A multidisciplinary sustainability index to assess transport in urban areas: a case study of Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

Abstract

The management of urban transportation systems represents one of the most formidable challenges for local government that generates several problems related to the well-being and the comfort of the public that commute and travel in their daily life. Improvements to various policies and practical measures can move us closer to the ideal of sustainable urban areas with sustainable urban transportation systems. Nevertheless, these aspirations in no way ensure unanimity over the most effective actions to take and the extent of their benefits. In response, a mathematical model has been developed for decision-taking purposes using multi-criteria analysis adapted to urban transportation systems. This model not only takes account of environmental parameters, but also examines economic, social and urban models, the characteristics and condition of the transport fleet and freight distribution vehicles, in order to generate a sustainability index value for the transportation system of urban areas.

Keywords:

• urban transport
• multi-criteria analysis
• sustainability
• planning
• index of sustainability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors of the paper gratefully acknowledge the funding provided by the Basque Regional Government [grant number IT781-13]; and funding provided by Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) [grant number UFI 11/29].