KEY COORDINATES OF GLOBAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Globalization and the trends associated with it are steadily transforming human life. This is especially evident in the development of the transport sector. On the one hand, transport embodies the very essence of economic globalization; on the other, it reflects all of its advantages and threats. The expanding movement of resources and people in today’s global economy compels us to view transport development from a different perspective. In fact, for economic activity, distance is no longer as significant as it was just a few decades ago. Modern transport is not simply one of the key sectors of the global economy; it is, in fact, a barometer whose indicators can be used to determine the direction of economic dynamics. At the same time, transport development largely depends on the availability of appropriate infrastructure. It is argued that, among all types of physical infrastructure, transport infrastructure is the most complex both because of its structure and because of the interdependence among historically distinct sectors. It is recognized that various indicators can be used to assess the functioning of global transport infrastructure, including the volume of passenger and freight transportation, air cargo routes, the length and quality of transport networks, investment in transport infrastructure, and the logistics performance (quality) index. The article emphasizes that the condition of global transport infrastructure largely determines the state of the transport sector and its influence on economic processes. It is concluded that investments in multimodal logistics systems make it possible to significantly increase the quantitative indicators of the transport sector. Countries leading in the level of logistics infrastructure primarily invest in the automation of transport operations, intelligent transport systems, and digital supply chain management platforms. Thus, transport infrastructure is crucial for connecting countries to promote further development and stimulate trade, economic growth, and regional integration. The dynamics of the World Logistics Performance Index in 2007–2022 confirm a gradual transition from quantitative infrastructure expansion to its qualitative modernization, which also defines the tasks for Ukraine.