European Union Transport Policy Research Articles

The east-west corridor within the scope of the European Union transport policy: Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and its possible functions

Günümüz dünyasında gerek yük gerekse insan taşımacılığının önemi artmış olup her geçen gün daha da artmaktadır. Küreselleşme sonucunda devletlerin birbirine daha da bağımlı hale gelmesi ve sınırların etkisinin azalması, ulaşım sektörü ve yük taşımacılığını, hiç olmadığı kadar önemli bir hale getirmiştir. Bu bakımdan özellikle gelişmiş ülkelerin bir arada olduğu Avrupa Birliği (AB), kuruluşundan itibaren ulaştırma politikasına önem vermekte ve büyük kaynaklar ayırmakta olup gerek kendi içerisinde gerekse aday ve potansiyel aday ülkelerde bu politikayı desteklemektedir. 1991 yılında Sovyetler Birliği’nin dağılmasından sonra Avrupa Birliği, Sovyet bütününden ayrılan ve bağımsızlığını kazanan devletlerle yakın bağlantı kurabilmek için birçok atılımda bulunmuştur. Büyük ipek yolu projesi ve bu projenin önemli bir ayağı olan Avrupa-Avrasya-Asya (TRACECA) ulaşım koridoru bunlara örnek gösterilebilir. Bu projenin hem Türkiye hem de Güney Kafkasya bölgesi için önemli bir parçası ise Bakü-Tiflis-Kars demiryolu (BTK) projesidir. Avrupa Birliği’nin söz konusu politikaları kapsamında oluşturulan bu proje, Türkiye ve diğer ülkelerin dış politikalarına da etki etmektedir. Bu açıdan BTK demiryolunun olası işlevlerinin araştırılması oldukça önem arz etmektedir. Bu açıdan bakıldığında, Türkiye-Gürcistan-Azerbaycan üçlüsünün birlikte hayata geçirdiği proje, içerisinde barındırdığı fırsatlar ve ulaşabileceği sonuçlar bakımından bir demiryolundan fazlasıdır. BTK demiryolu hem Türkiye için hem de Güney Kafkasya bölgesi için farklı sektörlerde gelişme sağlayacağından, ekonomik hayata da önemli katkı sunacağı düşünülmektedir. Ayrıca, yolcu ve yük taşımacılığı yanında, Hazar Denizi çevresindeki enerji arzının da istikrarlı bir şekilde sağlanmasına yardımcı olacaktır. Enerji arzının varlığı ve bu arzın aynı zamanda güvenli ve istikrarlı olması, gelişmiş devletler için hayati derecede önemlidir. Kafkasya bölgesindeki enerji rezervleri batılı devletler için iyi bir alternatif oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Bakü-Tiflis-Kars demiryolu projesinin Türkiye’ye ve bölgeye olası etkilerini araştırarak, uzun vadede görülebilecek hem siyasal hem de ekonomik olası etkilerini tartışmaktır.

The European Union transport policy: essence, progress, problems and development prospects.

The article analyzes the essence, stages of formation, key priorities, problems, as well as prospects for the development of the EU transport policy. It was stated that the so-called joint transport policy should be considered as a component of coordination and agreement of transport policies and processes at the level of international transport cooperation of the EU countries in general and some of them in particular. The author argued that the common transport policy of the EU (from stage to stage of its development) acquires more and more consolidated outlines, but it is still characterized by significant problems of logistical, infrastructural and political importance. It was noticed that the consolidation of the common transport policy of the EU directly depends on the level of integration of the EU members, but the former is more and more going beyond the EU. At the same time, it was recorded that the deterioration or slowing down of the development of the common transport policy of the EU occurs at the background of various crises and conflicts.

THE TRANS-EUROPEAN TRANSPORT NETWORK: INITIATIVES OF THE NEW EU MEMBER STATES

The European Union transport policy concerning the Trans-European core and comprehensive transport network is considered. Priorities for modes transport development are considered. The main projects of the transport network of new EU member states, united by the initiative of the Three Seas: Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas (3SI) are analyzed, The core network of Ukraine and its indicative projects until 2030 are considered. The 3SI projects in which Ukraine is interested, have been identified.

PAN – EUROPEAN TRANSPORT CORRIDORS IN THE POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The issue of organising efficient transport within Europe is one of the areas of a common policy of the European Union, shaped for over 30 years. Poland has been participating in this creative process since May 1, 2004. The intensity of the development of transport and the economy of individual countries that do not only belong to the Community but also have a significant impact on changes in the European Union's transport policy aimed at improving the course of pan-European transport corridors. In parallel with the creation of an effective European transport network, the rapid economic development of the regions belonging to the Union, including Poland, is becoming increasingly important. This article aims to discuss the issue of the development of the trans-European transport corridors, which also passes through the territory of Poland. In addition, this paper aims to present changes in EU policy concerning the shaping of transport infrastructure in Europe, following which a single transport network is to be created soon, meeting the communication and economic needs of the countries belonging to the Community.

On the Question of Electro mobility Promotion

To create a competitive and resource-efficient transport system, the European Union transport policy provides by 2030 achieving almost zero carbon dioxide emissions of vehicles used in large urban centers, and gradually phasing out the use of vehicles using traditional fuels - by 2050. The large-scale and accelerated development of the principles of electric mobility in Europe can make a significant contribution to the realization of these goals, has a positive impact on the ecological friendliness of the environment, and can also improve the situation with employment in Europe. However, it is impossible to abandon immediately of piston power units, including diesel ones - there are too many of them. Moreover, considering the size of the ―carbon footprint‖ of cars, which means the totality of all the harmful emissions and greenhouse gases that an object produces during its life cycle, it is currently impossible to state unambiguously about the environmental superiority of electric vehicles compared to cars equipped with gasoline and diesel engines. Therefore, the development of approaches that can justify strategic directions, describing the principles of long-term operation of machines with various types of engines, is relevant

Pan-European transport corridors in the policy of the European Union

The issue of organizing efficient transport with in Europe is one of the areas of the common policy of the European Union, shaped for over 30 years. Poland has been participating in this creative processsince May 1, 2004. The intensity of the development of transport and economy of individual countries that do not only belong to the Community has a significant impact on changes in the European Union's transport policy aimedatimproving the course of pan-European transport corridors. In parallel with the creation of an effective European transport network, the rapid economic development of the regions belonging to the Union, including Poland, is becoming in creasingly important. The aim of the article is to discuss the issue of the development of trans-European transport corridors, which also pass through the territory of Poland, and to present changes in EU policy concerning the shaping of transport infrastructure in Europe, as a result of which a single transport network is to be created in the near future, meeting the communication and economic needs of the countries belonging to the Community.

Statistical analysis of freight transport in the European Union

The European Union's transport policy aims to ensure the smooth, efficient, safe and free movement of people and goods throughout the Union through integrated networks using all modes of transport (road, rail, water and air). EU policy also covers a wide range of issues, such as climate change, passenger rights, clean fuel and reducing the administrative burden of port customs clearance. In my research, I examined the transport policy aspirations of the last 20 years with statistical tools in terms of the current role of each transport sector in the life of the member states.

External Costs on The Island of Vis: Comparison of two Traffic Modes

External cost of road traffic, identified as the highest among traffic modes, is an important indicator of the European Union's transport policy to shift traffic off the road to a more environmentally acceptable mode. Ferry traffic generates benefits to each port of call in localities having invested in port infrastructure, and there is an interest of the local community to have their own ferry line, especially on islands. Two alternative ferry lines have been created combining maritime and road traffic on the specific route from the town of Vis to the town of Komiža and compared from the external costs standpoint. The first alternative ferry line comprises one port of call in the town of Vis, combining it with a road modality to and from the town of Komiža. In the second alternative, the road traffic has been excluded and two ferry ports of call have been introduced, one towards the town of Vis and the other by extending the ferry voyage to the town of Komiža. The results show the model of one port of call with the integration of more road traffic on the specific route as a better solution. Despite the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel on ferries, the absence of congestion in road traffic on the island of Vis and generally slow implementation of modern emission standards in maritime traffic, road traffic seems to provide a better solution as an environmentally more acceptable mode on this route.

Intermodal Line between Ploce and Brcko: Future Perspectives for the Pan-European Transport

The aim of this paper is to propose the intermodal logistics Corridor Vc, relying on the European Union transport policy, which will be in the function of regional development. The main goal is to analyze a potential route of freight intermodal transport between the ports of Ploče and Brčko in order to popularize this intermodal line at the international level. Among the most important activities in achieving this goal is the integration in the Euro corridor system. This integration is of crucial importance for companies to successfully execute their supply chain processes both domestically and internationally. The paper is based on the analysis of the current socio-economic situation and the condition of the intermodal transport system in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), as well as existing strategic studies and development plans. This paper sheds a light on the creation of a strong integrated intermodal freight transport network in BiH, that will be a quality alternative to other international intermodal flows from the aspect of shorter transport time, lower transport costs and more favorable ecological aspects of transportation.

Application of the Principles of Energy Exchanges to the Rail Freight Sector

One of the major goals of the European Union's transport policy is to increase the market share of rail freight transports. With the Internet, globalization, and just-in-time production, the future of freight transport has moved to high-value and lightweight goods. Rail freight has had difficulty entering this market. Thus, a multipronged strategy is required for improving the rail freight market in which freight is consolidated and transported in Europe by encouraging new players to enter the market. A key pillar of this strategy is the introduction of freight exchanges that are based on principles similar to those of power exchanges. The latter are already well established and operational in the energy sector. This paper describes the market and operational requirements for efficient and reliable freight exchanges in the European freight market from which the rail sector can profit. Lessons learned from the energy sector were reviewed and applied in the context of the rail freight sector in this study. The analysis implies that for rail freight to function, as a pre requisite the freight exchanges would need to provide high liquidity in the market and be neutral to all parties, including shippers and forwarders. Furthermore, to facilitate competition, such exchanges would have to send price signals in the market like power exchanges do. The exchanges would allow automatic bidding, and the transaction process would be efficient and reliable. The rail freight operators would need to provide standardized indistinguishable products to serve as commodities on the freight exchanges.

City Accessible for Everyone – Improving Accessibility of Public Transport Using the Universal Design Concept

In the recent years more attention has been paid to accessibility of public transport and space. This growing interest is also visible in The European Union transport policy, aiming at securing rights of passengers with reduced mobility. However, big differences in local standards of designing public space and transport infrastructure are visible. Furthermore, particular cities chose different strategies to improve accessibility of public transport. This paper presents a perspective on contemporary transport policy of the European Union applying to passengers with reduced mobility. Additionally, a proposal of program consisting of 4 integrated actions, is formulated. Framework of the paper is the universal design concept, described for the first time by The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. Paper refers to case study of improving accessibility in Warsaw.

Governance of Major Transport Corridors Involving Stakeholders

In this paper governance for developing main transport corridors in the European Union was examined by means of document- and literature studies. European Union transport policy documents were studied as well as legislation regarding development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). One of the most strategic parts of the TEN-T, the Scandinavian – Mediterranean (ScanMed) transport corridor, was particularly studied with documents concerning the implementation of ScanMed. Qualitative content analyses have been conducted and three themes consisting of “governance organisation”, “actors” and “governance in practical implementation process” were studied.It was concluded that a broad range of stakeholders have to contribute in order to accomplish a well-functioning transport system. Accordingly the studied policy, legislative and implementation documents all concern governance matters in various ways. Depending on the actual transport initiative, and its objectives, stakeholder involvement can vary. A framework for governance arrangements for the most strategic parts of TEN-T, the Core network corridors is set in a regulation. A European coordinator was appointed for each Core network corridor and has an important role in facilitating the implementation. Such governance structure was already foreseen in earlier policy documents. Corridor forum is a new tool aiming to bring key stakeholders together for consultative purposes and in addition working groups can be connected to the Corridor forums. The policy and legislative documents have a focus on the responsibilities and activities for the European Commission and the concerned Member states. The importance of other stakeholders such as cities, ports, regional authorities, private actors is mentioned, but their activities are not explicitly stated in these formal European documents. However, participation of various stakeholders in the ScanMed Core network corridor implementation process is tangible, especially when concrete projects are discussed. Further, in the ScanMed Core network corridor implementation process the Corridor forum is explored as a new tool for bringing stakeholders together, progressively reaching an increasing number of stakeholders, including users of infrastructure in future stages. Encompassing eight countries and several modes of transport a large number of stakeholders are indicated. The idea of future ideas laboratories acting as meeting spots for development of the transport corridor on specific topics, and bringing a variety of stakeholders together, is interesting.A key challenge for future implementation of the ScanMed Core network corridor is the large number of stakeholders concerned by a transnational and multimodal transport system. Governance design to strengthen involvement of stakeholders in European transports initiatives such as the TEN-T should be encouraged. Suitable forums for cooperation and collaboration for inclusiveness for various actors need to be elaborated, where common overarching objectives need to be agreed upon. These forums have to be developed together with concerned stakeholders so that choice of forum is suitable due to its expected function. Key stakeholders which can actively contribute to progress and new ideas need to be connected to the process. And developed working groups, ideas laboratories and similar, on a geographical basis for parts of the corridor or for a specific topic, need to be adequately bridged to a European level.

The impact of the quality of the bus fleet in the implementation of strategy of sustainable development of a region

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the condition of the bus fleet operated by the bus companies and its impact on the passengers’ decision about the choice of means of transport in the light of the strategy of sustainable development of a region and the European Union (EU) transport policy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the legal documents of the EU relating to the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development of a region in a public transport. It shows the current condition of research on the shape of the bus fleet in bus companies in Poland, and on the basis of the analysis performed, it indicates the status of its operation and use. It also shows the results of a survey on factors which direct passengers when choosing a means of transport. Findings – The paper shows that the condition of the bus fleet is of great importance to the quality of transport services provided by the bus company and, as a result, to the implementation of sustainable development policy in a region. Practical implications – By pointing to the fact that the aim of the EU transport policy is to increase the role of public transport, strategic action should be taken to renew the bus fleet in the bus companies. Originality/value – The paper presents the need to adapt the condition of the bus fleet to the requirements of its passengers, which in turn will improve the attractiveness of bus transport and will increase the role of public transport in passenger transportation.

The European Union Transport Policy and their Consequences for the Infrastructure Development in Poland in 2014-2020. Part II

In part I of the paper discussed the evolution of the objectives of the COMMON TRANSPORT POLICY over the last 20 years, of a major impact on the level of spatial cohesion achieved, and ensuring competitive, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly transport opportunities. On that basis, dilemmas regarding the outcomes of their implementation after 2020 until 2050 are analyzed. 3 options for policy outcomes are formulated: POLICY OPTION I suggesting the pursuit of the applicable policy, i.e. the completion of the construction of the motorway network in Poland, with possible difficulties for the State budget. POLICY OPTION II assumes that there will be a shift of some road traffic onto rail following the launch of an adequate fee and toll policy, decreasing the burden placed on car transportation. Finally, POLICY OPTION III delineates the perspective of a sustainable and durable transport development thanks to appropriate allocations of funds, and, in consequence, an improved competitiveness of national traffic and the completion of the construction of motorway infrastructure. The choice of policy option may have dramatic implications as to Poland's ability to manage its development opportunities ahead.

The European Union Transport Policy and their Consequences for the Infrastructure Development in Poland in 2014-2020. Part 1

The paper discusses the origins and future determinants of regional development, as conditioned by the present state of transport infrastructure considered as a key endogenic factor of the development of economic regions. Increased Cohesion Policy spending, at the level of EUR 82.3 billion, in the newly opened EU multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 aims at reducing development disparities between various EU regions and, thus, enhancing the cohesion of the EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA. The paper outlines the evolution of the objectives of the COMMON TRANSPORT POLICY over the last 20 years, which have a significant impact on the level of spatial cohesion and contribute to better competitiveness, reliability of transport services, their safety and environmental friendliness.

Ecological Urban Logistics in the Historical Centers of Cities

European cities endeavor to meet the challenges of the European Union transport policy related to urban logistics through working out and implementing different concepts of more city friendly freight distribution. It is especially significant as far as enormous cultural heritage of some European cities is concerned. The protection of unique and invaluable historical city centers against the negative impacts of car traffic is necessary. The implementation of those activities is supported by various European funds. The CIVITAS Initiative is one of them. In the framework of this initiative, several European cities have implemented projects related to the urban logistics. The first part of the article presented Krakow experiences in the process of preparation and implementation of the support conception to urban logistics in the historical center of the city. In the second part of the article a description of few European experiences relating to the implementation of projects contributing to the protection of historical areas and positive impact on their inhabitants is presented.

European Corridors as Carriers of Dynamic Agglomeration Externalities?

Transport corridors are viewed as a promising way forward in European Union (EU) transport policy, assumed to contribute positively to regional economic development. However, the validity of this assumption is not evident. The aim of this paper is to empirically test whether agglomeration economies in European transport corridor regions are positively related to indicators of regional economic development compared to regions outside the scope of corridors. The results build on the notion that the type of agglomeration economy in combination with the structure of the economy matters for prospects of structural economic growth in different regions. In this way, the analysis not only contributes to enhancing the empirical scrutiny of the corridor concept in EU transport policy, but also provides new insights into how corridors contribute to regional economic growth. We find only limited evidence for a corridor effect across European regions on productivity and employment growth externalities. Instead, we find a large degree of spatial heterogeneity interacting with corridors—a heterogeneity that has been little recognized in EU policies. We suggest that recent attention to place-based development strategies may accord well with the kinds of agglomeration effects related to corridor development observed in this study.

The Effect of Shared Planning by Road Transport Firms and Shipping Companies on Performance in the Intermodal Transport Chain: the Case of Ro-Ro Short Sea Shipping

In recent years short sea shipping, and specifically the so-called motorways of the sea, have increasingly become the focus of attention in the area of European Union transport policy. As an intermodal alternative to door-to-door unimodal road transport, the success of short sea shipping is dependent on properly functioning interaction among agents in the chain, particularly shipping companies and road transport firms. Taking the road transport firm perspective, this study aims to evaluate the extent to which shared planning between agents explains the firm’s performance in the context of the intermodal relationship, and explores the key antecedents for shared planning in this context. The research hypotheses were tested on a sample of 106 relationships between shipping companies and road transport firms. Our study contributes to the literature on intermodality and short sea shipping by providing evidence on how shared planning positively benefits the road transport firm performance. The results also demonstrate that two factors––namely, trust in the shipping company and the road transport firm’s involvement through adaptations to the partner––largely determine shared planning.

EU involvement in TEN development: network effects and European value added

The recent White Paper emphasises once more that the Trans-European transport network (TEN) is a key element in European Union (EU) policy, yet that its realisation is jeopardised by the lack of an integrated approach during evaluation and funding of cross-border infrastructure. Despite the intervention of the EU in conceptualising the TEN, subsidiarity and continued use of conventional evaluation procedures mean that most assessment of individual TEN components is still undertaken in relatively narrow, national terms. The primary objective of this paper is to explore how the international character of the TEN may be recognised and incorporated in still predominantly national evaluation processes, and which evaluation horizons may be broadened based on the concepts of network effects and European value added (EVA). We present some examples of EVA and discuss EU involvement in projects with potentially high EVA, either by co-ordinating bilateral negotiations for compensation between Member States or by co-financing projects that support the achievement of strategic EU transport policy objectives.

FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN EUROPE: Policy Issues and Future Scenarios on Trans-Border Alpine Connections

This paper presents an overview of European policy on the interconnected cross-border transport networks as well as severe problems in estimating empirically the avalanche of goods movements in the European Union (EU). In particular, it deals with the Transalpine freight transport case, which represents one of the most challenging operational and policy issues of the present and future – both international (EU) and national (the Alpine countries) – freight transport development. The paper is organised to briefly describe the main objectives of EU transport policy, to generally introduce the concept of intermodal transport with particular emphasis on intermodal freight transport and to describe past, present and future development of Trans-Alpine intermodal transport. The scenarios of future development of Trans-Alpine intermodal transport have been particularly analysed.