Urban mobility has undergone and continues to undergo a profound transformation driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive analytics in recent years. These technologies are redefining adaptive traffic control systems, enabling real-time decision-making and increasing the efficiency and safety of road networks. The main questions addressed in the review explore how the integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, AI in traffic systems, are useful in optimizing traffic flows, vehicle coordination and infrastructure adaptability in increasingly complex traffic environments. The integration of IoT-enabled devices and AI-based algorithms has been essential to enable data-driven approaches to urban traffic control. Predictive analytics improves emergency response mechanisms, improves traffic signal operations, and supports the deployment of autonomous and connected vehicles. Among the various methodologies evaluated, AI-based models combined with IoT sensors demonstrated superior performance, reducing average traffic delays by up to 30% and improving safety metrics in various urban environments. This systematic review underscores the transformative potential of integrating AI, IoT, and predictive analytics into urban traffic management, offering a blueprint for smarter, more sustainable urban transportation solutions.

Identifying objects in real-time is a technology that is developing rapidly and has a huge potential for expansion in many technical fields. Currently, systems that use image processing to detect objects are based on the information from a single frame. A video camera positioned in the analyzed area captures the image, monitoring in detail the changes that occur between frames. The You Only Look Once (YOLO) algorithm is a model for detecting objects in images, that is currently known for the accuracy of the data obtained and the fast-working speed. This study proposes a comprehensive literature review of YOLO research, as well as a bibliometric analysis to map the trends in the automotive field from 2020 to 2024. Object detection applications using YOLO were categorized into three primary domains: road traffic, autonomous vehicle development, and industrial settings. A detailed analysis was conducted for each domain, providing quantitative insights into existing implementations. Among the various YOLO architectures evaluated (v2–v8, H, X, R, C), YOLO v8 demonstrated superior performance with a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 0.99.

Tire–road friction is a fundamental factor in vehicle safety, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the tire–road friction coefficient (TRFC), emphasizing its dynamic nature and the interplay of factors such as tire composition, tread design, road surface texture, temperature, load, and inflation pressure. Friction mechanisms, adhesion, and hysteresis are analyzed alongside their dependence on environmental and operational conditions. The study highlights the challenges posed by emerging mobility paradigms, including electric and autonomous vehicles, which demand specialized tires to manage higher loads, torque, and dynamic behaviors. The review identifies persistent research gaps, such as real-time TRFC estimation methods and the modeling of combined environmental effects. It explores tire–road interaction models and finite element approaches, while proposing future directions integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning for enhanced accuracy. The implications of the Euro 7 regulations, which limit tire wear particle emissions, are discussed, highlighting the need for sustainable tire materials and green manufacturing processes. By linking bibliometric trends, experimental findings, and technological innovations, this review underscores the importance of balancing grip, durability, and rolling resistance to meet safety, efficiency, and environmental goals. It concludes that optimizing friction coefficients is essential for advancing intelligent, sustainable, and regulation-compliant mobility systems, paving the way for safer and greener transportation solutions.

Seatbelts are critical components of vehicle safety, continuously evolving through technological advancements and regulatory updates. Traditionally designed to secure occupants during collisions, seatbelt innovations, such as retractors, pretensioners, and load limiters, have significantly enhanced comfort and effectiveness. With the advent of autonomous vehicles, seatbelt systems must adapt to new safety challenges, including real-time tension adjustment through active seatbelt systems. These systems, integrated with active safety technologies like automatic emergency braking, offer a more comprehensive safety solution. Furthermore, seatbelt technology must address the diverse needs of different passenger categories. Quantitative data highlight the role of seatbelts for various passenger categories. Children are 55% more likely to be injured by rear structure intrusion and 27% more likely to suffer from compression into the front seat during rear impacts. Pregnant women generally experience milder injuries but are more prone to abdominal injuries. Older adults, who account for 17% of crash fatalities, are more likely to suffer thoracic injuries and fractures due to increased bone fragility. This review explores the integration of traditional and modern seatbelt systems, focusing on passenger-specific adaptations and the future role of seatbelts in autonomous vehicles. This study is based on a thorough literature review, analyzing data from the Web of Science, Scopus, and SAE databases, where available, to assess the contributions and impact of these innovations.

Research on road transport infrastructures is rapidly evolving as electrification, automation, and digital connectivity reshape how systems are designed, operated, and managed. This study presents a combined bibliometric, scientometric, and network analysis of 2755 publications published between 2021 and 2025 to map the intellectual structure, main contributors, and dominant technological themes shaping contemporary road transport research. Using data from the Web of Science Core Collection, co-occurrence mapping, thematic analysis, and collaboration networks were generated using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. The results reveal strong growth in research output, with China, the United States, and Europe forming the core of high-impact publication and collaboration networks. Six bibliometric clusters were identified and consolidated into three overarching domains: road transport systems, emphasizing vehicle dynamics, control, and real-time computational frameworks; energy and efficiency-oriented mobility research, focusing on electrification, optimization, and infrastructure integration; and emerging digital technologies, including IoT, AI, and autonomous vehicles. The analysis highlights persistent research gaps related to interoperability, cybersecurity, large-scale deployment, and governance of intelligent transport infrastructures. Overall, the findings provide a data-driven overview of current research priorities and structural patterns shaping next-generation road transport systems.

Accessibility in bus-based public transport is essential for inclusive and sustainable urban mobility, yet bus stops and stations are often overlooked compared with vehicle modernization and network planning. This study presents a bibliometric and thematic review of research (2020–2026) on accessibility in bus stop and station infrastructure across European cities. Literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection was analyzed using thematic synthesis supported by bibliometric network analysis. A total of 685 publications were examined to identify research trends, barriers, regional differences, assessment methods, and planning implications. The findings show that accessibility is a multidimensional concept shaped by physical design, information systems, user experience, first- and last-mile connectivity, and governance capacity. Persistent barriers include poor boarding interfaces, inadequate maintenance, weak wayfinding, safety concerns, and uneven implementation of accessibility standards. The reviewed studies suggest that evidence of stronger integration and higher user satisfaction is more frequently reported in Northern and some Western European contexts, whereas rural and smaller cities often face lower service accessibility. Emerging topics include real-time passenger information, crowding management, electric buses, and smart mobility technologies. The review concludes that bus stops and stations should be treated as strategic mobility assets. Integrated planning, participatory design, and territorially differentiated policy support are essential to advance inclusive bus-based public transport across Europe.