1. Evaluation Network Meeting Brussels, 25-26 February 2010
Ex post evaluation of Cohesion policy programmes co-financed by the ERDF, (Objective 1 and 2)
Work Package 5a - Transport Patty Simou, DG REGIO Evaluation Unit
Evaluation Network Meeting Brussels, February 2010

2. Key Task of the Evaluation
Assess the contribution of ERDF to the development of the EU transport system
Focus on 18 Member States accounting for over 95% of ERDF
allocations to transport
15 regional case studies
2 case studies on road safety
2 case studies on regional airports

3. Challenges Evaluating impact is challenging because of:
lack of comparable data
different timeframes for EU10 and EU15
the time it takes for investment effects to change the economy
Given the thematic approach to the ex post evaluation, this study did not cover:
unit costs, which were delivered by WP10
Cohesion Fund investments, currently underway by a separate evaluation

4. Main Findings ERDF Allocation to transport: EUR 34 billion
Roads: Km
24% of motorway expansion
Rail: Km
13% of high speed rail expansion
Airports: 31 modernised
Ports: 130 improved

5. ERDF contribution to the development of the transport
Main Findings (2)
ERDF contribution to the development of the transport
sector has been significant across the EU
but:
Focus of investment is still predominantly on roads
Progress is slow in the rail sector
ERDF interventions in airports/ports are extremely diverse
Link between needs and strategies not always clear
Impact of ERDF transport interventions on regional development
(JRC)

6. Recommendations
Road: limited to upgrading of networks / strategic networks – not
maintenance
Rail: focus on projects delivering regional development beyond the
main centres served
Airports / ports: relieve clearly identified constraints
Urban: greater emphasis
Cost-Benefit Analysis is crucial in preparing transport projects
Monitoring should be strengthened

7. Policy implications Programme strategies must address needs
No more roads in the EU15?
Rail Sector Planning and Implementation to be improved
Urban / multi-modal transport : need for stronger focus
Airports / ports : case by case

8. Thank you for your attention!