Public Transit Systems and Sustainability: A Review of Key Concepts and Practices

Public transportation is often considered a key element in building sustainable cities. However, the broader impacts of transportation—such as its effects on society, the economy, and the environment—can create challenges that threaten the overall sustainability of urban areas. This paper provides a detailed review of existing research on the relationship between public transportation and sustainability.First, the paper explores the main concepts related to sustainable transportation, explaining how public transport systems can help achieve sustainability goals. These goals include reducing pollution, minimizing traffic congestion, and making transportation more affordable and accessible for everyone.Next, the paper looks at previous studies that have examined sustainable transportation in practice. By reviewing these studies, the paper develops recommendations for how to better plan, design, and study public transportation systems to make them more sustainable. This section emphasizes the importance of integrating social, environmental, and economic factors when planning transit systems.Finally, the paper concludes by offering suggestions for future research. It highlights areas where more study is needed to fully understand the sustainability performance of public transportation. This includes exploring ways to measure sustainability in public transit and how new technologies or policies can improve the sustainability of public transport systems in the future.