Challenges And Solutions For Sustainable Transport In The Era Of New Environmental Requirements In Bulgaria And Türkiye

Abstract

The background of the research is based upon the conclusions of the International Transport Forum (OECD, 2-21) that one of the big challenges for the environment comes from the transportation sector, which is responsible for approximately 23% of the discharged CO2 emissions; this quantity is expected to increase to 40% by 2030 and to 60% by 2050. The already expressed negative tendency is calling for new models for freight transport represented in the form of inter-modality. This means the logistics side of international economic relations, represented by land mode of transport (road and rail), inland waterways, short-sea shipping, and even airborne transport at short distances, should make use of viable combinations to decrease the harmful substances; it also concerns domestic transport policy which should stimulate non-road transportation solutions. The European Green Deal practically outlines the plan for the decarbonization of the economies of the member states of the union until 2050, with the aim of improving the well-being and health of European citizens and future generations with an accent over transport activities. Usually, logistics providers offer transport solutions, combining several modes, led by stakeholders’ expectations for reduced time and costs of transferring goods, reliability, and frequency of services. The biggest challenge is to design a resilient transport network, where the users can easily switch between transport modes in real time, while there is enough evidence that combined transport solutions are in accordance with the contemporary requirements towards freight transport. Infrastructure investments, easing transborder connections and interoperability in general have a positive effect over the development of combined transport. This paper is addressing the opportunities and difficulties in employing combined transport solutions using the methodology SWOT-TOWS and applying the research results to the existing possibilities in Bulgaria and Turkey as a neighbor non-EU country in the role of advanced competitor in the development of combined transport solutions. The conclusions confirm that economic development and its interaction and dependence on international logistics development is the most important factor of the environment encouraging or detaining the combined transport solutions. It also affects investments in transport infrastructure, the application of ITS and AI, the technological factors influencing the general trends of transport development and in particular, freight transport.