The emergence of smart cities has addressed many critical challenges associated with conventional urbanization worldwide. However, sustainable traffic management in smart cities has received less attention from researchers due to its complex and heterogeneous nature, which directly affects smart cities’ transportation systems. The study aimed at addressing traffic-related issues in smart cities by focusing on establishing a sustainable framework based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications. To sustain the management of traffic in smart cities, which is composed of a hybridized stream of human-driven vehicles (HDV) and connected automated vehicles (CAV), a dual approach was employed by considering traffic as either modeling- and analysis-based, or/and the decision-making issues of previous research works. Moreover, the two techniques utilized real-time traffic data, and collected vehicle and road users’ information using AI sensors and ITS-based devices. These data can be processed and transmitted using machine learning algorithms and cloud computing for traffic management, traffic decision-making policies, and documentation for future use. The proposed framework suggests that deploying such systems in smart cities’ transportation could play a significant role in predicting traffic outcomes, traffic forecasting, traffic decongestion, minimizing road users’ lost hours, suggesting alternative routes, and simplifying urban transportation activities for urban dwellers. Also, the proposed integrated framework adopted can address issues related to pollution in smart cities by promoting public transportation and advocating low-carbon emission zones. By implementing these solutions, smart cities can achieve sustainable traffic management and reduce their carbon footprint, making them livable and environmentally friendly.

This research explored the potential of marble wastewater (MWW) in cement paste and mortar production, addressing water scarcity, sustainable growth, and resource management. It investigated the physico-mechanical properties and microstructure of cement materials incorporated with varying amounts of MWW. In this study, we utilized tap water and MWW for mortar quality testing, focusing on parameters including setting times, water absorption, and mechanical strength. The viability of MWW in concrete formulations was confirmed by its acceptable total dissolved solids and alkalinity levels. A comprehensive experimental program determined that using marble wastewater in place of tap water reduced the quantity of water required for cement consistency and generated slightly higher compressive strengths (2, 3, 4, and 6%) after 28 days of curing. Analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed for molecular and microstructural analyses, which revealed that MWW had a significant influence on portlandite development and CSH formation at higher replacement levels. In short, this research highlights the feasibility of using MWW in cement products, contributing to sustainable water resources, and industrial waste management and utilization.

This study evaluates the quality and irrigation suitability of drainage water in the Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia, where water scarcity necessitates the reuse of nonconventional resources. Eighteen drainage water samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and irrigation indices, including electrical conductivity (EC), sodium percentage (Na⁺%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), magnesium hazard (MH), Kelly’s ratio (KR), permeability index (PS), and irrigation water quality index (IWQI). Multivariate statistical tools were applied to identify dominant hydrogeochemical processes. Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation in ArcGIS Desktop 10.8 was employed to map significant physicochemical data and irrigation indicators. Results revealed that while EC values indicated low to moderate salinity (0.74–25.2 μS/cm), most samples showed high Na⁺%, SAR, and KR, classifying them as doubtful to unsuitable for irrigation. The IWQI ranged from 84.47 to 1617.87, indicating poor to inferior quality due to evaporation, fertilizer leaching, and sodium accumulation. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of precise geographic modeling in determining whether drainage water is suitable for long-term agricultural use in arid regions such as Al-Jouf. Sustainable reuse of such drainage water requires freshwater blending, gypsum application, and the cultivation of salt-tolerant crops, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives for sustainable water management in arid regions.