Introduction

The demands on Europe’s transport systems continue to both increase and change as a result of a number of factors. Such change demands innovative and practical responses. As transport practitioners and researchers throughout Europe respond to the challenges of economic decline and growth, social change, demographics and the need to become more sustainable, the European Transport Conference is the forum for the presentation of and discussion on robust and affordable responses.

For those involved in transport planning, research and practice, 2012 will prove to be yet another challenge to their skills. Transport plays a key role in regeneration and there will be particular pressure to produce innovative and cost-effective solutions to congestion, safety and travel behaviour change at a time of major budget constraint. ETC 2012 will focus on the needs of all those who are attempting to come up with practical answers based on experience throughout Europe.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Conference is unique in Europe, attracting around 400 transport practitioners and researchers to an event where they can find in-depth presentations on policy issues, best practice and research findings across a broad spectrum of transport modes.

The Association for European Transport

The Association for European Transport has been responsible for the organisation of the Conference, which has been held annually since 1973. It is the Association’s aim to promote and maintain a pan-European understanding of transport issues along with its members who form a network of transport professionals across Europe.