Presentation of the works defining TMN-T

The trans-Mediterranean transport network (TMN-T), like the TEN-T, is a strategic network for the development of the region and is not merely the sum of the national networks.

This exercise of definition of the TMN-T is part of the work carried out by the Working Group on Infrastructures and Regulatory Issues of Land Transport (WG Infra) and is also reflected in the 2007-2013 Regional Transport Action Plan of the Euro-Mediterranean Transport Forum.

The RTAP states that an efficient transport infrastructure network is vital for the development of the free trade area, as is its interconnection and interoperability with European networks. The RTAP insists on the fact that infrastructure will be essential to provide new capacity and new types of facility promoting intermodality. The benefits of well-implemented investments will be seen in reduced transit times leading to lower costs for users and eventually lower prices for the wider population of consumers. In this sense infrastructure planning, the network approach is considered most useful for the rationalization of investments. In a planning infrastructures view, network approach is considered most useful for the rationalization of investments.

The strategic planning and development of transport infrastructure represents one of the strong components of European transport policy. Investment in transport infrastructure represents more than the construction of a link between two localities. It represents investment in a network of inter-connections suitable for both international and domestic traffic demands, taking efficiency, accessibility and environmental concerns into account. The trans-European transport network within the EU-15 and its subsequent extension to the new member states was developed along these lines. The ongoing development of the core network in the Balkans as well as in Turkey follows a similar logic.

The methodology for defining the TMN-T

The proposed methodology for defining the TMN-T aims at building a strategic network of transport infrastructure for the entire Mediterranean basin, using unified criteria, taking as reference the exercises previously made, and the TEN-T guidelines.

The works of creating a methodology for defining the RTM-T were led by WG Infra and the Euromed Transport Forum. During the second meeting of WG Infra on 16 July 2008, the group demonstrated its support for a working approach based on the definition of a trans-Mediterranean transport network and decided that the objectives and the methodology for defining this network should be the subject of preliminary consultations with the partner countries and that these should take into consideration similar exercises which have already carried out. During the third meeting of WG Infra on 20 November 2008, the Group analysed the progress of work on defining the objectives and the methodology for establishing this network and agreed to support the network approach developed at the next Euro-Mediterranean Transport Forum. Finally the methodology document for the definition of TMN-T has been approved by the Euromed Transport Forum at its meeting in Brussels December 12, 2008 Forum EuroMed Transports.

The criteria, which have been divided in five groups, have been implemented as follows for the definition of TMN-T : [See more]

Groups of criteria	Implementation
Criteria showing the importance of the level of traffic generated by the international transport, both between the Mediterranean countries and the European Union and among the Mediterranean countries themselves.	All the sections and nodes allowing the international flows of goods and passengers from the main urban agglomerations and from the importation and exportation nodes of each country are in the network proposed.
Criteria taking into consideration the role of the infrastructures within territorial and regional cohesion, but also within the accessibility of the isolated or peripheral territories.	The structure of TMN-T and the distribution of its nodes should guarantee the territorial cohesion, and offer the access to the network from any point of the territory at reasonable costs and time.
Criteria evaluating the role of the infrastructures in the interconnection between modes of transport, given the importance attached to the intermodality of the transport network, mainly the rail links with the ports and airports.	The TMN-T must consider the possibility of modal transfer, which implies a connection between the different parts, linear networks and nodes, creating, in this way, a single and unique, multimodal and interoperable network.
Criteria aimed at evaluating the solidity and continuity of the network, mainly the continuity between networks of different countries.	The continuity of the network must guarantee movements according to optimum routes; in other words, the absence of nodal connections (missing links) should not impede movement or result in an excessive increase in cost and/or time.
Criteria seeking to give a density and structure network similar to those in EU countries, depending on the reality of each country.	The analyse of the density of the network and of its structure will be used to implement a equivalent network to TEN-T – from the point of view of the population or of the surface-, taking into account the particularities of each country.

For more information on methodology please consult the following documents :

Proposition of a methodology to define the TMN-T; document presented at the Euromed Transport Forum, Brussels, 12 December 2008.
Methodological summary and definition of the first TMN-T proposal; Euromed Transport Project National Counterparts meeting, Brussels, 24 - 25 June 2009.