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A multi-modal analysis of the effect of transport on population and productivity in China

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  • Wu, Bingyu
  • Levinson, David M.

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of three modes of transport infrastructure, namely high-speed rail, highway, and aviation on population density and economic growth in China using a fixed effects model based on a panel data of 2847 counties from 2008 to 2019. The results indicate that transport infrastructure can contribute to regional agglomeration and productivity enhancement, with high-speed rail having a distinct effect from the other two modes. High-speed rail has the most significant positive effect on population density while the other two modes aren't significant enough. Regarding per capita GDP, highway and aviation can both stimulate the development over different types of counties, while high-speed rail enhances the economic growth only in more developed regions. The findings highlight the need for a targeted planning strategy for regions with different development levels to harness the catalytic effect of transport on promoting reasonable distribution of resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Bingyu & Levinson, David M., 2024. "A multi-modal analysis of the effect of transport on population and productivity in China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:116:y:2024:i:c:s0966692324000656
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2024.103856
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