THE APPLICATION OF THE ARIMA MODEL IN FORECASTING THE PASSENGER TRAFFIC ON THE EXAMPLE OF BORDER CROSSINGS BETWEEN THE SUBCARPATHIAN PROVINCE AND UKRAINE

Accession of Poland to the European Union meant that its eastern border became the external frontier of the Community. The next step in the European integration was joining the Schengen Zone by Poland. Polish citizens may freely travel throughout the Schengen Zone and the state was obliged to tighten its eastern border. Under these circumstances conducting research on passenger traffic has become a vital issue, with particular focus on the eastern frontier. In the article an attempt is made at examining the possibility of forecasting passenger traffic on the example of border crossing points between the Subcarpathian Province and Ukraine using the ARIMA models. Confirmation of these possibilities seems to be crucial as the number of people crossing the border is characterized by high variability and sensitivity to the political situation. The study is based on the information provided by the Polish Border Guard. The conducted time series analysis is of a multi-purpose character. It may be used to support decision making processes of investment, organizational, as well as socio-political nature.