Commission launches two new sustainable transport projects The European Commission has launched two new sustainable transport research projects which will contribute to EU efforts to improve air quality across Europe. The projects, both of which are coordinated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), were launched i... The European Commission has launched two new sustainable transport research projects which will contribute to EU efforts to improve air quality across Europe. The projects, both of which are coordinated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), were launched in Milan, Italy at a conference on transport and the environment. Transport systems are a part of our everyday lives, and as well as facilitating the movement of people and goods, the sector makes a significant contribution to the economy, accounting for around 7% of European GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and 5% of employment. However, all of this comes at a price in the form of air pollution, which is harmful to both human health and the environment. Poor air quality is believed to cut an average of nine months off the average European's life expectancy, a figure which rises to 2 years in some Member States. 'We need to tackle the issue of sustainable transport head-on,' commented European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. 'In the EU, transport is responsible for about one third of all toxic substances and CO2 [carbon dioxide] released into the atmosphere and this will increase significantly if we don't act now. The projects launched today are a good step in the right direction.' The first project, called 'Transport and Environment: an Integrated Analysis' (TRAENVIA) focuses on the Trans-European Corridor V, which runs across Europe from Lisbon to Kiev. The project will assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of different modes of transport along the route and see how they can best be integrated with one another. Particular challenges facing the project include assessing the environmental benefits of non-road transport such as shipping and railways, and investigating the potential of new transport technologies such as alternative fuels and power trains. Work has already started on measuring and comparing emissions from different modes of transport, and accounting for factors such as traffic flow, congestion, border crossings and toll stations. Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Ukraine are all participating in the project. The second project is a collaboration between the JRC and the Italian region of Lombardy, which has one of the highest average GDPs in the EU. Due to its vibrant economy, Lombardy has a high demand for transport solutions and this, combined with its unique geo-climatic conditions, means it suffers from persistently low air quality. Levels of particulate matter and ozone are particularly high, and particulate matter alone reduces life expectancy in the Po Valley by over a year on average. The new project, called 'Collaborative Research project for Air Pollution Reduction in Lombardia', will test a number of technologies designed to reduce the emission of air pollutants, in particular from road transport. It will also provide scientific support to those responsible for designing and implementing air quality strategies in Lombardy and the Po Valley in general, information which will no doubt prove useful to many other regions of the EU. 'Air quality has a direct impact on the health of EU citizens,' said EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. 'It is the responsibility of national, regional and local authorities to protect their citizens and develop the most effective local measures.'
