EC Seeks to Make Urban Travel Better Organized, 'Greener'
October 5, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The European Commission (EC) announced on Sept. 30 that it adopted a comprehensive "Action Plan on Urban Mobility," which proposes 20 measures to help local, regional and national authorities achieve their goals for sustainable urban mobility.
Urban congestion, road accidents, air pollution and energy consumption all have a negative impact on the European Union (EU) economy and the welfare of European citizens.
More than 70% of the EU population lives in urban areas, while about 85% of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP) is generated in cities.
Some 40% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 70% of emissions of other air pollutants from road transport are due to urban traffic. In addition, one in every three fatal road traffic accidents happens in urban areas.
Tackling these challenges will address citizens' concerns. Nine out of ten EU citizens believe that the traffic situation in their area should be improved. The EC also feels it is essential for the success of the EU's overall strategies both to combat climate change and to promote economic growth and sustainable development.
Antonio Tajani, EC vice president responsible for transport, said, "I am happy to present this comprehensive package of measures in the field of urban mobility today. Never before has the Commission proposed a set of concrete actions to make urban travel easier, greener and better organised. The proposed measures will encourage and help cities to address the challenges they are facing. They will be better informed and better equipped."
The action plan is a follow-up to the green paper on urban mobility that was adopted on Sept. 25, 2007. The debate that followed the adoption of that green paper confirmed the added value of action at the EU level in the area of urban mobility, while at the same time respecting national, regional and local competences.
Actions
The action plan includes a mix of proposals. For example, to improve passenger rights in urban public transport, the EC will work with the sector on a set of voluntary commitments. It will continue to support research and demonstration projects, for example, on lower and zero-emission vehicles. In addition, practical links will be established between urban mobility, and existing EU policies for health, cohesion and disability.
Other actions include an initiative to improve travel information and the continuation of the EC's support for public awareness campaigns, such as the European Mobility Week.
To accelerate the take-up of sustainable urban mobility plans by local authorities, the EC will prepare information material and launch training and promotional activities. It will also produce guidance documents on important aspects of these plans, such as urban freight distribution and intelligent transport systems for urban mobility.
In addition, the EC will improve the availability of harmonized statistics, facilitate the exchange of information, including with Europe's neighbors, and set up a database with information on best practices for urban mobility.
Finally, the EC will work to optimize existing EU funding sources and look at future funding needs.
The actions will be launched over the next four years. The EC will review progress in the year 2012 and assess the need for further action.
Further Information
More information on the Action Plan on Urban Mobility can be found on the EC's web page on Urban Mobility.
Source: European Commission (EC).