Development of road transport – a threat or an opportunity for Europe – part 3

Improving the utilization of transport potential. The existing transport potential is not being used effectively. The third goal of future directions for road transport development is therefore better utilization of existing resources. In this case, modern horizontal instruments, which determine the shape of many specific effects, have the greatest application, both in relation to the vehicle, infrastructure, traffic management, or user behavior. These primarily include intelligent transport systems and electronic road tolls, which will function efficiently using the GALILEO satellite navigation system. In the case of the vehicle, it is worth pointing out the possibility of tracking and collecting fees in a way that is as simplified as possible from the user’s point of view. Innovations can be more fundamental in nature and relate to the sphere of production and use of means of transport, e.g., through the use of different types of materials and raw materials. In the case of infrastructure, the introduction of an optimal road infrastructure management system with an appropriate division of competencies at various levels is expected. Furthermore, in the sphere of road construction, the modularity of road structures will enable easier and cheaper pavement replacement. Additionally, the implementation of innovative techniques in the construction of facilities, including tunnels and bridges, should be expected. The main goal of an intelligent transport system is traffic information and traffic management (traffic optimization, e.g., traffic light settings in cities, variable speed limits, information on motorways regarding optimal speed). Additionally, the use of the GALILEO satellite navigation system will enable trip planning, improve emergency services, fleet management in a transport company (as well as cargo), and also the organization of public transport (fleet management and improvement of communication with passengers). Examples of implementing vehicle management tools (e.g., courier shipments, taxi companies) can already be found today.

User behavior will be determined by new traffic management and information systems. For example, detailed and reliable trip planning will be possible. Furthermore, transport users’ habits and social norms will change towards pro-ecological behavior. Consequently, the vehicle occupancy rate will increase, both in terms of cargo and passenger transport. Regulations will be a supporting instrument, e.g., a ban on entering certain infrastructure sections with fewer than a specified number of passengers in a car (instruments used on a pilot basis on some motorway sections in the USA). An increase in public transport ridership is also to be expected, which will also be caused by the higher quality of services offered in cities and intercity transport. Attention should be paid to three interrelated instruments that affect all levels of the goal and subject scope. An intelligent transport system using the GALILEO navigation system will be able to meet the challenges posed by the concepts of fair and efficient charging of infrastructure users for its costs, in an amount as close as possible to the level of marginal costs. The technical possibilities of vehicle tracking and toll collection, and their real implementation possibilities in connection with the development of the mentioned tools, cast the achievement of the goals set for road transport in an optimistic light.

Among the mentioned elements, attention should be paid to the comprehensive impact of the solutions listed in the tables, which are significant for all studied directions and goals of transport development. These “horizontal” instruments consist of: an intelligent transport system, the GALILEO system, and electronic road tolls. Of course, these solutions are interconnected, e.g., the introduction of electronic road tolls in European Union projects assumes the future use of the GALILEO system. The advantage of road transport and the already applied and planned instruments over other branches of transport is clearly emerging, indicating the high innovativeness of the implemented solutions. Also noteworthy is the fact that these projects are consistent not only with the needs of the market and the automotive sector but also with the goals of sustainable transport development.