Model approach vs. reality – the phenomenon of decoupling in Poland

Abstract: By the end of the last century, the pursuit of sustainable socio-economic development was recognized as a priority of economic policy both globally and regionally. Achieving consistency between the development directions of the European transport system and the principles of sustainable development is also a leading goal of the Common Transport Policy implemented by the European Union. In this context, the concept of decoupling appears, i.e., breaking the dependence between the development of the economy and transport. It has been recognized that there is a contradiction between the coupling of transport and the economy and the process of balancing transport development, but the extent to which these phenomena are mutually exclusive is a subject of discussion among specialists.Decoupling is a relatively new concept, which is why various definitions are discussed in the literature, and initial attempts at its quantification are being made. The purpose of the research described in the article is to include the experiences related to the dynamic development of transport in Poland during the period of systemic transformation in the discussion on the essence and methods of implementing the concept of sustainable transport development, including the idea of decoupling.
The analyzed P. Tapio model does not work in relation to countries such as Poland in the 1990-2007 period. Comparing indicators based on the study of GDP growth rates and the volume of transport work allows for diagnosing the situation as favorable to coupling or decoupling, but it does not speak to its value from the point of view of the market and society.
A qualitative assessment of a given economic sector depends not only on costs but also on the benefits that this sector generates. Comparing both categories in the form of a transport sustainability indicator (TSI) and then contrasting it with the pace of economic development would illustrate the state of transport sustainability in a given area. Therefore, the goal of transport policy should not be decoupling, but increasing the efficiency of transport functioning, expressed as the quotient of effects (benefits) to inputs (costs).
In summary, the development goal should be to reduce the transport intensity of the economy while maintaining a non-decreasing share of this sector in GDP creation.
1. ON DECOUPLING
There is a consensus in the literature on the fact that there is a dependence between economic growth and the development of transport sensu largo. (…)

Model approach vs. reality – the phenomenon of decoupling in Poland – PDF file for download