The paper deals with the problem of elas1ic stability of antenna-column ofneglec/able own weight subjected to the actionof effective load on its lop. The determination of critical bucklingforce is based upon the derived exact solution to !he equilibriumequation of the column of continuously variable crosssection loaded with conswnl compressive force.

Overtaking is presemed as one of the indicators of roadtraffic flow. The possibility of overtaking depends on the existenceof an intetval in the opposing traffic flow sufficient to performovertaking. It also analyses the probability of overtakingby applying adequate equations and graphical presentations

In this paper the application of the queuing the01y in optimalcapacity planning for general cargo seaport is presented.The seaport as a queuing syslem is defined and tlws, on the basisof the arrival and serviced number of ships in an obsen•edtime unit, the appropriate operating indicators of a port systemare calculated. Using the model of total port costs, the munberof berths and cranes on the berth can be determined wherebythe optimal port system functioning is achieved.

It is difficult to find the right tool for making traffic regimemodels because so many different situations are involved.SIMULINK has proved to be one of the best. The paper showsthe design and the use of components and models in the programMarlab!SIMULINK. It presems the simulation results forthe model of a traffic light controlled crossroadand indicatesthe possibilities for the study of traffic optimisation in junctions.

Joining the European Union is the strategic priority for theRepublic of Croatia. Croatia has always been part of the Europeaneconomic region. The success of adaptability of the Croatianindust1y, particularly of Croatian traffic, to the EuropeanUnion, will greatly depend on the possibility of establishing contractualrelations of the economic and traffic branches with theEU. Therefore, this paper considers in more detail the traffic aspectsof integration.It is a fact that the EU traffic policy is contained in the RomanAgreement (1957) whose aim was elimination of the barriersfor the flows of goods, se1vices and capital, and the integrationof the European region. Thus, it requires equal treatmentof all the traffic branches and all the carriers, freedom forthe activities of transport companies, as welT as freedom for these1vice users to choose the transport means and carriers. Thisnaturally requires maximum rationality in fi·eight flows reflectedon the financial and commercial business activities of acompany.To converge maximally with the European Union is thestrategic priority of the Republic of Croatia, and within the Croatianindus fly this will especially require the adaptation of theCroatian traffic. The basic precondition for the functioning ofthe traffic ~ystem on the European transport market is the compliancewith the rules and standards determined by the internationalconventions.

Various rheoretical models for determining !he durability ofuniversal join Is are proposed in literature, so !hal their evalualionand comparison with test resul/s helps to acquire knowledgeof !he universal joint opera/ion principles.The paper considers, !here fore, the connection between thedynamic behaviour of universal joint and the damage that occurs.Since the proper performance of universal joinls is directlyrelated to the pelformance of universal joint journal bearings,monitoring and analysing the damage initiation and developmentare necessary for !he evalua/ion of safety and durability.

The study of the organisation and technology of work intraffic in general as well as in road craffic is conducted from differentstandpoints. Relevant scientific and expert literaturedeals with different approaches to the above study, which generatesconfusion among the experts who want the organisationand 1echnology of work in road lraffic to be based on thegrounds of scientific organisation of work. The paper deals withthe aspeCl of study which is based on the theory of scientific organisationand technology of work as well as its implementationin road traffic. The paper analysis especially the methodsby which human work and influences upon it in road traffic arestudied. The results of the said aspect of study show that it ispossible 10 rationalise work, improve the exploitation indexesand, in general, improve the efficiency of existing organisationand technology of road traffic as a whole. Using the same aspectof study a new organisation and technology of road trafficcan also be established and optimised.

Communications have become irreplaceable part of eveJydayaccivities. Mobile communication is gaining in importancedue to the mobility of terminals and persons. Telecommunications,computer and media indus fly are getting connected andthe chain of values shifts from components to overall solutions.Possibilities offered by information technology are limitless,and its application enables better working conditions since theykeep humans away from dangerous working places and facilitateheavy tasks. The applications in the field of informationand communication technology make it possible to drive fromone end of the continent to another without needing any maps.The computer onboard a vehicle can choose the best directionand adapt to the travelling conditions.

The quality of information about road conditions in theRepublic of Croatia do nor meet the needs of their users- roadvehicle mororists, regarding their content, updating criteria andtimely announcement and warning of potential risks for thedrivers. Neither do they meet the criteria of monitoring and supportduring poor traffic and weather conditions. The paper considerscritically the cwTent situation in the information systemabout the road conditions in the Republic of Croatia, and studiesthe reasons for such a condition. It also gives guidelines forimproving the level of quality of this service and the plans for itsdevelopment. It mentions the activities that should be carriedout in order to improve the whole information system regardingupgrading oft he current system in the segments of receiving anddistributing information, application of new technical andtechnological solutions (CPS, RDS, TMC), development andimprovement of the information and communication infrastructure,data exchange network, introduction of navigationsystems, etc.

Animal welfare is becoming an evermore-important factorfor air carriers from the economical viewpoint, due to its importantimpact on the carrier public image. High standard care hasto be taken of animals during transport in order to satisfy an importantsegment of airline customers, either the Business/Firstclass passengers travelling with pets, or influential shippers ofracing horses, dogs, Zoo species etc.Air transp011 of animals, disregarding other advantages,may pose a threat to their health and welfare being a significantmultifactorial stressor. Along with cardiovascular, endocrineand metabolic abe1mtions, it affects the immune response ofan animal and increases susceptibility to infection. Therefore,strict conditions for air transport of eve1y animal species havebeen imposed. Transport of only healthy animals is approved,as it is necessG/y to prevent the spread of disease during transportand to provide satisfactOJy environment for animals to betransported.

The overall traffic connections within Europe are particularlyimportant from the economic point of view of eve1y Europeancountry. Therefore, the development of traffic and trafficinfrastructure in the European Union are considered with specialattention. The main aim of traffic development in the EuropeanUnion is full possible freedom of movement both fromthe technical and organisational aspect, with continuous improvementin traffic safety and environmental protection.Traffic development and connections are one of the essentieddevelopment factors of eve1y modem counlly. Every COU/1-try tends to organise traffic system in the way that suits her best.The same holds for the European Union as well. The leadingbodies in the European Union agree that the EU traffic systemneeds to be set upon such fundamentals that it can follow furtherdevelopment of the community. EU connects 15 membercountries into a single community, and it also plans soon to expandonto new members.The aims set by the Maastricht Agreement have been realisedby announcing the traffic guidelines on infrastructure projectsthat should be realised. In the Commission's proposal tothe Council and the Parliament in 1994, on the development ofTrans-European traffic networks, a ve1y efficient plan was presentedof connecting national traffic networks into a singleTrans-European network, to be realised until 2010.Overall economic and political connections of the EuropeanUnion and the countries in transition are becoming strongereve1y day. Several countries in transition are already preparingfor joining the European Union. This brings to the fore theneed for better traffic connections of EU and the countries intransition.In some sections the adopted Crete corridors pass alsothrough Croatia. Moreover, Croatia is located on the main Europeantraffic routes from the North to the South, and from theEast to the West.

The introduction of information technology into the Croatianair traffic control system at the TMA Split and the applicationof computer programs have significantly improved airtraffic safety. In other words, a reliable and fast analysis is providedas well as remote control of technical systems, reductionof possible human errors in pre-flight and in-flight activities.Also the preconditions are created for its integration into thecomputer sysrems of other air traffic participants.

The ever-increasing use of private cars is a consequence ofthe improving standards of town-residents, availability of passengervehicles and their needs and experiences of the freedomof movement. Traffic planners today are faced with the need tomeet the numerous needs for mobility by town-residents andthe available traffic infrastructure, with the aim of sustainableliving in urban agglomerations. Since one of the basic aims ofthe overall traffic policy is the downsizing of the volume of passengervehicle travelling to an acceptable and tolerable measure,the parking measures and strategies are used more andmore frequently as a means of achieving this goal.This is proved by the applied experiences of the cities in thedeveloped countries, and by the growing number of researchand analyses of the parking policy influence on the traffic regulationin town agglomerations. The first results provide encouragementfor planners and strategists to continue designingstrategies and parking policy measures dependent on the transportdemand management in big cities.

The use of road vehicles is increasing, the benefits they affordhave been progressively diminished by external costs.Whereas traffic increases as we approach the centre, the roadand open space decreases. The greater specialisation allows thecity growth in size and in traffic attraction. In this way urbangrowth feeds itself !mer-urban transp011 facilities also becomemore extensive. Growth in size of the city generates greateramounts of traffic and can eventually give rise to agglomerationdiseconomies. Higher transport costs, offices and shops, attractedby the accessibility of central locations, gradually replaceresidential uses, people being forced to seek housing inthe suburbs. As the urban area expands and offices in the citycentre are built denser and highe1; traffic congestion increases.This may result in the fall in centra/land values, since accessibilitydiminishes with the saturation of transport network. Increasedpollution takes various forms as noise, smoke andovercrowded housing in the centre, urban decay in the transitionalzone as commercial development is anticipated.

The work considers the notion and the importance of logisticsas an element of improvements in storing, distribution andtransport of goods. There is always room for improvements inthis segment of economic activities and they are necessary in orderto optimise the flow of goods from the manufacturer to theend user. The purposefulness and real efficiency of business logisticsis presented using the example of a Croatian company.Also, the importance of further development and implementationof logistics in Croatia is continuously being emphasisedthroughout this work.

In the cycle from production to consumption there is liquidcargo which is mostly transp01ted by sea. Optimisation oftanker dimensions since the sixties has required constructionand exploitation of ever bigger vessels and the tendmcy ofstricter responsibilities: 'objects of higher responsibility'. Today,liquid cargo makes up almost half of all the cargo transportedby sea. Transportation of such stagge1ing amounts isve1y complex both from the aspect of general safety during navigationand in operations at the te1minal, since such cargo representsharmful substances according to the SO LAS Conventionregulations (rule VII/2). The awareness of the threat to the humanenvironment, land, shores and sea, stimulates developmentand affirmation of ecology as science of very strict bansand requirements towards evety activity which may be a potentialsource of wider pollution. The effects of oil on the sea regardingcomposition and properties may be chemical, physicaland biological, disturbing as a rule the natural balance of theecosystem at all levels. Special significance lies in the study ofthe influence that oil, its products and surface active substances(dispersers) have on the lwvae and ova of sea organisms - themost sensitive phase of life cycle in the sea, which mostly live inpelagic environment.

This paper deals with takeoff procedure of various aircraftand rotorcraft types from the same runway. The three-typequeue, at three different holding positions i.e. the simulationmodel for these conditions has been created. Simulation analysisof resulting values determines the optimal start-up time foreach participam and its pwpose is potential reduction of fuelconsumption.

The article presents a principle layout of a modem HUMSalong with the basic system operating procedures. The articlealso deals with the impact of HUMS Oil aircraft maintenanceprocedures and economy, the impact on maintenance systemarchitecture and the implementation of cost-saving measures.The improvement of flight-safety as a consequence of HUMSapplication is also discussed.

Over the recent years the container feeder service is becomingan increasingly important element of containerisation. Thechanges in container flows caused by political changes in CentralEurope have resulted in a drain of a significant part of thistransport from the Adriatic to the North European ports. Theilztroduction of the container train Budapest - Rijeka, for theneeds of feeder service would mean a significant step towardsrevitalisation of the Rijeka transport route.With adequate government support, the Croatian sea-goingship operators will form the basic factor in the development ofcontainerisation and feeder service, and this will result in thereturnof the container transport to the ports of Rijeka and Place,thus at the same time improving the Croatian foreign trade exchangeand increasing the level of exploitation at the mentionedports, railway, agents, forwarding agents, and shipsowned by line ship operators.

Multidisciplinary character of traffic science in a widersense and science abouttransp01t in a narrower sense stipulatethe definition of semantic relation between the terms 'transpori'and 'traffic', as well as the meaning of conventional,combined and multimodal transpott, and some impottanttypes of traffic and transporl.Besides the definition of imporlant subjects about trafficand transp01t, for better understanding of the imparlance of financialratios of efficiency and stability for the transport corporationmanagement, the following are relevant facts of financialpolicy. This means the concept and imp01tance of financialpolicy which is composed of important subordinated policy.The most important objectives of financial policy areachieved by charging compensation for the given transp01t services.The compensation is determined based on tariffs as directconsequence of tariff policy.Successful deduction (derivation) of financial ratios of efficiencyand stability in the transporl corporation business requiresqualitative financial reporls, composed and processed insuch a way that they are adequate infO/mational basis for furtheruse.Imp01tant ratios of efficiency and stability deduced from financialreports oftransp011 corporation could be classified intothe following groups: liquidity, debt, activity, economy, profitabilityand investment ratios. Finally, standardised ratios deducedfrom adequately prepared financial rep011s could beused by the management oft he transp01t corporation as well asby other users.

Analysis of the traffic flows of postal items is an impmtantprerequisite in improving the technology and/or redesigningpostal network.The basic modelling sequence is to optimise the traffic(postal) network structure for the identified traffic demand andthe determined traffic flow matrix, respecting relevant requirementsand limitations.The paper provides elements of a general approach to solvingthe problem and develops a concrete traffic matrix with thedata on postal-item flows. Elements are indicated for redesigningof postal network, which include the positioning of nodesequipped by systems of automatic handling of postal items.

The research objective is to study the influence of thedriver's experience on the efficiency of the textual traffic sign dependingon the visibility, that is on the weather conditions. Theresearch was canied out by simulating traffic situation for twodifferent visibility conditions (good and poor) on represmtativesample of drivers regardi11g their d1iving expe1ience.The research results indicate high dependency of traffic signefficiency on the driver's experience. The textual traffic sign efficiencyis substantially lower in motorists with several years ofd1iving experience and the experienced motorists than thosewith less experience and extremely experienced mot01ists, whichis explained by motorist 's evaluatio11 of the traffic sign significance.According to experimental results, less than 65% of driversin low visibility conditions registered the number of words onthe traffic sign, and less than 50% the precise content, thusleading to a conclusion that the traffic sign does not satisfy itsfunction in this situation.

The paper analyses the main factors of traffic safety andreliabilityat level crossings. The number and causes of accidentsare stated, that result from ignorance, insufficient training ofthe traffic participants, their ilnsponsibility and insufficient orincomplete legislation, as well as from insufficiently professionaland scientifically not serious enough approach to solvingthis cardinal problem in road and railway traffic. Based on theanalysis the causes are determined and solutions proposed, aswell as more efficient methods to improve safety and reduce thenumber of traffic accidents at level crossings.

Operation efficiency of mountain resort systems dependslargely on harmonious operation of the most important andtherefore most influential elements of ropeway transp01tationand tourist subsystems. Within the framework of a tourist subsystem,the extent and quality of tourist offer for long-stayingguests plays an essential role. Harm.onised development of theabove-mentioned elements ensures major utilisation and bettereconomic management of the entire system so that it may offerquality se1vices. First of all, the system enables permanent andenvironmentally friendly development of the systems that are asa rule in an absolutely sensitive alpine region.The article deals with some results of in-depth research onthe ropeway transportation system and the results of know-howtransfer into the actual environment of the Slovene mountainresorts.

The critical axial load of the marine line shafting is obtainedby using simplified mechanical models of two span barswith various supporting modes, loaded with constant compressiveforce. The values of critical forces plotted as functions ofthe ratios of span lengths, for several ratios of span flexuralJigidities,are shown in diagrams.

The concept of operation quality control using the P cardhas proven successful in some other companies, and it had notbeen previously used in the postal traffic. In this concrete study,the statistical data have been gathered on the number of sentand received post according to types and months for the periodbetween Janua~y and December 1998 in domestic and internationaltraffic for Sredi.Ste pasta Zagreb (Zagreb Post OfficesCentre) and in international traffic for Hrvatska pasta (CroatianPost), as well as the number of claim forms and the numberof paid compensations for missing letters ..Based on these, the first step towards operative analysis hasbeen made and the initial knowledge has been acquired. IIshows that the control card can be combined with a number ofotherprocedures that will provide a clear ove1view of the qualityaccording to the given crite1ion (in the concrete case the qualityindicator is the number of claim forms).

In recent years, several computer models have been developedto help traffic engineers understand and solve traffic problems.Although traffic enginee1ing studies continue to be carriedout by manual methods, computer approaches are beingincreasingly employed for traffic engineering analyses and design.Many authors have described the most common computerprograms for signa/timing optimization and traffic simulationflows.The volume of traffic is increasing all the time. It is happeningso fast that the space available for new roads and car parkscannot grow apace enough. That would mean too great a strainon humans and the environment. This paper describes amulti-computer system VRS 2100 with an integral part of collectivetraffic management.

As a subprogram of wider area navigation, the basic areanavigation defines operations within the European airspace inthe ATS route netlvork, and terminal controlled areas, accordingto the developed chronology of gradual implementationand clearly defined authorities regarding its implementation.The introduction of the basic area navigation operations intothe airspace of the European Civil Aviation Conference, has resulteddirectly from a significant growth of traffic density andthe impossibility of control using conventional methods. It willinsure numerous advantages, first of all greater traffic throughputcompared to the previous method of navigation guidance,thereby not disturbing the existing safety standards.

Traffic infrastructure makes an integral pwt of the trafficand economic system in each country. The traffic policy makershave a task, that their policy must be based on scientific developmentsand synchronised activity of all economic systemsegments.

The ropeway transportation subsystem plays a major role inmountain resort systems. It is characterised by an exceptionalinle1weavement of interactions of single system elements. In orderto provide sustainable development of the entire mountainres on systems, the real capacity of the ropeway transp01tationsystem was set. Real capacity of the ropeway transp01tation systemis one of the indicators of the development harmonisationlevel of single system elements. The research into this field wasdone at Road and Traffic Centre of Faculty of Civil Engineering,University of Maribor.The atticle deals with basic points, with method and the resultsof research. It also represents some experiences ofknow-how transfer into the Slovene environment.

In the whole cycle of production, distribution, exchangeand coi!Sumption, the market is the place of exchange andrealisation of the manufactured products and services. Marketis the main f01m of link between the producer and the consumer;it is on the market that supply and demand are balanced,the two basic market categories.Because of the specific characteristics of the transp011ationprocess, the economic theory coi!Siders that there is no uniquemarket of traffic services, but rather that there are lransp011alionmarkets on ce11ain relations. Thus, one can speak of theimpe!feclion of the transportation market and its impossibilityto balance traffic supply and demand due to unity of supply anddemand, due to non-flexibility of traffic supply regarding trafficdemand, due to technical characteristics of traffic infrastructure,and due to various technical and technological characteristicsof cenain transponation branches. Therefore, the relationsbetween supply and demand cannot be regulated automaticallyby transporlation market, and consequently, neithercan the structuring of the transp01tation system rely only on theinfluence of the transp01tation market. This is why govemmentappears as the CO!Tective measure of the market, i.e. governmentregulation of supply and demand. This govenzment regulationis realised through general economic and transportationpolicy.

The paper deals with the traffic management of a traffic signal-controlled intersection. One set of movements consists ofall the possible streams at an intersection that occur simultaneously.The set of movements changes cyclically during thecontrol cycle. Within a cycle, each stream has to get at leastonce free passage, effective green time. Each set has to definethe traffic flow at the intersection with no crossing points(points of conflict). In the cyclical order of the set of movements,the intersection capacity is greater if the number of setswithin the cycle is lowe1; and 'overlapping' between the setsgreater. Using graph the01y, two intersections in the city ofZagreb have been analysed: Dubrovnik Avenue - VeeeslavaHoljevcaAvenue (6ltraffic accidents a year) and Savska Road- Street of the City of Vukovar (36 traffic accidents a year).

The paper considers the influence of the relationship betweenthe dynamic behaviour of the universal joint and thedamage in the period of transitional occurrences. Based on thetheoretical study of the shaft system with universal joints, theclassification, arrangement and value of dynamic loads havebeen determined, and the dynamic model desoibed by differentialequations has been defined. Laborat01y testing havebeen directed towards checking the safety and durability comparedto the structural requirements, precision and quality ofproduction, as well as mechanical and thermal treatment for acharacteristic type of a universal joint.

Efficienttranspmt system is an essential prerequisite for thecompetitiveness of the European Union. The predicted increasein intemational trade, sudden expansion of the Union tothe middle and eastern European countries and widerco-peration of the Meditenmuan countries will make the roleof transportation even more significant.Unless the transpmt industry reconsiders its requirementfor modal-independent se1vices and uses the additional capacitiesin other modes of transpmt, the road traffic is likely to furtherincrease its share in the market, which amounts today to72%.In order to achieve social, economic and ecologicalsustainability, efficient and balanced use of the existing capacitiesin the overall traffic system of Europe has become the keychallenge.Therefore, the Community, among other things, strives towardsreal balance of the business policy which gives preferenceco the development of unique, integrated traffic systems for theCommunity as a whole.Promoting intermodality is a means of business policywhich enables systemic approach to traffic. Traffic services areoffered as modally independem links from home to home,based on a series of feasible alternatives regarding transportmode through a new, efficient implementation of the traffic systemthus reducing the transport costs and enabling creation ofadditional values.

Structural changes of economic activities within the newsocial order of the second half of the 20th centwy play an influentialrole in the restructuring of industry and increase the shareof service sector in the economy. They shape the internationalmarket and trigger the globalisation of the society. Thus, the ageof industly restructuring processes as a factor of changing thelandscape physiognomy or its transformation respectively, hasbegun.The transition to post-industrial society is marked by thethird technological industrialisation. New socio-economicconditions have already driven the indus!!)' to shift its geographicposition. Traffic - as the indust1y location factor - ischanging its role. The development of transp01t, traffic and logisticsis becoming the key factor in the process of restructuringthe economic development of the city of Maribor.

The paper analyses the conditions for constructing a freight- transp01t centre in Kutilza with special emphasis on the positiveinfluences that such a project could have for the town ofKutina and the Moslavina region. The analysis of the locationhas shown that the conditions for its establishment have beenmet, provided that town administration determines the ways inwhich the project will be realised regarding the necesswy financialscheme.

This paper presents the results of research in the transportprocess efficiency from the point of view of driver's activities inroad goods transp01tation, by vehicles with payload up to 5tons. Based on the expe1t assessment of 6233 transportationtasks and measuring the frequency of individual operations ofthe drive1; an analysis has been performed on the results andtheir influence on the efficiency of the transp011 process.Among the numerous activities of the driver directly related todriving a motor vehicle, those relating to the vehicle and cargobefore can-iage, in the course of can-iage and after it, this paperconcenLrates on the analysis of those activities related to loadingand discharge, the specific manoeuvres and d1iving operationsin a motor vehicle.

The paper deals with the causes and consequences of vibrationsoccurring dwing service on spherical joints in vehicles. Itexplains the main causes of vibrations and their effects on themost fragile joint elements, and shows the damages on the jointswface. On the basis of these considerations, conclusions aredrawn regarding their influence on the lifetime and loading capabilityof the joint assembly. Consequently, recommendationsfor optimum conditions for fitting into vehicles and se1vice canbe given. The paper also deals with the problem of determiningvibrations as one of the element showing the state of joints inservice, as well as using the results in order to detect early damageon spherical joints in vehicles.

This paper presents a survey of results concerning continuum(fluid) models in the the01y of traffic flow. We begin withthe basic LWR model from 1955-56 and describe the benefitsand deficiencies of that model. Ajte1wards we present somenew models developed over the peliod from 1971 (Payne) until1999 (Aw and Rascle) in attempt of correcting the deficienciesof classical L WR model

The basic logistical advantage of the Rijeka traffic routeand port as its starting and end point is the geographical positionat the crossroads of the Adriatic- Central Europe transportroute, in the region where the Adriatic Sea enters deepest intothe European mainland.Apart from the favourable geographic position, the advantageof the port of Rijeka is its natural characteristic- sufficientdepth.The port of Rijeka belongs to the categ01y of'old'p011S witha long tradition and rich experience in its operation.

Control of air pollution caused by ship's power plant and itsreduction to the desired limits can be achieved in various ways.One of the most significant and acceptable at this stage of today'stechnological development is the catalytic converter operatingon the principle of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR).Considering air pollution from ships, circumstances are rathercomplex. Namely, the International Convention for the Preventionof Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) in addition tothe general and common rules concerning every kind of pollutants,anticipated specific provisions in the Annexes. For instance,Annex VI refers to the prevention of air pollution bysmoke and gas emissions from ships and its adoption is expectednot earlier than 2003, as it has to be signed by at least 15countries, that is by at least the number of countries that own50% of the world's gross tonnage. At present, only local andpmtiallaws are in force, which are valid in the whole tradingarea (zone of economic interest) up to 200 Nm off the coast,with a requirement for ships built after 1995 to be filled at leastwith a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR).

For modern global economic activity changes in the structureof goods, networks, technical and technological developmentand increased competence are significant, which requiresnew solutions and new mode of thinking.The competitive model which relied in the past on productinnovation will have to be largely supplemented by process innovationthat add greater value for customers. The basis forcompeting today and in the future will be competitive advantagewhich enhances product excellence as well as process excellence.

The paper deals with the possibilities of offering Croatianailports as potential flight crew training centres on the Europeanmarket of se!Vices. With her available ai1port capacities,mainly those located on the Adriatic coast, Croatia has significantadvantages compared to other countries of Westem andCentral Europe. The most important condition for establishinga specialised training centre for the European market is the harmonisationof the national aviation regulations i.e. the implementationof global and European standards of flight crewtraining, as well as conditions that have to be met by a specialisedtraining centre from the aspect of the necessary infrastructure.The study has evaluated the potential airports of Rijeka,Pula and Losinj, acc01ding to the basic criteria of their geo-Lraffic location, infrastructure resources (technical elements ofrunway, navigation equipment, abport se1vices), availability ofspecial equipment for flight crew training on the ground and inthe ail; as well as climate conditions.

Recent scientific research have continued to assume thataircraft may contribute to the adverse chemical changes in theglobal atmosphere, especially regarding ozone (03) depletionas well as in possible changes in climate.Howeve1; there is substantial uncertainty regarding the realglobal impact of aircraft emissions, and governments and other01ganisations worldwide grant funds for such research.The paper deals with the emission of subsonic and supersonicaircraft, with special reference to the impact of SST aircrafton the upper layers of atmosphere that may be harmed byaircraft operation.

Transport costs in certain branches of transport are verydifferent. When they are compared, it is necessa1y to considerall the factors influencing them, and to compare the (same)qualities for different branches of transport. They may be analysedfrom three aspects:a) from the aspect of the cmrie1;b) from the aspect of the transportation service user,c) from the aspect of society.With the rationalisation of production and optimisation oflocation, as well as production activities related to tran.sp01t,the volume of transport is influenced, in relation to the volumeof production, i.e. to the transport coefficient, thus influencingalso the transp01tation costs in all branches of transport. Besides,the key factors influencing transportation costs include:dura lion of transp01t, distribution of transport among caniersregarding their costs and price (general Level of transportationp1ices).