ITS city pioneers - planning for intelligent transport in Europe\u27s cities

Congested, polluted street networks are a serious problem for many of EuropeÕs major towns and cities. More and more people are using private vehicles rather than public transport for journeys. making transport networks less efficient and economic growth more difficult. Significant congestion is also being experienced by travellers on the inter-urban networks. To enable EuropeÕs businesses to take advantage of the single European market, the European Union has defined a series of transport networks - roads, railways, waterways and air corridors. This network is known as the Trans-European Network - Transport (TEN-T), and the development and funding of schemes on this network is supported by the European UnionÕs Directorate-General for Transport (DGVII). Funds are provided for schemes that are financed by public bodies and of common interest to member states Of course most journeys start and finish on local road networks in urban areas. If significant network efficiencies are to be made on TEN-T network then efficiencies also need to be made on local roads