Spatial and Economic Effects of Yangtze River-Huaihe River Water Transfer Project on the Transportation Accessibility of Bulk Cargo within Anhui Province, China

Abstract

This study examined the influence of the Yangtze River-Huaihe River Water Transfer Project (YHWTP) on the transportation accessibility of bulk cargo in 16 cities of Anhui Province based on modern transportation infrastructure. We also discussed the change in the strength of economic linkages affected by the YHWTP for 16 cities within Anhui Province and the Yangtze River Delta using the gravity model. The results demonstrate that: (1) The YHWTP will significantly improve the transportation accessibility of bulk commodities among the 16 cities in Anhui Province, especially the cities along the project route. It will reduce the minimum average transport cost (MATC) and the weighted average transport cost (WATC). (2) The YHWTP has a different influence on the transportation accessibility of the 16 cities, making the location conditions more unequal. (3) The change of spatial distribution of transportation accessibility of the 16 cities caused by YHWTP will be mainly concentrated in the triangular region, formed by Huainan, Anqing, and Wuhu. (4) The YHWTP will improve the total strength of economic linkages (TSEL) of the 16 cities within Anhui Province and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, with an increase by 27.62% and 9.04%, respectively. (5) Overall, Hefei will benefit the most from the YHWTP.