Road Transportation

Road transportation is a mode of transport where the movement of goods and passengers is carried out over roads using motorized vehicles (such as trucks, buses, and trailers). Compared to other types of transportation, road transport offers the advantage of direct delivery between the origin and destination points, without transfers, and stands out as a faster, more flexible, and cost-effective solution, especially for short distances. This mode of transportation has a broad usage area and is particularly preferred in passenger transport and domestic logistics. In Türkiye, road transportation forms the backbone of the country's transportation infrastructure and facilitates the efficient execution of logistics activities.

Road Transportation in Türkiye

Türkiye has adopted road transportation as the most widely used mode of transport. In the country, 95.2% of passenger transport and 76.1% of cargo transport are carried out by road. These figures clearly demonstrate the significant impact and importance of road transportation in Türkiye’s transportation system. The total road length in Türkiye reaches 61,500 kilometers, and the existing infrastructure has shown significant development since the 1950s.

Road transportation also plays a critical role in Türkiye’s foreign trade. Due to its geographical location, Türkiye serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, making road transportation a vital part of international trade. In 1960, Türkiye approved the TIR (International Road Transport) Convention, simplifying customs procedures in international transportation, and implemented the agreement starting in 1966. The TIR Convention enables transportation to be carried out quickly and efficiently, strengthening Türkiye’s geographical advantages.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Road Transportation

The main advantages of road transportation include flexibility and speed. Direct transport between the origin and destination points is ideal for short-distance shipments. Additionally, road transportation requires fewer fixed investments in infrastructure, offering great flexibility for logistics activities. This flexibility makes road transport commonly used in small-scale transportation.

However, road transportation has more negative impacts in terms of environmental pollution and energy efficiency compared to other transport modes. Heavy traffic, accidents, and deficiencies in road infrastructure are significant challenges faced by road transportation. Moreover, the high fuel consumption of road transport increases costs in the sector and raises concerns about environmental impacts.

Infrastructure Investments and Ongoing Developments

In Türkiye, road transportation has developed with significant infrastructure investments since the declaration of the Republic, becoming the main transportation system of the country over time. The road infrastructure inherited from the Ottoman Empire was improved with the enactment of the Road Law in 1929. Road projects accelerated with the Marshall Aid in 1948, ensuring access to all regions of Turkey. In the 1980s, emphasis was placed on building highways and divided roads, and by the 1990s, the highway network had expanded. In the 2000s, the economic impact of road transportation grew, with the construction of divided roads and improvements in road standards, forming a modern transportation network. These developments in road infrastructure have increased the efficiency of both domestic and international transportation, and new investments and technological innovations continue today for sustainability and road safety.

International Road Transportation and Türkiye’s Role

International road transportation is an important sector due to Türkiye's strategic location. As a transit point between Europe and Asia, this position places road transportation at the heart of international trade. Türkiye's approval of the TIR Convention in 1960 simplified customs procedures and provided significant convenience in international transport. The TIR Convention facilitates the taxation of goods during customs checks and offers major advantages in transit passages.

However, challenges Türkiye faces in international transportation include visa issues, restrictions on transit documents, and deficiencies in road infrastructure. Time losses and bureaucratic barriers in transit passages limit Türkiye’s competitiveness. Türkiye’s strategy in this area aims to introduce new regulations and modernize infrastructure to increase the efficiency of international transportation.

Sectoral Problems and Efficiency in Road Transportation

In Türkiye, the road transportation sector is largely managed by small-scale enterprises and individual carriers. This results in low levels of institutionalization in the sector, negatively affecting efficiency. The fact that transportation prices are generally determined by buyers leads to the prices staying at low levels, rather than increasing competition. Additionally, inadequate vehicle maintenance and the failure to ensure traffic safety pose serious risks in transportation.

The Electronic Transport Tracking and Monitoring System (U-ETDS) is one of the most important innovations in recent years in this field. This system allows the electronic tracking and monitoring of transport data in road transportation, ensures transparency in the sector, and combats unregistered transportation. U-ETDS contributes to making the sector safer and more efficient.