Overall objective of the Swedish transport policy

The objective of transport policy is to ensure the economically efficient and sustainable provision of transport services for people and businesses throughout the country.

The objective of the transport policy was presented in a Government Bill in March 2009. The Riksdag will decide on the Bill in June 2009.

FUNCTIONAL OBJECTIVE

Accessibility

The design, function and use of the transport system will contribute to provide everyone with basic accessibility of good quality and functionality and to development capacity throughout the country. The transport system will be gender equal, meeting the transport needs of both women and men equally.

To achieve the functional objective the following is proposed:

• Travel for people will be improved through increased reliability, security and convenience.
• Transport quality for the business sector will be improved and will strengthen international competitiveness.
• Accessibility will be improved inside and between regions as well as between Sweden and other countries.
• The working methods, implementation and outcomes of transport policy will contribute to a gender-equal society.
• The transport system will be designed to be accessible for people with disabilities.
• Opportunities for children to travel independently and safely using the transport system, and be present in traffic environments, will be enhanced.
• Public transport, pedestrian and cycling options will be easier to choose.

IMPACT OBJECTIVE

Health, safety and environment

The design, function and use of the transport system will be adapted to eliminate fatal and serious accidents. It will also contribute to the achievement of the environmental quality objectives and better health conditions.

To achieve the impact objective the following is proposed:

• The number of road fatalities will be halved and the number of serious injuries will be reduced by a quarter between 2007 and 2020.
• The number of commercial shipping and pleasure boat fatalities will be reduced continuously and the number of serious injuries will be halved between 2007 and 2020.
• The number of rail and air fatalities and serious injuries will be reduced continuously.
• The transport sector will contribute to the achievement of the environmental quality objective, Reduced climate impact, by gradually increasing energy efficiency in the transport system and decoupling from dependence on fossil fuels. By 2030, Sweden should have a vehicle fleet that is independent of fossil fuels.
• The transport sector will contribute to the achievement of other environmental quality objectives and lower levels of ill health. Priority is given to the targets of environment policy where the development of the transport system plays an important role in the achievement of the set objectives.