The COVID-19 pandemic period in rail freight transportation in Russia is marked by indicators of rapid growth of transit traffic, export and import volumes, the average speed of transportation increase and delivery speed of transit container traffic. The positive dynamics point to the necessity of continuing research in the field of improving the quality of service in this sector of the railway industry.
Information materials of transport and logistics companies services were used. The methods and technologies used to improve the quality of service in railway transport were analyzed: reducing the delivery time of goods, increasing the average delivery speed of transit container traffic, identifying the most demanded nomenclature of goods, increasing the total volume of transit container traffic in Russia.
Currently, according to the approved Complex Plan of Modernization and Expansion of Mainline Infrastructure, by 2024 the estimated delivery time of transit container transportation across Russia in the West-East direction should be seven days, average delivery speed of transit container traffic should reach 1319 km/day, and the volume of transit container transportation should reach the level of 1656 thousand TEU (Twenty-foot equivalent unit). In this regard, it is necessary to develop a reliable methodology for determining the perspective volumes of container transportation in regular, express and high-speed trains with the identification of the most demanded nomenclature of cargo, taking into account the speed of delivery.

Nowadays, design and construction of new urban tramlines require feasibility study of calculation methods for stiffness. A calculation method for tram track stiffness with noise and vibration insulation systems has been developed in this paper. Theoretical analysis of the impact of rail insulation systems on tram-to-slab load transfer has revealed the potential options and factors influencing the choice of a system. The new design method obtained makes it possible to predict the distribution of loads on the load-bearing foundation surface. Different variants of rail/slab load distribution have been determined depending on the mechanical characteristics of rail profiles. Tram track slab stiffness has been calculated for three design models such as rigid surface pavement, bridge structure and foundation slab. The design of the tram track as foundation slab allows calculating slab reinforcement as accurately as possible because the surface pavement takes into account the planned service life and tram flow density in the area under survey.
Field experiments have demonstrated a better convergence of theoretical and experimental data when designing the slab as foundation. As a result, a new method for calculating the foundation slab stiffness of a tram track has been proposed taking into account planned service life, tram flow density and other factors.

The main stiffness properties that determine the stresses in the track structure components under loads from a moving train are the modulus of elasticity of the rail slab and the slab-track/rail correlation stiffness coefficient. These parameters have been investigated for a ballasted track and are well established today, in contrast to those of a non-ballasted track. This study aims at determining the stiffness characteristics of a non-ballasted track, comparing them with those of a ballasted track, and assessing their effect on the stress-strain state (SSS) of the elements of a non-ballasted track structure. Field experiments to measure the stresses in the track structure elements were carried out using strain-gauge methods. As a result of the experiments, the modulus of elasticity and the correlation stiffness coefficient of the rail slab and the rail were determined for the RHEDA2000 slab track system. The results obtained prove it possible to apply a rail-as-beamon-elastic-foundation theory and to use well-established calculation methods for designing a non-ballasted track structure suitable for different operational conditions.

This paper presents a methodology for construction engineering management of railway station redevelopment. The station working capacity is taken into account and the stages of preliminary and main works are determined. The scope of work to be performed by a building contractor is substantiated to provide an optimal station performance. The volume and scopes of work for specific and complex construction workflows are grouped by the components of the railway marshalling yard.
The optimal volume of work of the complex flow F has been determined (as a percentage of the total estimated cost of the facility). The station working capacity Nв has been taken into consideration in correlation with the given conditions of construction or renovation works.
The key construction flow management options have been worked out based on the optimal index of construction work sequence, prime cost reduction of construction and installation works (current costs C), and effective capital investments into machines and mechanisms (one-time costs Кf).
The proposed methodology for construction management and engineering solutions is oriented to general contracting and subcontracting companies of the railway construction sector. This methodology is intended to lower the prime cost of construction and installation works and to reduce the time of construction and redevelopment of railway stations.

In a situation of ambiguity and global crisis, uncertainty tolerance, purpose or meaning in life and life values have become important factors of psychological health and adaptability of the Transport University students. The purpose of this study is to survey the levels of students’ uncertainty tolerance, purpose in life and life values.
Sixty students of Saint-Petersburg State Transport University aged 18–22 participated in the survey. The following methods were used in the research: Crumbaugh and Maholic’s PIL (Purpose-in-Life Test) adapted by D. Leontyev; V.F. Sopov and L.V. Karpushina’s Morphological Test of Life Values; E.N. Osin’s adaptation of the McLane Uncertainty Tolerance Scale.
The Purpose-in-Life Test have revealed average scores; at the same time, high scores have prevailed on the “Locus of Control – Life” scale. The students’ material and spiritual values proved to be in a good balance. The students’ Uncertainty Tolerance turned out to be at an average level, but the “Uncertainty Tolerance” scale have revealed either high-level or low-level scores.
Uncertainty tolerance is related to life values in both males and females. A higher purpose in life tends to promote greater psychological adaptability to ambiguous situations and boosts uncertainty tolerance in general. The females’ uncertainty tolerance is connected to spiritual values, maintaining individuality, creativity, and hobbies. The males’ attitude to novelty is linked to their prestige and achievement.
According to the survey, the Transport University students have an average level of uncertainty tolerance, purpose in life, and well-balanced material and spiritual values. Purpose in life is related to higher uncertainty tolerance and adaptability to ambiguous situation. There is some gender specific correlation between life values and uncertainty tolerance among males and females. Females’ attitude is more related to spiritual values whereas males are more oriented to social success.

While developing a new modern device for diagnostics and monitoring of the grounding system in real time, the existing modern devices for diagnostics and monitoring of the railway traction network have been analyzed and specific features of high-speed rail traffic development have been studied. The paper presents the existing devices and methods for diagnostics and monitoring of the power supply elements of railway traction. The basic principles of operation of the devices used are given and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. The presented analysis makes it possible to estimate the new tendencies in diagnostics and monitoring system development and to summarize further prospects of their implementation and improvement.

The article considers the main stages of development of the transport and logistics market, analyses changes in the supply chain and market trends, reveals their impact on acceleration of digitalization processes, reveals measures to reform the railway industry, noted the development of the new Eurasian logistics infrastructure, summarized the results of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade for 2022, showed opportunities for the development of alternative transport corridors and infrastructure facilities, as well as directions of private investments of residents of the economies of Kazakhstan and neighboring states (China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) in the development of its transport infrastructure and logistics, foresight for business for the next 10 years is given.

The article deals with the issues of cooperation in the context of increasing sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation transport and logistics complex (TLC).
A comprehensive express analysis of the impact of sanctions in different aspects of cooperation has been carried out. The system of anti-crisis measures to reduce the damage from the sanctions imposed on the enterprises of the Russian TLC has been studied.
The factors of co-marketing and cooperation in the TLC have been researched as well. The content of the cooperation concept in the TLC has been outlined and the possibility of a targeted and territorial approach stipulated.
A sequence of steps for measuring business processes performance and dynamic models of economic development have been worked out. The cooperation framework of TLC enterprises has also been presented. Besides, in order to solve the problems of co-marketing, an algorithm of business process optimization of business entities with respect to different social groups of consumers has been proposed.
In the deteriorating economic environment, it is necessary to regulate the system of cooperation in order to increase the TLC customer loyalty. It has been proposed to frame the interaction of TLC business entities on the principle of co-marketing, and to focus on the issue of regional residential community development, both by businesses and by the State.