LOG-MOD-E-CO - LOG-Impact assessment of modal shift policy measures targeting eco-friendly transport modes

The importance of shifting freight transport from road to more eco-friendly transport modes such as rail and inland waterways is crucial in the context of climate change to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The PhD project MOD-E-CO positions itself at the centre of this challenge by addressing the existing research gap regarding the impact of policy measures to encourage a shift towards eco-friendly modes of transport. Despite the continued dominance of road transport and the ambitious targets set by the European Union and Austria, as articulated in the EU Green Deal and the Austrian Freight Transport Master Plan of the Federal Ministry of Climate Change, the need for a well-founded analysis of policy measures is evident. This effort is guided by the research question: " Which modal shift policy measures have the highest impact in driving the desired modal shift in the context of the European Green Deal objectives?".
Previous research efforts have mainly focused on the analysis of individual policy measures, e.g. only considering the effects of CO2 pricing on the promotion of modal shift, or conducting isolated impact assessments. The aim of MOD-E-CO is to develop and establish an innovative, scientifically based analytical framework that allows for a comprehensive and integrated assessment of different policy measures. The approach starts with a systematic literature review on scientific methods for policy impact assessment. This is followed by a multi-dimensional assessment of policy impact criteria, including environmental, economic and social dimensions. Based on these preliminary studies, a scientifically robust methodology for policy impact assessment will be developed, with a particular focus on the analysis of detailed transport flow data. The aim is to quantify in a precise and data-driven way the impact of specific policy measures or policy combinations on the dynamics of freight flows and thus on the modal choices of companies.
This PhD project not only fills an important research gap in the field of policy impact assessment, but also provides policy makers with a solid basis for future measures. It thus makes a significant contribution to the implementation of the Upper Austrian research strategy #upperVISION 2030, especially in the field of "Connected and Efficient Mobility". As a transit region strongly influenced by road freight transport, Upper Austria will particularly benefit from the project results in terms of strengthening entrepreneurial adaptability to upcoming political measures. Comprehensive dissemination activities in the project will not only enable companies to anticipate the effects of future political measures to promote modal shift, but also to take a proactive and leading role in the transformation of the mobility sector.
Furthermore, the project contributes significantly to the implementation of the vision of the FHOOE by pioneering in the field of policy impact assessment with a focus on sustainable mobility, especially in Action Field 1 (Sustainable Industry and Production) and Action Field 3 (Connected and Efficient Mobility; through the integration of different modes of transport). It also supports the objectives of the European Green Deal and the European Sustainability Agenda by providing evidence-based policy recommendations to achieve the desired modal shift in freight transport.