By Krishna Yadav
Abtract
This article synthesizes recent research on sustainable transport planning, integrating insights from transport, land use, and urban development studies. It reviews how accessibility, transit-oriented development, land use–transport interaction models, and inclusivity shape modern mobility systems. Drawing on works by Sharma, Dehalwar, Lodhi, Garg, and others, the article highlights advances in predictive modeling, AI-driven safety assessment, and public transport evaluation. Emphasis is placed on inclusivity for senior citizens, integration of green infrastructure, and institutional frameworks for planning education. The study underscores that future transport planning must balance efficiency, equity, and environmental sustainability for resilient urban growth.
Keywords: Transport Planning, Transit-Oriented Development, Accessibility, Sustainability, Urban Growth
Introduction
Transportation systems lie at the heart of urban sustainability. As cities expand and mobility patterns evolve, the intersection of transport, land use, and environmental planning becomes increasingly critical. Emerging research highlights how transport planning can foster accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability — key objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Recent studies by Sharma, Dehalwar, Lodhi, Garg, and others provide a robust foundation for understanding how urban mobility systems influence economic development, land use efficiency, and environmental resilience. This article synthesizes insights from contemporary research to trace evolving directions in transport planning, drawing from recent publications across Environment and Urbanization ASIA, Transportation in Developing Economies, European Transport, and other reputed journals.
Route Choices and Accessibility in Urban Mobility
In hill and compact cities, accessibility to public open spaces is deeply shaped by route choices and topographical constraints. Lalramsangi, Garg, and Sharma (2025) explored these dynamics in Environment and Urbanization ASIA, emphasizing that urban morphology and elevation influence pedestrians’ decision-making. Their study demonstrates how route preferences in hill cities are not only a function of distance but also of slope gradients, land use diversity, and perceived safety. This micro-level understanding of accessibility can enhance walkability-based urban designs and inform the placement of recreational and social amenities.
By integrating geospatial analysis with behavioral insights, this research bridges transport geography and environmental psychology, reinforcing that public open spaces should be equitably accessible across varied urban terrains.
Transit-Oriented Development and Economic Growth
A major shift in transport planning over the last decade is the emphasis on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Sharma and Dehalwar (2025) conducted a systematic literature review in Transportation in Developing Economies, revealing that TOD plays a catalytic role in promoting economic vibrancy around transit corridors. Their findings indicate that mixed-use zoning, compact density, and non-motorized infrastructure stimulate both land value appreciation and local business ecosystems.
Earlier, Sharma, Kumar, and Dehalwar (2024) in Economic and Political Weekly elaborated on the precursors of TOD, noting that effective implementation requires synchronizing land use regulation, institutional coordination, and public-private partnerships. Together, these studies underline that TOD must go beyond proximity to transit; it must ensure socioeconomic inclusivity and spatial equity.
Land Use–Transport Interaction Models in Smart Urban Growth
Smart growth strategies depend on the dynamic interplay between land use and transportation. In European Transport, Sharma and Dehawar (2025) reviewed various Land Use–Transport Interaction (LUTI) models, assessing how they support smart urban growth management. The authors identified that contemporary LUTI models integrate AI-based predictive systems, GIS tools, and spatial simulation frameworks, enabling policymakers to forecast urban expansion and optimize transit infrastructure.
This research resonates with Kumar et al. (2025), who used the CA-ANN model in GeoJournal to predict urban growth patterns in Indore. The study found that integrating cellular automata and artificial neural networks offers a data-driven approach for land allocation, policy framing, and infrastructure investment. These tools are essential in developing adaptive transport plans responsive to emerging urban forms.
Transport Inclusivity and Age-friendly Policies
Accessibility in transport is not merely a technical matter; it is a social imperative. Sharma and Dehalwar (2025), in their chapter “Examining the Inclusivity of India’s National Urban Transport Policy for Senior Citizens” (CRC Press), evaluated how transport systems accommodate aging populations. The authors found significant gaps in infrastructure design, policy enforcement, and accessibility standards.
Their work argues for universal design principles, improved last-mile connectivity, and integration of paratransit modes for senior citizens. As India’s demographic shifts toward an aging population, ensuring mobility equity becomes crucial for maintaining social participation and wellbeing. This aligns with broader inclusivity debates in transport justice and aligns with Dehalwar and Sharma’s (2024) work on social injustices caused by spatial transformations.
Evaluating Public Transport Performance through User Perception
Understanding user satisfaction is vital for sustainable public transport systems. Lodhi, Jaiswal, and Sharma (2024) applied discrete choice models to assess bus user satisfaction in Bhopal (Innovative Infrastructure Solutions). Their findings reveal that reliability, comfort, and accessibility are the most influential parameters shaping commuter preferences.
This approach provides a methodological benchmark for urban transport authorities to prioritize investments and redesign service parameters. The integration of behavioral modeling into transport policy enables planners to align service delivery with user expectations, thereby enhancing ridership and reducing dependence on private vehicles.
Pedestrian Safety and Surrogate Safety Analysis
Safety remains a cornerstone of sustainable transport systems. Sharma and Dehalwar (2025), in the Journal of Road Safety, conducted a systematic review of pedestrian safety literature emphasizing how spatial design, signal timing, and urban density influence accident patterns. The study advocates for smart sensor-based monitoring and AI-driven safety audits to enhance pedestrian protection.
Complementing this, Sharma, Singh, and Dehalwar (2024) in the Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology demonstrated the use of surrogate safety measures—leveraging simulation technologies to predict potential crash scenarios before they occur. Together, these works signify a paradigm shift from reactive to predictive safety planning.
Linking Transport Planning to Broader Sustainability Goals
Transport systems intersect with environmental, architectural, and social domains. Sharma et al. (2025) in IOP Conference Series emphasized the role of green buildings in shaping sustainable neighborhoods, highlighting synergies between transport energy efficiency and built environment performance. Similarly, Sharma et al. (2024) conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of road construction materials, advocating for recycled and secondary materials to minimize carbon footprints.
These studies collectively reinforce the need for an integrated sustainability framework — one that combines transport efficiency, green infrastructure, and urban resilience.
In a parallel trajectory, Lucero-Prisno et al. (2025) explored the interrelation of climate disasters, migration, and food security in Advances in Food Security and Sustainability. Though geographically distinct, the findings illustrate the cascading effects of transport disruptions on socio-economic stability and public health, especially under climate stress.
Technology and AI in Transport and Waste Systems
Sharma, Dehalwar, and Pandey (2025) examined the role of AI tools in solid waste management, offering insights applicable to transport operations and logistics. The study demonstrated how data analytics, IoT-enabled bins, and AI-based routing improve collection efficiency — principles equally relevant to public transport route optimization.
Moreover, Ogbanga et al. (2025) underscored how AI in social work can promote environmental sustainability, reflecting a broader movement toward ethical AI applications in urban systems. Transport planners can draw parallels by employing AI for equitable mobility distribution, demand forecasting, and emission control.
Educational and Institutional Dimensions of Transport Planning
Building a sustainable transport future requires institutional capacity and professional education. Sharma and Dehalwar (2023), in the Journal of Planning Education and Research, proposed establishing a Council of Planning to promote planning education and support professional development. Such institutional frameworks are essential for bridging academia-policy gaps and nurturing the next generation of transport planners equipped with multidisciplinary expertise.
Resilience, Equity, and Policy Integration
Urban transport planning today is moving toward resilience-oriented frameworks. The forthcoming volume Deltas Resilience: Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development in India (Dehalwar & Sharma, 2026) provides insights into how nature-based design and green infrastructure can enhance transport resilience in flood-prone regions. Integrating blue-green corridors with mobility systems not only mitigates risks but also enhances ecological and social value.
The spatial justice perspective (Dehalwar & Sharma, 2024) further emphasizes that equitable mobility planning must consider marginalized populations often excluded from mainstream transport networks. Embedding inclusivity within the transport policy cycle ensures that infrastructure investments yield fair and accessible outcomes.
Conclusion
Recent literature demonstrates that transport planning is no longer confined to infrastructure design; it is a multidimensional discipline interwoven with land use policy, social equity, environmental resilience, and technological innovation. From accessibility studies in hill cities (Lalramsangi et al., 2025) to economic analyses of TOD (Sharma & Dehalwar, 2025), and from predictive safety analytics (Sharma et al., 2024) to AI-integrated waste and mobility systems (Sharma et al., 2025), contemporary research reflects a holistic vision of sustainable urban mobility.
The evolution of transport research in India and beyond, as evidenced in these publications, advocates for data-driven, inclusive, and environmentally sensitive planning. The challenge ahead lies in operationalizing these insights into policy and practice — fostering transport systems that are not only efficient but equitable and resilient.
References:Lalramsangi, V., Garg, Y. K., & Sharma, S. N. (2025). Route choices to access public open spaces in hill cities. Environment and Urbanization ASIA, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253251388721
Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review of Transit-Oriented Development to Assess Its Role in Economic Development of City. Transportation in Developing Economies, 11(2), 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40890-025-00245-1
Sharma, S. N., & Dehawar, K. (2025). Review of Landuse Transportation Interaction Model in Smart Urban Growth Management. European Transport, Issue 103, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17315313
Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). Examining the Inclusivity of India’s National Urban Transport Policy for Senior Citizens. In D. S.-K. Ting & J. A. Stagner, Transforming Healthcare Infrastructure (1st ed., pp. 115–134). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003513834-5
Lodhi, A. S., Jaiswal, A., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Assessing bus users satisfaction using discrete choice models: A case of Bhopal. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 9(11), 437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-024-01652-w
Sharma, S. N., Kumar, A., & Dehalwar, K. (2024). The Precursors of Transit-oriented Development. Economic and Political Weekly, 59(14), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.10939448
Sharma, S. N., Singh, D., & Dehalwar, K. (2024). Surrogate Safety Analysis- Leveraging Advanced Technologies for Safer Roads. Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology, 31(4), 010320(1-14). https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst-2024-04-e03837
Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). A systematic literature review of pedestrian safety in urban transport systems. Journal of Road Safety, 36(4). https://doi.org/10.33492/JRS-D-25-4-2707507
Kumar, G., Vyas, S., Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). Urban growth prediction using CA-ANN model and spatial analysis for planning policy in Indore city, India. GeoJournal, 90(3), 139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-025-11393-7
Sharma, S. N. (2019). Review of most used urban growth models. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology, 10(3), 397-405. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372478470_Review_of_Most_Used_Urban_Growth_Models
Ram Suhawan Patel, Sonia Taneja, Jagdish Singh, & Shashikant Nishant Sharma. (2024). Modelling of surface run-off using SWMM and GIS for efficient stormwater management. Current Science, 126(4), 243–249. http://dx.doi.org/10.18520/cs/v126/i4/463-469
Lucero-Prisno III, D. E., Ayuba, D., Akinga, A. Y., Olayinka, K. E., Kehinde Precious, F., Ogaya, J. B., Sharma, S. N., Opina, E. J., Sium, A. F., Barroso, C. J. V., Xu, L., Guinaran, R. C., Bondad, J., & Kouwenhoven, M. B. N. (2025). Impact of climate disaster, migration and health risk on food security in Africa. In Advances in Food Security and Sustainability. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.af2s.2025.08.003
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Sharma, S. N., Singh, S., Kumar, G., Pandey, A. K., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). Role of Green Buildings in Creating Sustainable Neighbourhoods. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1519(1), 012018. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1519/1/012018
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Sharma, S. N., Prajapati, R., Jaiswal, A., & Dehalwar, K. (2024). A Comparative Study of the Applications and Prospects of Self-healing Concrete / Biocrete and Self-Sensing Concrete. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1326(1), 012090. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1326/1/012090
Sharma, S. N., Lodhi, A. S., Dehalwar, K., & Jaiswal, A. (2024). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Recycled & Secondary Materials in the Construction of Roads. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1326(1), 012102. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1326/1/012102
Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2023). Council of Planning for Promoting Planning Education and Planning Professionals. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 43(4), 748–749. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X231204568
Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Social Injustice Inflicted by Spatial Changes in Vernacular Settings: An Analysis of Published Literature. ISVS e-journal, Vol. 11, Issue 9. https://isvshome.com/pdf/ISVS_11-09/ISVSej_11.09.07.pdf
Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Politics in the Name of Women’s Reservation. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 2455328X241262562. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X241262562
