Ride comfort is one of the key issues in passenger transport. Its level depends on many factors related to both environmental factors and individual human characteristics. Ensuring good travel conditions translates into higher quality transport services. This article presents a literature review, which shows that ride comfort is most often considered in the context of the impact of mechanical vibrations on the human body, while other factors are usually neglected. The aim of this study was to conduct experimental studies that take into account more than one type of ride comfort. These studies concerned metro cars in the Warsaw metro system. Three types of comfort were evaluated: vibrational, thermal, and visual, based on vibration acceleration measurements, air temperature, relative air humidity, and illuminance. The ride comfort in the vehicle bodies’ front, middle, and rear parts was tested under typical running conditions. The criteria for assessing the effect of individual physical factors on ride comfort were selected based on applicable European and international standards. The test results indicate good thermal and light environment conditions in every measuring point. The slight decrease in passenger comfort is undoubtedly due to the effects of vibrations occurring while mid journey. In tested metro cars, horizontal components have a more significant impact on reducing vibration comfort than other components.

Recently, many activities have been undertaken to reduce the negative impact of transport on the environment, e.g., using propulsion sources and consumed energy. Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Methods of measuring the emissivity of the means of transport as well as devices for determining measurements are being developed. This work presents an indicator method (IM) for determining the emissivity of road transport, while omitting the use of quite complicated and expensive research equipment. For typical road vehicles, it is possible to determine the emissivity means of transport, taking into account statistical data. The values of the indicators selected, based on statistical data analysis, were verified by comparing their values with the results of the actual emissivity of air pollutants. As part of the research work, the emissivity values of selected means of transport in a distribution company were determined using the IM method. The results were compared with the actual emissivity measurements. The method of indicative determination of emissivity makes it possible to estimate the initial emissivity level, knowing the type of vehicle and the distance performed as part of the transport work. Thanks to a simple and uncomplicated method, delivery planning can become more sustainable, and the selection of less emissive means of transport can contribute to reducing the negative impact of transportation on the environment.

The paper presents an analytical method for determining the emissivity of transport modes, based on emissivity indicators for various vehicle types and statistical data. The method developed enables the determination of the emissivity of various vehicle types without the need to carry out tests on real vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to compare the vehicle emissivity results obtained using the developed analytical method with the real-world results obtained in RDE tests based on a case study, i.e. an analysis of the emissivity of passenger transport modes in Warsaw. The paper contains a summary of the results of measurements and calculations, as well as an analysis of potential areas of application for the developed analytical method.

This article analyses the impact of environmental factors on passenger ride comfort in various modes of transportation using an original evaluation method based on a synthetic comfort index. Four key aspects of ride comfort were considered: vibrational, acoustic, thermal, and visual. This study was conducted on a medium-class passenger car and two types of Warsaw metro trains (new and older trainsets). Comfort was evaluated on a five-point scale, where the final score was derived from the lowest score of one of the factors tested. This article emphasises that various environmental factors simultaneously affect passengers, which requires a comprehensive assessment. The proposed method makes it possible to identify areas for improvement, such as noise reduction in older vehicles or road infrastructure upgrades, which can significantly improve the overall quality of travel.

The authors analyzed air pollution emissions during intermodal and road transport. The research question was an attempt to determine which type of transport is characterized by lower emissions, assuming that intermodal transport is carried out by rail, using two locomotives: diesel and electric. The research method used the results of actual tests determining the emissions of diesel locomotives, the emission index method determining the approximate value of air pollutant emissions generated by road vehicles, and data showing the volume of air pollutant emissions resulting from the consumption of electricity, which was used by electric locomotives, based on statistical data from The National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE).

In the article, the authors presented the technical, technological, legal, and business conditions of the functioning of rail freight transport in the international transport market. The authors analyzed the literature, considering this area's most important national and international normative documents. An essential element of the considerations is the presented schematic concepts of models for various forms of rail freight transport. The main ways of organizing freight transport at the eastern border were also indicated. The reasons for barriers that negatively affect the competitiveness of rail transport with other modes of transportation, especially in international transport, were shown. The rail transport market has undergone many changes recently, including investments in railway infrastructure, the growing importance of intermodal transport, and support for a more sustainable transport system. The article indicates the reasons for the occurrence of barriers that negatively affect the possibilities of further development of railways and the competitiveness of rail transport with other modes of transportation, especially in international transport.