Transalpine transport through Switzerland developed particularly well with an increase of 9.4%.

Transalpine transport through Switzerland developed particularly well with an increase of 9.4 percent.

In order to maintain the competitiveness of UCT (Unaccompanied Combined Transport) in transalpine transport and to continue the modal shift, the industry calls for additional measures.

Last year the transalpine traffic is piled to 574 thousand shipments (+12.9%), of which 277 thousand in the second half of year (+18.3%).

Those Central European countries which mainly offer transfer over the Alps are most burdened by international traffic.

The transfer of transalpine freight from road to rail is a prime objective of Swiss transport policy.

The transfer of transalpine freight from road to rail is a prime objective of Swiss transport policy.

Due to its central location right at the heart of Europe, Switzerland plays an essential part in the transport of people and goods across the Alps.

A commonly agreed view on transalpine transport is an important step towards common solutions in transalpine transport policy.

For example, this is the case with Article 11, paragraph 1 of the Transport Protocol, which stipulates that “The Contracting Parties shall refrain from building new high-speed roads for transalpine traffic”.

Katharina Conradin, President of CIPRA International, expressed her satisfaction about this clear commitment: “The Alps suffer enough as it is from transalpine traffic, noise, air pollution and, finally, climate change.

The Transport Protocol of the Alpine Convention is very clear: Article 11 states that “the contracting parties shall refrain from building any new, large-capacity roads for transalpine traffic”.

Any consideration of features and trends concerning transalpine transport has to bear in mind the significant changes that have occurred in the last years concerning the basic conditions relevant for transalpine traffic:

Switzerland has pursued a sustainable transport policy that focuses on shifting transalpine traffic from the road to rail since the 1980s.

For example, this is the case with Article 11, paragraph 1 of the Transport Protocol, which stipulates that “The Contracting Parties shall refrain from building new high-speed roads for transalpine traffic”.