Transport infrastructure as a driver of sustainable development of regional economic systems

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the dependence of social and economic development on the regional transport infrastructure. The authors' position is based on the fact that it has a complex impact both on the general vector of the region' development, and on the functioning conditions of individual economic agents. This influence is manifested through ensuring the needs of spatial economic structures in advanced development; coordination of social and economic processes development; adaptation of global economic processes in transport sphere to regional conditions, as well as meeting the needs of economic agents in transport and logistics services. The study presents a methodology of integral multi-level assessment of the development level of regional infrastructure based on the capacity of the transport system, covering various aspects of its operation and promoting complex vision about the prospects of its further development; it serves as a basis for calculating the indicator on the example of the Republic of Tatarstan. The methodology enables to evaluate not only the development degree of individual indicators of the regional transport infrastructure, but also the level of its development in general. This approach helps to identify aspects that impede the effective development of transport infrastructure and to take measures to eliminate them. In addition, this technique enables to rank the regions according to the development degree of various functioning aspects of their transport infrastructure.