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Doc. 8024
13 February 1998
Transport technology and European integration
Motion for a resolution
presented by Mrs Karlsson and others
This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it |
1. The transport sector is of particular importance for European co-operation and integration. A European network of roads, railways and waterways will in addition to air-routes, telecommunications systems, and energy distribution networks ensure the transport of goods, services, people and information from one part of Europe to another and between Europe and other continents. This will stimulate growth throughout Europe and will create new jobs. A good coverage and penetration into all regions of the transport and communications systems will largely benefit local and regional development and will in particular favour the development of small and medium-size enterprises in a decentralised Europe.
2. The European Union has fully recognised this and is actively promoting several transeuropean networks following the inclusion of support for transeuropean networks adopted as a priority in the Maastricht Treaty. 26 transeuropean transport networks have been identified for an indicative total cost of 82 thousand million ecus and an additional 13 thousand million ecus should be invested in energy distribution networks. Some of these projects are well under way.
3. The European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT)1 reported an increase of 8.5% in freight transport for central and eastern Europe in 1995 benefiting mainly the road sector (+13.5%) and the inland waterways (+13%) while in the rail sector, the increase amounted to 5.9%. Western Europe has a relative weak growth of 3.2% reflecting economic stagnation.
4. The transport sector itself is also an important economic sector in all European countries. European companies are well represented in the global transport market, both for the delivery of transport equipment and vehicles and with regard to transport services. Shipping, shipbuilding and the organisation of ports are traditional strong sectors of European technology. And so are railways and train technology, not least high-speed trains. European air transport technology has been continuously developing and has in several sectors reached a leading role on the world market. The building of canals for the development of inland waterways and a modernisation of this transport sector is another challenge for Europe. The development of European urban transport systems has a long tradition and a prominent world position. The increasing use of information and communication technology has in some cases considerably increased traffic fluidity and decreased pollution. Technological developments are fundamental for keeping European companies competitive in the transport market and for the development of future transport networks and systems.
5. The increasing awareness of environmental constraints on transport systems called for new technological development. Transport's role in relation to climatic change and public health are important factors for transport technology assessment. In fact, road vehicles, trains, ships and aircrafts account for more than 30% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in OECD member countries. Combined transports using intermodal systems for freight traffic (road-rail, or road-rail-waterway) are particularly important for easing road congestion and reducing vehicle emissions. The cost of road congestion in the European Union alone amounts to 120 billion ecus per annum.
6. Transport (physical mobility) and the use of new communications technologies (virtual mobility) have already resulted in new transport-communication patterns. The use of fax has changed the paper transport needs, the use of teleconferencing technology and teleworking will change personal transport needs. Earth observation technologies combined with the use of information and communication technology will also contribute to better transport monitoring (selection of best roads, increasing efficiency of port loading operations, etc).
7. In light of the above, the Assembly calls on member governments, the European Union and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport:
i. to conduct technology assessments with a view to formulate new integrated European transport policies for the 21st century, integrating physical and virtual mobility as well as modular transport systems;
ii. to give particular attention to environmental impact and safety in transport technology choices and to promote “clean” transport technologies;
iii. to study scientific and technological options for improved or new transport infrastructures and for optimal use of transport systems;
iv. to reassess European port and waterway infrastructures in the light of available and future transport and communication technologies;
v. to promote the development of sustainable port – waterway – rail – road systems;
vi. to stimulate research and technological development for the benefit of a modern strong and competitive European transport industry;
vii. to work for a strengthening of transeuropean transport and communication networks.
Signed : 1
Karlsson, Austria, SOC
Beaufays, Belgium, EPP/CD
Birraux, France, EPP/CD
Fernandez Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD
Guirado, Spain, SOC
Lekberg, Sweden, SOC
Lenzer, Germany, EPP/CD
Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD
Theis, Luxembourg,EPP/CD
Turini, Italy, EDG
Valkeniers, Belgium, LDR
Wittbrodt, Poland, EPP/CD
1 1. The European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) is an intergovernmental organisation for Transport Ministers in European countries. There are 36 full Member countries: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.), Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. There are 5 associate member countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States and 4 Observer countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Morocco.