Irish Regions Office Website

October 02, 2009

Urban Mobility Action Plan published

Urban congestion is recognised as a significant problem in terms of both hampering the movement of people and
goods to realise economic potential and of emissions. The 30 September publication of the European Commission's long awaited 'Action Plan on Urban Mobility' - almost a year behind schedule and following upon the September 2007 Green Paper on Urban Mobility - proposes 20 measures intended to make the provision of urban travel at local and national levels ''easier, greener and better organised'' according to Commissioner Tajani.

The plan addresses areas where action at EU level is felt most appropriate to improve urban transport management, in particular by encouraging exchange of information and good practices among cities, possibly leading to the adoption of '''voluntary commitments'' on issues such as:
- more joined-up travel planning and improved information;
- green areas accessibility standards;
- increased passenger rights; and
- energy-efficient driving.

To accelerate the take-up of sustainable urban mobility plans by local authorities the Commission will prepare information material and launch training and promotional activities as well as producing guidance documents on key
aspects of these plans such as urban freight distribution and intelligent transport systems. Heightened emphasis
will also be placed on pioneering practical low emissions research and demonstration projects and on establishing links with EU policies for health, cohesion and disability. The actions are set to be launched over the next four years.

One area the plan shies away from is introducing new funding mechanisms on the basis that this is a national responsibility. However, the Commission is in the process of assessing the transport sector's future funding needs
and streamlining its existing Structural Funds, European Investment Bank and the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development instruments to better correspond with market needs and policy objectives.

Action Plan Summary

Posted by iroronan at October 2, 2009 01:01 PM