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The European Commission (EC) has adopted a Green Paper outlining proposed changes to the trans-European transport network (TEN-T).
TEN-T policy needs to be realigned to contribute more effectively to objectives aimed at combating climate change and to support Europe’s increasing international role through better infrastructure connections with its neighbours and the wider world.
Three proposed options for TEN-T development are:
o Combining all transport modes
o Making best possible use of fully interoperable intelligent transport systems
o Assimilating new transport and energy technologies.
These three elements support the further development of co-modal transport services for freight and passengers (such as connections between modes and integrated payment methods).
In order to support co-modal transport services for freight, particular attention should be given to:
o The application of intelligent transport systems for all transport modes and new pricing systems, stimulating efficient infrastructure use
o Removal of bottlenecks on major transport axis
o The appropriate development of ports’ infrastructure
o The integration of fully interoperable and commercially viable rail freight corridors and of Green Corridors
o Inter-modal connections and freight handling in urban areas.
TEN-T policy will build on existing knowledge and experiences from previous policies as well as exploiting new opportunities. It is also stressed that for successful delivery of TEN-T policy, there should be coherence between developing plans and instruments for their implementation.
The EC is now inviting all to express their views on the three proposed options for TEN-T development and the wider policy objectives in a public consultation that will be open until 30 April 2009.
The Green Paper on Future TEN-T Networks can be viewed through this link.
Registration for the public consultation and a questionnaire can be found through this link.
HA recommended to respond to consultation
Keywords: Environment, European Commission, Freight, Payment, Policy |
