08.07.2015
Eurotransport magazine features article about TRANSFORuM. "The Roadmap to achieve EU goals on urban mobility" is the title of an article written by seven TRANSFORuM team members in the latest issue of the Eurotransport magazine.
These are TRANSFORuM's supercondensed conclusions. For a more detailed versions visit our library.
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Transforming urban mobility requires an open approach allowing alignment of European goals to local visions and benefits.
Replacing conventionally fuelled vehicles and fuels with alternative ones is important but not sufficient for competitive and resource-efficient urban mobility.
Limiting the use of conventionally-fuelled vehicles can come at low costs through promotion of measures such as
– integrated transport and land use planning
– freight partnerships
– integrated public transport systems
– promotion of walking and cycling
– charging road uses for external effects
Political momentum for change only exist in few cities; many more cities must be engaged in transforming urban transport through mechanisms such as
– networks and covenants of cities committing to change
– platforms of local stakeholders
– campaigns to raise awareness
– support form EU and national level
National and state frameworks must support European goals and local actions,
– systematic review of national policies to enable cities to contribute to European goals
– reinforce standards and funding for clean fuel infrastructure
– reduce counterproductive tax incentives
– extend legal framework to enable charging and restrictions for polluting vehicles
Communication, coordination and knowledge consolidation are essential to advance the learning curve
Efficient governance of corridors is at least as important as technical standardisation.
Lower "last mile" barrier through support for city logistics service centres and support for innovative transhipment technology.
Substantial capacity increases may be achieved by making more efficient use of existing network/ infrastructure, e.g. through maintenance and modest upgrades.
Port handling and port hinterland connections are key areas for increasing intermodal shares, and better utilize waterborne transport capacity.
Especially to achieve the 2050 goal, major investments in rail infrastructure, terminals and ports will also be needed. Flexible policy tools needed.
Realising a level playing field is important in all scenarios.
– Internalisation of external costs of road transport
– Better enforcement of current regulations in road freight.
But much improved quality of services (reliability and booking) and reduced costs within rail and waterborne transport is also necessary.
Improved communication and cooperation in a liberalised market is needed!