THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BULGARIAN TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

The paper aims to provide a theoretical overview of the nature of the transport system within the context of sustainable development and to study the framework indicators of the development of freight and passenger transport so as to identify opportunities for improving the infrastructure and applying global practices to the Bulgarian transport sector. The paper therefore provides a theoretical overview of the nature of the transport system and the sustainable development of decision making to overcome spatial disparities between freight and passengers. The effects and indicators of sustainable development of the transport of passengers and freight have been systematized. The research focuses on two major areas and has two main objectives: to ensure high mobility of freight and passengers and to reduce the adverse impact of transport on the environment, in line with the ‘Energy consumption as a percentage of the GDP’ indicator and measured through specific indicators. The study also focuses on two other framework indicators ‘Security and safety’ and ‘Environmental indicators’. The analysis is based on official statistics from Eurostat and the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute. Based on the theoretical overview and the analysis of the empirical data, we have identified local problems as well as opportunities for improving the quality of the transport infrastructure in Bulgaria and adjusting world practices to the situation in Bulgaria in order to contribute to the active implementation of sustainable development ideas to the transport sector in the country.