Understanding local phenomena connected with airflow around road vehicles allows to reduce the negative impact of transportation on the environment. This paper presents using numerical tools for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational AeroAcoustic (CAA) calculation. As a model for simulation, simplified car geometry is used, which is known in the research community as an Ahmed body. The study is divided into two main parts: a validation process and a CAA analysis using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) analogy. Research is performed using $k-\omega$ Shear Stress Transport (SST) and the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model. To compare results with other authors’ studies, three different comparison criteria are introduced: a drag coefficient for different velocities, characteristic flow structure, and velocity profiles. The CAA analysis is presented using colormaps and Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The methods used in this work allow visualizing the acoustic field around reference geometry and determining the frequency range for which the A-weighted sound pressure level is the highest.

The paper is a result of a synergic cooperation of two academic teams, i.e. power engineering and mechanical teams, and a distribution system operator. A real 15 kV overhead line exposed to a catastrophic load of ice and rime was analyzed and three solutions to improve the reliability of the tested object in such conditions were examined. Authors considered: shortening the length of the line spans, heating the main line with increased current and rebuilding the overhead line to a cable line. The researches worked out a FEM model taking into account the newest normatives, simulated the model, experimentally increased the load on the real line with measured wire temperature, and performed multi-variant calculations to determine indicators of reliability, i.e. SAIDI and SAIFI. The analyses were followed by conclusions thanks to which the reliability of power lines exposed to catastrophic icing could be increased. These inferences should be considered and applied by all distribution system operators in Poland.

In recent years there has been dynamic progress in the development of fully autonomous trucks and their combination and coordination into sets of vehicles moving behind each other within short distances, i.e., platooning. Numerous reports from around the world present significant benefits of platooning for the environment due to reduced emissions, reduced fuel costs, and improved logistics in the transport industry. This paper presents original aerodynamic and aeroacoustic studies of identical truck column models. They are divided into four main stages. In the first, a truck model and three columns of identical trucks with different distances between the vehicles was made and tested using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Two turbulence models were used in the study: $k-\omega$ shear stress transport (SST) and large eddy simulation (LES). The aim of the work was to determine the drag coefficients for each set of vehicles. The second stage of work included determination of sound field distributions generated by moving vehicles. Using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) analogy, the sound pressure levels were determined, followed by the sound pressure levels A. In order to verify the correctness of the work carried out, field tests were also performed and additional acoustic calculations were carried out using the NMPB-Routes-2008 and ISO 9613-2 models. Calculations were performed using SoundPlan software. The performed tests showed good quality of the built aerodynamic and aeroacoustic models. The results presented in this paper have a universal character and can be used to build intelligent transport systems (ITSs) and intelligent environmental management systems (IEMSs) for municipalities, counties, cities, and urban agglomerations by taking into account the platooning process.

The last decade has seen an exponential interest in conventional and unconventional energy issues. This trend has also extended to road transport issues and is driven by expectations to minimize fuel and/or energy consumption and negative environmental impact. In the global literature, much attention is focused on the work of autonomous transport, both passenger and trucks, and on the phenomena of platooning. The paper presents original aerodynamic and aeroacoustic tests of heterogeneous vehicle columns. In the work, models of a car, a van and a truck were built, followed by heterogeneous columns with different distances between the vehicles. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods and two turbulence models, $k-\omega$ shear stress transport (SST) and large eddy simulation (LES), were used in this study. The study enabled the determination of drag coefficients and lift force. Application of the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) analogy allowed for the determination of the distributions of sound pressure levels generated by moving vehicles and columns of vehicles. In order to verify the developed models, acoustic field measurements were made for the following passages: passenger car, van, and truck. Acoustic pressure level and A-weighted sound level (SPL) were measured in Krakow and in its vicinity. Research has shown that grouping vehicles into optimal columns and maintaining distances between vehicles using modern control systems can result in significant energy savings and reduce harmful emissions to the environment.

In recent years, there has been a dynamic increase in the use of multirotor flying robots in various areas of economic and social life. Robots of this kind may be used in environmental research, after equipping them with an appropriate measuring systems. This includes taking measurements of various types of contaminants, such as: particulate matter (PM), various gases, noise and light pollution. To make this possible, it is necessary to conduct advanced model-simulation tests of the flying platform, analyse and determine the appropriate location for the measurement system. Most of the current research on methods and techniques of taking measurements on the flying platform does not take into account these issues. This work consists of two main parts: modeling and simulation tests, and experimental part carried out in laboratory conditions. As part of the work, quadrocopter dynamics equations have been developed and implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment. The developed discrete mathematical model made it possible to simulate different robot maneuvers: upward, forward, sideways and rotation flight. In order to determine the required characteristics of the multicopter drive sets, a mobile dynamometer station was designed, constructed and programmed. The dynamometer allows, among others, to take measurements of thrust force, torque and rotational speed. The final stage of the work was the development of the numerical model and CFD calculations of the quadrocopter. In this part, distributions of the pressure fields and velocity for the robot's hover state were determined.

Currently, overhead lines dominate in the Polish medium and low voltage distribution networks. Maintaining their high reliability constitutes a very important challenge, especially under the severely changing climate conditions. An overhead power line exposed to high ice and rime loads has been considered. Using the finite element method (FEM), mechanical reliability of the distribution infrastructure was examined under various atmospheric conditions. Loads under the stressful conditions of rime, ice and wind were determined for the weakest section of the 30 kV overhead line, which consisted of concrete poles and ACSR conductors. SAIDI and SAIFI reliability indices and costs were determined for several variants of object reconstruction. The results allowed for determination of a solution relying on relocating the cables of all lateral branches and main line ice protection, through a system based on a weather-coordinated increase of the electrical load. To verify the solution proposed, a field experiment was conducted. The experiment confirmed the effectiveness of the solution proposed that appears to be universal. The paper is a result of synergic cooperation of two academic teams, i.e. a mechanical and electrical power engineering one, and the distribution system operator (DSO).