Cross-border mobility study highlights challenges for border regions

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The « Cross-border mobility: Rail or road? Space-time-lines as an evidence base for policy debates » a study by Dominik Bertram, Tobias Chilla and Stefan Hippe of Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg outlines challenges and potentials for cross border regions in passenger transport.

The authors outline among other things, two key points:

First, a significant discovery is the distinction between cross-border and domestic links. Travelling by car is faster than travelling by train for the vast majority of cross-border connections. The train, on the other hand, is speedier for internal connections without border crossings. However, the average values across both categories show that train connections are the slower means of transit for the vast majority of connections. This is notable since the analytical approach captures the effects of traffic bottlenecks on car mobility but, as previously stated, does not account for delays in train transportation.
Furthermore, viewing important stations as nodes casts a more positive light on train connections. This could be addressed by expanding train infrastructure and increasing frequency.

According to the authors, the most potential for mobility enhancement exists in rural border areas, where both rail and car are primarily sluggish modes of transportation. However, the research cannot pinpoint the precise reasons for each border area’s low accessibility.

Low speeds can be caused by a variety of variables, including the number of rails or bridges, the availability of train electricity, and the road class.

Second, cross-border connections between larger cities outside of border regions are typically faster than cross-border connections within border regions. This could point to a « tunnel effect, » in which border regions benefit less from cross-border infrastructure investment than domestic centres.

Both arguments might be understood normatively, indicating that the process of catching up in terms of cross-border accessibility is not yet complete. Cross-border transport policy must still address severe gaps, notably in public transport, that raise concerns about cohesiveness and the transition to sustainable mobility.

This is merely a short summary, the full study is linked below.

Source:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373712757_Cross-border_mobility_Rail_or_road_Space-time-lines_as_an_evidence_base_for_policy_debates

T&E study claims environmental impact of road projects is massively understated

Symbolic picture by Cegoh on Pixabay

Sources(in German):

https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/mehr-kosten-als-nutzen-strasenbau-schadet-klima-wesentlich-starker-als-vom-verkehrsministerium-angenommen/

https://www.transportenvironment.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TE_Studie_Eine_Grosenordnung_daneben_0923.pdf