Systems course provides a comprehensive understanding of how transportation networks can be planned, designed, and operated to meet current mobility needs without compromising environmental quality, economic efficiency, or social equity. The course integrates engineering principles with sustainability frameworks to address the challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, energy scarcity, and increasing travel demand.
The course begins by introducing sustainability concepts and indicators relevant to transportation systems, including environmental impact, economic feasibility, safety, and social inclusiveness. Learners examine travel behavior, land-use interactions, and demand management strategies that influence mobility patterns. Emphasis is placed on multimodal transportation systems, highlighting the integration of road, rail, public transport, non-motorized transport, and freight networks.
Advanced topics include energy consumption analysis, greenhouse gas emission estimation, air and noise pollution impacts, and life-cycle assessment (LCA) of transportation infrastructure and vehicles. The course also explores emerging technologies and policies, such as electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), shared mobility, and smart city initiatives. Practical applications, case studies, and performance evaluation frameworks help learners assess and design sustainable transportation solutions for real-world conditions.
SOURCE- Youtube [NPTEL IIT Roorkee]