iMONITRAF! Networking Events 2018 in Brussels
With the organization of two information and networking events on 23 January 2018, iMONITRAF! actively participated in the revision process of the Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (Eurovignette Directive).
The ongoing revision of the Eurovignette Directive provides an opportunity to better address the environmental challenges related to transalpine road freight transport. As hotspots of environmental pressures, mountain regions need targeted and transparent solutions that support modal shift policies and reduce disproportionate impacts in sensitive environments. Having identified the need for harmonisation and further development of road pricing systems along the main Alpine corridors in their resolution on Toll Plus, the Alpine Regions are now putting all their efforts into networking with the European Commission and the European Parliament to ensure that their demands are recognised in the revision process. On 23 January 2018, the iMONITRAF! network therefore organised two networking events in Brussels to reach out to relevant stakeholders.
During the lunch event in the European Parliament "What price to pay for trans-European transport", organised together with T&E, iMONITRAF! created a platform to present its proposals directly to key decision-makers in the European Parliament. The rapporteur for the Eurovignette dossier, Christine Revault, as well as the shadow rapporteur, Michael Cramer, and several other MEPs and their staff attended the event and endorsed iMONITRAF!'s proposals. The MEPs invited the network to develop specific amendments for the further discussion process, in particular using the results of two recent studies by iMONITRAF! and EUSALP on the role of regional transport and external costs in mountain area
The evening panel discussion "Smart Freight Pricing for Sensitive Areas" took a broader view and addressed additional elements of an effective modal shift policy. In particular, the panellists pointed out the need to develop "push" and "pull" measures together and to pay special attention to maintaining the acceptance of modal shift - with the avoidance of additional rail noise as a crucial element. It also became clear that the Eurovignette is only one element in creating a fairer competition between road and rail, as many other public price elements such as mineral oil taxes, track charges or social provisions influence modal shift. All participants in the discussion agreed that the iMONITRAF! network is an important and well-established stakeholder that contributes to further developing common approaches and bringing them to the attention of the national and European level.