СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ

The purpose of the research is to develop and substantiate a concept of a digital platform for managing railway transport in Russia as an instrument to enhance the socio-economic efficiency of the transport system, integrating economic, social, and technological components while critically analyzing contemporary approaches to industry digitalization. The methodological basis of the research. The methodological framework is based on systems and process-oriented approaches, structural analysis, comparative assessment, factor modeling, and expert validation. Particular attention is paid to the integration of information flows, the formation of a unified digital management loop, interaction among transport market participants, and analysis of the relationships between economic performance, environmental efficiency, and social indicators. The empirical base includes statistical data from the Federal State Statistics Service, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, reports of JSC «Russian Railways», and materials from regional socio-economic development programs. Results. The structure of the digital platform is substantiated, including layers for data collection and aggregation, processing and analytics, as well as management and interaction services. Key functional components are presented: analytical modules, a digital twin of infrastructure, risk management modules, and integration interfaces for operators and regulators. An aggregated efficiency assessment function is proposed, taking into account productivity, total costs, social indicators, and resource turnover time, allowing a quantitative evaluation of the impact of digital transformation on the socio-economic sustainability of the transport system. The prospects of the research. The practical implementation of the DCU-Rail model enables phased deployment of digital solutions, assessment of the readiness of regional transport systems, monitoring of efficiency, and real-time adaptation of management decisions. The study lays the groundwork for further analysis of the integration of digital platforms with national and regional ecosystems, the development of services for passengers and commercial participants, and the adjustment of strategies to enhance resilience and economic efficiency in the transport sector. Practical consequences. The study justifies a comprehensive approach to digital transformation of railway transport, considering it not only as a technological process but also as a tool for institutional, economic, and social renewal. The approach allows for a systematic consideration of technological, economic, and social factors, assessment of the integration of information flows, resource efficiency, and the readiness of regional systems for the implementation of innovative management tools, thereby providing a foundation for the sustainable development of Russia’s transport system.