The paper considers the impact of transport and trade activities on economic growth using the logical and analytical method, combining theoretical understanding with empirical analysis. The study results are consistent with the findings of other studies on the subject. Important clarifying conclusions are drawn regarding the influence of transport and trade on economic growth in the contemporary context. The relevance of natural indicators, primarily transportation volumes for economic, particularly macroeconomic, assessment of transport activity is shown.

To consider the issue of making changes to the specifics of the application of the balance method for assessing the market value of land plots encumbered with outstanding loans for the construction of railways. Give the theoretical foundations of the remainder method. To show the features of accounting for outstanding borrowed funds when using two modifications of the balance method. To clarify a number of formulations of Methodological recommendations for assessing the market value of land plots. Consider options for accounting for mortgage debt when mortgaging individual components of real estate. A number of formulations of Methodological recommendations for assessing the market value of land plots have been clarified. A graphical interpretation of the scope of application of the adjustment coefficient taken into account when forecasting further changes in net operating income is given. Two methods of estimating the estimated cost of construction are given and the most frequently used collections of enlarged software are indicated.

Stages of creation, calculation and testing of energy absorption devices are reviewed. The authors propose ways to improve the regulatory framework (GOST 32410-2013) with regard to modelling and autonomous destructive testing.

The paper demonstrates the importance of a digital twin for revealing deviations in the operation of the technical means of railway automation and remote control and for estimating the impact of changing requirements, use scenarios, ambient conditions and other variables on the performance of the railway automation and remote control infrastructure. The projects of automation and remote control facilities of JSC RZD within the framework of implementation of the digital twin technology are described.

The paper analyses metrics of innovation of freight wagons established and provided in the Russian Federation. A new approach to innovativeness assessment is proposed, which is based on the analysis of wagon technical and economic parameters, reliability factors, energy efficiency and safety indexes change during the last 3 years. Calculations of some wagon models’ metrics of innovation according to the proposed methodology are given. To ensure extensive application of the methodology, industry associations should agree the list of indexes, the values of weight coefficients and minimal improvement value to acknowledge a wagon as innovative.

Based on the research results, the paper determines ways to improve piecewise continuous method of measurement of vertical forces in contact of wheel and rail by measuring stresses in two cross-sections of a rail. This will increase the length of measuring area, reduce the number of strain gages and measuring channels, as well as reduce the length of measuring track in the diagnosis of the rolling stock wheels technical condition.

In order to study the rail vehicle dynamics considering the application of discrete track model the linear one-axle model with three degrees of freedom corresponding to the fouraxle vehicle is considered. Using D’Alembert’s principle and the principle of virtual power, differential equations of vertical oscillations of the track and the wheelset, the sprung mass of the bogie and body are derived, the oscillation frequencies are found, and the amplitude and phase frequency characteristics connecting the oscillations of the specified masses with the kinematic disturbance are developed. The results of calculations show that the proposed model of vehicle—track interaction permits distinguishing oscillations at frequencies greater than 10 Hz, so in such problems it is necessary to set the disturbance spectrum corresponding to the frequency range of 10 to 100 Hz. Oscillations appearing at frequencies greater than 10 Hz are of great importance in the study of oscillations of freight wagons without axle box guide, as well as in the study of torsional oscillations in locomotive traction gears.

The issues of assessing the wagon energy efficiency are reviewed. It is proposed to introduce the specific energy consumption for transportation of 10 thousand tonnes per km net for each new wagon model as an energy efficiency indicator for non-traction rolling stock.

The paper shows the promising outlook of using guided bus tram as more attractive for the passengers than a usual tram, especially in cities with narrow streets and steep hills making it possible to reduce motor traffic congestion. The experience of leading European companies operating this transport means has been analysed and summarised: France (Nancy, Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Île-de-France — the Paris Region) Italy (Padua, Mestre-Venice) and China (Tianjin, Shanghai), etc.

Two fundamentally different methods for modelling of discontinuous system describing dry friction are presented. The first method is based on approximate linearisation of dry friction process, and the second method logically realises the discontinuous nature of the system provided that application of friction force cannot change the direction of displacement of contacting bodies under active forces.

The paper reviews different systems and devices for measuring locomotive and wagon wheelset geometry without installation and run on moving rolling stock. The main characteristics of the systems are compared against the requirements of GOST 34709-2021, “Stationary technical diagnostic equipment for moving railway rolling stock. General technical requirements”.

The paper provides assessment of local stability, fatigue resistance of thin-walled structures made of high-strength steels. The results of strength and endurance experimental testing of beam made of high-strength material applied in wagon building are given.

The regulation of hydrostatic power drive based of gear-type hydraulic machines is considered. The basic hydraulic diagram of a hydrostatic power drive is provided, the basic calculation dependences are given. Advantages and limitations of gear-type hydraulic machines in hydrostatic power drive are revealed.

It is proposed to organise a system of freight wagon wheelset condition monitoring during train movement by the example of digital hardware/ software platform Rubezh, which is based on tensometric method of piecewise continuous registration of vertical forces acting from wheel to rail.