The objective of the study described in the article was to analyse the features of application of ontologies in the field of transport and transportation. It referred to the exploration of the methods of building ontologies as well as to the information uncertainty hampering building ontologies, based on introduced terms of «transport and transportation ontologies», «ontological management» and «ontological information uncertainty».

The main research methods comprised system, ontological, qualitative and comparative analysis.

Since the use of ontologies for transport management has been practiced for the last twenty years, the accumulated experience in that field, development of ontologies and the current state of transport infrastructure technology provide grounds for introducing the concepts of «transport and transportation ontology» and «ontological management». The approaches based on those concepts are critically important for further development of transport system, digital transport, efficient management of transport infrastructure objects. A brief analysis of the application of ontologies in the field of transport and transportation refers also to the building of applied ontologies that embrace among others transport and transportation ontology.

The study highlights the significance of semantic relationships for building applied ontologies, describes problems of information integration and offers rationale for the use of ontological units of information for building ontologies. It is noted that since a generally shared method of building ontologies is missing, transport and transportation field is now characterised by prevalence of private ontologies, some of them are listed in the article. While highlighting labelling method to build ontologies and describing application of graph databases for modelling semantics, it is shown that building of ontologies is hindered by the diversity of information systems and by a large amount of factual data used in modern transport management that objectively entail information uncertainty, the types there-of as well as methods of their elimination being described.

The relevance of studying the methods of studying traffic flows is due to the need to analyse their features, determine the allowable areas of their application in solving practical problems of the transport sector.

The objective of the work is to identify the results of application of modern methods of time series analysis that use the values of intensities of car traffic flows on the urban street-and-road network. The subject of the study is associated with the calculated Hurst and fractal dimension indices (fractal analysis), as well as with checking the validity of the quantitative relationship of these indicators, specified by B.Mandelbrot and used in applied research, on real data on intensity of car traffic flows. Digital data for the study were obtained using «Azimuth» stationary measuring software and hardware photo and video recording complexes, located on the street-and-road network of the city.

The study has found that anomalous values of key indicators are encountered when using the normalised range method and fractal analysis: the Hurst exponent takes values outside the usually defined range, the relationship between the fractal dimension and the Hurst exponent does not fully correspond to the known B. Mandelbrot set. It seems necessary to conduct a deep and thorough study of the results obtained when using the above and, possibly, other methods for studying the intensity of traffic flows on street-and-road networks.

The article offers the conclusions following the results of the study on de facto shaped integrated space of the digital railway. It is shown that the digital railway The integrated space of the digital railway had the information space as a primary source, but in the process of development became more complex and specific differences have appeared making it more diverse and, thanks to the integration of the information space with the Internet of Things technology, closer to cyberspace.

The relationships between the integrated space, the geoinformation space and the coordinate space demonstrate multifunctionality of the integrated space comprising functions of communication, navigation, coordination, positioning and control that are implemented as a method to optimise train timetables and ensure uninterrupted operation in the transport infrastructure system based on complementary provision of control of groups of objects, corporate management and management of single objects.

Under certain conditions, wind effects on long-span bridges can cause aeroelastic instability phenomena. Currently, the main method for studying such structures for occurrence of aeroelastic instability phenomena is experimental modelling in wind tunnels.

Experimental modelling is usually based on the assumption that the cross-sectional shape of the bridge remains unchanged over time. Obviously, such a proposal cannot be true, since the presence of vehicles on the bridge structure changes the crosssectional profile of the bridge. In this regard, it is extremely important to find out whether it is justified to ignore the change in the crosssectional profile of bridges due to the presence of traffic. The present study is aimed at obtaining, using experimental modelling in wind tunnels, a notion of the effect of changes in the cross-section of the bridge due to the presence of traffic on its aerodynamic stability.

The widespread adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction project management has been greatly facilitated by technological advances. Despite this, the BIM approach has been mainly applied to building construction projects, with limited attention paid to infrastructure projects such as bridges.

The projects of this kind often present significant geometric and semantic differences between structures, making it difficult to leverage existing BIM data schemas. Recent research suggests that parametric modelling can provide a viable solution to improve design efficiency and interoperability. However, the number of existing scientific sources on the topic remain extremely scarce. The objective of the study presented in the paper is to address this knowledge gap by developing parametric bridge elements capable of generating all types of bridge structures from a single parametric file.

The parametric scripts used in this study were developed using Grasshopper, a visual programming language, and subsequently integrated into Tekla Structures, a popular Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, for modelling purposes. The resulting BIM integration enables exploration and creation of advanced designs with complex geometries, ultimately leading to cost-effective solutions. Compared to traditional design methodologies, the results obtained demonstrate significant improvements in terms of time savings, increased design flexibility, and optimised structural performance.

The article is devoted to the study of the effect of the fill level of liquid cargo on frequency characteristics of the shell of a tank wagon boiler.

The study has applied within its framework an approach used to estimate the frequencies and modes of natural oscillations of steel tanks under the influence of seismic loads. This approach assumes considering two components of natural frequencies: pulse and convective ones. To determine the listed frequencies and modes of natural oscillations, the finite element method using FLUID221 acoustic elements was selected. The choice of the method is justified in the previous studies of the authors.

Using the selected method, convective natural frequencies of oscillations of the free surface of the liquid and pulsed frequencies of natural oscillations with different fill levels of the tank wagon boiler with liquid cargo were studied. Confirmation of reliability of the results for pulse frequencies of the shell containing the liquid is ensured by consistency with the data obtained by the authors in previous works using the semi-momentless theory of shells.

Motorsport is one of the fastest growing technological areas, and technical solutions related to racing cars are often subsequently implemented in civilian automobile manufacturing. Thus, development of racing cars has a direct impact on development of the entire automotive industry.

In the framework of the study, a patent search in the field of racing cars was conducted using patent databases; a patent analysis of the market was performed, and the features of patenting individual technical solutions were considered. The objective was to identify trends in development of patent activity in the field of racing car technologies. The purpose was to identify leading countries and organisations in terms of patent application and activity, and to reveal a common trend for them regarding racing car technologies. The analysis revealed the general dynamics of technology development, characterised by periods of confident growth and decline in activity, and the absolute leadership of China and Chinese organisations in terms of the number of applications and patents. The study can be applied both to determine the dynamics of technology development in the field of racing cars and to establish the level of interest of individual countries, researchers and organisations towards this area.

Increasing the efficiency of ultrasonic testing in railway transport is possible due to improvement and modification of the existing technology. One of the main tasks of increasing efficiency is to improve reliability and information content of ultrasonic testing of wheel rims during repair of wheelsets.

The contact method of ultrasound input for wheel rims is still predominant at the enterprises of the wagon and locomotive facilities of railways.

The article covers the techniques of ultrasonic flaw detection of the rim of solid-rolled wheels during repair of wagon wheelsets in accordance with the existing regulatory technical documents. The problems of detecting defects by piezoelectric transducers with input angles of 0°, 40°, 50° when testing the rim from the lateral inner surface and 90 ° from the side of the tread area are described.

 A version of a new method for testing the wheel rim from the side of the tread area using piezoelectric transducers with input angles of 65°–74° is proposed. A comparative analysis was conducted to simultaneously identify eight reflectors in a test sample using 2.5R65°69°74°, P121–2.5–70° RDM and P121–0.4–90° transducers.

The objective of the article is to select and justify an approach to formation of a regional resource-saving model of cargo distribution based on determining the economically feasible number of transport and logistics centres that ensure a reduction in delivery costs.

The study used methods of economic and mathematical modelling, statistical and comparative analysis, correlation and regression, abstract logical, theoretical and empirical and structural analysis.

The paper analyses scientific approaches to cost reduction when choosing an economically feasible number of transport and logistics infrastructure facilities from the standpoint of more efficient spatial selection of infrastructure facilities of the transport and logistics network, contains a correlation and regression analysis of the impact of the number of transport and logistics centres on transport costs when distributing goods in supply chains and estimate of an analytical relationship between these indicators, as well as substantiates the influence of the cargo delivery price level on resource-saving indicators in the cargo distribution system.

The results of the conducted research can be used to determine the level of logistics costs and their impact on the prices of final goods and services, which is one of the ways to implement the goal of resource conservation for commercial companies and executive authorities.

Railway transport is one of the most important modes of passenger transportation in the Russian Federation. In 2023, it accounted for more than 35 % of all travellers. At the same time, long-distance transportation accounts for almost 37 % of the total volume of transportation by rail. The analysis of the dynamics of changes in passenger turnover and transportation volumes suggests that the market has not only recovered from the unprecedented decline of 2020 but continues to grow steadily. The growth in passenger transportation volumes entails an increase in the volume of work at passenger and passenger technical stations. The load on station complexes increases (especially during periods of mass transportation). Carriers are constantly working on new transportation products that are distinguished by speed and level of comfort. For example, today, JSC FPC alone offers its customers about 90 combinations of offers that differ not only in the category of train, type of car, but also in the range of services offered during the travel. In this case, obviously, the key requirement, regardless of the class, is the high quality of preparation of trains for the trip and the coordinated work of all passenger departments.

Currently, most studies of the passenger infrastructure of railway transport are devoted to the study of its individual objects, for example, to the design and operation features of transfer hubs, the technology of passenger and passenger technical stations. At the same time, little attention is paid to the integrated functioning of the «passenger station – passenger technical station – transport interchange hub as of a single system. The article proposes a mathematical formalisation of the process of rational sequence of servicing passenger trains using linear programming methods, which allows solving a number of operational problems and conducting research to assess the level of influence of various factors on the performance of passenger and passenger technical stations.

The choice of the model is one of the determining factors within the concept of assessing the efficiency of equipment during its full life cycle.

The objective of this work is to justify the application of the methodology for assessing the competitiveness and quality of equipment as applied to road construction machines, improved by the authors and proposed for selecting machines under conditions of partial uncertainty and lack of information.

The article methodologically substantiates the information sets to assess the equipment at the selection stage, presents the results of studies of changes in the cost of road construction machines in the secondary market of the Russian Federation, offers assessment approaches to determining the quality and performance of products, and provides a final algorithm of an integral assessment based on individual competitiveness indicators. Methodologically, the proposed method may be of interest when assessing other types and classes of equipment under similar assessment conditions.

Within the task to open a separate enlarged group of specialties and degrees in the field of transport education, the authors, based on many years of pedagogical and industrial experience, developed an exclusive project of a synchronised training program in the specialty «Roads and Aerodromes» to be included into the abovementioned enlarged group.

The article presents, also for the purpose of discussion by the professional community, a modular scheme of the synchronised main professional educational program «Roads and Aerodromes» and examines the specifics of structuring each module and filling it with disciplines.

Particular attention is paid to the well-known problem of the relationship between the number of humanitarian and technical disciplines in the educational process. Upon showing main reasons for inclusion of an increased number of humanitarian disciplines into engineering-focused general professional educational programs, proposals have been made on mechanisms for eliminating existing imbalances.

The article highlights main problems in the system of training in engineering specialties in terms of programs’ funding, of covering the programs of the developed enlarged group of specialties «Road Sector» with requirements of professional standards, of providing the educational process and research work of departments responsible for graduation with research / laboratory equipment and road machines.

Suggesting one of the possible ways of introducing the «Roads and Aerodromes» program into the practice of professional training of the system of higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation, the authors substantiate the opinion that the most promising solution would be creation of Interdepartmental Scientific and Educational Centres of regional significance (ISECR), assigned to specific road and climatic zones.

Due to the high speed of technical progress in the maritime industry, seafarers need to constantly improve their professional competences and not lose sight of important prospects. To study the experience of developing foreign language professional competence of seafarers, the authors consider the conditions for using a wide range of educational tools, including simulators, at the maritime university and find the rationale of the logics of development and application of simulation modelling. The article reflects descriptions of various research methods (theoretical analysis of scientific literature, questionnaires, ranking and comparison, discussion and interviews, collection of statistical data, ascertaining and formative experiments).

Analysis of educational expertise through the prism of the competence approach and the results obtained at different stages of activity prove that the effectiveness of developing foreign language communicative competence increases when applying an integrated interdisciplinary approach and modern high-tech teaching aids, a special place being dedicated to simulators. The authors emphasise the need for appropriate methodological follow-up, when the technological approach involves special scenarios of simulator training, situational algorithms using standard IMO phrases, considering many factors, both related to the technical features of the devices themselves, their software, and the situational component.

The article is devoted to assessment of the role of transport in development and integration of the Eurasian continent in ancient times. Upon analysing the role of water (river and sea) transport in establishing connections between remote regions of Eurasia, it is highlighted that, given the geographical features of Eurasia, its integration could not be achieved based on the use of water transport alone. Attention is focused on the importance of land transport innovations (the use of horses for riding and the emergence of wheeled carts), thanks to which previously inaccessible areas in the steppe zone of Eurasia became suitable for use and the productivity of cattle breeding increased. It resulted in strengthening of intergroup interaction and development of integration institutions that determined both the life of individual societies and the interaction between them.

New transportation opportunities, increased spatial mobility, and the growing complexity of public institutions gave rise to new social and material needs, stimulated migration and development of interregional exchange. At the same time, not only was there an exchange of surplus products, but production expanded to increase exchange, becoming a commodity manufacture. All this contributed to implementation of the geographical advantages of Eurasia and provision of a higher population density and economic productivity of the use of the territory there compared to the world average.

The synergetic development of water and land transport vehicles and transportation and the long-distance trade based on their use resulted in the transformation of Eurasia by the beginning of II millennium BC into a single system of interconnected cultures.

Press archives

In 1912, the Rail Business journal published a material that was, in fact, a statement of the approaches that had developed at that time to the expediency and pace of further development of the railway network, including the uniformity of this pace, as well as, in modern terms, to the transport connectivity of the country’s territory, the socio-economic effects of its growth, and sources of investment. Three points of view were presented: that of the chairman of the High Commission for the Study of the Railway Business; that of his opponent under the initials A. F. whose name remained unknown, but, who, apparently, had the authoritative opinion; and that of the editorial board of the journal itself.

Despite the radically changed economic conditions and technological structure, which have led to the loss of relevance of some of the issues discussed, some other fundamental points raised in the discussion in absentia on the pages of the journal being adapted to modern realities may be of some interest, including, possibly, in the aspect of the implementation of modern large infrastructure projects.

The reprinted, slightly abridged text preserves as much as possible authentic punctuation, vocabulary and abbreviations commonly applied at the time of initial publication.