A Comprehensive Research Agenda for Integrating Ecological Principles into the Transportation Sector

The paper examines the integration of the novel Transportation Ecology principles into transit operations, aiming to address the environmental impacts associated with surface services in urban areas, and with the purpose of creating a comprehensive agenda for integrating ecological princi-ples into transit planning and management. The research problem is to quantify the tangible ben-efits for transit operators, particularly in the context of mitigating wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving overall operational efficiency, as a motivator for transit managers to adopt Transpor-tation Ecology principles. The study design, after analyzing the regulatory requirements, imple-ments scenario-based methodology, utilizing data from an average Italian bus fleet to estimate potential monetary savings and benefits. Key parameters, such as maintenance costs, insurance premiums, and collision-related expenses, are analyzed to provide a realistic assessment of the economic advantages of implementing Transportation Ecology measures. The findings reveal that significant cost reductions can be achieved by minimizing accidents involving wildlife, alongside other operational improvements. The scenario demonstrates that even a small fleet, when adopt-ing these principles, can yield substantial financial benefits, thereby making a compelling case for broader implementation. The paper concludes that while the qualitative nature of the analysis necessitates conservative estimates, the results underscore the value of incorporating ecological considerations into transit planning and management. These insights are vital for transit operators and policymakers seeking to balance environmental sustainability with operational profitability and protect urban ecosystems. This also implies the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to transportation planning and management.