Przemyslaw Borkowski

Passenger Transport Interconnectivity as a Stimulator of Sustainable Transport Development in the European Union

The aim of this chapter is to provide the overview of interconnectivity issues in the area of passenger transport in the context of sustainable transport development in the EU. At present the European Transport Networks’ role as integrated international networks is compromised by poor interconnectivity. A realistic assessment of intermodal opportunities is a key ingredient to future policy development. In this part the tools and solutions for improvement interconnectivity are also discussed.

Towards an Optimal Multimodal Travel Planner—Lessons from the European Experience

The recent drive by the European Union aimed at qualitative change in transport system is to be achieved mainly by introduction of ICT solutions. One of the tools which are based on ICT are electronic travel planners. In Europe there are currently hundreds of travel planners but mostly local ones. The truly multimodal travel planners are rarity. It seems that development of successful and fully functional travel planner is a difficult task. In the paper the research into the European experience with developing optimal travel planners has been conducted. The regulatory framework for introduction of travel planners into transport systems is being discussed. Subsequently the key barriers for introduction of multimodal planners are identified and framework for assessment of multimodal travel planner usability is proposed. Finally selected number of European travel planners are subjected to assessment under proposed framework leading to conclusions on features of optimal multimodal travel planner.

Applicability of ICT solutions in passenger transport - case studies from different European backgrounds

AbstractImpact of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) on sustainable transport development is indisputable. It can be tested through various methods. The identification and detailed analysis of specific types of ICT solutions, case studies approach or scenarios analysis are examples of perspectives for impact assessment that can lead to the proof that successful applications of ICT solutions entails optimised, more accessible, less resource consuming and less emission intensive transport. The impact of ICTs in travel induction and substitution and resulting decarbonisation effect is difficult to assess isolated from other social, economic and technologic drivers. Financial applicability reflects initial investment cost as well as operation maintenance costs. Organizational feasibility refers primarily to the necessary changes in organisation and conduct of operations created by introduction of ICTs. The social factor results from user and public acceptance or lack of it. User acceptance is ...

Reducing Odometer Fraud in the EU Second-Hand Passenger Car Market Through Technical Solution

One of the key issues while purchasing used car is viability of its odometer reading. Mileage incurred is basis for consumer decisions. European Union second-hand car markets score low in surveys in regard to their honesty and reliability. Evidence from around the world as well as from the EU suggests that odometer tampering is quite frequent practice. Thus dishonest sellers intercept difference in monetary value between odometer tampered and non-tampered car. For buyer there are hidden costs of depreciation and maintenance incurred but not revealed. In this paper the economic viability of one of the possible solutions to fight odometer fraud in regard to passenger cars is discussed. This solution is based on introduction of tamper-proof odometers into the market. The costs and benefits of such a move are estimated and pros and cons of the proposal are discussed. The estimates are produced for different scenarios of assumed odometer fraud levels. Regardless of the fraud level scenario considered the straight monetary benefits outweigh costs. However there are other issues which influence possible introduction of tamper-proof odometers like lasting of their effects or social and technical barriers to their adoption.

Inducing Modal Shift in Passenger Transport Through ICT Solutions

One of the main goals of modern transport policy is a drive to induce modal change through ICT solutions. It is believed that the user given the benefits of modern ICTs in making travel experience more seamless and reasonably cheap will be willing to resign from private car in favour of public transport. The research presented in this paper refers to the field studies on the acceptance of different ICTs by transport users. It shows results from rural and urban travel. Based on this the feasibility of the possible enforcement of change and resulting modal shift is questioned. Although ICT solutions are widely accepted for majority of transport users they are not sufficient to change transport behaviours and ensure switch from private car to public transport.