Editorial Electrical systems in transportation

The launching of this new IET Journal comes at a time when we are witnessing significant activity in the use of electrical systems across all the major transport sectors. The motivation for this is derived predominantly from enhanced performance benefits and from political/regulatory pressures to reduce carbon-based fuel consumption and associated emissions. These pressures will obviously continue for the foreseeable future and it is one of the main reasons why we felt there was a need for this new IET journal. So it was in late 2009 that myself, Stuart Galloway, and former IET Managing Editor Lee Baldwin sat around a table to discuss the theme for the journal and define its broad technical scope. Following that very first meeting, we quickly find ourselves publishing the first issue and hopefully the beginnings of yet another successful IET journal. To this end I would like to convey my particular gratitude to the Editorial Board and to the authors and reviewers for all their hard work to get us to this point. I would also like to record my appreciation to the IET team: Stuart Govan, Lee Baldwin and Joanna Lawrie who provided the necessary guidance and support - along with the occasional gentle nudge! - that have made it all possible. The future success and quality of the journal will depend heavily on their continued support.