Strategic Sustainability Analysis: Concept and application for the assessment of European Transport Policy

Sustainability constitutes the guideline for the European Transport Policy (ETP). The Thesis develops a quantitative tool for strategic sustainability analysis of aspired and potential European transport policies. The tool integrates models of different scientific disciplines into one integrated assessment model that is based on System Dynamics methodology. This approach requires to develop micro-macro-bridges that link micro-level decision models e.g. modal choice for OD-relations, or modal investment decisions with the meso-level i.e. sectoral implications of these decisions and finally with the macro-level affecting GDP or employment. As input of the sustainability assessment the model provides a comprehensive and consistent set of indicators suitable to forecast policy impacts until 2020+. For policy evaluation different methods are suggested and a participatory policy process is sketched, that is geared to the process developed for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).