The Impact of Railway Development on High‐Quality Development of China's Logistics Industry: An Analysis Based on the Entropy‐ <scp>TOPSIS</scp> Method and Econometric Regression

ABSTRACT With the expansion of international trade, railways play an increasingly pivotal role in supporting high‐quality logistics development in China. This study employs the entropy‐TOPSIS method and econometric regression to objectively evaluate the contribution of railway logistics. Indicator weights are determined via the entropy method, and provincial development levels are assessed using TOPSIS, followed by regression analysis to quantify impacts on logistics quality. Results demonstrate that railway logistics significantly enhance high‐quality logistics development, with railway freight volume serving as a core driver of efficiency and service improvement. Control variables such as government fiscal expenditure exhibit limited effects, suggesting the dominance of railway logistics in shaping logistics outcomes. The findings highlight the necessity of increasing investment in railway infrastructure and optimizing freight network layouts to promote sustainable, innovative, and open logistics systems. This research provides both a novel methodological framework and empirical insights for advancing high‐quality logistics in China.