The new version of the Transport Strategy is intended to create a common transport system in Russia based on the well-balanced and expedient development of a cost-effective transport infrastructure, to provide affordable and high-quality public transport services in line with social standards, to provide affordable and high-quality transport logistics services in freight traffic, to integrate the country in the global transport system, to tap into the national transport system potential and to enhance the safety of the transport system. Project implementation deadlines and stages have been adjusted, including expanded high-speed rail services, and the document also updates a mid-term action plan to implement the Transport Strategy in 2014-2018.
The draft directive on approving a new version of the Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation up to 2030, hereinafter referred to as the Transport Strategy, was compiled by the Ministry of Transport in execution of decisions adopted by participants at the 27 August 2013 Government meeting.
The Transport Strategy was approved by Government Directive No 1734-r of 22 November 2008, and it sets forth long-term state transport policy priorities, including transport system development goals and parameters for the regulation of transport operations. The Transport Strategy encompasses all transport categories, including vehicle, railway, air, marine and inland water transport, as well as road infrastructure.
The state intends to accomplish the following main objectives in national transport system operation and development: to create favourable conditions for economic growth, to make the national economy more competitive and to improve the quality of life for the public by providing access to safe and high-quality transport services and to turn Russia’s geographic features into a competitive advantage.
The Transport Strategy was initiated in 2009.
Since then, major projects in all transport sectors and road infrastructure have been implemented under the Transport Strategy. At the same time, various problems have accumulated, the solutions to which require amendments to the Transport Strategy, including the need to introduce new and innovative technology and to adjust transport project funding volumes.
The new version of the Transport Strategy was drafted with due consideration for the Strategy for Innovative Development of the Russian Federation up to 2020, the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and the National Security Strategy up to 2020, the Strategy for the Development of the Shipbuilding Industry up to 2020 and Beyond, the Strategy for the Development of the Transport Engineering Sector in 2007-2010 and up to 2015, the Strategy for the Development of the Aircraft Industry up to 2015, the Strategy for the Development of the Automotive Industry up to 2020 and other agency strategies in such areas as industry, energy, forestry and agriculture, as well as the socioeconomic development strategy of the Russian regions.
The new version of the Transport Strategy aims to achieve the following goals:
· Create a common national transport system based on the well-balanced and expeditious development of a cost-effective transport infrastructure;
· Provide affordable, high quality transport logistics services in freight traffic to meet national economic development requirements;
· Provide affordable, high quality public transport services in line with social standards;
· Integrate the country in the global transport system and tap into the national transport system potential;
· Increase the safety of the transport system;
· Reduce the negative environmental impact of the transport system.
The following main objectives should be accomplished in order to achieve these goals:
· Establish and maintain national transport and economic balance and plan the development of transport infrastructure based on this;
· Ensure the well-balanced development of the integrated infrastructure of transport communications in all transport categories;
· Develop and expand major transport hubs, logistical product distribution centres, dry ports and terminals along major transport arteries and ensure interoperability;
· Eliminate gaps and bottlenecks that restrict the capacity of the transport system;
· Increase the capacity and speed of the transport infrastructure;
· Master innovative building technologies, rebuilding and maintaining the transport infrastructure;
· Upgrade and expand the railway cargo wagon fleet based on the transport and economic balance strategy;
· Create a market of competitive and comprehensive transport and logistics services;
· Improve the authorisation procedures for companies in commercial transport operations;
· Create an intelligent transport system using the GLONASS global navigation satellite system and state-of-the-art information and telecommunications technologies, information standards and standardised shipping documentation (ensuring the implementation of cost-effective technologies);
· Provide affordable freight shipping services in the sub-Arctic, Arctic, Siberian and Far Eastern regions, as well as in other remote Russian regions, including the Northern Sea Route;
· Expand inland water transport traffic and develop technology to reroute freight traffic to inland waterways during the navigation season;
· Plan the development of passenger transit systems, vehicles and rolling stock based on the socioeconomic development forecast and the transport and economic balance;
· Expand rapid and high-speed rail passenger services;
· Create an economic and legal model for a competitive market of affordable and high-quality transport services for the public;
· Expand regional air service;
· Establish competitive transport corridors based on technically and technologically integrated transport and logistics infrastructure, as well as business process coordination systems for distribution purposes;
· Ensure integration into the international transport system;
· Enhance traffic, flight and navigation safety;
· Protect transport infrastructure facilities from illegal tampering and intrusion;
· Ensure the activity of specialised emergency and rescue services in line with international and national standards;
· Upgrade transport systems and transport infrastructure facilities for the purpose of reducing their negative impact on the environment;
· Increase the use of environmentally friendly fuels, hybrid/electric vehicles, materials and technologies;
· Increase transport energy efficiency.
The new version of the Transport Strategy adjusts specific project implementation deadlines and stages, including expanded high-speed rail services. The document also updates a mid-term action plan to implement the Transport Strategy in 2014-2018. This is being done in line with the decisions of the 27 August 2013 Government meeting.
The new version of the Transport Strategy will help address and solve systemic socioeconomic problems, including:
· Territorial and structural disproportion in the development of transport infrastructure;
· The lack of affordable public transport services and the insufficient mobility of human resources;
· The insufficient quality of transport services;
· Low transport service export levels, including the use of the system’s potential;
· Inadequate transport safety levels;
· Greater negative environmental impact of transport systems.
