National and European transport policy shapes the future of mobility. In addition to the implementation of major infrastructure projects, transport policy also sets the objectives for the interaction of transport modes and the reduction of the negative effects of mobility.

Transport policy as a means to strengthen European integration is one of Europe’s key policy areas. Besides the goal to ensure a high quality of accessibility, there is an increasingly clear trend towards sustainable and energy-efficient transport.

The Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the European Union provides for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% compared to 1990 levels and an increase in energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. Inland waterway transport can make a significant contribution to achieving these goals: it is environmentally friendly, safe and has free capacities.

To strengthen the role of inland waterway transport in the overall transport system, the European Union has published an Action Programme to promote inland waterway transport (NAIADES). The National Action Plan on Danube Navigation (NAP) constitutes Austria‘s national strategy to implement this European action programme und sets out Austria’s navigation policy until 2015.