Data-Driven Infrastructure Planning and Policy for Sustainable Development
Wirapong Chansanam
Chunqiu Li
Special Issue Information
This special issue will explore how advancements in data analytics, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and information science reshape infrastructure planning and policy. With the growing complexity of urban landscapes, increased demands on infrastructure, and the intensifying effects of climate change, there is a crucial need for infrastructure systems that are not only sustainable but also adaptable and resilient. By integrating these cutting-edge technologies, policymakers and planners can optimize infrastructure systems to address these multifaceted challenges, ensuring they are equipped to meet the needs of current and future generations.
In today’s digital age, infrastructure systems must go beyond traditional designs to incorporate intelligent, data-driven approaches. Data analytics, for example, can provide real-time insights into the health of infrastructure assets, predicting when maintenance is needed and extending the life of these resources. This can reduce costs and environmental impact by minimizing unnecessary repairs and replacements. Big data, on the other hand, offers a wealth of information that can be harnessed to understand patterns in infrastructure use and demand, aiding in more effective resource allocation and planning.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning bring transformative capabilities to infrastructure systems, enabling them to adapt and respond proactively to emerging needs. In smart cities, AI-driven models can dynamically manage urban systems, optimize traffic flows, improve energy efficiency, and enhance public safety. Such cost-effective models contribute to a higher quality of life for urban residents. This issue explores how AI can serve as a critical tool in designing, implementing, and maintaining infrastructure, making it more robust against unforeseen disruptions and capable of evolving with changing societal needs.
One essential aspect of data-driven infrastructure is the development of comprehensive data governance frameworks and policies that support sustainable growth while safeguarding privacy and security. As infrastructure systems become increasingly digital, they are also more vulnerable to cybersecurity risks. Effective data governance and cybersecurity measures are necessary to protect infrastructure assets and the data they generate, building public trust in these systems. Additionally, integrating blockchain technology can enhance transparency and accountability, making it easier to track and verify the use of funds and resources in infrastructure projects, especially in large-scale, publicly funded initiatives.
With climate change driving more frequent and severe natural disasters, resilience planning has become fundamental to infrastructure development. Data-driven technologies also play a key role here, with predictive analytics and AI models capable of forecasting risks, enabling more effective emergency response and proactive infrastructure design. Machine learning can assist in assessing risk factors, allowing infrastructure planners to prioritize projects that enhance resilience against natural hazards.
A key focus of this issue will also be the role of data-driven approaches in promoting equitable access to infrastructure. Geographic information systems (GIS) and other spatial data tools can help identify infrastructure gaps, especially in underserved areas, guiding investments that promote inclusivity and access. As digital divides persist globally, ensuring equitable infrastructure access remains an ethical imperative, and data-driven policies can help bridge these gaps by supporting informed decision-making.
This special issue invites interdisciplinary research, case studies, and policy analyses that explore how information science tools can enable the creation of intelligent, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure systems. Drawing on diverse perspectives and innovations, this issue aims to inspire new approaches that leverage data science to solve pressing infrastructure challenges, fostering a more resilient and equitable future for all.
Relevant Topics Include, But Are Not Limited to:
• Smart Infrastructure: Integrating IoT and smart city technologies for efficient urban infrastructure.
• Predictive Analytics: Using data to improve infrastructure maintenance and extend asset longevity.
• Data Governance and Policy: Developing policies for sustainable data use and management.
• Digital Transformation: Case studies and frameworks for digital advances in infrastructure.
• Cybersecurity: Addressing cybersecurity risks in digital infrastructure networks.
• Blockchain and Transparency: Leveraging blockchain for transparency and accountability in projects.
• Disaster Resilience: Using data analytics, forecasting, and machine learning for natural disaster response and infrastructure resilience.
• Equity and Accessibility: GIS and data-driven frameworks for equitable infrastructure access, addressing the digital divide.
• Interoperability and Emerging Tech: Exploring technologies and standards for seamless data and infrastructure interoperability.
This issue invites contributions highlighting innovative research, case studies, and policy analyses at the intersection of infrastructure, policy, and information science. We welcome diverse articles, such as conceptual and empirical articles, reviews, critical comments, and meta-analyses, for submission to this Special Issue. We will accept manuscripts from different disciplines, addressing topics related to the scope.