Mapping Transport Sensitive Areas at EU Level: The ASSET Project

The ASSET project (ASsessing SEnsitiveness to Transport) has developed a GIS–based Web–tool using a map database to depict spatial indicators of transport and related pressures and maps on sensitiveness to transport activities. Among the indicators of sensitiveness used in the project there are Human health indicators: impacts due to noise, air pollution and higher concentration levels in cities and valleys. Ecosystem sensitivity indicators: Analysis of habitat sensitivity, landscape fragmentation and configuration of ecosystems. Indication of sensitive areas indicators in terms of scenic landscapes and impacts from tourism. The mapping of transport sensitive areas in Europe can allow for the identification and prioritization of critical sustainability issues geared to the development of the TEN–T network. Furthermore, volumes generated by transport models like TRANSTOOLS for actual situation and scenarios can be confronted with the sensitivity of the areas they cross.