Intelligent Management and Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities, Vol.2

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of city buses included in the public transport fleet in Szczecin, with a focus on evaluating the economic and ecological performance of conventional, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Need for the study: With growing environmental concerns and the increasing need for cost-effective urban mobility solutions, there is a strong demand to identify the most sustainable and economically viable types of buses for public transport systems. This study addresses this need by assessing actual operating data across different vehicle technologies. Methodology: The analysis conducted in the article covers energy consumption and associated costs (fuel or electricity, depending on the vehicle type) for each month over the span of one year. The data accounts for seasonal variations in energy demand, driven by the use of additional vehicle systems such as heating and air conditioning. The study also includes a brief theoretical consideration of how artificial intelligence systems could enhance operational efficiency of city buses. Findings: Electric buses demonstrated the most favorable outcomes from both ecological and economic perspectives, while conventional diesel buses showed the least advantageous performance. Hybrid vehicles ranked between the two. The study also identified specific operational areas where the integration of AI technologies could further optimize efficiency and reduce costs. Practical Implications: The results offer valuable insights for municipal decision-makers and transport operators considering the transition to more sustainable fleets. Moreover, the potential of AI-based systems to support operational improvements highlights a possible strategic direction for future development in urban public transport.