Contemporary Research on Polish Road Freight Transport: Literature Review
Contemporary Research on Polish Road Freight Transport: Literature Review

Summary/Abstract: Aim: The aim of this article was to identify, classify, and critically evaluate the main thematic areas of contemporary scientific research on Polish road freight transport, as well as to assess the extent to which the existing literature reflects the sector's evolving economic, regulatory, technological, and environmental challenges. Methodology: The research was based on a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Publications were retrieved from the Scopus database using predefined keyword combinations related to road freight transport and Poland. The review primarily covered studies published between 2006 and 2025, with a strong concentration of studies after 2015, adopting a narrative, problem-oriented approach. Following a multi-stage screening and eligibility assessment, 23 peer-reviewed publications out of 133 identified publications were selected for deep analysis and thematic synthesis. Results: The review revealed that recent research on Polish road freight transport concentrated around four dominant thematic areas: sustainable development and environmental impacts, economic competitiveness and macroeconomic factors, infrastructure and transport safety, digitalisation and logistics technologies. The findings indicated a clear shift in research focus from market liberalisation and expansion toward sustainability, regulatory adaptation, and technological modernisation. Significant research gaps were also identified, particularly regarding holistic cross-sectional analyses, social issues such as the ageing driver workforce, and long-term scenario-based studies. Implications and recommendations: The results highlight the need for more integrative and interdisciplinary research addressing technological, environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Future studies should focus on long-term development scenarios, social sustainability (especially labour shortages), and the effectiveness of policy instruments supporting decarbonisation and digital transformation. The continuous monitoring of sectoral indicators and expanded empirical research would support evidence-based transport policy and strategic decision-making by companies. Originality/value: This article provides one of the few comprehensive and systematic syntheses of the literature on Polish road freight transport. By applying a rigorous PRISMA-based methodology and offering a structured thematic classification, it contributes original value by identifying research trends, gaps, and future directions in a sector of critical importance to both the Polish and EU economies.

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