In the framework of the preparation of the 6th EU Framework Programme, the concept of ERA (European Research Area) is becoming a true objective, aiming at the strengthening and the integration of the European research work. This framework and our future joining of the EU emphasise even more the importance of key European documents, such as the CTP (Common Transport Policy) and the Green Paper (Toward the security of the European strategy of the energy supply).

The Green Paper outlines the following future vision in the field of transport as a result of the execution of the CTP:

• the revival of the railway,
• the reorganisation of the road traffic,
• the establishment of the Trans European freight transporting railway network,
• the restriction of the use of the private vehicles, the support of the public transport,
• the utilisation of the principle 'the polluter pays'.

As a result, decisive changes can be expected in the division of labour and the energy consumption in the field of transportation and we must be prepared - using realistic estimation. In the field of transportation, the knowledge of the expected energy consumption is also important as far as the Hungarian obligations related to the prevention of the global climate-changes are concerned.