This paper considers transport demand in Central and East European countries, where the economy is in transition, with the emphasis on ways and measures of controlling the growth of transport intensity through the decoupling of transport demand and economic development. Political and economic reforms have caused great changes in volume and direction of passenger and freight transport. Conflicts exist between objectives of sustainable development, where environmental objectives are considered less crucial in an economy with social and economic problems. Controlling mobility by decoupling economic growth and mobility is suggested, by the use of market based instruments, regulations including spatial planning, information technology and lifestyle changes. To reduce the demand for freight transport, three basic strategies are suggested: dematerialisation of the economy, reduction of the spatial range of goods traffic flows, and optimisation of transport organisation. If controlling transport demand is considered desirable, the State has a role to play. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118367.
Samenvatting