Urban-rural transportation systems and spatial structures are the critical backbone supporting human social development. Coordinated development in these areas is fundamental for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
o SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
o SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
o SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
o SDG 13: Climate Action

However, rapid urbanization, climate change, and evolving social structures are intensifying pressing issues such as:
o Traffic congestion
o Rising energy consumption
o Spatial imbalances and environmental degradation
o Increased carbon emissions
o Social exclusion

Such challenges call for innovative, data-driven solutions that enable collaborative, dynamic, and sustainable planning decisions.
Emerging technologies—including big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), physics-informed neural networks (PINN), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twins—are unlocking new opportunities. These technologies foster deeper understanding of complex spatiotemporal interactions, enable sophisticated scenario simulations, and optimize resource allocation.

This Research Topic seeks contributions that unveil, simulate, and optimize the dynamic interaction between transportation systems and urban-rural spaces using advanced technologies. Our aim is to propose actionable strategies for a sustainable future, integrating theoretical innovation with practical application.

Key challenges to be addressed include:
o Urban-rural traffic congestion
o Excessive energy consumption and carbon emissions
o Imbalanced spatial resource allocation
o Unequal access to public services
o Vulnerability to climate change and social transformation

We invite original research, reviews, case studies, and methodological papers that tackle these challenges through multi-dimensional innovations—driven by big data, AI, and PINN—to promote systematic understanding, predictive simulation, and strategic planning.

Suggested Themes

1. Dynamic Interaction Mechanisms between Transportation and Urban-Rural Spaces
Exploration of multi-scale and multi-actor interactions affecting the spatial-temporal dynamics of transportation systems.
2. Intelligent Simulation and Dynamic Scenario Deduction
Application of AI, digital twins, or PINNs for dynamic prediction, scenario simulation, and outcome evaluation of transportation-spatial systems.
3. Resilient Collaboration for Urban-Rural Transportation
Strategies and frameworks to strengthen the collaborative resilience of transportation and spatial systems under multifaceted risks.
4. Sustainability-Driven Collaborative Optimization
Tools and models for optimizing energy, spatial, and infrastructure resources, reducing emissions, and advancing the SDGs.
5. Urban-Rural Collaborative Governance and Policy Support
Innovative governance mechanisms and policy measures supporting sustainable and coordinated urban-rural transformation.
6. Accessibility and Spatial Optimization of Public Service Facilities
Methods, metrics, and case studies optimizing the distribution and accessibility of public service facilities.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Towards a Sustainable Future: Dynamic Coordinated Development of Transportation and Urban-Rural Space Supported by New Technologies