Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable transport may be defined as transport that will enable conditions for carrying people and cargo in a manner that is functional, safe and economical, while it at the same avoids depletion of non-renewable energy sources, and reduces the environmental load caused by emissions and noise to the levels no longer hazardous to human health, natural ecosystems and the Earth’s climate.
Sustainable transport has been looking for optional ways of conveying people, goods and information in a manner that will reduce its adverse impacts on the environment, economy and society. Furthermore, sustainable transport has been working on the ‘user and polluter pays’ principle, meaning that the user bears the complete cost both in relation to development and operation of the transport infrastructure, as well as in terms of compensation for any environmental damage it may cause.
The above goals may be achieved through introduction of environmentally friendly engine-driven means of transportation that rely on alternative drive technologies and alternative fuels, while any vehicles excessively damaging the environment are at the same time strongly disadvantaged (discarded).
Meeting the set objectives cannot do without increased attractiveness of public transport, through measures addressing both vehicle comfort and an interlinked pattern of all public transport means in terms of tariffs, time and space. For the ends of improved attractiveness of rail transport, reduced times of people and cargo conveyance to the road transport levels are required. That can be implemented through use of integrated transportation systems, building of logistic centres and, potentially, through development of new rail tracks.
Appropriate planning for the new and renovations of current transport infrastructure are required in order to reduce the traffic-caused environmental load. An utmost conscious approach to blending new structures sensitively with the environment, including also discussions with the public, is required. This is supported by the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, preceded by the town and country planning process during which also strategic environmental assessment (SEA) takes place.
Documents
- Study on transport trends from the environmental point of view in the Czech Republic 2008
The „Study on development of transportation from the environmental point of view for the year 2006“ presents an overall survey on development of transportation within the Czech Republic. All data in the Study are presented on the basis of set down indicators in the timeline for the years 1993, 1995 - 2008. The Study is oriented not only to indicators reflecting the state-wide development, but also to the characteristics of traffic emissions development in individual regions of the Czech Republic, and it reflects also some indicators included into the Strategy of sustainable development in the Czech Republic.
- Study on transport trends from the environmental point of view in the Czech Republic 2007
The „Study on development of transportation from the environmental point of view for the year 2007“ presents an overall survey on development of transportation within the Czech Republic. All data in the Study are presented on the basis of set down indicators in the timeline for the years 1993, 1995 - 2007. The Study is oriented not only to indicators reflecting the state-wide development, but also to the characteristics of traffic emissions development in individual regions of the Czech Republic, and it reflects also some indicators included into the Strategy of sustainable development in the Czech Republic.
- Proposal for a Regulation of the EP and of the Council on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to emissions from heavy duty vehicles (Euro VI) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information
This Regulation establishes common technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles, engines and replacement parts with regard to their emissions. This Regulation also lays down rules for in-service conformity of vehicles and engines, durability of pollution control devices, on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems, measurement of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and accessibility of vehicle OBD and vehicle repair and maintenance information.
- Revised proposal for a Directive of the EP and of the Council on the promotion of clean and energy efficient road transport vehicles
The objective of this proposal is to promote the market introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles and contribute thereby to energy efficiency in transport by reducing fuel consumption, to climate protection by reducing CO2 emissions and to improving air quality by reducing pollutant emissions.
- Study on transport trends from the environmental point of view in the Czech Republic 2006
The „Study on development of transportation from the environmental point of view for the year 2006“ presents an overall survey on development of transportation within the Czech Republic. All data in the Study are presented on the basis of set down indicators in the timeline for the years 1993, 1995 - 2006. The Study is oriented not only to indicators reflecting the state-wide development, but also to the characteristics of traffic emissions development in individual regions of the Czech Republic, and it reflects also some indicators included into the Strategy of sustainable development in the Czech Republic.
