Introduction: The subject of the study is the effect of humidification of aerosol on visibility on roads. When hygroscopic aerosol becomes humidified, the size of aerosol particles increases several times, which significantly impairs visibility on roads. The aim of the study is to study the effect of humidification of hygroscopic aerosol on visibility on highways. Materials and methods: A model is proposed for calculating integral visibility on a long highway, taking into account the hygroscopicity of the aerosol, i.e. the effect of humidification of the aerosol in these zones. The variational optimization method was used to perform a model-based study of total visibility along a long highway passing through geometric zones characterized by varying degrees of aerosol air pollution and relative humidity in these zones. A logarithmic measure of aerosol air pollution has been introduced for consideration, as well as an integral logarithmic measure of such pollution in both discrete and continuous representations. Findings: It is shown that the integral logarithmic measure of aerosol pollution taking into account the effect of humidification of aerosol reaches a maximum with a certain type of introduced relationship function, and at the same time, visibility on a highway reaches a minimum in the integral sense. Conclusions: It is determined that when a certain restrictive condition imposed on the integral of the introduced relationship function is satisfied, the integral logarithmic measure of aerosol pollution reaches a maximum with a certain type of the introduced relationship function, and visibility on the highway reaches a minimum, in the integral sense.

The paper presents the findings of a study exploring the influence of unloaded rails in connecting tracks on the distribution of deflection of reinforced concrete switch ties when a train moves along the direct track. The finite element method (FEM) was used to develop a spatial analytic model of connecting tracks at a turnover, including both loaded and unloaded rails and switch ties on a continuous elastic cushion. The model was verified by comparing the FEM calculations against the conventional solution for a beam on an elastic cusion using the initial parameter method (Krylov functions). The comparison of results has shown good convergence. The study has identified quantitative relationships between changes in system stiffness and distribution of deflections along the switch tie length based on its length and loading patterns. It has been shown that unloaded rails reduce the maximum deflection by 5–15%, displace the deflection point towards the centre of the switch tie, and contribute to more uniform distribution of deflection. When unloaded rails are excluded from the calculation, the load transfer efficiency factor for switch tie-to-ballast load transfer is overestimated. The “reverse” bending of the switch tie ends typical of the design model of a beam on a continuous elastic cushion remains virtually unchanged when unloaded rails are introduced. This value is mainly determined by the length of a switch tie and stiffness of the cushion, which supports and elaborates on the conventional approaches offered by V.F. Yakovlev and I.I. Semenov.

The article presents the derivation of similarity criteria for laminar, turbulent, and transitional regimes of filtration flow in pipeless French drain systems. In recent years, coarse-grained materials have been widely used in the construction of railway embankments to protect slopes from erosion and wash-outs and to build filter trenches. The patterns of filtration flows in both cases are the same as in pipeless French drainage systems; however, not all of the calculation dependencies required for practical use can be obtained theoretically, and it is then necessary to use either mathematical methods or, more often, physical modelling. In particular, it is not possible to theoretically obtain dependencies for determining flow depths when there is no water level at the downstream end of the outlets. Until now, research has been conducted primarily by hydraulic engineers for filtration flows through embankment dams. In this case, the filtration usually behaves as a laminar flow. In the outlet sections of filter trenches and pipeless drains, the flow is generally turbulent, while at the section just before the outlet the flow is transitional. Until recently, these cases remained outside the focus of filtration specialists. There were no criteria for modelling. In this article, these criteria are derived from the equations of filtration flow motion in drains for all three regimes: laminar, transitional, and turbulent. Verification of the obtained similarity criteria was carried out for a 14 metre long pipeless French drain laid in a trough. The article presents a water surface profile designed using a theoretically justified calculation relationship. The same figure also shows points obtained by measurements in specific sections of the filtration flow in the trough. As can be seen from the figure, the agreement of the results is quite satisfactory.

The paper discusses the concept of globalization, its types, and methods for assessing the level of globalization, and identifies the features of the methodology for calculating four main globalization indices. The purpose of the study is to determine the role of globalization indices in characterizing the development of individual countries. The objectives of the study are to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the existing methods for calculating globalization indices, and identify the differences between the two concepts: the purpose of calculating an index and the results of globalization. The target of the research is the globalization process; the subject is the methodology for assessing indices of the level of globalization. Research materials and methods: The author used publicly available information materials, including previously published scientific articles, websites of developers of globalization indices, and materials from international organizations. The research was carried out using the methods of logical analysis, comparison, and analysis of scientific literature. Results: The study involved a critical analysis of the methodology for calculating the four most widely used indices of the level of globalization, and identified their advantages and disadvantages. A pattern has been revealed that the most dynamically developing countries are not the leaders of the globalization rankings. Conclusions: It is proposed to identify various indices of the level of globalization based on their specific focus; to avoid using a calculation methodology that combines indicators characterizing various results of globalization that are not relevant to the specific focus of the corresponding index; and not to use globalization indices as a tool for characterizing the level of economic development.

The article considers the problem of adapting historical railway stations to modern requirements and functional tasks caused by the development of railway transport and urban growth. Special attention is paid to the historical context, architectural and cultural value of railway stations as important elements of urban heritage. Since the beginning of the 19th century, railway stations, originally created as important transport hubs, eventually became the centers of urban life. By the end of the 20th century, changes in rail transport and requirements for passenger safety and comfort had called into question the expediency of abandoning many historical buildings. The demolition of train stations such as Euston in London and Montparnasse in Paris has led to an awareness of their cultural value. The article analyzes examples of adaptation, including museums and cultural centers, and describes modernization efforts that preserve the original functions of buildings. As examples of successful implementation of this approach, projects are presented that demonstrate the possibility of integrating historical buildings into modern transport complexes in Tokyo, New York, Antwerp, London and Paris. The use of underground space to increase the usable area and the creation of modern transport and transfer complexes is reviewed. The article highlights the increasing historical and cultural significance of railway stations as city-forming facilities and the need to find compromise solutions between the demands of modernity and the preservation of uniqueness.