The aim of the presentation is to introduce the general concerns raised by the MISTRA sponsored IMPACT program, that is how measures aiming at sustainable solutions could be implemented within the transport sector. The interdisciplinary program's goal is to develop tools and models that will help decision-makers reduce the implementation difficulties experienced in transferring sustainable mobility solutions into practice. During the presentation the general structure and the empirical focal points of the research programme will be introduced. The presentation will also develop the principal problems of implementation in the context of a) contemporary conditions for policymaking; b) characteristics of the transport sector and c) specific requirements emanating from the sustainability agenda. One could argue that some developments have increased the complexity of implementation processes lately. External conditions are different. Especially the debate concerning globalization highlights possible constraints facing decision-makers. The sheer speed of technological advancements increases difficulties of trying to control development through long run and comprehensive policies. The hierarchical structure often presumed in early implementation research is replaced by loosely organized networks. The situation is described as a development from government to governance. The numbers of actors involved in decision processes have increased and borderlines between public and private are blurred by new ways of interacting between the public and private sectors (for instance Public - Private Partnerships). The number of jurisdictional and political levels has increased in the European context. The interrelatedness of organisations has accordingly become increasingly important as the state becomes more fragmented. Following from this, a number of new obstacles for swift and uniform implementation arise: Decentralization increases the possibility of differences in local implementation of reforms. Partnerships tend to create new demands being brought on the agenda from private partners. Accountability is said to be harder to achieve in a network society, which also might lead to implementation problems. The general development is reflected in the transport sector but this sector also has a specific set of constraints (A). Only abstract (as above) is available from the conference proceedings. For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E212343.
Samenvatting