The safety and reliability of railway transport requires new solutions for monitoring and quick identification of faults in the railway infrastructure. Electric heating devices (EORs) are the crucial element of turnouts. EORs ensure heating during low temperature periods when ice or snow can lock the turnout device. Thermal imaging is a response to the need for an EOR inspection tool. After processing, a thermogram is a great support for the manual inspection of an EOR, or the thermogram can be the input for a machine learning algorithm. In this article, the authors review the literature in terms of thermographic analysis and its applications for detecting railroad damage, analysing images through machine learning, and improving railway traffic safety. The EOR device, its components, and technical parameters are discussed, as well as inspection and maintenance requirements. On this base, the authors present the concept of using thermographic imaging to detect EOR failures and malfunctions using a practical example, as well as the concept of using machine learning mechanisms to automatically analyse thermograms. The authors show that the proposed method of analysis can be an effective tool for examining EOR status and that it can be included in the official EOR inspection calendar.

The article aims to preliminary analyze and identify the working conditions of an operator wearing disposable personal protective equipment and features and usability of the suit. The characteristics of the thermal image for an operator wearing a personal protection suit will be used as part of the IT system for comfort assessment. The system will allow the assessment of the operator's comfort based on thermograms. It will also detect dangerous situations resulting from the operator's work in such an outfit or overalls. The hazardous conditions for operators are related to the symptoms of thermal discomfort leading to overheating the body and, consequently, fainting. These situations may cause accidents and reduce the quality of the activities performed. The current legal status was considered when referring to selected social aspects in the management and quality of work of an operator wearing a COVID-19 protective suit. References are made to documents on legislative acts in Poland and Europe to limit the risk from biological agents. This part of the article refers to a vital study by Majchrzycka and Okrasa (2019, the Central Institute for Labor Protection - National Research Institute) presenting the rules for the safe use of non-biocidal respiratory protective equipment. This included obligations of the employer. The employer is obliged to take preventive measures against exposition of employees to harmful biological agents, including airtight measures and personal protective equipment. The article emphasizes selected medical aspects of working in personal protective clothing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Referring to the study (Sobolewski, 2014), according to the authors, the presented case reflects the working conditions of an operator wearing a disposable protective suit. Microclimate parameters and changing metabolism define the hot thermal environment in the mentioned standard. The article presents the results of thermovision inspection of the operator of technical means of transport working in a suit protecting against COVID-19 infection, constituting one-off personal protection. The individual elements included in the protective set of disposable personal protection have been described. The following research stage is preparing thermograms, which show the operator in a protective case before, during, and after work. Thermograms have been classified and commented on.

The article presents considerations for improving the reliability of means of transport after introducing significant structural changes in the installation of vehicles and functioning of the embedded electrical equipment. The consequence of introducing electrical and electronic equipment to vehicles is an increased demand for energy. Uncontrolled consumption of electricity can lead to significant decline in availability. Therefore, the necessity arises of energy management through an additional function of some electrical equipment and implementation of modern design and technology according to the requirements of safety and environmental protection.

The article presents the extension of the measurement capabilities of two selected lab stands intended for the demonstration of a vehicle air conditioning system and automotive ignition systems. The modular structure of the stands allows to extend their measuring and research functionality of thermal imaging diagnostics. Such an extension of the scope of electrical equipment in stands also allows enrichment of the didactic program by expand of laboratory exercises. In the article was presented and discussed additional samples of thermograms taken at the stands.