Resumen
Enhancement of transport connections is an important condition for achieving better mobility and economic development possibilities in regions. Usually in a given region the economic and social development is concentrated mainly at the central city and its agglomeration, therefore a realistic accessibility goal is to reach this center from the farthest settlement within a reasonable amount of travel time. Recent accessibility analysis works have pointed out that the reality is far worse and some regions remain in a disadvantageous situation. Transport connections between central and peripheral areas may promote regional competition potential for the latter. A complex transport network indicator has been utilized for comparison of two neighboring countries, an EU member state and a non-member state, namely Hungary and Serbia. A cluster analysis has been performed in order to explain differences in transport network characteristics and socio-economic factors as well as assessing any possible connections. A new multi-criteria assessment methodology has been developed by combining two existing methods that is suitable for evaluation of transport network connections in order to justify reasonable developments in the regional infrastructure. As a result of assessment and consequent structural modifications the access to services would be easier, quicker and better, furthermore the regional competition potential would be enhanced and the disadvantageous situation of some peripheral territories would be eliminated. Regional planning can use the new methodology for explaining location and possible relocation of services as well as for enhancing transport network connections. Applying the proposed new methodology at regional level the characteristics of accessibility can be assessed and some ?cross-border? solutions can be identified regarding neighboring countries. The recommended methodology incorporates fuzzy variables to take into account uncertainty within the assessment and provides a possibility for GIS based understandable presentation of results to enhance the procedure of decision preparing.