Road Infrastructure Development in the Western Balkans: Evidence from the Transport Sector

Muhamed Krasniqi; Ema Berisha Krasniqi; Panchagnula Venu Madhav; Talasila Veena; Nart Krasniqi; Amr Badr; Lir Krasniqi

Authors

Muhamed Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8374-638X
Ema Berisha Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0448-2863
Panchagnula Venu Madhav Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Prasad V Potluri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Kanuru, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1349-4014
Talasila Veena Department of Computer Science and Engineering (AI&ML), Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru Engineering College, Gudlavalleru, A.P, India https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8148-2954
Nart Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0012-7186
Amr Badr School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2260-2128
Lir Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3178-7491

Keywords:

Road Connectivity, Transport Infrastructure, Trade Facilitation, Cross-Border Transport, Regional Integration, Transport Operators

Abstract

Road connectivity plays a critical role in regional mobility, trade facilitation, and economic integration, particularly in the Western Balkans, where transport efficiency is influenced by both infrastructure conditions and cross-border institutional constraints. This study examined transport operators’ perceptions of road connectivity, operational barriers, and highway development in Kosovo, with particular attention to the influence of professional experience on expectations regarding trade facilitation. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 72 transport-sector stakeholders. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, categorical association tests, correlation analysis, and multivariable binary logistic regression. The results identified documentation requirements, international licensing procedures, visa-related restrictions, and border-crossing delays as the most frequently reported operational barriers. While 73.6% of respondents considered stronger connectivity with European transport corridors important for international mobility, perceptions of highway development were mixed, with 41.7% expecting a positive effect on free trade and 40.3% reporting a negative assessment. Professional experience was negatively associated with positive perceptions of highway development (r = −0.432, p = 0.001). Multivariable analysis further showed that professional experience, transport orientation, operational difficulties, infrastructure satisfaction, and perceptions of European corridor connectivity were significant predictors of expectations regarding highway development. The findings demonstrate that perceived benefits of transport infrastructure depend not only on physical connectivity but also on institutional and administrative conditions affecting cross-border operations. The study contributes a stakeholder-cantered perspective to transport infrastructure research in the Western Balkans and highlights the need to complement road investments with streamlined administrative procedures, improved cross-border coordination, and stronger integration with European transport corridors to enhance trade facilitation.