A study on Transport issues was initiated by Euro-CASE in late 1993, as a follow-up of a Conference in Zürich organised by the Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS).on « Sustainable Engineering: The Challenge of Developing Transportation for So ciety ». The European Commission (DG XII) subsequently became interested in the work and provided invaluable support, not only financially but also by guiding us to areas of particular interest. The result is this study on Mobility, Transport and Traffic which is written within the perspective of growth, Competitiveness and Employment in Europe.
The study focuses on the dynamic processes underlying the growth in transport deman d and the long term implications for managing this growth. It compares the development in Europe with the development in North America and South East Asia. The study mostly deals with road and rail transport. It does touch sea, inland waterway and air transport, but only marginally. As the main focus is o n transport demand, the very important adverse effects of transport, such as environmental and safety considerations, are only treated in as much as they influence such demand and its management. The stud y reveals many areas where future research is needed. These are itemised in the report.
This study represents a huge amount of work undertaken by many of the leading Europ ean authorities on the subject from many countries. We are grateful to all of them, as well as to the European Commission and the constituent Academies of Euro-CASE throughout Europe for theirs dedication and unstinting support over the two past years.
This is a valuable document as it represents a truly European perspective based on scientific and engineering thought. It must not be allowed to gather dust on office shelves. It must b e used. It is essential that the Academies represented in Euro-CASE bring it to the attention of their respective governments so that significant action may be taken within Europe to address the transport issues that are facing us now.
As transportation is vital to European development, Euro-CASE stands ready, given c ontinued support from the European Commission and the Euro-CASE Academies, to continue work in the are a of transport.
Ivar Schacke Basil Butler OBE FEng
Chairman of the Euro-CASE Chairman of Euro-CASE
Transportation Steering Group
Paris, 03.06.1996