https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/128089 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:54:10 GMT 2026-04-09T02:54:10Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131182 Title: Cars of the future : development prospects Authors: Zakrzewski, Bartosz; Czerniachowicz, Barbara Abstract: PURPOSE: The main goal of the scientific paper is to analyse and synthesize trends, advancements, and forecasts in automotive design and technology over the next 30 years, focusing on the transition to electric, hydrogen-powered, and autonomous vehicles while addressing sustainability and infrastructure development.; METHODOLOGY: The basis for the analysis and synthesis of the conclusions presented in the article was statistical information collected from available sources and reports, as well as the reflections based on research conducted, among others, at the Motor Transport Institute in Warsaw. The basic research methods are synthesis, analysis, and inference. Available source materials from Polish and international statistical and ministerial institutions and specialist transport journals were analysed.; FINDINGS: Cars of the future will soon combine advanced technologies, including solutions from space technologies. Ecological drive and comfort of use. There will be electrification of shows, kore will dominate thanks to the development of large-capacity batteries, short charging times and increased availability of charging stations. In commercial vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will gain popularity. Autonomous systems using artificial intelligence will also be added to this.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Many detailed threads have only been mentioned and await further development. The Motor Transport Institute in Warsaw is a leading research center in Poland whose research and suggestions are taken into account by global and European automotive concerns.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: A synthetic study illustrating the cars of the future in the coming 30 years was found to be lacking. The paper analyses the development of automotive design, covering forecasts for the development of car transport worldwide and its prospects in the coming years. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131182 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131181 Title: Safety analysis pedestrian crossings in Poland after the regulations change in 2021 Authors: Sobolewski, M.; Nycz, M. Abstract: PURPOSE: This paper presents the results of analyzes of the level of pedestrian safety after introducing changes to road traffic law for vulnerable road users. The relationship between drivers and pedestrians is important for the sustainable development of road transport, where more and more emphasis is being placed on the privileged position of pedestrians and cyclists.; DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The paper is empirical in nature and its main part is the analysis of data on road accidents with the separation of the pedestrian group, including incidents at pedestrian crossings. The analysis consisted of tabular and graphical presentation of the dynamics of the number of accidents and victims of accidents in general, among pedestrians and at pedestrian crossings for the period before and after the introduction of new regulations. The chi-square test of independence was used to assess the significance of changes in the severity of accidents before and after the introduction of the regulations.; FINDINGS: The improvement in road safety over the last two decades has been significant as the number of road accident victims in Poland has decreased almost threefold. The safety of pedestrians, as vulnerable road users, has improved to a greater extent than that of other road users. In relation to the general road situation, safety at pedestrian crossings has deteriorated. The analyzes show that the change in regulations did not significantly reduce the number of accidents at pedestrian crossings. It turned out that the introduced legal regulations had a certain effect in large cities. Moreover, the paper examines the impact of improving road infrastructure (construction of expressways) on the number of pedestrian victims. The results of this analysis indicate a faster decline in the number of pedestrian victims in counties where modern road solutions are being developed.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Road safety as one of the key goals to achieve sustainable development. One of the goals of transport policy is still to reduce the number of accident victims and people with serious injuries. Assessment of the impact of changing regulations on pedestrian safety in one country may be helpful in taking similar actions in the others.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The analysis concerns the socially important issue of road safety and is based on current data. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131181 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131179 Title: Sustainable urban development in the context of depopulation and community ageing : selected examples from the world Authors: Szaja, Marta Abstract: PURPOSE: One of the key challenges faced by contemporary cities is the impact of adverse demographic processes such as depopulation and population ageing. Modern cities are expected to simultaneously maintain a balance across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. A critical tool to support urban adaptation to these changes is undoubtedly the sustainable development of urban areas. The primary objective of this study is to examine how urban sustainable development strategies can assist local communities in addressing adverse demographic changes, while identifying the most effective measures that authorities can employ to meet the needs of an ageing urban population and mitigate the effects of depopulation.; DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research encompasses selected cities across various continents, representing diverse demographic and economic contexts. It examines in detail the sustainable urban development strategies that enable municipal authorities to respond effectively to depopulation and the ageing of local populations. Case study selection criteria included cities significantly affected by depopulation and/or high proportions of senior citizens, cities at various stages of implementing sustainable development strategies, and diverse geographical and cultural contexts. The study's research hypothesis posits that cities implementing comprehensive sustainable development strategies are more effective in addressing demographic challenges, enhancing residents' quality of life, and countering further urban degradation. The research employed qualitative analysis, including a review of the literature to identify the most effective sustainable urban development strategies. It also utilised comparative case analysis of cities that have implemented such strategies in the context of an ageing population and depopulation. This international comparative analysis facilitated the identification of best practices and challenges unique to various regions.; FINDINGS: The main challenges and constraints faced by the studied cities included financial and organisational limitations, conflicts of interest among social groups, data shortages, and difficulties in monitoring the long-term effects of implemented measures. Sustainable urban development concerning ageing populations requires both global approaches and local actions tailored to the unique needs of residents. Combining interdisciplinary research with urban planning practices should contribute to the creation of cities that are sustainable and inclusive across generations.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Future research should focus on analysing the effectiveness of revitalisation efforts in cities with high depopulation rates, developing sustainable housing models for older adults, and examining the impact of revitalisation on intergenerational relationships and local communities. Such studies could ultimately lead to the development of more effective tools to support urban transformation.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The research contributes to a deeper understanding of sustainable urban development and provides specific recommendations for urban policies. The solutions adopted by selected cities located in different parts of the world serve as examples of best practices for other urban areas. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131179 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131176 Title: Generative AI as tax attorneys : exploring legal understanding through experiments Authors: Strąk, Tomasz Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of the research presented in this article is to assess LLM models' ability to understand the law's language and legal reasoning for tax law. The choice of the tax law was dictated by the universality of its application (the easily accessible large corpus of tests) and the fact that in the case of European Union member states (such as Poland), this law is partially harmonised. These circumstances make it possible to reduce one of the indicated barriers to applying LLM in law (the multilingual and multicultural nature of the law). The latest GPT o1 - preview model from OpenAI was used for the study. The premiere of this model took place on 12.09.2024. It is a multilingual model with a universal rather than specialised nature, which would be explicitly trained for tax law use.; DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research used an experimental method in which selected GPT models simulated the responses of a tax law expert. The research used two GPT models by OpenAI: GPT - 4 (available 14.03.2023) and GPT o1-preview (available 12.09.2024). The method used is an extension of the Turing Test concept (Turing, 1950), in which the AI model is intended to mimic human communication by assessing the ability to think logically, be creative and understand the context. Four research experiments were conducted. The first experiment assessed the LLM's understanding of the language of law, the second and third assessed the LLM's understanding of legal language, and the fourth assessed the LLM's legal reasoning skills.; FINDINGS: The obtained results of the conducted research about LLM models allow the following conclusions to be formulated for Polish tax law: 1) the quality of understanding and legal reasoning of the GPT models is such that the models help support the work of professional tax advisors; 2) the accuracy of the legal advice provided by the GPT o1 - preview model is too low for the model to be used to provide legal advice on its own; 3) the GPT o1 - preview model can predict the position of the NRAIC for a given factual situation with high probability; 4) the GPT o1 - preview model has legal reasoning skills at the level of a professional lawyer except the ability to analyse court decisions and PTRs; 5) in the case of court decisions and PTRs analysis, there was a solid hallucinatory effect in the conducted studies, which affected 50% of the analysed cases.; 6) the quality of the LLM's understanding and reasoning was significantly influenced by the size of the training set and the number of domain-specific questions asked.; PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research results have significant practical implications. They indicate the applicability of GPT models for tax attorneys and identify the main barriers to their practical application. The article also shows how to improve the accuracy of the models and significantly reduce the hallucinatory effect. The practical implementation of the presented research results may significantly affect the labour market for lawyers dealing with Polish and European tax law.; ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The research presents an original method of assessing the quality of legal reasoning based on the Quality of Legal Reasoning Indicator. It is also the first of its kind concerning Polish tax law. Therefore, it makes an important contribution to the development of Generative AI in the field of law, especially tax law. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131176 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z