The European Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems (EJITS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and objectivity in the editorial process. Editors play a key role in ensuring that these principles are upheld throughout the manuscript review and publication process. These guidelines outline the responsibilities and best practices for editors handling submissions to EJITS.

1. Editorial Independence and Responsibility

Editors of EJITS are expected to make independent, fair, and unbiased decisions regarding submitted manuscripts, based solely on the manuscript’s academic merit, contribution to the field, and alignment with the journal’s scope. Editors must:

• Ensure that decisions are made free of any personal, financial, or professional conflicts of interest.
• Not be influenced by the nationality, race, gender, or institutional affiliation of authors when making decisions.
• Ensure the confidentiality of the peer review process and protect the anonymity of both authors and reviewers during the double-blind review process.

2. Manuscript Handling and Review Process

Upon receiving a manuscript, the editor is responsible for overseeing the entire review process, which includes:

• Initial Screening: Assessing whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s Aims and Scope and meets submission guidelines. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be rejected at this stage or returned to the authors for revision before peer review.
• Reviewer Selection: Assigning qualified, impartial reviewers with expertise in the subject matter of the manuscript. Editors should aim to select at least two reviewers for each manuscript. Care should be taken to avoid potential conflicts of interest between reviewers and authors.
• Peer Review: Overseeing the double-blind peer review process, ensuring that reviewers provide constructive, unbiased, and timely feedback. Editors should communicate clearly with reviewers and provide guidance where needed.
• Final Decision: Based on reviewer reports and their own assessment, editors make a decision to accept, request revisions (minor or major), or reject the manuscript. This decision should be communicated to the corresponding author along with detailed feedback from reviewers.

3. Confidentiality and Ethical Standards

Editors are required to maintain confidentiality regarding all submissions and review-related communications. They must:

• Not disclose any information about a manuscript to anyone except the corresponding author, reviewers, and editorial staff involved in the publication process.
• Ensure that any unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript are not used in their own research without explicit written consent from the author(s).
• Handle allegations of research misconduct, such as plagiarism or data fabrication, according to the journal’s Research Misconduct Policies. This may involve conducting an investigation and, if necessary, notifying relevant authorities or institutions.

4. Conflict of Interest

Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a potential conflict of interest, such as:

• Personal relationships or collaboration with any of the authors.
• Financial ties to organizations or entities that might benefit from the research.
• Academic competition or any form of bias that might affect the editorial decision.

In such cases, an alternative editor or a member of the editorial board should be assigned to handle the manuscript.

5. Timeliness and Efficiency

Editors should strive to ensure a timely review process. This involves:

• Promptly initiating the peer review process after a manuscript is submitted.
• Following up with reviewers who may need reminders or extensions to complete their reviews.
• Communicating with authors promptly, especially in cases where revisions or resubmissions are requested.
• Providing clear and constructive feedback to authors, ensuring that any required revisions are articulated in detail.

6. Handling Revisions

When a manuscript is returned with reviewer comments, editors are responsible for assessing whether the authors have adequately addressed all reviewer concerns. If further clarification is needed, the manuscript may undergo an additional round of review. Editors must:

• Evaluate whether the revisions improve the manuscript sufficiently to warrant acceptance.
• In the case of major revisions, assign the manuscript for re-review if necessary.
• Ensure that revised manuscripts are handled efficiently and that authors are given clear guidance on how to respond to feedback.

7. Appeals and Complaints

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe their manuscript was treated unfairly. In such cases, editors must:

• Review the appeal impartially and, if necessary, consult external experts to re-evaluate the manuscript.
• Provide a clear and reasoned response to the authors explaining the final decision after the appeal review.
• Ensure that the appeals process is handled transparently and fairly.

Additionally, if authors, reviewers, or others raise concerns about the editorial process, editors should investigate and address these complaints in accordance with the journal’s ethical policies.

8. Post-Acceptance Process

Once a manuscript is accepted, editors are responsible for overseeing the production process, which includes:

• Ensuring that the manuscript is copyedited and formatted correctly according to the journal’s style guidelines.
• Communicating with authors during the proofing stage to confirm final revisions and approval of the formatted manuscript.
• Managing the final publication of the article under the Continuous Article Publishing (CAP) model.

9. Ethical Oversight and Research Integrity

Editors must ensure that all manuscripts comply with the highest standards of research integrity and ethics. This includes:

• Verifying that all ethical approvals (for human or animal research) have been obtained and are disclosed within the manuscript.
• Ensuring that authors have followed proper ethical guidelines for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Taking swift action in cases of ethical violations, including potential plagiarism, falsification of data, or failure to disclose conflicts of interest.

If issues arise post-publication, editors must collaborate with the editorial board to issue corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern as necessary.

10. Recognition of Reviewers

Editors play a role in acknowledging the contributions of peer reviewers. This includes:

• Recognizing reviewers who provide timely, thorough reviews, both on the journal’s website and in periodic acknowledgments.
• Encouraging transparency by supporting the publication of reviewer acknowledgments, while still preserving the anonymity of the double-blind review process.

11. Promoting the Journal and Enhancing Impact

Editors are encouraged to actively promote EJITS and contribute to enhancing the journal’s reputation and impact. This may include:

• Encouraging high-quality submissions from established researchers in the field.
• Promoting published articles through professional networks, conferences, and academic platforms.
• Monitoring the performance and citation impact of published articles to continually improve the journal’s visibility.

12. Continuous Improvement and Feedback

Editors are encouraged to engage in continuous improvement by:

• Soliciting feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers to enhance the editorial process.
• Staying informed about the latest developments in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems to ensure that the journal remains at the forefront of academic research.
• Collaborating with the editorial board to implement new policies or changes that improve the quality and efficiency of the editorial process.

Benefits for Editors

Serving as an editor for the European Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems (EJITS) offers numerous professional and academic benefits. Editors play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of the journal, and their contributions are highly valued. The following are key benefits provided to editors:

1. Professional Recognition

Editors are recognized as key contributors to the journal’s success and scholarly impact. By serving as an editor, you gain:

• Enhanced visibility within the academic and professional community.
• Acknowledgment in journal issues and on the journal’s website.
• Opportunities to network and collaborate with leading researchers in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems.

2. Leadership Opportunities

Editors take on leadership roles in guiding the direction of the journal. This involves:

• Shaping the focus and scope of the journal through the selection of high-impact articles.
• Participating in strategic decisions that improve the journal’s standing and influence in the academic world.
• Contributing to the growth and development of new scientific fields within Intelligent Transportation Systems.

3. Free Article Publication

Editors are provided with a 100% discount on Article Processing Charges (APC) for any articles they submit to EJITS. This allows editors to publish their own research in the journal without incurring APC costs, ensuring their work reaches a wide, open-access audience.

4. Contribution to Scientific Knowledge

Editors have the opportunity to directly influence the quality of research published in the journal by:

• Ensuring the publication of innovative, high-quality research.
• Facilitating the peer review process, helping authors improve their manuscripts.
• Promoting the advancement of knowledge and solutions in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems.

5. Expanded Academic Network

Editors engage with an extensive network of international reviewers, authors, and researchers. This expands your professional contacts and offers:

• Opportunities for collaboration on future research projects.
• Invitations to participate in scientific conferences, panels, and workshops related to the journal’s field.
• Access to cutting-edge research and trends before they are published.

6. Access to Exclusive Content

Editors have early access to manuscripts and emerging research in the field. This offers the following advantages:

• Staying up to date on the latest scientific developments in Intelligent Transportation Systems.
• Gaining insights into upcoming trends and innovations in your area of expertise.

7. Skill Development

Editors enhance their professional skillset through:

• Gaining experience in managing the peer review process and editorial decisions.
• Improving editorial judgment, critical thinking, and knowledge of publication ethics.
• Developing skills in manuscript evaluation, academic writing, and scientific communication.

8. Influence on Research Trends

Editors have the opportunity to shape the research landscape by:

• Encouraging submissions in emerging and critical areas of Intelligent Transportation Systems.
• Helping to set academic standards and best practices for research publication.
• Contributing to the growth and dissemination of knowledge in a fast-evolving field.

9. Editorial Support and Resources

Editors are supported by an efficient editorial office, which provides:

• Assistance with manuscript handling, peer review coordination, and communication with authors.
• Access to resources and tools that streamline the editorial process.
• Training on editorial best practices, publication ethics, and the journal’s policies.