BARRIER-FREE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: CURRENT STATE AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Russia’s full-scale armed aggression has significantly exacerbated the accessibility
challenges of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, highlighting the need to develop a barrier-free transport
environment as a key component of public administration and post-war recovery. The purpose of the
article is to analyse the current state of transport infrastructure accessibility for people with limited mobility
and to substantiate the priority directions for improving public administration of its development under
martial law and in the context of the country’s post-war recovery. The methodological framework of the
study is based on systems, comparative, and statistical approaches. The information base comprises
scholarly publications, legal and regulatory documents, and the results of the nationwide monitoring of the
accessibility of transport infrastructure conducted by the Ministry for Communities and Territories
Development of Ukraine in 2025. The monitoring assessed transport vehicles and transport infrastructure
facilities using indicators of physical and informational accessibility.
The findings indicate that, despite the established legal and regulatory framework for the national
barrier-free policy, its practical implementation remains insufficient and is characterized by considerable
regional disparities. The study identifies the most problematic segments of transport infrastructure,
revealing the fragmented nature of modernization efforts, the inadequate development of digital services,
and deficiencies in the information support system for accessibility monitoring under martial law. The
article substantiates the need to shift from isolated barrier-removal measures to a comprehensive public
administration model for the development of barrier-free transport infrastructure. Such a model should
integrate the principles of accessibility and universal design into strategic, spatial, and transport planning;
introduce a unified accessibility audit methodology and a system of performance indicators; and
strengthen digital services together with systematic monitoring of transport accessibility. The
implementation of these approaches will enhance the effectiveness of public administration, support the
development of a continuous barrier-free transport environment, and ensure equal access to transport
and other public services for all population groups.