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Christophe NICOOEMEDirector GeneralEuropean Union Road Federation(ERF)------i Transport StrategiesThe European Commission WhitePaper on the Future of TransportThe point of view of the European Union RoadFederation (ERF)The road to the futureOn March 28, 2011, the European Commission(EC) released its White Paper on Transport, establishingthe future framework of the transport strategiesfor Europe in the future.In the principles the EC White Paper recognises theimportance of mobility and transport forthe European economy and society. It also underlinesthe requirement for sustainable transport inthe context of transport's oil dependence and thenecessity to drastically reduce the greenhousegas emissions (up to 60% by 2050 with respectto 1990).The White Paper acknowledges the role of newtechnologies for vehicle and traffic management as a key factor for lowering thetransport emissions in the European Union. In order to tackle these challenges, thetransport infrastructure needs to be improved for providing economic growth whileminimising the impact on the environment.Co-modalityThe White Paper also insists on the optimisationof the performance of multi modallogistic chains and the most efficientcombination of transport modes.It promotes the use of better modal choiceswhich will result from greater integrationof the modal networks: improved linkingbetween different modes of transportthrough multimodal connections should alsoenhance mobility.However, while preaching for co-modality,the EC's White Paper seeks to substantiallypromote rail and other modes of transportagainst road. According to its stated objectives,by 2050, it would like to see a 50% shiftin freight transport from road to railfor distances over 300 km and the majorityof medium-distance passenger transporttravelling rail. Moreover, and clearlywithout considering the severe economicimpact that it would haveon public finances, the Commissionwould like to triple high speed rail linesby 2050, while maintaining an overalldense rail network.Modern infrastructure.smart pricing and fundingThe ERF welcomes the Commission'sacknowledgment that infrastructure shapesmobility. It also supports the needfor sustainable financing methodsand, in this respect, agrees with the ideaof putting in place road pricing mechanisms,based on the user pays and polluterspay principle. However, it insiststhat such a pricing mechanism should berevenue neutral.ED europeanroads review 1 B • Spring 201 1 • RGRA