The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy supports and symbolises connectivity and accessibility for all regions of the Union. Through several revisions, the policy has coped with growing transport demand, geo-political developments (several EU enlargements) and evolving transport policy challenges (e.g. liberalisation, standardisation, technological innovation). The time has come for further reflection.
Why an evaluation?
Transport in Europe is facing unprecedented challenges, namely with regard to sustainability, user-driven mobility and technological progress, as well as following the coronavirus outbreak. These challenges call for new solutions. TEN-T policy must keep up with and even second-guess developments to ensure a future-oriented, sustainable transport system, which is why it is currently being reviewed.
Note: the scope of this evaluation does not include concrete network planning, nor EU funding programmes. During the evaluation process, stakeholders are therefore invited to focus their contributions on questions of methodology and policy aspects.
The consultation process
The Commission started the TEN-T review process in April 2019 with an evaluation of the existing TEN-T Regulation together with an Open Public Consultation. This consultation took place between April and July 2019 and generated responses from more than 600 citizens and organisations.
Under the Commission's Better Regulation approach, a targeted stakeholder consultation was launched in January. It addresses the broad range of stakeholders directly concerned by the shaping and implementing of TEN-T policy as well as by the use of TEN-T infrastructure. The scope of this consultation is more tailored to issues of importance to such stakeholder communities. Contributions from concerned stakeholders are expected to complement the Open Public Consultation effectively. This consultation builds on a series of online surveys, interviews and workshops. It covers both the TEN-T policy generally as well as the following more specific topics:
- Urban nodes within the framework of TEN-T policy
- The functioning of TEN-T Corridors
- Standards and requirements of TEN-T infrastructure
- The TEN-T as an enabler of a future-oriented mobility system
- Rail infrastructure for high-quality passenger services
- Digitalisation in the framework of TEN-T policy
- Infrastructure quality, resilience (to climate change and various disasters), life-cycle approach for infrastructure – including aspects of preventive maintenance (notably through application of new technologies)
- TEN-T requirements from the perspective of “European passengers” (including aspects of accessibility for all users)
- Cooperation with third countries on TEN-T policy.
Timeline
Evaluation
Commissioner Vălean presented the main lines of the TEN-T revision process to the European Parliament on 23 June. A summary of the results of the full evaluation will be published towards the end of 2020.
Further review process
In line with the Action Plan included in the Commission's Communication on the European Green Deal, a proposal for a revision of the TEN-T Regulation is planned in the second quarter of 2021. A consultation as part of the impact assessment will be organised in autumn 2020.
Contact: MOVE-TEN-T-REVISION@ec.europa.eu