CTS Webinar: Innovations for Energy-Efficient Transportation – mntransportationresearch.org

Report on Webinar: Innovations in Transportation for Sustainable Development

Event Overview

A virtual webinar is scheduled for November 13, 2025, to address the critical role of transportation in achieving global sustainability targets. The event will focus on emerging technologies designed to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation, a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. The discussion will explore innovative approaches to vehicle technology and routing systems that aim to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future. Key topics include:

• Eco-friendly navigation applications
• Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies
• Advanced vehicle control systems for energy reduction
• Strategies to prevent negative externalities such as increased congestion

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The webinar’s agenda is directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the development of sustainable infrastructure and climate action.

1. SDG 13: Climate Action: The primary focus is on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, which is a crucial step in combating the climate crisis.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: By exploring technologies that lower energy consumption and improve fuel efficiency, the research presented supports the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The development of smarter, cleaner, and more efficient transportation systems is fundamental to creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. The innovations discussed aim to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in cities.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The event highlights cutting-edge research in intelligent transportation systems and vehicle automation, promoting innovation and the development of resilient infrastructure capable of supporting sustainable economic growth.

Keynote Speakers

The event will feature presentations from two leading researchers in the field of sustainable transportation engineering:

• Zongxuan Sun, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering: An expert in dynamic systems and control for automotive propulsion, Professor Sun’s research contributes to the development of more energy-efficient vehicle technologies, aligning with SDG 7 and SDG 9.
• Michael Levin, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering: Professor Levin’s work on modeling connected and automated vehicles directly addresses the challenge of creating sustainable urban transportation networks (SDG 11) through technological innovation and infrastructure optimization (SDG 9).

Event Logistics and Professional Development

• Date and Time: Thursday, November 13, 2025, 12:00–1:30 pm
• Format: Virtual via Zoom
• Registration: The webinar is offered at no cost, but advance registration is mandatory. A unique access link will be provided upon registration.
• Professional Credit: Attendees can earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification maintenance credits, supporting ongoing professional education in sustainable development practices.
• Additional Information: Further details are available on the Center for Transportation Studies website.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article discusses making the transportation system “more energy efficient” and developing technologies that can “lower energy use.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, particularly by improving energy efficiency.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The focus on “new technologies,” “innovations in navigation, automation, and vehicle control,” and “intelligent transportation systems” connects directly to this goal. It highlights the need to build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation to make systems like transportation more sustainable and efficient.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article addresses challenges within urban transportation systems, such as “traffic congestion” and the overall environmental impact on cities. The development of a “cleaner” and more sustainable transportation system is a core component of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text explicitly states that transportation is a major source of “greenhouse gas emissions” and that “reducing those emissions is key to tackling the climate crisis.” The entire event is framed around finding solutions to mitigate the transportation sector’s impact on climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The webinar’s focus on making the transportation system “more energy efficient” and technologies that can “lower energy use” directly supports this target.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article’s discussion of “eco-friendly navigation apps,” “connected and automated vehicles,” and “smarter routing” as ways to create a cleaner transportation system aligns with this target of adopting new, clean technologies to upgrade infrastructure.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The goal of reducing “greenhouse gas emissions” from transportation directly contributes to lowering the negative environmental impact of cities and improving urban air quality.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The research and innovations discussed in the webinar are intended to inform and shape strategies for a “more sustainable future,” which involves integrating climate mitigation measures into transportation planning and policy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Energy Efficiency Improvements: The article implies the need to measure improvements in energy efficiency within the transportation sector. A key indicator would be the amount of “energy use” per vehicle or per mile traveled, which the new technologies aim to lower.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Levels: The most direct indicator mentioned is the level of “greenhouse gas emissions” from the transportation sector. The success of the proposed technologies would be measured by their ability to reduce these emissions.
• Adoption Rate of Clean Technologies: Progress towards Target 9.4 can be measured by the adoption rate of the “new technologies” discussed, such as “eco-friendly navigation apps” and “connected and automated vehicles,” within the transportation system.
• Traffic Congestion Levels: The article mentions that new tools, if not carefully designed, could lead to “increased traffic congestion.” Therefore, measuring traffic flow and congestion levels serves as an implied indicator of the transportation system’s efficiency and sustainability.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: mntransportationresearch.org