ANNEX 2 GUIDELINES TO DEFINE THE CORE TRANSPORT NETWORK IN ND AREA Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 1
Preface This deliverable covers the guidelines used for the definition of the NDPTL (Northern Dimension Partnership for Transport and Logistics) Regional Transport Network and the proposal for the NDPTL Regional Transport Network. The proposed network is the result of a negotiation process aiming at a harmonised and widely accepted result based on the agreed guidelines and principles. It is continuation to the preliminary work that started already during the NORDIM project in 2011. The negotiation process included during the spring 2012 several rounds of discussions and versions of the network and the respective guidelines. The proposal is later on subject to comments and approval of the Steering Committee. The wide consensus behind the proposal increases the proposal s weight. It forms, thus, a good basis already now for further studies and for the coming definition process of the priority projects of the network. The work has been executed in the context of the activities carried out in collaboration with the European Commission for the mission assignment Definition of the core transport network in the Northern dimension area Specific Contract Nr 2011/276404 under the Framework Contract COM 2011 Lot 1: Studies and Technical Assistance in all sectors (Europeaid/129783/C/SER/MULTI). The lead consultant for the assignment is Business & Strategies in Europe, S.A.. The project started in November 2011. This deliverable will be supported by another one reviewing the socio-economic background, planning policies and other relevant background data in the NDPTL area. The work for this deliverable has been led by Kari Lautso/WSP Finland Oy. The supporting GIS work has been the responsibility of John McDaniel/Ramboll Sverige AB. The authors want to thank all the representatives of the Partnership Countries, the European Commission representatives and the NDPTL Secretariat for their constructive and supportive guidance and work that eventually made it possible to come to commonly accepted conclusions and results. Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 3
Contents Preface... 3 I Background and introduction... 5 1.1 NDPTL activities by June 2011... 5 1.2 TEN-T core network proposal, October 2011... 5 II Definition of the NDPTL Regional Transport Network... 6 III The process for the definition of the transport network... 7 Sources... 3 Annexes... 3 Annex I NDPTL Regional Network (Draft), Roads, Railways and Sea connections... 4 Annex II Lists of nodes, Airports, Maritime ports and border crossing points in the TEN-T core network... 5 Annex III The TEN-T Core Network... 10 Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 4
I. Background and introduction 1.1 NDPTL activities by June 2011 As noted by the NDPTL Infrastructure Working Group already in Brussels 28.4.2010, a definition for a NDPTL Regional Transport Network is needed, as this could also support the definition of NDPTL priority projects. A priority project is likely to correspond with the overall aims of the ND transport system if it supports the regional network of the area. This was also agreed to be one of the selection criteria for the Preliminary list of projects presented in the NORDIM report in June 2011. The need for the definition of the Regional Network was also noted in most of the regional meetings held with all the eleven ND countries in July October 2010. Based on this process and these discussions the Draft of the NDPTL Regional Network was first discussed and then presented in the NORDIM report in June 2010 (Annex I). 1.2 TEN-T core network proposal, October 2011 The European Commission published in October 2011 a proposal for the TEN-T Core Transport Network within the European Union. The network comprises networks of all transport modes and also defines the major border crossing points, airports and ports. The core network overlays the comprehensive network and consists of its strategically most important parts. It constitutes the backbone of the multi-modal mobility network. It concentrates on those components of the TEN-T with the highest European added value: cross border missing links, key bottlenecks and multi-modal nodes. The core network is to be in place by 31 December 2030 at the latest. The EU transport funding is tightly focused on the core network, whereas the comprehensive network will be mainly nationally funded. The overall objective of the Core Network is to enhance the European added value of the TEN-T. This is defined as a benefit that goes beyond those achieved on national level and includes not only economic benefits but also those derived in the cohesion, environmental and safety and security areas. The aim of the new EU transport policy is to focus on a smaller number of projects where real EU added value can be realised. Other general goals for the approach were: - The network should remove bottlenecks, upgrade infrastructure and streamline cross border transport operations for passengers and freight - The network should be linked to the corresponding infrastructure in neighbouring countries and regions - The network should reduce disparities, in particular in peripheral, insular or landlocked regions - The system should emphasize multimodality, including multimodal links and facilities for co-modal and/or combined transport, as well as interoperability and improved efficiency of all modes of transport - The system should support applications of advanced technology and ITS - The network should contribute to climate change objectives - The transport network should deliver o Safer and less congested travel o Smoother and quicker journeys The TEN-T core network has been defined in two steps: Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 5
1. Definition of main nodes Firstly, the main nodes are the capitals of the member states and other large urban areas (86 nodes). The ports and airports belonging to the urban node are part of the core network. Secondly, outside these areas ports exceeding certain volume threshold can be regarded as nodes (83 nodes) especially if they serve as entry/exit points to the union. Thirdly, the most relevant border crossing points, one per mode between each member state and neighbouring country (46 nodes) are regarded as nodes 2. Connecting the main nodes The nodes are connected with multimodal links (road, rail, inland waterway), according to availability or feasibility, taking into account effectiveness and efficiency and preferably using existing infrastructure. The implementation of the core network is facilitated using a corridor approach. Corridors covering at least three modes, three member states and two cross border sections will bring together the member states concerned. II. Definition of the NDPTL Regional Transport Network The definition of the NDPTL Regional Network has taken place by applying the above approach including the general objectives and the 2-step methodology, by taking into account the special features of the NDPTL area and by focusing on the connections between the EU and non-eu countries where the NDPTL co-operation is mostly needed and most productive. In fact, the proposal presented in the NORDIM report already followed the above principles by e.g. connecting the capitals of the NDPTL countries and by providing connections to the main ports. The Steering Committee Meeting in Berlin 29.3.2012 agreed on the following definition: - the NDPTL Regional Network is a strategic network that: - connects the capitals and other large urban areas of the region - connects the major ports and airports to the network - defines the major border crossing points - connects the major entry and exit points to and from the NDPTL Region to the network - connects the TEN-T Core Network to the neighbouring non-eu countries - the links of the network should carry (or have potential to carry) a remarkable amount of international traffic - on the EU side the TEN-T Core Network links should be included in the NDPTL network. Other NDPTL links should normally be part of the TEN-T comprehensive network. The comprehensive network will underlay the NDPTL network in any case. The above statement summarises the principles used when designing the network. Other, as well as more detailed design criteria applied are explained below. Similarly to the TEN-T Core Network policy the NDPTL Regional network policy should: - enhance the Northern Dimension added value. This is defined as a benefit that goes beyond those achieved on national level and includes not only economic benefits but also those derived in the cohesion, environmental and safety and security areas. Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 6
- focus on a smaller number of projects where real ND added value can be realised. The introduction of a node also means that the node will be linked to other parts of the network. From the NDPTL point of view these network links are well justified if they fulfil as many as possible of the following criteria: - Carry a remarkable amount of international traffic - Solve a bottleneck problem - Clearly support and complement other parts of the network - Support peripheral areas that have high transport demand or development potential - Form part of a corridor between at least three countries - Have a clear cross border impact - Co-operation of two or more countries is needed for their implementation or for making them economically feasible - The implementation is foreseen by 2030 or by 2050 at the latest The above list is not prioritised by the NDPTL countries and it is recommended that this would be done before starting the prioritising process. Regarding the nodes, the NDPTL Regional Network includes on the EU side all ports, airports, border crossing points and RRTs (Road and Rail Terminal) of the TEN-T Core Network. In addition to these, a few additional ports, airports, border crossing points and RRTs deemed important for the NDPTL cooperation have been defined, as proposed by the partnership countries. The following aspects related to the nodes needed special consideration: - Definition of large urban areas (in addition to the capitals) to be considered as nodes: St. Petersburg and Hamburg were considered to be such areas. - Definition of the main border crossing points between the EU-countries and non-eu countries within NDPTL: The crossing points are indicated on the maps, especially the identification of the border crossing points between the EU and non-eu countries is important, as consensus of the respective countries is needed In order to avoid confusion, the terminology in the NDPTL context is different from that in TEN-T context. As decided by the Steering Committee in March 2012, the NDPTL Regional Transport Network is not categorised to a core network and a comprehensive network. On the EU side normally all the NDPTL Regional Network links belong either to the Core or to the Comprehensive Network of the TEN- T. This way the two networks are well harmonised. As also already in NORDIM phase, the partnership countries have not prioritised inland waterway connections at this stage from the NDPTL co-operation point of view and, thus, inland waterway connections are not shown on the maps. III. The process for the definition of the transport network The goal of the assignment was to present a proposal for the NDPTL Regional Network by the end of May 2011. The process for reaching this goal included the following steps: The definition of criteria: Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 7
- Discussion based on this memorandum (v1) at the meeting on 15.2.between partnership countries (PC). Necessary revisions after the meeting (v2) by the consultant (C) - Further comments and proposals by 12.3.2012 by the partnership countries (PC) - New version (v3) based on the above comments by 22.3. and validated in Berlin 29.3. (C) - Comments by 20.4. (PC) - Final version based on discussions in Regional and Steering Committee meetings and PC comments by 22.5. (C) The NDPTL Regional Network: - The NORDIM draft updated by 29.2., v1 by the Consultant (C) - Preliminary proposal for new/revised nodes (urban areas, airports, harbours, border crossing points) by partnership countries by 12.3. by the Partnership Countries (PC) - Drafting the next network proposal, v2, by 22.3. and validated in Berlin 28-29.3. (C) - Further comments based on the discussions in Regional meetings (PC) by 20.4. - Draft Final for comments on 26.4. (C) - Comments by partnership countries on 14.5. at the latest (PC) - Final version by 22.5. (C) The final means the version to be reported and it will, of course, be subject to comments and approval by the Steering Committee at later stages. However, the version to be reported can already now well serve as basis for defining the priority projects. Month Week Criteria Meeting 15.2., v1 Revisions, v2 Comments Revisions v3 Steering Committee, Berlin Comments Regional Meetings (RMs) Core Network First Draft updated v1 Proposal for new nodes Core Network v2 Discussions in RMs, comments Draft Final Final Comments Final February March April May 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Action by Partnership Countries Action by Consultant Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 8
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Sources Preparing the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics, Final Report updated 30.6.2011, European Commission, Directorate General Move, WSP Finland Oy www.nordim.fi Proposal on TEN-T Network Planning, Final document http://ec.europa.eu/transport/infrastructure/revision-t_en.htm Connecting Europe: The new EU core transport network, Memo 11/706, 10/2011 http://ec.europa.eu/transport/infrastructure/revision-t_en.htm Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-european transport network, 19.12.2011, COM(2011) 650 final/2 Annexes I.A The NDPTL Regional Network (draft 6/2011) I. B Lists of nodes, Airports, Maritime ports and border crossing points in the TEN-T core network I. C The TEN-T Core Network Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 3
Annex I.A NDPTL Regional Network (Draft), Roads, Railways and Sea connections Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 4
Annex I.B Lists of nodes, Airports, Maritime ports and border crossing points in the TEN-T core network Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 5
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Annex I.C The TEN-T Core Network Definition of the Core Transport Network in the Northern Dimension area, FWC COM Lot 1 Page 10
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