Aleksander Sładkowski, Grzegorz Wojnar
Transporters from all over the world met in Katowice
The International Scientific Conference "Transport Problems 2024" was held for the 16th time and the 13th time at the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering. Young Scientists Symposium. These events gathered scientists from Poland and abroad, engaged in research related to broadly understood transport issues.
“Transport Problems" is not only the title of the scientific journal published by the Silesian University of Technology, but also the name of international meetings of scientists organized by the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology at the faculty headquarters and attractive places in southern Poland. As in previous years, the symposium and conference were held in a mixed mode, i.e. on-site and on Zoom and YouTube platforms.
The 13th symposium of young scientists conducting research related to broadly understood transport issues was held on June 17-18, 2024, and the 16th International Scientific Conference "Transport Problems 2024" on June 19-21, 2024. These two events gathered 237 specialists from twenty countries, and eighty-six papers were published in a post-conference publication (conference proceedings) of approximately one thousand pages. This year, the Conference and Symposium were additionally held in conjunction with the celebration of the European City of Science - Katowice 2024.
Participants of the 13th symposium of young scientists had the opportunity to visit the laboratories of the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology and independently control train traffic or drive cars on simulators.
The conference was attended by scientists from Europe, Asia and Australia, 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 this event, the organizers excluded scientists from these countries from the scientific committee and did not allow the specialists representing these countries to participate in the deliberations.
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 conference coordinator prof. Aleksander Sładkowski. On behalf of His Magnificence the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, patron of the conference, welcome speeches were delivered by the Vice-Rector, Prof. Bogusław Łazarz. The patron of the conference is also the mayor of Katowice, Dr Marcin Krupa. On his behalf, the head of the Transport Department of the city of Katowice, Bogusław Lowak, addressed the conference participants and presented the city's achievements in the development of bicycle transport. 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 Poland representing all transport sectors, as well as representatives of the Road Traffic Department of the Police and the Provincial Road Transport Inspectorate. Then the deliberations were held in eight sections. The papers of delegations from Lithuania, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Italy, Slovakia and Bulgaria aroused particular interest.
Particularly noteworthy are also the presentations of scientists from Ukraine, who could participate in them online, free of charge, as provided by the organizers. 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.
Thanks to the hospitality of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Poland, the conference participants in Katowice were able to visit the car factory in Tychy, where by 2019 12 million cars of various brands were produced. Currently, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA constitute the global Stellantis concern. During the presentation of the plant, conference participants could also see the Alfa Romeo Junior car, which will not be available in Poland until September 2024.
The cultural program of the symposium and conference was very extensive. Scientists from all over the world could visit the Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec.
In addition, the participants of the symposium and conference had the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of Poland, in particular the Silesian Museum in Katowice, the seat of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice, as well as the attractions of the Ojców National Park.
For a long time, the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology has had a special friendship with colleagues from the nearby Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. A very interesting place for the symposium participants was the organ museum, which is located under the roof of the Academy. This university boasts a recently installed modern organ in the concert hall. Their wonderful sound was presented to scientists personally by the Rector of the Academy, Prof. Dr Władysław Szymański.
The organizers and participants concluded that the 16th International Scientific Conference and the 13th Symposium of Young Scientists, held under the common name "Transport Problems", were an undisputed success. The organizers invite all scientists and practitioners interested in exchanging experiences in this discipline to the next edition, which will take place on June 23–27, 2025.
