Several general transport trends have been observed in Poland during recent years. The number of cars owned by household has grown significantly, leading to increases in air pollution and road accidents. Rail passenger and freight traffic and the total length of railway lines in use have declined. The modal share of public transport has been falling, especially in rural areas. Transport investment has been mainly on large projects. This paper presents studies by the Polish Institute for Sustainable Development on alternative transport policy in Poland based on sustainable development criteria. It gives details of the following four options for transport policy: (1) the government option with a full motorway construction programme, closing unprofitable railway lines, freedom for cars in cities, rather unattractive public transport, and lack of interest in bicycles and pedestrians; (2) the restrained government option, like (1) but with less motorway building and more attractive pubic transport; (3) the pro-environmental option, with no motorway construction, broad railway development, car restrictions in cities, varied urban public transport, and support of pedestrian and bicycle traffic; and (4) the sustainable development option, like (3) but with even more urban public transport, cycling and walking.
Abstract