This study provides a comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) of renewable energy sources, focusing on the emissions and ecological impacts associated with photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind energy technologies. The research evaluates emissions from raw material extraction, production, operation, and disposal, as well as the role of energy-storage systems. Photovoltaic systems exhibit life-cycle emissions ranging between 28–100 [g eq/kWh], influenced by factors like production energy mix and panel efficiency. Wind turbines demonstrate lower emissions, approximately 7–38 [g eq/kWh], with variations based on turbine type and operational conditions. Despite low operational emissions, the full environmental impact of renewables includes biodiversity disruptions, land use changes, and material recycling challenges. The findings highlight that while renewable technologies significantly reduce emissions compared to fossil fuels, their ecological footprint necessitates integrated sustainability strategies. The analysis supports policymakers and stakeholders in making informed decisions for a balanced energy transition, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in renewable technology life-cycle management.
The 21st century is a time of rapid development, marked by technological advances, globalization, and international cooperation. It is also a period that has witnessed numerous global crises. In light of recent events, such as the migration crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, it is crucial to consider how to ensure economic stability and enhance the security of the transportation sector in the face of emerging threats. The goal of this publication is to identify the latest solutions in sustainable transportation development and to highlight their relevance in the context of potential global crises. To achieve this, a systematic review of the current research on transportation industry innovations was conducted using 4 different databases, yielding 492 results. From these, 223 publications were selected for analysis based on established criteria. The selected transport solutions were grouped into specific categories, and then their relevance in the context of global crises was discussed. The findings highlighted key solutions essential for economic stability and transport sector safety in potential crisis situations, while also pointing to further research directions. Additionally, they offer actionable concepts for transport organizers to promote a more resilient and sustainable flow of passengers and goods in anticipation of future crises.
The observed increase in demand for transport leads to higher energy consumption, which still predominantly originates from fossil fuels. As a result, the transport sector remains one of the main sources of GHG emissions. At the same time, transport activities bring economic benefits by generating public income and contributing to GDP. This article analyzes the relationship between total final energy consumption in transport, CO2 emissions from transport, and government revenues, using Poland as a case study. The study applies Johansen’s cointegration method to identify long-term relationships between time series. Unlike many cross-country studies, this research addresses a gap by focusing specifically on Poland—a post-transition economy where the transport sector holds both fiscal and environmental significance. After cointegration test, the Impulse Response Function was used to examine dynamics and identify system shocks. Results indicate that energy consumption in transport significantly affects both CO2 emissions and government revenues. A rise in energy use leads to higher emissions and also correlates with increased public income. The study contributes to the understanding of how transport-related energy use impacts both fiscal outcomes and emissions in a national context. These findings offer a foundation for shaping future policies that promote economic growth and stable revenue while encouraging more efficient energy use and lower emissions.
Every year, thousands of accidents occur in Poland, often resulting in severe injuries or even death. The implementation of solutions supporting road safety analysis and management processes is necessary to reduce the risk of accidents and minimize their consequences. One of the rapidly developing tools that can play a key role in this area is machine learning. The aim of this study was to develop mathematical models based on ML algorithms describing road safety in Poland. First, variables with the strongest impact on safety were extracted. Then, mathematical modeling was performed using the k-Nearest Neighbors, Random Forest, and RPart algorithms. The best choice for imbalanced data, especially when the goal is to identify rare classes, is the RF model. The KNN model provides a compromise in situations where the highest overall accuracy is desired. On the other hand, the RPart model can be used as a fast, basic model, but it requires improvements to handle rare classes. The results not only identified factors that significantly affect the severity of injuries or the number of fatalities in accidents but, above all, also demonstrated the ability of ML-based models to predict threats and their consequences.
Modern manufacturing companies should adapt to the needs and requirements of customers, and the products manufactured should meet the needs of customers. Meeting these requirements is the key to maintaining an appropriate position on the market. In production systems, an important element of the...
30 September 2024 in Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport
Public transport focuses on meeting the transport needs of people both within the city and in the suburban area. Passenger transport is a key element of sustainable development and improving the quality of life in agglomerations because it provides mobility for residents and tourists. In recent years, residents have become increasingly willing to use public transport. However, this trend was disrupted as a result of global changes taking place in the years 2019 - 2022. The aim of this publication was to analyse and assess the impact of crisis situations on the implementation of transport processes using the example of public transport in Warsaw. It has been shown that events such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine also had a significant impact on the functioning of transport processes in Warsaw public transport. The study made it possible to identify recommendations aimed at securing the operation of public transport in the event of similar threats in the future.