The issue of optimal formation of transport corridors in Mongolia is examined on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of social, economic, and infrastructural factors of a domestic and international nature. The analysis uses options of ten vertical and seven horizontal transport corridors proposed by the State Great Hural, international organizations, and domestic researchers. The assessment of these options is carried out based on the multicriteria analysis method (MCA) for the following five groups of factors: basic conditions of the transport network, the possibility of servicing large cities and populations, border ports conditions, the possibility of connecting to the international transport network, and the possibility of supporting industrial development. Ten criteria and 25 variables are used within the framework of the aforementioned groups of factors, and the relative weights of the criteria are determined. Unlike previous studies, this research takes into account additional criteria, including the transport routes of neighboring countries, the location of cities and border ports, and others. It has been found that indicators such as the presence of cities along the corridors, the population size within their influence zones, and territories suitable for industrial development are of relatively high importance. The assessment identifies Mongolia’s highest rated transport corridors: three vertical corridors (Tsagaannuur–Khovd–Bulgan in the western part of the country and Altanbulag–Darkhan–Ulaanbaatar–Dalanzadgad–Gashuunsukhait and Altanbulag–Darkhan–Ulaanbaatar–Zamiin-Uud in the central part) and two horizontal corridors (Tsagaannuur–Khovd–Bayankhongor–Ulaanbaatar–Choibalsan–Sumber and Tsagaannuur–Khovd–Bayankhongor–Ulaanbaatar–Bichigt). The resulting optimal transport corridor options are important both for supporting national socio-economic development and creating favorable conditions for population settlement, as well as for connecting Mongolia with neighboring countries, major transport and logistics hubs, and seaports.
Urantamir et al. (Mon,) studied this question.