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Infrastructures
Special Issues
Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering
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Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart Infrastructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 March 2023) | Viewed by 38083

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ján Dižo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transport and Handling Machines, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Žilina, Univerzitná 8215/1, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia
Interests: theory of transport means; vehicle dynamics; multibody system modeling; mechanical engineering; design of transport means; operational properties of transport means; analysis of rail and road vehicles’ properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rafał Melnik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Lomza State University of Applied Sciences, 1Faculty of Computer Science and Food Science, Akademicka 1, 18-400 Łomża, Poland
Interests: exploitation and maintenance of vehicles; dynamics of vehicles; fault detection of rail vehicles; MBS modeling; simulation of transport means; theory of transport means; recent methods in analysis of vehicles properties
Dr. Stasys Steišūnas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mobile Machinery and Railway Transport, Faculty of Transport, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, J. Basanavičius g. 28, 032 24 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: rail vehicle dynamics; MBS modeling of transport means; queuing theory; experimental methods in railway engineering; traction rail vehicle engineering
Dr. Miroslav Blatnický

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transport and Handling Machines, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Žilina, Univerzitná 1, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia
Interests: theory of transport mean; structural analysis of transport mean; modeling and simulation; theory and application of computational methods; mobile work machine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Land transport represents the most important kind of transport for short and medium–long distances. It provides the transport and movement of people as well as goods from one location to another on land and includes road and rail transport. However, currently, land transport also ensures the transport of goods for long and very long distances across continents. Expansion of road transport has led to congested roads, traffic jams, and subsequently to a higher risk of traffic accidents. Considering, on one hand, the rising number of vehicles on roads and, on the other hand, the negative consequences of it leads to introduction of state-of-art technologies to transport means construction as well as to land transport infrastructure. Efforts of scientists, researchers, and engineers focused on the solution of problems related with an excessive number of vehicles on roads and needs for ever-increasing demand for transport of people and goods result in the implementation of neural networks to transport infrastructure and, as the highest level of it, in autonomous mobility.

In this Special Issue, we solicit high-quality original research manuscripts, which are focused on the presentation of results of the latest research in the field of the design, construction, and analysis of transport means, mainly road and railway vehicles to be used for improving autonomous mobility, current issues in neural network solutions for autonomous mobility, and problems and challenges related with application of neural networks in infrastructure for ensuring effective and safe autonomous mobility. We welcome theoretical and application manuscripts of high technical standards across various disciplines. We seek high-quality submissions of original research as well as review manuscripts on all aspects related to autonomous mobility and neural networks in vehicles and land transport resulting in practical applications.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

  • Application of neural networks to land transport;
  • Challenges in autonomous mobility;
  • Advanced design of road and railway vehicles;
  • Safety of transport;
  • Application of artificial intelligence in vehicle construction;
  • Application of artificial intelligence in land transport infrastructure;
  • Risks related with artificial intelligence in land transport applications;
  • Current solutions of safe and effective vehicles in term of environment;
  • Autonomous mobility and its impact on social, industry, transport, and economic sectors;
  • Others topics related with autonomous mobility.

Dr. Ján Dižo
Dr. Rafał Melnik
Dr. Stasys Steišūnas
Dr. Miroslav Blatnický
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • neural networks
  • road transport
  • rail transport
  • transport means
  • autonomous mobility
  • new trends in transport
  • safety in transport
  • human factor
  • environment

Published Papers (20 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2314 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Fatalities at Northern Indian Railways’ Road–Rail Level Crossings Using Machine Learning Algorithms
by Anil Kumar Chhotu and Sanjeev Kumar Suman
Infrastructures 2023, 8(6), 101; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8060101 - 01 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1567
Abstract
Highway railway level crossings, also widely recognized as HRLCs, present a significant threat to the safety of everyone who uses a roadway, including pedestrians who are attempting to cross an HRLC. More studies with new, proposed solutions are needed due to the global [...] Read more.
Highway railway level crossings, also widely recognized as HRLCs, present a significant threat to the safety of everyone who uses a roadway, including pedestrians who are attempting to cross an HRLC. More studies with new, proposed solutions are needed due to the global rise in HRLC accidents. Research is required to comprehend driver behaviours, user perceptions, and potential conflicts at level crossings, as well as for the accomplishment of preventative measures. The purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth investigation of the HRLCs involved in accidents that are located in the northern zone of the Indian railway system. The accident information maintained by the distinct divisional and zonal offices in the northern railways of India is used for this study. The accident data revealed that at least 225 crossings experienced at least one incident between 2006 and 2021. In this study, the logistic regression and multilayer perception (MLP) methods are used to develop an accident prediction model, with the assistance of various factors from the incidents at HRLCs. Both the models were compared with each other, and it was discovered that MLP supplied the best results for accident predictions compared to the logistic regression method. According to the sensitivity analysis, the relative importance of train speed is the most important, and weekday traffic is the least important. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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15 pages, 3211 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Road Users’ Risk Behaviors in Different Travel Modes: The Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand
by Pawinee Iamtrakul, Sararad Chayphong, Emese Makó and Souvathone Phetoudom
Infrastructures 2023, 8(4), 79; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8040079 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1764
Abstract
This study explores road users’ behaviors and accident analyses on different travel modes in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). The questionnaire survey was adopted and designed based on contributing factors related to risk behavior perceptions in different travel modes. A total of 3000 [...] Read more.
This study explores road users’ behaviors and accident analyses on different travel modes in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). The questionnaire survey was adopted and designed based on contributing factors related to risk behavior perceptions in different travel modes. A total of 3000 participants submitted questionnaires that provided data for a multiple regression model analysis. The results indicated that different travel modes have different risk behavior perceptions. Road users of vulnerable modes of travel, such as walking and cycling, were more aware of risky behaviors than users of others. Risky, violent behavior may occur due to fatigue, driving while taking drugs, or aggressive tactics where the driver may lose control and cause an accident. However, driver negligence, especially violating traffic rules, may sometimes cause risky behavior. The results show that age, gender, education level, income level, marital status, driving experience, accident experience, and attitude toward road safety affect risk behavior perception. In conclusion, the differentiation of vehicles plays a vital role as a critical issue that should be understood for effectively mitigating risks in different travel patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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15 pages, 2822 KiB  
Article
IIoT-Supported Manufacturing-Material-Flow Tracking in a DES-Based Digital-Twin Environment
by Gergő Dávid Monek and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(4), 75; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8040075 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1709
Abstract
Manufacturing processes can be cited as significant research areas when examining infrastructure systems and infrastructure, as they are inextricably linked to both. Examples include automobile manufacturing, the production of traffic signs, etc. Connecting and utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies and processing simulation solutions to [...] Read more.
Manufacturing processes can be cited as significant research areas when examining infrastructure systems and infrastructure, as they are inextricably linked to both. Examples include automobile manufacturing, the production of traffic signs, etc. Connecting and utilizing Industry 4.0 technologies and processing simulation solutions to address industry challenges, such as process optimization and fault detection, are gaining in popularity. Cyber-physical systems and digital twins connect the physical and cyber worlds to enable intelligent manufacturing capabilities, increased system flexibility, decreased manufacturing-cycle times, and improved quality. This paper presents a solution that improves the synchronization between the real (physical) and simulation (digital) layers, using discrete-event-driven simulations to create more efficient and accurate digital-twin environments. Using a combination of inexpensive commercial microcontrollers and an inertial-measurement-unit sensor to enhance a standard programmable logic controller process, a discrete-event-simulation-based digital layer is updated in real time to produce a live digital twin. The system can accurately identify and track products throughout the production cycle while simultaneously updating the digital twin in real time. Even independently, the algorithm running on the microcontroller can be used to gather the input parameters required for the simulation of production processes. The implemented environment can serve as a suitable testing ground for investigating the practical applicability of digital-twin solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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12 pages, 52314 KiB  
Communication
Structural Design and Safety Verification of a Service Hatch Used at Airports by FEM Analysis
by Jakub Fiačan, Jozef Jenis, Damián Čechmánek, Slavomír Hrček and Pavol Michal
Infrastructures 2023, 8(4), 73; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8040073 - 06 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1733
Abstract
This paper examines the design of a maintenance shaft hatch cover at an airport service road which will be utilized at airports in the European Union. The shaft has a particular application: it will be used for information networks and airport security. The [...] Read more.
This paper examines the design of a maintenance shaft hatch cover at an airport service road which will be utilized at airports in the European Union. The shaft has a particular application: it will be used for information networks and airport security. The hatch is also subject to extremely stringent safety criteria. For instance, in a catastrophic case, a wheel from an aircraft could strike the hatch cover. Based on all the input information and after a thorough analysis of the European standards concerning the safety of transport, after performing numerous FEM static evaluations, a hatch cover that can be utilized in airport infrastructure was created. As a result of the FEM analyses, the elements with the greatest impact on static safety were identified. Finally, a simulation of stress tests based on the traffic areas for which the hatch cover was designed, in terms of traffic safety, was carried out. The test led to a positive result, showing that it is possible to apply the hatch directly in practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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28 pages, 9890 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Track Gauge in Curved Sections, Considering Hungarian Railway Lines
by Szabolcs Fischer, Dalma Németh and Henriett Horváth
Infrastructures 2023, 8(4), 69; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8040069 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1788
Abstract
In this paper, the authors examined the change in track gauges in curves for several railway lines with low and high traffic in Hungary (i.e., secondary lines and main lines). They covered the processing of raw data as well as statistical calculations. The [...] Read more.
In this paper, the authors examined the change in track gauges in curves for several railway lines with low and high traffic in Hungary (i.e., secondary lines and main lines). They covered the processing of raw data as well as statistical calculations. The considered curved sections were transition curves (TCs) and circular curves (CCs), as well as—in some cases—entire curves (ECs), including TCs and CCs, but not dividing them into parts. The change of track gauge parameter as a function of elapsed time was analyzed based on the distribution functions by calculating the Vaszary-type shape number. A statistical test with the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed, in which the question as to whether the measurement data of the railway lines followed a normal or lognormal distribution was examined; additionally, the skewness and kurtosis parameters were calculated and analyzed. The authors also took into account the impact of the track system and the sleepers. For the selected curves, the authors observed how the average track gauge changes and categorized them according to tolerances. In presenting and summarizing the tests, the authors formulated a conclusion for each study fulfilled. Despite higher traffic loads, the value of track degradation over time is lower for mainline curves than for secondary line curves. It is because the main line has stricter tolerances due to the higher speeds allowed, and more maintenance work is carried out on these lines. The authors concluded that the type of the track system and the sleeper type also influence the change in track gauges in curves. The accurate deterioration ratios for all analyses are contained in the paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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24 pages, 6297 KiB  
Article
A Risk Assessment Technique for Energy-Efficient Drones to Support Pilots and Ensure Safe Flying
by Szabolcs Kocsis Szürke, Norbert Perness, Péter Földesi, Dmytro Kurhan, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(4), 67; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8040067 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1974
Abstract
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, also known as UAVs, play an increasingly important part in daily life. However, the ever-increasing number of UAVs pose an ever-increasing threat to the transportation infrastructure. Despite their precision and general efficiency, infrastructural-scale Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) have a disadvantage [...] Read more.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, also known as UAVs, play an increasingly important part in daily life. However, the ever-increasing number of UAVs pose an ever-increasing threat to the transportation infrastructure. Despite their precision and general efficiency, infrastructural-scale Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) have a disadvantage regarding their capability of being implanted in the ecosystem. There are several reasons for this, but the primary bottleneck is that their systems are not transparent to society and have very complicated processes. As a result, the authors decided to investigate the functional properties of UASs and make improvements to those properties. Throughout the study, the authors’ primary focus was on analysis, which boosts productivity and ensures a significant level of safety for routine flights. The amount of power that a UAV uses depends on several variables, including the amount of power that its individual components require, the temperature of its surroundings, and the condition of the battery that it is powered by. Therefore, critical parameters and interdependencies are taken into account in the risk assessment strategy for energy-efficient Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). In the case of UAVs, the algorithm performs a risk calculation before take-off to estimate the amount of risk that can be associated with the given flight time when using the provided battery. On the one hand, several instances of the pre-take-off state and how its parameters interact are investigated. On the other hand, they demonstrate the calculation of the risk while in flight, which is based on actual flight data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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23 pages, 7699 KiB  
Article
Testing Road Vehicle User Interfaces Concerning the Driver’s Cognitive Load
by Viktor Nagy, Gábor Kovács, Péter Földesi, Dmytro Kurhan, Mykola Sysyn, Szabolcs Szalai and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(3), 49; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8030049 - 09 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2070
Abstract
This paper investigates the usability of touch screens used in mass production road vehicles. Our goal is to provide a detailed comparison of conventional physical buttons and capacitive touch screens taking the human factor into account. The pilot test focuses on a specific [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the usability of touch screens used in mass production road vehicles. Our goal is to provide a detailed comparison of conventional physical buttons and capacitive touch screens taking the human factor into account. The pilot test focuses on a specific Non-driving Related Task (NDRT): the control of the on-board climate system using a touch screen panel versus rotating knobs and push buttons. Psychological parameters, functionality, usability and, the ergonomics of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) were evaluated using a specific questionnaire, a system usability scale (SUS), workload assessment (NASA-TLX), and a physiological sensor system. The measurements are based on a wearable eye-tracker that provides fixation points of the driver’s gaze in order to detect distraction. The closed road used for the naturalistic driving study was provided by the ZalaZONE Test Track, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. Objective and subjective results of the pilot study indicate that the control of touch screen panels causes higher visual, manual, and cognitive distraction than the use of physical buttons. The statistical analysis demonstrated that conventional techniques need to be complemented in order to better represent human behavior differences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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14 pages, 11532 KiB  
Article
Quality of Automatic Traffic Volume Counting by Cameras and Impact on the Qualitative Indicators of Traffic
by Gëzim Hoxha, Arjanit Fandaj and Xhevahir Bajrami
Infrastructures 2023, 8(3), 44; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8030044 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2141
Abstract
This paper presents research on the collection, analysis, and evaluation of the fundamental data needed for road traffic systems. The basis for the research, analysis, planning and projections for traffic systems are traffic counts and data collection related to traffic volume and type. [...] Read more.
This paper presents research on the collection, analysis, and evaluation of the fundamental data needed for road traffic systems. The basis for the research, analysis, planning and projections for traffic systems are traffic counts and data collection related to traffic volume and type. The quality and accuracy of this data are very important for traffic planning or optimization. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to apply advanced methods of automatic counting of motorized traffic and to evaluate the impact of this data on the measurement of important traffic indicators. The accuracy of measurements arising from the traditional method of data collection through manual counting will be compared with the most advanced methods of automatic counting through cameras. For this purpose, an analytical algorithm for the recognition and processing of data related to road users as a function of the time of day was applied. The program was written in the programming language Python, and the accuracy of the data and its effect on the results of qualitative traffic indicators were analyzed using the Synchro software model. The developed program is capable of recognizing and classifying different types of vehicles in traffic, such as motorbikes, motorcycles, cars, pick-ups, trucks, vans and buses, as well as counting the traffic volume over time. The results obtained from these two models show the advantages of applying advanced methods of data collection and processing related to dynamic traffic processes, as well as the quality in terms of the impact on the measurement of qualitative traffic indicators. A comparison of the quality of results for the different time intervals and varying levels of visibility in traffic is presented using tables and graphs. At nighttime, when visibility was poor, the discrepancy between the manual and automatic counting methods was around 9.5%. However, when visibility was good, the difference between manual counting and the automated program was 4.87% for the period 19:00–19:15 and 3.64% for the period 05:00–05:15. This discrepancy was especially noticeable when distinguishing between vehicle categories, due to the limitations in the accuracy in recognizing and measuring the dimensions of these vehicles. The difference between the two calculation models has a minor effect on qualitative traffic indicators such as: approach LOS, progression factor, v/s, v/c, clearance time, lane group flow, adj. flow, satd, and flow approach delay. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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24 pages, 10828 KiB  
Article
Optimization of 3D Printed Rapid Prototype Deep Drawing Tools for Automotive and Railway Sheet Material Testing
by Szabolcs Szalai, Bálint Herold, Dmytro Kurhan, Attila Németh, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(3), 43; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8030043 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2242
Abstract
The main objective of this research is to identify optimal printing strategies and PLA (polylactic acid) filament materials to produce rapid prototype deep drawing tools. Additive 3D printing technologies have been applied for a long time to produce tools, but the research is [...] Read more.
The main objective of this research is to identify optimal printing strategies and PLA (polylactic acid) filament materials to produce rapid prototype deep drawing tools. Additive 3D printing technologies have been applied for a long time to produce tools, but the research is unique in that it uses conventional and various reinforced PLA materials with conventional FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers. The advantage of this method is that PLA is easy to print and recycle and does not require expensive or special printers, this also gives the article its novelty. A further aim was to produce the tools using commercially available low-end printers. DX53D 0.8 mm thick body steel and AlMg3 2.5 mm thick sheet were the materials to be molded for the tests. The test tool was an Erichsen deep drawing punch. Tool wear was tested using the GOM ATOS measuring system, an optical coordinate measuring machine based on the DIC (Digital Image Correlation) principle, which is also popular in the automotive industry. The study aims to determine the 3D printing and material parameters that can safely produce a minimum batch of 100 parts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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37 pages, 19799 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of Pre-Stressed Reinforced Concrete Railway Sleeper for High-Speed Application
by Zoltán Major, Sarah Khaleel Ibrahim, Majid Movahedi Rad, Attila Németh, Dániel Harrach, Géza Herczeg, Szabolcs Szalai, Szabolcs Kocsis Szürke, Dóra Harangozó, Mykola Sysyn, Dmytro Kurhan, Gusztáv Baranyai, László Gáspár and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(3), 41; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8030041 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2108
Abstract
The current paper deals with the numerical investigation of a unique designed pre-stressed reinforced concrete railway sleeper for the design speed of 300 km/h, as well as an axle load of 180 kN. The authors applied different methodologies in their research: traditional hand-made [...] Read more.
The current paper deals with the numerical investigation of a unique designed pre-stressed reinforced concrete railway sleeper for the design speed of 300 km/h, as well as an axle load of 180 kN. The authors applied different methodologies in their research: traditional hand-made calculations and two types of finite element software. The latter were AxisVM and ABAQUS, respectively. During the calculations, the prestressing loss was not considered. The results from the three methods were compared with each other. The hand-made calculations and the finite element modeling executed by AxisVM software are adequate for determining the mechanical inner forces of the sleeper; however, ABAQUS is appropriate for consideration of enhanced and sophisticated material models, as well as the stress-state of the elements, i.e., concrete, pre-stressed tendons, etc. The authors certified the applicability of these methodologies for performing the dimensioning and design of reinforced concrete railway sleepers with pre-stressing technology. The research team would like to continue their research in an improved manner, taking into consideration real laboratory tests and validating the results from FE modeling, special material models that allow calculation of crackings and their effects in the concrete, and so that the real pattern of the crackings can be measured by GOM Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technology, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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16 pages, 266 KiB  
Article
A Background to a Methodology for Transport Mobile Applications Designing with a Focus on EU Interoperability
by Pavla Šmídová and Stanislav Machalík
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 34; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020034 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1340
Abstract
European rail transport policy aims to create a single railway area. European Union (EU) issues, for this purpose, sets of regulations and directives. Individual countries are involved in its implementation according to their capabilities. The aim of this article is to examine the [...] Read more.
European rail transport policy aims to create a single railway area. European Union (EU) issues, for this purpose, sets of regulations and directives. Individual countries are involved in its implementation according to their capabilities. The aim of this article is to examine the current state of interoperability in the EU, especially in the Czech Republic, and to compare selected mobile applications regarding the possibility of unifying their design of mobile applications. A systematic literature research review methodology was used. The sources of information were mainly the scientific database Web of Science and the database of EU documents EUR-Lex. When examining one of the main parameters—the use of mobile networks—it was found that all of the selected applications use public mobile networks, none of them uses the Global System for Mobile Communications–Railway (GSM–R) network. This finding confirmed the theoretical assumption that this network is not currently ready for more or less massive operation of mobile applications. The possibility of using the next generation railway mobile network is open for discussion as one of the next steps to ensure interoperability in telematics applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
26 pages, 36720 KiB  
Article
Investigation of “Open” Superstructure Tramway Tracks in Budapest
by Vivien Jóvér, Zoltán Major, Attila Németh, Dmytro Kurhan, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 33; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020033 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1478
Abstract
The most important thing nowadays is to use available resources to develop infrastructure as efficiently as possible. In this regard, evaluating the deterioration of tramway tracks is critical from both a technical and an economic viewpoint. In Hungary, seven types of superstructure systems [...] Read more.
The most important thing nowadays is to use available resources to develop infrastructure as efficiently as possible. In this regard, evaluating the deterioration of tramway tracks is critical from both a technical and an economic viewpoint. In Hungary, seven types of superstructure systems are currently differentiated in the case of tramway transport, but the geometrical deterioration, lifecycle, and lifecycle cost of the tramway tracks are not accurately known. The current study aimed to evaluate and compare the results of track geometry measurements of two different “open” tramway superstructure systems depending on their traffic load and age. The geometry measurements we re executed by TrackScan 4.01 instrument, developed and maintained by a Hungarian developer company called Metalelektro Méréstechnika Ltd. The evaluation of the measurements showed a clear relationship between the traffic load, age, and track deterioration. Based on the results, it can be generally stated, concerning “open” superstructure systems, that regardless of the “open” superstructure system or the level of traffic load, the average value of alignment is decreasing; however, the average value of the longitudinal level is increasing. Furthermore, the deterioration of an older ballasted track with lower traffic is similar to that of a younger ballasted track that has a higher traffic load. Another significant result was that the deterioration of the track gauge parameter in the case of concrete slab tracks is clearly described as the broadening of the track gauge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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14 pages, 3291 KiB  
Article
Testing of Lubricants for DIC Tests to Measure the Forming Limit Diagrams of Aluminum Thin Sheet Materials
by Szabolcs Szalai, Hanna Csótár, Dmytro Kurhan, Attila Németh, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 32; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020032 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1403
Abstract
We investigated lubricants and thin teflon foils that can be applied in the formability testing of the thin aluminum sheets used in the electronics and automotive industries. For the tests, thirteen different industrial lubricants (oils and greases) (i.e., L1–L13) and two Teflon films [...] Read more.
We investigated lubricants and thin teflon foils that can be applied in the formability testing of the thin aluminum sheets used in the electronics and automotive industries. For the tests, thirteen different industrial lubricants (oils and greases) (i.e., L1–L13) and two Teflon films (i.e., 0.08 and 0.22 mm thick) were applied. The authors conducted an Erichsen test, and the thickness reduction of the discs was measured first. In forming-limit curve (FLC) tests, it is crucial that the stresses are localized in the central area of the specimen during forming and that biaxial deformation is maintained throughout, if possible. We aimed to achieve and fulfill this task. To perform this measurement, the GOM ARAMIS measuring system was utilized. It is an optical measuring system based on the digital image correlation (DIC) principle, capable of measuring both stresses and displacements in real time. A specific validation method was also developed to qualify the DIC system. We concluded that there was a 5% difference in Erichsen indentation (IE) number diagrams between the best (L12) and worst (L4) cases for the lubricants and oils tested, which is a significant difference for thin plates. We found that this value could be increased and improved by using Teflon discs. Furthermore, the localization of stress maxima, i.e., the centering of cracks in the specimen, could be achieved by combining Teflon discs and L12 lubricant (with appropriate layer order), which significantly aids in the recording of standard FLC diagrams. Using foils is also advantageous because they are readily available, have no expiry date, and are of less environmental concern. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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15 pages, 14595 KiB  
Article
Vibration Diagnostic Methods of Automatic Transmission Service Requirement Prediction
by Péter Őri, Szabolcs Kocsis Szürke, Dmytro Kurhan, Mykola Sysyn, István Lakatos and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 31; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020031 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1957
Abstract
Automatic transmission is a key factor for autonomous driving. The transmission condition is highly affected by the quality and quantity of transmission oil in the system. However, the oil condition is not monitored in the system, and the oil change interval and method [...] Read more.
Automatic transmission is a key factor for autonomous driving. The transmission condition is highly affected by the quality and quantity of transmission oil in the system. However, the oil condition is not monitored in the system, and the oil change interval and method are still a subject of discussion. This paper analyzes the effects of oil changes in automatic transmissions. The measurements were carried out before and after the oil change with the same external conditions. With the vibration measurement method, data can be collected without disassembling the parts and during operational conditions. Furthermore, time- and frequency-based analyses were conducted to compare different transmissions’ operations. The results have shown that the effect of oil degradation is measurable on the amplitude of the signals and, therefore, predictable with vibration diagnostics. During the evaluation, the maximum values were compared on measurements with at least a 2-s length. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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26 pages, 5808 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Surface Preparation and Painting Processes for Railway and Automotive Steel Sheets
by Szabolcs Szalai, Brigitta Fruzsina Szívós, Dmytro Kurhan, Attila Németh, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 28; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020028 - 08 Feb 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1941
Abstract
The article deals with DIC (Digital Image Correlation) tests on steel plates used in the automotive and railway industries, as well as in the construction industry. The most critical part of DIC tests is the quality of proper surface preparation, painting, and random [...] Read more.
The article deals with DIC (Digital Image Correlation) tests on steel plates used in the automotive and railway industries, as well as in the construction industry. The most critical part of DIC tests is the quality of proper surface preparation, painting, and random patterns. The paint mediates the deformation of the optical systems, and its quality is paramount. The authors’ goal in this research is to determine the optimal dye–cleaning–drying time parameters for DIC studies. Commercially available surface preparation and cleaning agents were tested alongside commercially available spray paints. Standard and specific qualification procedures were applied for the measurements. Once the appropriate parameters were determined, the results were validated and qualified by GOM ARAMIS tests. Based on the results, DIC measurements can be performed with higher accuracy and safety in laboratorial and industrial conditions, compared to the traditional deformation measurements executed by dial gauges or linear variable differential transformers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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18 pages, 6923 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Surface Cleaning and Painting Methods for DIC Measurements on Automotive and Railway Aluminum Materials
by Szabolcs Szalai, Viktória Fehér, Dmytro Kurhan, Attila Németh, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 27; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020027 - 06 Feb 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1835
Abstract
The preparatory operations of DIC (Digital Image Correlation) tests were investigated in this study, with special emphasis on specimen cleaning and painting operations. As it is well known, DIC tests are non-contact and applied in materials research, the analysis of complex structures, and, [...] Read more.
The preparatory operations of DIC (Digital Image Correlation) tests were investigated in this study, with special emphasis on specimen cleaning and painting operations. As it is well known, DIC tests are non-contact and applied in materials research, the analysis of complex structures, and, nowadays, the construction industry. The use of DIC technologies has seen a dynamic increase in all scientific fields. In our study, aluminum body panels for automotive and railway applications were tested using this technique. There are many articles on proper patterning in the literature but fewer on preparation and priming. These are critical for a successful DIC measurement. This paper looks at different surface cleaners and primers with different grading procedures and will also determine the time window within which the paint should be applied. Finally, the GOM ARAMIS system was applied to measure and characterize the painted surface and visible deformation defects resulting from inadequate painting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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21 pages, 5688 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Track Gauge and Alignment Parameters of Ballasted Railway Tracks Based on Real Measurements Using Signal Processing Techniques
by Szabolcs Fischer, Nándor Liegner, Péter Bocz, Ákos Vinkó and György Terdik
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 26; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020026 - 06 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
This paper deals with the time-frequency characteristic analysis for track geometry irregularities using field data recorded by a comprehensive track inspection train. The parameters of the track gauge and the left and right rail alignment are considered to identify their characteristic wavelengths and [...] Read more.
This paper deals with the time-frequency characteristic analysis for track geometry irregularities using field data recorded by a comprehensive track inspection train. The parameters of the track gauge and the left and right rail alignment are considered to identify their characteristic wavelengths and the locations of their waveforms. In addition to the conventional time and frequency domain analysis, auto-adaptive signal decomposition techniques are used on four pre-selected track sections. During the time series analysis of the track gauge, the cumulative difference from the mean value is calculated, which makes it possible to distinguish the track section constructed with non-standard initial track gauges. The sensitive wavelengths of the track irregularities are obtained from the proper allocation of wavelength ranges in the Fourier Amplitude Spectrum of the original signal and the Fourier transform of the components detected by the Variational Mode Decomposition. This analysis can elucidate the wavelengths and positions of track irregularities that affect vehicle responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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14 pages, 7674 KiB  
Article
Examination of Concrete Canvas under Quasi-Realistic Loading by Computed Tomography
by Balázs Eller, Majid Movahedi Rad, Imre Fekete, Szabolcs Szalai, Dániel Harrach, Gusztáv Baranyai, Dmytro Kurhan, Mykola Sysyn and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(2), 23; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8020023 - 05 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1669
Abstract
The current paper concerns the investigation of CC (Concrete Canvas), a unique building material from the GCCM (geosynthetic cementitious composite mat) product group. The material is suitable for trench lining, trench paving, or even military construction activities, while the authors’ purpose is to [...] Read more.
The current paper concerns the investigation of CC (Concrete Canvas), a unique building material from the GCCM (geosynthetic cementitious composite mat) product group. The material is suitable for trench lining, trench paving, or even military construction activities, while the authors’ purpose is to investigate the application of the material to road and railway substructure improvement. This research was carried out to verify the material’s suitability for transport infrastructure and its beneficial effects. The authors’ previous study reported that the primary measurements were puncture, compression, and the parameters evaluated in four-point bending (laboratory) tests. However, based on the results, finite element modeling was not feasible because the testing of the composite material in a single layer did not provide an accurate indication. For this reason, the material characteristics required for modeling were investigated. A unique, novel testing procedure and assembly were performed, wherein the material was loaded under quasi-realistic conditions with a crushed stone ballast sample and other continuous particle size distribution samples in a closed polyethylene tube. In addition, the deformation of the material following deformed bonding was measured by computed tomography scanning, and the results were evaluated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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13 pages, 5407 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Stressed State of Sand-Soil Using Ultrasound
by Lukas Benedikt Schumacher, Mykola Sysyn, Ulf Gerber and Szabolcs Fischer
Infrastructures 2023, 8(1), 4; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures8010004 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1667
Abstract
The maintenance of the ballast substructure is an important cost-driver for railway systems. The problem is that today’s condition monitoring methods are insufficient to collect detailed data on the compaction and stress allocation inside the ballast bed. That makes it challenging to improve [...] Read more.
The maintenance of the ballast substructure is an important cost-driver for railway systems. The problem is that today’s condition monitoring methods are insufficient to collect detailed data on the compaction and stress allocation inside the ballast bed. That makes it challenging to improve the maintenance technology and organization. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of the ultrasound method for analyzing the state of stress of sand-soil and the relation between the residual stress and wave propagation velocity. The experiments on the sand in a box with different allocations of the ultrasonic receivers and pressure measurement cells were produced under different external loading. In addition, the vertical and horizontal stress distributions were measured. The results showed a correlation between the test load, the state of stress, and the ultrasound propagation velocity. Moreover, the residual stresses after the loading cycles were analyzed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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12 pages, 2189 KiB  
Article
Crack Detection and Classification in Moroccan Pavement Using Convolutional Neural Network
by Wafae Hammouch, Chaymae Chouiekh, Ghizlane Khaissidi and Mostafa Mrabti
Infrastructures 2022, 7(11), 152; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/infrastructures7110152 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2526
Abstract
Crack is a condition indicator of the pavement’s structure. Generally, crack detection is an essential task for effective diagnosis of the road network. Moreover, evaluation of road quality is necessary to ensure traffic security. Since 2011, a periodic survey of approximately 57,500 km [...] Read more.
Crack is a condition indicator of the pavement’s structure. Generally, crack detection is an essential task for effective diagnosis of the road network. Moreover, evaluation of road quality is necessary to ensure traffic security. Since 2011, a periodic survey of approximately 57,500 km of Moroccan roads has been performed using an inspection vehicle (SMAC) which is equipped with high resolution cameras and GPS/DGPS receivers. Until recently, the teams of the National Center for Road Studies and Research (CNER) analyzed road surface states by visualization of pavement surface image sequences captured by the Multifunctional Pavement Assessment System (SMAC) in order to detect defects in road surfaces and classify them according to their type. However, this method involves manual processing and is complex, time consuming and subjective. In this paper, we propose an automated methodology for crack detection and classification in Moroccan flexible pavements using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). Transfer learning is also applied by testing a pre-trained Visual Geometry Group 19 (VGG-19) model. For the dataset used in this paper, the results indicate that good crack detection and classification are achieved using both models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transport, Vehicle and Railway Engineering)
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