The main means of transport, both internationally and in Latin America, is the automotive. In Argentina, road transport accounts for the biggest share with 95% of the total versus rail transport with barely 4.2%, measured in tons-km and of around 4% measured in tons. The remaining 1% accounts for maritime transport, mainly through the Río Paraná Waterway. This should be reversed since it generates major negative aspects with multiple economic, social and environmental impacts. Countries will turn to socio-economic reforms searching for a balance between the environmental requirements and conditions, fostering higher productivity and economic growth. Logistics services require intermodal transport, since the growing flow of cargo shipped to increasingly longer distances, makes coordination and planning of these activities a key to competitiveness.

Transport demand grows along with the economic growth and, therefore, it is necessary to plan and improve the transport system and logistics.

Actions should be taken to shift cargo to a scheme with a bigger share of maritime transport and a sustained development of the railway structure, in order to enhance the different means of transport.

The current strategies and policies fall within the new paradigm of sustainable transport intended to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is based on the Avoid, Shift, Improve (A-S-I) approach.

The topics included in this Area are related to transport of goods and passengers and are targeted at achieving the highest levels in this type of transport, both for passengers and cargo, within the framework of sustainable development and efficient use of resources.

It will include all aspects pertaining to transport regulation, transport plans, economics, coordination among different means of transport, and freight transport operation and equipment and its relationship with the efficient use of resources.

This Commission will analyze:

• Modal shift and fair competition among different modes
• The new sustainable and carbon-low paradigm (Avoid, Shift, Improve)
• Green logistics
• New technologies applied to transport
• Service regulation and organization
• Infrastructure investments: railway, road and in new port terminals
• New trends in the assessment of Transport projects
• Mid and long term strategy
• The challenge of intermodal transport
• Transport in large urban centers• Transport and economic growth