Joyce Azevedo Caetano

The high number of deaths and serious injuries in traffic crashes can be considered a silent global epidemic, as it is still understood by part of society as an inherent consequence of road traffic. There are several risk factors that can increase the occurrence or severity of crashes on roads, acting alone or in combination. Road safety diagnoses based on facts and evidence are essential for improving public policies to reduce victims. With the aim of assisting in these diagnoses and since the official database on these victims is not made available in detail to the public, this work investigates the relationship between seven indicators, collected in field research and in public databases, and the occurrence and fatality of traffic victims in the City of Rio de Janeiro. Linear regression models are developed for each approach and the one with the best statistical parameters is chosen. The model with greater robustness demonstrated that helmet non-use, the density of traffic enforcement cameras, and illiteracy together explain a significant portion of the variation in the fatality rate. The results are considered satisfactory, since a limited number of existing risk factors for road safety were used.

Metro systems are high-capacity urban rail networks designed to provide fast, reliable, and efficient transportation. This article presents a comparative benchmarking study of six leading metro systems in Brazil and six prominent international cases, aiming to identify best practices and recurring challenges based on key operational, planning, design, governance, and performance indicators. The Brazilian systems analyzed are located in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Recife, and Salvador, while the international cases include London, Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, New York, and Madrid. The methodology combined documentary research with technical analysis of public data sources, institutional reports, and performance indicators. The results reveal significant contrasts in network scale, operational efficiency, governance models, funding mechanisms, and integration with urban planning. São Paulo’s system stands out for its network robustness, automation, and consolidated monitoring framework, while other Brazilian cities face limitations in service coverage and financial sustainability. The international cases offer valuable insights into fare integration, the use of emerging technologies, and the application of performance metrics to foster more sustainable and efficient high-capacity urban transit systems. The findings provide relevant evidence to support policymakers, transport authorities, and urban planners in improving the planning, management, and sustainability of high-capacity urban transit systems.

This paper examines the advances and challenges of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in Brazil, considering their potential in promoting sustainable urban mobility. Rapid urbanization and the predominance of private motorized transport have intensified the need for efficient, accessible, and environmentally sound collective transport solutions. BRT has emerged as a cost-effective alternative to rail systems, combining high capacity, lower implementation costs, and operational flexibility. The study focuses on three Brazilian cities (Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Fortaleza) selected for their regional diversity and distinct BRT models. Using the Delphi method, the analysis was structured around three dimensions: road infrastructure, transport planning and networks, and system operation and performance. Results indicate significant progress in terms of exclusive corridors, integration terminals, express services, and the adoption of Intelligent Transport Systems. However, structural gaps persist, particularly regarding incomplete infrastructure, weak integration between trunk and feeder lines, limited monitoring of feeder services, and insufficient adaptation of networks to urban dynamics. The findings highlight that the effectiveness of Brazilian BRT systems depends on strengthening feeder lines, improving physical and fare integration, and expanding sustainable infrastructure.

The public transport system must be structured to ensure the constancy of activities, the maintenance of demand, and financial stability, in which the frequency of service plays a crucial role. This paper introduces a new mathematical model and two optimization techniques to improve bus route frequency. The objective is to minimize social, operational, and environmental costs. The model comprises a mixed-integer nonlinear formulation, and the optimization techniques involve linearization and a heuristic approach, which is based on sequentially solving relaxed mixed-integer subproblems and fixing integer variables throughout the process. As a case study, we consider the bus routes connecting the central and oceanic regions of Niterói, Brazil. The results indicate that the combined approach has good application in real-world scenarios, positively contributing to sustainable mobility by making the best fleet allocation based on existing demand.

Despite the ending of social distancing and post-pandemic return to normal activities, the impacts of COVID-19 on urban mobility persist, particularly with regard to public transport. Consequently, this study looks into the post-pandemic changes in travel patterns, seeking to comprehend the effects on the municipalities and suggest helpful measures geared to achieving more sustainable patterns following the lockdown isolation. The chosen case study is the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study was divided into four distinct phases, namely understanding the problems, choosing the study area, field research and making recommendations based not only on the literature but on consultation with operators and experts. The methodological process involves the analysis of data from the field research, to assess any changes in patterns that may have been identified. The results show the changes in the means of travel, with emphasis on a preference for app-based transport services, to the detriment of sustainable transport. The study also shows the challenges facing public transport and the relationship between the choice of travel means and the socioeconomic profile of the passenger.