ANALYSIS OF ACCESS TO THE RAILWAY NETWORK USING GIS SPATIAL ANALYSIS IN THE MASOVIAN AND WARMIAN-MASURIAN VOIVODESHIPS

Abstract

This article is a two-case study, enriched with theoretical context, aimed at assessing access to the railway network in the Masovian and Warmian-Masurian voivodeships from the perspective of transport exclusion. The theoretical section includes a literature review on transport accessibility, with particular emphasis on its importance for socio-economic development and the shaping of territorial cohesion. In the empirical section, cartographic and spatial analysis methods using GIS tools were applied, covering both active and decommissioned railway infrastructure. The results reveal significant disparities in access to rail transport at both the interregional level and within individual voivodeships. The identified spatial inequalities indicate the need for a more balanced and territorially sensitive transport policy, as well as further local-scale research to support decision-making in the revitalisation of railway infrastructure.