The negative external effects caused by traffic growth have been recognized as the main factors that degrade city quality of life. Therefore, research around the world is being conducted to understand the impact of traffic better and find adequate measures to reduce the negative impact of traffic growth. The central part of this research consists of mathematical models for simulating the negative consequences of congestion and noise pollution. Four non-linear models for determining noise levels as a function of traffic flow parameters (intensity and structure) in the urban environment were developed. The non-linear models, including two artificial neural networks and two random forest models, were developed according to the experimental measurements in Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2019. These non-linear models showed high anticipation accuracy of the equivalent continuous sound level (Laeq), with R² values of 0.697, 0.703, 0.959 and 0.882, respectively. According to the developed ANN models, global sensitivity analysis was performed, according to which the number of buses at crossings was the most positively signed influential parameter in Laeq evaluation, while the lowest Laeq value was reached during nighttime. The locations occupied by frequent traffic such as Futoska and Temerinska positively influenced the Laeq value.

This study presents the results of the research on travel behaviour for persons with different types of disabilities. Persons with disabilities are a group of participants with specific traffic requirements often not included in traffic research and consequently adequate planning of urban transport. To obtain the data, a home interview was conducted on a representative sample. The paper presents the main results of the research and indicates the specificity of the requirements of this group of users. The results are compared with the results of the same research conducted for the development of the Smart Plan of Novi Sad and the results of similar research abroad. The main goal is to obtain a qualitative and quantitative database of the requirements of this group of users as a basis for creating sustainable urban mobility plans.

Pedestrians as a vulnerable category of traffic participants demand a special attention, particularly regarding their behavior at unsignalized pedestrian crossings. Unquestionably, when crossing a road at these types of pedestrian crossings, there is a potential risk, for both the pedestrians and other traffic participants, as well. Accordingly, this article shows the research on pedestrians behavior at unsignalized intersections, conducted at four locations in the urban environment of Novi Sad. The main goals of this study are reflected in developing a multiphase model by integrating different approaches into one original unique model. First, the efficiency of the observed locations of pedestrian crossings was determined by applying a model consisting of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), fuzzy DEA, entropy, CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation), fuzzy FUCOM (Full Consistency Method), fuzzy PIPRECIA (PIvot Pairwise RElative Import Criteria Assessment), and fuzzy MARCOS (Measurement of alternatives and ranking according to COmpromise solution). Then, the following aim of this study is to determine the values of the critical interval and then to compare these values with the accepted interval, which can be considered one of the criteria of safe pedestrians crossing the roadway. Apart from this, the aim is related to determining the characteristics of pedestrians behavior at unsignalized crossings, with a special reference to gender differences, as well to the fact whether the pedestrian crosses the roadway as an individual or within a group. After the empirical research and data classification, efficiency calculation, an extensive statistical and verification analysis was conducted to determine the set goals. The results imply that the relationship of the values of the accepted and critical intervals indicates the occurrence of the risky behavior of a certain number of pedestrians, which is reflected in accepting the intervals that are not completely safe for crossing the roadway and which can negatively affect the sustainable functioning of the traffic system.

Modern transportation planning, building and city management tendencies are based on smart and green sustainability. Sustainable mobility and traffic safety can be improved by raising awareness of gender diversity in travel behaviour. The city of Novi Sad (Serbia) has had a tradition of traffic surveys for about 50 years. All measures for improvement of traffic in the city are based on this research. Travel characteristics in the city regarding gender differences are the source of different data, which can be based on sustainable urban mobility plans, transport demand management and gender equality levels. This paper analyses mobility, modal split and distribution by travel reason as a function of gender. Results were gathered using travel diaries (collected by household surveys) in the Smart plan of Novi Sad. The discussion is based on a descriptive analysis of the basic travel characteristics as a function of gender and a comparison with a previous traffic study – Nostram. The findings of the research indicated that there is a greater prevalence of male employment and higher usage of passenger vehicles among men than among women. Women use alternative modes of transport (walking, public transport and bicycle). Women do not have precise peak hours, while trips are scattered even outside peak hours. Their trips are more related to daily duties than entertainment.

Bike sharing is being popularised and promoted in many cities. The introduction of this system is a way to increase the availability and use of bicycles. As part of this paper, an overview of the existing bike-sharing systems in the area of Vojvodina was made. The possibility of introducing this system in the area of Zrenjanin was also investigated. The results of the survey conducted in Zrenjanin show that there is a great potential for the introduction of a bike sharing system in this area, but that there are many shortcomings that need to be addressed. Over 82% of respondents have a high level of bicycle use during the week, so this is an excellent indicator to support the introduction of the bike sharing system. The biggest difficulty for them when cycling is disrespect by other traffic participants, and they think that a construction of new cycling paths will contribute to an increased bicycle usage as a transport means.

Large retail developments act as strong trip attractors and can substantially alter traffic demand patterns at adjacent urban intersections. This paper analyzes the operational impacts of a major shopping center on two nearby signalized intersections in Novi Sad, Serbia, and evaluates the effects of reconstructing one of them into a turbo roundabout. Traffic data collected before and after the shopping center opening, as well as before and after the intersection reconstruction, were analyzed using calibrated and validated microsimulation models. Results indicate that peak-hour traffic volumes increased by 8.38% and 6.96% at the analyzed intersections following the shopping center opening, leading to increased delays and operational stress under fixed signal control, particularly under unbalanced turning demands. The conversion of the three-leg signalized intersection into a turbo roundabout resulted in substantial reductions in average delay and improvements in level of service under identical traffic demand conditions, mainly due to the elimination of left-turn signal phases and reduced conflict interactions. The findings confirm that turbo roundabouts can provide significant operational benefits in dense urban environments characterized by strong directional flows; however, their effectiveness is highly context-dependent and influenced by traffic composition and geometric constraints. The results are interpreted as representative of typical weekday peak conditions, acknowledging data and temporal limitations.