Mobility and transport Introduction to the Strategy game Transalpin Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention
Content The Alps an abstract idea? Our common activities The Alpine Convention Implementation and observation of trends Report on the state of the Alps Transport and Mobility: some aspects Transport regulations
Our common activities 1. Introduction: The Alpine Convention, the transport protocol and the report on the state of the Alps 2. Simulation of the transport development in the Alps, consequences and transport regulation measures 3. Conclusions and proposals for sustainable transport management in the Alps with the objective to optimize living quality
What are the Alps? A geographic area? A geologic area? A nature area? Which states cover a part of the Alps? Which languages exist in the Alps, which cultures? Which specifics do we find in the Alps? How does economy develop in the Alps? What are common features of the Alps?
The Convention International treaty for the protection of the Alps Signed in November 1991 by 8 Alpine States: Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and the European Community Changing presidency every two years: current presidency: Slovenia (2009-2011) The permanent Committee and the relevant ministries and administrations are first of all responsible for the implementation of the Convention Working groups and Platforms support the implementation as for example the working group transport
Energy The themes Soil conservation Mountain Farming Population and Culture Air Water Waste Spatial Planning Frame Convention Mountain Forestry Integrative policy and trans-sector approach for sustainable developement of the Alpine area Tourism Transport Nature conservation and the countryside
Ratification of the protocols? A Ch D F FL I MC SLO EU? Spatial planning? Soil conservation Energy? Nature conservation and the countryside Mountain farming? Mountain forestry?? transport?? Tourism??
Alpine Observation
The first report on the State of the Alps, 2007 : Transport and Mobility in the Alps Information on developement in the Alps for a large public Base for strategy developement Data collection of all Alpine States Authors: group of national experts nominated by the parties of the Alpine Convention Adopted at the IX th Alpine Conference in Alpbach 2006 - Publication in all four languages of the Alps on http://www.alpconv.org
The transport network in the Alps The construction of infrastructure is not the only solution for transport problems in the Alps. It is necessary to manage short term peaks of traffic in agglomorations. Similar to improvment of infrastructure the optimization of interoperability of transport management systems contribute to more cost effective and more efficient transport systems.
Some consequences of traffic in the Alps Economy: The transport system can play a crucial role for the developement of remote areas. Population structure: Reachability is an import asset for the vitality of mountain areas. But a good reachability alone is not yet a gurantee for a balanced population structure. Demographic change creates new needs and technolgical progress new opportunities. Air quality: The threshold values of the EU for the protection of human health and vegetation which should be reached 2010 are exceeded in large areas of the Alps. To improve air quality (threshold values of EU for NO2 and PM10) effictive measures for urban, regional and transalpine traffic have to be taken Noise: As we have to expect an increase of transport on streets, rail and in the air - also noise will increase. All bigger transport corridors especially the ones which traverse fonds of valleys are to be considered as hot spot areas for noise
The Alps: a sensitive Special situation: Air pollution Flat areas: good distribution region Alpine valley: Concentration is 3 x higher
The Alps: a sensitive Special situation for noise distribution: region - Reflection at the slopes of a valley (1) - Felction at the edge of slopes (2)
Developement of transport of goods through the Alps
Economy in the Alpine Space Centres in the Alps Unemployment rate GDP =>Accessibility of inhabitants of central places (in the time of one hour)
Accessibility guarantee for economic success of mountain regions? Good accessibility as for example access to national transport routes is alone not yet a guarantee for economic successs of mountain regions The increase of transport infrastructure between weaker regions and centres is not sufficent to enhance the potentials of economically weaker regions. In some cases better accessibility between growing regions and weaker regions can even enhance polarization and interdependence between centres and peripheric regions
Tourism and leisure transports driver for transport developement Changing trends for tourism and leisure: Increase of overnights and arrivals (trend to shorter stays but more frequent) Increase of needs for leisure and holidays: increase of individual transport (increasing trend) In Germany and Switzerland 40% of all transports and 45% of all kilometers are for leisure activities Peak frequences in transport of persons at weekends (see figures: Brennerpass 2003; average daily transports)
Tourism regions and accessibility For tourism regions which profit of low noise effects and air pollution, remoteness can be a successfactor.
Measures for transport regulations Change of Modal Split In general it would be of advantage to improve the coordination of the different transport modes The optimization of the rail is a priority Upgrading of rail and tunnels: important to involve all levels Juridical and policy measures Transport protocol of the Alpine Convention Article for the protection of the Alps in the Swiss constitution Ban on night - time driving Ban on specific goods Alpine Crossing exchange
Further measures for transport regulations Financial measures To integrate external costs in tolls To harmonize the level of tolls in the whole alpine area Awareness raising measures Sensibilization Advertising for public transports Reports on the state of the Alps Alpine Observation (indicators, scientific studies etc.)
Content of the Article for the protection of the Alps in the Swiss Constitution (Alpine Initiative) Protection of the Alpine Area against the negative impact of transit. Reduction of the impact of transports to a level which does not harm humans, animals, plants and habitats. Shift of the transport of goods through Switzerland (transit) in ten years to the rails. No increase of transit capacities on the roads in the Alpine area. Exemption: Bypasses of communities
A human right on free transport of goods through the Alps does not exist
Frame conditions of the Alpine Initiative, Switzerland Reduction to 650 000 transports through Switzerland per year Implement until 2012 Alpine crossing exchange is a must Financing of the preconditions for the NEAT (New Alpine transversal north-south through Switzerland) Infrastructure for rail, logistics etc.
Transport shift on five legs Push... Tolls (LSVA) Increased controls for trucks and pull Libarlization of the railway (reform) Rail transit (NEAT) Subventions for the rail
A common transport policy for the Alps?! Coherent intermodal policy to reduce the transport of goods on the road Increase security in the Alpine transit Increase quality and quantity of public transport for persons through the Alps Sustainable tourism with focus on tourism mobility Integrate the reduction of transport as strategic goal in spatial planning for the whole alpine area A common transport policy for the Alps is an asset for sustainable developement in the Alps
The trategy game Transalpin Principle of the game: the Alpine Regions have to manage traffic-growth (based on forecasts) in the Alps with the help of different transport regulations, all actions influence the state of economy, tourism, transport and nature, a win win situation is possible and directs to aspects of a possible alpine transport policy The school classes discuss following the game on the results and how sustainable traffic managament in the Alps could look like and summarize this disucssion on a poster
Thanks and good luck! www.alpconv.org