Freight Transport and Logistics Masterplan - Bundesministerium für ...

Measures: Environmentally friendly, climate-friendly, quiet and safe tr ansport Measures: Good working conditions and good tr aining in the freight tr ansport industry
E Further tighten environmental and safety standards (emissions reduction,
noise mitigation, safety technology)
Current situation
The Federal Government has set itself the
objective of reducing the greenhouse gas
emissions caused by Germany by 40 % by 2020
compared with 1990 levels. The transport sector
has to play its part in achieving this goal.
This applies especially to heavy goods vehicle
traffic, because road haulage accounts for one
third of all CO ² emissions from road transport.
In addition, the fact that current forecasts predict
a growth in levels of freight traffic means
that legitimate questions of transport safety
and noise mitigation are increasingly becoming
the focus of public attention.
Description of the measure
The existing programme of innovation is to
be evolved – possibly within the framework
of the toll compensation measures – towards
the provision of further financial assistance
to encourage the purchase of cleaner and
quieter HGVs. In addition, it is also to cover
issues relating to transport safety technology
and efficient logistics systems. In this way, for
instance, electronic stability programmes
such as ESP and other modern safety technologies,
especially driver assistance systems,
could be introduced earlier than required by
law. In inland navigation, the existing financial
assistance programmes to encourage the
purchase of low-emission engines and particulate
traps will be optimized and, if appropriate,
continued. Using more biofuels in the
freight transport sector can also help to reduce
CO ² emissions. In this context, possibilities
for using more vegetable oil and biodiesel in
HGVs, local public transport and inland navigation,
including technical conversion, should
be explored.
Impact F Good working conditions and good training in the freight transport industry
These measures are designed to help reduce
CO ² emissions and improve safety in the road
haulage sector.
Responsibility
The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building
and Urban Affairs has lead responsibility for
evolving the programmes of innovation.
Budgetary relevance
Implementation of the measures will have a
neutral impact on the budget.
EU relevance
This measure is consistent with the EU objectives
of making freight transport climatefriendly
and environmentally acceptable
and improving road safety. The financial
assistance programme will require European
Commission approval.
Implementation period
Work on developing the funding guidelines is
to commence in 2008. The preparatory period
leading up to the entry into force of the funding
guidelines will probably be more than
one year.