Innovative solutions in transport process management: Ukrainian and European experience

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the current state of Ukraine’s transport system under wartime conditions, to highlight its role in economic development, and to identify strategic directions for modernization and integration into the European transport network. Methods. The research applies systemic and statistical analysis, comparative assessment of innovative solutions in Ukraine and the EU, and generalization of practical experience from integration projects such as TEN-T, Solidarity Lanes, Rail Baltica, and the A7 highway. Results. Despite the war, Ukraine’s transport sector demonstrates recovery: in the first half of 2024, freight transport reached 178.8 million tons (+18.6% vs. 2023), and passenger turnover grew by 13.5%. Railways remain a strategic segment, providing over 40% of grain exports. Multimodal routes through Solidarity Lanes now account for more than 87% of imports and over half of non-agricultural exports. Ukraine is implementing digital dispatching systems, GPS monitoring, and e-mobility infrastructure, though large-scale innovations still lag behind the EU, where AI, Big Data, 5G, and smart mobility are widely applied. Strategic projects (Drive Ukraine 2030, European gauge construction in Zakarpattia, modernization of river transport) lay the foundation for deeper integration with the EU’s TEN-T network. Conclusions. Innovative solutions in Ukraine’s transport sector have both economic and security significance. Key priorities include large-scale electrification, digitalization of logistics, development of multimodal transport, and the introduction of AI and blockchain technologies. These measures will enhance efficiency, ensure sustainable logistics during and after the war, and accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the European transport space.