Other Infrastructure Study

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  • Publication
    The Russian Federation - An Exploratory Assessment of Transport Connectivity
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2017-06-12) World Bank Group
    This study describes the performance of the sector vis-à-vis socioeconomic features of regions and discusses whether the development of market opportunities is limited by the availability of transport.Specifically, this study has two main objectives. First, it provides an exploratory assessment of transport connectivity in Russia. Second, it assesses the impact of improved transport productivity on the Russian economy and whether such an improvement has different economic impacts in various regions of the country. The study is complemented by a market/industry analysis and the performance of transport infrastructure in two selected regions : Zabaikalsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai. Transport connectivity, as defined in this study, mainly focuses on freight transport and not so much on how passengers in different parts of the country are able to access transport services. Furthermore, while this study assesses general relationships between transport connectivity and economic outcomes—such as growth, poverty, and productivity it does not intend to formally or empirically establish a causal relationship between these variables. Expectedly, the average economic distance to market is much less in the well-connected western and central regions than in the more isolated eastern and northern regions. An increase in transport efficiency, resulting from reduction of travel time or technological progress,can have a different impact on regional productivity and welfare. This study presents some preliminary results of a simulation of a positive shock in transport efficiency using a regional general equilibrium analysis for Russia. International surveys of manufacturing and services firms provide mixed evidence of the importanceof transport for firm productivity in Russia.For a country as a large as Russia, it does not suffice to provide an explanation of connectivity in thewhole territory. However, isolated regions, at least those located in areas far from markets in the European side of Russia, may not necessarily be “transport disconnected” from their markets. Finally, it is important to note that in a large country like Russia achieving a good level of connectivity depends both on the density of the national transport network and the level of population dispersion.This report is divided into two parts. Part one considers the provision of transport services at the national level. We first summarize selected studies of the impact of transport services on economic growth and development, then discuss some relevant characteristics of Russia’s provision of transport services andtransport sector performance. Part two of the report develops two case studies.
  • Publication
    Romania - Functional Review : Research, Development and Innovation Sector
    (Washington, DC, 2011-05) World Bank
    A functional review by the World Bank of Romania's research, development and innovation (RD&I) sector has been commissioned by the Government of Romania and the European Commission as part of a broader assessment of the public administration contribution to the country's growth and continued convergence with the EU. The objective of the Review is to propose actions over the short to medium term to tangibly strengthen effectiveness and efficiency in the RD&I sector. This report is based on extensive literature research and data analysis, as well as three missions to Bucharest in January, March, and April 2011, during which the World Bank team met with representatives from a variety of public, private, and academic institutions and conducted a workshop with major stakeholders to review report findings. This final report -- prepared in collaboration with the World Bank Higher Education Review team and the EC's DG Research and Innovation -- presents observations and recommendations for consideration by the Government. The Review suggests that Romania's RD&I sector is in a silent crisis, with seriously negative implications for the country's longer term competitiveness and growth prospects.
  • Publication
    Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Road to Europe : Annex 4. Urban Transport - A Need for Safe, Clean, and Affordable Transport
    (Washington, DC, 2010-05) World Bank
    This report highlights deficiencies and indicates priorities for a prospective national transport strategy and action plan for further consideration by key stakeholders. The overall objective should be the development of a transport system, and an institutional framework, that facilitates rather than constrains, economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A strong transport system contributes to economic growth by reducing the economic distance to markets by expanding opportunities for trade, by improving the competitiveness of national locations for production and distribution, and by facilitating mobility for a country s citizens; while minimizing the social and environmental costs of the transport sector. The report concludes by recommending actions that aim to improve the institutional framework, improve the sustainability of the transport sector, facilitate broad based economic growth, and mitigate the social and environmental detriments associated with transport. Specific policy recommendations are presented to accomplish these conclusions.
  • Publication
    Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Road to Europe : Annex 1. Primary and Secondary Roads - A Foundation for Private Sector Led Growth
    (Washington, DC, 2010-05) World Bank
    This report highlights deficiencies and indicates priorities for a prospective national transport strategy and action plan for further consideration by key stakeholders. The overall objective should be the development of a transport system, and an institutional framework, that facilitates rather than constrains, economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A strong transport system contributes to economic growth by reducing the economic distance to markets by expanding opportunities for trade, by improving the competitiveness of national locations for production and distribution, and by facilitating mobility for a country s citizens; while minimizing the social and environmental costs of the transport sector. The report concludes by recommending actions that aim to improve the institutional framework, improve the sustainability of the transport sector, facilitate broad based economic growth, and mitigate the social and environmental detriments associated with transport. Specific policy recommendations are presented to accomplish these conclusions.
  • Publication
    Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Road to Europe : Annex 2. Local Roads - Facilitating Access to Services
    (Washington, DC, 2010-05) World Bank
    This report highlights deficiencies and indicates priorities for a prospective national transport strategy and action plan for further consideration by key stakeholders. The overall objective should be the development of a transport system, and an institutional framework, that facilitates rather than constrains, economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A strong transport system contributes to economic growth by reducing the economic distance to markets by expanding opportunities for trade, by improving the competitiveness of national locations for production and distribution, and by facilitating mobility for a country s citizens; while minimizing the social and environmental costs of the transport sector. The report concludes by recommending actions that aim to improve the institutional framework, improve the sustainability of the transport sector, facilitate broad based economic growth, and mitigate the social and environmental detriments associated with transport. Specific policy recommendations are presented to accomplish these conclusions.
  • Publication
    Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Road to Europe : Transport Sector Review - Main Report
    (Washington, DC, 2010-05) World Bank
    This report highlights deficiencies and indicates priorities for a prospective national transport strategy and action plan for further consideration by key stakeholders. The overall objective should be the development of a transport system, and an institutional framework, that facilitates rather than constrains, economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A strong transport system contributes to economic growth by reducing the economic distance to markets by expanding opportunities for trade, by improving the competitiveness of national locations for production and distribution, and by facilitating mobility for a country s citizens; while minimizing the social and environmental costs of the transport sector. The report concludes by recommending actions that aim to improve the institutional framework, improve the sustainability of the transport sector, facilitate broad based economic growth, and mitigate the social and environmental detriments associated with transport. Specific policy recommendations are presented to accomplish these conclusions.
  • Publication
    Investigation and Analysis of Natural Hazard Impacts on Linear Infrastructure in Southern Kyrgyzstan : Desk and Field Studies Report
    (Washington, DC, 2008-12) World Bank
    This report presents the findings of a study of geohazards along 850 km of roads in Southern Kyrgyzstan (KG) and their potential impact on road rehabilitation projects throughout the country. This report presents the findings of a short "fact finding" study on geological hazards (or geohazards) as they relate to ongoing and future planned road rehabilitation projects throughout KG and provides recommendations on activities that could be carried out in KG over the coming years in order to utilize the expertise and data available in country in order to facilitate and improve road design and monitoring/mitigation of geohazard impacts. Section two provides an introduction to the report and section three provides background information behind the study, the objectives and a brief description of the scope of work. Section four describes geohazards in general and details those specifically threatening road developments in KG. Section five describes current road design practices and codes and standards within KG while. Section six discussed briefly the potential economic consequences of geohazards on major roads in KG. Section seven discusses geohard design, mitigation and monitoring of geohazards and presents two examples of detailed geohazard assessment and design and construction techniques developed in other countries. Sections eight and nine present the conclusions and recommendations arising from the study. References are listed in section ten.
  • Publication
    Improving the Management of Secondary and Tertiary Roads in the South East Europe Countries
    (Washington, DC, 2008-02) World Bank
    The importance of the tertiary road sector in contributing to economic development and poverty alleviation efforts cannot be understated. In Albania, forty-nine percent of rural producers have stated that a lack of adequate transportation, primarily good roads, was their biggest marketing problem. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is discontent about the quality of the regional and tertiary roads, with complaints about the low quality of roads foremost amongst all public services. In Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) Macedonia, a recent survey has revealed tertiary roads to rank among the top three capital investment priorities in two-thirds of surveyed municipalities twelve percent listing as first priority, twenty-three percent as second priority and thirty-one percent as the third priority. Other studies have supported these findings but also report positive differences in school enrolment, and frequency in use of health services, between areas with and without all-weather roads. The best model of financing for tertiary (rural) roads is highly dependent on a particular country. The key to setting a policy framework for managing road networks is the realization that with constrained funding and specified target standards, there will be a finite limit to the size of the road network that can be maintained. By setting target standards and budget limits, road authorities effectively define the extent of road networks that can be maintained on a sustainable basis. Efforts should be made to increase options for local governments' own revenue sourcing and increase support from the central government in financing of maintenance operations.
  • Publication
    Improving the Management of Secondary and Tertiary Roads in the South East Europe Countries
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2008-02) World Bank
    The importance of the tertiary road sector in contributing to economic development and poverty alleviation efforts cannot be understated. In Albania, forty-nine percent of rural producers have stated that a lack of adequate transportation, primarily good roads, was their biggest marketing problem. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is discontent about the quality of the regional and tertiary roads, with complaints about the low quality of roads foremost amongst all public services. In Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) Macedonia, a recent survey has revealed tertiary roads to rank among the top three capital investment priorities in two-thirds of surveyed municipalities twelve percent listing as first priority, twenty-three percent as second priority and thirty-one percent as the third priority. Other studies have supported these findings but also report positive differences in school enrolment, and frequency in use of health services, between areas with and without all-weather roads. The best model of financing for tertiary (rural) roads is highly dependent on a particular country. The key to setting a policy framework for managing road networks is the realization that with constrained funding and specified target standards, there will be a finite limit to the size of the road network that can be maintained. By setting target standards and budget limits, road authorities effectively define the extent of road networks that can be maintained on a sustainable basis. Efforts should be made to increase options for local governments' own revenue sourcing and increase support from the central government in financing of maintenance operations.
  • Publication
    A Strategy for Slovakia's Transport Sector
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2001-04-10) World Bank
    Slovakia’s transport sector has not suffered from the dramatic reductions in demand and neglect of its infrastructure that have afflicted many of its neighbors. However, current under-maintenance is eating away at the stock of transport infrastructure and is unsustainable in anything more than the very short term. In addition, despite good intentions, progress on commercializing its transport operations has not progressed far enough to put them in a strong position to confront the pressures they will face when Slovakia enters the European Union, hopefully at the beginning of 2004. There is now a short window of opportunity to make good on deferred maintenance, establish a more sustainable maintenance regime and make good on the previous good intentions for commercialization. The opportunity exists also for the institutional structure of the sector to be revised so as to better reflect the interests of transport users, reform the way that infrastructure is financed and to systematically eliminate the remaining regulatory protections given to existing operators. The Strategy presented here shows how these objectives can best be reached, and how the World Bank can help bring them about. If the Strategy is implemented, action will have been taken before there is a problem and order will have been introduced before disorder takes over.