Issues of sustainable transport

The purpose of this introductory lecture is a general framing on the role and impact of the transport systems, the road one in particular, in the general energy consumption and on the impact – on the other hand – of consumption on the operational cost of the different transport modes as well as on how consumption evolved in recent decades. These elements are essential for a clearer understanding of where and how much energy efficiency can impact on land transport modes and provide the ground for some general considerations on the energy demand in the road transport. The environmental impact is a consequence of the energy use and some main considerations are also proposed on it. European solutions for a transport system compliant with the energy supply and the environment can thereafter be analysed: measurable analyses - as the well-to-wheel - on the base of experiences and recent EU legislation, can be provided too.