The realm of Transport Policy and strategy is pivotal in shaping our interconnected world. Transport Policy, the esteemed journal of the World Conference on Transport Research Society (WCTRS), stands as a leading international platform dedicated to the advancement of this critical field. This peer-reviewed journal is meticulously crafted to elevate the quality of transport policy and strategy analysis, fostering the creation and dissemination of innovative policy and management methodologies. It serves as a vital bridge, connecting theoretical frameworks with real-world applications in transport.
Transport Policy addresses the multifaceted concerns of a diverse audience, ranging from government policymakers and industry strategists to the broader public. It delivers independent, original, and rigorous analyses essential for understanding the complexities of policy and strategy decisions in transport. The journal meticulously examines the impacts of these decisions and provides insightful recommendations for improvement.
The journal’s scope is comprehensive, encompassing the entire transport sector across all modes – air, maritime, urban, intercity, domestic, and international. Key areas of focus include transport economics, policy, and strategy issues. Recognizing the breadth of policy and strategy considerations, Transport Policy delves into crucial aspects such as safety, efficiency, economic development, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, energy consumption, land-use planning, social equity, and accessibility.
Submissions to Transport Policy are expected to demonstrate clear policy and strategy relevance. Papers should rigorously analyze and evaluate transport policies and strategies, employing contemporary research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. The journal also encourages papers that explore the dynamics of policy and strategy change, considering technical, attitudinal, institutional, structural, and political factors, including comparative analyses across different contexts. It is important to note that papers primarily focused on methodological development without a distinct policy focus will not be considered. However, qualitative policy papers that significantly contribute to the existing body of literature and offer broad applicability are welcomed. Qualitative submissions advocating specific policy positions must be supported by a robust analytical framework. For case study-focused research, the journal’s sister publication, Case Studies in Transport Policy, is a more suitable outlet.
Article Categories:
Transport Policy offers several categories for scholarly contributions:
Full Research Articles: These constitute the primary article type, typically not exceeding 8000 words. Authors bear the responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of their manuscripts before submission. All submissions are managed through the Editorial Manager online platform. Initial submissions can follow a flexible format (“My Paper My Way”), but final accepted versions must adhere to Elsevier’s standards.
Concise Reports and Topical Discussions: Transport Policy also welcomes shorter submissions, ranging from 1500 to 2500 words. This category includes “Topical Issues” papers, designed to present reasoned opinions that stimulate scholarly debate. Such articles should explicitly connect the debate to existing literature and justify its topical relevance to a global readership. Reports on significant developments from conferences and seminars are also encouraged. The editors may invite responses to these shorter papers to further enrich the discussion. This format is less appropriate for detailed descriptions of research projects.
Special Thematic Issues: Proposals for Special Issues are actively encouraged. These proposals should clearly define the issue’s objectives, the anticipated number of papers, and potential contributors. All papers within Special Issues undergo the same rigorous peer-review process as regular submissions, ensuring consistent quality.
Target Audience:
Transport Policy serves a wide and influential readership, including:
- Local, national, and international government bodies and their advisors responsible for transport policy implementation.
- Academics and researchers engaged in transport research, teaching, and policy analysis.
- Managers and analysts within the transport industry involved in strategy development and evaluation.
- Advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and campaigning bodies in the transport sector.
- Students pursuing degrees in transport studies, economics, business, engineering, geography, planning, sociology, and environmental studies.
By providing a rigorous and insightful platform for research and discussion, Transport Policy plays a crucial role in shaping effective and sustainable transport policies worldwide. It is the ideal venue for researchers and practitioners seeking to contribute to the advancement of transport policy and strategy for a better future.
