Project Meetings

International Conference entitled “EMERGING TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION” was held on 15th – 16th September, 2025 in Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent within the framework of ERASMUS+ Project Sustainable Transportation within the Framework of Green Deal – SPHERE (Project: 101128065).
The opening ceremony was held on Monday, 15th September 2025 in Main building, Conference Hall. Starting from Participants registration, the conference started at 10:00 a.m.
Event description
Welcome speeches were performed by TTPU Vice-Rector Bakhtiyor Yokubov, Head of Deparment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dr. Jasur Kholkhujayev and the Rector of the coordinating university – UPKM Prof. Dr. Nebojsa Arsic. 
In the Plenary session presentations from keynote speakers were presented. The topics of the presentations and the presenters are listed below:
• The management of public transport: the accessibility, affordability and equity challenge by professor Marjan Lep and Mr. Dušan Zalar from University of Maribor;
• Prospects for the Development of Sustainable Transport in the Republic of Uzbekistan: The Case of the City of Bukhara by Mr. Murad Abidov, vice-director, Transport Scientific Research Center, UZTT;
• Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Implementation of the SPHERE Erasmus + CBHE Project by Dr. Aleksandra Petrovic an Erasmus+ officer from UPKM;
• On dynamics of EV/HEV market development in Uzbekistan by Mr. Seyran Asanov and Dr. Fikret Umerov from TTPU;
• Framework for authorization of automated vehicle testing in Spain by professor Slobodan Bojanic and Felipe Jiménez from UPM.
The first half of the day was finalized with an Opening Ceremony of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Laboratory that was established withing the framework of SPHERE project at Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent. The participants had opportunity to get information about the laboratory equipment purchased during the project implementation.
During the second half of the first Conference day, third session in four parallel thematic sessions have been organized as it is shown in the table below.
Parallel Sessions:
1.Sustainable Transportation and Decarbonization Strategies (B1-room).
2.Urban Mobility and the Transition to Electric Transportation (204- room).
3.Innovations in Sustainable Transportation Education and Research(205-room).
4.Legal Frameworks, Policies, and Regulations for Sustainable Transportation(206-room).
The second day (16th September) of the conference, which started after participants registration at 10:00 a.m., special session within the SPHERE Erasmus + project has been organize and the scientific papers were presented as follows: 
1. Safety and sustainable mobility of pedestrians: a case study of the Republic of Serbia Miloš Pljakić, Predrag Stanojević, Aleksandra Petrović, Nebojša Arsić, Jelena Rajović, UPKM
2. Enhancement of urban mobility infrastructure using shunted piezoelectric systems for vibration suppression    Konstantinos Marakakis, Maria-Styliani Daraki, Evangelos Synnefakis, Konstantinos Igglezakis, Georgios E. Stavroulakis, Technical University of Crete
3. The optimization of energy use for public transport: a comparison of three energy storage integration approaches Danijel Hojski, Chiara Gruden, Mitja Klemenčič, Marijan Španer, Vlasta Rodošek, University of Maribor
4. Analysis of the method of determining exhaust gases in the engine idle mode Diyor Turgunov, Akmal Mukhitdinov, TSTU
5. Transition to electric bus transportation: a step towards a sustainable future Kudrat Kutlimuratov, Akmal Mukhitdinov and Abdugani Kaxxorov, KIUT
6. The impact of parking cars in urban conditions on traffic volume and composition Abdurakhmanov Zokhidjon, JBNUU
In line with the purposes of the T7.7 Promotion of ST and promotion of the project results, after the Second day agenda realization the official visits to SPHERE project partners: Tashkent State Transport University (TSTRU) and Kimyo International University in Tashkent (KIUT) were organized. Opening ceremonies of established laboratories were held. In TSTU the conference participants met with newly enrolled students to the Sustainable Transport program established within the SPEHERE project.
At the conclusion of the second day of the conference, participants highlighted the following key takeaways: 
1. Sustainable Transport – The presented papers confirmed the importance of innovative solutions in pedestrian safety, optimization of energy efficiency in public transport, the adoption of electric vehicles, and improvements in urban mobility infrastructure. The need for further development of environmentally friendly transport systems was particularly emphasized, aligning with global sustainable development goals. 
2. SPHERE Project – The program’s implementation, including the opening of new laboratories at Turin Polytechnic Tashkent University (TTPU), Tashkent State Transport University (TSTU) and Kimyo International University in Tashkent (KIUT), demonstrated the project’s success in supporting education and research in sustainable transport. The introduction of the Sustainable Transport study program at TSTU represents a crucial step in preparing experts for future challenges in the sector. 
3. International Collaboration – Visits to partner institutions and the exchange of experiences among SPHERE project participants underscored the importance of continued regional and global cooperation. The conference provided a platform for future joint projects, research, and the promotion of sustainable transport technologies.
The comprehensive discussions and presented results confirm that a combination of scientific research, educational innovation, and international support is essential for achieving sustainable transport goals in the future.
Conference Proceedings