Introduction. The growth rate of transportation and the number of motor vehicles has led to the fact that transport and road systems are currently a powerful technogenic factor affecting the environment. In this regard, the tasks of road transport as a branch of economic geography include the study of the patterns of interaction of transport systems, both sectoral and regional, not only with territorial-production systems and settlement systems, but also with the environment.
Issues. Despite the acuteness of environmental problems of transport operation, this area of research has not received sufficient widespread development: the ecological and economic aspects of road construction, as the basis for the operation of the transport network, including in rural areas, have not been sufficiently studied.
The relevance of the chosen topic is also determined by the weak development of a systemic approach to the issue of the interaction of the “transport – road – environment system”, the lack of quantitative indicators for studying the spread of motor vehicle impacts within the entire communication network and its individual links.
Purpose. Conducting an analysis of existing and newly created scientifically based solutions to environmental problems of highways and road construction production enterprises.
Materials and methods. Analysis of literary sources and conducting research on the issue of minimizing the negative impact of road construction on ecosystems and optimizing economic costs.
Results. Road construction, being a key element of infrastructure, has a significant impact on the environmental and economic spheres. The article is devoted to the analysis of ecological and economic aspects of road construction, including the assessment of the impact on the environment, resource use, economic efficiency and social consequences. Modern technologies and methods aimed at minimizing the negative impact of road construction on ecosystems and optimizing economic costs are considered. Special attention is paid to issues of sustainable development and the need to integrate environmental and economic criteria in the decision-making process regarding road construction. In modern conditions, when Ukraine is actively developing an innovative economy, environmental challenges require rethinking traditional economic approaches and the role of the state. This means that environmental policy should become not just a set of measures, but a comprehensive system aimed at: increasing the well-being of society; improving the quality of life; rational use of natural resources. It is emphasized that environmental protection measures should be taken into account at all stages of highway construction, starting from research and design, ending with the procurement of materials, their transportation, construction and installation works and quality control of the condition of roads. Both highways and vehicles, depending on many factors, can cause harm to the environment both over a long and short period of time. The article focuses on the impact of highways. The modern approach to road construction is being improved, which involves taking into account ecological and economic aspects, which allows balancing the needs of development with environmental protection.
Conclusions. The proposed ways to achieve a balance of rational, ecologically sound road construction through ecologically sound design, environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring, and public involvement are aimed at sustainable, balanced ecological and economic development of the road sector.
The main ecologically oriented measures in the road construction and road transport sectors have been developed and will contribute to achieving the set goal.
