A Methodology for the Analysis of Spatial Conflicts in Transport Policies: Overview and Applications

The transport sector in the European Union (EU) accounts for a substantial share of the European gross national product. It is a source of employment, a crucial factor for the economic growth of the EU and for its international competitiveness. The EU transport policy1 focus is manifold. However, transport infrastructures play an important role, both in terms of management of existing infrastructures (information systems, capacity management, road pricing) and in terms of provision of new infrastructures. New infrastructures are meant to increase the competitiveness of European regions and to achieve higher levels of efficiency in the transport sector. However, infrastructures are blunt-edged instruments. They address the competitiveness-efficiency nexus only indirectly and have several side effects (such as environmental and social impacts). On the other hand, they involve large investments and therefore are valuable employment generators.