European transportation networks 1990-2010

A

It is challenging to imagine robust economic growth without an effective transportation system. Despite advancements in information technology reducing the need for physical transport through teleworking and teleservices, the demand for transportation continues to rise. Two key factors drive this trend. Regarding passenger transport, the primary factor is the significant increase in car usage within the European Union (EU). The EU saw an annual increase of three million cars on its roads from 1990 to 2010, with further substantial growth expected in the next decade.

B

In terms of goods transport, growth largely stems from changes in the European economy and its production system. Over the past 20 years, as internal borders have dissolved, the EU has shifted from a 'stock' to a 'flow' economy. This shift has been accentuated by the relocation of certain industries, particularly labor-intensive ones, to lower production costs, despite these sites being hundreds or thousands of kilometers away from final assembly or end-users.

C

Anticipated strong economic growth in EU candidate countries will also increase transport volumes, particularly in road freight. By 1998, some candidate countries were already exporting more than double their 1990 volumes and importing over five times their 1990 volumes. Although many candidate countries inherited a rail-oriented transport system, modal distribution has significantly favored road transport since the 1990s. Between 1990 and 1998, road freight increased by 19.4%, while rail freight declined by 43.5%. However, rail freight volumes, on average, remain substantially higher than in existing member states, which could benefit the expanded EU.

D

Nevertheless, a new imperative - sustainable development - presents an opportunity to adapt the EU's common transport policy. This goal, endorsed by the Gothenburg European Council, must integrate environmental considerations into Community policies, with a strategic focus on shifting the balance between transport modes. While the ambitious objective aims for full realization by 2020, the proposed measures represent a crucial initial step toward achieving a sustainable transport system that ideally will be fully implemented in 30 years, by 2040.

E

In 1998, energy consumption in the transport sector accounted for 28% of CO2 emissions, the primary greenhouse gas. According to current estimates, without intervention to reverse the upward trend in traffic, CO2 emissions from transport could rise by approximately 50% to 1.113 billion tonnes by 2020, compared to 739 billion tonnes recorded in 1990. Once again, road transport stands out as the main contributor, responsible for 84% of transport-related CO2 emissions. The use of alternative fuels and advancements in energy efficiency are essential not only for ecological reasons but also as technological challenges.

F

Simultaneously, greater efforts are needed to achieve modal shift. Such a transition cannot happen overnight, especially after more than half a century of continuous preference for road transport. This imbalance has reached a point where rail freight services are marginalized, holding just an 8% market share, with international goods trains struggling with an average speed of 18 km/h. Three potential options have emerged.

G

The first approach would focus exclusively on road transport through pricing mechanisms, without complementary measures for other modes of transport. In the short term, this could slow the growth of road transport due to improved load efficiency for goods vehicles and increased passenger vehicle occupancy rates resulting from transport price hikes. However, without revitalizing measures for other modes of transport, sustainable transport modes would be unable to gain traction.

H

The second approach also centers on road transport pricing but includes measures to enhance efficiency in other modes (improved service quality, logistics, technology). Nevertheless, this approach lacks investments in new infrastructure and does not ensure improved regional cohesion. While it may achieve greater decoupling than the first approach, road transport would retain the majority market share, continuing to congest heavily used routes despite being the most polluting mode. Hence, it falls short of ensuring the necessary balance shift.

I

The third approach, which is not novel, encompasses a range of measures from pricing to revitalizing alternative transport modes and focusing investment on the trans-European network. This comprehensive approach aims to restore market shares of other modes to their 1998 levels, thus rebalancing the transport landscape. It represents a significantly ambitious initiative, considering the longstanding bias towards roads over the past fifty years. It aims to sever the direct link between road transport growth and economic expansion, while preserving the mobility of people and goods without constraints.

Questions 1-8

Reading Passage 2 has nine paragraphs, A-I.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs A-E and G-I from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i-xi, in boxes 14-21 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i  A fresh and important long-term goal

ii Charging for roads and improving other transport methods

iii Changes affecting the distances goods may be transported

iv Taking all the steps necessary to change transport patterns

v The environmental costs of road transport

vi The escalating cost of rail transport

vii   The need to achieve transport rebalance

viii  The rapid growth of private transport

ix Plans to develop major road networks

x Restricting road use through charging policies alone

xi Transport trends in countries awaiting EU admission

14 Paragraph A

15 Paragraph B

16 Paragraph C

17 Paragraph D

18 Paragraph E

Example      Answer

Paragraph F     vii

19 Paragraph G

20 Paragraph H

21 Paragraph I

Questions 22-26

Do the following statements align with the information provided in Reading Passage 2?

In boxes 22-26 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE           if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE          if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN    if there is no information on this

22   The need for transport is growing, despite technological developments.

23   To reduce production costs, some industries have been moved closer to their relevant consumers.

24   Cars are prohibitively expensive in some EU candidate countries.

25   The Gothenburg European Council was set up 30 years ago.

26   By the end of this decade, CO2 emissions from transport are predicted to reach 739 billion tonnes.

Answers:

14. viii (Đoạn A, “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to increase.” → Tốc độ phát triển nhanh của phương tiện cá nhân)

15. iii (Đoạn B, “As far as goods transport is concerned, growth is due to a large extent to changes in the European economy and its system of production.” → Những sự thay đổi làm ảnh hưởng đến quãng đường vận chuyển)

16. xi (Đoạn C, “The strong economic growth expected in countries which are candidates for entry to the EU…” → Các số liệu thể hiện xu hướng của giao thông khi tiến vào các nước EU.)

17. i (Đoạn D, “a new imperative-sustainable development – offers an opportunity for adapting the EU’s common transport policy.” → Hướng đến kế hoạch dài hạn

18. v (Đoạn E; Toàn bộ đoạn nói về tác động của giao thông tới môi trường)

19. x (Đoạn G; Toàn bộ đoạn nói về chính sách thu phí cầu đường)

20. ii (Đoạn H; Tương tự như đoạn G nhưng có bổ sung cách thức về việc sử dụng các phương tiện vận chuyển khác)

21. iv (Đoạn I, “The third approach, which is not new, comprises a series of measures ranging from pricing to revitalising alternative modes of transport and targeting investment in the trans-European network.” → Tiến hành thực hiện những bước cần thiết để cải thiện tình trạng giao thông)

22. TRUE (Đoạn A, “Although modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to increase.” → Mặc dù công nghệ phát triển nhưng phương tiện giao thông cá nhân vẫn tăng)

23. FALSE (Đoạn B, “This phenomenon has been emphasised … even though the production site is hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away from the final assembly plant or away from users.” → khu công nghiệp rời ra xa người dân, chứ không phải tiến lại gần).

24. NOT GIVEN (Không có thông tin về việc xe hơi có đắt đỏ hay không)

25. NOT GIVEN (Không có thông tin về thời gian thành lập Gothenburg Council)