Rail-sea freight transport as a significant element of a sustainable modal transport system in Poland – part 1
A properly functioning transport system guarantees the correct development of individual economic sectors while ensuring the free flow of goods and services. Such directions of change will create a huge opportunity for the development of macro-regions, regions, and cities, both within the European Union and in the countries of Eastern Europe.
A properly functioning transport system guarantees the correct development of individual economic sectors while ensuring the free flow of goods and services. Such directions of change will create a huge opportunity for the development of macro-regions, regions, and cities, both within the European Union and in the countries of Eastern Europe.
Some of these countries, due to their geographical location (lying at the intersection of communication routes), will play a key role in trade between Europe and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Asia. Poland has a great chance to become such a country; transport corridors already run through our country from east to west and from south to north. It is forecasted that in the coming years there will be an increase in trade between Poland and EU countries, mainly Germany. Thanks to its location, Poland will be able to develop its position as a “logistics and distribution center” of Eastern Europe and Asia for land freight transport.
Linear and point infrastructure, as well as regulations guaranteeing its optimal use in individual transport branches, should be adapted to the growth of freight transport. This is so that transport is as “friendly” as possible to the natural environment, and thus to us as well.
The importance of the proper development of the transport system for society and the country’s economy
Bearing in mind that the transport system is a comprehensive service for the transport needs of the economy and society, enabling support for economic development and facilitating trade, while ensuring the safe movement of people, many factors must be taken into account when shaping it. Its reliability, general operating costs (now and in the future), and impact on the surroundings, including the natural environment, are just some examples of these factors. The place of individual branches in the country’s transport system is determined on the one hand by the scale of the economy’s and society’s needs and the capacity of the infrastructure of each type of transport, and on the other hand by the conscious shaping of infrastructural potentials reflected in the modal structure of transport. Consequently, it will depend on the decisions of society in a given region or country, or even continent, which direction of development in this sector of the economy will be chosen. The primary goal of the EU’s transport policy is to curb the decline in the role of rail in meeting transport needs and to support eco-friendly transport systems, such as intermodal transport as well as inland and maritime shipping.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 5/2005.