Trans-European transport network: Community guidelines

OBJECTIVE :establishing guidelines covering the objectives, priorities and broad lines of measures envisaged in the sphere of trans-European networks. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Decision 1692/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network. SUBSTANCE : the guidelines are to be considered as the reference framework for action by the Member States and, where appropriate, the Community, towards the implementation of projects of common interest aimed at ensuring the cohesion, interconnection and interoperability of the trans-European transport network as well as access thereto. The network will be gradually put into place up to the year 2010, across the Community, by integrating the land, sea and air transport infrastructure networks, in accordance with the schemes illustrated by the maps shown in Annex I to the Decision. The broad lines of measures envisaged by the EC cover : - establishment and revision of network schemes; - identification of projects of common interest; - development of the existing network; - promotion of the interoperability of the network; - optimum combination of modes of transport (intermodality); - complementarity of financial interventions; - R&D measures; - cooperation and conclusion of appropriate agreements with third countries concerned by network development. Priority actions include : - the creation or development of the connections needed to eliminate bottlenecks, fill in missing sections and complete major routes; - creation or development of infrastructure improving access to the network, making it possible to link island, landlocked and peripheral regions with the central regions of the Community; - the combination and integration of the various modes of transport; - inclusion of the environmental dimension in the implementation and development of the network; - gradual implementation of the interoperability of network components; - optimization of the capacity and efficiency of existing infrastructure; - establishment or development of interconnection nodes and intermodal interchanges; - improved network safety and reliability; - development and implementation of systems for the management and control of network traffic and of the information needed by network users. When planning and developing the projects, Member States must take account of environmental protection requirements by carrying out environmental impact assessments on projects of common interest. The Commission will submit every five years, and for the first time before 1 July 1999, a report indicating to what extent the guidelines should be revised. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE : 10 September 1996. �