REFINET Multi-modal Transport Infrastructure framework

Abstract

Most European transport infrastructure was built in the 1960-1970s and was designed for a working life of 50 years. This infrastructure is now reaching the end of its lifetime and it is often strained far beyond intended capacities in terms of traffic flows and loads. In addition to aging, infrastructure networks will eventually face new challenges such as climate change impacts, demographic trends, and cross-modal requirements. Across Europe there is therefore an urgent need to modernise and future-proof existing infrastructure and to deliver new infrastructure in an innovative and efficient way. A pan-European, coordinated approach to the development and delivery of innovative concepts and solutions for design, construction, maintenance and upgrade of transport infrastructure would help the EU transport network remain globally competitive. This paper argues that the REFINET Multi-Modal Transport Infrastructure (RMMTI) framework provides a simple but powerful vision, which resonates with transport sector stakeholders across all modes. The RMMTI framework aims to be an open, active and quality reference that can 1) help infrastructure managers from strategic planning to operational level, 2) inform research and innovation priorities for transport infrastructure; and, 3) be used as a benchmark for future multi-modal transport infrastructure.