Regional Infrastructure Research Articles

SAFE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS OF ELECTRIC SCOOTER IN LITHUANIA

The article examines the increasingly prevalent and popular issue of electric scooters, classified as micromobility, participating in traffic in various cities worldwide and in Lithuania. The aim of the research is to present and analyze the experiences of Lithuania and foreign countries in developing infrastructure and legal frameworks for safer electric scooter traffic. It analyzes their benefits, legal regulations governing their use, and the adaptation of infrastructure for electric scooter traffic. Statistics from four years of traffic accidents involving scooters are provided, their primary locations and causes are analyzed, and conclusions and recommendations for improving electric scooter traffic safety are presented. The analysis shows that in Lithuania, the number of traffic accidents with scooters and the number of casualties in them increase annually, while the legal regulation and adaptation of infrastructure for electric scooter traffic vary among different countries.

The COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND PETROGRAPHIC FEATURES OF ANDESITE AND BASALT FROM SAWABI AREA, N-W PAKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

This study delves into a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties and petrographic characteristics of andesite and basalt from the Sawabi area in North-West Pakistan, with a focus on uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Mega-porphyritic and badinage textures, as well as a huge, fine-grained structure, define the basaltic rocks of Swabi. These rocks are mostly composed of ferro-magnesium minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole; as accessory minerals, they also include quartz, plagioclase, and alkali feldspar. On the other hand, the andesitic rocks in the area have anhedral structures that are extremely fine-grained and have a variety of textures, including trachytic, porphyritic, dendritic, and graphic. These rocks are mostly composed of orthoclase and fine- to medium-grained amphibole, with other features including quartz phenocrysts and altered perthitic alkali feldspar. A thorough examination of the samples' mechanical and physical characteristics, such as their porosity, specific gravity, and water absorption, was conducted. The results showed that andesite, with its better mechanical strength and good petrographic features, was the better option than basalt for construction. When choosing suitable rock materials for regional infrastructure projects, engineers and construction professionals can benefit greatly from the insights provided by this research.

Infrastructure competitiveness of regencies and cities in Java Island

Regional infrastructure competitiveness is highly influential in regional development. This research aims to: (1) compile the infrastructure competitiveness index for regencies or cities in Java, (2) assess the level of infrastructure competitiveness disparity between regencies or cities, and (3) analyze the relationship between the regional infrastructure competitiveness index and economic growth. In investigating the regional infrastructure competitiveness index, five infrastructure groups were assessed, namely social infrastructure, information technology, transportation, economy, and culture. The infrastructure competitiveness between regions (regencies and cities) was determined by scoring and standardization. The Gibbs & Martins index was used to measure the infrastructure competitiveness gap. Meanwhile, the relationship trend between the infrastructure competitiveness index and regional economic growth was analyzed using crosstabs. For the competitiveness of regional infrastructure in Java, this research observed spatial variations between regencies or cities. Besides, the regional infrastructure competitiveness index is not distributed concentrically and tends to have a diffuse pattern. Different distributions of the competitiveness index were also observed in every group of infrastructure. In general, clusters of high infrastructure competitiveness were observed in each province on the island of Java. The Gibbs & Martins index measurement illustrates Java's high regional infrastructure gap. The gap is due to the infrastructure in development centers and activity centers not being accompanied by infrastructure development in the hinterland areas. The social infrastructure has the highest level of inequality. Besides, this research also found a different relationship between infrastructure competitiveness and economic growth in the provinces.

Полевые дневники Б.А. Куфтина, руководителя Тунгусской экспедиции, как источники эпохи становления советской этнографии

The article analyzes the travel diaries of the head of the Tunguska expedition of 1927–1928, Boris Kuftin (1892–1953). Methods and materials. Participants of the Tunguska Expedition conducted field research on Lake Baikal and the Far East in places where Evenks, Nanais, Negidals, Nivkhs, Oroches, and Udeges people lived. They collected valuable ethnographic materials about the ethnocultural features of settlement, types of dwellings, fishing activities, life cycle rituals, shamanism, holidays, and features of the language and folklore of the Tunguso-Manchus and Paleoasiats. Field notebooks of B.A. Kuftin are stored in St. Petersburg, in the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (the Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and contain a large volume of ethnographic and anthropological information, drawings, shamanic texts, and various life support technologies. Results. However, in addition to them, the scientific heritage of the scientist has a travel diary, which reflects personal road observations and impressions of B.A. Kuftin, subjective characteristics of regional transport infrastructure in the first quarter of the 20th century, his own assessments of the development of Siberian and far Eastern historical science, their relationship with world science, and museum business in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. During the route, B.A. Kuftin met a large number of scientists – representatives of different scientific disciplines – who showed aspects of their complex social relations at the time.

Siberia and the Far East in the Project “The Map of Bookstores in Russia”

Assessing the state of the bookselling infrastructure by creating an interactive map of the country’s bookstores in order to identify the potential for its development and search for ways to optimize it is an important factor in improving the information exchange of the book industry. The article analyzes the results of the first stage (2023) of monitoring bookselling enterprises in the Siberian-Far Eastern region within the framework of the project “The map of bookstores of Russia” (“The Cultural Map of Russia. Literature. Reading”). The research methodology is based on a combination of comparative typological analysis of monitoring data and the landscape-reconstructing approach. Statistical data on the number of bookselling facilities and their availability in federal districts and cities of Russia are summarized. The information on the location and number of bookselling facilities in the cities of Siberia and the Far East is studied in detail, leaders and outsiders are identified. The representation of federal, regional, and local network formations and independent bookstores in the region is considered. The activities of leading enterprises operating in the region for many years and recently opened bookstores are evaluated. The all-Russian trends and regional features of the development of the bookselling infrastructure are determined. The analysis of monitoring data for bookselling facilities in Siberia and the Far East showed the following. The modern regional bookselling infrastructure, along with its inherent all-Russian features, is characterized by: expansion and strengthening of the position of the federal bookselling network “The City of Read”; significant growth of the Internet channel due to the ongoing consolidation of the main players and the growing popularity of marketplace platforms. At the same time the bookselling infrastructure has a number of regional features. They are the reduction in the activities of the oldest regional network formations, successful adaptation and expansion of local large and medium-size network formations; the emergence and successful operation of special children’s bookstores-clubs, as wekk as club-backroom format stores.

India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2022: A Critical Appraisal

Abstract India recently published its National Suicide Prevention Strategy aimed at reducing suicide mortality in the country by 10% by the year 2030. This strategy laid out time-bound objectives and action plans, targeting biological, psychosocial, and cultural risk factors for suicide, which are specific to the region. The strategy is to be implemented by utilizing existing national and regional mental health-care infrastructure and enlisting multisectoral cooperation. This discussion provides a critical appraisal of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy of India, 2022.

Prediction of Degraded Infrastructure Conditions for Railway Operation.

In the railway sector, rolling stock and infrastructure must be maintained in perfect condition to ensure reliable and safe operation for passengers. Climate change is affecting the urban and regional infrastructure through sea level rise, water accumulations, river flooding, and other increased-frequency extreme natural situations (heavy rains or snows) which pose a challenge to maintenance. In this paper, the use of artificial intelligence based on predictive maintenance implementation is proposed for the early detection of degraded conditions of a bridge due to extreme climatic conditions. For this prediction, continuous monitoring is proposed, with the aim of establishing alarm thresholds to detect dangerous situations, so restrictions could be determined to mitigate the risk. However, one of the main challenges for railway infrastructure managers nowadays is the high cost of monitoring large infrastructures. In this work, a methodology for monitoring railway infrastructures to define the optimal number of transductors that are economically viable and the thresholds according to which infrastructure managers can make decisions concerning traffic safety is proposed. The methodology consists of three phases that use the application of machine learning (Random Forest) and artificial cognitive systems (LSTM recurrent neural networks).

The service life of military constructions from the heritage of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense: between efficiency and adaptability

Romania’s military infrastructure has undergone significant transformations over time. Periods of expansion and modernization have alternated with phases of reduction and, sometimes, the transfer of barracks into civilian administration. These changes reflect not just technological advancements but also the adaptation to the dynamic requirements of national defense.The 2008 infrastructure regulations link the employment duration of military facilities directly to military activity, highlighting the need for a flexible and adaptable infrastructure. In this context, the article examines the legislative framework regarding the amortization of investments, the wear and tear of constructions, and the authorization of works, emphasizing the importance of aligning military regulations with civil ones.In conclusion, the article analyzes the discrepancies between national legislation and military regulations, suggesting revisions and additions to the existing regulations, particularly regarding temporary and semipermanent facilities, to meet the current and future needs of national defense more effectively.

FORMATION OF A MODEL FOR MANAGING THE POTENTIAL OF REGIONAL MARKETS

In an unstable and rapidly changing economic environment, it becomes even more difficult to determine the state and prospects of development of specific markets, especially regional ones, where specific conditions are in place. In order to effectively coordinate the development of a particular regional market, it is necessary to clearly define the extent to which its potential has been exploited and to identify the factors that influence the formation of the regional market's potential. The subject of the study is the theoretical and methodological foundations of managing the potential of regional markets. The aim of the study is to develop a model for managing the potential of the regional market. Methodology. To achieve the goal of the study, the following tasks were set and solved: a critical analysis of approaches to the definition of the concept of "regional market potential" was carried out, the theoretical and methodological foundations for the formation of a model for managing the potential of the regional market were substantiated, the components of this model were clarified, and the types of links between the components of the model for managing the potential of the regional market were identified. The paper uses the following methods and approaches to research: abstract and logical approach used in the study of the theoretical and methodological foundations of interaction management, analysis of theoretical approaches to the formation of a model for managing the potential of the regional market, inductive and deductive (used to determine the factors influencing the formation of a model for managing the potential of the regional market), systematisation and generalisation (to clarify the concept of "regional market potential"). Results. The research considers the processes of formation and management of the potential of regional markets. It reveals the essence of the concept of "potential of the regional market" on the basis of studying the definition of the concept of "potential". The article describes and groups approaches to determining the market potential of a region and formulates its own definition of the regional market potential as "the upper limit of production, sales and consumption of a certain type of product in the region, at which the financial interests of market participants are maximally satisfied, for which the existing resources are sufficient". The publication identifies the factors influencing the state of the regional market potential: industrial capacities, development of regional infrastructure and logistics, demographic situation, population income and purchasing power, resource provision of the region, opportunities for international trade. The article characterises the structure of the regional market potential: the forming component (production, consumer and trade potential) and the ensuring component (socio-economic potential of the region). A model of management of the regional market potential is proposed. Practical implications. The proposed model will help to clarify the role and functional relationships between the components of the regional market potential and take into account the peculiarities of the functioning of regional markets in the implementation of market forecasts. Value/originality. In the structure of the regional market potential, unlike the well-known ones, the forming and ensuring components of the regional market potential are distinguished. The addition of the trade potential component to the traditional forming components, such as consumer and production potential, will allow taking into account trade opportunities and conditions for fast and high-quality trade organisation in the region.

Cyber-Physical Internet (CPI)-enabled logistics infrastructure integration framework in the greater bay area

The emerging digital economy has facilitated the digital transformation of the logistics industry toward a standard and collaborative state. The logistics infrastructure has accordingly attracted much attention as the basis for supporting digital economy implementation. Moreover, the initiatives of regional collaborative development, such as in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China, have accelerated the integration of logistics infrastructure and operation-level collaboration. Fortunately, the Cyber-Physical Internet (CPI) has created new opportunities for promoting infrastructure integration through the cyber, physical and internet dimensions. However, regional infrastructure integration in the GBA faces various challenges associated with CPI network operations. Thus, a bottom-up approach is proposed to facilitate logistics infrastructure integration in the CPI environment based on the conceptual fusion of computer networks. Considering the fundamental difference in network fusion and operation mechanisms between CPI and computer networks, a CPI-LI2 (logistics infrastructure integration) framework is designed as an integrated solution. Finally, a simulation study is conducted using real-life medical logistics data from the GBA to verify the effectiveness of the CPI-LI2 framework. Experiments show that the framework is well adapted to large-scale logistics networks with dynamically changing links.

Development of regional economic infrastructure based on innovation

Object: The purpose of this article is to consider the development of regional innovation activity: principles, objectives, operational elements, and approaches to managing the development of innovation activity at the regional level. Methods: The research uses methods of statistical analysis, comparative analysis, and graphs. Findings: The key results of the study are summarized in the following conclusions: 1) The study examines the main factors of competitiveness, their impact, and relevance to increasing competitiveness in the regional socio-economic system. 2) The study shows that the region has difficulty accepting and developing innovations and that the level of innovation is not yet at the proper level. 3) It was presented that innovation and logistics have a huge impact on the competitiveness of the region. 4) The growth rates of the number of innovative products and the growth rates of the share of large and medium-sized companies using digital technologies in the industry have been determined. Conclusions: A detailed description of innovations in the region makes it possible to compare the levels of development of the innovation sphere in the region. The detection of the dependence of the subjects of economic relations on the conditions proposed in the study makes it possible to establish the characteristics of innovative interaction together with the external and internal components of the innovation process of the regional economy.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Influencing Factors of Vegetation Net Primary Productivity in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Vegetation Net Primary Productivity (NPP) plays a crucial role in terrestrial carbon sinks and the global carbon cycle. Investigating the spatiotemporal dynamics and influencing factors in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region can furnish a solid scientific foundation for green, low-carbon, and sustainable development in China, as well as a reference for other rapidly urbanizing regions. This study focuses on the YRD region as an illustration and utilizes the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA model) to quantify NPP in this region from 2000 to 2018. Investigation into the spatiotemporal dynamics and influencing factors was conducted using Theil–Sen median trend analysis and scenario analysis. The results indicate that the NPP in the YRD region from 2000 to 2018 exhibited pronounced spatial differentiation characteristics, typically exhibiting a spatial distribution pattern of being high in the south and low in the north, high in the west and low in the east. Additionally, the expansion of built-up areas and the reduction in cultivated land have the potential to reduce NPP in the YRD region. Moreover, the influence of land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is anticipated to be relatively limited compared to that of climate change. Furthermore, changes in precipitation were found to be positively correlated with changes in NPP, with the effect being relatively more pronounced. The correlation between temperature and NPP demonstrated spatial differentiation, with a mainly positive correlation in the central and southern parts of the YRD and a mainly negative correlation in the northern part. Changes in solar radiation had a negative correlation with changes in NPP. Based on these results, it is recommended that local governments strictly enforce urban development boundaries and manage the disorderly expansion of built-up areas, enhance the regional irrigation infrastructure, and address air pollution, so as to ensure the necessary conditions for the growth of vegetation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and control regional temperature rises. This study can provide stronger evidence for revealing the influencing mechanisms of NPP through the control of impact conditions and the exclusion of confounding factors via scenario analysis. The policy implications can offer insights into NPP enhancement and environmental management for the YRD and other rapidly urbanizing regions.

The non-linear dynamics of South Australian regional housing markets: A machine learning approach

Traditional linear models often struggle to capture regional housing markets' complex, non-linear dynamics. This study addresses this gap by developing and applying advanced machine learning algorithms to unlock unique insights into South Australian housing price behavior. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset of over 10,000 regional house sales from 2010 to 2021, we explore the non-linear relationships between housing prices and microeconomic factors (e.g., house size, land area, building quality) and socioeconomic characteristics (e.g., proximity to amenities and income levels). Our analysis employs a multi-step approach, including feature engineering, spatial data integration, correlation tests, multilevel modeling, and non-linear machine learning algorithms including Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient-Boosted Tree, and Artificial Neural Network. The key finding is that machine learning models outperform traditional econometric models in predicting regional housing prices, with higher accuracy and greater goodness of fit. Furthermore, we identify specific non-linear relationships, such as the increasing marginal impact of proximity to the sea on house prices as distance decreases. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, real estate professionals, and stakeholders, informing regional planning, infrastructure provision, and economic development strategies. This study sheds light on the complex dynamics of South Australian housing markets and lays the foundation for further research.

Terrorism Financing Typologies: Comparison of PKK and ISIL in Turkey

This comparative case study investigated the financing typologies of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Turkey. PKK is a Marxist- Leninist organization that pursues ethnic separationist policies in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. ISIL is a radical Wahhabi network that aspires to re-establish the Caliphate and restore the “glory” of Sharia by defeating the “near” and “far” enemies. These networks are chosen for this case study as they operate in close proximity along Turkish, Iraqi and Syrian borders. In addition to primary and secondary interviews, the research has been based on content analysis of unclassified documents and media coverage on counter PKK/ISIL investigations. This study indicated that both organizations have been highly skillful in exploiting the regional licit and illicit enterprises. Financing methods of PKK and ISIL were similar in complex regional underground economic infrastructure. However, PKK has been able to develop much more sophisticated financial infrastructure than ISIL due to a longer life span and existence of specialized cadres in the Middle East and Europe. Ideology had a significant impact on differences in state sponsorship and exploitation of non-profit organizations. Both the Marxists and radical İslamists encouraged illicit trade schemes not only to generate funds but also to avoid taxation by the “hostile” regimes. ISIL has failed to develop advanced financing infrastructure mainly due to a shorter life span, loss of territorial control and the UN-US sponsored international sanctions.

Governing Urban Climate Resilience (UCR): Systems, Agents, and Institutions in Shanghai, China

Climate change and urbanization intersect with escalating danger. Urban areas significantly contribute to climate change, which, in turn, poses severe threats to urban settings. The frequency and intensity of extreme events, like flooding and heat, are rising, with the need to enhance urban climate resilience (UCR) becoming more immediate. Scholarship tends to underrepresent general climate resilience in favor of specific hazards. This research seeks to contribute to the literature by exploring the case of Shanghai, China, discovering the mechanisms and characteristics of UCR governance, and examining how these outcomes are formed from a comparative gesture. The findings indicate that in Shanghai, 36.8% and 26.8% of climate resilience governance strategies are reflected in regional management and infrastructure construction led by the Water Affairs Bureau and the Meteorological Bureau. Furthermore, 30.6% of the strategies relate to the Water Affairs Bureau, showcasing a robust and integrated flood response. Meanwhile, 15.7% involve the Meteorological Bureau, boosting responses to high temperatures with better monitoring and early warning for increased flexibility and efficiency. Distinct governance processes for floods and extreme heat mirror these hazards’ inherent characteristics and societal perceptions. With strong government willingness and support, Shanghai has rapidly enhanced its flood resilience capabilities within a brief timeframe. Conversely, addressing the emerging risk of extreme heat is still in the early stages of evaluation, due to the lack of a clear disaster-bearing system and identified responsible agents. This research suggests that the future of climate resilience governance in Shanghai may emphasize identifying the characteristics of critical climate-related risks, expanding social autonomy through grassroots self-governance, procuring economic backing from the central government, and applying the tool of urban spatial planning.

All Aboard the East Coast Rail

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) forms a key component of China’s regional infrastructure plans while promising local development and enhanced economic growth. The project is also Beijing’s answer to its “Malacca Dilemma”. There are, however, immense challenges to the project, such as transparency, economic viability and local stakeholder concerns. This article analyses the geoeconomic regional implications of the ECRL and discusses the project in the context of Malaysia’s internal dynamics.

The Belt and Road Initiative and Regional Infrastructure Finance and Construction

This article discusses the rationale for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and conducts an empirical analysis utilising a revised gravity model linking connective infrastructure constructed under the auspices of the BRI with global trade in the 2010–22 period. The authors’ empirical analysis shows that BRI connective infrastructure projects are beneficial to both the export and import countries. After controlling for all other factors, the existence of connective infrastructure in the export country is associated with a 25% increase in its export value, with a significant reduction in the transport costs.

Foreign Exchange Reserves and Economic Growth of Brazil: A Nonlinear Approach

Foreign Exchange Reserves and Economic Growth of Brazil: A Nonlinear Approach

The development of the North–South International Multimodal Transport Corridor and the measures to integrate the regional transport infrastructure

The problems of the North–South Transport Corridor development are directly interrelated with the integration of the regional infrastructure of the countries participating in this project. The importance of this corridor currently affects not only the economic sphere, but also the geopolitics of the world community as a whole, as the power balancing issues in the world economy are engaged. Based on the results of the statistical data study from open sources, the analysis of extensive periodical literature, the pros and cons of the North–South Multimodal Transport Corridor (MTC) project are substantiated, and the promising ways of implementing and improving its effectiveness are identified. Political pressure on a number of participating countries and an asymmetry of interests are highlighted as factors that hinder the active implementation of the project (the most interested participants are Iran and Russia, other parties may have negative geopolitical and economic consequences from participating in the project). There are major challenges concerning the infrastructure development and the insufficient degree of harmonization of the institutional conditions within which the transport corridor operates. On the other hand, the greatest advantages of the North–South Transport Corridor are reducing dependence on other transport routes, including those passing through competitive countries, increasing national security and sovereignty of Russia, consolidating Eurasian integration, improving foreign policy links with the countries in Asia and Africa. In order to maximize the potential of the North–South MTC and increase its competitiveness in comparison with other transport hubs, the following ways are proposed: 1. One-time solution to a set of tasks: modernization of infrastructure, primarily, port infrastructure in Russia, railway infrastructure in Iran; full digitalization of the transport and logistics sphere in all the participating countries; harmonization of institutional conditions for the project implementation in the domain of legislation, customs procedures, business processes, management. 2. More active use of free economic zones and special economic zones. 3. Formation of a special supranational organizational structure that will directly deal with the development of the North– South International Transport Corridor.

Formation of Economic Sovereignty of the Russian Federation: Regional Aspect

The relevance of the research topic is determined by the development and improvement of the state policy for the formation of economic sovereignty of the Russian Federation. The import substitution policy implemented in recent years has yielded positive economic solutions that make it possible not to experience a shortage of goods and production components. With the support of federal and regional authorities, the subjects of economic sovereignty formation (special economic zones, industrial parks, industrial and innovation clusters, etc.) are actively developing. Purpose. The main purpose of the study is to substantiate promising areas for ensuring the economic sovereignty of the Russian Federation in the context of the development of regional investment infrastructure. Objectives: of the study are as follows: substantiation of the directions for ensuring economic sovereignty, analysis and assessment of investments in fixed assets of the regions of the Central Federal District, study of the rating of the subjects of the Central Federal District in terms of investments in fixed assets. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study was the works of domestic scientists in the field of theory and practice of economic policy, economic regulation, and increasing the stability of the economy in the face of sanctions. The results of the study show that the most promising areas for ensuring economic sovereignty are the financing of infrastructure and high-tech industries, the development and support of industrial parks, industrial clusters, the development of investment activity, including through the support of large investment projects, and increasing the efficiency of investments in fixed assets. Conclusions. The results of the study show that the most promising areas for ensuring economic sovereignty are the financing of infrastructure and high-tech industries, the development and support of industrial parks, industrial clusters, the development of investment activity, including through the support of large investment projects, and increasing the efficiency of investments in fixed assets.