Abstract The previous chapter deals with the recovery of energy use by the rebound effect of the freight transport sector. The chapter has two main objectives: (1) to imagine the future by proposing a vision to achieve a sustainable freight system; and (2) to provide transport policy solutions for the sector to 2050. This chapter describes Europe’s freight transport system (mainly the road mode: EUFT). Following the step by step description of backcasting the method is applied to freight transport to make decisions, formulate measures and strengthen their acceptance. Our analysis demonstrates that the system is under pressure as environmental limits are reached and as infrastructure bottlenecks worsen. Our findings also confirm that by using the knowledge of stakeholders, we can make decisions more rationally and propose a framework to identify policy targets, build storylines, and find key megatrends to build the vision. We propose a vision which allows freight transport in the European Union (Freight) to take actions to face challenges effectively. The vision is a reaction to the megatrends. Our stakeholder led approach enables: (a) making decisions for freight transport planning; (b) developing the vision for freight; (c) the identification of the quantitative targets to 2050 and (d) the policy analysis of Freight in the European Union. By backcasting storylines, an action plan can be generated to propose a roadmap towards a leaner, low carbon and resilient Freight system. Our backcasting exercise produces 12 policy areas to promote the sustainability of the Freight sector by 2050 in the EU. Measures span from targets for energy efficiency of moving freight to modal split, e-infrastructure, to truck dimension and to the expansion of a low carbon infrastructure capacity achieved through enlarging the rail network. The backcasting method provides an opportunity for stakeholders to: (a) experience the future to 2050, (b) adopt a common understanding for the future of freight and (c) acquire legitimacy for those policies. The BaU (business as usual) future does not include the limits to growth argument; this chapter challenges that view.


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    Title :

    Europe’s Sustainable Road Freight Transport to 2050: Closing the Gap Between Reality and Vision


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2019-10-26


    Size :

    31 pages





    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English