Abstract 8/2025

Table of content

Emilia Kruczek,  Zuzanna Kurowska, Anna Wojnarowicz, Dominika Hyży, Michał Małysz – Sustainable mobility concept for the city of Wołów based on clockface timetable

Krzysztof Domino,  Wojciech Gamon – From Baltimore to Silesia: Quantum Computers and Hybrid Optimization Methods in Rail Transport Planning 

Krzysztof Grzelec, Adam Raszpunda, Kamil Bujak – Transport behaviour and preferences of rural municipality residents in an agglomeration based on the example of the Municipality (Gmina) of Wejherowo

Marcin Rechłowicz – Regional passenger rail transport market in eastern Germany

 

Abstracts

Emilia Kruczek,  Zuzanna Kurowska, Anna Wojnarowicz, Dominika Hyży, Michał Małysz 

Sustainable mobility concept for the city of Wołów based on clockface timetable

Abstract: Wołów is an example of a city located 25 km from the city limits of Wrocław. Despite its proximity to the largest city in Lower Silesia and the LGOM urban system, public transport relies primarily on rail connections along railway line no. 273. Bus transport is not particularly developed, with a relatively small number of connections and a rather irregular timetable. Declarations of population movements based on the 2021 National Census indicate that there is demand for transport on a much larger scale than indicated by timetables. While the morning train times towards Wrocław are acceptable, direct connections with Legnica or Lubin are impossible. Furthermore, there is no public transport within the city that would allow for free mobility. The aim of this paper is to present a sustainable mobility concept for Wołów and its subregion, assuming a constant timetable. The proposed solutions include the development of rail connections towards Wrocław, bus connections in the Wołów subregion in all directions declared in the 2021 National Public Procurement Census, and public transport within the city. These connections have been designed using the PTV Visum software. The presented concept can serve as a source of inspiration for regional and local policy planning regarding the development of public transport based on multimodal solutions at the Wołów multimodal node.

Key words: regional transport, urban transport, Lower Silesia, sustainable mobility, Wołów

 

Krzysztof Domino,  Wojciech Gamon 

From Baltimore to Silesia: Quantum Computers and Hybrid Optimization Methods in Rail Transport Planning

Abstract: Planning and managing traffic in rail transport systems is among the most complex challenges in public transportation. Every disruption – whether a breakdown, delay, or unforeseen incident – requires rapid recalculation of timetables, which in practice is difficult to achieve using classical computational methods. This is why there is growing interest in alternative paradigms, including quantum computing and hybrid approaches. Research conducted jointly by scientists from Poland and the United States, using the Baltimore Light RailLink as a case study, has shown that quantum computers, despite the limitations typical of the NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) era, can generate realistic timetable variants. Instead of producing a single rigid schedule, quantum devices generate sets of scenarios that better capture uncertainty and randomness in metropolitan traffic. Particularly promising in this respect are hybrid approaches that combine the computational power of classical algorithms with the flexibility of quantum methods. Against this background, Polish experiences – especially in cooperation with Koleje Śląskie (Silesian Railways) – point to directions for practical application. Rolling stock circulation scheduling, for an operator managing 60 electric multiple units (EMUs) and operating around 500 trains daily, represents a typical example of a highly complex problem. Taking into account passenger needs (matching capacity to demand, punctuality, and flexible response to disruptions) makes quantum methods especially valuable. The article discusses international and domestic examples, highlighting the potential of quantum computers and physics-inspired optimization methods in building more resilient, flexible, and passenger-friendly rail transport systems.

Key words: rail transport, quantum computing, optimization

 

Krzysztof Grzelec, Adam Raszpunda, Kamil Bujak

Transport behaviour and preferences of rural municipality residents in an agglomeration based on the example of the Municipality (Gmina) of Wejherowo

Abstract: Sustainable mobility is embedded in the strategies of cities and municipalities. Its objectives are set out in sustainable urban mobility plans. In order to monitor changes in transport behaviour and preferences, as well as the effectiveness of individual instruments aimed at shaping the transport behaviour of residents, it is necessary to conduct regular studies on mobility needs, transport demand, preferences, and actual transport behaviour. This article presents selected results of a survey on the transport preferences and behaviour of residents of the rural municipality of Wejherowo, located within the functional area of the Gdańsk Bay Metropolis. The findings reveal, on the one hand, clear differences in the transport behaviour and preferences of rural municipality residents compared to inhabitants of the core cities of the agglomeration and, on the other hand, certain similarities with smaller towns situated on the metropolitan periphery.

Key words: urban transport, public transport, rural municipalities, transport quality, passenger preferences

 

Marcin Rechłowicz

Regional passenger rail transport market in eastern Germany 

Abstract: This article provides a synthetic analysis of the regional passenger rail transport market in eastern Germany. It characterizes the two primary groups of players in this market: transport organizers and operators, as well as the awards of public service contracts. These contracts were awarded both through competitive tendering procedure and directly. They vary significantly in volume and duration. Particular attention is paid to direct awarding. Additionally, an example from the state of Saxony-Anhalt is discussed, where a contract between the organizer and operator was prematurely terminated.

Key words: railway transport, passenger transport, regional rail passenger service, organisation of transport