Introduction. Effective functioning of road transport is only possible when the quantitative growth, quality level, and technical condition of roads meet the demands of road transport. This combination of road network characteristics can only be achieved with adequate funding to implement all planned works. Investments in road infrastructure can become a catalyst for economic recovery and growth, as they will improve logistics capabilities, reduce freight and passenger transportation costs, and enhance regional competitiveness.
Problem Statement. In the first decades of independence, the road industry faced chronic underfunding, which negatively affected its development. The situation worsened with the full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation in 2024. According to the World Bank's “Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA3)” report, post-war recovery needs for public roads and bridges alone are estimated at around USD 28.8 billion. For the rapid and quality restoration and development of Ukraine, this issue is critically important, as the state of the roads affects transportation costs, prices, employment levels, and the overall pace of economic development. Furthermore, the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation raises questions about ensuring reliable logistics routes, prompt transportation of humanitarian aid, and the country's defense capabilities.
Objective. The aim of this research is to determine the key principles for socio-economic evaluation of state-level programmatic documents to improve road management efficiency.
Materials and Methods. The article uses a systematic (comprehensive) approach, which represents a set of general scientific methodological principles (requirements) based on considering objects as systems. A priority in this process is ensuring an adequate level of data objectivity, timeliness, and the relevance of processed information.
In addition, the article applies methods of comprehensive and systemic analysis, abstract-logical, graphical, statistical, computational-design, comparative analysis, and expert assessments.
Results. A mathematical calculation was obtained for assessing the effectiveness of the State Targeted Economic Program for the Development of Public Roads of National Importance for 2018-2023.
Conclusions. Overall, evaluating the effectiveness of road development programs includes analyzing the transport-operational state, socio-economic, and environmental effectiveness. The evaluation results allow identifying “bottlenecks” in strategic documents for the sector's development and avoiding problems in future planning. This also helps in making informed decisions to improve road infrastructure. The prioritization of road projects should be based on strategic planning, enabling the assessment of needs and directions for road network development through a set of transport-operational data and systematically approaching decisions regarding financial support for road works. Furthermore, the list of road works and services on public roads in Ukraine should be compiled based on instrumentally determined and verified data, taking into account regulatory acts and the short-term and long-term state-targeted economic programs for road development. During martial law, this list should also align with the instructions of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
