Definition – The EU Transport Council has defined a sustainable transport system
as a system that:
- allows the basic access and development needs of society to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health, and promotes equity within and between successive generations.
- is affordable, operates fairly and efficiently, offers choice of transport mode, and supports a competitive economy, as well as balanced regional development.
- limits emissions and waste within the planet's ability to absorb them, uses renewable resources at or below their rates of generation and uses non-renewable resources at or below the rates of development of renewable substitutes while minimising the impact on the use of land and the generation of noise.
Relevance to SUMP – The definition above was defined by the EU Transport Council in 2001, demonstrating the longevity of the principles that underpin the SUMP planning approach now promoted by the EU. See also sustainability.
Source: EU, 2001 cited in JRC, 2007