Prospects for the development of transport network in Transcarpathia within cross-border territories with EU countries

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the transport network development in Transcarpathia along the border with the EU neighboring countries. The historical stages of the Transcarpathian transport network formation are considered. The main criteria for evaluation and conformity of the transport network in Ukraine have been determined in accordance with European standards. A number of legislative, regulatory, strategic and programme documents covering the development of the national transport network and border infrastructure within the study area are analyzed. The main factors proving the foreign economic activity of the Transcarpathian region towards the EU market are considered and highlighted. The capacity of transit through Ukraine and Transcarpathia within the cross-border territories are revealed. The necessity of the transport network construction is considered due to the fact that the number of passengers and cargo flows on the state border is increasing. It is described, for example, the capacity of rail and road transport across the border of Ukraine and the borders of neighbouring countries , in particular: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania. It is statistically concluded that the most congested is the Ukrainian-Hungarian border area. The main obstacles to the effective implementation of transport and transit work in the study area are identified and possible solution is proposed involving reconstruction of old units and construction of new checkpoints on the border area of Transcarpathia and its neighbouring countries. The dimensional picture of the border areas is presented: Ukraine - Poland; Ukraine - Slovakia; Ukraine - Hungary; Ukraine - Romania. Within each part the natural resource potential, transport load, features of tourism development, necessity for development and the existing transport network modernization are characterized. Suggestions for construction the new checkpoints as well as their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed and discussed. The priorities of Ukrainian state policy, Transcarpathia as well as the priorities of neighbouring countries in the development of the national transport network within the cross-border territories have been determined.