SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY VERSUS SUSTAINED MOBILITY: A SUMMARY AND SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS

This article argues for a comprehensive approach in handling transport problems and issues, especially in the freight sector. Technical measures to reduce transport-related emissions and noise are not sufficient, if traffic continues to grow. A modal shift of freight from road to more environmentally friendly modes is important, although there is only limited scope for it, because most freight journeys are short. Transport growth is now the main obstacle to transport sustainability. A policy package is needed to achieve sustainable mobility. The principle that prices should equal true costs should be applied fully in the transport market. In the long term, higher prices would reduce transport demand by reorganising patterns of production, distribution and consumption. For sustainability, transport policies and related changes in the spatial organisation of economic activities need to be reorganised. The key issues are transport demand and the distribution of transport volumes between different modes. The requirements are changes in the minds of decision makers at all levels, and then a comprehensive, gradual approach. Close cooperation is needed between government, business and transport operators at all levels.