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New Challenges in Vehicle Dynamics and Road Traffic Safety

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Transportation and Future Mobility".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 865

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: railway; vehicle dynamics

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: railway; public transport; transport; logistics; transport modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ensuring the safety of road and rail transportation is a critical challenge, particularly at road–rail grade crossings, which are the leading cause of rail-related fatalities globally. The urgency of this issue is heightened by the proliferation of high-speed rail systems. Addressing these risks requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating technological advancements such as eliminating at-grade crossings and deploying advanced train control systems. These systems monitor train speeds and locations, automatically halting operations when a crossing is obstructed, thereby preventing severe collisions and enhancing overall safety.

In parallel, innovations in vehicle dynamics are revolutionizing safety, passenger comfort, and energy efficiency. Artificial intelligence, for instance, is harnessed to anticipate and mitigate potential risks in real-time, complementing traditional safety measures and enabling more informed decision making during critical situations. Moreover, advancements in vehicle powertrains, including hybrid and electric technologies, contribute to sustainable transportation and maintaining high safety standards.

Vehicle design is also evolving and driven by active and passive safety technology innovations. Advanced materials, adaptive systems, and improved ergonomics play a crucial role in protecting passengers and pedestrians. These developments, guided by comprehensive risk analysis, ensure that safety solutions are effective and practical.

This Special Issue invites scholars and practitioners to explore these pressing challenges and highlight cutting-edge innovations in vehicle dynamics and transportation safety. Contributions may focus on practical applications, theoretical insights, or interdisciplinary research that advances safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport systems.

Dr. Michał Opala
Dr. Piotr Gołębiowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • vehicle dynamics
  • road traffic safety
  • advanced train control systems
  • active and passive safety technologies
  • energy efficiency and comfort in vehicles
  • passenger and pedestrian safety innovation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 7740 KB  
Article
Assessment of the Dynamic Behavior of a Bus Crossing a Raised Crosswalk for Road and Pedestrian Safety
by Francisco Castro, Francisco Queirós de Melo, Nuno Viriato Ramos, Pedro M. G. P. Moreira and Mário Augusto Pires Vaz
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 13191; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152413191 - 16 Dec 2025
Abstract
This paper analyzes the dynamic behavior of a passenger bus running on a raised crosswalk. The main objective was to evaluate the vertical displacements and accelerations caused by the change in elevation, and to determine the potential for suspension damage. The study involved [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes the dynamic behavior of a passenger bus running on a raised crosswalk. The main objective was to evaluate the vertical displacements and accelerations caused by the change in elevation, and to determine the potential for suspension damage. The study involved a numerical approach to the examination of a vehicle’s displacement related to the profile pavement by the implementation of a single body finite element module with suspension subjected to the effect of road unevenness. The so-obtained dynamic behavior with this model was implemented in MATLAB software, and the results were compared with the corresponding real-world accident data record and with an experimental study carried out with a bus running on a raised crosswalk at prescribed velocities. The velocity on the day of the accident was then calculated by computational simulations using the software PC-Crash®. The results show that the vertical displacement caused by the raised crosswalk can vary according to the bus velocity and the raised crosswalk height. Moreover, the results show that reducing the height of the raised crosswalk and redesigning it for a smoother transition with the pavement can help in minimizing the negative effects from impacts on the bus body. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for engineers and transportation planners, and can be used to improve the design and placement of raised crosswalks in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Vehicle Dynamics and Road Traffic Safety)
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26 pages, 8221 KB  
Article
Research into Driving Stability of an SUV–Trailer Combination for Driving Maneuvers by Simulation Computations
by Ján Dižo, Miroslav Blatnický, Alyona Lovska and Ján Moravec
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 11918; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152211918 - 9 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Operation of vehicle–trailer combinations is currently popular throughout many countries. Connecting a trailer to a passenger car increases the car’s utility value because it is possible to transport more goods over shorter or longer distances. Trailers are also popular as caravans, which provide [...] Read more.
Operation of vehicle–trailer combinations is currently popular throughout many countries. Connecting a trailer to a passenger car increases the car’s utility value because it is possible to transport more goods over shorter or longer distances. Trailers are also popular as caravans, which provide a home on wheels during holiday periods. As a trailer is connected to a towing vehicle by means of a spherical joint from the mechanics’ point of view, a vehicle–trailer combination has significantly different driving properties in comparison with a sole vehicle. These differences are manifested mainly while driving in a curve as lower stability of the vehicle. In this case, the lower stability is considered an uncontrolled sway motion. This study is focused on researching the driving stability of a vehicle–trailer combination regarding the sway motion problem. The research is fully performed by means of simulation computations in a commercial multibody simulation software. The investigated vehicle–trailer combination consists of an SUV passenger car and a single-axle goods trailer. Two model driving maneuvers are investigated, namely bypassing an obstacle in a lane and changing lanes on a road. Simulation computations are performed for chosen loads of the trailer and for a different position of the center of gravity of the load in the single-axle trailer. The performed research has proven that the applied simulation computations represent a robust tool to investigate real tasks related to vehicle safety without performing expensive and dangerous tests. Very important findings include identifying the proper position of the center of gravity of the load on the trailer to ensure safe driving properties for driving maneuvers that could pose potential danger during real operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Vehicle Dynamics and Road Traffic Safety)
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