Trans Motauto World
Vol. 10 (2025), Issue 1

Table of Contents

  • TRANSPORT TECHNICS. INVESTIGATION OF ELEMENTS. RELIABILITY

    • Study on the Use of Polymer 3D-Printed Material for the Verification Process of a Metal Topology-Optimized Bracket

      pg(s) 3-8

      The article proposes a cost-effective and rapid method for the preliminary verification of an optimized metal air brake bracket using a 3D-printed polymer model. The original bracket, used in light jet aircraft, is made of the aluminium alloy Al 2024 T351 and manufactured using conventional CNC machining technology. The study presents a structural optimized bracket, intended to be produced using 3D printing technology with AlSi10Mg material to reduce weight. The bracket is presented along with its static load, stress-strain analysis, and the weight structural optimization procedure using ANSYS Workbench. Modifications to the bracket’s shape were made to meet the static stress-strain and buckling characteristics of the original bracket, resulting in a 32% weight reduction. The complex model of the optimized bracket was verified both numerically using ANSYS Workbench and experimentally using 3D-printed bracket models made from substitute polymer ASA material, printed with the Prusa Mk3 printer. The article also presents the results of basic tensile material tests on ASA material coupons printed in various positions to determine the semi-isotropic characteristics necessary for numerical analysis. The substitute material bracket provides potential for indicative verification of the numerically optimized model, though its usage is limited. Finally, the article offers recommendations for further research.

    • Development of an acoustic emission signal recording system

      pg(s) 9-11

      The objective of this study is to develop a system for recording and processing acoustic emission signals. The research focuses on designing cost-effective experimental equipment for investigating acoustic emission processes under laboratory conditions, with the capability of being reconfigured for specific applications depending on loading conditions and methods, material properties, environmental conditions, etc. A laboratory rig for recording and analysing acoustic emission data has been developed and experimentally tested. This paper presents the system’s block diagram and its operational algorithm. Furthermore, the correlation between the results of statistical processing of the recorded data and the physical characteristics of the input signals is demonstrated using model acoustic signals, incorporating various components of the developed rig.

    • Multi-Method Statistical Analysis of Factors Influencing Predictive Maintenance of Electric Vehicle Fleets

      pg(s) 12-15

      Accurate estimation of predictive maintenance is important for effective electric vehicle fleet management. Existing approaches often fail to account for the complex relationships between diverse influencing factors. In this study, we propose a multi-method statistical analysis framework that integrates Spearman correlation, Mutual Information, and ElasticNet regression to quantify these relationships. The findings show that charge cycles and load weight exhibit the strongest positive correlations with Remaining Useful Life (RUL), while route roughness and battery temperature demonstrate significant negative impacts. Additionally, the Mutual Information analysis identified battery temperature as having the strongest non-linear relationship with RUL, underscoring its unique predictive relevance. Interestingly, maintenance records were found to have small predictive value across all analytical methods. The ElasticNet regression also refined the analysis by identifying 11 critical predictive factors, successfully eliminating redundant variables, and showing how corresponding statistical methods can improve predictive maintenance. These results can help the fleet operators to prioritize monitoring efforts on the most impactful factors and develop more precise RUL prediction models.

    • Detection of fibre continuity in joints of metallic and composite thin-walled materials formed by thermal drilling technology by computed tomography

      pg(s) 16-19

      This paper presents the results of scanning fiber continuity in the joints of thin sheets made of aluminum and magnesium alloys with bi-directionally glass and carbon fiber-reinforced composites formed by thermal drilling technology using computed tomography. The scans show the progression of the bushing forming and the closure of the fibres in the hem joint. Little delamination, but no fiber fracture are visible in metal-composite joints.

    • Development of flexible auger working bodies designs to improve the performance of bulk materials transport

      pg(s) 20-22

      The article presents a scheme of a new combined screw conveyor, which makes it possible to improve the performance of conveyors. To eliminate the identified disadvantages in the operation of flexible screw conveyors, new types of sectional working bodies hinged to each other have been developed, which will increase the reliability and durability of conveyors.

  • TRANSPORT. SAFETY AND ECOLOGY. LOGISTICS AND MANAGEMENT

    • New trends in road traffic safety with better environmental protection

      pg(s) 23-24

      About a hundred young lives are lost on Serbian roads every year. Since the beginning of 2025, eight young people have died in traffic accidents in Serbia. According to Norwegian statistics, the share of traffic accidents involving electric cars more than tripled between 2018 and 2023, but the increase in the accident rate is still proportional to the number of electric cars. The subject of many debates in recent years is the fact that electric cars are very quiet. Electric cars are more likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians. At least compared to diesel and gasoline engines. In March 2025 at the International Motor Show in Belgrade, the new all-electric “Fiat Grande Panda” produced in Serbia was presented. The launch of serial production at the factory in Kragujevac will affect the economic development of Serbia. The fight for environmental protection is a process that requires long-term commitment, large investments, and active cooperation between governments, the private sector, and citizens.

    • Green logistics – a condition for the country’s sustainable development

      pg(s) 25-28

      Transport and logistics services play a crucial role in the economic development of any country, especially in Georgia, as they contribute to the growth of other sectors of the economy. However, as a significant energy consumer, it also has a very negative impact on the environment. The aim of the study is to learn the relationship between green logistics and sustainable development, investigate the impact of transport and logistics services on the environment from an economic, ecological, and social perspective, and identify possible ways to achieve sustainable development in the country through green logistics. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and empirical data, we can conclude that to achieve sustainable development goals, it is necessary to create transport systems that are capable of optimal use of resources and high environmental responsibility. Green logistics just is the practice that responds to these requirements. Meanwhile, Georgia’s geographical location as a transport corridor between Europe and Asia highlights the particular need for sustainable logistics solutions for the benefit of the country.

    • Utilization of Software-Based Methods for Calculating Vehicle Speed in Traffic Accident Reconstruction: A Case Study

      pg(s) 29-33

      The use of video surveillance systems (Closed-Circuit Television – CCTV) has become widespread across various modern applications. In the context of forensic documentation submitted for expert analysis, digital video recordings of traffic collisions are increasingly common. These recordings often capture not only the moment of impact but also crucial pre- and post-collision events. Such footage provides valuable data for understanding the dynamics of an incident and conducting detailed kinematic analyses. Accident reconstruction software, such as AnalyzerPro and PC Crash, includes specialized video analysis modules. When certain conditions are met, these modules can be used to extract quantitative information about the position and velocity of involved vehicles or individuals at specific moments in time. This paper provides an overview of the operational principles of these modules, the prerequisites for their effective use, and the precision with which they estimate kinematic parameters, as demonstrated in a case study.

  • VEHICLE ENGINES. APPLICATION OF FUELS TYPES. EFFICIENCY

    • Energy and exergy analyses of gas turbine set and its components

      pg(s) 34-44

      This paper presents energy and exergy analysis results of whole gas turbine set and all its components. From the energy viewpoint, combustion chamber has the lowest energy loss (21.31 MW) and the highest energy efficiency (97.20%) of all gas turbine set components. Exergy analysis shows totally opposite trend in comparison to the energy analysis. From the exergy viewpoint, turbocompressor and turbine have low exergy destruction (both around 12 MW) and very high exergy efficiencies (92.43% for turbocompressor and 96.12% for turbine) at the base ambient state. Simultaneously, at the base ambient state combustion chamber has an exergy destruction of 159 MW and low exergy efficiency of 73.29% only. The combustion chamber is the most sensitive to the ambient temperature change of all components from the gas turbine set – the ambient temperature change of 10 °C will result with combustion chamber exergy efficiency change of approximately 0.67%. Whole gas turbine set (plant) has an energy efficiency of 34.40% and exergy efficiency of 33.08%.