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Representatives of the Motor Transport Institute (ITS) took part in the International Scientific Conference “Logistics Systems: Theory and Practice” (LSTP 2026), participating both in a panel discussion on the safety of transport systems and in a scientific session on driver training in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Panel discussion on the safety of transport systems

Prof. Marcin Ślęzak, D.Sc., Eng., director of the Motor Transport Institute, took part in the panel discussion “Safety of transport systems – threats, challenges, protection”. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Marianna Jacyna, D.Sc., Eng., Dean of the Faculty of Transport at the Warsaw University of Technology. Alongside the ITS director, the panel included: Michał Batko, Member of the Management Board for Production at DB Cargo Polska S.A.; Ignacy Góra, D.Sc., Eng., President of the Office of Rail Transport (UTK); Maciej Kaczorek, Ph.D., Member of the Management Board and Director for Strategy and Development at Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.; and Katarzyna Strzegowska, Director of the Warsaw Public Transport Authority (ZTM).

The panel’s composition, bringing together representatives of the railway sector, urban transport, the regulator and academia, underscored the interdisciplinary nature of the discussion on transport system safety. Participants discussed current threats to the safety of transport systems and the challenges involved in protecting them, including risks related to the cybersecurity of infrastructure and vehicles. Marcin Ślęzak spoke about the threats and opportunities brought about by the growing automation of transport. Throughout the discussion, speakers repeatedly stressed the need for close cooperation between transport operators, infrastructure managers, regulators and research institutions as a condition for effectively countering threats to transport system safety. Panelists also drew attention to the role of the human factor, described as the “weakest link” in the transport safety system, which — as was emphasized — makes workforce training and raising the competencies of transport sector employees one of the key conditions for effectively addressing these threats.

Immediately after the panel concluded, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Warsaw Public Transport Authority (ZTM) and the Faculty of Transport at the Warsaw University of Technology, which conference participants regarded as a practical confirmation of the points raised during the discussion.

In the afternoon session, Małgorzata Pełka, Ph.D., Eng., presented the paper “Fuzzy logic in the objective evaluation of ADAS training effectiveness for senior drivers.” She presented an original fuzzy controller model designed to objectify the assessment of drivers’ competencies after completing simulator-based training in the use of driver assistance systems. The study covered a group of active drivers over the age of 50. The results showed a high degree of agreement between the model’s assessments and those of the trainer, as well as a significant increase in participants’ trust in ADAS systems. The author noted that the tool developed could serve as the basis for a future driver examination system under the forthcoming EU Directive 2025/2205.