Contemporary Research on Polish Road Freight Transport:Literature Review

Jakub Sułuja

doi:10.15611/pn.2026.2.06

Autor

Jakub Sułuja ✉️ Jagiellonian University
jakub.suluja@doctoral.uj.edu.pl https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7432-5295

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15611/pn.2026.2.06

Słowa kluczowe:

drogowy transport towarowy w Polsce, systematyczny przegląd literatury, zrównoważony transport, ekonomika transportu, cyfryzacja

Abstrakt

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.

Pobrania

Statystyki pobrań niedostępne.

Bibliografia

Balke, I. (2013). Business Situation in the Freight Road Transport in Poland. Archives of Transport, 27-28(3-4), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0004.0105

Betkier, I., & Macioszek, E. (2022). Characteristics of Parking Lots Located along Main Roads in Terms of Cargo Truck Requirements: A Case Study of Poland. Sustainability, 14(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315720

CEDEFOP. (2024). Drivers and Vehicle Operators: Skills Opportunities and Challenges (2023 Update).

de Abreu, V. H. S., Santos, A. S., & Monteiro, T. G. M. (2022). Climate Change Impacts on the Road Transport Infrastructure: A Systematic Review on Adaptation Measures. Sustainability, 14(14), 8864. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148864

Domagała, J., & Kadłubek, M. (2023). Economic, Energy and Environmental Efficiency of Road Freight Transportation Sector in the EU. Energies, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010461

Domagała, J., & Zych-Lewandowska, M. (2021). Environmental Costs Generated by Road Freight Transport in Poland. Rocznik Ochrona Srodowiska, 23, 138-150. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2021.009

Drążkiewicz, B. (2025). Czas żniw po fali bankructw. Jak kryzys podażowy i finansowy przyspiesza konsolidację rynku? Fundacja Europejski Instytut Transportu Drogowego (EITD). Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://pitd.org.pl/pl/news/czas-zniw-po-fali-bankructw-jak-kryzys-podazowy-i-finansowy-przyspiesza-konsolidacje-rynku?

Eurostat. (2025). Goods Transport by Road [Data Set]. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ttr00005/default/table?lang=en

Fazekaš, M., Šulgan, M., & Liščák, S. (2013). Electronic Road Toll Systems in Slovakia and a Country Selected from Central Europe. Transport Problems, 8(4), 35-44.

Gnap, J., Settey, T., & Baloghová, L. (2021). Examination of the Development of the Number and Use of Trucks Up to 3.5 Tons Total Weight. Transportation Research Procedia, 55, 34-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2021.06.004

Grzelakowski, A. S. (2025). Market Challenges and Their Impact on the Polish International Road Freight Transport Sector. European Research Studies Journal, (2), 780-797. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137275

GUS. (2024). Transport drogowy w Polsce w latach 2022 i 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/transport-i-lacznosc/transport/transport-drogowy-w-polsce-w-latach-2022-i-2023,6,8.html

Hilal, N. (2006). The Devious Effects of Deregulation in Europe: Shipping by Truck. Sociologie du Travail, 48(2), 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soctra.2006.04.005

Hilal, N. (2008). Unintended Effects of Deregulation in the European Union: The Case of Road Freight Transport. Sociologie Du Travail, 50, e19-e29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soctra.2008.07.002

Kadłubek, M., Thalassinos, E., Domagała, J., Grabowska, S., & Saniuk, S. (2022). Intelligent Transportation System Applications and Logistics Resources for Logistics Customer Service in Road Freight Transport Enterprises. Energies, 15(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134668

Karaś, D., Wielechowski, M. W., & Zając, A. A. (2025). Financial Performance of Road Freight Transport Companies Bordering Ukraine in Central and Eastern Europe: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine War. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2025.101668

Kędzior-Laskowska, M. (2020). Polish Road Freight Transport and Process of Internationalisation – Selected Effects for Quality and Competitiveness. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 7(3), 2481-2493. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.7.3(68)

Kurowski, M., & Huk, K. (2022). Analysis of the Transport Market During the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Freight Exchange. In L. Knapčíková, D. Peraković, A. Behúnová, & M. Periša (Eds.), 5th EAI International Conference on Management of Manufacturing Systems. EAI/Springer Innovations in Communication and Computing (pp. 411-423). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67241-6_32

Leończuk, D. (2011). Transport drogowy towarów w Polsce. Ekonomia i Zarządzanie, 3(4).

Letkiewicz, A., Ławreszuk, M., & Majecka, B. (2023). The Green Deal – Activity and Expectations of Polish Large and Medium-Sized Road Freight Carriers in Relation to Potential Regulatory Solutions. Research in Transportation Business and Management, 48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2022.100844

Łącka, I., & Suproń, B. (2019). Impact of the Deficit of Professional Drivers on the Development of Transport Enterprises from Rural Areas of the West Pomeranian Province. Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists, XXI(4). https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.302840

Macioszek, E. (2021). Analysis of the Volume of Passengers and Cargo in Rail and Road Transport in Poland in 2009-2019. Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport, 113, 133-143. https://doi.org/10.20858/SJSUTST.2021.113.10

Matczak, M., & Grzelakowski, A. S. (2025). Impact of EU Decarbonization Policy on Polish International Road Freight Competitiveness. Energies, 18(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071854

Milewski, D., & Milewska, B. (2023). Efficiency of the Consumption of Energy in the Road Transport of Goods in the Context of the Energy Crisis. Energies, 16(3), 1257. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031257

Muślewski, L., Landowski, B., Woropay, M., & Migawa, K. (2017). Implementation of Modular Trucks into Road Transport. Journal of KONBiN, 44(1), 97-118.

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Poliak, M., Čulík, K., Svabova, L., & Nica, E. (2024). Remuneration of Drivers in Road Freight Transport in the EU. Archives of Automotive Engineering, 106(4), 48-64. https://doi.org/10.14669/AM/196444

Przystupa, K., Gil, L., Niewczas, A., & Pieniak, D. (2019). Working Time of a Polish Professional Driver. Archives of Transport, 52(4), 57-66. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.0208

Rother, E. T. (2007). Revisão sistemática X revisão narrativa. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002007000200001

Ryguła, A., & Brzozowski, K. (2024). A Study of Heavy Road Freight Transport in Poland in the Context of the Pursuit of Sustainable Road Transport. Sustainability, 16(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219364

Suproń, B. (2020). Influence of the Mobility Package on the Functioning of the Polish Road Transport of Goods Sector. Prace Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiu, 64(3), 92-106. https://doi.org/10.15611/pn.2020.3.08

Suproń, B., & Łącka, I. (2023). Research on the Relationship between CO2 Emissions, Road Transport, Economic Growth and Energy Consumption on the Example of the Visegrad Group Countries. Energies, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031340

Szaruga, E., & Załoga, E. (2022). Environmental Management from the Point of View of the Energy Intensity of Road Freight Transport and Shocks. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114417

Świtała, M., Maliszewski, M., Kowalewska, A., & Królikowski, R. (2025). Road Freight Transport Safety in Poland: Regional Accident Patterns and Infrastructure Damage Costs. Roads and Bridges. Drogi i Mosty, 24(3), 297-317. https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.017

Transport Logistyka Polska [TLP]. (2022). Report: Road Transport in Poland 2021+. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://tlp.org.pl/raport-transport-drogowy-w-polsce-2021/

Transport Logistyka Polska [TLP]. (2024). Report: Road Transport in Poland 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://tlp.org.pl/raport-transport-drogowy-w-polsce-2023/

Transport Logistyka Polska [TLP]. (2025). Report: Road Transport in Poland 2024/2025. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://tlp.org.pl/raport-transport-drogowy-w-polsce-2024-2025/

Załoga, E. (2015). Kabotaż drogowy a wizja europejskiej przestrzeni transportu. Problemy Transportu i Logistyki, (29),

301-315. https://doi.org/10.18276/ptl.2015.29-22