Transport Research Knowledge Centre

www.transport-research.info

Connecting Transport Research with EU Policy

Thematic publications

Transport research projects have an important role in supporting the policy development.

Project research results are analysed along 30 transport themes. The policy implications of the projects are analysed and compiled into Thematic Research Summaries. These reports are regularly updated as more information from completed research projects from both European and National research programmes becomes available.

The research summaries are comprised of:

  • associated policy issues;
  • a synthesis of findings from completed projects;
  • a list of references to policy documents; and
  • a list of projects contributing to each theme.

Please click here to see older issues of the thematic publications.

 
 
Land Use Planning - Thematic Research Summary (2010)
Land Use Planning - Thematic Research Summary (2010)

The land use planning tool focuses on the land use patterns which generate the demand for transport. The overall emphasis is usually on shaping the pattern of development and influencing the location, scale, density, design and mix of land uses in order to reduce the need to travel and reduce the length of journeys.

3970 Kb PDF
36 Pages 28-01-2010
 
 
 
 
 
Decision Support Tools - Thematic Research Summary (2010)
Decision Support Tools - Thematic Research Summary (2010)

This document aims to provide the reader with a synthesis of available results from completed European EU-funded research projects related to Decision Support Tools for transport planning. Decision support tools are concerned with methodologies and information tools for transport policy making.

769 Kb PDF
74 Pages 28-01-2010
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger Transport - Transport Research Summary (2010)
Passenger Transport - Transport Research Summary (2010)

The Passenger transport theme refers to all forms of the public and private transport of people, by air, land or water, whether scheduled or unscheduled, urban, rural, coastal, local, long distance or cross-border and involving one or more modes.

922 Kb PDF
78 Pages 28-01-2010
 
 
 
 
 
Regional and Rural Transport
Regional and Rural Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2010)

Rural transport deals with transport in low-density and remote areas, with projects focusing on accessibility and management of local roads. Regional transport is more concerned with national and EU connectivity and cohesion. Several projects in this theme concentrate on medium-distance transport corridors in Europe.

2153 Kb PDF
36 Pages 20-01-2010
 
 
 
 
 
User Aspects - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
User Aspects - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

This theme covers User Aspects and the ways through which users interact with transport systems, infrastructure and services, for all modes. The theme's scope is technical and behaviourist, using these levers to enhance mobility and journey quality in the EU.

514 Kb PDF
59 Pages 21-12-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Urban Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
Urban Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

Urban Transport is concerned with passenger and freight transport internal to built-up areas, and those trips having at least one end in an urban area. Typically wholly urban trips are no longer than 15 km. The main elements of urban transport are motorised private traffic, public transport, non-motorised transport, service vehicle traffic, last-mile freight traffic.

725 Kb PDF
121 Pages 06-10-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Information and Awareness - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
Information and Awareness - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

Possible measures involve making improvements to the information available to transport users and operators, to make them more aware of the implications of their use and the operation of the transport system. Some measures are traditional fixed information systems; others draw on real time applications of information technology.

331 Kb PDF
50 Pages 30-09-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Transport Management - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
Transport Management - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

This paper covers the management of traffic and transport services for all modes, including changing the way in which existing transport systems are used and the strategic and tactical control of traffic. It is based on results of projects covering mobility & traffic management in urban areas, freight & logistics management, and traffic & network management for road, rail, waterways and airspace.

6362 Kb PDF
70 Pages 15-09-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Intelligent Transport Systems - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
Intelligent Transport Systems - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

The ITS theme
deals with several combinations of communication, computer and
control technology developed and applied in the domain of transport to improve
system performance, transport safety, efficiency, productivity, and level of
service, environmental impacts, energy consumption, and mobility.

2752 Kb PDF
81 Pages 29-07-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Rail Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
Rail Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

Railways deliver economic, social and, particularly, environmental benefits and are an important mode of transport. This document aims to provide the reader with a synthesis of available results from completed European research projects related to rail transport.

3383 Kb PDF
45 Pages 17-06-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Freight Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2009)
Freight Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2009)

This document aims to provide the reader with a synthesis of available results from completed European research projects related to freight transport. The first part includes a brief overview of the scope of the theme and summarises relevant policy developments at EU. The second part contains a synthesis of the main findings and policy implications and identifies the need for further research.

6662 Kb PDF
92 Pages 27-05-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Efficiency in Sustainable Mobility - Thematic Research Summary (2008)
Efficiency in Sustainable Mobility - Thematic Research Summary (2008)

This paper deals with the minimisation of the resource costs of a given transport system and the maximisation of its performance. Costs considered include those borne by the transport users and those by the transport operators. The relief of congestion and reliability is a significant element in the consideration of efficiency.

4901 Kb PDF
94 Pages 24-02-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Road Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2008)
Road Transport - Thematic Research Summary (2008)

Road transport dominates the European transport scene, serving all Europeans every day. While transport costs to industry have generally been reduced, the growth of this sector has produced a number of negative effects, namely regarding safety, the environment, inefficiency, and increasing social disparity.

4130 Kb PDF
84 Pages 28-01-2009
 
 
 
 
 
Safety and Security - Thematic Research Summary (2008)
Safety and Security in Mobility - Thematic Research Summary (2008)

‘Safety’ implies freedom from danger; ‘security’ is the undertaking to protect human beings, transport means and transport infrastructure against unauthorised and unexpected actions. In reality, a complete absence of risk is impossible – this paper aims at providing a synthesis of research results and policy implications from completed projects relevant to the theme.

3817 Kb PDF
66 Pages 18-12-2008
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental Aspects of Sustainable Mobility - Thematic Research Summary
Environmental Aspects of Sustainable Mobility - Thematic Research Summary (2008)

The impact of transport on the environment has become fundamental to the development of European transport policy. This thematic research summary provides the reader with a synthesis of the results of completed European projects relevant to the theme, such as assessments of social impacts, an analysis of mitigation measures, and the development of environmentally-friendly technologies.

2153 Kb PDF
48 Pages 17-10-2008
 
 
 
 
 
Economic Aspects of Sustainable Mobility - Thematic Research Summary
Economic Aspects of Sustainable Mobility - Thematic Research Summary (2008)

This thematic research summary deals with the economic aspects of sustainable mobility, a theme that investigates the ways in which economic efficiency and beneficial development impacts can be pursued. This paper provides the reader with a synthesis of the results of completed EU-funded projects relevant to this theme.

2426 Kb PDF
55 Pages 03-10-2008
 
 
 
 
 
Increasing the effectiveness of aeronautical research in Europe. © Big Foto
Air transport: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

Air traffic has grown at an average rate of 5% over the last 15 years. While this enables the aviation industry to remain as one of the strongest sectors of Europe’s economy, it creates capacity problems for air traffic management and passenger movement through airports. This paper provides a guide to the results of Research & Technical Development projects relating to Air Transport, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

987 Kb PDF
62 Pages 12-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
Developing low-cost components for FCV hybrids and ICE hybrids in Europe. © Free Foto
Vehicle technology: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

This theme covers transport vehicles in all modes and their associated technologies. The overarching objective of research in this area is to facilitate the development of vehicles and their subsystems while assuring the sustainable growth of transportation. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to vehicle technology, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

1058 Kb PDF
72 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
understanding of the impact of EU transportation policies (c) Gettyimages
EU Accession Issues: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

The importance of this theme is self-evident. EU accession has been a serious and topical issue for some time, and reports have regularly been released on the progress made by accession countries on the modernisation of their transport sectors. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to EU accession issues, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area. 

463 Kb PDF
34 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
integrating the Swiss transportation network into the TEN (c) GettyImages
Long-distance transport: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

Long-distance transport covers rail, road, sea and air shipping, and in light of increasing integration between European countries, long-distance transport from, to and within Europe is becoming increasingly important. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to long-distance transport, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

552 Kb PDF
27 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
rural transport - (c) FreeFoto.com
Rural transport: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

Rural transport is concerned with passenger and freight transport in low density areas that experience a high level of dependency on cars. Without effective implementation of transport and urban policy proposals, rural traffic levels could outstrip the growth in urban areas. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to Urban Transport, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

396 Kb PDF
31 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
Introducing renewable fuels onboard ship. © Digital Vision
Waterborne transport: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

There is a growing imbalance between modes of transport in the European Union – the growing success of road and air transport is resulting in worsening congestion, which could be helped by a greater focus on waterborne transport. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to Waterborne Transport, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

1123 Kb PDF
68 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
experimental 'magnetic levitation' train (maglev) - (c) BKI
Other modes: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

‘Other Modes’ covers all transport not covered within the definitions of road and rail and includes new modes developed with the intention of introducing innovation in concepts - of great importance given that the European Union is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to Other Modes, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the ERA.

455 Kb PDF
37 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
Optimising multi-modal transport
Intermodal transport: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

Intermodal Transport is one of the approaches on the European level to solve the actual and the expected problems in freight transport; growing freight transport means the European Union transport system is showing signs of inefficiency from a socio-economic point of view. This paper provides a structured guide to the results of Research and Technical Development projects relating to Intermodal Transport, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

520 Kb PDF
44 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
IT support systems for Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)
Equity and Accessibility: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

There is a growing recognition of the transport disadvantages suffered by certain sectors of the population, and the reduction of transport-related inequity can be seen as part of a broader agenda to reduce inequity in society as a whole. This paper provides a guide to the results of Research & Technical Development projects relating to Equity & Accessibility carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

536 Kb PDF
44 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
managing bridges on the European road network
Infrastructure provision (incl. TENs): Thematic Research Summary (2005)

The development of interoperable Trans-European Networks is a key part of the EU strategy for the creation of the Single Market; the provision of infrastructure is concerned with the planning, financing, design, construction and maintenance of transport infrastructures for all modes. This paper provides a guide to the results of Research & Technical Development projects relating to Infrastructure Provision carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

604 Kb PDF
44 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
transport project image
Integration: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

Integration refers to the strategic integration of different policy instruments to achieve improved performance of the transport system. It can involve the coordinated planning of several modes so that each contributes more effectively. This paper provides a guide to the results of Research & Technical Development projects relating to Integration, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

612 Kb PDF
51 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
 
 
road toll collection systems
Pricing and Taxation and Financing Tools: Thematic Research Summary (2005)

Transport pricing has been an actively debated topic in the European Union for a number of years, stimulated by both the Commission and various national policy initiatives. This is a structured guide to the results of Research & Technical Development projects relating to Pricing, Taxation, and Financing Tools, carried out in transport research programmes throughout the European Research Area.

590 Kb PDF
48 Pages 04-04-2005
 
 
 
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