European Transportation

Lifestyles

Transportation plays a vital role in the economic development of nations. However, the rapid growth of urban populations and car ownership has led to increasingly serious traffic congestion in major cities.

To mitigate this issue, governments invest substantial amounts of money each year in road construction and the implementation of traffic safety facilities, which have had some success in alleviating congestion.

Nevertheless, with the continuous growth in traffic demand and the increasing complexity of transportation systems, it is becoming increasingly challenging to effectively address traffic problems solely through roadway expansion. In addition, the daily operation of public transport has highlighted issues such as speeding, overloaded operations, and private rerouting.

To tackle these challenges, it is essential to achieve standardized and automated management of buses, which necessitates the establishment of a traffic command center. Such a center would not only enhance the overall traffic environment but also improve the utilization efficiency of transportation resources, ensuring the safety and smooth flow of roads.

Simultaneously, it is crucial to strengthen bus management efforts by optimizing bus line networks and adjusting bus line settings to reduce the running cycle of excessively long routes.

Many European countries have successfully implemented measures such as bus priority signals and intelligent bus monitoring and scheduling systems. These initiatives have improved bus speed and service quality, attracting the public to choose bus travel as a viable alternative. Consequently, this has effectively alleviated urban traffic pressure and yielded significant social and economic benefits.

In Europe, railway travel is widely regarded as the most comfortable and convenient means of transportation. Traveling by train allows passengers to experience the stunning beauty of various European countries.

Journeying through nostalgic cities, traversing valleys, and even passing through the snow-capped Alps provides unforgettable and awe-inspiring scenery. Among the numerous European train journeys, the Bernina Express, which commences in Kull, Switzerland, and passes through the Alps to Tirano, Italy, stands out as an exceptional choice.

Europe boasts a well-developed highway network system, enabling seamless connectivity among countries. Uniform road signs, such as Europe 1 (E1) and Europe 2 (E2), facilitate travel by eliminating borders, visa requirements, and toll barriers. This harmonious system encourages hassle-free movement of people and goods across European Union (EU) countries.

In line with its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the EU aims to achieve a 90% reduction in the transport sector by 2050. To attain this ambitious goal, the EU has launched various policy initiatives to promote the green and digital transformation of the transport system, aiming to create a sustainable and intelligent transportation network.

Currently, a significant portion of inland freight in Europe relies on road transportation, contributing to severe traffic congestion and air pollution. To address this issue, the EU proposes transferring 75% of inland freight traffic to rail and inland water transport. Additionally, the EU envisions electrifying 95% of passenger services and nearly 90% of freight trains by 2050.

In accordance with this strategy, the future shipping industry within the EU should strive for zero air and water pollution. This can be achieved through the establishment of clean ports, the implementation of emission control zones, and the integration of inland waterways and rail transport into a comprehensive network.

Furthermore, the EU aims to construct zero-emission airports and reduce the issuance of free carbon emission allowances to airlines, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation industry.