This paper sets out the main lines of the existing EU Transport Policy, and transport research. After a brief description of the main elements of this policy, a discussion is given of its relation with transport research and the basic orientations that existed under the previous Framework Programmes for EU funded research. Then the main elements of the policy for the new (6th) Framework Program are presented. | Yugoslav Journal of Operations Research 12 (2002), Number 1, 109-120 ISSUES OF THE EUROPEAN EUROPEAN TRANSPORT POLICY AND CURRENT STATE OF EU FUNDED TRANSPORT RESEARCH RESEARCH George A. GIANNOPOULOS Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellenic Institute of Transport, Thessaloniki, Greece Abstract: This paper sets out the main lines of the existing EU Transport Policy, and transport research. After a brief description of the main elements of this policy, a discussion is given of its relation with transport research and the basic orientations that existed under the previous Framework Programmes for EU funded research. Then the main elements of the policy for the new (6th) Framework Program are presented. Keywords: Transport policy, transport research, information society, intelligent transport systems, transport telematics. 1. INTRODUCTION The present paper is the result of a series of lectures which the author gave at the Faculty of Transportation and Traffic Engineering of the University of Belgrade in April 2001. The aim is to present the relation of the European Transport Policy to the transport research funded by the EU, and at the same time to give an overview of the current state and prospects of this research in the future. Basically, the EU's programme of transport research follows the 4-year cycles or Framework Programmes (FP) of research in all fields. We are currently entering the 6th FP of research and the rules are now set for funded research for the period 20022006. Within the overall outline of the 6th FP, transport related research falls under two main streams: one related to the activities of the Directorate General for Transport and Energy (DG TREN), and one related to the Directorate General for Information Society (DG INFSO). The first is directly aimed at providing Transport Policy makers with the necessary scientific and technical background to formulate and evaluate policies, while the second is aimed at complementing the creation of the
