Transport Research and Innovation Portal

Transport Evaluation

Long-term perspectives

This theme covers research on long-term scenarios over periods of 15 years or more. These scenarios are used in long-term development paths of economic, technical, environmental, demographic, social, societal and behavioural trends. This theme also covers impact assessment of exogenous long-term developments on transport markets.

Assessment and decision support

Methodologies, tools and databases are developed to support policy-makers. Research outputs are used in predicting and simulating the performance of transport systems; studies on the impact of transport policies and projects on environment, safety and socio-economics; evaluation of transport policies and projects; and monitoring transport systems. Decision support systems also include information systems and tools used in the commercial sector by fleet operators for the management and operation of commercial vehicle fleets.

Environmental impacts

Research on environmental impacts addresses the adverse effects of transport such as air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, vibration, visual impacts, damage to nature protection areas, landscape, social impacts and waste disposal. Research includes assessment of the severity of these impacts, analysis of mitigation measures and the development of environmentally friendly technologies.

Economic and regional impacts

This theme covers research on macro-economic and regional economic impacts of transport policies and transport technologies. Economic and regional impacts occur mainly through the mechanisms of cost savings and improved accessibility, as a result of various EU policy measures such as TEN-T or cohesion policy. Research focuses on methodologies and tools to estimate the impacts of polices and technologies on economic or regional patterns.

Accessibility, social and equity impacts

Research on equity impacts of transport strategies focuses on meeting the special needs of groups such as those on low incomes, the elderly, the disabled, and those living in deprived areas. Social inclusion primarily concerns accessibility for those without a car and people with impaired mobility. Research aims at increasing accessibility for employment, shopping, leisure and other activities for people from different locations, and with differing availability of transport.