Geomatics and Environmental Engineering

Potential Carbon Emission Savings from Children’s School Commuting in Urban Areas Based on Smart Mobility Tracking

Rufia Andisetyana Putri, Imam Buchori, Anang Wahyu Sejati, Apin Fitri Amalina — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The use of emissions-intensive motorized transport for school commuting, particularly in urban areas, is highly concerning. Restricting the use of motorized transport and encouraging independent school mobility provides an opening for emissions reduction. Previous research has demonstrated that independent mobility is a function of various sociodemographics. The present study aims to examine the potential for reducing carbon emissions from children’s school commute through the utilization of smart mobility tracking, with travel distance and sociodemographics as determinants for primary school children in Semarang City, Indonesia. The children’s mobility patterns for school commutes were recorded with portable GPS tracking devices. The data were processed using GIS to analyze routes and distances. Sociodemographic characteristics related to independent mobility were examined using logistic regression. The study estimated the actual and potential carbon emissions resulting from school commute. Travel distance, along with some of the sociodemographic traits, was analyzed to identify children’s potential for independent mobility and the resulting emissions reduction. The findings indicate that increasing the chance of children’s independent mobility could considerably contribute to lowering carbon emissions related to school commutes.

The Presence of Rice Fields Amid Urban Expansion in a Medium-Sized City: A Case Study of the Surakarta Suburban Area

Zaini Musthofa, Imam Buchori — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Urban expansion has become the most significant threat to rice fields, particularly in medium-sized cities. Surakarta is a medium-sized city experiencing rapid growth, surrounded by regencies that are also undergoing urban expansion. This study aims to investigate the presence of rice fields under the pressures of urban expansion dynamics over a 32-year multitemporal period covering 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2022. This research utilized remote sensing data processed through Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Supervised classification was applied to identify land cover over the 32-year period, including the extent of rice fields. The average annual urban expansion rate (AUER) and urban expansion intensity index (UEII) analyses were used to determine urban expansion’s magnitude, speed, and direction. This study found that the most significant and fastest rate of urban expansion in Surakarta City occurred between 2020 and 2022. The results also showed that areas adjacent to the urban core (Surakarta City) experienced greater expansion speed than areas located farther away. Urban expansion pressure also resulted in a 40% loss of rice fields, with Klaten District experiencing the greatest loss. Maintaining rice fields in peri-urban areas can provide dual benefits by supplying rice for the city while preserving the local ecosystem. The dynamics of urban expansion in the Surakarta urban agglomeration, as revealed by this research, are essential for sustainable spatial planning in the region.

A Comparative Analysis of Low Carbon Road Transport Policies between Poland and India: A Systematic Literature Review Using Prisma

Taniya Choudhury, Rengin Aslanoğlu — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The road transport industry is one of the largest carbon-emitting sectors globally. Consequently, it is important to assess the development of the low-carbon policy literature to decarbonize the transportation sector. This study analyzes the low-carbon road transport (LCRT) policies in a developed country, Poland, and a developing country, India, over the past two decades – two countries with distinct socioeconomic contexts but similar environmental objectives. A total of 84 studies were identified through Scopus, Google Scholar, Research Rabbit, and government repositories. Of these, 39 manuscripts met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was used for methodological evaluation. The findings indicate that Poland outperforms India in technological advancement, infrastructure development, road safety, and digitalization. Both countries need to align their policymaking trajectories with public participation and adopt a multidimensional, people-centric approach. A notable gap in the existing literature is identified: this study provides an in-depth analysis focused exclusively on low-carbon road transport, while broader transportation services remain outside the scope of the research.

From Farmland to Cityscape: Urban Growth Simulation in Surkhet Valley, Nepal Using Remote Sensing and CA-Markov Modeling

Padam Bahadur Budha, Ashutosh Bhardwaj, Rajesh Bahadur Thapa — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Urbanization is rapidly transforming the spatial and socioeconomic landscape of many emerging cities in Nepal, yet relatively little research has explored these dynamics outside the Kathmandu Valley. This study applies a cellular automata-Markov (CA-Markov) model to simulate and predict land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Surkhet Valley, the core of Birendranagar Municipality, one of Nepal’s fastest-growing urban centers. Using Landsat imagery from 1999, 2009, and 2019, alongside spatial and socioeconomic factors, the model captures historical LULC transitions and projects future changes for the years 2029, 2039, and 2049. Model validation was conducted against the 2019 classified LULC map, yielding an overall agreement of 80.65% and a standard kappa statistic of 70.31%, confirming the model’s predictive reliability. Results indicate a clear trajectory of urban expansion at the expense of agricultural land. Built-up surfaces is projected to more than double – from 12.43 km² in 2019 to 31.38 km² in 2049, while cultivated land is expected to decline by over 20 km² in the same period. Spatial analysis shows urban growth intensifying around existing centers, highways, and transitional ecotones between forest and cultivation zones. Compared to similar studies in Kathmandu and Biratnagar, Surkhet exhibits a higher normalized rate of urban expansion, highlighting its emerging role in regional development. This research underscores the value of remote sensing and spatial modeling in urban planning and land management. The findings provide essential insights for policymakers to guide sustainable development in Surkhet and other rapidly urbanizing areas across Nepal.

Street Network Orientation, Entropy and Circuity of Eight Metropolitan Cities in Indonesia

Zikri Aulia Mubarak, Sylvia Agustina, Fahmi Aulia — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Population growth and urban development in Indonesia have led to an increased demand for efficient road infrastructure to support economic activities and human mobility. The street network plays a crucial role in shaping the spatial structure and morphological characteristics of a city. This study aims to identify street network orientation, entropy, and circuity patterns and to classify their typologies across eight metropolitan cities in Indonesia. The analysis utilized secondary data from OpenStreetMap (OSM), processed through the OpenStreetMap NetworkX (OSMnx) software. The three main variables analyzed were orientation, entropy, and circuity. The results reveal that metropolitan cities in Indonesia exhibit varying street network patterns, which include both grid-like and dispersed forms. Based on the clustering analysis, the cities were grouped into four clusters: Cluster 1 comprises only Medan; Cluster 2 includes Surabaya; Cluster 3 comprises Bandung, Jakarta, Makassar, and Semarang; and Cluster 4 contains Bandar Lampung and Palembang. The results show that cities in different clusters require distinct planning approaches due to the varying characteristics of their street networks. These findings provide valuable insights into the organization and structure of urban street networks, offering a foundation for more efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure planning at the national level.