This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development, deployment and challenges of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITSs) in Europe. Driven by the EU Directive 2010/40/EU, the deployment of ITSs has become essential for improving the safety, efficiency and sustainability of transport. The study examines how ITS technologies, such as automation, real-time traffic data analytics and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, have been integrated to improve urban mobility and road safety. In addition, it reviews significant European initiatives and case studies from several cities, which show visible improvements in reducing congestion, reducing CO₂ emissions and increasing the use of public transport. The paper highlights, despite progress, major obstacles to widespread adoption, such as technical interoperability, inadequate regulatory frameworks and insufficient data sharing between stakeholders. These issues prevent ITS applications from scaling up and functioning well in EU Member States. To overcome these problems, the study highlights the need for common standards and cooperation frameworks. The research analyses the laws, technological developments and socio-economic effects of ITSs. By promoting sustainable and inclusive mobility, ITSs can contribute to the European Green Deal and climate goals. Finally, the paper presents ITSs as a revolutionary solution for future European transport systems and offers suggestions to improve their interoperability, data governance and policy support.

A promising approach to advancing sustainable urban mobility is the increased use of light electric vehicles, such as e-cycles and their cargo-carrying variants: e-cargo cycles. These micromobility vehicles fall between e-cycles and conventional vehicles in terms of transport capacity, range, and cost. A key advantage of e-cargo cycles over their non-electrified counterparts is the electric powertrain, which enables them to carry heavier payloads, travel longer distances, and reduce driver fatigue. Since the primary use of e-cargo cycles is urban parchment deliveries, trip efficiency plays a critical role in their effectiveness within urban logistics. This efficiency is influenced by factors such as travel distance, traffic density, and the weight and volume of the delivery payload. While higher delivery capacity generally enhances efficiency, studies have shown that as the drop size increases, the efficiency of e-cargo cycle delivery trips tends to decline. A practical way to address this limitation is the use of cargo attachments, such as trailers. These micromobility solutions are already widely implemented globally and significantly enhance transport capacity. This paper reports the process of designing and testing the control algorithm of an electrical system for an experimental attachment demonstrator that can be used to convert most cycle vehicles into cargo variants. The system integrates two 250 W BLDC hub motors, two 576 Wh lithium-ion batteries, dual load-cell sensing in the coupling element, and an STM32-based controller to provide independent propulsion and synchronization with the leading cycle. The force-based control strategy enables automatic adaptation to varying payloads typically encountered in urban logistics, which is supported by the variable storage volume capable of transporting payloads of up to 200 kg.

Sustainable transportation solutions are essential for enhancing resource efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Significant contributions to this goal have been made by the cycling sector by increasing its presence in urban areas logistics. The primary means for this increase is the usage of cargo cycles. There are numerous advantages associated with it, such as: high versatility, functionality without emissions, lightweight build, and the ability to travel through areas in which conventional vehicles are prohibited. This paper reports the process of designing an experimental demonstrator for an electrically assisted attachment that can be used to convert most cycle vehicles into cargo variants. The attachment is designed to overcome one of the major drawbacks of traditional cargo cycles, namely the lack of modularity. This implies that users previously had to transport the empty cargo area even when not actively involved in delivery tasks. By removing the attachment, the user can convert the cycle for personal use. However, when required, the attachment can be added which, together with the electrical assistance system, can increase delivery efficiency. The paper aims to present the development process of the three-dimensional model of the attachment using computer-aided design techniques, highlighting the universal coupling mechanism and variable storage space. Additionally, vehicle dynamics simulations were performed to evaluate the stability of the system during operation and to ensure the validity of the proposed design.

Given the complexity of the crashes and the increasing interest in public policies related to the reduction in both accidents and fatalities from road crashes, the proposed review of the specialty literature may serve as a starting point for individuals interested in developing studies related to road vehicle accidents, reconstruction methodologies, assessment of vehicles crashworthiness, as well as evaluation of occupants’ behavior in different collision scenarios. Therefore, the present paper aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the specialty literature approaches in terms of road vehicle accidents through an analysis of the reconstruction methods used in the cases of vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-object crashes, as well as ways in which the crashworthiness of road vehicles is assessed by specialized organizations or individual experts. The addressed topics were summarized from a range of European and global strategies in the field of transportation, reports, testing protocols, as well as scientific research papers published in international databases. The main purpose of the present paper is to serve as a foundational resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to contextualize their work within a global framework.

The research outlines findings regarding the effect of tire vertical stiffness on the safety of the vehicle. With the intention of analyzing the impact of different frequency vibrations from mechanical parts on the dynamics of the vehicle in motion, various tire sizes, inflation pressures and tire vertical stiffness values were examined to achieve this aim. In this regard, through the MATLAB software, the input data served as the basis for the implementation of the mathematical model for the entire vibrating vehicle. This modeling process resulted in the generation of comparative results that were graphically analyzed to determine the influences of the tire vertical stiffness on the safety of the considered vehicle.

The wheel assembly is a key element in transmitting forces between the vehicle and the road surface, having a major influence on the vehicle’s stability, maneuverability, and passenger comfort. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the main structural components of the vehicle assembly, namely the rim, tire, bearing, and wheel hub. Various design solutions for rims are considered, including steel variants, aluminum alloys, and composite materials such as CFRP (Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer), analyzing their influence on the sprung mass and dynamic behavior of the vehicle. Regarding the tire, the structural design, dynamic behavior, the influence of the tread profile on braking distance, as well as specific aspects for electric vehicles, such as torque fluctuations and the additional mass of the battery are investigated. For the wheel bearing, the literature proposes evaluations of stress distribution using simplified structural analysis models. In the case of the wheel hub, alternative geometrical configurations (3, 5, and 6 bolt holes) are evaluated and a life-cycle assessment is conducted, comparing conventional and electric vehicle configurations. The results offer a coherent overview of constructive solutions and their influence on vehicle dynamics within the context of technological transition.