The importance of the development of intermodal transport for the proper functioning of the transport network

Following the enlargement of the European Union, there has been a significant increase in the trade of goods between the countries of the “old 15” and the new members. Since four transport corridors run through our country, we have observed a significant increase in freight transport in recent years. Unfortunately, this is not without impact on our environment. For example, in 2004, there were 4,500 road accidents involving heavy goods vehicles on our roads, in which 470 people died and 1,700 were injured. Despite starting the article this way, we do not want to write about the causes of this state of affairs, nor do we intend to comment on road transport, leaving these issues to our colleagues in the transport sector who deal with this field. An example of the increase in transport can be the movement of freight vehicles at eastern border crossings. Linear and point infrastructure, as well as regulations guaranteeing its optimal and safe use, should be adapted to the increase in freight transport.

The efficiency of the country’s transport infrastructure and general operating costs, as well as the needs of the economy, should determine the place of individual branches of transport in the transport system of a given country or region. It should also be remembered that this sector of the economy should be environmentally friendly. It is advisable that optimal solutions take into account the rational needs of the economy and society while taking into account ecological requirements. This is because achieving high economic results regardless of ecology, as well as the complete inviolability of the natural environment without regard for economic realities, are not good solutions. The state of the natural environment is deteriorating year by year, hence our actions should aim at promoting transport solutions that bring the least negative effects. Presenting the goals of the European Union’s transport policy in a very general way, we can say that it strives to curb the decline in the role of ecological forms of transport, such as rail or water transport, and also supports actions aimed at the sustainable development of individual transport branches. The EU transport policy in this form was created as a result of the negative experiences of Western European countries, consisting of an imbalance in transport.