IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE PASSENGER MOBILITY PRINCIPLES IN RAIL TRANSPORT

Abstract

The article analyzes the implementation of sustainable passengers mobility principles in railway transport in Lithuania. Railway transport occupies a special place in passenger transportation, it has great potential, as it is an alternative to road transport. The goal of article is to reveal the prerequisites for the implementation of the principles of sustainable passenger mobility in railway transport in the Republic of Lithuania. To achieve the goal, analysis of theoretical sources, analysis of LR and EU legal acts, development strategies of the transport sector, statistical data analysis, monitoring, situation assessment have been committed. The principles of sustainable passenger mobility are modern approach to the saving of natural resources, personal and public interests, taking responsibility for the consequences of own actions as a user of transport services. Railway transport has potential in passenger transportation, as passengers flows are not high, compared to other modes of transport. Electrified railway transport is a competitive, friendly to nature and future generations choice. The opportunities of the tourism sector and railway transport are not exploited. It is necessary to assess the public's favorable attitude towards changes in transport due to ecological aspects, but the public transport sector must ensure high-quality services that meet EU standards and customer expectations. In order to achieve sustainable mobility in rail transport, priorities are set: measures are applied to reduce the negative impact on the environment, measures are applied to reduce the noise level, measures to contribute congestion reduction in the city area, to contribute to the promotion of physical activity of residents. Strategy of Lithuanian mobility development until 2050 projects in railway transport are directly related to the implementation of the principles of sustainable mobility and measures to increase passenger flows. To attract passengers to use railway transport in a sustainable way, to reject to use their own road transport, particular attention must be paid to speed, comfort, costs, connections with other transport modes or modes of travel, road transport, private or public, cycling or walking, and the compatibility of terminals with modern users needs. To implement the principles of sustainable mobility in railway transport, while simultaneously increasing passenger flows, the tasks must be solved in a complex manner, with close cooperation between institutions with different responsibilities. In addition, measures such as ensuring multifaceted connections between modes of transport and other movement alternatives, integration of tourism and railway transport, adaptation of city infrastructure to tourist needs, compliance of railway terminals with the main needs of passengers must be evaluated.