Modern rail transport requires precise traffic management to ensure safety and operational efficiency, which is only possible when the Control‑Command and Signalling (CCS) system relies on accurate, real‑time information about the location of rail vehicles within its area of influence. Precise positioning is essential for maintaining safety levels, optimizing traffic flow, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the railway network. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) enable continuous monitoring of train positions, creating opportunities to improve infrastructure efficiency and traffic management by supporting more flexible control strategies, better use of existing capacity, and the introduction of advanced automation. However, implementing GNSS in CCS systems presents challenges related to the absence of defined evaluation criteria, system architecture, and verified levels of accuracy and availability required in rail operations. These issues highlight the need for developing guidelines and technical and formal assumptions that define and characterize the potential application area of GNSS in CCS, helping to determine operational boundaries, constraints, and compliance with railway standards. This publication outlines a process designed to answer the fundamental question of: is it possible to use satellite systems in railways, and if so, to what extent? The implementation of this process begins with an analysis of the current state of knowledge and technology, including requirements and guidelines for the use of satellite systems in railway applications and their role in automatic train operation within the European Rail Traffic Management System / Automatic Train Operation (ERTMS/ATO). It then incorporates research and simulations assessing the availability and accuracy of satellite positioning under various operational conditions, providing insight into the performance of GNSS in the railway environment. The process concludes with the identification of potential areas of implementation and directions for further research, creating a coherent basis for assessing the feasibility and scope of GNSS use in railway traffic control and management systems.

For many years, the hard coal mining industry has been searching for engineering solutions ensuring greater reliability of the machines operating in difficult underground conditions. The foregoing applies in particular to the scraper conveyors used in longwall systems, started up very frequently and exposed to variable dynamic loads, leading to accelerated wear of powertrain components. The authors of this study have developed a longwall scraper conveyor equipped with a torsionally flexible metal clutch of novel design. The article provides a description of a mathematical model of a conveyor featuring two centrally arranged chains along with a main (discharge) and auxiliary (return) drive, as well as results of the computer simulations performed for two variants of the drive system setup analysed: one with a typical flexible clutch and the other with the innovative torsionally flexible clutch. Analysis of these results has revealed that the solution proposed significantly reduces the amplitude of dynamic loads, which contributes to increased durability and reliability of conveyors under mining conditions.

One of the most important aspects affecting both the safety and reliability of transport systems is the issue of proper positioning of moving transport means in the context of tracking their location while moving within the transport network. Therefore, this article presents the issue of the importance of information for the operational reliability of a selected subsystem related to the detection of a rail vehicle before a railway-road crossing, which is a critical infrastructure element and a particularly dangerous element in the transport network. The article presents an original and own vibration method for predicting the movement of a transport means, using the example of early identification of approaching rail vehicles. Redundant information can be significant for the operational reliability of safety systems in transport. In this aspect, reliable and continuous, and above all, independent information flow is crucial, even at the cost of system redundancy.

In the context of the current unstable political situation in Europe, the authors presented the problem of securing the civilian population in case of the outbreak of armed conflict on the territory of Poland. The issue in question concerns the identification of places where the civilian population can obtain shelter in case of the threat of air raids or artillery fire. Since the end of WWII, and still in connection with the ongoing so-called Cold War, shelters were built in Poland fairly systematically until the 1960s. Since then, there has been less interest in building this type of infrastructure. This type of infrastructure includes not only shelters but also, for example, subway stations, especially deep ones. It can also be other infrastructure that is suitable for this purpose, even a simple ditch or earth embankment. In this article, the authors showed how such infrastructure functioned during WWII using a small town as an example. Then the issue of identifying such facilities using OSM maps was discussed. The problem of determining the necessary capacity of this type of infrastructure was addressed. Attention was paid to the issue of accessibility and evacuation routes to such facilities, thus emphasizing the important transport context of the issue.

The paper assesses the impact of key factors influencing energy consumption for a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) passenger car based on actual operating conditions over a period of one year. The tests were carried out in various climatic conditions, by random drivers, on the roads and streets of a medium-sized city in Poland. The use of PHEV with the prepared measuring procedure allowed for the analysis of energy consumption separately for the internal combustion and electric drive system. The total energy consumption directly depends on the way the car is used and on the availability of energy in fuel tank and traction battery. The calculated energy consumption varied from 20.19 to 41.97 kWh/100 km. The results were compared to other vehicles operated in real conditions, registered in a public database. The recorded minimum values of energy consumption correspond to the electric drive system, and the maximum values to the internal combustion drive system.

This systematic review examines transport noise and vibration in urban and rural areas across Europe, Asia and America, focusing on road, rail, air, and water transport. This study follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. This review investigates the health and comfort impacts of transport-related disturbances, focusing on the effects of noise and vibration on human health and the built environment. Residential exposure is associated with physical discomfort, psychological stress, cognitive disruption, and structural damage to buildings. It includes various models and equations including Stevens power law to represent the data using objective and subjective magnitudes of sound and vibrations. In laboratory settings comparing equal-energy exposures, low-frequency vibrations often yield higher subjective annoyance ratings than equivalent noise levels; however, in real-world transport scenarios, noise remains the dominant public health stressor, whereas vibration primarily threatens structural integrity and ergonomic comfort. This paper presents methods of minimizing these effects by the development of quieter vehicles, improved noise barriers, low-noise pavements, active noise control (ANC) systems, and vibration isolation. These challenges involve the use of smart structures and systems which include structural health monitoring, and predictive maintenance. Also, compliance with regulatory frameworks set by governments and organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO) confirms the need for further advancements in noise and vibration control techniques. Therefore, this paper provides a basis for future studies on the development of more effective control measures and the improvement of the inhabitants’ quality of life in the affected areas while promoting sustainable and efficient transportation.

This article characterizes and presents Global Navigation Satellite Systems in relation to rail transportation applications. Due to the review character of this article, a synthesis of the literature discussing issues related to the possibility of implementing satellite positioning systems in the framework of their use in the management and control of railway traffic was made. On the basis of the literature review, the area of potential implementation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems was identified, as well as assumptions regarding the architecture of such systems being defined, along with the definition of criteria for assessing the impact of the use of satellite systems on rail traffic safety. The purpose of the above is to direct the development of rail guidance and control systems to systems that enable precise localization of rail vehicles, thereby optimizing the use of rail infrastructure through the implementation of efficient and cost-effective localization systems. This article goes on to characterize existing Global Navigation Satellite Systems and future directions related to the use of new satellite constellations. The basis of this review is the last twenty years of scientific publications on the subject of research issues related to the use of satellite positioning in railway systems. Based on the review of the state of the art and the results of the analysis, it was determined that the most frequently mentioned area of use of satellite positioning systems is the European Train Control System, the functionality of which enables the implementation of the transportation process based on so-called moving block spacing. The results of this review of the current state of knowledge will direct those responsible for the development and implementation of modern systems in the direction and control of railway traffic.

This review paper provides a thorough review of the current state of knowledge and technology in noise and vibration research within the transport sector, with a particular focus on signal processing, analysis methods, and inference techniques. This paper highlights the practical relevance of these advancements by addressing the engineering challenges associated with diverse transport modes, including road, rail, air, and marine systems. This review paper examines the cutting-edge techniques such as time-frequency analysis, wavelet transforms, and machine learning algorithms, using a systematic approach based on the PRISMA framework. These methods not only improve the detection, characterization, and mitigation of noise and vibration but also enable accurate diagnostics and informed management strategies essential for the engineering domain. Key practical applications include the use of advanced digital signal processing techniques in vibration-based structural health monitoring and the use of machine learning for noise reduction and inference. Additionally, the historical evolution of noise and vibration research is explored, showcasing the interdisciplinary integration of artificial intelligence in contemporary engineering approaches. The study identifies critical research gaps, such as the need for adaptive algorithms and real-time processing capabilities, while emphasizing the emerging role of electric vehicles and artificial intelligence-driven technologies in creating quieter, more efficient transport systems. By addressing these challenges, this work contributes to safer, more sustainable transportation infrastructures, offering a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and policymakers. The findings highlight the transformative potential of advanced signal processing in tackling real-world noise and vibration challenges, fostering engineering solutions that enhance transportation safety and sustainability.

Designing transport infrastructure requires meeting basic functional assumptions while considering mobility forecasts and environmental issues during both construction and operation phases. This is based on the principle of sustainable transport development. This article presents the results of research on vibrations and noise in selected locations of the transport network, considering the intensity and structure of traffic flows. During the studies, vibration acceleration signals in three orthogonal axes and sound pressure were recorded synchronously, treating them as total vibroacoustic emissions. The conclusions from these studies can provide additional knowledge for decision-making regarding the location and selection of appropriate transport infrastructure elements or the type of intersection and even the choice of traffic organization.

In recent decades, the dynamics of road vehicle traffic have significantly evolved, compelling traffic engineers to develop innovative traffic monitoring solutions, especially for dense road networks. Traditional methods for measuring traffic volume along road sections may no longer suffice for modern traffic control systems. This is particularly true for induction loops, a widely used method since the last century. In contrast, measuring techniques using microwaves or visible light offer better accuracy but are often hindered by the high cost of sensors. This paper presents new techniques for measuring traffic flow and other parameters that adapt to changing traffic dynamics using low-cost optical distance sensors. Our study demonstrates that the integration of multiple monitoring approaches enhances measurement accuracy, contingent on the dynamics and specific characteristics of the traffic. The results indicate that cheap optical distance sensors are particularly well suited for use in smart city road networks.

Rail transport is the most efficient alternative to road transport. The popularity of this branch is constantly growing. As a consequence, it is noticed that key terminals, railway routes and HUB stations are constantly being overloaded, resulting in a reduction in the available capacity. This necessitates the passage of higher priority trains (mainly passenger trains), which requires the introduction of additional stops for freight trains and consequently reduces commercial speeds. A railway line is characterized, m.in, by parameters such as: electrification, maximum speed, railway line class, track width, etc. Each of these parameters can have an impact on the average speed of rail vehicles in rail transport. An additional factor determining speed is the capacity of railway lines. Due to the lower capacity and the consequent low average commercial speed, alternative routes for trains are being sought. The aim of the article is to analyze the assumptions for the mathematical model of the influence of technical parameters of routes and capacity of railway lines on the average speed of rail vehicles. In order to achieve this goal, the article is divided into five sections. The first section is an introduction to the article. The second section describes theoretical issues related to modelling in transport. The third section describes the issues of mathematical modeling using graph theory. The practical application of graph theory on the selected example is described in the fourth section. A summary of the article and preliminary research is presented in the last section.

The paper presents a proposed methodology for designing and planning research on driver behavior at pedestrian crossings using whole-vehicle simulators. It was assumed that dedicated research should be conducted in specific problem contexts. The problems identified were the identification of hazards and the risk of accidents involving vulnerable road users. The purpose of this identification is to determine the determinants of safety at pedestrian crossings, which should constitute guidance when designing new solutions for safety support systems at pedestrian crossings. A number of hazard factors were identified; divided into categories, including types of crossings, location, and surroundings; behavior of vulnerable road users; and attention (focus) distractors, both inside and outside the vehicle. A method for defining and selecting research scenarios and selecting a group of research participants was proposed. Additionally, it was proposed to conduct repeatable test scenarios for different driving speeds and different weather conditions. With respect to the publications on this topic, this work focuses on the process of designing and planning dedicated simulation studies, which may provide a source of guidance and good practices for other researchers. This is an example of how interdisciplinary research involving human factors, traffic organization, and ITS systems can be planned and implemented.

The analysis of human perception of vibrations in buildings is a critical aspect of structural engineering, particularly as urbanization intensifies and the proximity of vibration sources to buildings increases. This paper addresses the frequent errors in the assessment and diagnosis of the impact of vibrations on building occupants. Despite stringent standards and detailed methodologies, misinterpretations and incorrect implementations of these guidelines are common, leading to flawed diagnostic studies. These errors often stem from the misuse of measurement equipment, inappropriate selection of measurement points, and a general lack of comprehensive education on vibration analysis. National guidelines, although largely based on ISO standards, vary significantly, contributing to inconsistent practices across Europe. The dominant sources of urban vibrations include vehicle traffic, particularly heavy trucks and rail vehicles, which significantly impact both building structures and human comfort. This paper reviews the methodologies for measuring and interpreting vibrations, emphasizing the importance of correct sensor placement and data analysis. It highlights the necessity of integrating vibrational comfort into building design, considering both external and internal vibration sources. The study also explores the effectiveness of different evaluation methods, such as the RMS and VDV methods, and the impact of various weighting functions on the analysis results. The findings underscore the need for improved education and standardization in the field to ensure accurate assessments and enhance the vibrational comfort of building occupants.

This paper introduces a method for forecasting the arrival of trains by analyzing track vibration signals. The proposed algorithms, based on H-ranks of track vibration signals, can generate early alerts for approaching trains. These algorithms are robust to additive noise and environmental conditions. The theoretical foundation of the method involves the application of matrix operations to detect significant changes in vibration patterns, indicating an approaching train.

The article presents selected methods and technical solutions currently used to warn and inform road users about the possibility of a pedestrian-driver collision situation. The solutions available on the market do not provide solutions for the transmission of two-way information in the pedestrian-driver relationship for systems built on large-size vehicles. Possible detection devices are presented along with their evaluation, and additionally the research process confirming the validity of the adopted approach in relation to the created system is presented. A prototype of the System supporting the safety of vulnerable road users in the vicinity of large-size vehicles was also presented, meeting the assumptions regarding informing both drivers approaching large-size vehicles located in bus bays, sensitive places where pedestrians and cyclists are hit. The presented system stands out from among the generally available systems for increasing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The biggest innovation of the system is the introduction of the possibility of communication between users around large-size vehicles, the ability to transmit information to the outside to both drivers and pedestrians without having to engage the attention of the driver of the vehicle on which the system is built, which can significantly increase the chances that at the time of a potential dangerous situation, one of the parties will react correctly and thus no accident will occur. The article describes publicly available solutions as well as an innovative safety system for pedestrians and cyclists around large-size vehicles.

One of the foundations of Smart Cities is mobility. To manage the efficiency of urban mobility, continuous recording of traffic flows is essential. The road traffic parameters in the cross section of the road network can be registered with the use of various measurement technologies. This is indirectly due to the complexity of the phenomenon of vehicle traffic and the disturbances in physical quantities generated as a result of it. Traffic data carries: sound waves, vibrations, optical waves and other media. The characteristics of these physical media, properly recorded and mathematically transformed, may constitute a superposition of the position of individual vehicles moving in the traffic flow. Moreover, these waves interfere with each other depending on the observed parameters of the movement of individual vehicles at different places of the network. In this context, information obtained from various media is the overall view of traffic. This article focuses on acquiring infrared traffic data. The movement of each vehicle, regardless of its type, is inextricably linked to infrared radiation, the distribution changing as a function of the road network. Each vehicle is a source of heat and therefore also emits infrared radiation (it heats up gradually while driving, with small temperature fluctuations). Therefore, the temperature of a moving vehicle is generally different from the background (road network) temperature. This article presents a successful attempt to analyze the infrared radiation accompanying road traffic in a selected cross section of the road. In order to register infrared radiation in the traffic stream, a prototype of a measuring system consisting of a pyrometer commonly used in thermometers (cost about 10 € and less) was used. Measurements of infrared radiation of the vehicle stream obtained in this way were compared with the measurement data of handheld traffic recorders, the so-called mechanical vehicle counters. The comparison of the results from both recording methods allows for the formulation of further research hypotheses towards extended research in the field of infrared radiation of the traffic stream. In this regard, it is important to research with various disturbances in the measurements that come from other heat sources located in the road network and its immediate vicinity. This study is important from the point of view of smart cities and C-ITS systems (mainly V2I communication). The registration of data describing the traffic flow with the use of a single pyrometer, instead of an expensive IR camera, is a cheap alternative in modern city information networks. This allows you to create intelligent sensor networks using connectivity based on, e.g., mesh networks. Such activities are possible with costs for one measuring point reduced by one or two orders of magnitude compared to the costs incurred with the use of IR cameras ( € 1000, € 10,000 and more). In the current situation of the energy crisis, the search for innovative solutions with lower energy demand is very important in the Smart City policy.

The analysis of the possibility of using satellite navigation for rail vehicle positioning, which is the subject of many studies and projects, is aimed at assessing the uncertainty and accuracy of train positioning using satellite navigation systems, along with defining its impact on the capacity and safety of the rail infrastructure. Existing studies in this area prevent a clear assessment of the feasibility of implementing a satellite navigation system for rail vehicle positioning in rail traffic control systems. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the possibility of using satellite navigation for rail vehicle positioning in terms of research problems arising from the limitations of satellite positioning system functionality, which include parameters related to accuracy, reliability, and speed of information transfer between the vehicle and the rail traffic control system. The implementation of the research work should be focused on developing a research model, subject to validation for the parameters and conditions of movement of rail vehicles in the defined area of railroad infrastructure, adopted within the framework of the work carried out. The research and the model form the basis for developing the knowledge of implementing satellite navigation in practical solutions on the railroad network.

This paper presents a description of the methodology developed for estimation of pathogen transmission in transport and the results of the case study application for long-distance passenger transport. The primary objective is to report the method developed and the application for case studies in various passenger transport services. The most important findings and achievements of the presented study are the original universal methodology to estimate the probability of pathogen transmission with full mathematical disclosure and an open process formula, to make it possible to take other specific mechanisms of virus transmission when providing transport services. The results presented conducted an analysis on the mechanisms of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogens during the transport process, to examine the chain of events as a result of which passengers may be infected. The author proposed a new method to estimate the probability of transmission of viral pathogens using the probability theory of the sum of elementary events. This is a new approach in this area, the advantage of which is a fully explicit mathematical formula that allows the method to be applied to various cases. The findings of this study can facilitate the management of epidemic risk in passenger transport operators and government administration. It should be clearly emphasised that the developed method and estimated values are the probabilities of pathogen transmission. Estimating the probability of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogen is not the same as the probability of viral infection, and more so the probability of contracting COVID-19. Viral infection strongly depends on viral mechanisms, exposure doses, and contact frequency. The probability of contracting COVID-19 and its complications depends on the individual characteristics of the immune system, even with confirmed viral infection. However, it is undoubtedly that the probability of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogen is the most reliable measure of infection risk, which can be estimated according to the objective determinants of pathogen transmission.

Public transport during COVID-19 has been crucial in ensuring the safety and health of both passengers and staff while maintaining essential public transport services. Currently public transport is gradually resuming its operations, the pandemic's influence is expected to persist for a long time. The vast majority of studies in this aspect concern the likelihood of spreading the virus inside the means of transport during travel. Nevertheless, there exists a substantial body of articles addressing the manner in which passenger movement within public transport systems has been impacted by the safety concerns and altered satisfaction levels following the propagation of the pandemic. This paper presents a model that accurately represents how passengers move through different parts of a public transport system, such as a bus or train station and stops. This model takes into account factors like how long it takes for passengers to board and exit a vehicle, how they move through different parts of the stops, and how their movements are affected by factors like crowding and delays. To reduce the risk of transmission on public transport focused on bus stops areas, the research paper formulated a passenger flow model using simulation programs like PTV Vissim and FlexSim with assumptions on minimum distance and concept of area cross sections. These programs were used to simulate passenger exchange scenarios, using data collected from real data. The paper aimed to develop a passenger exchange model that could reduce the risk of infection. By understanding the passenger flow model and how passengers interact with the public transport system, we can implement effective measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.