As part of a UN Task Force established in April 2020, experts have developed a set of key recommendations that Member States can implement to support a recovery towards a green and healthy transport and mobility system.

 

The UN Task Force was set up by UNECE under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP) and is comprised of experts from Member States, international institutions, academia, public transport operators and industry.

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The recommendations form part of a policy document that identifies and analyses the challenges and outcomes of COVID-19 for the transport sector, while also highlighting good practice examples and effective mobility solutions. These include actions that promote active mobility, increase road safety and improve passenger protection on public transport. A dedicated Partnership will be created within THE PEP to assist Member States in the implementation of the recommendations.

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In order to develop a concrete set of recommendations, the Task Force agreed on the development of a key set of themes where a strong focus was placed on ensuring that the principle of “Avoid– Shift–Improve” remains at the centre of actions to be taken. The agreed themes were:

1. Consider public space allocation for all modes of movement in the urban, peri-urban and rural environments with an emphasis on the opportunities offered through spatial planning and infrastructure investment.

2. Increase investment in public transport to meet current and future needs as well as to ensure that it is safe (and attractive to use) for users and workers.

3. Encourage the adoption of e-mobility solutions as a fundamental part of powering public transport and active mobility.

4. Introduce mobility management solutions to manage transport demand in an environment-friendly and healthy way taking into account the user perspective and raising awareness of transport users, to facilitate the switch to greener modes of transport and to make the transport system more efficient.

5. Facilitate the adoption of innovation and technology in transport to increase accessibility and safety and to reduce emissions and environmental impacts leading to increased health benefits.

6. Support active mobility as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport.

7. Rebuild the transport system in a fair and inclusive way while avoiding social disparities and particularly considering the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. Take into account the social dimension of pandemics as well as the need for a just transition towards a green and healthy transport system.

 

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Source: Eltis

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