BALTICOM Forum:

The TransLogis project

Abstract: Overview of the TransLogis project

Authors

Dr. Gundela Köhler
LEG Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft für Städtebau, Wohnen und Verkehr des Landes Brandenburg mbH
Seeburger Chaussee 2
D 14476 Groß Glienicke
Tel: +49-33201-27-304
Fax: +49-33201-27-458
e-mail: / Kai Tullius
IVU Traffic Technologies AG
Bundesallee 88
12161 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)30 859 06 0
Tel: +49 (0)30 859 06 111
e-mail

The Project TransLogis

1Background

With the opening of German and East European borders, the picture of the major transport connections has radically changed and with the economic growth in Eastern European countries, more changes can be expected. East-west connections and new north-south corridors through the former eastern block countries are becoming increasingly important, as for example, between Germany and Poland or Sweden via Berlin or Poland and further on to southern and eastern Europe.

In the changing political context Berlin has gained weight as a critical junction for east-west and north-south transports. Additionally, the German capital is, in itself, a major generator of transport and traffic. Berlin and the surrounding region also have to cope with rapid expansion which stresses the need for coherent traffic and spatial planning. The development in and around Berlin is also related to the economic development of the Polish regions closest to the German border. The coming integration of Poland in the EU will further emphasise this interaction. At the same time there is a need to improve communication networks between Polish regions themselves, where the north-south axis also is of importance for the links to Sweden/Skåne.

Traditionally, the province of Skåne provides the most important Swedish gateway to the European continent linking the Swedish network to Danish, German and Polish traffic networks. This function has been strengthened during the last decades when individual traffic with cars has rapidly increased and when road transport has become the major transport mode for high value general cargo. The opening of the fixed link between Malmö and Copenhagen in 2000 generates a major restructuring of the traffic networks in Skåne. In particular, the Malmö-Lund-Trelleborg region faces problems in terms of capacity restraints and environmental impacts as well as the balancing of spatial development. Additionally, the transit traffic via the future fixed link and the ferry ports of Trelleborg and Ystad imposes additional challenges.

The situation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reveals many similarities to development in Skåne. The link between Rostock/Mukran and Trelleborg continues to develop as does the port in general stressing the overall need to improve the links to the south and the east-west connections. Improved connections to the German transport and traffic network is an important issue in order to foster economic development (industry, services, tourism), which also requires serious consideration in order to limit environmental impact. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern there is the problem of the integration of the smaller cities (e.g. Schwerin, Greifswald, Stralsund) into the economic development of the Rostock area. The link to Rügen constitutes an especially crucial problem for all modes of transport, for leisure and for business. Also the east-west connections are insufficiently developed.

In Poland solutions must be found which support and improve the development of the ports of Szczecin-Swinoujscie and the hinterland connections by road, rail and inland waterways. Particular attention must be paid to the establishment of efficient access conditions from all directions, including the incorporation of inland waterways.

There are problems in Berlin-Brandenburg with the regional co-ordination of freight, individual and public transport resulting in environmental problems, economic instabilities, barriers created by transport corridors and uncontrolled urban spread. Theses related regional transport problems are further intensified by the east-west and north-south transit traffic. Furthermore, the present development does not support the politically stated objective of a decentralised region.

2Objective

The three major objectives of the TransLogis project are the following:

  • Promoting the process of European integration for eastern European states
  • Strengthening of regional spatial structures by employing intelligent multimodal transport systems
  • Developing of alternative, competitive and environmentally friendly logistics solutions for freight transport

The TransLogis regions are of crucial importance for the future integration of states in eastern Europe in the European Community. It is to be expected that in the future transport demand in the north-south and east-west corridors crossing the TransLogis area will continue to increase.

The upcoming challenges in transport organization require transnational cooperation in spatial and transport planning, coordinated infrastructure investments and the abolishment of bottlenecks. The results of the TransLogis project will contribute to these European tasks. The regions participating in the TransLogis project face a rapid growth of transnational freight transport that cross the TransLogis area in the north-south and east-west direction. The increase in transport demand considerably affects the regional structure and economic as well as social development.

Therefore, it is the aim of the TransLogis project to promote the use of transport modes and transport corridors as well as intelligent multimodal transport technologies, that support a regional sustainable development for the regions involved.The TransLogis project will foster innovative and environmentally friendly logistics measures in order to organize the future transport demand. Technical and organisational solutions will be worked out in cooperation with private operators.

3Project Activities

Regional cross border co-operation is necessary to ensure the interlinking of traffic networks and a well balanced structure of centres of economic activity, settlements and free spaces. Such a co-operation must also consider the economic and competitive environment in which shippers and transport organisations operate.

TRANSLOGIS studies transport activities and traffic patterns in four neighbouring regions in three countries. The project investigates present and future supply and demand of traffic infrastructure for passenger and freight as a function of economic and technical development and planning objectives aimed at developing a sustainable transport system, protection of the environment and well-balanced regional development. This requires an analysis and comparison of

  • procedures, hierarchies and objectives for spatial and traffic planning
  • forecasts and investment plans for infrastructure development
  • plans for the protection of the environment
  • location and organisation of logistic centres

TRANSLOGIS seeks to influence a modal split towards a more sustainable mix of transport modes within a transnational planning system creating synergies for economic development and environmental protection, while respecting the priorities of the regions. Such priorities to be considered in TRANSLOGIS are the development of the transport axes constituted by the international road and railway corridors e. g. (Berlin-Szczecin-Gdansk; Berlin-Gorzow-Poznan-Minsk; Berlin-Cottbus-Krakow; Berlin-Rostock/Mukran-Trelleborg/Ystad and via Berlin to the south and west as well as the improvement of the competitiveness of waterborne transport (sea transport and inland waterways)

4Structure of the project

A common platform regarding present and future demand (WP 100) and supply (WP 200) of transport forms the basis for the work in TransLogis, together with an overview of goals, planning measures available and financial and economic framework in each region (WP 400). This basis is extended by a "tool-box” (WP 300), i.e. technology, techniques, organisational solutions, fiscal and legal options, which can be used to promote sustainable transport solutions. The knowledge about present and future situations as well as the options open to the planners and the transport business generate a number of scenarios (WP 500) which illustrate different lines of action, some of which are studied in detail (cases). Scenarios and cases are evaluated (WP 600) with respect to their ability to satisfy the planning and the business objectives. Finally conclusions are drawn and recommendations made (WP 700) regarding the practicability of the measures studied.

5Expected Results / Outcome

TRANSLOGIS will show the benefits of co-ordinated regional planning through the interlinking of transnational traffic systems and settlement structures. A co-ordinated approach of international and interregional traffic patterns is expected to result in a transnational traffic network for passenger and freight transport.

The implementation of TRANSLOGIS will lead to a change in working methods in planning and in the assessments of objectives and measures through the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the participants. The personal networks that will be developed and the co-operation emerging because of TRANSLOGIS will contribute to a coherent and sustainable transnational spatial planning system and development in the BSR, as will these networks improve communications and transport infrastructure.

The expected concrete results of the project are recommendations related to

  • a modal shift of freight transport from road to alternative transport modes
  • improvement of the region’s logistic and transport structure by indicating new transport corridors
  • harmonisation of spatial planning in the region
  • improvement of the transport infrastructure in the region.

1. Strengthening of intermodal transport in the TransLogis region

  • Outline of a network of logistic freight centers with feasible technical equipment for combined transport
  • Specification of framework conditions in order to make rail transport more attractive (e.g. fiscal options, such as fuel taxes etc.)

2. Strengthening of transport corridors in the TransLogis region

  • Identification of major transport corridors
  • Indications on how to proceed to have these corridors integrated in spatial/regional plans

3. Regulation of traffic (areas with high transport volumes shall not be affected by additional transport)

  • Recommendations for spatial / infrastructure planning

4. Harmonized spatial planning in the TransLogis region

  • Identification of differences in current planning processes
  • Identification of possibilities of aligning goals and framework conditions

5. Regional Goals

  • Sea ports and transshipment centers (GVZ): What transport volume can be expected under different conditions
  • Border crossing points: how to overcome existing bottlenecks
  • Further development of an intermodal urban distribution concept for Berlin
  • Extension of the port Szczecin/Swinoujscie
  • Modernization of the inland waterway Oder-Havel