Vision and roadmap for electrified railways in Europe
EU strategies and targets foresee a railway system that satisfies people's mobility needs, reduces impact on the environment and resources, and is economically feasible. The EU-funded LIVINGRAIL (Living in a sustainable world focused on electrified rail) project examined the potential of railways to contribute to a higher quality of life in Europe overall by the middle of the century. Project partners elaborated scenarios on the future role electrified railways can play in mobility trends and the evolving demographic and economic structures, environmental challenges, energy issues, social and cultural values, living spaces and technological progress. They also developed and assessed various strategic measures. Using the scenarios and measures as a basis, a roadmap was drawn up to support the vision for the future of the rail sector in 2050 and achieve the target of shifting 50 % of transport to environmentally friendly railways as outlined in a 2011 EC Whitepaper. The foresight document comprises 62 practical measures mainly focusing on spatial development and the railway sector. Measures include larger activities and strategies and more detailed interventions that are broken down into 10 themes, regions, relevant sectors and stakeholders. Methods are also given for policymakers and the railway industry to implement the measures in the short, medium and long-term. LIVINGRAIL set out the potential for electrified rail to contribute towards a higher quality of life in a sustainable Europe. It articulated a vision for how a modern European railway system should look in 2050 that meets the mobility needs of travellers, reduces environmental impact and is cost-effective.
Keywords
Electrified railways, rail transport, LIVINGRAIL, spatial development