GEOBASE

Energy storage investments are essential for achieving sustainable development goals; however, their high costs and long-term returns create significant uncertainty for investors. As a result, investment decisions are shaped not only by rational evaluations but also by psychological and emotional factors. Despite this reality, behavioral economics-based variables remain largely underexplored in the energy storage literature. To address this gap, this study identifies the most critical behavioral determinants influencing the performance of energy storage investments. A novel decision support system is developed for G7 countries by integrating z-scoring, criteria impact multiplicative assessment (CIMAS), interval-valued spherical fuzzy numbers, and the ranking of alternatives through functional mapping of criterion sub-intervals into a single interval (RAFSI). The proposed framework enhances the representation of uncertainty and reduces individual biases through statistically derived expert weighting. The results indicate that risk perception and overconfidence are the most influential behavioral factors, while Germany and the United States exhibit the strongest behavioral economics-based performance in energy storage investments.

This paper analyses road safety issues related to the operation of right-hand drive vehicles in right-side operated traffic conditions. The problem is statistically valid, especially in regions where the states border with road traffic organised on different sides, or due to economic considerations, when it is much cheaper to purchase a vehicle adapted to the traffic of the other side. This article focuses on visibility issues of different driving positions in the case of the most dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by geometrically based situation analysis and safe distance to opposite obstacle evaluation. An additional part of the study is the functional testing of special indirect vision equipment in real traffic conditions. This is related to the technical regulations in force in the European Union Member States for vehicles adapted to the traffic in the other direction when constantly participating in traffic. An overview of these technical requirements, as well as the existing requirements not to restrict the free market of vehicles, is also covered in the paper.

Micromobility has emerged as a major global trend in urban transportation. However, it has also led to a rise in accidents, largely attributed to improper usage and inadequate safety precautions. This paper presents a model developed for the dynamic analysis of an in-wheel suspension system for micromobility vehicles, along with proposals for its improvement. The model accounts for challenges related to urban infrastructure, particularly variation in various obstacle types and heights on cycle road pavement, using the city of Vilnius (Lithuania) as a case study. The research paper additionally evaluates factors affecting rider safety and risk, with a primary focus on in-plane dynamics. The dynamic analysis demonstrates that the in-wheel suspension system enhances riding safety across simulated variations. These findings help identify critical vertical dynamic risks for micromobility in urban area and offer insights for future city’s road infrastructure planning.

The level of technological innovation and the efficiency of transport logistics in enterprises principally depend on the resources that are used. The authors aim to develop a new approach to assess the interface between railway innovation implementation and the competencies of logistics specialists. The application of advanced technologies, such as digitisation and automation, substantially improves key performance indicators while simultaneously lowering operational costs for railway undertakings. There are notable advancements in technology within railway transport, with a particular emphasis on digitalisation. Analysis and research to determine specific engineering competencies of logistics specialists are highly anticipated and needed. This research focuses on the analysis and assessment of the interconnection between technological innovations in railway transport and the engineering competencies of logistics specialists. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method is used to assess the impact of technological innovations on the engineering competencies of logistics specialists, aiming to establish the presumed link between social psychological and technological factors. A new approach for assessing the competencies of logistics specialists in the railway sector has been developed. It is proven that the implementation of technological innovations within railway companies serves as the decisive factor driving the improvement of engineering competencies for logistics specialists.

Engineered wood is increasingly valued for its use of renewable raw materials, low environmental impact, and good performance characteristics. The wide variety of raw materials used to produce engineered wood requires detailed research to select rational technological production parameters. This paper examines engineered wood produced from furniture-recycling waste and different polyurethane compositions. The factors under analysis include mixture pressure level, binder type, and filler preparation. The effect of the mixture’s pressure level on density, structure, strength, and moisture indicators was evaluated. The pressure levels were 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 MPa. Tests have shown that the mixture pressure level significantly affects compressive strength, absorption, swelling, and structure formation. A rational pressure level of 3.0 MPa was determined. When using this level, there are no voids in the samples. Depending on the binder composition, the resulting compressive strength ranges from 20.5 to 25.6 MPa, water absorption from 7.62 to 10.3 kg/m2, and swelling from 8.65 to 12.6%. At a pressure of 3.5 MPa, the properties of engineered wood improve further, but the binder begins to separate from the mixture. A significant influence of the binder on compressive strength, absorption, and swelling was observed. A detailed kinetic analysis was performed to evaluate changes in sample strength following production. The tests showed that the compressive strength increased markedly 14 days after sample preparation.

This study investigates long-term land surface temperature (LST) trends along the shoreline of Lake Drūkšiai, a transboundary lake in eastern Lithuania that formerly served as a cooling reservoir for the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP). Although the INPP was decommissioned in 2009, its legacy continues to influence the lake’s thermal regime. Using Landsat 8 thermal infrared imagery and NDVI-based methods, we analysed spatial and temporal LST variations from 2013 to 2024. The results indicate persistent temperature anomalies and elevated LST values, particularly in zones previously affected by thermal discharges. The years 2020 and 2024 exhibited the highest average LST values; some years (e.g., 2018) showed lower readings due to localised environmental factors such as river inflow and seasonal variability. Despite a slight stabilisation observed in 2024, temperatures remain higher than those recorded in 2013, suggesting that pre-industrial thermal conditions have not yet been restored. These findings underscore the long-term environmental impacts of industrial activity and highlight the importance of satellite-based monitoring for the sustainable management of land, water resources, and coastal zones.

The article assesses the complexity of logistics features and transport management in the context of the scientific literature and discusses the possibilities of ensuring effective transport management within the value chain. It aims to explain the implications of piloting empirical ANOVA using the guanxi (Chinese interpersonal relationships) principles in transport logistics supply chain and value chain issues in loads transportation in deciding to cooperate internationally, and to analyse and empirically substantiate the behaviour characteristics expressed while managing negotiations with business partners in the logistics market. Analytical, descriptive, quantitative and statistical research methods were applied. A quantitative research strategy was used in the case of China (n = 100) to clarify the behaviour characteristics expressed in negotiation management towards business partners in the logistics supply chain. The research revealed a holistic picture of how transport management improvements can positively affect the overall efficiency of the entire value chain. Besides, it used the assessments of the research participants to ascertain possible ways to ensure transport management in the value chain. The data analysis showed that it is relevant to change habitual behaviour towards business partners during negotiations to predict the possibilities of ensuring transport management in the value chain and secure a competitive advantage in the logistics market. The study found that the focus is on building and maintaining formal relationships with business partners and creating long-term, close relationships. Self-interest is the least desired characteristic in negotiation management. Based on statistical data analysis, the behaviour of respondents towards business partners during negotiations in the logistics market is similar, i.e. it does not differ statistically significantly by gender, age, work experience and education. The strategies applied in negotiation management are statistically significantly related to the positions held by the respondents. A correlation analysis found negative statistically significant relationships between the indicator of the subscale for creating long-term close relationships, the indicator of the subscale for strategies applied for negotiation management, and the indicator of the subscale for creating formal relationships during negotiations. The study results provided valuable insights into the operation and dynamics of the Chinese supply chain, especially emphasising the importance of logistics characteristics. It will have lasting value in the scientific discussion by providing guidelines for implementing transportation management in the value chain. Furthermore, the study’s results can be easily extrapolated to other contexts to optimally predict the possibilities of transportation management in the value chain by applying the practices in the logistics supply chain based on the Chinese case.

Cities are increasingly integrating micromobility, which heightens the need for robust analytical methods to identify high-risk intersections. This study presents a three-stage methodological approach that combines six years of accident data, spatial hotspot analysis, and calibrated floating-car traffic data to estimate exposure and calculate intersection crash rates in Central Vilnius. Testing the proposed approach identified eight high-risk intersections, with intersection crash rates (ICR) ranging from 0.044 to 0.151, indicating substantial differences in exposure-adjusted risk across the network. The validation of floating-car data (FCD) produced a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.87, confirming reliable exposure estimates where traditional traffic counts are not available. One selected intersection was analyzed in greater depth using drone-based observations and conflict assessment, leading to two redesign alternatives. Both reduced conflicts, though the signalized option eliminated uncontrolled conflict points and offered the strongest expected safety improvement. The suggested methodological approach demonstrates how integrating accident data, exposure estimation, and behavioral analysis can support evidence-based scalable interventions to improve micromobility safety. Despite certain limitations, it enables the rapid identification of problematic intersections, provides site-specific safety diagnosis, and facilitates the development of data-driven design improvements to enhance the safety of micromobility users. As the world strives to shift towards greater sustainability, the concept of micromobility, defined as the use of lightweight, short-distance modes of transport, has gained growing attention among users and policymakers.

Environmental research has become increasingly important due to the human impact on ecosystems, with a particular need to study how different drainage systems affect water quality. Improperly functioning drainage can result in significant losses of biogenic substances, soil erosion, eutrophication, and declining biological capacity. This study addresses the existing knowledge gap by consolidating and critically analyzing the recent scientific literature on controlled and free draining types over forty years (1986–2024) using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The objective of this systematic review is to collect and summarize information on various drainage systems, their advantages and disadvantages, and their effect on environmental water quality. A review of 144 selected papers from the past four decades indicates that the installation, use, and upgrading of drainage systems remains a subject of extensive debate within the scientific community, particularly regarding their impact on the leaching of biogenic substances into open water bodies. The results obtained from this study indicate that nitrogen (N) (found in 54 papers) and phosphorus (P) (found in 48 papers) are the primary biogenic elements affecting aquatic ecosystems and eutrophication processes. Also, compared to mathematical tools (found in 42 articles), there is a lack of application of AI tools for modeling and predicting the impact of drainage systems on water quality and climate change. Consequently, ongoing research in this area is crucial, offering researchers, practitioners, and wild society with significant insights into the overall effect of drainage on the environment, opportunities for improvement and unexplored research directions for drainage systems.

This research focuses on vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with particular emphasis on Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) systems which is designed to help drivers keep a vehicle centered within its lane and reduce the risk of unintentional lane departures. These kinds of systems detect lane boundaries using computer vision algorithms applied to video data captured by a forward-facing camera and interpret this visual information to provide corrective steering inputs or driver alerts. The research investigates the performance, reliability, sustainability, and limitations of LKA systems under adverse road and environmental conditions, such as wet pavement and in the presence of degraded, partially visible, or missing horizontal road markings. Improving the reliability of lane detection and keeping systems enhances road safety, reducing traffic accidents caused by lane departures, which directly supports social sustainability. For the theoretical test, a modified road model using MATLAB software was used to simulate poor road markings and to investigate possible test outcomes. A series of field tests were conducted on multiple passenger vehicles equipped with LKA technologies to evaluate their response in real-world scenarios. The results show that it is very important to ensure high quality horizontal road markings as specified in UNECE Regulation No. 130, as lane keeping aids are not uniformly effective. Furthermore, the study highlights the need to develop more robust line detection algorithms capable of adapting to diverse road and weather conditions, thereby enhancing overall driving safety and system reliability. LKA system research supports sustainable mobility strategies promoted by international organizations—aiming to transition to safer, smarter, and less polluting transportation systems.