Studies on Sustainable Policies of European Intermodal Transport System

Transport is animportant sector of government regulation. Every country has its own transport policy, but European countries are evolving a common transport policy, which has a long history. The establishment of a consistent common policy in the EU's transport sector is still underway. The key motivations of this policy are 1) to establish and implement a common transport policy, 2) to clarify the concept of sustainability in the transport sector, and 3) to integrate transport services into a common infrastructure. One of the policy's objectives is the progressive movement towards sustainable development in the transport section. The EU'stransport policy has recognised that intermodality is a very important competitive tool. The EU's policy thrustin intermodal transport can be catergorised into infrastructure, technology, and standards and rules. However, obstacles to success can be detected. Cases like that of TEN-T and Marco Polo illustrate European intermodal policies in practice. As regards sustainability in the transport sector, intermodality can be an alternative solution to the increasing imbalance between transport modes and congestion arising from increased road use. Sustainability has been emphasised by the EU, which aims to establish intermodality in its future alternative transport systems while fostering sustainable development in the transport sector. Therefore, intermodality can be defined as a general trend in the current transport market, drawing interest from public institutions and transport-related market players. The EU has thus made an effort to facilitate intermodality in its territory, materialised through various policy options. Therefore, looking into the EU's intermodal transport policies is worthwhile, as doing so can provide useful lessons for all concerned parties.