Meeting of transport operators from all over the world in Katowice – 2025

“Transport Problems” is not only the title of a scientific journal issued by the Silesian University of Technology (SUT), but also the name of international meetings of scientists organized by the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the  Silesian University of Technology in the headquarters of the Faculty and in attractive places in southern Poland. As in previous years, the symposium and conference took place in a mixed mode, i.e. on-site and on the Zoom and YouTube platforms.

The XIV Symposium of Young Scientists conducting research related to the broadly understood issues of transport took place from the 23^rd to 24^th of June 2025, and the XVII International Scientific Conference “Transport Problems 2025” from 25 to 27.06.2025.  These two events brought together 325 specialists from 32 countries, representing the largest number of countries in the entire history of the symposium and conference “Transport Problems”. The researchers represented 4 continents, and in a conference proceeding, a monograph of nearly 1300 pages with 115 articles were published, which is also a record number in the history of “Transport Problems”. The conference and symposium were attended by scientists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, so it can be considered an important place for intercontinental scientific discussion about transport – an area so important for the economy. Before Russia attacked Ukraine, many conference participants also came from Russia and Belarus. After the outbreak of war, the organizers excluded scientists from these countries from the scientific committee and did not allow specialists representing the above countries to participate in the proceedings.

Apart from typical scientific events, participants of the XIV Symposium of Young Scientists had the opportunity to learn about the history of the region and Poland during a visit to the Museum of Zinc Metallurgy in Katowice and a visit to the exhibition of Polish and American motorcycles. Young scientists were able to get acquainted with the latest solutions used in braking systems during a visit to the plant of a leading manufacturer of these solutions: “ZF Braking Systems Poland sp. Z o.o” in Gliwice.

The plenary session of the conference was held at the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology. It was opened by the events coordinator, Prof. Aleksander Sładkowski. On behalf of His Magnificence the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, the patron of the conference, the welcome speech was delivered by the Vice-Rector Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda. The patron of the conference is also the mayor of Katowice, Dr Marcin Krupa.  Vice-President Maciej Stachura addressed the conference participants on his behalf. Bogusław Lowak, Head of the Department of Transport of the City of Katowice, presented achievements concerning the development of railway infrastructure in the city of Katowice. The third patron was the National Representation of Doctoral Students, patronizing in particular the Young Scientists Symposium "Transport Problems". The plenary session was attended by leading scientists from Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, and Poland, representing all transport sectors, as well as representatives of the Police Road Traffic Department and the Regional Road Transport Inspection. Then the conference proceedings were held in 8 panels. The presentations of delegations from Lithuania, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Italy, Malaysia, Japan, and Bulgaria were of particular interest.

Then the conference participants went to the castle in Pszczyna, where they could learn about the complicated history of the Silesian region and see the magnificent interiors containing a lot of original elements.

The first day ended in two parallel sections. Special attention should be paid to the presentations of scientists from Ukraine, who could take part in them online, free of charge, which was provided by the organizers supporting Ukrainian scientists. Unfortunately, in some cases, power outages occurred in Ukrainian cities during the bombings. Nevertheless, the indicated speeches took place anyway, because their presentations were sent to the organizing committee in advance.

On the second day of the conference, the participants were divided into two groups. The first group visited the “KIA Automotive Factory” in Slovakia, and then visited Budatín Castle in Zilina, with beautiful interiors and gardens. The second group first visited the Orava Castle built on a high rock in Slovakia and then also the “KIA Automotive Factory.”

The cultural and historical program of the symposium and conference was very extensive. On the last day of the conference, after the session, scientists from all over the world could visit the nearly 170-year-old brewery in Żywiec and have lunch in a historic restaurant.

For a long time, the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology has a special friendship tie with colleagues from the nearby Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. A very interesting place for the participants of the symposium was the organ museum, which is located under the roof of the academy.