Transport and Economic Development

This paper will set out to describe two of the main elements in the debate on transport and economic development. First it will argue that where there is already a well-connected transport infrastructure network, further investment will not on its own result in economic development. Transport infrastructure investment acts as a complement to other more important underlying conditions, which must be met if further economic development is to take place. Additional transport investment is not a necessary condition, but acts in a supporting role when other factors are at work. These factors will be presented as the necessary conditions that need to be met if economic development is to take place.

Wise transport infrastructure planning requires that it is possible to forecast consequences of varying infrastructure supply, given starting conditions. This is often neglected in practice, also because it needs complex considerations. Progress in understanding and predicting mobility phenomena and, as a consequence, in transport planning can be made if we change the traditional paradigm according to which moving is just a derived need. It seems simpler and corresponds more closely to reality to consider moving a native human need. In this paper we start from this new paradigm and propose a conceptual framework to study the relationship between transport infrastructure and development. In doing so, we define the significant indicators which are analyzed by correlation analysis and graphical presentation. Interesting conclusions are drawn about dynamics involving the development of social-economic and transport systems. Finally, we highlight that, in the modeling field, it is promising to look at infrastructures as capabilities essential not only to economic development but also to promoting human liberties and solidarity.

This paper discusses the roles and the importance of transportation, particularly, intermodal transportation, in an economy

2010

The link between transport infrastructure and economic development has to play a significant role in the development of transport network plans in any country. In fact, the relationship between investment in transport infrastructure and economic development has been the subject of investigation for quite some time. Despite this, the subject remains mired in controversy. The difficulty of establishing the relationship between transport and economy is that numerous other factors influence this relationship. The process of economic development, where besides transport other factors play a part, must have a central place in a consideration of transport and economy. This paper, based on recent exploration of the authors, examines the question whether and under what conditions developed transport infrastructure engender economic activity. The paper explains the nature of the problem and describes the foundations of the possible interrelation between the effects themselves. Seeking to anal...

2003

The purpose of this paper is to highlight what is understood (and what is not understood) about the relationship between transport infrastructure, and the services it provides, and economic growth in developed economies. In concluding that transport investment on its own will not guarantee economic growth, the paper examines such things as: • The underlying conditions that, in conjunction with transport investment, could facilitate economic growth • Impact on regional versus national economic growth • The differential impacts on industry of transport infrastructure investment • The potential for transport infrastructure investment as a transforming economic activity • the possible role of political influences on infrastructure provision. The implications of this relationship for transport infrastructure management in New Zealand are briefly examined. The paper provides a reasonably "high level" view of the subject, and does not attempt to fully explain the theoretical underpinnings of the debate. This paper does not attempt to address the issue of "decoupling" economic growth and growth in transport consumption, as this has been the focus of a separate project elsewhere. Rather, the focus is on transport as an input factor in economic production.

International Transport Forum Discussion Papers, 2011

Transport infrastructural development will make Africa to be able to compete effectively in the globalization process. Without developing it Africa's GDP will remain at 2 % which is equivalent to either of Brazil's or Russia. Transport infrastructure will make Africa to be able to trade better among themselves, transport goods and services and increase economic development.

This work focuses on the role that transportation system plays in the development of a place. There are different roles and different activities of development that can be attributed to development of transportation system in a region but only the most important ones are written here

This article focuses on explaining the relationship that is noticed between transportation and development in various sectors