assessment

Analysis of docks’ capacity in concession to Arcelor Mittal Spa in the port of Taranto TRT has been contracted to carry out an assessment of the actual capacity of the docks taking into account the current production level of the steel plant. The need  for the analysis was expressed by the AdSP Management Committee in agreement with the local authorities. Due to the significant reduction that affected the plant’s production capacity in recent years with the main consequence of the inevitable decline in port traffic, the analysis was conducted with the main objective of responding to the need for rationalization and efficiency of the logistics and port infrastructure organization. During the study, statistical data and potential future scenarios for the relaunch of the plant were considered, highlighting the existing oversizing of the docks intended for raw materials and products handling, with respect to the actual operational needs. At the end of the analysis, strategies to promote the efficient use of the docks and the functional and environmental progress of the freight handling have been included. The need for solutions with reduced environmental impact, in line with the requirements and expected performance, was also stressed.

Assessment of infrastructure costs calculation, tolls calculation and variation for heavy goods vehicles in Member States Directive 1999/62/EC and following amendments provide the legal framework for the application of toll charges to heavy vehicles in the EU, stipulating that road infrastructure charging shall be based on the recovery of infrastructure costs and of traffic-related externalities. Before implementing or amending tolling arrangements, Member States must provide the Commission with a detailed description of the new system. As contractor of the FWC, TRT verifies whether the tolling arrangement notified to the Commission fully respects the provisions of the Directive. The methodology applied for the assessment includes: determination of the scope of the tolling scheme notified by the Member State; identification of costs eligible to be recovered through tolls; allocation of infrastructure costs across vehicles categories; calculation of the weighted average tolls and cost recovery rate.   In its assessment reports, TRT provides sound and evidence‐based analyses of the methodology used for infrastructure costs calculation, assessment of compliancy with the Directive’s core principles, as well as recommendations for possible modifications and improvements. Thus far TRT has assessed nine cases, including tolling arrangements from Italy, Spain, France, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary.  

Evaluation of the White Paper ‘Roadmap to a single European transport area – towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’ The 2011 Transport White Paper “Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system” is the document with which the European Commission has outlined the strategy on the future EU transport system and which defines the political agenda for the next decades. The main objectives of the strategy are (i) reduce carbon dioxide emissions in transport to a level that is 60 % below that of 1990; (ii) reduce the transport sector’s dependence on oil; (iii) reduce congestion growth. The strategy is articulated through 40 action points and 132 initiatives aimed at achieving 10 operational targets at different time horizons (2030 and 2050). TRT, member of the consortium led by Ricardo NL and participated by M-Five, E3Modelling and TEPR is responsible for carrying out the mid-term evaluation of the effectiveness of the strategy in order to support the European Commission in identifying any proposals for revising the document. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide a robust evidence-based assessment of the White Paper and the actions following from it since its adoption in 2011. It examines the effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, relevance and EU added value of the White Paper in line with the Better Regulation Guidelines. The evaluation looks at the identified needs for transport policy, the objectives and goals set in the White Paper, the proposed initiatives, reached outcomes and their results, as well as the overall impact of the strategy since it was put in place. The results of the evaluation are intended to inform subsequent decisions of the Commission on possible priorities for the future agenda of EU transport policy.   For more information Evaluation of the White Paper ‘Roadmap to a single European transport area – towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’. Final report, March 2021

Nantes Debat Publique – Nantes Atlantique airport, traffic forecasts due diligence On January 2018, the French Prime Minister announced the decision to abandon the project for the construction of the new airport of Notre‐Dame‐des‐Landes and develop the existing Nantes‐Atlantique airport under the management of the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC). The development of the Nantes‐Atlantic airport by 2040 was subject to prior consultation of the Commission Nationale du Débat Publique (CNDP), in order to inform in a transparent way the participants and discuss mobility needs, protection issues populations, environmental issues, socio‐economic impacts as well as territorial integration of the project. This consultation was envisaged to gather the opinions, stakeholder expectations and proposals for the development of the existing airport, and the options studied by the DGAC to meet needs in short (2025), medium (2030) and long (2040) terms. The objective of the analysis was to assess the solidity of the traffic forecast, taking into account the stakeholders’ opinions that evaluated the projections either underestimating the traffic potential or overestimating it due to taxation, stabilisation of the economic growth and climate change related regulations. The analysis of the traffic forecast was based on documents and studies related provided by the CNDP. Additional documentation was gathered in relation to air transport market development and transport demand projections at different geographical levels. The study identified the following factors as potentially influencing air traffic growth at the airport in the future. Operating airlines and networks. The penetration of low cost airlines in the air market of the region significantly supported the development of the airport traffic during the past. Relationship between airlines networks, travellers profile and socioeconomic context of the region. The network, especially for the international segment, is reflected by the profile of the travellers identified according to the surveys carried out. Competition with other French airports, although it was found low due the small size of the closest airport (Rennes) and negligible interaction with other comparable regional airports. Competition with high-speed trains and long-distance buses. The extensions of the TGV network might divert some air demand at 2030 (LGV Bretagne‐Pays de la Loire) and 2050 (Ligne nouvelle Ouest Bretagne Pays de la Loire). Policies for internalisation of external costs, because the French Government announced an environmental tax levied on airlines flying out of the country. The political scenario (i.e., Brexit) and macro‐economic (e.g., increase the oil price).   The study found that the forecast of 2019 did not overestimate the development of the airport at 2030. At 2030‐2050, the growth seem less likely to happen, because the offer of connections could reach the saturation.   For more information, please check Debat public website