Sustainable development of inland waterways transport: a review

Abstract

Over the years, the demand for transportation has experienced a consistent rise, which has exacerbated a multitude of issues including environmental, visual, and noise pollution, congestion, land use conflicts, and various other related challenges. In this regard, the pursuit of alternatives aimed at mitigating these adverse effects stands as a priority for governments and policymakers. Consequently, inland waterway transport (IWT) emerges as an appealing solution, due to its advantages across the social, environmental, and economic considerations. However, in relation to IWT the concept of sustainable development is insufficiently investigated. The objective of this paper is to undertake a comprehensive review of how the concept of sustainable development is addressed and applied within the framework of IWT systems. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was meticulously conducted, utilizing three academic databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCO). The review process yielded a total of 51 papers that proved to be pertinent and relevant to the subject matter. The comprehensive literature review facilitated the delineation of the principal elements, factors, and characteristics of the IWT system, as well as the primary drivers for its sustainable development. However, the implications for further research were identified, such as a comprehensive examination of each case due to the distinct geographical, social, economic, and political conditions inherent to each individual basin. That is essential for understanding the unique barriers present within each context and for formulating viable solutions aimed at fostering and incentivizing the sustainable development of IWT systems.