The Dark Side of EU Mobility Growth

Purpose: The aim of the publication is to determine synthetic indicators for assessing the intensity of the adverse impacts of the transport sector in the EU Member States. The aim is therefore to fill a research gap by quantitatively assessing the aforementioned indicators across all EU Member States, thus enabling the identification of replicable patterns, national specificities and the degree of dispersion of negative transport impacts. Design/Methodology/Approach: A multidimensional comparative analysis - Hwlwig's medel - was used to meet the objective, reflecting the possibility of developing a synthetic indicator combining three key dimensions of negative transport impacts. Secondary data from European monitoring (CO₂ emissions, transport energy consumption, road fatalities) were analysed, converted to per capita values and then aggregated into a single scale for assessing socio-environmental burden. Findings: The indicator developed, which is synthetic in nature, shows differences between EU countries. The best results are achieved by Germany, Denmark, Estonia and Finland, among others, which simultaneously reduce emissions, manage energy rationally and maintain a high level of safety. The value of the index also indicates countries with an urgent need to modernise and reform their transport systems, such as Romania. Practical Implications: The results of the survey can serve decision-makers as a tool to identify: (1) good management practices and (2) areas in need of financial and (3) legislative support. The proposed synthetic indicator facilitates comparing the effectiveness of transport policies and monitoring progress towards sustainability and sustainable mobility goals. Originality/Value: The study fills a gap in the literature by integrating the environmental and social costs of transport into a single, comparative measure for all EU countries. Such a holistic view of the three main dimensions of transport impacts is rare and adds value to the design of integrated transport policies.