The NEA is working on the STAC project, the main objectives of which are forecasting transport flows in western and central Europe and identifying main corridors and assessing bottlenecks in the infrastructure on the network. The correlation between freight transport and gross domestic product (GDP) is explored. A changing economic structure with less reliance on agriculture and industry and more reliance on services in France, Germany and the Netherlands have reduced flows of bulk goods but replaced them with more long-distance freight of specialised goods. Spatial development is also a factor in transport flows. Technological developments have led to the use of lighter materials reducing the weight to be transported but often the cost of transport is a smaller proportion of the value of higher cost goods. This can result in the transport of lower volumes over greater distances. Economies have become more open, increasing international trade. It is considered that the average transport distance will increase, with increased involvement of Eastern Europe. In relation to the growth in GDP, the growth of freight transport measured in tonnes is 10-20% lower than the GDP growth; however when measured in tonne-kilometres the growth in freight transport and GDP is almost the same. Factors encouraging this trend include the growth of the EU, globalisation and decreased generalised transport costs. To decouple transport growth and economic growth is considered desirable. The instruments for achieving this include infrastructure charging, promoting a change in modal split, technological developments, and better spatial planning. For the covering abstract for this conference see ITRD E128114.
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