European Rail Forum: Freight without Borders
Forum européen du rail
© MEEDDAT/Bernard Suard
- On: 29.10.2008
- In: Paris, UIC (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer)
The European Rail Forum "Freight without Borders" is being held on 29 October 2008 in Paris. Shippers, railway companies, infrastructure operators, regulatory authorities and public authorities will examine the new horizons for rail freight and debate the priorities for future European action.
How can rail substantially contribute to a sustainable economy? The demand for goods transport continues to grow, but in Europe railway only benefits in a small way from the trend, even though there are notable differences between countries. With an estimated growth rate of 2% per annum, rail share of the freight market in Europe could fall by 2.5% by 2020. At the same time, transport-related greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase by 10% over the same period.
This is the backdrop to the European Rail Forum on "Freight without borders" being held on 29 October 2008 in Paris at the instigation of the French association of rail network operators (RFF) and the French Ministry of Energy, Environment, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning (Regional Development). Shippers, railway companies, infrastructure operators, regulatory authorities and public authorities will examine the new horizons for rail freight and debate the priorities for future, European action. The day will be divided into four sessions on the topics below, and concluded by Dominique Bussereau, the French Minister of State for Transport, and Antonio Tajani, the European Commissioner for Transport.
- Has freight movement without borders become a reality in Europe? The European corridor concept has become a testing ground for all types of sector projects: are the concentration of train flows, international timetable planning, and even the cross-border management of traffic possibilities? The corridor is also the main thread for migration towards the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). An industrial challenge, with the first transition phase planned for the next decade.
- Rail is now faced with the reality of a competition-driven market. Diversifying the offer of railway services may contribute to encouraging the modal shift from road to rail. In addressing the questions of shippers, the speakers will underline rail freight's potential for innovation. This session will also focus on sea-rail combinations and the development of feeder lines.
- Railway is still producing ten times less greenhouse emissions per transport service than roads. Can better account be taken of this advantage in economic calculations? Conversely, what can be done to prevent developing rail freight from having an adverse impact, if local concerns are poorly taken into account? Noise is clearly the main local issue posed by rail freight, and countries such as the Netherlands, has been identified as an active social policy.
- Lastly, which economic regulations should be applied to rail transport? The role of the regulator and tariff policy are two topical issues in the European Union. The practices in Member States and their impact on national markets will be central to the session debates.
Designing an ambitious and credible future for rail freight requires drawing inspiration from past successes and innovations, properly identifying obstacles to better overcome them and unifying determination. This will encourage entrepreneurial spirit, and positions Europe as an area for reference.
- Updated: 19.11.2008
