The paper will take into account the outcomes of a study that was recently concluded on the feasibility of organising a network of secured parking areas for road transport operators on the Trans European Road Network. The general aim of this study is to investigate to what extent a lack, or perceived lack, of security caused by criminal acts against drivers at inappropriately equipped rest places are undermining the functioning of the European road transport market; and to identify a set of regulatory and financial conditions for a sustainable provision of sufficient rest places and through these support the European Commission in drafting a call for proposals for pilot projects relating to secured parking. Road freight transport is the dominating transport mode in freight transport in the European Union. With a market share of approximately 72.2% in the total land-based transport of goods the significance of road freight transport for the economy of the EU is obvious. This dominance implies that each day, measured in money terms, many billions of Euros are moved on the Trans European Road Network which constitutes the backbone of the EU economy. This fact has not escaped the criminal mind and with the increase of transport volumes (amongst others because of gradual increase of the EU with new Member States) security concerns with regard to road freight transport have increased as well. Especially parking areas where drivers have to rest seem to be attractive objects for criminals: the total consolidated value of trucks and cargos moved in and out of some of the larger parking places each day easily exceeds the total property value of a small town. The paper outlines the situation in the Member States (EU25+2) with regard to crimes related to truck parking areas, to identify hot-spots (high crime rate regions), blind spots (non-availability truck parking possibilities), identify pilot possibilities and to assess the financial and legal framework of truck parking. Furthermore, recommendations had to be made with regard to the selection of pilot projects and to draw up an initial overview to assess the merit of a common European set of criteria (Common Criteria) for secure parking areas. The paper starts with discussing three core information components that are required to get a basic understanding of the current situation: data on the extent of criminality related to truck parking and risks for drivers, data on the market demand of truck parking areas and data on the present supply of truck parking areas. Another important issue is to what extent the available capacity of parking areas is sufficient. Data on the demand of truck parking areas does not exist, so a model-based approach was taken. Furthermore, information on the institutional framework of secured parking in Member States, criteria for parking area classification and measures to improve security and the costs of secure parking was gathered. The paper will present policy recommendations for all stake-holders involved , e.g. (inter) national policy-makers, shippers, hauliers, insurers, suppliers of truck parking areas, etc. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137145.
Abstract