OPTIMIZATION OF ROADSIDE AUTO CAMPING SITES (REST AREAS) ON HIGHWAYS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: INFRASTRUCTURE GAPS AND CORRIDOR-BASED EVIDENCE FROM UZBEKISTAN

The road network plays a decisive role in Uzbekistan’s transport system due to the country’s double-landlocked
position and its reliance on long-distance overland corridors for domestic and international connectivity. In recent years,
large-scale modernization initiatives have been implemented to rehabilitate strategic highways, strengthen international
corridors, and improve overall transport efficiency. At the same time, challenges persist regarding infrastructure quality,
safety performance, and the provision of roadside services. This article examines the current condition of Uzbekistan’s
highway system, analyzes key structural and safety-related issues, and places particular emphasis on the state of roadside
rest areas as an integral yet still insufficiently developed component of road infrastructure. Drawing on academic studies
and official documentation from international development institutions, the study shows that, while corridor rehabilitation
increasingly follows a system-based approach, standardized and accessible roadside service facilities remain unevenly
developed. The results indicate that improving the coverage and quality of rest areas should be regarded as a necessary
element of road safety and corridor performance rather than as a supplementary service