WORLDNET - European Transport Network Model Refinement Regarding Freight and Intermodal Transport to and from the Rest of the World
Overview
Background & policy context:
The developed TRANS-TOOLS model which became the reference transport policy assessment tool for the EU. It completed the ETIS reference database which was used for its calibration. ETIS was developed in close cooperation with EUROSTAT to provide the Commission with a policy oriented information system. Although the scope of ETIS and subsequently TRANS-TOOLS was the EU-25, there was some lack of recent information on the new members (EU-27) and on the new neighbours, as well as detailed country or group of countries information recording trade with the rest of the world. Intermodal transport outside the EU is an innovative issue, as well the information on air (freight) transport. In these respects the forecasting capabilities and scenario developments of TRANS-TOOLS can be significantly improved.
Objectives:
WORLDNET aimed to deliver realistic solutions that support policy forecasting and facilitate the implementation of the European transport and energy policy measures and instruments. The strategic objective was to refine the European transport network model regarding freight and intermodal transport to and from the rest of the world, following the work of ETIS and TRANSTOOLS.
The first specific objective was to attain a more precise representation of the freight flows between European countries and the rest of the world.
The project also aimed to facilitate the use and uptake of the model within other countries and regions.
WOLRDNET sought active participation from INCO target countries and/or international organisations interested in this action. The development of a common, international modelling framework gave policy makers a consistent, quantitative baseline for technology, transport, energy, environment and economic trends. The project implemented a new communications network with regions and countries outside of Europe to improve mutual understanding of and planning for freight flows on a global basis.
Methodology:
The work foresaw a concentration with international organisations or countries, in the framework of existing platforms like TRANSFORUM or on an ad hoc basis. A communication strategy was planned to explain the project's research objectives and the advantages that other countries and international organisations could get from WORLDNET. To this aim three conferences were held to cover distinct geographical areas:
- The European Union's neighbours
- Central and South America
- Rest of the World
At these conferences the project was presented and collaboration was sought with different interest groups of the public and private sectors in the main countries of the areas which Europe maintains trade relations. The cooperation with other countries and international organisations foresaw the creation of a platform able to provide the European Union and its partners with a tool for the validation and follow up of the recommendations derived from the WORLDNET project.
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