INTEGRATED STRATEGIC TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS IN EUROPE

Objective

The objectives of COST 328 are to contribute to a strategic definition of the integration of the trans-European networks and to stimulate thought on the development of methodologies for the assessment of performance of transport networks and of strategies for their development and/or integration.
The research is to produce a practical socio-economic methodology for assessing the integration of the trans-European networks in order to draw operational lessons for the implementation by decision makers of the Integrated Strategic Infrastructure Networks in Europe (I SINE) .

The project therefore comprises two partially overlapping and inseparable phases.
Phase 1 : The design of the evaluation methodology
The first stage will be to identify a set of performance indicators that take account of productivity, spatial cohesion, harmonisation, externalities and yield management. A second stage will be to link these indicators with critical factors of success or failure such as financing problems, institutional matters and the extent of technological compatibility. Particular emphasis will be placed on network operators, who drive demand, and on their capacity to generate added value. This phase will last 12 months.
Phase 2 : The validation of the evaluation methodology
To test the methodology and ensure its applicability, it is necessary to apply it to various case studies. Those case-studies must check the feasibility of this method in the context of the most complete network configuration possible and must involve the maximum number of countries taking part in the project.

For those reasons, at least the two following case studies will be carried out :
North-South rail-road interconnectivity in the case of trans-alpine freight transport ;
the diversification and integration strategies of transport companies.

Current status
The existing four working groups have developed their work on the following lines :
WG 1 : Access of the peripheral regions to the transport network.
The report would build on the Nordic case study and drafts on the following case studies : Irish, Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, a paper on transport periphery and central regions would provide valuable contextual information.
WG 2 : Transalpine Freight Transport (TAFT).
First surveys already highlighted evidence of behavioural changes among operators. Supply-side analysis is still in progress.
WG 3 : Competition and Complementarity in Road, Rail and Waterways.
Empirical research is needed and conducted within POSSUM project financed by DG VII. A questionnaire survey to rail, companies, carriers and shippers has been conducted, and first results including an outline of the assessment methodology has been presented.
A sensitivity analysis of the costs of freight transport, especially on environment is planned.
WG 4 : Actor's strategies.
A questionnaire addressed to actors and agencies in participating countries was sent at the end of November, as a part of the survey to establish their roles, and to analyse their changes in responses to investments. Results are planned for February 1997.
Contract with Università degli Studi di Bologna (Italy) for the management of the Short-Term Scientific Missions related to COST 328.
Work planned
Working groups expect to finish their reports by January/February 1997, in order to develop the final report in September as was agreed at the beginning of the Action. A first draft will be compiled before May.
The Action will conclude with a seminar to be held in Autumn 1997, and the evaluation will begin by the end of the year.

Programme(s)

IC-COST - European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST), 1971-

Topic(s)

11 - Transport

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Data not available

Coordinator

CEC

EU contribution

No data

Address

Rue de la Loi 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium

Total cost