This study investigates disparities in road traffic fatality rates, noise pollution, PM2.5 concentrations, and public transport utilization among the Visegrad Four (V4) countries—Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. The research addresses the pressing question of how these differences reflect the implementation and effectiveness of transport policies in the region. Using a comparative analysis of secondary data sourced from European environmental and transport databases, the study applies a mixed-method approach to identify patterns and trends from 2015 to 2023. Key findings reveal significant differences in transport safety, air quality, and public transport reliance across the V4 countries. For instance, Poland exhibits the highest road traffic fatality rates, whereas Czechia leads in addressing noise pollution. PM2.5 exposure remains a critical challenge across the region, with Hungary and Slovakia showing substantial room for improvement. Public transport utilization, notably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights contrasting recovery dynamics in the V4 countries. The study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions tailored to the specific challenges of each country. Recommendations include prioritizing sustainable transport systems, enhancing public transport infrastructure, and enforcing stricter environmental regulations. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and serve as a foundation for future research on sustainable mobility in Central Europe.
Janikovičová et al. (Thu,) studied this question.