Did you expect Transportation Research C to become highly cited, or is this surprising to you?

The increasing citation record for the journal is really not surprising because its focus and niche is publication of the highest-quality scholarly research that addresses the development, application, and implications of emerging technologies in the field of transportation. When one publishes the highest-quality work in an important field, I think the citations naturally follow.

Without a doubt the rapid technological developments of the last decade have had an enormous impact on shaping transportation research.

The journal also reflects the breadth and multidisciplinary nature of the field of transportation. The journal’s interest is not in the individual technologies per se, but in the ultimate implications of emerging technology on transportation system performance, in terms of level of service, capacity, safety, reliability, resource consumption and the environment, economics and finance, privacy, standards, liability, and societal and institutional roles and barriers.

  How would you account for the increased citation rate of Transportation Research C?

The journal is still relatively young, currently in its 11^th year. However, its focus embraces research that is of increasing importance worldwide. Research scholars will naturally cite those journals containing the most significant work to date. Overall, I think these factors have led to the emergence of Transportation Research C as the place to publish one’s best work involving emerging technologies in transportation. The citation rate is a reflection of that.

  Was there a change in policy or editorial direction that might account for this?

While quality has been paramount from the outset, one contributing factor might be that in recent years the journal has published more Special Issues, largely organized by Guest Editors. Recent examples include issues entitled "World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems," based on the best scientific papers from the 8^th Congress held in Sydney, Australia, and edited by Dr. Ken Ogden; and a double issue on "Traffic Detection and Estimation," edited by Dr. Ruey Long Cheu of Singapore.

  What historical factors have contributed to the success of Transportation Research C?

When Transportation Research C was launched by Elsevier it joined two existing journals, edited by Professor Frank Haight (the entire series now numbers six journals). Transportation Research A and B were and are also arguably the leading scholarly journals in their fields, so we had several outstanding examples in the same "family" to attempt to match in quality and prestige. There was also an existing subscription base that no doubt helped to some extent. In addition, the publisher Elsevier has provided excellent support throughout and done an outstanding job of managing and promoting the journal.

Without a doubt the rapid technological developments of the last decade have had an enormous impact on shaping transportation research. The journal is interested in the implications for transportation of emerging technologies from the fields of engineering, computer science, microelectronics, control systems, and telecommunications, among others, so there have been many exciting and important research developments that have contributed to the journal’s success.

  What, in your view, is this journal's main significance or contribution in the field of Engineering?

In a general sense I believe the journal’s main contribution is the dissemination of new knowledge.

  How do you see your fields evolving in the next few years?

There will be continued technological development, particularly involving the implications of information technology and telecommunications in transportation. There are so many burning issues in this field: improving traffic safety, ensuring transportation security, tackling congestion, implementing road pricing effectively, integrating and disseminating real-time travel information—the list goes on.  New technologies will play a vital role in meeting all these challenges, and we intend Transportation Research C to continue to be at the forefront in publishing the resulting research.

  What role do you see for your journal?

I believe the aims and scope of the journal are as relevant today as a decade ago, and will only increase in relevance in coming years. I therefore expect that the journal will continue to grow in importance and influence as the major international journal for scholarly research related to emerging technologies in transportation.

Transportation Research Part C – Emerging Technologies
Dr. Stephen G. Ritchie, Editor-in-Chief
Elsevier Science, publishers