The first mega-cities emerged 30 years ago. Now the planet has five times urban conglomerations with more than 10 millions inhabitants. And still the figures rise. By 2015 there will be 22 mega-cities.
With one in two of the world´s population living in cities, the need for non-stop urban and inter-city transport has never been greater. Road and rail networks are the arteries that keep the heart of our modern society beating, and they are becoming more clogged every day.
Freight and passenger traffic has doubled over the past 25 years. Congestion, pollution and the risks of accidents are on the increase, as the daily business of millions brings more and more people ever closer.
Railways, racing to keep pace with the demand, face the twin challenges of deregulation and fiercer competition for business. Urgent solutions are required to prevent gridlock on city streets.
As the pressures on every tipe of transport infrastructure grow, so does the need for closer co-operation between all of the players involved, and enhanced safety and security for ground transportation networks.
Sistaining non-stop transport, is crucial now, and far into the future