Happy Birthday Marie Curie!

Marie Skłodowska-Curie (7 November 1867 – 4 July 1934)
“Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas”

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Space transport systems: a new frontier

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I have been recently invited by the ITS International Magazine to write an article on space transport systems as a new frontier for transport planning and the benefits for Earth-based transport systems. The article starts by describing the global space exploration roadmap, highlighting key technological developments for human space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Then, it outlines the unique challenges of planning transport systems in space settlements, such as dealing with reduced gravity and extreme environmental conditions. A conceptual model is described, focusing on core elements like infrastructure, travel behaviour, and impacts on safety, health, and equity. Additionally, the paper discusses how space transport research can offer insights for improving Earth-based transport systems, particularly in vehicle design, resource efficiency, and multi-modal integration. The article is available here .  
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My 'alternative urban and transportation' songs collection

Music often accompanies our thoughts and writings. Sometimes it enhances concentration, while other times just helps in relaxing the mind. I have gathered below some of the songs related to my research, which I often listen in my office. I call it my "alternative urban and transportation songs collection". I have included some the songs for their interesting lyrics, while others for the excellent music or their nice video-clips. Have fun...  (click for YouTube view) Duke Ellington | Take the A Train | 1939 (music) – 1944 (lyrics) James Brown | The night train | 1952 John Coltrane | Blue train | 1957 The Who | Magicbus | 1968 The Doors | Love street | 1968 Yves Montand | La Bicyclette | 1968 Joni Mitchell | Big Yellow Taxi | 1970 Queen | Bicycle race | 1978 Rush | Subdivisions | 1982 Kraftwerk | Tour de France | 1983 U2 | Where the streets have no name | 1987 Cat Stevens | Where Do the Chi...
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Welcome to my blog!

Conventionally, travel behaviour theory considers travel as a derived demand. This means that travel occurs just because we want to reach a destination and participate in an activity there. In other words, it is the final goal and the benefits to be got from it, that motivates us to make the trip. But is this always true ? I am pretty sure that the first who would disagree with this theory, which has significantly defined the development path of contemporary cities, would be Constantine P. Cavafy with his most known poem “ Ithaka ”: "As you set out for Ithaka hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery ... Arriving there is what you are destined for. But do not hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts for years, so you are old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you have gained on the way, not expecting Ithaka to make you rich ".   In my case, I would probably agree more with Cavafy, than the rigorous theory of the scientific...
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