The digital transformation of education is one of the federal priorities of the Russian Federation, the implementation of which in the vocational education system is designed to provide effective training for the digital economy. The study of the digitalization process of secondary vocational education and the identification of the organizational and pedagogical conditions for its effectiveness is carried out on the basis of an interregional network of experimental sites - professional educational organizations that have been implementing online training programs for several years. Describes the problems and limitations associated with the introduction of online into the secondary vocational education system, as well as possible solutions. It is shown that distance learning technology can be used in the implementation of vocational education programs only in force majeure circumstances (forced self-isolation in the fight against a pandemic) with a significant loss in the quality of education and its practical orientation. The optimal form of introducing online courses in the educational process of secondary vocational education is the technology of blended learning, combining online work with contact forms of training. The key condition for ensuring the effectiveness of the digital transformation of the educational process is the development by teachers of a complex of general competencies, including: self-organization, remote motivation management, work with granular educational content.

Long-term socio-economic development forecast of the Russian Federation for the period till 2030 specifies that the main barriers in the implementation of innovative and accelerated scenarios are caused by the shortage of world-competitive professional personnel both at the level of corporations and public administration, the inefficiency of coordination mechanisms. This study is aimed at studying the readiness and possibilities of the system of vocational education and training of the Russian Federation to respond to external challenges, taking into account scenarios of the long-term forecast of the social and economic development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2035. The study is also aimed at creating scientific, organizational and methodological conditions for the positive modernization of the professional education and training system of the Russian Federation on the basis of regional development strategies, which will allow implementing measures to develop infrastructure, personnel potential, create modern conditions for the implementation of professional educational programs. The study presents predictive scenarios of the development of secondary vocational education, gives their characteristics, and identifies risks and advantages. The presented scenarios allow us to determine the socio-economic potential of vocational education, to determine the goals and objectives in its development.

Providing rail transport with qualified personnel has traditionally been in the realm of close attention. Modern realities dictate the need to search for and implement effective tools for the interaction of the education system and employers, which can influence the training of personnel.

Thanks to the development of the national qualifications system in Russia, employers and the education system have received effective tools for interaction in the form of professional and public accreditation and independent qualifications assessment, which allow taking into account the requirements of employers, current trends and technologies of production organization, and assess willingness of students to perform specific labor functions in accordance with approved professional standards.

Rail transport has been actively involved in the implementation of elements of the national qualifications system, including professional and public accreditation and independent assessment of qualifications. The implementation of these measures should become an important mechanism in improving the professional level of railway workers and building an effective barrier for people who are not ready for responsible work in this area.

The considered tools of the national qualifications system contribute to the formation of responsible interaction of all stakeholders in the quality of learning outcomes. 

Presents theoretical and methodological approaches to the issue of introducing innovative approaches and pedagogical teaching methods in the formation of common competencies among students by secondary vocational education programs. The format of the educational organization’s work within the framework of the innovative educational project “Introduction of innovative approaches and pedagogical methods in the practice of training specialists for Russian Railways” is described. The relevance of the project is due to the need to update pedagogical activities and search for universal training technology that does not have a profile fixation or specialization, simple and effective.

An example is given of the development of a teaching technology-model of “RHYTHM of education” 5T+P.  The innovative approaches proposed in the model are developed on the basis of the Corporate Competence Model of Russian Railways and contribute to the quality training of the railway transport specialist.

An approximate matrix of the formation of general competencies is presented in the context of the forms and teaching methods used by the teacher in the specialty 02.27.03 Automation and telemechanics in transport (railway transport).

The external and internal effects from the implementation of the project, the prospects for its further implementation are analyzed. 

Secondary vocational education is part of the state system of vocational education in the Russian Federation, which provides training for skilled workers and employees, mid-level specialists. It is these personnel, along with engineers, who are currently most needed both for the development and competitiveness of the transport industry, and for the Russian economy as a whole.

The processes of restructuring the educational space of secondary vocational education in the framework of the implementation of the strategic goals of the development of the transport system of the Russian Federation are considered. The possibilities of the WorldSkills (WS) movement for the innovative development of secondary vocational education are analyzed; advantages and contradictions of the participation of educational organizations in national projects. An active role in the development of the WS movement of the Nonprofit Organization “Association of Colleges and Technical Schools of Transport” is shown.

The author’s view on the possible solutions to the problems identified during the study is given. 

The subject of the research is the activation of participation of students and young scientists of specialized universities in the youth competition of JSC “Russian Railways” “New link”. The relevance is related to the practical need to balance the support of contest participants-project authors-at all stages of the competition.

The novelty and uniqueness of the offer “Institute mentor”: in the ”one-stop shop“ mode for students from specialized universities, Roszheldor University acts as an incubator of new business ideas, and the Institute Mentor as a tutor, business coach for support at the initial stage of projects. The Institute Mentor is an important link between railway applied science and branch railway education.

Used analytical, marketing, and project methods, materials for general access to the tender documentation.

At the initial stage of project preparation, instead of working independently on the idea, it is proposed to attach an Institute mentor to the students participating in the competition. At the same time, the greatest efficiency can be achieved if the team is formed of a student, a young scientist and a young specialist. As a result, a comprehensive project will be formed at the first stage, and teams will receive tools for effective preparation of work. This will achieve a balance-assistance not only from the organizer-mentor of JSC “Russian Railways”, but also from the curator of the University – Institute mentor.

When implementing the offer, Russian Railways will receive stronger applications and more effective ideas for the successful development of the industry. The qualitative effects of implementing such a proposal can be the implementation of the priorities of the technical policy and strengthening the brand of JSC “Russian Railways” among young people, optimization of the “New link” project, and the involvement of young scientists-mentors from specialized universities in the “New link” project.

The international cooperation and exhibition activities of the Educational and instructional center for railway transportation are considered. International exhibitions provide an opportunity to get acquainted with foreign experience and development trends of professional education. As part of the business program of international exhibitions, the Educational and instructional center for railway transportation organizes round tables “Transport Book of Russia”, which presents transport-related publications that popularize the history of Russian railways, the history of the organization and management of Russian railway transport; dictionaries of railway terms; educational literature on transport safety and environmental protection. It was noted that the presentations are held with the goal of implementing the main directions of the Federal Target Program “Development of the Transport System of Russia until 2030” and the Federal Target Program “Development of Culture and Tourism” for 2013–2020, forming a positive image of Russia as an object of travel and investment capital.

The work of the Educational and instructional center for railway transportation on mutually beneficial cooperation with educational institutions and railway enterprises of foreign countries is shown. Agreements and memoranda “On cooperation and joint activities” were signed between the Educational and instructional center for railway transportation with educational institutions and transport structures of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and the DPRK.

Information about the work of the electronic library of the Educational and instructional center for railway transportation, created to provide remote access of the students, teachers and employees of educational organizations under the jurisdiction of the Federal Agency for railway transport (Roszheldor), as well for industry professionals, is presented.

The article discusses the problems of visual reflection of station processes ensuring the development of a dynamic 3D model of a railway station adequate to reality. This model is based on rhythms of the animated structure of objects functioning in accordance with physics of real events and technological requirements of the regulation.

This structure makes it possible to form an environment for modeling and forecasting short-term and medium-term operational prospects for train station. The effectiveness of this environment depends on the detailing of individual movements of cars and locomotives along tracks and necks taking into account the hostility of routes, limited resources, etc.

Purpose of this article is to determine the composition of technological operations, which will provide a reliable display of the dynamics of station processes without too much detail. The dispatcher’s work with such a system will be comfortable, based on a convenient interface with information shell. Man-machine architecture of the information physical model of the station will allow you to create a full-fledged computer animation that displays technological processes in the space of events alternative to the real world. 

Research is the automation of decision-making on the justification of the type of unloading section of the terminal for single-piece cargo — external or internal input of the railway track is rational according to the criterion of minimum total costs. The relevance of the research topic is associated with the widespread solution of this type of business problems in the modern conditions of the transport and warehouse market. Cargo terminals connect modes of transport and transform cargo flows, which determines both the key position of cargo terminals in modern supply chains, and the complexity of tasks to be solved in their design. For operational management of transport and logistics processes, it is necessary to quickly make business decisions, which can be provided by software implementation of a number of settlement procedures.

Used dynamic and linear programming, syntax and tools of the Pascal ABC programming language, analytical, marketing, and project methods; materials of general access and official sites, own research.

A software product for automating the calculation of technical and operational parameters of a railway cargo terminal is described. The program allows you to calculate a set of technical and economic parameters of the cargo terminal operation, in particular, the size of the annual car traffic, the required length of the railway unloading section, as well as annual operating (production) costs and capital costs for the construction of the car unloading section by options.

The software product can be useful both in the educational process of secondary and higher education, and in practical business when making business decisions on planning the operation of a cargo terminal. 

The device of flexitanks, as well as technical and technological features of the transportation of goods with their use, are considered. The relevance of the topic is due to the fact that at present almost 80 % of international transit in the world takes place in containers, on the domestic markets of the largest countries of the world, goods flows also go mainly in containers. Flexitanks are studied as innovative tools for organizing the chains of delivery of goods and goods in containers, having all the necessary equipment for transporting various kinds of cargo.

Analytical and marketing methods are applied, taking into account the principles of the theory of logistics, logic, as well as shared materials.

A comparison of this type of packaging with other transportation means is presented. It was revealed that flexitara is more oriented to non-hazardous liquid cargo in terms of its characteristics. The use of flexitanks allows to reduce transportation costs, reduce labor, time and transportation costs, as well as to carry out multimodal transportation using various modes of transport.

It is established that flexitanks can act as a full-fledged and multi-functional alternative to tanks, tank containers and other containers for transporting bulk materials that are non-hazardous cargoes. The use of technology for the transportation of goods in flexitanks will contribute to the further innovative development of multi-modal freight transportation and the growth of containerization of goods exchange in general. 

The program for the development of marshalling yards until 2025 assumes the concentration of car traffic processing at large, technically well-equipped marshalling yards. Measures to reduce the downtime of transit cars with processing at the marshalling yard A, aimed at identifying and reducing costs when driving freight trains of increased weight and length on the section A–I1, are relevant from a practical point of view.

One way to reduce the cost of driving freight trains of increased weight and length is to avoid forming 9,000-ton trains. Station A forms trains of increased mass and length, measuring 8000 tons and 9000 tons. This technology has a certain positive effect — an increase in the average weight of the train by 25.5 tons, reducing the need for locomotives and locomotive crews, increasing the carrying capacity of the section, unloading the tracks of the receiving and sending fleet. Also, this technology entails a certain number of difficulties in operation, such as certain requirements for the equipment of locomotives and the use of only three-section locomotives for trains weighing 9,000 tons. This raises the question of the feasibility of driving trains weighing 9,000 tons. 

The subject of the research is the development of recommendations for improving the planning and organization of cargo transportation and operational work in the framework of commodity flow management and effective interaction of transport market participants in the value chain. The relevance of this topic is related to the implementation of the priorities of the long-Term development program of open joint stock company “Russian Railways” until 2025.

Used analytical, marketing, and project methods; materials of general access and official sites, own research.

Priority tasks requiring scientific and practical solutions are Considered: building a Compliance system; improving the system of planning and calculating the price of integrated transport services; updating the Concept of rationing the operational work of Railways; distributing quotas between operator companies for cargo transportation; rating evaluation of operator companies; criteria for evaluating logistics activities and a system of balanced indicators.

When implementing the proposal, Russian Railways will develop tools for improving the planning and organization of cargo transportation and operational work within the framework of commodity flow management and effective interaction of transport market participants in the value chain. 

The processing ability of the sorting hill depends on the sorting park, where the accumulation of wagons takes place. Changing the longitudinal profile of the sorting fleet path leads to an deposition and uncoupling of wagons due to commercial malfunctions, which increases the hill interval. One of the methods for calculating the impact of changes in the longitudinal profile of the track on the quality of the sorting system is simulation. Despite the high accuracy of this method, its implementation is quite complicated. The possibility of using the concavity coefficient of the longitudinal profile of the sorting park path to analyze the quality of its filling is considered.

The developed simulation model of filling the paths of the sorting park “SortPark 2” was applied, taking into account the moving of the trailer from the place after the stop; the error in the operation of control devices and setting the release speed of the couplers from the park brake position to the path; the movement of cars in the collision with them of the next release. Studies have shown that the concavity coefficient can be used as a numerical criterion in assessing the deviation of the profile from standard values. There is a relationship between the concavity coefficient and the path fill quality index. The results can be used to assess the effectiveness of straightening the profile of the path. 

A significant part of hydrocarbons is transported by rail. At the same time, oil products are considered dangerous goods, accidents during transportation of which can lead to emergency situations. The emergency situation caused by the depressurization of the tank car with gasoline was considered, as a result of which gasoline got into the river Volkhov (Kirishi, Leningrad Region). Presents the calculation of damage from emergency situations when transporting gasoline in a tank car. Defined the economic losses, as well as damage to the environment: atmospheric air, water and land resources. The total environmental damage is calculated. When the damage assessment analysis of the relationship between damage caused to the environment from the time elapsed from the moment of an emergency, prior to commencement of works on localization and liquidation of emergency transport. It was revealed that the least environmental damage would be if proceed to emergency response within the first hour. In the second hour, environmental damage increases by 68 %, and in the third hour it increases by another 23 %.

The conclusion is made about the effectiveness of rapid response and work on localization of an emergency situation related to the spill of petroleum products into a water body. 

The work is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the contribution of Siberian science and industry to our Victory.

The activities of the great scientist, who worked for a long time in the Kemerovo region, at the Siberian Metallurgical Institute (now Siberian State Industrial University, Siberian State Industrial University, Novokuznetsk) are considered. Yuri Vyacheslavovich Grdina, truly — the king of rails, a man of legend.

In 2021, the 120th anniversary of the birth of the great scientist will be celebrated. The railway network of Russia is woven from its rails.

Reflected not only the professional activities of Grdina — a scientist, but also revealed his multifaceted personality as a creative person who was fond of painting, photography, boating, chess, literature.

The issues of the work of railways in the conditions of the viral pandemic 2019–2020 are considered. The results of the research carried out by a group of the International Union of Railways and the generalization of the experience of railways — members of this organization in the fight against coronavirus in railway transport, both at stations and in trains during the trip, are presented, for both passengers and maintenance personnel. The relevant recommendations of an organizational and technical nature are provided.