Implementing Circular Economy Principles in Road Transport: Enhancing Efficiency to Mitigate Resource Depletion and Carbon Footprint

One response to contemporary threats to the environment, mainly from human activities, is the Circular Economy (CE), which is a solution aimed at mitigating the adverse environmental impact of the production and consumption of goods and services. The CE is an economic system that supports more sustainable management of resources throughout the life cycle of systems and is characterized by closed cycles, promoting more sustainable practices such as reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. Thus, given the transport sector’s high energy consumption and consequent greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions, waste generation, and depletion of natural resources, this chapter aims to identify studies in the scientific literature that seek to incorporate CE concepts into the road transport sector through a systematic review with a bibliometric approach. The results show that, although the topic of integrating CE into the road transport sector is at an early stage, there is a notable process of growth and increasing interest in the academic world. Against this backdrop, the current landscape highlights eight significant areas of study, highlighting the breadth and complexity of implementing CE principles in this specific context. These areas include Road Infrastructure, which addresses the sustainability of roads and complementary structures, and Urban Planning, which seeks to integrate CE into decisions related to the development of cities. Life Cycle Assessment has emerged as a crucial aspect, focusing on the holistic assessment of environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of road transport systems, including electric vehicles and their components, mainly batteries. In addition, Material Flow Analysis is emerging as an area of research aimed at optimizing the use of resources and minimizing waste. In the context of logistics and the supply chain, the EC is looking to redefine practices to make transportation more efficient and environmentally responsible. End-of-Life Analysis focuses on the proper management of waste generated by the sector, while Resource Optimization aims to maximize the efficient use of inputs, thus reducing the ecological footprint. Finally, Urban Mobility emerges as a crucial area, exploring how CE can transform the ways in which people move around cities, promoting sustainable and innovative alternatives. This diversity of areas suggests a promising field for future research and practice aimed at deepening the successful integration of CE into road transportation, aligning it with broader environmental and social objectives.