Cross-modal approach to European transport system development

Abstract

A high quality transport infrastructure and its efficient operation is fundamental for the connectivity of people and goods across Europe and basis for economic growth, competitiveness and territorial cohesion. Technological progress, increasing mobility needs and changing transportation demands are the main factors that require holistic and cross-modal approach for further development of efficient European transport system. Paper presents interim results of 2 international research projects FOX and USE-iT. Cluster of projects is oriented to find commonalities and complementarities between the transport modes and develop a highly efficient and effective cross-modal R&D environment, where involvement of the four transport modes helps to determine the state-of- the-art in research and practice and identify the most promising practices and solutions. Best practices and emerging technologic solutions in the context of physical transport infrastructure (construction, maintenance, inspection, recycle and reuse) as well as operation of infrastructure and related technologies (safety and security, user information, energy and carbon) were reviewed and evaluated according their potential to be implemented cross-modally in the four domains (technology, infrastructure, governance, customer).