7th Framework Programme (2006-2010)
Ex ante evaluation - Stakeholders’ consultation
Questionnaire
Introduction
Background
The Directorate General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN) is designing and preparing the
proposal of the Commission for the 7th Framework Programme (2006-2010, hereafter referred to as
FP7), which will be following up the 6th Framework Programme (2002-2006). In FP6, a budget of €
17.5 billion has and will be spent on research in various fields, in order to contribute to wider
community objectives, amongst others in the field of transport.
Objective of this questionnaire
Part of the procedure towards defining the contents of FP7 is to carry out an ex ante evaluation. DG
TREN has approached ECORYS to carry out this. An important element of the ex ante evaluation is
the stakeholders’ consultation process. In this process relevant stakeholders are asked for their opinion
on the direction, scope and contents of FP7. Results of stakeholders’ consultation are input in the ex
ante evaluation, which is an important input for determining the final scope of FP7 with respect to
transport issues.
We would like to thank you for taking some time to answer a number of questions, e.g. on experiences
with previous programmes (FP6, FP5, FP4), but also on expectations of the new FP7 programme.
Again, we would like to emphasize that this is an opportunity to give your opinion and influence the
shape of the programme. Please try to answer the following questions, giving your opinion in a few
lines.
Details on Framework Programmes and the role of DG TREN
The Framework Programmes of the European Commission have a wider focus than just Transport.
The research topics cover many themes on other subjects as well. Of the overall budget, a part is
reserved for transport related research. The relative size of this may differ in each FP, based on
priorities set by the Commission.
We remark that in this questionnaire, the focus is on FP’s only.
A second remark is that the overall Framework Programmes are managed by DG Research. DG
TREN, responsible for transport policies, is however involved in this in various ways:
a. Through consultation before the programme priorities are set (i.e. DG TREN has and takes the
opportunity to bring in relevant subjects that should in their opinion be included in the FP)
b. Through the management of specific projects in the transport and energy field under these
FP’s.
The Transport related previous FP programmes that we focus on are:
- Sustainable development (FP6)
- Aeronautics & Space (FP6)
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-
Growth (FP5)
Transport (FP4)
Objectives of DG TREN
DG TREN covers both energy and transport. In its organisational structure, the two fields are more or
less split in separate units, while for some themes, units may be involved in both (such as clean
transport issues).
The objectives of DG TREN are set in the White Paper “European Transport Policy for 2010: time to
decide”, adopted by European Commission on 12 September 2001. The general transport related
objectives in this White Paper are:

Shift the balance between modes of transport

Eliminate bottlenecks

Place users at the heart of transport policy

Manage the globalisation of transport
More specific objectives are:

Improve quality of the road sector

Revitalising the railways

Controlling the growth in air transport

Adapting the maritime and inland waterways

Linking up the modes of transport

Revise trans-European network (TEN-T)

Reduce the number of unsafe roads

Clarify the facts behind the costs to the user

Clarify the rights and obligations of users
In addition the following new priorities have been added:

Improving transport security, responding to the challenge of ensuring that the transport system is
secured from hostile actions while in operation.

Implement the European space policy, responding to the strategic importance of Space in
implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and
Defence Policy (ESDP)

Strengthening of the competitiveness of the European transportation industry in the global market,
and responding to the challenge (for all transport modes) of delivering more economical and better
quality products and services.
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Questionnaire
0.1 In Which sector are you active? You can tick more than one box if you want.
Road
Rail
Inland waterways
Other, namely…
Sea
Air
Intermodal
If you have ticked more than one sector above, please specify at each question to which sector(s) you
refer.
Experiences with previous Framework Programmes
0.2 Please describe 3 positive and 3 negative aspects of earlier FPs. If possible, indicate which FP you
are referring to. Please also indicate for which DG this was (i.e. DG TREN, DG Research, DG
Infosoc, …)
Positive aspects
Negative aspects
0.3 What lessons can be learned from earlier FPs (with respect to e.g. instruments, organizational
structure, themes, financing mechanisms, etc.)? Again, if possible indicate from which FPs these
lessons come.
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7th Framework Programme
Block 1: Problems and needs assessment
1.1 What should be the target groups of FP7, who should be the main beneficiaries?
1.2 How can these beneficiaries be involved in FP7?
1.3 What possible negative side effects do you foresee and how could these be reduced?
1.4 What do you consider to be the main risks of FP7?
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Block 2: Objectives
2.1 What are your expectations from the FP7?
2.2 Do you think the FP7 will contribute effectively to achieve the objectives of DG TREN as
described in the White Paper? Please specify.
2.3 Are there alternative options that could deliver to the stated DG TREN (White Paper) objectives?
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Block 3: Specific objections
3.1 How could FP7 contribute to the following 12 specific DG TREN/White Paper objectives? If you
are not active in the fields of some of these objectives, you are free to give your opinion or leave the
question open.
a. Improve quality of the road sector
b. Revitalising the railways
c. Controlling the growth in air transport
d. Adapting the maritime and inland waterways
e. Linking up the modes of transport
f.
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Revise trans-European network (TEN-T)
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g. Reduce the number of unsafe roads
h. Clarify the facts behind the costs to the user
i.
Clarify the rights and obligations of users
j.
Improving transport security, responding to the challenge of ensuring that the transport
system is secured from hostile actions while in operation.
k. Implement the European space policy, responding to the strategic importance of Space in
implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security
and Defence Policy (ESDP)
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l.
Strengthening of the competitiveness of the European transportation industry in the global
market, and responding to the challenge (for all transport modes) of delivering more
economical and better quality products and services.
Block 4: Alternative delivery mechanisms and risks
4.1 Do you think FP6 (FP5, FP4) has provided value added with respect to the DG TREN policy?
Why?
Why not?
4.2 Do you think FP6 (FP5, FP4) has provided value added from your own prospective?
Why?
Why not?
4.3 Do you have any suggestions/opinion on the procedures to be followed in FP7? Think about
accessibility, selection, the requirement of a sound business plan, contractual issues, monitoring. You
may use your FP6 (FP5, FP4) experience here.
4.4 Do you have alternative ideas on how DG TREN can achieve these objectives?
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Block 5: Contribution to community objectives
5.1 How do you see the added value of FP7 on a European level? Or do you think this type of
programme could better be carried out on a national level?
5.2 What is your opinion on the funding mechanism? Is a subsidy the best mechanism, or could there
be better alternatives (such as price/tax policies, regulations, subsidized or interest-free loans)?
Block 6: General question
6.1 If you think about FP7 in terms of possible problems, objectives, alternatives (programmes,
actions, funding mechanisms) and risks, is there any further remark that you would still want to make?
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Return address:
This questionnaire can be returned

by e-mail ([email protected])

by fax to +31-10-452 36080 with attention of Johan Gille.

By post: ECORYS, attn. Johan Gille, P.O. Box 4175, 3006 AD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Questions?
In case of questions, please contact Jenny Lunn (T +31 10 453 8589, E [email protected]) or
Johan Gille (T +31 10 453 8621, E [email protected]).
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