The problem

The requirements of efficient transport systems can threaten environmentally sensitive areas, and the battle between these two priorities is a common focus of public debate. There is no scientific or political consensus on the definition of a sensitive area in the context of transport policy. There is a need to develop clarity about the concept of sensitive areas, and to include sensitive urban locations in addition to the more traditional mountainous and countryside regions. EU-wide coherence on this issue is required to allow sustainable European transport policies to be developed.

Overview:

ASSET will explore ways of balancing the protection of environmentally sensitive areas with the provision of efficient transport systems, placing emphasis on market-based solutions.

The project will:

• Develop an EU-wide framework of definitions and assessment methods for transport sensitive areas (TSAs)
• Survey European TSAs and review existing policies affecting them
• Produce common policy guidelines for the treatment of TSAs in developing transport systems

Contribution to policy development:

• ASSET will produce standardised definitions and assessment methods for policy-makers across Europe
• It will assist the practical implementation of current policies affecting TSAs
• It will offer information on market-based solutions to develop new sustainable transport policies
• Case studies to help policy-makers relate theoretical studies to real world examples

Project deliverables

• Definitions and classification system for TSAs – October 2007
• Report on policy instruments – June 2008
• Report on methods to assess impacts of transport on sensitive areas – November 2008
• Results of 10 detailed case studies – May 2009
• Conclusions and policy guidelines – September 2009

Dissemination

• Website – June 2007
• Internet Map Server displaying results – February 2009
• High profile dissemination workshop and final conference – September 2009
• Presentations at international conferences – as opportunities arise
• Publication of results in academic journals and the transport press – as results become available

Technical information

Project acronym: ASSET
Project’s official full title: Assessing Sensitiveness to Transport
Research priority: The development of tools, indicators and operational parameters for assessing sustainable transport and energy systems performance (economic, environmental and social)
Specific webpage: http://www.asset-eu.org 
Proposal/contract no: 044274
Start date: 1 May 2007
Kick off meeting: 15 May 2007
Completion date: 30 September 2009
European Commission scientific officer: Istvan RITZ, Istvan.RITZ@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator:
Name: Istituto di Studi per l’Integrazione dei Sistemi
Abbreviated name: ISIS
Address: Via Flaminia 21, 00196, Rome
Country: Italy
Tel: +39 063612920
Fax: +39 063213049
Website: http://www.isis-it.com

Partners

Name: Centro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas
Abbreviated name: CEDEX
Country: Spain   

Name: Forschung und Beratung in Wirtschaft und Politik
Abbreviated name: ECOPLAN
Country: Switzerland      

Name: Institut fuer Energiewirtschaft und Rationelle Energieanwendung, University of Stuttgart
Abbreviated name: USTUTT
Country: Germany         

Name: Institute for Transport Studies – University of Leeds
Abbreviated name: UNIVLEEDS
Country: United Kingdom         

Name: Institut für Wirtschaftspolitik und Wirtschaftsforschung - Universität Karlsruhe
Abbreviated name: UNIKARL
Country: Germany

Name: National Environmental Research Institute
Abbreviated name: NERI
Country: Denmark         

Name: Centro de Investigación del Transporte TRANSyT – Universidad Politecnica de Madrid
Abbreviated name: UPM
Country: Spain   

Name: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute
Abbreviated name: VTI
Country: Sweden           

Name: TRANSMAN Consulting for Transport System Management
Abbreviated name: TM
Country: Hungary          

Name: Transport Research Centre
Abbreviated name: CDV
Country: Czech Republic