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Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 27654

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tomáš Skrúcaný

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Department of Road and Urban Transport, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina in Žilina, Univerzitná 8215/1, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia
Interests: energy intensity and fuel consumption of transport; alternative and conventional energy sources in transport; energy systems and power trains in transport vehicles; environmental impacts of transport; relationship energy – emissions in transport; environmental sustainability of transport sector in the central European region; environmental sustainability of transport sector in the Danube region
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Prof. Dr. Borna Abramović

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Department of Railway Transport, University of Zagreb, P-1, Facility 70, ZUK Borongaj, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: railway traffic organization;integrated passenger transport; traffic statistics
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Prof. Dr. Ondrej Stopka

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Department of Transport and Logistics, Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Avenue Okružní 517/10, 370 01 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Interests: transport operation; city logistics; operations research; handling equipment optimization; telematics and smart technologies in transport; intelligent transport infrastructures; autonomous vehicles; road transport safety; emission research
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Dr. Csaba Csiszár

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Department of Transport Technology and Economics, Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Stoczek Str. 2, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: transportation information systems; passenger transportation; electromobility; mobility based on autonomous vehicles; transport system modeling; energy management in transportation; shared mobility
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Prof. Dr. Jereb Borut

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Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Mariborska cesta 7, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Interests: logistics; low emissions cars; risk assessment; supply chain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing volumes of transported goods and people is a sign of a rising standard of living for the population. A higher living standard requires a higher consumption of goods, services, and people, to which the transport sector must respond. On the other hand, the population has to fight against the environmental impacts of this situation—mainly the energy intensity, global warming, and air pollution. Naturally, higher transport volumes bring more intensive impacts on the environment.

Prognoses show that transport volumes will continue to grow, so the increase in the environmental efficiency of the transport process is a significant way to reach a sustainable transport sector. The effective operation of transport processes, the smart share of transport modes, and the introduction of new techniques and technologies are the main steps which can lead to decreasing the energy intensity, global warming impacts, and air pollution associated with the transport sector.

This Special Issue intends to present original scientific works, with a scope covering the above mentioned issues in all transport modes (road, railway, inland water, sea, and air)—mainly in Central Europe and the Danube Region, but not limited to this region.

Dr. Tomáš Skrúcaný
Prof. Dr. Borna Abramović
Dr. Ondrej Stopka
Assoc. Prof. Csaba Csiszár
Prof. Dr. Jereb Borut
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

energy intensity
energy and fuel consumption
alternative and conventional energy sources
GHG and emissions production
air pollution
road transport
railway transport
inland water transport
sea transport
air transport
environmental impacts
environmental sustainability
Central Europe
Danube Region

Related Special Issue

Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility Ⅱ in Energies (4 articles)

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Parking Sheds on Energy Efficiency of Road Refrigerated Transport

by Ludmiła Filina-Dawidowicz and Csaba Csiszár

Energies 2022, 15(5), 1883; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15051883 - 03 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1764

Abstract

The energy efficiency of road refrigerated transport is still a less researched area, despite a significant amount of energy being used for cooling perishable goods inside the refrigerated vehicle. The refrigeration units of these vehicles continuously operate while en route from the cargo sender to the recipient, even during the vehicle’s forced stopovers due to the driver’s working time limitations. This article aims to summarize the impact of the parking sheds used in rest and service areas on the energy consumption of the vehicle’s refrigeration unit. The achievable cost savings by decreasing the energy consumption of the semi-trailer’s refrigeration units are also presented. We establish a mathematical model to calculate the heat balance and verify our approach. The calculation results, which were carried out under certain operating conditions of the refrigeration unit of a semi-trailer, provide an opportunity to achieve savings on a scale of 12.03%. Lastly, ideal locations of rest and service areas with sheds along the motorways and expressways in Poland are also proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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20 pages, 4711 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indirect Fuel Rationing for a Special Self-Propelled Rolling Stock

by Alexander Mitrofanov, Anton Ivaschenko, Alexandr Avsievich, Vladimir Avsievich and Oleg Golovnin

Energies 2022, 15(3), 836; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15030836 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1903

Abstract

A method of indirect rationing of diesel fuel for special self-propelled rolling stock is presented, based on the identification of actual fuel consumption and controlled operating modes. Based on the results of test trips using automated accounting systems for operating modes and fuel consumption, the method allows us to assess reasonable volumes of fuel consumption in a specific section of the railway infrastructure. We show how the methods of identifying actual fuel consumption and operating modes can establish consumption rates of special self-propelled rolling stock without the use of automated fuel metering. The identification method is based on solving a multifactorial equation, the coefficients of which are determined in a program with statistical functions. To eliminate multicollinearity problems, the use of cluster analysis methods is proposed. Unlike traditional calculation methods, the method allows for the determination of the norming indicators in conditions of incomplete and partially incorrect data. The study was conducted using data on fuel consumption of special self-propelled rolling stock at a particular railway range and the relevant regulatory documents provided by Russian Railways. The results were obtained by applying the method to special self-propelled rolling stock used in the electrification and railway track departments of Russian Railways. The proposed method allows for simulation of the indicator of normalized fuel consumption with an accuracy not worse than 96%. Based on the obtained model of normalized fuel consumption, the method and parameters for identifying abnormal and unauthorized fuel overconsumption are shown. The criteria for identifying abnormal fuel overconsumption using the normalized standard deviation function were determined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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21 pages, 3116 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ship-Based Carbon Capture and Storage: A Supply Chain Feasibility Study

by Max Buirma, Jaap Vleugel, Jeroen Pruyn, Vincent Doedée and Dingena Schott

Energies 2022, 15(3), 813; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15030813 - 23 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) calls for the maritime industry to restrict its CO₂ emissions by −40% (IMO2030) and −70% (IMO2050). This paper answered the following research question: “Which technical, economic and emissions-related conditions predominantly determine the feasibility of a conceptual supply chain of liquid CO₂ that is captured from the exhaust gases of LNG powered offshore vessels?” The captured CO₂ is transported to land where it is utilized by a final customer. The study followed a systems engineering approach. Problem definition was followed by a requirements analysis (technology, emissions, economy and operations), design with scenarios and a case study with realistic vessel deployment, modeling and evaluation. All designs have technical uncertainties and financial risks, but the sale of captured CO₂ could be a crucial advantage of the proposed concept over other concepts. The main conclusion is that emission and financial targets (payback time) can be met by aligning the offshore transportation distance with the capacity to store CO₂ on board and the available means of transport to the final user. Specialists from the vessel owner indicate that capturing, storage and off-loading is likely to have minor implications for the vessel availability and regular operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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17 pages, 2724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Efficiency of Transport Tasks Performed by the Air SAR System in the Baltic Sea: Case Study

by Jerzy Fiuk, Norbert Chamier-Gliszczynski, Marianna Jacyna and Mariusz Izdebski

Energies 2022, 15(2), 643; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15020643 - 17 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1485

Abstract

The issues discussed in this article concern the energy efficiency of transport tasks carried out by the air SAR system in the Baltic Sea. Search and rescue (SAR) are rescue operations consisting of finding people in danger, providing them with help, and delivering them to a safe place. The transport task is an element of the rescue operations carried out in the open water area. It is carried out by a given type of helicopter from a strictly defined rescue base. The aim of the article is to develop a method of selecting the base and means of transport for the transport task carried out by the air SAR system, based on the assessment of energy efficiency of a given transport task. The article proposes a selection model; parameterization of the model was carried out, indicators of energy efficiency evaluation were determined, and limitations were indicated. In practical terms, the authors’ model of selection is presented on the example of transport tasks carried out by the air SAR system in the Polish zone of responsibility in the Baltic Sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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19 pages, 2274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interior Heating and Its Influence on Electric Bus Consumption

by Kristián Čulík, Vladimíra Štefancová, Karol Hrudkay and Ján Morgoš

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8346; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248346 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2412

Abstract

This paper focuses on the statistical evaluation of various operating characteristics of electric buses. The data obtained for statistical evaluation come from practice. In this paper, we focus on electricity consumption—an important aspect of electric bus operation. The ambient temperature significantly affects electricity consumption. In this paper, we use applied mathematics—correlation analysis, we accurately identify the effect of temperature on the consumption of the electric bus. Our next goal was to define the relationship between the loss of energy from the battery and driving power. We used regression analysis to describe this relation. Our article also includes an example of the practical use of ANOVA analysis in identifying a statistically significant effect of a particular vehicle on average consumption. We also show results from previous research and compare two different types of electric buses in operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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18 pages, 7527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated System for Simultaneous Monitoring of Traffic and Pollution Concentration—Lessons Learned for Bielsko-Biała, Poland

by Krzysztof Brzozowski, Artur Ryguła and Andrzej Maczyński

Energies 2021, 14(23), 8028; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14238028 - 01 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1318

Abstract

The challenge of maintaining the required level of mobility and air quality in cities can be met by deploying an appropriate management system in which the immediate vicinity of roads is monitored to identify potential pollution hotspots. This paper presents an integrated low-cost system which can be used to study the impact of traffic related emission on air quality at intersections. The system was used for three months in 2017 at five locations covering intersections in the centre of a mid-sized city. Depending on the location, pollution hotspots with high PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations occurred 5–10% of the time. It was shown that despite the close mutual proximity of the locations, traffic and the immediate surroundings lead to significant variation in air quality. At locations with adverse ventilation conditions a tendency towards more frequent occurrences of moderate and sufficient air quality was observed than at other locations (even those with more traffic). Based on the results, a practical extension of the system was also proposed by formulating a model for the prediction of PM_2.5 concentration using a neural network. Information on transit times, meteorological data and the background level of PM₁₀ concentration were used as model input parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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15 pages, 3861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Excess Fuel Consumption Due to Selection of a Lower Than Optimal Gear—Case Study Based on Data Obtained in Real Traffic Conditions

by Wojciech Adamski, Krzysztof Brzozowski, Jacek Nowakowski, Tomasz Praszkiewicz and Tomasz Knefel

Energies 2021, 14(23), 7979; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14237979 - 29 Nov 2021

Viewed by 1054

Abstract

Appropriate driving technique, in compliance with eco-driving principles, remains an effective method to reduce fuel consumption. The selection of the correct gear is one of the pertinent factors when driving a car with a manual gearbox. In this study we have analyzed fuel overconsumption based on data recorded in real traffic conditions for vehicles driven by experienced drivers, using a black-box model. It was found that the total share of trip time with a lower than optimal gear selected amounted to from c.a. 3% for motorway driving up to 28% on rural roads. The mean fuel consumption reduction factor (following selection of the next gear up) amounted to from c.a. 2% up to 20%, depending on the selected gear and type of driving. Unfortunately, the potential for reduction of fuel consumption is not evenly distributed over the entire operating area of the engine. Thus, the cumulative reduction of fuel consumption, due to selection of the optimal gear, amounted to from c.a. 0.2% for motorway driving up to 3–6%, for urban and rural driving. It was shown that due to the selection of the appropriate gear, there still exists a real possibility of reduction of fuel consumption, even in the case of experienced drivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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29 pages, 7987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Alternative Propulsion Systems for Regional Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit Trains

by Marko Kapetanović, Mohammad Vajihi and Rob M. P. Goverde

Energies 2021, 14(18), 5920; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14185920 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3659

Abstract

This paper presents a simulation-based analysis of hybrid and plug-in hybrid propulsion system concepts for diesel-electric multiple unit regional railway vehicles. These alternative concepts primarily aim to remove emissions in terminal stops with longer stabling periods, with additional benefits reflected in the reduction of overall fuel consumption, produced emissions, and monetary costs. The alternative systems behavior is modeled using a backward-looking quasi-static simulation approach, with the implemented energy management strategy based on a finite state machine control. A comparative assessment of alternative propulsion systems is carried out in a case study of a selected regional railway line operated by Arriva, the largest regional railway undertaking in the Netherlands. The conversion of a standard diesel-electric multiple unit vehicle, currently operating on the network, demonstrated a potential GHG reduction of 9.43–56.92% and an energy cost reduction of 9.69–55.46%, depending on the type of service (express or stopping), energy storage technology selection (lithium-ion battery or double-layer capacitor), electricity production (green or grey electricity), and charging facilities configuration (charging in terminal stations with or without additional charging possibility during short intermediate stops) used. As part of a bigger project aiming to identify optimal transitional solutions towards emissions-free trains, the outcomes of this study will help in the future fleet planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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11 pages, 3781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling and Simulation of the Performance and Combustion Characteristics of a Locomotive Diesel Engine Operating on a Diesel–LNG Mixture

by Imantas Lipskis, Saugirdas Pukalskas, Paweł Droździel, Dalibor Barta, Vidas Žuraulis and Robertas Pečeliūnas

Energies 2021, 14(17), 5318; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14175318 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1803

Abstract

The article describes a compression-ignition engine working with a dual-fuel system installed in diesel locomotive TEP70 BS. The model of the locomotive engine has been created applying AVL BOOST and Diesel RK software and engine performance simulations. Combustion characteristics have been identified employing the mixtures of different fuels. The paper compares ecological (CO₂, NO_x, PM) and energy (in-cylinder pressure, temperature and the rate of heat release (ROHR)) indicators of a diesel and fuel mixtures-driven locomotive. The performed simulation has shown that different fuel proportions increased methane content and decreased diesel content in the fuel mixture, as well as causing higher in-cylinder pressure and ROHR; however, in-cylinder temperature dropped. CO₂, NO_x and PM emissions decrease in all cases thus raising methane and reducing diesel content in the fuel mixture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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26 pages, 8027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Artificial Neural Networks to Determine the Engine Power and Fuel Consumption of Modern Bulk Carriers, Tankers and Container Ships

by Tomasz Cepowski and Paweł Chorab

Energies 2021, 14(16), 4827; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14164827 - 07 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2069

Abstract

The 2007–2008 financial crisis, together with rises in fuel prices and stringent pollution regulation, led to the need to update the methods concerning ship propulsion system design. In this article, a set of artificial neural networks was used to update the design equations to estimate the engine power and fuel consumption of modern tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships. Deadweight or TEU capacity and ship speed were used as the inputs for the ANNs. This study shows that even a linear ANN with two neurons in the input and output layers, with purelin activation functions, offers an accurate estimation of ship propulsion parameters. The proposed linear ANNs have simple mathematical structures and are straightforward to apply. The ANNs presented in the article were developed based on the data of the most recent ships built from 2015 to present, and could have a practical application at the preliminary design stage, in transportation or air pollution studies for modern commercial cargo ships. The presented equations mirror trends found in the literature and offer much greater accuracy for the features of new-built ships. The article shows how to estimate CO₂ emissions for a bulk carrier, tanker, and container carrier utilizing the proposed ANNs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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24 pages, 6150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Model for Crowdsourced Parcel Delivery Embedded into Mobility as a Service Based on Autonomous Electric Vehicles

by Yinying He and Csaba Csiszár

Energies 2021, 14(11), 3042; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14113042 - 24 May 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2685

Abstract

Faced promising development of autonomous vehicles, the concept Mobility as a Service embraces AVs. The autonomous delivery has also been arising and tested for last-mile solution. Accordingly, passenger transportation and delivery service are to be jointly coordinated in the future MaaS. The research niche is summarized as how to embed crowdsourced parcel delivery into MaaS based on AVs. Electricity powered vehicles are to be applied considering energy consumption and air emission. Research questions are identified as what this novel service is and how it works, especially focusing on task coordination and the related information management. The system engineering process-oriented approaches, matching theory, and numerical method have been applied. The service concept has been elaborated, which contains information system architecture model and functional model. The matching condition of this service is summarized. As the embedded delivery can partially share the demand of traditional delivery service, the calculation scenarios of energy savings and emission decrease per parcel delivery are presented. The results facilitate service planning and development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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18 pages, 3507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for Estimating the Effect of Traffic Flow Management on Fuel Consumption and CO₂ Production: A Case Study of Celje, Slovenia

by Borut Jereb, Ondrej Stopka and Tomáš Skrúcaný

Energies 2021, 14(6), 1673; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14061673 - 17 Mar 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2206

Abstract

The manuscript discusses the investigation of vehicle flow in a predesignated junction by an appropriate traffic flow management with an effort to minimize fuel consumption, the production of CO₂, an essential greenhouse gas (hereinafter referred to as GHG), and related transport costs. The particular research study was undertaken in a frequented junction in the city of Celje, located in the eastern part of Slovenia. The results obtained summarize data on consumed fuel and produced CO₂ amounts depending on the type of vehicle, traffic flow mixture, traffic light signal plan, and actual vehicle velocity. These values were calculated separately for three different conditions of traffic flow management. Amounts of fuel consumed were experimentally investigated in real traffic situations, whereas CO₂ production was calculated by applying the actual European standard entitled EN 16258:2012 associated with a guideline for measuring emission values, as well as by examining specific traffic flow parameters. The key objective of the manuscript is to present multiple scenarios towards striving to minimize environmental impacts and improve transport operation’s economic consequences when implementing proper traffic flow management. As for crucial findings, we quantified fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions based on real data on the number and type of vehicles crossing the examined intersection and traffic light switching intervals. The results show that most of the CO₂ was produced while waiting and in the accelerating phase in front of traffic lights, whereby in the running phase through the intersection, significantly less fuel was used. This study represents a mosaic fragment of research addressing endeavors to reduce CO₂ production in urban transport. Following the experiments conducted, we can see a notable contribution towards reducing CO₂ production with known and tested interventions in the existing transport infrastructure. A procedure embracing individual research steps may be deemed as an approach methodology dealing with traffic flow management with an aim to decrease the environmental and economic impacts of traffic and transport operation; this is where the novelty of the research lies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Intensity of Transport and Environmentally Friendly Mobility)

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