Create European routes for alternative and efficient transportation

Panel: Panel 3: Mobility and Transport

Author:
Hans Nilsson, IEA

Abstract

The character and the growth of the transportation is an issue of major importance that has fostered many analysis on consequences, alternatives, policies and some proposals for action towards "sustainable transport systems" (more energy efficient and using renewable or low carbon fuels). There have also been some attempts to experiment in larger scale and find out more in detail how market and actors react to changes. In the EU there have been several projects to investigate opportunities for alternative transport in cities.

These experiments clearly shows that fundamental, large scale, changes require more than just some simple adjustments in financial incentives to come about. It is not only an issue of supplying alternative vehicles and fuels but also many other things to keep a fleet running and above all to make the alternatives attractive and desired by its users. The "infrastructure" to support a sustained shift to alternative fuels and vehicles is weak or non-existing, but establishment of one is necessary for success.

In Europe there is a magnificent platform to the process by extended use of the existing projects within the THERMIE framework that has already established real experience among people. These "islands" should be maintained, connected and reorganised into extended "networks". From that base there should be declared and developed an Alternative Europe-route system, E-ALT , as a pendant to the already existing Euro-roads.