Publications

The National Center for Sustainable Transportation primarily publishes research reports, white papers / research synthesis papers, and policy/research briefs. NCST funding also supports the production of journal articles, conference papers, books, dissertations, theses, presentations, posters, and more.

Data Collection of Odometer Images via WhatsApp to Measure Vehicle Miles Traveled

Research Product Type
Research Report
In this study, to fulfill the gap between current data collection strategies, the authors introduce a WhatsApp-based VMT data collection framework that lets study participants submit photos of their odometer, communicates with them for administrative events, manages submitted images and other information of the participants, and displays that data on the web UI for the study administrator.

Youth Cruz Free: Fare Free Bus and Ridership Behavior among Santa Cruz County Teens

Research Product Type
Research Report
This study examines a Youth Cruz Free program launched by the Santa Cruz METRO in March 2023, allowing kids and teenagers of school age to use the service for free. The researchers were interested in understanding how the program has changed the travel behavior of teenagers, whether it encourages adolescents to use the service after they turn 18, and what factors influence their overall ridership of Santa Cruz METRO.

MOVES 4.0 Updates for the Fuel and Emissions Calculator (FEC)

Research Product Type
Research Report
This project employs the outputs from MOVES-Matrix 4.0 to generate a data set that can be employed by users of the 2018 Fuel and Emissions Calculator (Version 3.0) to update energy use and emission rates to reflect the latest outputs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s MOVES 4.0 energy use and emission rate model for the Atlanta, Georgia summer scenario.

Electric Truck Fleet Management under Limited and Uncertain Charging Infrastructure Availability

Research Product Type
Research Report
This study develops a comprehensive optimization framework for electric truck fleet management, addressing the interplay between infrastructure limitations, operational uncertainties, and energy cost fluctuations. This research will also provide scalable insights for policymakers and industry leaders, supporting the broader transition to sustainable freight transportation.

Exploring the Equity Effects of VMT Mitigation Measures

Research Product Type
Research Report
The authors investigated the equity effects of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation measures, developed a framework for evaluating those effects at the project level, and then applied the framework to two highway expansion case studies in California.

Shifting Gears to Sustainability: A Deep-Dive into Solar-Powered Bike Pathways

Research Product Type
White Paper
This white paper evaluates the feasibility of solar-powered bike paths in California, integrating renewable energy generation with sustainable transportation. Drawing on global case studies—including Germany’s solar cycle path roofing project, the Netherlands’ SolaRoad, and South Korea’s solar-integrated bike path—the study highlights the environmental, economic, and technical benefits of these systems.

Understanding Real-World Brake Activity: A Key to Assessing Non-Tailpipe Emission Sources

Research Product Type
Research Report
This study investigates the impact of vehicle brake activity on mobile-source particulate matter (PM) emissions at signalized intersections using a multi-modal data collection approach. The research integrates LiDAR-based trajectory detection, roadside camera monitoring, drone surveillance, and in-vehicle sensor data to analyze braking behaviors and their associated emissions.

Wildlife Connectivity and Which Median Barrier Designs Provide the Most Effective Permeability for Wildlife Crossings

Research Product Type
Research Report
Because of their position in the center of the traveled right-of-way, median barriers could affect wildlife movement across the right-of-way, decreasing wildlife connectivity. This project team coordinated and met with staff from several Caltrans Districts to gain understanding of their issues related to median barriers and wildlife permeability.

BikewaySim Expected to Improve Bicycle Infrastructure Planning Process

Research Product Type
Policy Brief
Planners lack the tools to effectively measure where bicycle infrastructure improvements will yield the best outcomes. New research from Georgia Tech addresses this problem by developing two new modeling tools, BikewaySim and TransitSim, to assess how bicycle infrastructure can affect cycling and public transit access.