Urban And Maritime Transport Xxvii

Better urban transport systems and the need for a healthier environment are continuous requirements that create a fertile atmosphere for original ideas, innovative approaches and applications of advanced technologies, their tests and evaluations in practice. Moreover, there is a growing need for integration with IT systems and applications to improve safety and efficiency. Meanwhile, the substantial growth of maritime shipping has resulted in large transported quantities around the world, creating a demand for innovative solutions for ports and fleets. The apparently parallel topics of Urban Transport and Maritime Transport meet in the transport and environmental management of coastal cities, both being affected positively and negatively by landslide and seaside traffic. Maritime Transport is highly interconnected with rail, road and air services, as well as inland waterways. Each of these must therefore operate complimentary of one another to maximise efficiency and respond rapidly to variable economic and political contingencies. The variety of topics covered in this volume reflects the complex interaction of transport systems with their environment and the need to establish integrated strategies. The goal is to arrive at optimal socio-economic solutions while reducing the negative environmental impacts of transportation systems typically by interdisciplinary approaches.