INTERMODALITY AND LOGISTICS  The need for sustainable transport In the midst of growing sustainability concerns, transport systems pose a range of environmental problems.  This is especially so for road transport, which has been increasing its share of transport relative to other modes. These problems include noise and air pollution caused by traffic congestion and the increase in CO2 and other vehicle emissions.

1. ✓ The need for sustainable transport In the midst of growing
sustainability concerns, transport systems pose a range of
environmental problems.
✓ This is especially so for road transport, which has been
increasing its share of transport relative to other modes.
These problems include noise and air pollution caused by
traffic congestion and the increase in CO2 and other
vehicle emissions.
✓ In particular, heavy vehicles used in freight transport are
considered to be the main source of these problems.
Concerns for the environment and safety are the major
drivers behind regulation and legislation affecting freight
transport.
✓ These concerns have created pressure to move freight off
the roads. In responding to this need, most OECD countries
are being confronted with the challenge of developing
socio-economic reforms that strike a balance between
ecological requirements and conditions conducive to
economic growth compatible with sustainability objectives.

2. ✓ The trend towards sustainable development will have a
considerable effect on the design and operation of logistics
systems.
✓ In order to achieve balance between the globalization of
economic activities and development of environmentally-
friendly global logistics networks, various approaches are
being discussed and examined, ranging from construction
of better hardware facilities to development of information
structures for reorganizing logistics operations to make
them more sustainable.
✓ Also, introducing new concepts and technologies to
logistics operations can contribute to sustainability. Typical
examples are the introduction of sophisticated dispatching
systems and consolidated delivery for reducing traffic
volumes and costs (including externalities), and
development