Strategies for improving the interconnection performance of regional transport infrastructure

Improving the interconnection performance of regional transport infrastructure is crucial for facilitating factor flows and supporting the high-quality development of regional integration. However, the operational complexity of regional transport systems poses significant challenges for designing strategies that comprehensively optimize accessibility, efficiency, safety, and comfort. This study develops a dynamic analytical framework to support strategy formulation for regional transport infrastructure interconnection. It conceptualizes regional transport infrastructure interconnection into an integrate, circular system and analyzes causal feedback loops to reveal how key variables influence overall system performance. Using a system dynamics modeling approach, multi-dimensional strategies are simulated to evaluate long-term impacts on system performance. Policy simulations for the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle indicate that combining transport infrastructure and collaborative governance is the most cost-effective approach. The findings underscore the pivotal role of collaborative governance and highlight diminishing marginal returns across different regional transport infrastructure dimensions, explaining variations in strategy outcomes. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of regional transport infrastructure interconnection system dynamics and offers guidance for regional transport planning and policy design.