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The road transport sector in India is a significant contributor to the country's GHG emissions inventories, so it is essential to develop a comprehensive database of emission inventories to inform the design and implementation of suitable technologies and policies for appropriate mitigation measures. The development of an inventory using all available data can be useful in developing policies and technologies for reduced GHG emissions from the road sector. The paper seeks to develop an inventory of GHG emissions from the India's road transport sector and analyse the fuel consumptions usage during the recent decade period, i.e. 2011 to 2021. In this study, IPCC guideline Tier-I and Tier-II were adopted for the emission estimation. Country-specific emission factor (EFCS) was developed based on carbon content and corresponding net calorific value (NCV) of country-specific fuel usage. The CO2eq emissions are also measured and compared with the corresponding global warming potentials (GWP). It appears that emissions of CO2 equivalent emission (CO2eq) from multiple greenhouse gases have significantly increased from 2011 to 2021. Estimation based on carbon country-specific emission factor shows nearly 165.09 Mt in 2011, increasing to about 241.20 Mt in 2021. Hence, it has been observed nearly 4.39% of reduction in CO2eq emissions using EFCS in the year 2021. Similar decreasing trends have also been observed for other gases like CH4 and N2O. The development of a comprehensive national GHG inventory for the road transport sector in India is a critical step towards achieving the country's climate change goals and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the environmental consequences of engine emissions from road and air transport on three commonly traveled routes between Berlin and the cities of Frankfurt, Paris, and Barcelona. The focus was on CO2 emissions due to their significant impact on climate change. By collecting and analyzing comprehensive data on vehicle and aircraft emissions, this study aimed to compare the CO2 output of each transport mode under different passenger load scenarios. The findings indicate that air transport is generally more efficient in terms of CO2 emissions per passenger for longer distances. For instance, the CO2 emissions per passenger ranged from 22.6 kg to 79.8 kg for air transport and from 64.7 kg to 220.8 kg for road transport, demonstrating reductions of approximately 65% to 72%. This study underscores the importance of considering both distance and passenger load when evaluating the environmental impact of different transport modes and highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to reducing transport emissions, including technological innovations, policy interventions, and behavioral changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important areas of logistics is transportation management. Transportation can have a direct impact on the country's economy, both domestic and foreign. Each type of transport has its own characteristics - positive and negative aspects. The study is devoted to the positive effects of road transport on the country's economy and enterprise income, and to the analysis of the development dynamics of road transport in Azerbaijan. Car transport is considered a fast and flexible mode of transport as it carries out transportation to every area of the country, even rural areas. Logical generalization, comparison and statistical analysis methods were used in the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution has long been considered a severe environmental issue. The Road Transport sector is recognized as one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. In tackling climate change, the Kyoto Protocol was signed by developed and developing countries and represents a voluntary international treaty that aims to reduce carbon emissions. This work seeks to identify similarities in trend emission performance among 31 countries that ratified the agreement. The data come from the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research, which contains the annual values of polluting gas emissions from 1970 to 2018. To do this, time series cluster analyses have been applied using two distance measures and considering different sub-periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we analyse India's transport sector policy. The study examines the two important modes of transport, viz., road and rail, and analyses the efficiency of transport infrastructure from 2011 to 2019. Through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we evaluate modes in terms of the capacity of registered road goods vehicles and railway goods wagons, truck km/train km and energy consumption and corresponding freight traffic. The analysis gives valuable insight into the fact that rail infrastructure is more efficient than road infrastructure. Still, current transport sector policies promote energy-intensive carbon-fuel road vehicles rather than energy-efficient alternative transport modes. The study suggests the changes that may be incorporated in inputs to improve the efficiency of the road infrastructure. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-Malmquist Index analysis reports the need for total factor productivity improvement in rail transport and the introduction of technological innovations in road and rail transport sector management. The study employs a well-to-wheel (WTW) based index to ascertain the energy consumed and pollutants emitted by freight-carrying road and rail modes between two leading business hubs of India, i.e., Ludhiana and Mumbai. The paper identifies policy gaps and suggests a holistic approach for need-based roadway investment and a time-bound development of railway infrastructure in India. Our study generates valuable implications for India's policy planners and government authorities and provides new insights to other countries. • The study examines road and rail transport, and analyses the efficiency and energy consumption of these modes. • The study suggests the changes to improve the efficiency of the road infrastructure. • The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-Malmquist Index analysis and well-to-wheel (WTW) based index have been employed for the analysis. • The paper suggests a need-based roadway investment approach and a time-bound development of railway infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new technologies (e.g., three-axial accelerometers) and their implementation to the armed forces made it possible to rather easily obtain data on transportation with regard to cargo securing. It is, however, crucial to evaluate the data, and identify the factors important for the selection of an appropriate cargo securing system. Particular attention should be paid to the transportation on low-quality roads, or possibly in the terrain as it can be expected that the cargo (as well as the vehicle and the driver) is subjected to greater shocks. Data obtained from the military transport experiment have been processed using advanced statistical methods (a contaminated probability distribution, methods of statistical comparison, and an analysis of variance). The transportation data from the use of two military trucks on three different road surfaces has been compared. The results show, in which axes there are statistically significant differences in terms of the frequency of exceeding normatively determined acceleration coefficient values in relation to the road surface type and the vehicle type. Further results are based on the modeling of acceleration coefficients using a contaminated log-normal distribution, where the distribution of acceleration coefficient values is contaminated by outliers resulting from sudden changes in the transport conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries are obliged by international regulations to conduct annual pollutant emissions inventories. Road transport is one of the sectors for which an inventory of pollutant emissions is carried out. Determining pollutant emissions from road transport is possible only by modeling these emissions – that is why unified emission models are used. In this work, the COPERT and HBEFA INFRAS software are used to determine pollutant emissions characteristics for various vehicle traffic models. The article presents the principles of modeling pollutant emissions from road vehicles. The rules for qualifying road vehicles into elementary and cumulative categories have been systematized. Models of road vehicle traffic and ways of taking them into account in modeling pollutant emissions are presented. The following emissions of pollutants harmful to the health and life of living organisms are considered: carbon monoxide, non-methane volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and total suspended particles. The trends of the national annual emissions of the tested pollutants for the years 2000–2020 and the results of simulation tests of pollutant emissions models are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to define activities performed by car (vehicle) drivers while waiting at traffic lights in city areas and how frequent they are. Some of these activities could be a factor leading to possible traffic accident. The research is based on the sample of 17,088 surveyed vehicles. Data were collected on 67 streets in 5 cities in the Czech Republic (Praha, Brno, Pardubice, Olomouc, Frýdek-Místek) from IV/2022 to VI/2023. The way of survey is manual data collection. There are defined and assessed 7 groups of activities - following traffic situation; cellular phone; (vehicle) control elements; talking to other people in a vehicle; paper documents; drinking+eating+smoking; and dressing-up. The modified SWOT analysis is applied in process of definition of these groups of activities. All these activity groups and their impacts on vehicle driving are discussed in the paper. The data collected are assessed in transport technology as well as statistics points of view. Means of descriptive statistics and χ2 Goodness-of-Fit test are applied. Data are compared by city as well as by direction of drive (towards/outwards or around the city centre). The relation to the distance from the city centre is assessed in the case of Prague. Differences by drivers leaving residential areas and shopping centres are discussed, as well as the impact of tram transport. The main result is that ca. 65% of drivers still follow traffic while waiting at traffic lights. Talking to others in vehicle is recorded by 14% of drivers. Vehicle control elements are manipulated by 4%. The remaining 17% of drivers perform other (and may be riskier) activities - cellular phone 8%; drinking+eating+smoking 6%; dressing-up 2%; and paper documents 1%. From a transport technology point of view, this structure should be considered as representative. Relationships to some of the facts mentioned were recorded, but they are seen to be not so significant. The increased frequency of 'drinking+eating+smoking' and 'dressing-up' activities by leaving shopping centres can be pointed out as an example. The paper is extended by comparison between stated (in on-line survey) and revealed (on-site) preferences, with the result that people are open to allow also activities which can be problem in the point of safety (e.g. cellular phone). The paper is concluded with suggestions. First is statement, that the ergonomics of vehicles that reduce the demands on attention by performing such activities is helpful. The second suggestion is to mark specific parking places for short stops in city areas. Both suggestions are based on the fact, that ca. 21% of drivers perform activities reducing attention, and it is illusory that these activities should be totally replaced by their prohibition. It is necessary to give them the opportunity to manage these activities more safely than by waiting at traffic lights. The paper presents results of activities of students at internships between the Palacký University Olomouc and the University of Pardubice.

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to explore how transport companies in Uganda execute strategies in a turbulent business environment. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted an exploratory qualitative methodology using the data collected through an open-ended instrument. Utilizing the qualitative data analysis software QSR NVivo9, the data were analyzed following the Gioia's methodology. Verbatim texts were used to explain the emergent themes. Findings – The study's findings show that to successfully execute strategies, companies in Uganda communicate, coordinate and put control systems in their operations. The activities undertaken include customer care, timely settlement of complaints, comfortable seats, playing local music, partnerships with reliable fuel stations, setting up strategic offices, cost management, use of experienced drivers, sub-renting vehicles and inspections. Originality/value – The study produces a pioneering result of how transport companies execute strategies in a turbulent business environment, an aspect that has not been adequately highlighted in previous studies.

Non-exhaust road transport emissions in cities contribute to poor air quality and have an impact on human health. This paper presents a new study of particles emitted by tyre wear in real driving conditions and gives their emission factors. The most frequently emitted particles were collected in urban, suburban and road areas. They were identified and analysed physically and chemically. Their level of toxicity is well known. An overall analysis of the measured pollutants was carried out to assess their emission factors in real driving situations. The highest emitting pollutants, considered separately, were found to have high emission factors. The values obtained exceed the Euro standard for vehicles but are below those of vehicles not equipped with particle filters. Significant test analysis confirmed that the inertia of chemical pollutants is homogeneous. Emission factors have also been provided for PM10 and PM2.5. These results should contribute to the emergence of future regulations of non-exhaust emissions and should help to analyse the exposure-impact relationship for particles from tyre wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study concerns the management of operational risk in truck transport using the reliability theory of risks. In this regard, the risk analysis of changes in the vehicle unavailability represents an important topic. In this study, the authors present their own method for analysing the phase changes in risk corresponding to successive sections (phases) of vehicle mileage. The presented risk analysis method is based on an integrated assessment of losses associated with the costs of incidental repairs and losses caused by lost income during vehicle downtime. This includes the following: assessment of differences in average risk and differences in the coefficient of variation in the time series of vehicle mileage phases, indicating the outliers and extremes of phase risk, identifying their physical causes and testing the statistical significance of phase risk differences. The proposed method is described mathematically and verified experimentally based on the operational data concerning trucks from two selected brands (20 trucks from each brand). We show that the method can be used to predict the continuity of transport services in the short term (one-year horizon). The method could also be useful to compare vehicles of different brands in the context of their sensitivity to operational risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transportation of goods plays a fundamental role in the global economy. In Brazil, specifically, a significant portion of what is transported goes through highways, and the provision of this service is carried out through the hiring of specialized companies or independent drivers, who end up serving companies from various sectors. This study successfully constructed a decision model to support the hiring of road freight transport services in Brazil. To achieve this, the multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach was used, employing the Measuring Attractiveness By a Categorical-Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) method. The development of this model was informed by a comprehensive literature review, interviews with three transportation professionals, and a simulation involving eight anonymous Brazilian companies. This initiative aims to create a practical framework for effectively selecting logistics operators in the road transport sector to meet the needs of companies dependent on these services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to define activities performed by car (vehicle) drivers while waiting at traffic lights in city areas and how frequent they are. Some of these activities could be a factor leading to possible traffic accident. The research is based on the sample of 17,088 surveyed vehicles. Data were collected on 67 streets in 5 cities in the Czech Republic (Praha, Brno, Pardubice, Olomouc, Frýdek-Místek) from IV/2022 to VI/2023. The way of survey is manual data collection. There are defined and assessed 7 groups of activities - following traffic situation; cellular phone; (vehicle) control elements; talking to other people in a vehicle; paper documents; drinking+eating+smoking; and dressing-up. The modified SWOT analysis is applied in process of definition of these groups of activities. All these activity groups and their impacts on vehicle driving are discussed in the paper. The data collected are assessed in transport technology as well as statistics points of view. Means of descriptive statistics and χ² Goodness-of-Fit test are applied. Data are compared by city as well as by direction of drive (towards/outwards or around the city centre). The relation to the distance from the city centre is assessed in the case of Prague. Differences by drivers leaving residential areas and shopping centres are discussed, as well as the impact of tram transport. The main result is that ca. 65% of drivers still follow traffic while waiting at traffic lights. Talking to others in vehicle is recorded by 14% of drivers. Vehicle control elements are manipulated by 4%. The remaining 17% of drivers perform other (and may be riskier) activities - cellular phone 8%; drinking+eating+smoking 6%; dressing-up 2%; and paper documents 1%. From a transport technology point of view, this structure should be considered as representative. Relationships to some of the facts mentioned were recorded, but they are seen to be not so significant. The increased frequency of 'drinking+eating+smoking' and 'dressing-up' activities by leaving shopping centres can be pointed out as an example. The paper is extended by comparison between stated (in on-line survey) and revealed (on-site) preferences, with the result that people are open to allow also activities which can be problem in the point of safety (e.g. cellular phone). The paper is concluded with suggestions. First is statement, that the ergonomics of vehicles that reduce the demands on attention by performing such activities is helpful. The second suggestion is to mark specific parking places for short stops in city areas. Both suggestions are based on the fact, that ca. 21% of drivers perform activities reducing attention, and it is illusory that these activities should be totally replaced by their prohibition. It is necessary to give them the opportunity to manage these activities more safely than by waiting at traffic lights. The paper presents results of activities of students at internships between the Palacký University Olomouc and the University of Pardubice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific article presents a methodology for assessing the level of development and efficiency of traffic management systems, taking into account environmental factors. The order and algorithms for all calculations to assess the level of effectiveness for road traffic management systems of motor transport, while taking into account the impact of environmental factors, are provided. The methodology for assessing the current state of the traffic management system relies on the degree of deviation of each individual indicator from its target value. The resulting value of the composite indicator for the system’s condition is then compared to its standard value, and an estimated overall state for the system is determined. According to some indicators, there has been an increase in emissions of toxic substances in the city's streets and roads, which are assessed as “poor”. To improve the state of the environment, an immediate set of organizational and technical measures has been proposed for the rational development of the traffic management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving road traffic safety on the one hand and increasing the transport of dangerous goods on the other requires searching for methods and tools for risk assessment at various levels of transport of this type of cargo. This is directly related to the disruption of the safety and efficiency of road transport systems around transporting dangerous goods. In this respect, risk assessment and its estimation method are a significant issue. The article analyzes the risk resulting from the transport of dangerous goods. Threats occurring during the organization and execution of the transport of dangerous goods were identified and risk assessment studies were carried out using the FTA method (fault tree method). The purpose of using the FTA method was to develop and graphically illustrate a set of factors that cause adverse events in the transport of dangerous goods. TopEvent FTA computer software was used to verify the proposed approach, which is used both to construct error trees and to identify and correct irregularities in existing trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road transport is experiencing disruptive change from new first-of-a-kind technologies. While such technologies offer safety and operational benefits, they also pose new risks. It is critical to proactively identify risks during the design, development and testing of new technologies. The Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) method analyses the dynamic structure in place to manage safety risks. This study applied STAMP to develop a control structure model for emerging technologies in the Australian road transport system and identified control gaps. The control structure shows the actors responsible for managing risks associated with first-of-a-kind technologies and the existing control and feedback mechanisms. Gaps identified related to controls (e.g. legislation) and feedback mechanisms (e.g. monitoring for behavioural adaptation). The study provides an example of how STAMP can be used to identify control structure gaps requiring attention to support the safe introduction of new technologies. This paper considers emerging risks associated with new technologies in the road transport system. It demonstrates a novel approach using STAMP to identify gaps in control and feedback mechanisms within the existing control structure which should be addressed to mitigate risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road transport is one of the main causes of air pollution around the world. Nowadays, the notion of sustainable development is one of the major pillars for a healthy environment. However, faced with its major challenges, it is more than necessary and important to understand a set of elements which contribute to better understanding the level of planning for sustainable road transport. This study aims to estimate energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, namely from road CO2 transport, for the city of Douala in Cameroon from 2010 to 2035. In order to achieve our objective, we used the Long range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) model. Based on the LEAP model, the estimates were evaluated based on three scenarios Business As Usual (BAU), Energy Optimization and Mitigation (EOM) and Sustainability Mobility (SM). The aim of this work was to identify suitable potential policies with a view to reducing energy consumption and emissions carbon dioxide (CO2) for road transport in Douala. The results tell us that the EOM and SM scenarios have advantages over the BAU scenario with the SM scenario being more optimistic than the other two scenarios. In addition, the SM scenario has a growth rate of 87.408 % in energy demand smaller than the other two scenarios BAU and EOM respectively 151.598 % and 132.073 %. We also note that the SM scenario contributed to a reduction of 60.661 kilo ton emissions of CO2 less than the BAU scenario. At present, with a view to reducing energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions, road vehicles in circulation in the city of Douala should emphasize structural optimization measures through the use of clean energy by promoting the use of biofuels in mass transport, eliminating old cars and finally considering improving energy efficiency through the implementation of technological development in the automobile sector. Policy makers must take this study into consideration in order to better integrate the notion of energy sustainable road transport.

Vehicles are a major source of atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases. Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing is used to study the real-world effects of parameters that are not considered in laboratory testing but that can influence fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. This paper analyzes the vehicle specific power (VSP) and the effects of positive and negative road slopes on the fuel consumption of a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The vehicle was tested on a route at an altitude of 2750 meters in Riobamba, Ecuador. The circuit design included urban, rural, and highway driving that met the requirements of European Union (EU) Regulation 2018/1832. Low-cost devices were used to record data from the road tests to determine fuel consumption as a function of road slope. VSP+ analysis revealed that there is a good correlation with fuel consumption, with an R2 of 0.86. For road slopes of -6% to +6%, the percentage variation in fuel consumption is linearly correlated (R2 = 0.85) with the slope variations.

The paper proposes a sustainability-oriented assessment through a case study based on the duplication project of one of the most critical federal highways for cargo transport in Southern Brazil, considering the most common pavement technologies used in the country. The framework consists of concatenating life cycle impacts determined through life cycle assessment, the corresponding social effects regarding the population's health and well-being, and the life cycle cost. Results show that while hot mix asphalt contributed 30% more to the damage of natural resources, the Portland cement concrete contributed 16% more to harming ecosystem quality and 27% to harming human health. The photochemical oxidation and climate change potential of Portland cement concrete was 33% and 68% higher than those of hot mix asphalt. The toxic substances potentially released in ecosystems were 27% (freshwater), 15% (marine), and 11% (terrestrial) higher for Portland cement concrete. In contrast, ozone layer depletion potential, cumulative energy demand, and net present value were 36%, 29%, and 89% higher for hot mix asphalt, and the acidification and eutrophication impacts surpassed those of Portland cement concrete by 10% and 8%. Maintenance services are the hotspots for both pavement technologies throughout the life cycle. The significance of the proposed framework relies on guiding local strategic initiatives at the government and agency levels, assisting decision-making processes, and designing business models that meet sustainability requirements for road infrastructure in emerging countries where sustainability-oriented practices are not yet consolidated.

The objective of the paper is to determine the relationship between a vehicle price and its safety ratings in the Czech Republic for vehicles sold and newly registered in the year 2022. The data collection was performed using content analysis. It was found that in 2022, Škoda Auto vehicles accounted for more than 35 % of all newly registered vehicles in the Czech Republic. The evaluation of vehicle safety was performed on the basis of results published on the EuroNCAP server. The findings were used as a basis for performing cluster analysis and correlation analysis of the data obtained. The analysis shows that even though safety plays an important role in the automotive industry, vehicle price is not a decisive factor in achieving higher safety ratings. The findings of this paper have a significant impact on consumers and automotive, showing that the price difference between vehicles does not necessarily correlate with different levels of safety. The limitation of this paper is its focus on the Czech Republic only, which may influence the generalization of the results to other markets.

This paper summarizes the findings of a detailed assessment of synthetic, electricity-based fuels for use in aviation, shipping, and road transport. The fuels considered correspond to the most promising alternatives that were analyzed as part of the German research project BEniVer (Begleitforschung Energiewende im Verkehr—Accompanying Research for the Energy Transition in Transport) initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Focusing on usage, infrastructure, and ecological analyses, several e-fuels were evaluated and compared to fossil fuels according to the specific sector. It turns out that for all sectors evaluated, the existing sustainable synthetic fuels are already compatible with current technology and regulations. In shipping and road transport, the use of advanced, sustainable fuels will allow for a more distinct reduction in emissions once technology and regulations are adopted. However, standard-compliant synthetic gasoline and diesel are considered the most promising fuels for use in road transport if the transition to electricity is not realized as quickly as planned. For the aviation sector, the number of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) is limited. Here, the current aim is the introduction of a 100% SAF as soon as possible to also tackle non-CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaports are perceived as multimodal hubs of the logistics supply chain where various transport modes intersect to exchange goods shipped by vessels. Increasing trade and capacity constraints are making this area a major contributor to GHG emissions. National and regional decision-makers perceive port sustainability as a concern while planning GHG mitigation projects. However, to plan and conduct successful GHG management programs, it is critical to first develop an appropriate assessment approach that fits well with the operating and geographical context of the given port. For heavy-duty trucking activities taking place within such ports, several models and methodologies for assessing GHG emissions are available, but their generalization is challenging for many reasons, notably because of the specific features of traffic within the port. Therefore, this paper presents an assessment model for heavy-duty trucking emissions within a non-containerized port based on an in-depth study of the traffic per port zone and on parameters drawn from several real data sources. The GHG model based on road traffic profiles by zone is implemented in a simulation model for emission evaluation and prediction. The output shows the pattern of GHG emissions by zone and provides an outlook on how decision-makers could achieve a GHG reduction plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban soils usually comprise a mosaic of various types and usually present with elevated contents of heavy metals. This is due to their long-term accumulation in the soil, which is ensured by the continuous emission of pollutants, including from road traffic. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of traffic pollution on the state of the soil environment using a phytoindicator (Teraxacum officinale). The contents of selected heavy metals in the soil and dandelion organs and the activities of selected redox enzymes in the soil in the vicinity of a busy city road were determined. The degree and direction of the movement of heavy metal ions in plants were assessed using the translocation factor (TF) and bioaccumulation factor (BCF). Selected indicators (AF—absorption factor, CF—contamination factor, EF—enrichment factor, PN—Nemerow's pollution index, PLI—pollutant load index) were used to determine possible heavy metal contamination in soils, and the adaptation mechanisms of dandelion were evaluated by assessing selected enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidising systems. The research results confirmed that the proximity of a busy street reduced the enzymatic activity of the soil and increased the content of heavy metals in the soil and in dandelion. The heavy metal content levels did not exceed the permissible standards for soils in communication areas. The indicators used did not provide a clear answer as to the degree of anthropogenic contamination with individual metals. The higher contents of the metals in question in the above-ground parts of plants suggest that they may be caused by the impact of atmospheric pollution and not by the metal contents in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and reliable transportation is essential for facilitating the production, distribution and marketing of agricultural and other products. However, insecurity in many parts of Nigeria is resulting in the disruption of road transportation, thus restricting the movement of people and making the distribution and marketing of farm produce difficult. The study examined the effects of transport insecurity on the marketing of agricultural food produce in Ilorin, Nigeria. Agricultural produce traders (n = 125) were sampled from the six major produce markets in Ilorin metropolis using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a questionnaire, and analysed using frequency counts, percentages and ranking. The results show that most of the agricultural products sold by traders are sourced from locations experiencing security challenges. Armed robbery was the major (64%) road transport security problem faced by traders. Insecurity on the roads had various effects, including the creation of fear for travel among the traders (85.6%), and a reduction in the quantity of produce available (79.2%). However, ranking of the effects showed that high cost of transport, higher selling prices and high cost at source markets were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The major coping strategies adopted by traders included avoiding night travel (31.2%), and changing to safer locations to buy produce (22.4%). It is recommended that the government should improve security on Nigerian roads and develop other modes of transport to reduce overdependence on road transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the huge contribution of transportation to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is imperative to embrace more carbon-efficient transportation modes to support our environmental goals. However, few studies offer empirical evidence to evaluate the potential of shifting transportation model for carbon emissions reduction. This paper, aiming at addressing this gap, conducts an empirical study to assess the CO2 emissions reduction through modal shift from road to waterway transport (MSRW). It utilizes primary data collected from more than 200 voyages of 92 enterprises through one national pilot project on CO2 emission reduction in the Quzhou region initiated by the Chinese central government. Specifically, it employs empirical analysis based on bottom-up methodologies to investigate the potential for CO2 emission reduction through MSRW. The results reveal that MSRW can aid to benefit 45,907 tons CO2 emission reduction from the modal shift within the study scope. When considering factors such as distance and voyage density, it provides new quantitative insights into the advantages of water transport over road transport in terms of CO2 emission reduction under different scenarios. Consequently, this study makes new contributions to the quantification of the benefits that an investigated region/city can derive from transport modal shift. It thereby lays the groundwork for effective cost-benefit analysis and policy implementation toward cleaner transportation. • Use of a hybris of energy consumption approach from a new analysis perspective that consider multiple-dimensional MSRW. • Provide a new research method to enable the quantification of the carbon emissions of an entire transport chain in detail. • Provides a solution to the evaluation of the effect of the implementation of transport policies on carbon emissions. • Investigate the MSRW to stimulate cost-benefit analysis and transport policy implementation towards clean transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the relationship between three dependent variables: the quantity of accidents on roads in Poland and the quantities of those hurt and killed as a result. Data were obtained from police websites between 2016 and 2021. Multidimensional comparative analyses were used for the research, which, by grouping data and compiling them dynamically in various scales depending on the needs, allowed us to observe trends such as seasonality on a monthly basis (data in a month - Fig. 2) and a downward trend (data in years Fig. 3). This became a premise for building a multiple regression model, which allowed us to dynamically observe the correlation between the quantity of accidents in Poland and the quantity of people hurt and killed as a result. The above-mentioned regularity was described by the function: Y = -67,9212 + 1,3341*v(2) + 0,7332*v(3) + +28,4305*v(4) and the built model was analyzed and evaluated. Then, information on the quantity of road accidents and quantities of people killed and hurt in the capital city of Warsaw from January 2021 to December 2022 were used for the research and compared with the data observed throughout Poland. To observe the impact of the random factor, which was a strong increase in the scale of fines in 2022, especially for exceeding the limit of speed by approximately more than 31 km/h. Dynamic indices on a constant base were calculated for the research. It was found that in 2022, compared to 2021, there was a visible decline in the quantity of people killed in road accidents in Warsaw from 42 to 30 people. A similar regularity can be observed in the data on fatalities in road accidents throughout Poland in the identical time period [11]. Moreover, there was no correlation between the time series of fatalities in road accidents in Warsaw and the quantity of accidents and injuries in 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valuation of the economic, social and environmental impacts of air pollution has become crucial for the benefitcost analysis of pollution restriction strategies, which serve as a foundation for establishing priorities for action. This paper focuses on the estimation of total external costs caused by road transport-related air pollutants using an integrated evaluation methodology combining air quality modelling, engineering science and economics. Emission factors and transport network characteristics were used to compute emissions from the road transport that is followed by economic valuation approaches adopted from international case studies and used for calculating the economic costs of air pollution in Türkiye. The results showed that total external costs of air pollution in Türkiye in 2018 ranged between 37,500 euros which is computed for CO emissions and 2,686 million euros computed as an upper limit for NOx emissions. Regarding the social costs of CO2 emissions, the values range between 31 million euro and 1,427 million euro, the former represents the low value estimate while the latter is the high value estimate. The findings indicate that the impact of emissions from road transport on environment and society can be substantial in Türkiye. Therefore, some regulations are necessary to reduce transport emissions and to sustain socio-economic welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors have approached the problem of introducing digitalization in the field of road transport. The purpose of this study is an attempt to determine the features of the interaction of new digital technologies with the system of freight and passenger road transport. During the study, the main directions of digitalization implementation in the field of road transport were identified, the existing difficulties arising during the transition from the old methods of management and control of motor transport to the new digital ones were indicated. As a result, conclusions are drawn about the need for the early introduction of digital methods of organization and management of road transport with extensive use of artificial intelligence. The introduction of digital methods of organizing transportation activities has broad support from both the Government of the Russian Federation and the business community of Russia. The transition to the digital economy is impossible without a primary transition in its “circulatory system” - the transport system.

Automobile passenger transport is an integral part of the country’s unified transport system and ensures its territorial integrity and accessibility of its regions. Today, in our country, much attention is paid to the development of public transport, which can improve passenger traffic and partially reduce the movement of personal cars in the winter in the northern regions of our country. However, the solution to this problem requires a reliable, comfortable off-road bus fleet. And in the northern regions, this problem remains constantly acute due to the insufficient number of vehicles for transporting passengers, especially in winter. Purpose – To study the need for the development of road passenger transport in the northern regions of the Russian Federation. Method or methodology of the work: the article used a statistical method of analysis. Results: the feasibility of using automobile passenger transport in the northern regions of Russia was investigated, a possible design of a passenger bus was proposed depending on the climatic features of the northern regions. The scope of the results: conducting research aimed at creating new technologies in the development of road passenger transport, depending on the geographical location and climatic features of the country’s regions.

Problem. Improving automobile transport means increasing fuel economy and environmental indicators. Fuel, in a broad sense, means energy used to activate the car's power plant. Potential energy is dispersed in the earth’s interior, on its surface, in the atmospheric air, and even in space. Moreover, some of them exist in different substances. On the one hand, the efficiency of an energy product use is assessed by its energy intensity; on the other hand, it is evaluated by the costs of its production (transportation) and the quality of its transformation into a consumer type of energy. Special attention is paid to renewable and unlimited kinds of energy sources. Goal. The purpose of the study is a qualitative analysis of the road transport development direction from the standpoint of the alternative energy sources use, taking into account the factors that comprehensively determine the economic and environmental indicators at the stages of production and processing of fossil raw materials, production of power plants and conversion, transformation, and transportation of energy in the field of transport technologies. Methodology. The first direction consists of the adaptation (conversion) of them design of thermal internal combustion engines for alternative liquid or gaseous fuel types. The advantage of this approach is minimal costs for engine conversion and fuel production. The second approach involves using hybrid power plants, consisting of a main and auxiliary engine, an energy source or accumulator, an energy converter, and a braking recuperation system. The third direction is the use of non-traditional energy sources. Results. The directions of the development of power plants for motor vehicles related to the increase in the energy density of hydrocarbon fuels, the use of hybrid power plants, and the use of alternative energy sources have been determined. A qualitative assessment of the considered approaches is given. Originality. A comprehensive approach to evaluating the effectiveness of using alternative types of energy in road transport is considered in terms of energy, economic, and environmental indicators. Practical value. The obtained results can be regarded as recommendations when drawing up plans for the evolution of industries of fossil extraction and transformation of other energy resources, the development of motor vehicles, and transport infrastructure technologies, taking into account the natural and industrial potential of the country.

Nowadays, many governments are setting increasingly ambitious targets for the hydrogen sector, which can indeed play a key role in achieving the goal of zero emissions (Net Zero) by 2050. Hydrogen can be used as an energy source in two different ways: in electrochemical fuel cells (cells) and through combustion. In 2007, Toyota launched the first hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicle (the Toyota Mirai) with a 113 kW electric motor. Instead of an internal combustion engine, this car has a stack with fuel cells that produce electric current. Fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) using hydrogen are zero-emission vehicles. The paper describes a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which is designed in software, ADVISOR - a simulation program based on MATLAB/Simulink. Simulations in ADVISOR show that a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle only emits water. The paper highlights the following advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. (1) Range can be achieved with a sufficient number of high-pressure hydrogen tanks. The latter can be placed in different places, which allows you to optimize the available volume, increasing the suitability for carrying passengers and the capacity of the trunk. (2) The rated towing power obtained at a given vehicle mass and speed and road slope is achieved by combining the required number of major fuel cell systems. (3) Filling the tanks is simple and fast, which not only reduces the cost of charging stations compared to charging stations designed for electric vehicles, but also achieves the intensive use of hydrogen, in vehicles such as taxis or buses. (4) Fuel cell cars are very safe even in the event of car accidents. Safety is mainly based on getting a leak that stays below the flammability level of hydrogen. This design is quite simple and focused on the tank as a key device. However, hydrogen fuel cells are quite expensive, as they require the use of platinum materials with high catalytic activity. Fuel cells made of other materials can also become promising for Ukraine. Such cells, based on zirconium, were developed at the Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science NASU. This is also facilitated by the presence of a large amount of zirconium dioxide in Ukraine.

Due to the current rapid socio-economic development of both the world as a whole and Ukraine in particular, the level of anthropogenic load on the environment is increasing. In this context, the analysis of emissions of pollutants from various sources of pollution is quite relevant, as it allows to identify the dynamics of pollution and develop the necessary measures to improve the quality of the air basin. Purpose. Analysis of the dynamics of emissions of pollutants by stationary and mobile sources of pollution within Ukraine. Methods. Statistical, graphic, comparison. Results. The dynamics of emissions of pollutants for the period 2016-2020 were analyzed. It was found that the number of emissions of hazardous substances into the atmospheric air has significantly decreased, stationary sources of pollution account for a much larger number of emissions than mobile sources. However, the highly urbanized and industrialized regions of Ukraine are still suffering from the toxic effects of substances. It was found that according to the types of economic activity, the largest amount of emissions into the atmospheric air falls on the electric power industry, extractive and processing industry; significantly less - for agriculture, water supply and transport. Conclusions. Most regions of Ukraine with a high level of industrial development continue to suffer from atmospheric air pollution. Taking into account modern global challenges in the field of nature management, the priority directions for reducing the negative impact on the air basin of Ukraine are: popularization of alternative energy sources; modernization of transport; promoting the development of green spaces and zones, etc

In contemporary times, the acquisition and display of "fancy number plates" have evolved into a source of life satisfaction for specific vehicle owners, particularly when purchasing new vehicles. Consequently, ensuring standardization of number plates has gained significant attention in Malaysia, particularly within the jurisdiction of the Road Transport Department (RTD). The use of non-compliant number plate standards introduces various considerations and can be influenced by an array of factors. Over time, the issue of non-compliance with number plate standardization is poised to become an offense that authorities must address comprehensively to mitigate the misuse of number plates by vehicle owners. This study seeks to identify the variables that influence vehicle owners' decisions to opt for non-compliant number plate standardization in Malaysia. Data for this research was collected through a questionnaire survey distributed across the Kulim, Kedah region. The study identified variables that contribute to the inclination towards non-compliance with number plate standardization. Notably, the research highlights affordability as the most pivotal factor in the selection of a license plate. The findings of this study serve multiple purposes. First and foremost, they offer a valuable reference for the RTD, equipping it to enforce laws pertaining to non-compliance with number plate standardization more effectively. Moreover, the insights gained can lay the groundwork for potential updates to existing regulations, particularly in the Malaysian context. In conclusion, the growing significance of "fancy number plates" as a symbol of personal satisfaction among vehicle owners has led to concerns regarding non-compliance with standardization in Malaysia. By contributing to enhanced law enforcement and policy refinement, this study can aid in better managing the phenomenon of non-compliant number plate standardization in the country.

Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly being used in the oil and gas industry, agriculture, electric power, construction and architecture, mining, and urban economy. The number of works carried out using unmanned vehicles is increasing: aerial photography, laser scanning, gas analysis, multispectral photography and others. The organization of the functioning of unmanned logistics corridors on public roads is underway. Unmanned vehicles for technological transportation are increasingly being used in the territories of factories. The state sets a large-scale task for the specialists of the transport industry to develop unmanned transport. In order to conduct research in this area, it is necessary to clearly trace the main guidelines of state policy in the field of unmanned transport, to represent the field of development of the transport industry. The article analyzes the state policy aimed at the development and maintenance of unmanned systems in the aviation, railway, and automotive industries. The regulatory and legislative framework regulating the possibility of creating and operating unmanned vehicles in the Russian Federation is given. One of the problems of the use of drones is the lack of legal regulation of their use in the transport complex of the country. Currently, programs and documents regulating the development of unmanned systems are being implemented and planned for implementation at the state level: “Strategy for the development of unmanned aviation of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 and for the future up to 2035”, “Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation up to 2030 with a forecast for the period up to 2035”, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the establishment of an experimental Legal Regime in the Field of digital innovations and Approval of the Program of an experimental legal Regime in the Field of Digital innovations for the Operation of Highly Automated Vehicles in relation to the implementation of the initiative “Unmanned Logistics Corridors” on the Federal Highway M-11 “Neva”, etc. For the possibility of using unmanned vehicles in the Russian Federation, interdepartmental interaction of federal executive authorities is necessary. The state policy in the field of creation, production and operation of unmanned systems is aimed, among other things, at the development of human resources, training of specialists with interdisciplinary knowledge.

This study evaluated the environmental consequences of engine emissions from road and air transport on three commonly traveled routes between Berlin and the cities of Frankfurt, Paris, and Barcelona. The focus was on CO2 emissions due to their significant impact on climate change. By collecting and analyzing comprehensive data on vehicle and aircraft emissions, this study aimed to compare the CO2 output of each transport mode under different passenger load scenarios. The findings indicate that air transport is generally more efficient in terms of CO2 emissions per passenger for longer distances. For instance, the CO2 emissions per passenger ranged from 22.6 kg to 79.8 kg for air transport and from 64.7 kg to 220.8 kg for road transport, demonstrating reductions of approximately 65% to 72%. This study underscores the importance of considering both distance and passenger load when evaluating the environmental impact of different transport modes and highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to reducing transport emissions, including technological innovations, policy interventions, and behavioral changes.

In this study, the effect of lairage on carcass traits, physicochemical parameters, and sensory properties of Longissimus lumborum muscle in lambs transported by road was investigated. Thirty (30) one-year-old Awasi Syrian lambs were randomly allotted into three slaughtering groups. The first group of lambs was not moved and served as a control (NT), while the animals in the other two groups were loaded into an open vehicle covered with straw and transported by road for two hours, followed by 0hours of lairage (T2L0) and 12hours for (T2L12). The collected data demonstrated that lambs that ware given a lairage period before slaughter lost significantly more live weight (p=0.05) than those slaughtered immediately upon arrival at the slaughterhouse. The carcass shrinkage of T2L0 lambs was less (p=0.05) than that of T2L12 and control lambs. On postmortem days 1 and 7, the muscles of T2L0 treated lambs had significantly (p=0.05) less drip loss but more shear force than T2L12- and control-treated lambs. At day 7 postmortem, bacterial counts in the meat of T2L0 lambs were higher (p=0.05) than those of NT and T2L12 lambs, most likely due to a numerical increase in ultimate pH at day 7. In conclusion, the lairage after transit had no effect on meat quality indicators compared to the control group. The meat from lambs in both groups (non-transported and transported with lairage) had a longer shelf life after postmortem aging than when slaughtered immediately upon arrival at the abattoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents a bibliometric analysis within the research domain dedicated to the utilization of agent-based modeling (ABM) in the field of transportation. By employing specific keywords related to both agent-based modeling and transportation, we have identified and extracted 1016 scholarly papers from the ISI Web of Science database, spanning the period from 2002 to 2023. Through the application of bibliometric methods, we have systematically examined key contributors, affiliations of academic institutions, influential publications, and renowned journals within this domain. Our analysis reveals a consistent and robust growth in scholarly interest pertaining to agent-based modeling in the field of transportation throughout the considered period. Notably, within approximately four decades of ABM's application in transportation, a distinct upward trajectory began in 2008, culminating in the year 2021. The entire considered period witnessed a remarkable surge in paper production, characterized by an annual growth rate of 21.67%. Furthermore, employing an n-gram analysis, we have delineated and discussed the principal areas within transportation that have progressively benefited from the advancements in agent-based modeling. Prominently, the domains of air transport and road transport have exhibited substantial development over time, while the implications of climate change have emerged as a persistent concern throughout the entire study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary society, road transport has assumed a pivotal role in the daily lives of individuals, with virtually everyone being a road user in one capacity or another. Unfortunately, a significant portion of road accidents stem from user negligence and a lack of awareness regarding road safety principles and regulations. The majority of these accidents are fundamentally a result of human errors, errors that could potentially be averted through the comprehensive utilization of technology. The integration of edge computing within actuator networks, combined with the scalability of sensors, holds the potential to proactively detect and prevent impending collisions. This cutting-edge approach not only accumulates and processes sensor-generated data but also employs it to mitigate the occurrence of road accidents. This discussion delves into the potential advantages offered by smart sensors and advanced technology, focusing on the enhancement of safety within transportation networks. The core attributes of these intelligent technologies facilitate the establishment of robust connectivity and the effective implementation of processes, ushering in an innovative era in the realm of road safety through smart technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly implemented within road transport systems worldwide. Next generation of AI, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is imminent, and is anticipated to be more powerful than current AI. AGI systems will have a broad range of abilities and be able to perform multiple cognitive tasks akin to humans that will likely produce many expected benefits, but also potential risks. This study applied the EAST Broken Links approach to forecast the functioning of an AGI system tasked with managing a road transport system and identify potential risks. In total, 363 risks were identified that could have adverse impacts on the stated goals of safety, efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic performance of the road system. Further, risks beyond the stated goals were identified; removal from human control, mismanaging public relations, and self-preservation. A diverse set of systemic controls will be required when designing, implementing, and operating future advanced technologies. Practitioner summary: This study demonstrated the utility of HFE methods for formally considering risks associated with the design, implementation, and operation of future technologies. This study has implications for AGI research, design, and development to ensure safe and ethical AGI implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]