Infrastructure Characteristics Research Articles

Updating the radiation infrastructure in MESSy (based on MESSy version 2.55)

Abstract. The calculation of the radiative transfer is a key component of global circulation models. In this article, we describe the most recent updates of the radiation infrastructure in the Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy). These updates include the implementation of the PSrad radiation scheme within the RAD submodel. Furthermore, the radiation-related submodels CLOUDOPT (for the calculation of cloud optical properties) and AEROPT (for the calculation of aerosol optical properties) have been updated and are now more flexible in order to deal with different sets of shortwave and longwave bands of radiation schemes. In the wake of these updates, a new submodel (ALBEDO), which features solar-zenith-angle-dependent albedos and a new satellite-based background (white sky) albedo, was created. All of these developments are backward compatible, and previous features of the MESSy radiation infrastructure remain available. Moreover, these developments mark an important step in the use of the ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) model, as the update of the radiation scheme was a key aspect in the development of the sixth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts – HAMburg (ECHAM6) model from ECHAM5. The developments presented here are also aimed towards using the MESSy infrastructure with the ICOsahedral Non-hydrostatic (ICON) model as a base model. The improved infrastructure will also aid in the implementation of additional radiation schemes once this should be needed. We have optimized the set of free parameters for two general circulation model-type (GCM-type) setups for pre-industrial and present-day conditions: one with the radiation scheme that was used to date (i.e. the radiation scheme of ECHAM5) and one with the newly implemented PSrad radiation scheme. After this parameter optimization, we performed four model simulations and evaluated the corresponding model results using reanalysis and observational data. The most apparent improvements related to the updated radiation scheme are the reduced cold biases in the tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and the extratropical lower stratosphere and a strengthened polar vortex. The former is also related to improved stratospheric humidity and its variability if the new radiation scheme is employed. Using the multiple radiation call capability of MESSy, we have applied the two model configurations to calculate instantaneous and stratospheric-adjusted radiative forcings related to changes in greenhouse gases. Overall, we find that for many forcing experiments the simulations with the new radiation scheme show improved radiative forcing values. This is in particular the case for methane radiative forcings, which are considerably higher when assessed with the new radiation scheme and thus in better agreement with reference values.

Identification of Risk Factors for Severe Younger and Older Driver Crashes in Massachusetts

Systemic safety analysis is a comprehensive and proactive approach to identifying and addressing high-risk roadway features and crash types that contribute to severe crashes. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation identified 14 emphasis areas for systemic improvement, including younger and older driver crashes. Research was undertaken to conduct separate comprehensive analyses of fatal and serious injury crashes involving younger and older drivers, using a systemic safety approach to develop risk factors and identify critical locations within the state. The study utilized crash, roadway, driver’s license, citation, healthy aging, and environmental justice data from various sources. Negative binomial regression models were developed to relate crash frequency with town-specific traffic, behavior, and site characteristics, considering exposure and spatial variance. The findings highlighted the significance of multiple risk factors contributing to severe crash frequency. For younger drivers, the presence of young drivers in the town, risk-taking behaviors such as unbelted and impaired driving, and infrastructure characteristics, particularly high-speed facilities and historically underinvested infrastructure, were key contributors to crash frequency. Older drivers’ crash frequency was influenced by the presence of older drivers, healthy aging indicators, risk-taking behaviors, and high-speed facilities. Based on the model results, risk scores were developed for each variable in the model and applied to each town. Towns were ranked using percentile ranking to classify them into primary and secondary risk categories. The towns identified in the primary risk category (18 towns in the top 5 percentiles) captured approximately 13.5% of severe younger driver crashes and 14.5% of severe older driver crashes.

Innovative BIM technology application in the construction management of highway

Within the global architecture, engineering, and construction industry, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has significantly expanded. However, given the unique characteristics of road infrastructure, the application of BIM technology is still being explored. This article focuses on the Yuanchen Expressway, exploring innovative applications of BIM technology in comprehensive construction management. The project employs advanced technologies, including BIM, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Internet of Things (IoT), to precisely identify critical nodes and breakthroughs. Supported by a detailed BIM model and a multi-level, diversified digital management platform, the project effectively addresses construction challenges in multiple tunnels, bridges, and complex interchanges, achieving intelligent construction innovation throughout the Yuanchen Expressway with BIM technology. By guiding construction through BIM models, utilizing a BIM+GIS-based management cloud platform system, and employing VR safety briefings, the project effectively reduces the difficulty of communication and coordination in project management, shortens the project measurement cycle, improves on-site work efficiency, and ensures comprehensive control and safety management. This article provides an exemplary case for the application of full-line construction management using BIM technology in the highway sector both in China and globally, offering new perspectives and strategies for highway construction management.

Smart socio-technological infrastructures: cyber security risks and the human factor

Smart socio-technological infrastructure is a new approach to the design and creation of complex systems, based on the integration of technological and social elements. Currently, smart sociotechnological infrastructures are applied in all spheres of life, from business and industry to healthcare and medical facilities. The implementation of these infrastructures creates new opportunities for the development of various fields. However, it causes a number of problems. The reasons for new information security problems arising from the characteristics of smart sociotechnological infrastructures may include the increase in the number of devices (the number of devices interacting with each other increases, which expands the potential attack plane), the complexity of integration (the integration of social and technological components leads to the creation of new vulnerabilities), data heterogeneity (where the processing and storage of various types of information, including confidential information, make them an attractive target for cybercriminals), the dynamism of the environment (smart socio-technological infrastructures are constantly evolving and adapting, which makes it difficult to ensure their security). This article examines information security problems of smart socio-technological infrastructures. New threats arising from the introduction of these infrastructures are classified. The development of information security culture is justified as one of the main factors of combating these threats, and recommendations are given on the principles and methods of its formation.

Charging infrastructure assessment for shared autonomous electric vehicles in 374 small and medium-sized urban areas: An agent-based simulation approach

This research examines the use of Shared Autonomous Electric Vehicles (SAEVs) in 374 U.S. small and medium-sized urban areas, focusing on fleet and infrastructure needs through agent-based simulations. It assesses metrics such as fleet size, trips per vehicle, and charging station requirements, considering two charger types: Level 2 and Level 3. The findings show significant spatial differences in SAEV operations and infrastructure across these cities. Statistical analysis links these variations to regional road networks and travel patterns. The study finds Level 3 chargers more efficient, requiring fewer stations and enabling more trips per vehicle compared to Level 2 chargers. Furthermore, Level 3 chargers exhibit a greater number of trips per SAEV and a higher ratio of vehicles to charging stations. These findings highlight the significance of considering charging infrastructure characteristics to optimize SAEV fleet performance and promote sustainable transportation systems in urban areas. This study significantly contributes by identifying the spatial variation and correlates of the SAEVs' operational and charging infrastructural performance. Policymakers, urban planners, and transportation service providers can leverage these insights to design and implement effective charging infrastructure for SAEV fleets, thereby advancing the transition to cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions.

FUNCTIONAL FEATURES AND TYPOLOGY OF SUBURBAN TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF TERNOPOL

Peculiarities of the timing of suburban (in relation to the city of Ternopil) territorial communities are considered. Such parameters as the area of suburban territorial communities were analyzed; peculiarities of the number, density and location of the population of communities; financial condition and capacity of communities, according to their incomes, expenses, transfers, location of industry, features of transport infrastructure. Attention is drawn to the main environmental problems of suburban communities, possible ways to overcome them, the availability and peculiarities of the use of recreational resources and the spread of recreational infrastructure are motivated. The functional structure and spatial arrangement of the territories of the nature reserve fund were analyzed. The problems of the development of territorial communities at the present stage are becoming particularly urgent. Important aspects of development are ensuring coherence of economic, social and environmental vectors, taking into account the potential of local resources, as well as additional favorable factors, such as investments, logistics and infrastructure. Within territorial communities, an inventory of the resource base is carried out, investment passports are created, development strategies are developed, existing problems are analyzed and ways to solve them are substantiated. Solving these complex tasks requires a high level of professional training of management personnel and effective monitoring of development processes. The authors have published a series of articles devoted to the analysis of the potential of natural resources, problems of environmental development management, unbalanced land use and other aspects. The choice of suburban territorial communities of the city of Ternopil is due to their belonging to the former Ternopil district (according to the old administrative and territorial system) and their location around the regional center. What determines the specificity of the structure of agriculture, the location of the population, industry, transport infrastructure, environmental conditions, etc. The adoption of the state regional development strategy for 2021-2027 is the main legal document aimed at strategic planning of effective development, including territorial communities. The main methodological approaches are the strategy of sustainable development, the concept of balanced ecological-social-economic development and the principles of the system approach. The suburban territorial communities of Ternopil include: Biletska, Baikovetska, Velikobirkivska, Velikogaivska, Velikoberezovytska and Pidhorodnyanska territorial communities. Recreational resources in the studied communities are represented mainly by forest areas and a pond network, which is often equipped with the necessary infrastructure. Historical and architectural resources are represented by a network of ancient churches, cultivated springs, etc. Separately, we can recall the arched railway bridge in the village. Butsniv at the end of the 19th century. A much better developed tourist infrastructure is represented by recreation centers, numerous hotels, and catering establishments. The general ecological state of the main components of the natural environment shows an increase in the degree of environmental pollution. Areas of excessive pollution are observed around industrial centers, large industrial facilities, landfills, radiation-contaminated territories, where various types of pollution are deposited and along hydraulic networks, highways and railways, which affects the natural living conditions of the population. The conducted research showed that suburban territorial communities have an unsatisfactory land use structure. The population of the communities is prone to pendulum migrations, due to better employment opportunities and a greater number of various services in the regional center. Within the studied communities, it is necessary to optimize the structure of land use, increase the area under natural lands, carry out measures to replant and afforest unproductive and eroded agricultural lands. Plant forests to create a full-fledged integrated green zone of the city of Ternopil, which will perform important recreational and ecological stabilization functions. The conducted analysis demonstrates a significant inhibition of the ecological vector of sustainable development. We see a perspective in the development of geoecological projects, environmental measures in schools, organizations and institutions, communities. It is necessary to create new and expand existing nature reserves. In general, optimization measures aimed at improving the ecological condition of the territory and the quality of life of the population should be carried out. The results of the study can be useful to the administrations of suburban territorial communities for the implementation of optimization measures of various levels and directions. Key words: territorial community, financial capacity, infrastructure, ecological condition, nature reserve fund.

Broadband internet and attitudes toward migrants: Evidence from Spain

We examine the effect of broadband Internet penetration on attitudes toward immi-grants by combining survey data from Spain with information on the characteristics of the telephone infrastructure. To address endogeneity concerns, we use landlines penetration in 1996 as an instrument for broadband diffusion, and use data from both the pre- and post-Internet period to estimate a difference-in-difference instrumental variable model. We document a positive effect of broadband Internet on attitudes toward immigrants. Looking at mechanisms, broadband Internet is associated with better knowledge about immigration, reduced concerns about the labor market effects of immigration and lower support for Spain's right-wing party.

Исследование модернизации морского пассажирского порта на основе цифрового двойника и оценка инфраструктуры с помощью динамических данных от беспилотных авиационных систем

The current state of the maritime passenger transportation industry is considered, as well as the factors influencing the chosen industry are investigated (competition between ports in the sea region, new environmental requirements and a shortage of space for new ports and terminals in megacities). Models of the evolution of seaports and terminals in the regions of the seas are analyzed and the need to solve the problem of forecasting development, reasonable modernization is revealed infrastructure. The importance of integrating passenger ports into urban transport systems and ensuring effective interconnection of maritime transport with regional transport systems is noted. Special attention is paid to the growth and development potential of sea ferries and cruises in the Baltic Sea region, the historical importance of St. Petersburg for cruise tourism and the need for the gradual restoration of the port and the development of new route networks are noted. The necessity of developing new methods for modernizing the infrastructure of passenger seaports based on the creation of digital models and the use of dynamic data is substantiated. As a solution, it is proposed to create a new digital model of a marine passenger port using information obtained from unmanned aircraft systems. This model will accurately take into account the infrastructural features of passenger ports and terminals, as well as the established priority of berths for the service of cruise and ferry ships. For multi-scenario modeling, a new digital model of the marine passenger port of St. Petersburg “Marine Façade” is proposed. To analyze the simulation results, the developed software modules in the Python programming language are proposed to describe the behavior strategies of the decision maker (port manager). To describe the decision-making process in the conditions of uncertainty that arises when making a decision on the modernization of the port infrastructure, the choice of the Wald criterion was justified as a criterion. A series of experiments was performed, based on the data, digital 2D and 3D models of a marine passenger port were formed for subsequent use in the AnyLogic environment, and a digital twin was built. A distinctive feature of the model is the up-to-date information on the state of the transport infrastructure and integration with data on ship calls. The presented model, methods of working with the results of multi-dimensional modeling, the use of unmanned aircraft systems, and the development of a model based on decision-making under uncertainty can be applied to other passenger seaports and terminals, which emphasizes the universality of the proposed approach.

Not for all: Barriers to universal accessibility in nature-based tourism and recreation spaces across British Columbia, Canada

The health and well-being benefits of nature contact are inequitably distributed. Among other communities, persons with a disability have fewer opportunities to engage in nature contact in a self-determining way due to the presence of interlocking physical, informational, service, policy, and attitudinal barriers. The purpose of this project was to utilize accepted accessibility standards to document the state of accessibility in nature based tourism and recreation spaces across British Columbia. Following community-based research practices, a team of academic researchers and experts working in accessibility practice collected over 6,700 unique measurements documenting potential barriers across 124 outdoor tourism and recreation sites. Of the 974 infrastructure elements and features assessed, fewer than five percent met all required standards. This paper shares evidence about the categories of infrastructure that are most problematic from an access and inclusion perspective, as well as those that are comparable brightspots. Results demonstrate a considerable gap between Canada's policy goal to become barrier free by 2040 and the present state of accessibility in outdoor spaces across the nature continuum. Management ImplicationsOrganizations managing outdoor tourism and recreation spaces across the nature continuum in British Columbia, Canada are not meeting interrelated moral, legislative, and social demands for equitable access to nature. Management agencies should invest in data collection completed in partnership with the disability community to reveal the full suite of barriers that prevent access across the province. New capital investment programs are required to upgrade legacy infrastructure and realize new features and amenities that provide meaningful opportunities to all. To ensure accessibility does not diminish over time, changes in management practices like incorporating accessibility requirements into operational contracting, hiring for lived experience, and building accessibility monitoring into maintenance planning and operations are needed.

THE FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS' SATISFACTION WITH BLENDED TEACHING METHODS IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF EDUCATION AT FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY

This study is to determine the factors affecting the students' satisfaction with the blended teaching method, especially in the current international context, making some recommendations to increase the students' satisfaction with the combined teaching method. The research sample is 200 students of Foreign Trade University, using EFA factor analysis to create 4 factors affecting the level of student satisfaction with the teaching method in teaching methods, content of instruction, characteristics of blended learning systems, infrastructure and technology. The research results contribute to help university leaders to consider improving teaching quality and applying information technology to innovate teaching methods in general and English teaching method in particular.

A Systematic Review of Sustainability Criteria in Infrastructure Development

This paper explores the immediate need of infrastructure stakeholders for practical guidance promoting sustainable infrastructure development that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and European Union (EU) regulations. Despite overarching definitions, there is a noticeable absence of a uniform set of sustainability criteria, which delays the integration of sustainability principles into infrastructure planning, development, and operations. Through a targeted content analysis of the systematically selected literature from the Web of Science, this study seeks to clarify the characteristics of sustainable infrastructure. In the systematic review of 106 sources, carefully selected through a structured exclusion process described in the Open Science Framework register, the authors construct a comprehensive set of 43 sustainable infrastructure characteristics. Subsequently, these indicators undergo evaluation by sector experts through focus group discussions on the relevance of the proposed sustainable infrastructure criteria to local planning contexts. The focus group’s results demonstrate the adequacy of the proposed criteria, albeit with variations in perceived importance. Additionally, participants in the focus group suggest conducting field tests of the criteria in a municipal setting before scaling up to national policy frameworks.

Role of walkability, bike infrastructure, and greenspace in combatting chronic diseases: A heterogeneous ecological analysis in the United States

Associations of built and natural environment and bike infrastructure features with neighborhood-level hypertension and obesity prevalence across the U.S. are not well explored. Identifying the environmental determinants of neighborhood-level disease prevalence can support community-based nonpharmacologic interventions. Additionally, little is known about the extent of heterogeneity in built and natural environment impacts. Quantifying heterogeneity can help identify places where the greatest health gains can be obtained from infrastructural investments. Using a new neighborhood-level database, we assessed heterogeneous associations of neighborhood built and natural environment and bike infrastructure features with nationwide hypertension and obesity rates using a simultaneous quantile regression framework. A walkability index, access to green space, and bicycle infrastructure were negatively correlated with hypertension and obesity after controlling for social vulnerability. The associations of key environmental and bike infrastructure factors exhibited considerable heterogeneity. For a unit increase in the walkability index, the potential reduction in hypertension prevalence at the 10th percentile was 3.4 times the reduction at the 95th percentile. Likewise, the potential reduction in obesity prevalence at the 10th percentile was 1.8 times the reduction at the 95th percentile. Provision of on-street and off-street bike lanes was correlated with lower hypertension and obesity, although the impacts varied across the quantiles of health outcomes. Urban design policies promoting walkability, providing on-street and off-street bicycle facilities, and enhancing greenspace can be important strategies to combat hypertension and obesity. Our study underscores the importance of incorporating environmental features into future iterations of national disease prevalence data programs in the U.S.

In Traditional Greenhouses A field Research in Terms of Occupational Health and Safety (Antalya Example)

Although different levels of mechanization or automation systems are used in greenhouse cultivation depending on the infrastructure characteristics, there is an intensive use of human labor, especially for cultural operations. Therefore, the importance of occupational health and safety issues in greenhouse cultivation is increasing. Mechanization tools used, air conditioning systems, chemicals used, labour-intensive processes that require a certain muscle power and a certain posture during work, working at height, indoor air characteristics are among the main issues that need attention in terms of occupational health and safety. When the issues related to occupational health and safety in Turkey are examined, it is seen that studies have been carried out on different subjects such as working with agricultural machinery, chemical use, etc. However, it can be said that the studies on greenhouse cultivation are limited compared to other production branches. It is seen that the studies conducted consist of studies aimed at determining the situation in the form of field studies. Again, when the studies were examined, no study on indoor air in greenhouses, which is a closed environment, was found. In this study, it is aimed to examine the indoor air in terms of occupational health and safety in traditional greenhouses belonging to family businesses. In the study, the data were collected from 135 farmers in traditional greenhouses during the year and a questionnaire study was conducted in terms of occupational health and safety.

More than news! Mapping the deliberative potential of a political online ecosystem with digital trace data

Does the internet facilitate everyday public deliberation? Previous research on this question has largely focused on specific aspects, such as online news media diets or political discussions on social media. However, increasingly complex media environments are composed of different arenas with different respective potential for democracy. While previous work extensively dealt with the quality of political discussion online, it is a necessary but overlooked step, to consider the upstream features of digital infrastructure and usage. Using digital trace data from Germany, this study maps out which websites are relevant for online public discourse, introduces a measure of deliberative potential along six dimensions (information, communication, participation, connectivity, inclusivity and heterogeneity), and explores different types of websites alongside high level usage patterns. Besides a class of mainstream informational hubs, a class of quality information providers that includes most established public broadcasting sites was found. A third class of niche online forums hosts political discussions among more tightly-knit online communities, supporting previous findings of incidental exposure to political content online. While the mainstream information hubs in the sample attract a much larger volume of clicks, users spend relatively more time consuming political information on quality information sites as well as on niche online forums to engage with politics online. This project takes a more holistic perspective of the diverse ecosystem of online deliberation, while presenting a first quantitative exploration of a deliberative system.

Sensitivity analysis of the calibration factor resulting from the application of the HSM predictive method to Italian rural two-lane, two-way roads. The Emilia-Romagna case study

The present study investigates the adoption of predictive methods for road safety in the Italian context. The main goal of predictive methods is to describe safety performances of a road infrastructure according to the real number of occurred crashes and the actual infrastructure characteristics. Currently, the most reliable and widely used model is reported in the Highway Safety Manual (HSM), initially developed for the United States. In order to adapt the HSM existing model to the Italian context a calibration procedure is required. The main purpose of this study is to conduct the sensitivity analysis of the calibration factor, to evaluate the influence of various road characteristics (expressed in terms of Crash Modification Factors – CMFs) on the reliability of the model. Results show that the most influential factors are represented by planimetric curve radius, followed by shoulder type and width and Roadside Hazard Rating (RHR). In addition, the Italian roads taken into account for the present case study, which are single carriageway rural roads located in Emilia Romagna region, have generally exhibited more critical conditions compared to American roads. As a consequence, CMFs expressing the aforementioned infrastructure characteristics are typically greater than 1. Furthermore, road features and driving habits vary significantly with the orographic context (mountain, hill, or valley) and geographical area, factors that cannot be neglected when calibrating predictive models. As a result, a layered calibration would bring to the most reliable solution and, in specific situations, alternative predictive models to HSM could be developed.

Urban traffic-parking system dynamics model with macroscopic properties: a comparative study between Shanghai and Zurich

Analyzing the dynamics of parking traffic can better represent the real dynamic states of road networks, thereby allowing for a deeper analysis of the parking system’s impact. This paper comparatively investigates the impact of parking policies on two traffic networks with different infrastructure, socio-economic, and policy characteristics. Parking space, average parking duration, and parking fee policies were analyzed as a function of cruising distances and cruising time with indirect effects on traffic emissions. Empirically, the system dynamics model application is tested and validated with the macroscopic data from two central business districts (CBDs) in Shanghai (Xujiahui area) and Zurich (Bahnhofstrasse area). Results showed Bahnhofstrasse CBD is more sensitive against the policy shifts with relatively higher elasticity and indicated greater responsiveness in aggregating traffic emissions when compared with Xujiahui CBD. The findings of this study may provide an overall framework to empirically assess the performance of different traffic conditions and strategies on urban parking systems.

The Disposition of Oil Palm Infrastructure

The Tzen oil palm plantation in the northwestern corner of Wide Bay in Pomio District, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea is a highly infrastructured space. Roads surround and order the oil palm plantings into a grid-like space and connect the main estate to the extensions of the plantation in the surrounding area. Not only is the plantation an area characterized by these ‘hard infrastructures’, but the plantation was established in 2008 as a part of a large combined logging and agriculture project aimed to bring income, employment and road infrastructure to the rural and remote Pomio District. In this essay, I examine these two infrastructural features of the Tzen oil palm plantation. I begin by examining the specific components of the wider infrastructural system of the plantation, such as the road network, the palm oil mill and the palm oil pipeline that connects to the mill. After this, I examine the logging and agriculture projects as a part of the plan which the plantation was established. I argure that while the provision of infrastructure is built into the plan of the logging and plantation project, so the extractive logic of this project is built into the infrastructural system being developed.

Assessing the Efficiency and Potential of China’s Apple Exports

This study elucidates the factors impacting China’s apple trade, its efficiency, and opportunities for increased revenue. This study adopts a stochastic frontier gravity model on China’s apple exports data, covering the period from 1997 to 2022 across 38 significant trading partners. The finding demonstrates that the economic growth of China and its trading partners substantially boosts apple export volumes, with a positive correlation between GDP growth and export flows. The research also highlights the deterrent effect of geographical distance on exports and reveals a complex negative relationship between the per capita GDP of importing nations and export efficiency, shedding light on the nuanced nature of trade dynamics. Furthermore, the study finds that the appreciation of China’s currency plays a crucial role in enhancing export efficiency by lowering transaction costs. Meanwhile, increased agricultural land in importing countries presents competitive challenges, impacting export performance negatively. Geographical proximity and infrastructural features, such as shared borders and lack of access to seaport, are identified as significant factors in export efficiency. The analysis unveils considerable untapped export potential in various countries, suggesting a strategic avenue for market expansion. To optimize China’s apple export strategy, policymakers are advised to consider currency management, negotiate trade agreements that mitigate distance and per capita GDP effects, and target markets with high untapped potential, thereby facilitating sustainable growth in China’s apple export sector.

Suitable solutions and EU regulatory framework of electric light mobility vehicles for last-mile delivery: an overview

Due to current environmental European regulations in terms of pollutant emissions, electric cargo cycles are receiving growing interest compared to heavy-duty vehicles as a cheaper and healthier alternative for last-mile delivery of goods in urban and suburban areas. Within the PNRR Next Generation EU program, the Sustainable Mobility Center aims to design innovative e-cargo bikes considering technical features along with rider behaviour and infrastructure characteristics. The market offers plenty of solutions, which may differ in technical and design features. Nowadays a standardized terminology, widely shared among researchers for those light mobility vehicles does not exist. Several authors employ different terms or introduce classifications based upon the vehicle type of use or even on the vehicle layout (e.g., payload position or number of wheels). Concurrently, EU regulatory framework is undergoing rapid changes and appears unclear. Certain categories of light mobility vehicles might be ruled out from the type-approval system established by the regulation EU 168/2013. For those vehicles, harmonised standards are under drafting or approval. This situation requires a considerable effort among manufacturers in the identification of the proper product directives or regulations and the associated mandatory requirements and testing procedures for the introduction of a new vehicle model in the market. Within this context, an overview of the EU regulatory framework for these light mobility vehicles is presented. A literature evaluation with a structured and coded methodology of scientific databases, company websites and commercial reports is performed, evaluating commercial and prototype solutions of e-cargo bikes from a technical and legislative perspective. Furthermore, a case study is addressed, deepening the national legislation which rules the use of e-cargo bikes in Italy. The information provided in this work may be useful among manufacturers as a starting point for the design process of these types of vehicles. Moreover, this paper lays the foundations for a widely recognized taxonomy of e-cargo bikes based upon distinctive features.

Полевые дневники Б.А. Куфтина, руководителя Тунгусской экспедиции, как источники эпохи становления советской этнографии

The article analyzes the travel diaries of the head of the Tunguska expedition of 1927–1928, Boris Kuftin (1892–1953). Methods and materials. Participants of the Tunguska Expedition conducted field research on Lake Baikal and the Far East in places where Evenks, Nanais, Negidals, Nivkhs, Oroches, and Udeges people lived. They collected valuable ethnographic materials about the ethnocultural features of settlement, types of dwellings, fishing activities, life cycle rituals, shamanism, holidays, and features of the language and folklore of the Tunguso-Manchus and Paleoasiats. Field notebooks of B.A. Kuftin are stored in St. Petersburg, in the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (the Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and contain a large volume of ethnographic and anthropological information, drawings, shamanic texts, and various life support technologies. Results. However, in addition to them, the scientific heritage of the scientist has a travel diary, which reflects personal road observations and impressions of B.A. Kuftin, subjective characteristics of regional transport infrastructure in the first quarter of the 20th century, his own assessments of the development of Siberian and far Eastern historical science, their relationship with world science, and museum business in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. During the route, B.A. Kuftin met a large number of scientists – representatives of different scientific disciplines – who showed aspects of their complex social relations at the time.