EXPLORING SOLUTIONS TO TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN UZBEKISTAN BASED ON INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 75 EXPLORING SOLUTIONS TO TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN UZBEKISTAN BASED ON INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE Sh.E. Junashev First Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17467921 Abstract. This article analyzes the main challenges of Uzbekistan’s transportation system, including traffic congestion, the underdeveloped public transport infrastructure, and the high rate of road accidents. The research employs an analytical approach based on official reports from the Ministry of Transport, statistical data, and international case studies. In particular, the efficiency of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) implemented in countries such as Singapore, Japan, Turkey, and South Korea is examined. The findings reveal that excessive vehicle density and the lack of proactive management significantly exacerbate transportation inefficiencies in Uzbekistan. The study emphasizes that while some aspects of foreign experience cannot be directly replicated, their adaptation to local infrastructure, economic capacity, and travel behavior can yield effective outcomes. Step-by-step implementation of the BRT system, integration of real-time ITS-based monitoring and management tools, and the digitalization of transport policies are identified as key directions for reducing congestion and improving mobility. Keywords: transportation system, traffic congestion, public transport, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), Uzbekistan, urban infrastructure, digitalization. Introduction The transport system plays a crucial role in the economic and social development of any country. As cities expand rapidly and people’s demand for mobility increases, infrastructure and management systems often fail to keep up with this growth. For example, in Tashkent, it is reported that around one million vehicles operate daily [1]. This situation leads to congestion, safety issues, and a decline in transport efficiency. On the other hand, both developed and developing countries are implementing projects aimed at improving public transport systems — particularly Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Therefore, it is essential to analyze the current state of Uzbekistan’s transport system and study international experiences to determine which solutions are applicable and which should be approached cautiously. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify key transport issues in Uzbekistan — such as congestion, overburdened public transport, and infrastructural and managerial challenges — and second, to analyze foreign practices, distinguishing between those suitable and unsuitable for local adaptation. Methods This research is primarily based on a review of literature (scientific papers, government reports, and media publications). Initially, official data concerning Uzbekistan’s transport infrastructure and management systems were examined (e.g., reports from the Tashkent City Department of Transport) [1][2][4]. Subsequently, international studies, especially those on BRT systems, were analyzed [5][6]. The core stages of the study involved: identifying problems, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 76 classifying international experiences (“applicable,” “conditionally applicable,” “not applicable”), and formulating recommendations for Uzbekistan. Statistical information and real-world cases were integrated throughout the paper. Results Transport Problems in Uzbekistan. The findings of the study indicate that the transport load in Uzbekistan, particularly in the capital city Tashkent, has increased sharply in recent years. Currently, approximately one million vehicles operate daily in the city, of which more than 300,000 are private cars — the main contributing factor to traffic congestion [1]. Figure 1. Vehicle composition in Tashkent (approx. 1 million vehicles per day) In recent years, significant steps have been taken toward the modernization of public transport. In particular, 1,004 new buses — including 304 electric buses — have been put into operation. As a result, the average speed of buses has increased from 18.7 km/h to 24.1 km/h, improving the overall efficiency of public transportation [2]. Figure 2. Average Bus Speed Improvement (2022-2025) However, the issue of road infrastructure overload remains pressing. The total length of roads in the country exceeds 184,000 km, yet approximately 25% of international highways are subject to excessive traffic load. For instance, the Tashkent–Samarkand highway was originally designed to handle around 32,000 vehicles per day, but it now accommodates more than 45,000 vehicles [4]. This situation indicates that the road network has exceeded its capacity limits and underscores the urgent need for modernization. SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 77 Figure 3. Road Capacity vs. Actual Traffic Load (Tashkent-Samarkand Highway) International experience shows that in developing countries, modern solutions such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have proven to be highly effective in reducing transport-related problems. Figure 4. Summary of International Transportation Practices For instance, several studies have shown that the implementation of BRT systems plays a crucial role in increasing the speed of public transport, reducing congestion, and improving the efficiency of urban infrastructure utilization. BRT systems have also demonstrated positive effects on urban density, sustainable land use, and overall economic activity [5]. Similarly, the introduction of ITS technologies has been found to reduce average traffic delays by up to 50%, while enhancing road safety and stabilizing passenger flow across the network [3, 6]. Figure 5. Compatibility Analysis of BRT and ITS for Uzbekistan Discussion SCIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2025 ISSN: 2181-3337 | SCIENTISTS.UZ 78 The analysis reveals that Uzbekistan’s transport system faces complex challenges — including congestion, frequent road accidents, underdeveloped public transport, and infrastructure deficiencies. International practices offer several solutions, yet each must be carefully adapted to the local context. For example, BRT systems can significantly reduce delays in public transport and decrease dependence on private vehicles [5]. In Tashkent, the first 7 km BRT corridor has been introduced along Shota Rustaveli Street, with future plans extending to 51 km [7]. However, the success of BRT cannot rely solely on corridor construction — feeder bus networks, passenger awareness, service quality, technical maintenance, and ongoing monitoring are also essential. Some foreign cities have reported a decline in BRT service quality over time [6]. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) enable real-time traffic management through datadriven analysis. A study in Indonesia demonstrated that ITS-based models can significantly reduce congestion [3]. Similarly, in Uzbekistan, smart traffic management systems are being implemented along 36 transport corridors covering 472 km in Tashkent [2]. However, challenges remain in areas such as data infrastructure, sensor coverage, real-time analytics, and specialist training. Therefore, to ensure successful implementation of transport reforms in Uzbekistan, several factors must be considered: Local context: including travel behavior, city geography, and financial capacity. Technical and data infrastructure: ensuring the availability of sensors, integrated databases, and analytical capabilities. Service quality and public awareness: encouraging people to shift toward public transport by improving comfort, reliability, and trust. Management and monitoring: ensuring system sustainability through continuous maintenance, performance tracking, and upgrades. Conclusion. Improving Uzbekistan’s transport system is essential for the nation’s economic and social development. As discussed, the key challenges include congestion, road safety issues, infrastructure limitations, and inefficient management systems. International models such as BRT and ITS offer effective solutions, but they must not be copied directly — instead, they should be carefully adapted to Uzbekistan’s unique conditions. To achieve meaningful progress, Uzbekistan should focus on modernizing public transport, implementing real-time data and intelligent management systems, and critically analyzing global practices to localize and tailor them to national needs. Through such an approach, the country can enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of its urban transport network. REFERENCES 1. “Nearly 1 million people in Tashkent face traffic congestion problems every day”, Zamin.uz, 24.09.2025. 2. “Transport Ministry outlines new measures to reduce traffic congestion in Tashkent”, Kun.uz, 08.10.2025. 3. Suryani E., Hendrawan R.A., Syafa’at F., “Scenario model to reduce traffic congestion using Intelligent Transportation Systems”, Matter: International Journal of Science and Technology, 2020. 4. “Report on the progress of road construction projects presented”, UzA, 26.03.2025. 5. Basheer M.A., Boelens L., van der Bijl R., “Bus Rapid Transit System: A Study of Sustainable Land-Use Transformation, Urban Density and Economic Impacts”, Sustainability, 2020, 12(8):3376. 6. “Evaluation of Bus Rapid Transit System: Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia”, JESIT, 2023. 7. “Traffic congestion will decrease in Tashkent through the BRT system”, One.uz, 20.10.2025.