Methodological bases for the development of parameters of railway terminals for piggyback transportation in uzbekistan

This article presents a comprehensive methodological framework developed to determine the optimal parameters of railway terminals designed for piggyback transportation in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main focus is on creating a scientifically grounded approach that combines analytical modeling, statistical evaluation, and spatial analysis. The application of this integrated method enables a systematic, consistent, and data-driven process for selecting terminal locations, defining their technical, operational, and throughput characteristics, and accounting for the economic, infrastructural, and logistical specificities of each region. Within the framework of the study, a detailed rating system was developed to assess the performance and operational efficiency of 18 logistics centers currently functioning across the country. The evaluation criteria included throughput capacity, infrastructure condition, level of multimodal connectivity, transport accessibility, geographical position, potential for future development, and resilience to market fluctuations. The findings revealed that, despite the relatively high operational indicators of the logistics centers located in the Bukhara and Samarkand regions, the Navoi region was identified as the most favorable location for the construction of a new piggyback terminal. This conclusion is explained by the region’s balanced transport network, availability of undeveloped land resources, favorable natural and geographical conditions, and strategically advantageous central position that connects major domestic and international freight corridors. The results of the conducted research have high scientific and practical significance for experts in transport planning, logistics, and public policy, providing a methodological foundation for the sustainable development of intermodal infrastructure in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region.