Sustainability and Smart Systems in Transportation Infrastructure: A Mini-Review

Szabolcs Fischer; Bálint Molnár; Bence Hermán; Klaudia Madarász; Csaba Tóth; Ádám Titrik

doi:10.31181/smeor31202658

Authors

Szabolcs Fischer Central Campus Győr, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7298-9960
Bálint Molnár Central Campus Győr, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3521-880X
Bence Hermán Central Campus Győr, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4620-5022
Klaudia Madarász Central Campus Győr, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6737-8173
Csaba Tóth Department of Highway and Railway Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5065-5177
Ádám Titrik Central Campus Győr, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4290-3068

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31181/smeor31202658

Keywords:

Sustainable transportation, Green infrastructure, Low-carbon materials, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Decarbonization

Abstract

Road and railway systems are fundamental to modern mobility, yet they also generate considerable environmental impacts through fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, material production, land use, and recurring maintenance needs. This mini-review examines recent advances in sustainable and smart transportation infrastructure, with particular emphasis on both road and rail applications. The analysis is organized into four thematic areas: sustainable materials, sustainable construction, sustainable power systems, and smart infrastructure technologies. For road transport, the review covers recycled and porous pavements, low-energy asphalt solutions, intelligent pavement structures, and the infrastructure implications of electric and hydrogen mobility. For railways, it discusses regenerative braking, renewable-energy integration, low-emission track-related materials, energy storage solutions, and digital maintenance systems. The study also addresses intelligent transport systems that improve traffic efficiency, reduce energy demand, and mitigate emissions through monitoring, automation, and data-driven decision-making. The reviewed literature indicates that the most promising sustainable solutions are not always the most technologically advanced. In several cases, well-established approaches such as recycled asphalt, warm-mix asphalt, regenerative braking, and predictive digital maintenance currently show greater practical maturity than emerging smart infrastructure concepts, which remain largely experimental and are only selectively applied. Overall, the findings highlight the need for broader implementation of sustainable materials, cleaner energy systems, and smart operation and maintenance strategies. The review also emphasizes the importance of life-cycle assessment, effective deployment, and long-term field-performance monitoring to support the successful transition toward low-carbon and resource-efficient transportation infrastructure.

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