In the perspective of the same transport policies for the future, it is expected that all transport activities will continue to grow in parallel with the economic activity. Passenger traffic is expected to increase slightly compared to freight transport (34% by 2030 and 51% by 2050).
In the absence of significant strategy changes, the different transport modes would continue to be represented in the same proportion. Road transport would maintain its dominant role for both passengers and freight inside the EU, and cars would continue to represent more than two thirds of the total passenger transport in 2050.
The current situation of accessibility in the EU suggests that there is a strong difference between central and suburban areas regarding connectivity and transport costs. Suburban areas have higher average transport costs explained not only through longer journeys, but also through more expensive and less effective available transport solutions.
Dynamic, accessible, liveable and attractive urban regions will never be exempted of congestion. Transport strategies should try to deal with congestion management based on cost effectiveness in order to reduce the negative impact that traffic congestion has on passengers and urban citizens.
The best of solutions for sustainable urban and metropolitan transport is the development of light rail transport systems. Light rail is considered the ideal mode for carrying between 3,000 and 11,000 passengers per hour per direction, based on the data provided by the International Public Transport Association (UITP). Only metros and heavy rail have a higher transport capacity.
Thanks to their high performance, light rail vehicles accelerate quickly and can attain good service speeds.
Together with good design features such as a segregated right-of-way and priority at crossings and traffic lights, which make light rail congestion-free, these will result in a good average commercial speed (between 20 and 30 km/h) and thus short journey times.
In European countries where tramways had survived the massive closures of the 50’s and 60’s, for example in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, many remaining systems have been modernized and upgraded and may now be called “light rail systems”.
In many other countries, where tramways had disappeared from the streets, completely new systems have been deve-loped since the mid 70’s. This was the case in North America, in the Asia-Pacific area and in a few European countries such as the United Kingdom and France.
As a result, light rail systems can now be found on all continents. There are now over 400 light rail transit and tramway systems, in 50 countries. In addition, over 100 light rail systems are being planned worldwide.
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