Author(s)

N. M. Gomes Rocha

Abstract

During the 2009 Portuguese general election, transport infrastructure construction was a decisive theme. Where should a new international airport be built? What new highways are reasonable? Should Portugal be connected with European high speed train network? Every political opinion-maker has a perception about these issues. Discussion was even inflated because of global and internal economical recession. Previously established decisions were modified or questioned. For similar problems it is possible to find numerous solutions. Each study is considered as a political answer rather than technical. Transport infrastructures are analysed as a potential economical development model redefinition. Until now, an internal mobility paradigm for passengers and logistics is sustained in road transportation. Despite all kind of actions, an involving and unanimous solution seems impossible to be reached. With this paper we are going to analyse two main questions (a new international airport and a high speed train network) and its impacts on the Portuguese transport strategy. We will list intentions for transport and mobility policy contained in elected parties political programs, with no exclusions concerning the author’s political considerations. The list includes proposals for rail, air, road and maritime transport. Two main questions are going to be analysed according to the international state of art, European and National strategic guidelines and validated data evaluation. This information will be used to develop a theoretical model for transport in Portugal. A list of proposals will precede the conclusion. Keywords: transport strategy, transport policy, rail transport, air transport, maritime transport, road transport, anatomic transport network.

Keywords

transport strategy, transport policy, rail transport, air transport, maritime transport, road transport, anatomic transport network