Untitled - Ministerstwo Rozwoju Regionalnego

The purpose of this chapter is not to describe the characteristics or the potential
applications of the Galileo system, but rather to relate to the broader perspective
of how innovative satellite navigation solutions can be used in the
transport sector, and the degree to which they may help with the ambitious
goals of sustainable development of transport.
7.2. Satellite navigation in the light of the current goals
and principles of the European transport policy
The application of satellite navigation in transport is indisputable as it enables
automatic identification of travelling vehicles, but also traffic management, providing
the drivers with relevant information or warning them about possible
threats. In addition to these basic capabilities, however, one can mention far
broader perspectives for applications, taking into account the specific nature of
the various modes of transport.
The European Union regards building a sustainable transport system in
Europe as the main goal of its transport policy. According to the recent document
on the directions and instruments of the European transport policy (White
Paper of 2001 entitled European transport policy for 2010: time to decide 1 ), the objective
is to be achieved by implementing twelve instrument packages covering the
various transport areas. These packages include the following: improving quality
in the road sector, revitalising the railways, controlling the growth in air
transport, linking sea and inland waterways, helping to start up intermodal
services, creating trans-European networks, improving road safety, adopting the
methodology of effective charging for transport, respecting rights and obligations
of users, developing high quality urban transport, promoting research and
technology focused on environmentally friendly and effective development of
transport and managing the effects of transport globalisation.
The issue of satellite navigation was directly included in two instrument
packages: package six – building trans-European transport networks, where the
TEN network includes project for Galileo, the satellite navigation system, and
package twelve – managing the effects of globalisation, where one of the objectives
is to achieve independence in terms of satellite navigation by developing
Europe's own system Galileo. However, using a satellite navigation system is
possible, or even essential for the implementation of other objectives of EU
transport policy, such as improving road safety or adopting the principles for
1 COM(2001) 370 of 12.09.2001.
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