Planning Mongolia’s transport corridors using the multicriteria analysis method
G. URANTAMIR1,2, M. ALTANBAGANA2, V. BATTSENGEL1, L.A. BEZRUKOV3, S. ENKH-AMGALAN2,4, G. SARUUL2, M. BAYARJARGAL5, P. TSEYENKHAND2
1National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
2Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
3V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
4International University of Ulaanbaatar,, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
5National Statistical Office of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Keywords: planning of transport corridors, multi-criteria analysis, international transport network, zones of influence, border ports
Abstract
The issue of optimal formation of transport corridors in Mongolia was examined on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of social, economic and infrastructural factors of domestic and international nature. The analysis used options of ten meridional and seven latitudinal transport corridors proposed by the State Great Khural, international organizations, and domestic researchers. The assessment of these options was carried out based on the multi-criteria analysis method for the following five groups of factors: basic conditions of the transport network, the possibility of servicing large cities and populations, border ports conditions, the possibility of connecting to the international transport network, and the possibility of supporting industrial development. Ten criteria and 25 variables were used within the framework of the aforementioned groups of factors, and the relative weights of the criteria were determined. Unlike previous studies, this research takes into account additional criteria, including the transport routes of neighboring countries, the location of cities and border ports, and others. It has been found that such indicators as the presence of cities along the corridors, the population size within their influence zones, and territories suitable for industrial development are of relatively high importance. The assessment identified Mongolia ’ s highest-rated transport corridors: three meridional corridors (Tsagaannuur - Khovd - Bulgan in the western part of the country, Altanbulag - Darkhan - Ulaanbaatar - Dalanzadgad - Gashuunsukhait and Altanbulag - Darkhan - Ulaanbaatar - Zamyn-Uude in the central part) and two latitudinal corridors (Tsagaannuur - Khovd - Bayankhongor - Ulaanbaatar - Choibalsan - Sumber and Tsagaannuur - Khovd - Bayankhongor - Ulaanbaatar - Bichigt). The resulting optimal transport corridor options are important both for supporting national socio-economic development and creating favorable conditions for population settlement, and for connecting Mongolia with neighboring countries, their major transport and logistics hubs, and seaports.
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