Spatial Econometric Cross-Border Traffic Analysis for Passenger Cars – Hungarian Experience

• Main Authors: Tibor Sipos, Zsombor Szabó, Árpád Török
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences 2021-03-01
• Series: Promet (Zagreb)
• Subjects: transportation geography; spatial econometrics; separation effect; cross-border traffic
• Online Access: https://traffic.fpz.hr/index.php/PROMTT/article/view/3641

The role of cross-border commuting needs is remarkable, given that large cross-border cities tend to have high traffic attractiveness. Thus, agglomeration effects are strongly prevalent in populous settlements close to the border. This is due to the fact that both Hungary and the neighboring countries are burdened by spatial inequalities; therefore, the traffic at the individual border crossing points is unbalanced. Our aim is to show the extent to which the introduction of certain public transport modes contributes to the reduction of cross-border passenger car traffic. In order to do this, we have to set up a spatial econometric model that can simultaneously handle the parallel public transport infrastructure, the cross-border attractiveness of border cities, and the impact of spatial inequalities. The results of the research shed light on how the introduction of each means of transport contributes to increasing the competitiveness of border regions. This will demonstrate the effectiveness of policy tools that can improve the competitiveness of a given macroregion.