The paper considers the possibility of tribological application of epoxy composites filled with microcapsules with a lubricant. Microcapsules in polyester shells containing industrial oil I-40 were added to the matrix of epoxy-diane resin ED-20.

During slip tests, the capsules are damaged by counterbody irregularities, causing oil to enter the contact area. The lubricating effect of the released oil and the trapping of wear particles in the cavities left by the ruptured capsules lead to a significant reduction in both the coefficient of friction and the specific wear rate.

An important role in ensuring the performance of the friction unit is played by tribochemical reactions that occur during the interaction of the composite with the metal surface. The kinetics of the formation of secondary surface structures during friction was studied by attenuated total internal reflection IR spectroscopy. The morphology and elemental composition of the structures formed on the surface of the counterbody during friction were studied using a Zeiss EVO MA 18 scanning (raster) electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an X-Max 50N energy dispersive analyzer (EDS).

The paper studies the influence of the interelectrode medium and electric spark processing (EDT) modes on the microhardness, structure and tribological properties of the modified surface layers formed under various technological modes. The following esters were used as the interelectrode medium: DOS is the dioctyl sebacate (an ester of isooctyl alcohol (2-ethylhexanol) and sebacic acid) and DOP is the dioctyl phthalate (a diester of phthalic acid and 2-ethylhexanol), which have a complex branched structure and high-energy release during decomposition. The pulse period (T, μs) and pulse duration (t, μs), as well as their combination - the duty cycle of the pulses, were considered as controlled technological parameters. Analysis of the conducted studies shows the effectiveness of using ESA in the interelectrode media under consideration for coatings of heavily loaded tribosystems.

A complex theoretical-experimental research has been carried out for studying effect of micron particles of magnesium oxide and boron carbide filler on the viscoelastic properties of epoxy-diane resin composites. Experimental data for the created composites were obtained by indentation method. Identification of mechanical properties of viscoelastic composites on the basis of experimentally obtained diagrams "load-penetration" is carried out on the basis of the created computational algorithm. The results of identification of the Prony's model parameters from experimental creep curves, which were obtained within the framework of the micro indentation method, are presented. The identification of the model parameters was carried out by a hybrid method based on the genetic algorithm and the Nelder – Mead method. This approach provides a stable scheme for the determination of the sought parameters. The presented approach to the study of mechanical properties of materials is effective in the identification of viscoelastic properties of composite coatings. 

The results of the operation of the comb lubrication devices of various methods of lubrication are presented: contact and liquid. The influence of lubrication technology on the formation of locomotive operational efficiency indicators was studied using the example of a fleet of electric freight locomotives of one series, on which contact and liquid type ridge lubrication devices are installed. The effect-forming factors obtained during the application of comb lubrication devices and the distribution of effects between the Traction Directorate and the Service Company providing maintenance of locomotives with installed comb lubricators are determined.

A comparative analysis of two scenarios with the use of contact and liquid type comb lubricators and a comparison of the main indicators determining the technical and economic efficiency of the use of comb lubricators is carried out. 

On machines of the milling group, various operations are performed for processing metal workpieces with end, end, groove, and cylindrical cutters. Using cutting tools and devices, thread cutting operations are performed. One of the main sources of noise that exceeds sanitary standards is the “cutting tool – workpiece” system. The article presents theoretical studies and derives analytical dependencies of sound pressure and sound power levels for technological processes of milling and planing, and obtains expressions for vibration speeds. The presented approach is distinguished by the simplicity and logic of the engineering calculation of sound pressure levels, taking into account the natural frequencies of vibration of the cutting tool and the workpiece over the entire standardized frequency range. 

Based on the analysis of scientific, technical and patent information, defects and destructions of the main structural elements of injecting steam coolers (ISC) identified during the operation of boilers, in particular their nozzles, the main processes affecting the ISC resource are noted. Using the results of the analysis and the current state of research on improving the reliability and resource of the ISC, the ways of improving the main elements of the ISC design are formulated, which are aimed at improving the reliability and resource of the ISC while maintaining the high quality of spraying with cooling water nozzles. These ways include the selection of promising materials of nozzles and optimization of the design of nozzles and other parts of the ISC with the identified potential fracture zones, modeling of the stress-strain state, temperature fields of nozzles and ISC as a whole, features of the distribution of media flows and velocity distribution fields of media in nozzles and ISC as a whole, erosive wear of their surfaces, the process of cracking, etc. the development of cracks. 

The paper deals with the problem of the initial orientation of the drone aircraft by high-precision satellite measurements. The solution is obtained in the form of explicit dependencies of the orientation angles of the UAV relative to the geographical coordinate system from secondary satellite measurements of the coordinates of navigation receivers located on the drone aircraft in the geocentric coordinate system. It is given a numerical estimate of the proposed method ‘precision illustrating the effectiveness of its practical application. 

The paper provides the description of the effective methodology developed by the authors for forecasting the demand for freight transportation. The study proposed using an integrated approach that includes various forecasting methods, such as time series analysis, econometric models and expert assessments. Time series analysis is a method based on the study of changes in the value of a variable over time. Econometric models, in turn, make it possible to establish the relationship between various economic indicators and the demand for freight transportation. The use of expert assessments considers using the characteristics of a particular industry and the professional opinions. The study confirms that using different forecasting methods can significantly improve forecast accuracy and help logistics companies make more informed decisions. So, the methodology developed by the authors for forecasting the demand for freight transportation allows us to achieve the most accurate results and optimize the activities of logistics companies. 

The developed technical and technological parameters of railway stations for loading and unloading in the largest metropolises of the Russian Federation of solid municipal waste transported using piggyback technology are presented, including requirements for track and terminal-warehouse station infrastructure, the choice of a rational method for organizing the reception of municipal waste at the railway transport, the type of rolling stock used for the implementation of these transportations, methods of performing loading and unloading operations with the transported cargo, as well as requirements for train formation, economics of the transportation process, compliance with environmental requirements taking into account the legislation of the Russian Federation and the possibility of applying the tariff policy of JSC Russian Railways as part of the project for organizing the transportation of solid municipal waste by rail, etc. 

The paper presents a conceptual approach to the practical experience of multimodal transport management, shows the author's proposals for the use of cloud technologies in terms of economic digitalization of logistics flows, develops and measures statistical indicators of transportation efficiency and presents the dynamics of changes in indicators in projection to a certain type of logistics flow. Based on a comparative analysis, the variation of rates in national currency (rubles) for transportation is shown depending on market trends in the supply of services in the field of transport logistics. The possibilities of integrating cloud technologies into the logistics flow management system and decision-making capabilities based on trends in economic indicators are demonstrated. The author's definition of "distillation" is given. 

In order to promote the annually increasing freight traffic in the eastern movement direction and according to the investment project "Modernization of the railway infrastructure of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railway with the development of throughput and carrying capacity" the structural authorities of the railway transport complex need to make the right technical decisions aimed at optimizing technological processes, returning to implementation of an alternative railway infrastructure complex and the partial modernization of the existing infrastructure.

In the conditions of an increase in the volume of loading by enterprises of mining and industrial complexes located within the boundaries of the Eastern Landfill of the same roads, in order to increase the extraction of raw materials, it is envisaged to conduct a set of reconstructive measures aimed at increasing throughput, the main of which, according to the authors, is the optimization of the track development of the infrastructure of non-public railway stations. The analysis of a separate transport facility proves the need to modernize the infrastructure of non-public use in order to meet the required needs of the enterprise in the shipment of minerals, taking into account the twofold increase in cargo traffic and promising volumes of transportation along the Baikal-Amur mainline as part of the development of the industrial complex of the country as a whole. 

The issues of organizing a grain hub in Western Siberia are considered. Considering the large extent of the territory of the Russian Federation, the peculiarities of the regions of Western Siberia in terms of production, the presence of different climatic zones, and, as a consequence, the presence of deficit and surplus administrative-territorial units, the need to increase export potential, there is an urgent need to review the existing logistics of grain cargo delivery. An analysis of the country’s domestic grain consumption showed uneven production and consumption; transport and logistics schemes were formed for transporting grain cargo from producers to consumers both within the country and for export through a grain hub, for which transportation routes were developed and calculated rates. As a result, a project was proposed for organizing a grain hub on the territory of the Novosibirsk transport hub. 

The article describes the procedure for moving precious metals across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union at a multilateral automobile checkpoint, examines the technical means of customs control used to identify precious metals, the principle of
their operation and the main characteristics. It is shown that the search and identification of
precious metals in jewelry requires the use of such techniques and technical means that in an
extremely short time in operational conditions with a sufficiently high degree of reliability
could determine whether the material of the studied product belongs to precious metals – gold,
silver or platinum group metals – and what percentage of its content in the product, that is, his
sample. The most effective technical means of identification have been identified.

The paper considers the tasks and possible directions of increasing the efficiency of railway stations on cargo-stressed routes in conditions of limited capacity of sections of port railways. The tasks of balanced management of stations and sections in logistics schemes of cargo delivery are actualized. The analysis of the composition of the sent trains of their formation and possible control mechanisms for this parameter is carried out. The site between the largest port station Novorossiysk of the North Caucasus Railway and the Bataysk marshaling yard is considered as an object. The main purpose of the study is to develop measures to improve the efficiency of stations in conditions of limited capacity of directions in order to accelerate the passage of car traffic through the landfill. For this purpose, the analysis of the composition of the incoming train traffic to the Novorossiysk station on arrival and departure for several years has been carried out, statistics on the number of sent trains of increased length (PPD) are considered, the experience of organizing PPD in other directions is analyzed.

The directions of increasing the efficiency of the stations under consideration by changing the proportion of trains of increased length with subsequent possible replication of this experience to other railway stations are proposed.

In the modern world, the front-end loaders for loading cylindrical piece loads are increasingly used in industrial facilities. When stacking barrels or pipes, in some cases it is necessary to perform both additional maneuvering of the chassis and additional positioning by the loader's lifting body. To do this, it is advisable to use a front loader with a tripod manipulator. The process of moving a cargo-handling body from the moment of object capture to the moment of its loading is considered. The design of the loading and transport unit mechanism has been developed. The working area of the loader is calculated, which, in turn, is enlarged compared to the base model due to the use of a two-axle chassis, a space-parallelogram mechanism, telescopic drives and a tripod manipulator. Geometric, structural and kinematic analysis was carried out. Studies have shown that the required time to bypass obstacles, taking into account the use of a two-axle chassis, is 14 % less, and the loader's performance coefficient is 0,75 relative to the base model (patent RU 2722747 C1, Issue No. 16). 

The development of transport infrastructure takes place in several directions. One of the main is the improvement of off-street transport, which is associated with the high density of space organization in a modern city. Promising is the design of the construction of cable cars, the operation of which is associated with the need to solve a number of scientific problems. One of the key tasks is to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers, as well as the stability and reliability of structures. The specificity of such transport is based on free and forced vibrations, one of the reasons for which is the wind effect, which in many cases is random in nature. To take this factor into account, it is proposed to use a static analysis apparatus. 

During the period from September 25 to September 29, 2023, the seventh International Scientific Conference “Intelligent Information Technologies in Engineering and Manufacturing” (IITI'23) was held in St. Petersburg. It was organized by the Rostov State Transport University, St. Petersburg State University and ITMO with the support of the Russian Association of Artificial Intelligence. The goal of the IITI’23 is to combine advanced international experience in the development and implementation of modern methods of automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence in basic and applied sciences as well as to develop contacts in these spheres. The paper provides a brief summary of the most interesting reports presented at the conference, including two plenary reports and an analysis of the work of the round table. 

This paper solves the problem of modeling the operation of pneumatic systems, in particular the issue of air outflow from the tank into the atmosphere. The calculation models of pneumatic systems currently used are based on rather complex equations taken from gas dynamics and hydraulics. To simplify engineering calculations and reduce the load on computing equipment during modeling, a methodology and calculation equations for the outflow of compressed air from a tank with a given volume and area of the outlet were proposed. The theoretical substantiation of the proposed equations through the construction of the energy balance was carried out. An equation is also proposed that allows, based on an exponential function for a known volume, initial pressure and outlet area, to simulate the process of air escaping into the atmosphere. The obtained equations are compared with experimental data. 

The paper considers a review of works on the second principle of Wardrop which shows the optimal distribution of car flows for society along the transport network. The review shows that by using modern ITS technologies, the prohibition of travel through sections of the road network can stimulate the behavior of passengers and approach the “systemic optimum”. The travel time model depending on the intensity of the traffic flow was obtained for the classical Greenshields model. Based on this model, the distribution of traffic flows was obtained according to the second Wardrop principle: in the case of “narrow” and “wide” roads; two “narrow” roads. Analytical formulas are obtained for calculating the distribution of cars along two roads. A numerical example is given showing the difference between the principles of Wardrop: “competitive equilibrium” and “systemic optimum”. 

The paper deals with the application of a probabilistic approach for the formation of an electric traction load graph in the simulation modeling of a traction power supply system. The method based on the application of a universal leveling function based on the gamma distribution is chosen as the basic one. The estimation of the approximation efficiency was performed using the Kolmogorov criterion. It is shown that to set the traction load of a single train on sections with a relatively simple track profile, it is possible to use the specified method with gamma distribution parameters determined through the load current efficiency coefficient. Based on the author's model, a two-variant simulation of the traction power supply system for the actual and probabilistic traction load schedule was performed in the SimInTech software package; at the same time, almost identical results were obtained. This allows us to say that a probabilistic graph can be used instead of a real graph to determine the consumption and loss of electricity in the electric traction network. The application of this method is shown. it is deemed that the traction load of the feeders of the contact network requires correction of the parameters of the gamma distribution based on iterative calculation methods. 

During the operation of multi-unit rolling stock in suburban traffic, the electricity consumption on traction can be influenced by various factors, including weather conditions: ambient temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation. Using the example of the Nizhny Novgorod – Zavolzhye section of the Gorky Railway, the influence of natural factors on electricity consumption for traction in suburban traffic was studied. It is used the methods of probability theory and mathematical statistics, it was found that only the ambient air temperature has a significant effect on the energy consumption for traction in suburban traffic. The influence of other natural factors is insignificant.

When solving the problem of reactive power compensation, it should be noted that the placement of compensating devices in power system nodes is closely related to the reduction of active power losses and improvement of power quality. Many years of research in this area were mainly aimed at reducing the dimensionality of the problem to be solved and overcoming the information separation of individual subsystems.

The purpose of the research is to develop a methodology for calculating the reactive power compensation of consumers in power systems, which establishes the principles of mathematical modeling in the presence of uncertainties of various kinds: on the values of network parameters, "blurriness" of some technical limitations and uncertainty of optimization objectives in the selection and placement of compensating devices (CG).

Optimal placement of CHP is inherently a multicriteria problem. The main optimization objectives are formulated in the paper: increase of economic and technical indicators of network operation, optimal reduction of technological difficulties in the implementation of the PFC project and on their basis the following criteria are developed: maximum reduction of active and reactive power losses, optimal voltage regime in the power system nodes during the hours of its highest loads and minimum technological difficulties. A mathematical description of the problem according to the above criteria is given and a methodology for selecting the Pareto region according to these criteria under conditions of limited resource of compensating devices is developed. The search for an effective solution in the Pareto area uses the theory of fuzzy sets and is inherently subjective. Therefore, this kind of model is built on a combination of mathematical methods of optimization and not quite formal procedures performed by a person at different stages of decision making (expert procedures). The corresponding expert decision-making procedure requires determination of mode damages from non-participation of a group of potentially passive substations in PFC, which can be done according to the methodology recommended in the paper.

The research presented in this paper is aimed at solving the problem of organizing power supply points for electric consumers located along the track of electrified railways. Such power points are primarily designed to power low-power consumers, such as measuring, monitoring, surveillance and lighting devices. As a basic energy source, the paper proposes to use the voltage distributed along the circuit of insulators in the garland, namely, the voltage drop on the first insulator having direct contact with the grounded armature. As an example, the option of connecting to the DPR lines laid along the track of electrified railways is proposed. This approach can be used in systems that allow the extraction of electricity with its subsequent conversion and accumulation by a special device.

Currently, new systems for automated diagnostics of the condition of freight car assemblies during train movement are being introduced. One of the ways to diagnose the braking equipment of a freight train is to control the wheel temperature when braking the train. During braking of a freight train, thermal energy is released when the wheel and brake pad interact. By the amount of wheel heating, we can understand the strength and duration of pressing the brake pad during braking. If the speed values at the beginning and end of braking, the location of wagons with a known load in the composition and the braking time are known, then the measured wheel temperature provides the necessary information for diagnosing motor brakes in train movement. The purpose of the work is to identify the surface on the track that has the best information for diagnosing auto brakes when measuring the temperature of this surface after braking. The paper modulates a non-stationary thermal process in a wheelset in a SolidWorks Simulation environment. It is proved that the most informative and convenient surface for measuring the temperature of the wheel for the purpose of diagnosing auto brakes is the side surface of the rim. 

The paper examines the existing technological process for equipping a locomotive with sand using the example of the 3ES5K electric locomotive. One of the main disadvantages is the excessive time standards for filling it with sand, which leads to downtime of the locomotive. It is proposed to automate the existing process of filling a locomotive with sand by introducing an automated hose for supplying sand to the locomotive's bunker, which will reduce the time required for filling it by at least 3 times, and, consequently, reduce the downtime of locomotives at the points where they are equipped with sand and while waiting for it. A calculation was made of the quality indicators of the use of an electric locomotive of the 3ES5K series on the Mariinsk – Krasnoyarsk section with the standard and proposed sand supply systems for locomotives, which showed that the proposed technical solution will reduce the time of a complete turnaround of the locomotive, the operating fleet, while increasing the average daily mileage of the locomotive, which leads to increased productivity locomotive by 6.6 %. 

The material of this paper is devoted to finding solutions to determine the service life of various grades of zeolites and establishing the main influence factors. For these purposes, a technological scheme for drying compressed air with a description and definition of the functionality of the main and auxiliary structural elements is considered. The factors influencing the value of the service life of the zeolite grades under consideration are analyzed. According to the presented algorithm, the service life of various grades of zeolite was calculated with identical parameters of the technological process. The obtained data are visualized in the form of graphical dependencies, the analysis of which revealed a direct dependence of the service life of the adsorbent on the temperature of the compressed air entering the adsorber and the size of micropores, as well as to determine the brand of the most cost-effective zeolite when using it in the processes of drying compressed air. 

The paper considers the issues of managing the interaction of electric rolling stock and the energy infrastructure of railways in the conditions of limitations of the energy infrastructure on the experimental electrified alternating current section of the West Siberian Railway. It is obtained the results of the movement of electric freight locomotives with installed measuring equipment on electric rolling stock and two traction substations of the electrified alternating current section. An instant calculation was made of the degree of influence of electric locomotives on the parameters of the traction power supply system including voltage nodes with other electric locomotives, the degree of mutual influence of electric locomotives; control actions on electric rolling stock were determined to provide the statuses of other trains in real time based on measurements of currents, voltages, power and other parameters under conditions of limited power of the traction power supply system. The proposed approach will make it possible to obtain in real time, based on data on the load of traction substations, voltages in the inter-substation zone, restrictions on train movement at inter-train intervals, maximum speed based on energy conditions in a real situation, coordinating control actions between trains in the inter-substation zone based on priority. 

The paper presents the problems of operating railcar retarders at hump-assorting complexes. To solve the problem of noise when braking freight cars at braking positions, it is presented the data on noise measurements during the retarders operation, and it is considered the reasons and conditions for its occurrence. Analysis of noise level measurements and subsequent ranking of frequencies made it possible to identify the most significant octave frequencies responsible for the noise level from the braking positions. A design has been proposed for the mechanism of the contact-rotaprint method of applying a friction modifier to the end surface of a car wheel to reduce noise during braking. Peak sound pressure values have decreased to values that are fully consistent with the required standards specified in sanitary standards.