With the dynamic socio-economic development of cities, actions of key importance have become necessary to ensure the required accessibility of urban transport. This goal can be achieved by expanding and modernizing the transport infrastructure and expanding the public transport network. It is transport that ensures the flow of goods and the movement of people in cities and beyond their borders. This state of affairs results in an increased importance of appropriate infrastructure, where construction investments have a fundamental role, and the method of their implementation affects a number of areas that significantly determine transport accessibility. This article aims to assess the impact of construction projects involving civil engineering facilities on transport accessibility based on the example of the city of Szczecin. The research process is based on unstructured observation and expert interviews, which allow for the development of a structured survey questionnaire. The authors manage to identify the elements of transport accessibility that are most negatively affected by construction projects. The collected data may constitute a basis for developing recommendations for local authorities and construction companies to reduce the diagnosed negative impact in the studied area.

Natural rubber is an important industrial material derived from caoutchouc trees (Hevea Brasiliensis). By chemical composition, it is a polymer material that is mostly cis-1,4-polyisoprene. It falls into the category of elastomers, which enables its wide usage due to its specific characteristics. Polymer materials include plastic, rubber, and glue and are the most important technical materials. Rubbers are used in the production of conveyor belts, shock absorbers, coatings, fenders, engines, and device parts. They are also used in composite materials such as threads, particles, and matrix materials. By analyzing the properties of natural rubber, the subject of the research is defined, i.e., the characterization of natural rubber samples and their connection with macroscopic properties. In accordance with the subject of the research, in this paper, tests are carried out on samples of natural rubber, which are obtained in the form of thin films from latex and cross-linked by gamma radiation. A total dose of 300 kGy is applied to the samples in the state of uniaxial deformation. In this sense, a hypothesis is put forward that involves examining the influence of radiation dose on the morphology of natural rubber samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The investigation aims to emphasize the importance of the method in acquiring a comprehensive characterization of the material samples, which are used both in maritime areas and in other fields of application.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused vast changes in the functioning of societies and economies, including restrictions on the use of rail transportation. As a result, the number of passengers has declined, and despite the lifting of restrictions, it is still difficult to estimate when and if passenger rail traffic will return to its pre-pandemic state. Therefore, it seems important to consider the following: how the pandemic has affected the transportation behavior patterns of residents and, above all, what should be done to encourage passengers to use rail transportation more often, which is more environmentally friendly and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, it seems important to consider what the “new normal” in rail transportation should look like. This article analyzes the number of passengers traveling by rail in eight European countries. This work considers quarterly data for 2013‒2019, combined passenger forecasts for 2020‒2021, and annual forecasts of rail passenger traffic until 2025 built using data for 2012‒2021.

Abstract This paper presents the results of modelling research concerned with the technological process of the cold bending of a pipe. Stress and plastic strain studies are carried out using the finite element method (FEM) on a thick-walled pipe and various shapes of bending form. The results of the research are benchmarked in terms of the correctness of the implementation of the bending process, including the change in the pipe outside diameter and wall thickness. The level of ovalisation of the cross-section in the bending pipe is used as the primary criterion for assessing the correctness of the bending process. The results show that the most favourable properties in terms of minimising the ovalisation of the pipe cross-section are provided by the use of a bending form with a trapezoidal shape.

The foundry industry is an important component of the economy on which other progressive industries depend. The reliability of the products it manufactures is determined by the technologies used, but, most importantly, it ensures the expected level of quality. The purpose of the article is to develop a synergistic quality-cost model for the improvement of casting products. The model is based on an integral methodological configuration that makes it possible to determine the level of relevance of the causes of casting nonconformity in the quality-cost context. The model integrates techniques such as the Pareto-Lorenz diagram, ranking, brainwriting, Ishikawa diagram, Likert rating scale, and matrix diagram. Verification of the method by its implication in the manufacturing process of a gearbox casting is performed. The model makes it possible to identify quality-cost relationships between key categories of problem causes and major product nonconformities. The main causes of the loss of quality stability of the analyzed product are found to be low quality of molding sand, poor technical condition of foundry equipment (too infrequent repairs and overhauls), and ineffective quality control. Carrying out the analysis made it possible to develop appropriate improvement measures. It is proposed to implement changes in the casting process, implement the TPM method, conduct periodic training, develop job instructions, implement a control system, and provide supervision of employees. Further research directions will concern the implications of the method within the other positions in the casting company and its development towards automation of analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant adverse impact on economic trends and the ability of enterprises to manage their global supply chain activities. One major challenge relates to handling disruptions in supply chain activities and conducting humanitarian logistics. When facing disruptions in the humanitarian supply chain, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) need to identify relevant scenarios for supply chain processes, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine the performance outcomes of these processes. This study aims to measure the logistics performance of the humanitarian supply chain process before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It adopts the performance criteria from the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model and the humanitarian logistics success criteria found in the literature for operationalization. Subsequently, the study employs the spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (SF-AHP) methodology as a decision-making tool to prioritize criteria for identifying each aspect of the humanitarian supply chain process. These metrics are valuable for organizations to determine which sustainable supply chain processes are better suited, based on predefined criteria, to mitigate disruptions caused by the pandemic. Document accuracy is identified as the most important metric criterion for the humanitarian supply chain process.

This paper presents research results on CO2 emissions originating from maritime vessels with various main engine settings. The impact (i.e., the volume and amount) of gas emissions into the environment is shown, along with the characteristics of the marine fuel used. This research was carried out on a container vessel sailing on a fixed route between Rotterdam and St. Petersburg. It covered mainly two different engine operations, at 124 RPM and 100 RPM settings, in the Kiel Canal area. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the engine setting of 100 RPM compared to the same voyage through the Kiel Canal, with an engine setting of 124 RPM, leads to a significant reduction of CO2 emissions. Though proving such a thesis seems to be evident, the analysis in the paper shows that, in practice, mainly due to time constraints and engineers’ assumptions of engine technical status, the higher speeds are still preferred over lower ones. In studies not related to passive use or active methods, only specific and simplest methods of obtaining CO2 emissions are presented.

Urban centers, replete with diverse amenities and opportunities, simultaneously grapple with the challenges brought on by rapid urbanization, notably in the realms of transport and logistics. A pivotal move towards energy-efficient and sustainable systems is essential to mitigate these challenges. In this landscape, machine learning (ML), and particularly recurrent neural networks (RNNs), emerge as powerful tools for effectively addressing these urban complexities. This comprehensive review zeroes in on the deployment of RNNs within sustainable urban transportation and logistics, highlighting their adeptness in processing sequential data, a critical component in various forecasting and optimization tasks. We commence with a foundational understanding of RNNs, segueing into their successful applications in urban transport and logistics. This review also critically examines the constraints of current methodologies and potential avenues for enhancement. We scrutinize the application of RNNs across several areas, encompassing the energy shift in both passenger and freight transport, logistics management, integration of low- and zero-emission vehicles, and the energy dynamics of transport and logistics. Additionally, the role of RNNs in traffic and infrastructure planning is explored, particularly in forecasting traffic flow, congestion patterns, and optimizing energy usage. The crux of this review is to amalgamate and present the existing knowledge on the instrumental role of RNNs in facilitating the transition to energy-efficient urban transportation and logistics. Our goal is to highlight effective strategies, pinpoint challenges, and map out avenues for future research in this domain.