This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Document 52013DC0913
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Together towards competitive and resource-efficient urban mobility
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Together towards competitive and resource-efficient urban mobility
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Together towards competitive and resource-efficient urban mobility
/* COM/2013/0913 final */
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Together towards competitive and resource-efficient urban mobility /* COM/2013/0913 final */
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Together towards competitive and
resource-efficient urban mobility 1. Introduction Europe's cities[1] – home to 70% of the EU
population and generating over 80% of the Union's GDP - are connected by one of
the world's best transport systems. But mobility within cities is increasingly difficult
and inefficient. Urban mobility is still heavily reliant on the use of
conventionally-fuelled private cars. Only slow progress is being made in shifting
towards more sustainable modes of urban mobility. Many European towns and cities suffer from
chronic traffic congestion which is estimated to cost 80 billion Euros annually[2]. Urban areas also account for a high share,
some 23%, of all CO2 emissions from transport. Cities need to make more
efforts to turn past trends around and contribute to achieving the 60%
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions called for by the Commission's White
Paper "Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive
and resource efficient transport system"[3]
(hereafter "2011 White Paper on Transport"). With their high
population densities and high share of short-distance trips, there is a greater
potential for cities to move towards low-carbon transport than for the
transport system as a whole, through the development of walking, cycling,
public transport – and the early market introduction of vehicles powered by
alternative fuels. EU legislation on air quality[4] and increasingly
stringent emission standards for road vehicles seek to protect citizens from
harmful exposure to air-borne pollutants and particulate matter. But cities in
virtually all Member States are still struggling to comply with the legal
requirements. The number of road fatalities in the EU
remains very high, some 28,000 in 2012. Urban areas account for 38% of Europe's road fatalities, with vulnerable users such as pedestrians being particularly
exposed. Progress in reducing road fatalities has been below average in urban
areas. A Eurobarometer survey[5] investigated attitudes
towards urban mobility. A strong majority of citizens considers congestion, the
cost, and the negative environmental and human health impacts of urban mobility
and transport patterns to be important problems. Most respondents were rather
pessimistic about the prospects for improving the traffic situation in their
cities. The survey also showed that considerable
differences exist across the EU. There is an increasing 'urban mobility gap'
between Europe's few advanced cities and the majority trailing behind. The Europe 2020 Strategy for smart,
inclusive, and sustainable growth[6]
highlighted the importance of a modernised and sustainable European transport
system for the future development of the Union and stressed the need to address
the urban dimension of transport. A step-change is needed. This
Communication aims to reinforce the support to European cities for tackling
urban mobility challenges. A step-change in the approach to urban mobility is
needed to ensure that Europe's urban areas develop along a more sustainable
path and that EU goals for a competitive and resource-efficient European
transport system are met. It
is also crucial to overcome fragmented approaches and develop the single market
for innovative urban mobility solutions by addressing issues like common
standards and specifications or joint procurement. The
Communication sets out how the Commission will strengthen its actions on sustainable
urban mobility in areas where there is EU added value. The Commission also
encourages Member States to take more decisive and better coordinated action. 2. Delivering sustainable
urban mobility together Transforming urban mobility requires coordinated
action by decision makers and competent authorities at all levels of government.
EU-level action has to contribute to the
joint effort: the Commission's Action Plan on Urban
Mobility in 2009[7]
received strong support from the European Parliament[8], the European Social
and Economic Committee[9],
the Committee of the Regions[10]
and Member States[11],
as well as from stakeholders across the Union. The twenty initiatives of the
Action Plan were successfully implemented by 2012. For this reason, the Commission launched an
independent review[12]
of the implementation of the Action Plan and a public consultation[13] to explore the way
forward. Stakeholders reaffirmed the added value of EU-level support and highlighted
that EU action was uniquely suited to ensure a broad debate about urban
mobility across the Union; to facilitate the exchange of experiences and best
practices; to catalyse research and innovation; and to provide financial
support for urban transport projects, particularly in the less-developed
regions. They also highlighted the importance of working together on specific
topics like urban mobility planning, deployment of Intelligent Transport System
(ITS) solutions or access regulations, and road safety. EU-wide action on urban mobility needs to
involve Member States: Commission initiatives
cannot reach out to each of the thousands of towns and cities across Europe,
nor can they successfully identify and overcome the specific barriers to better
and more sustainable urban mobility that might exist in different parts of the Union. To be effectively and broadly deployed, concepts
and tools developed at the European level should be adapted to the particular
circumstances of each Member State and then actively promoted at national and
regional levels. 3. Sustainable Urban
Mobility Plans New approaches to urban mobility planning are
emerging as local authorities seek to break out of past silo approaches and
develop strategies that can stimulate a shift towards cleaner and more
sustainable transport modes, such as walking, cycling[14], public transport, and
new patterns for car use and ownership. Many cities across EU have experimented
with innovative solutions for urban mobility and shared their experience
through various cities networks. The Commission has actively promoted the
concept of sustainable urban mobility planning for several years. EU-funded
initiatives have brought together stakeholders and experts to analyse current
approaches, discuss problem areas and identify best planning practices. With
Commission support[15],
guidelines for the development and implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility
Plans[16]
were developed, for instance, which provide local authorities with concrete
suggestions on how to implement strategies for urban mobility that build on a
thorough analysis of the current situation, as well as a clear vision for a
sustainable development of their urban area. The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan concept
considers the functional urban area and proposes that action on urban mobility
is embedded into a wider urban and territorial strategy. Therefore, these Plans
should be developed in cooperation across different policy areas and sectors
(transport, land-use and spatial planning[17],
environment, economic development, social policy, health, road safety, etc.); across
different levels of government and administration; as well as with authorities
in neighbouring areas – both urban and rural. Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans are about fostering
a balanced development and a better integration of the different urban mobility
modes. This planning concept highlights that urban mobility is primarily about
people. It therefore emphasises citizen and stakeholder engagement, as well as
fostering changes in mobility behaviour. Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans can help
cities make efficient use of existing transport infrastructure and services and
deploy urban mobility measures in a cost-effective way. The concept of Sustainable Urban Mobility
Plans has gained considerable momentum in recent years and the Commission will
continue to support development and promotion of the concept in the future. However, to ensure that best-practices in sustainable
urban mobility planning are broadly taken up, this concept should be adapted to
the specific requirements and existing planning practices in each Member State and then actively promoted at national level. Furthermore, appropriate measures
should be taken in the Member States to ensure framework conditions that allow
local authorities to implement local urban mobility strategies successfully. Therefore, Member States should consider: ·
Conducting a careful assessment of the present
and future performance of urban mobility in their territory, also in view of
key EU policy goals; ·
Developing an approach to urban mobility which
ensures coordinated and mutually reinforcing action at national, regional and
local level; ·
Ensuring that Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans are
developed and implemented in their urban areas and that they are integrated
into a wider urban or territorial development strategy; ·
Reviewing – and amending where necessary – the
technical, policy-based, legal, financial, and other tools at the disposal of
local planning authorities; ·
Where appropriate, measures to avoid fragmented
approaches to ensure continuity and compatibility of urban mobility measures to
safeguard the functioning of the internal market. The Commission, in turn, will: ·
Set up, in 2014, a European Platform on
Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans to coordinate EU cooperation on developing the
concept and tools further; provide a one-stop shop; and expand the present www.mobilityplans.eu website into a virtual knowledge and
competence centre; ·
Support national, regional and local authorities
to develop and implement Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, including through funding
instruments. 4. Coordinating public and
private-sector intervention Achieving systemic improvements in the
transport sector requires joint efforts of public actors across all levels of
governance, as well as private-sector involvement, in the following areas
highlighted by the 2011 White Paper on Transport. More action on Urban Logistics Urban logistics are essential for cities to
function successfully and make up a significant share of urban traffic as part
of regional, national and international supply chains. They are expected to
grow, further increasing their high external costs. However, logistics needs
are often neglected in urban planning and management. There is significant potential to improve
urban logistics operations and services, and captive fleets, such as mail
delivery vehicles and garbage trucks, can be well-suited for the early
introduction of new types of vehicles and alternative fuels to reduce oil
dependence and emissions. The measures outlined below, along with the other
initiatives of the 2011 White Paper on Transport (e.g. Clean Power for
Transport Package), will contribute to the goal of achieving essentially CO2-free
city logistics in Europe’s major urban centres by 2030. Member States and urban authorities need to provide a framework (e.g. delivery
spaces, access regulations, enforcement etc.), to ensure that there is a
business case for the private logistics operators to invest in new technologies
and solutions. They should also facilitate co-operation between actors, build
the necessary capacity at the local level, stimulate the take up of good
practice, ensure interoperability of local logistics solutions based on Intelligent
Transport Systems, and ensure integration with national priorities. Member States should consider: ·
Ensuring that urban logistics are given proper
consideration in their national approaches to urban mobility and in Sustainable
Urban Mobility Plans; ·
Creating platforms for cooperation, exchange of
data and information, training, etc., for all actors of urban logistics chains. The Commission will: ·
Improve the dissemination and uptake of urban
logistics best practice (2014); ·
Prepare, with experts, guidance documents that
provide practical assistance on how to improve urban logistics performance,
e.g. by developing delivery and servicing plans, city logistics in access
regulation schemes etc. (2014-2016); ·
Facilitate procurement of clean vehicles used
for urban logistics by reviewing the scope of the Clean Vehicle Portal[18] (2015-2016). The proposed approach is set out in detail
in the accompanying Commission Staff Working Document “A call to action on
urban logistics”. Smarter Urban Access Regulations and
Road User Charging Making urban centres as accessible as
possible requires making choices about the use of urban space. Loading and
unloading spaces, bus lanes, cars, parking, pedestrian facilities, cycle lanes
and parking all compete for urban road space[19]
and cities have to manage these competing demands according to local priorities
and circumstances. Urban vehicle access regulations can help optimise urban
access, improve air quality and contribute to the goal of phasing out
conventionally fuelled cars in cities by 2050. There is currently a wide diversity of
schemes being implemented across Europe and a better understanding of these
different types of access regulations, their costs and impacts is needed. These different rules and requirements, and
the lack of information about how to comply with the various schemes, risk
fragmenting the internal market and creating new barriers to the movement of
people and goods. A fully harmonised European approach is not considered
appropriate because it is crucial that the design and implementation of such
schemes can be tailored to the specific situation in each urban area. Non-binding
guidelines would, however, allow cities and Member States to benefit from the
experiences elsewhere, and, where appropriate, foster a more common approach to
issues such as vehicle categories, road signs, information provision,
enforcement, exemptions, and pricing. This would make it easier for users to
understand and comply with schemes, while leaving cities flexibility to adapt
to their local circumstances. Furthermore, the implementation of schemes
should follow transparent rules that avoid a discrimination of occasional or
foreign users. A more common approach, e.g. to sharing information about
schemes, would assist trip planning, and the use of Intelligent Transport
System solutions to implement schemes would reduce costs for cities and users
and improve compliance. Member States should consider: ·
Conducting a thorough review of the
effectiveness and impacts of existing and planned urban access regulation
schemes; ·
Providing a framework that allows local
transport authorities to design, implement, and evaluate access regulation
schemes, including urban road user charging. The Commission will: ·
Foster an exchange with Member States and experts on urban access regulations across the Union, including their conceptual
foundations, practical implementation, effectiveness and impacts; ·
Prepare, with stakeholders, non-binding guidance
to help cities implement access regulation schemes effectively. The proposed approach is set out in detail
in the accompanying Commission Staff Working Document “A call for smarter
urban vehicle access regulations”. Coordinated Deployment of Urban
Intelligent Transport Systems Smart technologies and in particular Intelligent
Transport Systems (ITS) are key enablers for urban mobility planning. They
support policy makers in achieving their policy objectives, and managing
concrete traffic operations. They also help end-users by providing them with
informed choices on mobility. More specifically, ITS help to optimise the
use of existing infrastructure through a variety of means, such as traffic
signals, journey planners, smart ticketing or cooperative systems (including
vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication systems). They
foster the coordinated management of road and public transport networks and
ease the implementation of urban logistics and access restriction schemes. To
ensure greater coherence and interoperability of ITS solutions across Europe, the
Urban ITS Expert Group[20] developed a set of Guidelines for deployment
of key applications of urban ITS[21]. Best practice, as well as standardisation
needs for urban ITS, have been identified in this context. Combined efforts are needed to make urban
areas benefit from full potential of ITS solutions, while ensuring
cost-effective, continuous and seamless ITS deployment across the EU. Member States should consider: ·
Using the Guidelines when key ITS applications
are deployed in their conurbations; ·
Developing proper interfaces between urban and
surrounding interurban transport networks; ·
Setting-up interoperable multimodal datasets
gathering all information about urban mobility. The Commission will: ·
Take forward work on supplementing the existing
legislation on access to traffic and travel data; ·
Prepare specifications on Real-Time Traffic
Information and Multimodal Information Services, as foreseen under the
framework of the ITS Directive[22]; ·
Facilitate the deployment of vehicle to vehicle
and vehicle to infrastructure communication systems in urban areas. The proposed approach is set out in detail
in the accompanying Commission Staff Working Document “Mobilising
Intelligent Transport Systems for EU cities”. Urban Road Safety Some 11 000 people die in road traffic in
EU urban areas every year[23].
The majority of fatal or serious road traffic crashes involving vulnerable
road users take place inside urban areas. Around two thirds of pedestrian
fatalities take place in urban areas and 50% of those killed in accidents in
urban areas are pedestrians or cyclists. During the last decade, the number of
pedestrian fatalities decreased by only 39% compared to 49% for car driver
fatalities.[24] Additional effort is therefore needed to
enhance urban road safety and protect in particular the vulnerable users from
death and serious injury. Member States should consider: ·
Ensuring that Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans
take account of road safety aspects as a horizontal issue, at all steps of the
planning process and address appropriately issues like safe urban infrastructure,
especially for vulnerable road users, the use of modern technology for enhanced
urban road safety, traffic rules enforcement, and road safety education; ·
Ensuring proper gathering of data on road safety
indicators at the most detailed level possible and encourage local authorities
to use such data for local analysis and road safety planning. The Commission will, during 2014-2015: ·
Gather and disseminate good practice examples
for road safety planning; ·
Analyse measures for reducing the number of
serious road traffic injuries in urban areas. The proposed approach
is set out in more detail in the accompanying Commission Staff Working Document
“Targeted action on urban road safety”. 5. Reinforcing EU support Sharing experiences, showcasing
best-practices, and fostering cooperation The value of sharing experiences,
showcasing best-practice examples, and fostering cooperation across the Union is uncontested. The Commission will strengthen its support for relevant activities in
the future: The Urban
Mobility Observatory With the Action
Plan on Urban Mobility of 2009, the Commission set up an Urban Mobility
Observatory in the form of a virtual platform – the ELTIS website.[25] This provides a
one-stop shop for sharing knowledge and experience, or discussing urban mobility
and transport related issues. The Commission
intends to improve the scope of the portal by developing the present Mobility
Plans portal[26]
into a comprehensive knowledge and competence centre which will consolidate
information on urban transport planning from across the EU. The Mobility Plans
portal will be integrated into ELTIS. Furthermore, a
European Platform on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans will be set up. This
Platform will support the further development of the concept and the tools
required for its successful application by local planning authorities, by
coordinating all relevant Commission-supported activities in this area[27] and fostering broader
exchange. URBACT – Exchange
of good practice on sustainable urban development URBACT[28] is a European exchange
and learning programme – financed by the European Territorial Cooperation
Programme – which promotes sustainable urban development. It enables cities to
work together to develop pragmatic solutions that are new and sustainable, and
that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions. For the next
programming period, URBACT III will continue to support exchange and capacity
building between European cities. Data and statistics and the Urban
Mobility Scoreboard Based inter alia on the results of the study
on the "Collection of European Data and Statistics in the Field of Urban
Mobility"[29],
the Commission will explore how the quality and availability of data and
statistics for urban transport systems operations and decision making at local,
regional, national and EU level can be improved. In particular, the Commission will continue
to support the development of an Urban Mobility Scoreboard, by identifying harmonised
indicators to benchmark and compare the progress of urban areas across the EU[30]. The Commission will build
on work conducted in projects like EcoMobility Shift[31] and Conduits[32]. Member States Expert Group on Urban Mobility The Commission will set up a Member States’ Expert Group on Urban
Mobility and Transport to foster an exchange on how national and EU policies on
urban mobility and transport can be strengthened and better coordinated; In agreement with the Member States, dedicated Working Groups might
be set up to discuss specific issues such as urban access regulations, urban
logistics, ITS, or the Urban Mobility Scoreboard in more detail. Focussing
research and innovation on delivering solutions for urban mobility challenges Primarily through its Research Framework
Programmes, the European Union has provided support for urban transport-related
research and innovation projects for many years. This support has made an
important contribution in taking new technologies and mobility concepts to the
stage of deployment. Since its launch ten years ago, the
Commission's CIVITAS Initiative has become an engine of urban mobility
innovation and made European cities key players in the innovation process. Some
700 demonstration activities have been implemented in over 60 European cities
and undergone a rigorous impact and process evaluation. Today, the CIVITAS
network of cities counts over 200 member cities and covers virtually all Member
States. CIVITAS has become a brand name for change in urban mobility and
transport paradigms but also for European partnership. CIVITAS 2020 The Commission intends to launch a reinvigorated CIVITAS 2020
Initiative under Horizon 2020, the Union's framework programme for research and
innovation for 2014-2020[33].
In particular, the Horizon 2020 work programme for 2014 and 2015 will drive the
innovative policies and technologies needed for the move towards a competitive
and resource-efficient urban mobility. CIVITAS will continue to support local
partnerships in implementing and testing new approaches under real-life
conditions on issues such as: tackling urban road congestion, reducing the use
of conventionally-fuelled vehicles in urban areas, reducing impacts and costs
of urban freight, and strengthening the capacities of local authorities to
develop and implement sustainable urban mobility plans. A second strategic initiative in European
innovation policy, the Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation
Partnership was launched in 2012[34].
Its objective is to accelerate the wide-scale deployment of innovations where
energy production, distribution and use; mobility and transport; as well as ICT
are intimately linked. This initiative contributes to the EU climate action
goals by improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy,
and reducing energy consumption, green-house-gas emissions, bad air quality and
congestion. Smart Cities and Communities – A European Innovation Partnership The Partnership aims to overcome bottlenecks to wide-scale
deployment of smart city solutions. The Partnership will pay significant
attention to key 'enablers', such as governance and financing (including
procurement). Smart Cities looks to facilitate strategic partnerships between
industry, European cities and other parties to develop the urban systems and
infrastructures of tomorrow and to achieve widespread roll out of smart city
solutions. The initiative will foster closer cooperation across sectors like
transport, energy, and information and communication technologies. Although most
actions of the Partnership are likely to be implemented by local
administrations, businesses, research organisations and civil society
organisations, there will be EU financial support under Horizon 2020. Furthermore, the coming European Green
Vehicles Initiative (EGVI) for Energy Efficiency of Vehicles & Alternative
Powertrains will provide a strengthened framework for supporting the development of clean, safe and efficient urban vehicles for
rail and road. Taking innovative solutions to the market Innovative solutions can make an important
contribution to improving the efficiency and sustainability of urban mobility.
But it is crucial to ensure that promising technologies are turned into mature
products which can be successfully introduced to the market. The Commission and
Member States should facilitate the creation of a single market for innovative
urban transport solutions, e.g. by developing common standards and technical
specifications or by facilitating joint and clean procurement. Providing
targeted financial support European Structural and Investment Funds
The structural funds are today the single most
important source of EU funding for urban transport and mobility projects. For
the period 2007-13 some €8 billion were earmarked for clean urban transport.[35] In the less-developed regions of the Union, this financial support has helped improve the accessibility of urban areas, close
the gap between the more and the less developed regions, and thereby achieve a
higher degree of territorial cohesion. It is therefore important to explore how best
to use the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI-funds) for key
policy objectives in transport and related policy areas in the period
2014-2020.[36] ESI-funds should be used more
systematically for the funding of integrated packages of measures, where cities
have developed an integrated local transport plan, such as a Sustainable Urban
Mobility Plan, and identified the appropriate actions. Measures for urban mobility can be supported
by ESI-funds if they contribute to low-carbon objectives[37]. Urban mobility
measures can also be funded as part of an integrated, sustainable urban
development strategy which tackles the economic, environmental, climate,
demographic, and social challenges affecting the urban area[38]. Especially for the implementation of
territorial strategies, the use of the new instrument of Integrated Territorial
Investments is recommended. For all investments in urban mobility, a broad
take-up of the supported transport system should be ensured. With their focus on large-scale projects in
the period 2007-2013, the structural funds have primarily benefitted major and
capital cities. There are, however, many small and medium-sized cities in Europe's regions and it is important to consider all sizes of cities for urban mobility
investments. ESI-funds should create opportunities for capacity building, training,
technical assistance and the development of comprehensive and local mobility
strategies and plans. The Commission will work closely with the
competent authorities in the Member States to ensure that ESI-funds will be put
to best use in realising local aspirations and achieving EU policy goals. Care
shall be also taken that cost-effective solutions are supported. Trans-European Network – Transport
(TEN-T) Urban nodes are key elements for the
construction of a comprehensive European transport network. Action by European
cities is crucial for achieving the objectives of TEN-T policy. The Commission proposal for Union
Guidelines[39]
thus recognises the need to "provide for the development of the
comprehensive network in urban nodes, as those nodes are the starting point or
the final destination ("last mile") for passengers and freight moving
on the trans-European transport network and are points of transfer within or
between different transport modes." Article 36 of the Guidelines identifies
priorities in the development of the urban nodes of the comprehensive network
through the Connecting Europe Facility[40].
EU financial support will therefore be available for projects of common
interest in urban areas, such as improving urban logistics operations which are
part of national or international supply chains. International cooperation Sustainable urbanisation is widely
acknowledged as a key global challenge for the 21st century. The
Heads of State and Government meeting at the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development (Rio+20) recognised the importance of sustainable transport for
economic growth and of sustainable urban development and agreed on "the
need to promote an integrated approach to policy making at the national,
regional and local levels for transport services and systems to promote
sustainable developments"[41]. The Commission will upgrade its efforts to
support sustainable urban mobility policies in its cooperation activities
particularly with developing regions. The objective is to pave the way for the
export of European expertise and technologies in areas such as reducing
emissions, improving energy efficiency and road safety. More efforts will be made to take advantage
of existing EU partnerships with key partner countries and regions (e.g. with the EuroMed countries, Brazil, Singapore, or China). 6. Conclusion Managing a successful transition towards a
more sustainable type of urban mobility remains a major challenge for cities
across the Union. Local authorities need support to address the adverse
economic, environmental, and social impacts associated with today's urban
mobility patterns. It is thus necessary that urban mobility
remains prominent on the EU political agenda. The Commission and Member States should reinforce their support for local authorities so that all cities across
the Union can achieve a step-change in their efforts for more competitive and
resource-efficient urban mobility. This Communication aims
at leveraging action across all levels of government: the Commission will step
up its support in areas with established EU added value, while Member States
are encouraged to create the right framework conditions for local authorities
to develop and implement integrated and comprehensive strategies for better and
more sustainable urban mobility. To facilitate closer exchange between the
Commission and the Member States, the Commission proposes to host a Member
States Expert Group on Urban Mobility. The Commission is recommending
a concrete set of measures to be taken at different levels on several relevant
issues like urban logistics, urban access regulations, deployment of urban ITS
solutions, and road safety, and will carefully monitor
their follow-up. The actions in this
Communication present a basis for moving together towards competitive and resource-efficient
urban mobility. [1] See also the report "Cities of Tomorrow",
European Commission, 2011 [2] Total cost of congestion; see SEC(2011)358 final [3] COM(2011)144 final [4] See in particular Directive 2008/50/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner
air for Europe, OJ L 152, 11/6/2008, p.1 [5] Special Eurobarometer 406 (2013) [6] COM(2010)2020 final [7] COM(2009) 490final [8] European Parliament Resolution of 9 July 2008; 2008/2041(INI) [9] Opinion on the Action Plan on Urban Mobility of 27
May 2010, TEN/414 [10] Opinion on the Action Plan on Urban Mobility of 27
August 2010, 2010/C 232/05 [11] Council Conclusions on the Action Plan on Urban
Mobility, 24 June 2010; www.ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/urban/urban_mobility/doc/2010_06_24_apum_council_conclusions.pdf
[12] Report on the Review of the Action Plan on Urban Mobility,
2013, ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/urban/studies/urban_en.htm [13] Results of the public consultation
"The urban dimension of the EU transport policy", 2013, www.ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/urban/studies/urban_en.htm [14] A shift towards increased walking and cycling, in
particular, considerably reduces the negative externalities from urban mobility
and transport, with the added value of fostering a more active lifestyle with
the concomitant health benefits. Relevant issues are also addressed in the
European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/index_en.cfm?section=active-healthy-ageing
[15] Urban Mobility Observatory - www.eltis.org [16] Guidelines – Developing and Implementing a Sustainable
Urban Mobility Plan, European Commission, 2013 [17] Reflecting the importance of proper urban planning for
reducing the needs for urban mobility (for example by avoiding urban sprawl) [18] www.cleanvehicle.eu
[19] Urban road space, in turn, is competing with demands
for public space for leisure activities and social interaction (playgrounds,
parks, etc.) [20] http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regexpert/index.cfm?do=groupDetail.groupDetail&groupID=2520
[21] europa.eu/transport/themes/its/road/action_plan/its_for_urban_areas_en.htm [22] Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent
Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other
modes of transport, OJ L 207, 6.8.2010, p. 1 (Article 3 a & b), [23] CARE database on road traffic accidents in the EU [24] Idem [25] www.eltis.org [26] www.mobilityplans.eu
[27] Conducted e.g. by the present projects ENDURANCE,
QUEST, ADVANCE, etc. [28] www.urbact.eu [29] Study on Harmonised Collection of European Data and
Statistics in the Field of Urban Mobility; MOVE/B4/196-2/2010 (2013) [30] Since urban transport is mostly covered by the Effort
Sharing Decision (ESD) rather than the EU Emissions trading scheme (ETS), it
could be of interest to enable benchmarking of CO2 emissions from urban
transport to assist Member States in their actions to reduce emissions. [31] www.ecomobility-shift.org/index.php/en/
[32] www.polisnetwork.eu/eu-projects/eu-projects-2/conduits-city-pool
[33] http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm
[34] www.ec.europa.eu/eip/smartcities/
[35] In the current programming period, 9,63% of the total
ERDF and CF funding for transport is allocated to urban transport and the
promotion of clean urban transport (Categories 25 + 52); figures from the
database INFOVIEW (July 2013) [36] See ERDF Regulation, in particular Articles 5 and 7 [37] European Regional Development Fund Regulation Article
5(4) (e) - Investment priority: promoting low-carbon strategies for all types
of territories, in particular for urban areas, including the promotion of
sustainable multi-modal urban mobility and mitigation relevant adaptation
measures [38] European Regional Development Fund Regulation, Article
7 [39] COM/2011/0650 final/2 - 2011/0294 (COD) [40] ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/infrastructure/connecting_en.htm [41] United Nations Resolution 66/288 "The future we
want" http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/66/288&Lanh=E