The Role of Road Infrastructure in Driving Regional Economic Growth: A Systematic Literature Review
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Abstract
Road infrastructure is widely recognized as a critical component of regional development strategies, yet empirical findings regarding its impact on regional economic growth remain heterogeneous across contexts and methodologies. This study aims to systematically synthesize existing empirical and theoretical evidence on the role of road infrastructure in driving regional economic growth and to identify the conditions under which such investments generate sustained economic benefits. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed, drawing on peer-reviewed publications indexed in major academic databases. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and selected articles were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and narrative synthesis to identify dominant themes, methodological trends, and recurring findings. The review reveals a generally positive relationship between road infrastructure development and regional economic growth across diverse geographical settings and analytical frameworks. Road infrastructure contributes to growth through multiple channels, including productivity enhancement, reduced transportation costs, improved market accessibility, foreign investment attraction, spatial spillovers, and trade facilitation. However, the magnitude and distribution of benefits vary depending on institutional quality, governance effectiveness, complementary investments, and regional characteristics. In some cases, infrastructure investments may yield uneven outcomes or diminishing returns in the absence of adequate planning and maintenance. Overall, the findings suggest that road infrastructure can serve as a strategic instrument for regional economic development when integrated within comprehensive policy frameworks that emphasize sustainability, institutional capacity, and long-term maintenance.
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