Public transport is essential to provide urban mobility, and cities need to offer a fast, comfortable, secure, and low-pollutant public transport mode to attract passengers and reduce private car use. Despite metros, trains, and light rail systems being desirable, the cost of implementation and low flexibility make bus services the best option for many cities. One solution for improving bus service systems is the implementation of bus rapid transit systems that are composed of buses running in segregated lines with pre-payment fares and level boarding platforms in stations. However, the main challenge of bus systems is the use of engines fueled by diesel, which is extremely polluted. One possible solution is the use of battery buses; but are they really feasible regarding daily operation cost? In this paper, we investigate the adoption of battery buses in comparison to diesel engines in a BRT system using municipal data from São Paulo, Brazil, as a reference. We collected operational data from the Sao Paulo city government transport agency and data from the literature to produce an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, which allowed us to compare both systems. The AHP model considered a triple-bottom-line perspective using social, economic, and environmental impact criteria. The result showed that the initial costs of acquisition can be a barrier, but in the long run, cities adopting battery buses in their BRT system can benefit from the effects of reduction in gas emissions and longer lifetimes of electric bus components. Moreover, the results showed that the adoption of battery buses in BRT systems depends on local government subsidies being implemented.

Several cities worldwide are studying the replacement of their trolleybus systems with diesel buses or battery electric buses, due to their flexibility and lower operational costs. Diesel buses are considered a major cause of gas emissions in cities, while battery electric buses employ cutting-edge technology, but there is still discussion around the topic due to their technology costs, autonomy, and the sustainability of battery packs. In this study, we evaluated the trolleybus system’s potential for reducing emissions, noise pollution, and greenhouse gases (GHGs) when compared to diesel buses. Furthermore, we compared the trolleybus system with battery electric buses in terms of cost and environmental benefits. To do so, a case study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, the largest city in Latin America, which operates the second-highest trolleybus system on the American continent. Our results show that the trolleybus system is a feasible alternative to diesel buses when considering environmental aspects. It can be seen as a complementary service for urban transport systems in the city’s transition to clean energy. Finally, the study implications indicate the need for further investigation of the benefits of in-motion-charge technology to generate flexibility in trolleybus systems, and the involvement of stakeholders in the transition matrix energy process in urban bus systems beyond the direct costs.

Agribusiness trade is a complex network of commercial relations among countries, and it is influenced by on-shore and off-shore logistics. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend these relationships to improve decision-making regarding production and logistical development. This paper investigates Brazilian agricultural and livestock exports between 2013 and 2022 to understand logistical bottlenecks based on trade partners. To do so, we performed descriptive statistics and social network analysis (SNA) considering measures such as degree centrality, k-core, and tie strength. Our results indicate Brazil’s dependency on Asian markets whereby eight of ten are located on this continent. We observe an unexpected result regarding the low purchase of these products byimportant Brazilian partners such as the United States, the UK, and the European Union. Finally, the study confirms the Brazilian logistical bottleneck where two logistical corridors correspond to 76% of all agricultural exports in the period, with Santos, the busiest port, moving more than 46% of the cargo.

Agriculture technology has been used to increase farm productivity, allowing the management of spatial and temporal variability of soil factors, crops, and animals. Due to the advances in technologies such as the Internet of Things—where the devices monitor, analyze, and make decisions—farms are connected, forming the concept of smart agriculture. Thus, it is possible to increase efficiency, quality, and speed and at the same time reduce cost and wastes. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric review of smart farming concepts to identify the state of the art of technologies in agriculture. Data collected from Scopus are analyzed using VOSviwer software. The software is a tool for building and visualizing bibliometric networks, allowing the construction of networks based on citation relationships, bibliographic coupling, or occurrence of important terms. The results of the article present an overview of smart farming development.

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depends mostly on urban transport electrification. However, the role of trolleybus systems in this process is still under discussion. The objective of this study was to analyze the viability of trolleybus buses in relation to diesel buses regarding environmental and economic aspects. The research was conducted in Vilnius, Lithuania using an extended CO₂ emission methodology incorporating physicochemical fuel properties and real-world operational data that allowed us to estimate CO₂ emissions and economic impacts. The findings indicate that the Vilnius trolleybus system prevents 84,996.32 kg of CO₂ emissions monthly compared to diesel buses (gross avoided emissions). After accounting for emissions from electricity generation (based on Lithuania’s 2023 grid mix), the net avoided emissions are approximately 61,569 kg of CO₂ per month, equivalent to EUR 4284 in carbon credits. The system also significantly reduces local air pollutants. Moreover, the new In-Motion Charging (IMC) technology improves system flexibility by decreasing dependence on overhead wires and maintaining low emission levels. IMC trolleybuses represent a cost-efficient option compared to battery-electric buses (BEBs) and hydrogen fuel cell buses (FCEBs). Our findings support the European Union’s decarbonization goals and provide essential insights for policymakers considering public transportation electrification efforts.