Introduction

The International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment has been successfully held annually for the last 20 years. It first started in Southampton in 1995, continuing in Barcelona (1996); Acquasparta, Italy (1997); Lisbon (1998); Rhodes (1999); Cambridge, UK (2000); Lemnos, Greece (2001); Seville (2002); Crete (2003); Dresden (2004); The Algarve (2005); The New Forest (2006); Coimbra (2007); Malta (2008); Bologna (2009); Cyprus (2010); Pisa (2011); A Coruna (2012) and Kos in 2013.

The conference has always attracted delegates from all over the world and is well-established as the premier event of its type.

Transportation in urban areas, with its related environmental and social impacts, is a topic of significant concern for policymakers in both municipal and central government and for the urban citizens who need effective and efficient transport systems.

Urban transport systems require considerable studies to devise and then safeguard their operational use, maintenance and operational safety. Transportation systems produce significant environmental impacts and can enhance or degrade the quality of life in urban centres. The research goal to which the conference contributes is to devise and implement transportation systems that contribute to a sustainable urban environment through minimising the negative environmental impacts whilst improving the socioeconomic and cultural development of the urban environment.

The depth and breadth of topics covered by this conference allows for robust analysis of the complex interactions of urban transport and the environment and provides opportunities for establishing practical action strategies for resolving urban transportation problems.

A distinctive element of the Urban Transport and the Environment series is the interaction between academic and practical perspectives where theories and ideas are debated and their practical applications rigorously tested. Clearly the challenge of providing effective and efficient transport systems in urban settings remains an acute challenge with financial, political and environmental constrains limiting the ability of transport system planners and operators to deliver the high quality outcomes expected by the public.