Table 2 Characteristics of sustainable development of IWT

Environmental

Maintenance of river health and protect ecosystems

Sommerauerová et al. (2018), Wang et al. (2020)

Protect ecological functions of watercourses

Havinga et al. (2006), Mihic et al. (2011), Wang et al. (2020)

Preserve biodiversity

Wang et al. (2020)

Riverine nature rehabilitation

Havinga (2020)

Ensure flow regime

Wang et al. (2020)

Design river training works to prevent erosion and avoid dredging operations (if required)

Havinga et al. (2006)

Ecological conservation and restoration

Wang et al. (2020)

Low energy consumption energy efficiency

Mihic et al. (2011), Sommerauerová et al. (2018)

Climate change resilience (flood protection)

Barros et al. (2022), Havinga (2020), Havinga et al. (2006)

Socio-economic

Encourage education and research

Rohács and Simongáti (2007)

No represent threat to the public health

Sommerauerová et al. (2018)

Guaranty riparian connectivity

Wang et al. (2020)

Clear legislation and policies for the promotion of IWT

Mihic et al. (2011), Rohács and Simongáti (2007)

Appropriate infrastructure and maintenance

Wang et al. (2020)

Poses the ability to move people and goods in an affordable, fairly, and efficient way

Rohács and Simongáti (2007), Wang et al. (2020)

Investment projects to buy or improve fleet for cargo and passenger transport

Mihic et al. (2011), Barros et al. (2022), Mihic et al. (2011)

Preparedness to modal shift from road to IWT

Mihic et al. (2011)

Develop stronger information systems for safety and operations

Barros et al. (2022), Mihic et al. (2011)

Efficient and effective operations on terminals

Wiercx et al. (2019)

Optimization of pre/end haulage activities of IWT

Wiercx et al. (2019)