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Introduction

The demands on Europe's transport systems continue to both increase and change as a result of a number of factors - economic growth, social change, demographics and the need to become less unsustainable. Such change demands innovative and robust responses which are affordable. Transport practitioners and researchers throughout Europe are responding to these challenges and the European Transport Conference, now in its 36th year, is the key annual event for sharing innovation, best practice and networking with colleagues from more than 30 countries.

The Conference is unique in Europe, attracting over 500 transport practitioners and researchers to a meeting place, where they can find in-depth presentations on policy issues, research findings and best practice across a broad spectrum of transport modes.

For the first time in 2007 the Conference was held in The Netherlands at the Leeuwenhorst conference centre and hotel, close to the old city of Leiden and Noordwijk, Amsterdam's popular beach resort. Delegates regarded the accommodation and conference facilities as excellent and welcomed the opportunity of plenty of time to network.

There is plenty to do within the conference centre, which contains sports facilities and a swimming pool, or it is possible to venture further afield by exploring the surrounding area by bicycle or discover the history and sights of the nearby cities of Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden and The Hague.

The Association is grateful for the financial support of the Dutch Ministry of Transport and to staff of the Ministry for their assistance in compiling aspects of the technical and social programme.

Bringing Practice and Research Together

The unique feature of the European Transport Conference is its multi-seminar approach. The structure of the Conference has been enhanced to embrace a balance of practice and research. Delegates have access to these two distinct but overlapping aspects of transport and can move between sessions of great diversity.

The distinctions are drawn into two main areas:

Transport Policy and Operations includes seminars of direct relevance to transport planners and engineers with case studies as well as policy development. These cover local and national policy initiatives, transnational transport policy in Europe, as well as the broader implications of the climate change and sustainability agenda. Seminars also focus on the practical aspects of transport demand management, transport engineering and traffic safety, freight and logistics, local and interurban public transport, funding for transport, transport impacts of tourism and the delivery and operation of roads policy.

Research to Inform Decision-Making in Transport includes seminars with a more methodological focus covering innovative and applied methods. While these sessions are more directed towards those working in transport research, they do also have practical applications to transport.