The recent advancements in electronics and computer networks, as well as the clear need for interoperability and connectivity makes communication technologies and algorithms crucial for the success of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications. This survey paper provides a classification of communication technologies concerning their use in ITS and an assessment of their effectiveness. As a result, opportunities, gaps, and issues are identified in ITS and their associated Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs). Even though several communication technology types are extensively used in ITS, there are challenges and issues regarding their operational effectiveness and reliability, which are thoroughly discussed in this paper. These challenges include the distance factor, bandwidth and medium access control, time/emergency situation, routing protocols, security, and privacy. In conclusion, this paper provides suggestions for improvement and directions for successfully utilizing communication technology in the area of ITS

Unfortunately, today people drive more and walk less. The use of vehicles has become the main way of traveling, even for short distances. This has a negative impact on many socioeconomic areas, some of which are related to the planning of cities, the health of people, the natural environment, and generally the quality of life. This paper presents a market research study investigating citizens' attitudes on the pedestrian network conditions as well as the potential for a smartphone application that provides users relevant information for effective route selection and connectivity to enhance and improve their walking experience. For this purpose, an on-site survey was carried out in two selected areas, one with low quality pedestrian network conditions and the other with high quality pedestrian network conditions. Based on the analysis of the collected data, we see that citizens are aware that walking is beneficial for their health and have a positive attitude towards walking. However, it seems that the adverse walking conditions negatively influence the actual decision to walk. Further, there seems to be a demand for a smartphone pedestrian network application that provides relevant information to citizens, but this is dependent on specific business models. This paper contributes to sustainable development and the idea of a smart city. The findings support further research to be carried out to develop and market such a system, which would be useful both for citizens and local governments in order to improve urban spaces, the natural environment and the quality of life.

Walking may be considered one of the most sustainable and democratic ways of travelling within a city, thus providing benefits not only to pedestrians but also to the urban environment. Besides, walking is also one of the means of transport most likely subjected to factors outside an individual’s control, like social or physical abilities to walk and the presence of comfortable and safe street infrastructures and services. Therefore, improving urban conditions provided to pedestrians has positive impacts on walkability. At the same time technological solutions and innovations have the power to encourage and support people to walk by overcoming immaterial barriers due to a lack of information or boring travel and they give to decision makers the possibility to gain data to understand how and where people travel. Merging these two dimensions into a unique approach can drastically improve accessibility, attractiveness, safety, comfort and security of urban spaces. In this context, this paper aims to draw a more multifaceted context for walkability, where new technologies assume a key role for introducing new approaches to pedestrian paths planning and design and thus for enhancing this mode of transport. Indeed, by combining more traditional spatial-based and perceptual analysis of the urban environment with technological applications and social media exploitation there will be room to better support the decision on and to enhance satisfaction of walking as well as to easier plan and design more walkable cities.

In today's highly developed traffic networks, too much emphasis is given on the development of intelligent systems for vehicles, while pedestrians/bicyclists are mainly ignored. Clearly, there is a need for effectively integrating pedestrians in the overall design of intelligent transportation systems for the sustainable development and effective utilization of urban traffic networks. Especially, with the currently available technology, a lot can be achieved in this direction. This paper reviews current technologies on their capability to be employed for increasing connectivity, conspicuity, comfort, convenience, and conviviality of urban pedestrian networks. As a result, recommendations are given for developing what we call Intelligent Pedestrian Mobility Systems (IPMS), which should be a basic ingredient for any smart city.