Barry Cable Director

Transport and Tourism DivisionUN ESCAP

11stst Expert Group Meeting on Expert Group Meeting on Developing Euro-Asian Transport LinkagesDeveloping Euro-Asian Transport Linkages 9 – 11 March 2004 Almaty, Kazakhstan9 – 11 March 2004 Almaty, Kazakhstan

Developing Regional Transport Networks in the

ESCAP Region: Asian Highway and Trans-Asian

Railway

Developing Regional Transport Networks in the

ESCAP Region: Asian Highway and Trans-Asian

Railway

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Three Theme Areas of UNESCAPThree Theme Areas of UNESCAP

Emerging social issues

Reducing poverty

Managing globalization

Emerging social issues

Reducing poverty

Managing globalization

Transport

Trade

Environment

Information, communications and space technologies

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Asian Land Transport Infrastructure Project (ALTID)Asian Land Transport Infrastructure Project (ALTID)

Began in 1992

Designed as an “umbrella project” with three integrated components:

Asian Highway

Trans-Asian Railway

Land Transport Facilitation

Goal of the project was to establish an integrated regional transport system to facilitate trade and tourism in the ESCAP region.

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ALTID Approach (“Step-by-Step”)ALTID Approach (“Step-by-Step”)

In-depth studies Asian Highway: subregional studies

Trans-Asian Railway: corridor studies

Criteria for identification of networks were links between:

capitals

industrial and agricultural centres

air, sea and river ports

container terminals & depots

Emphasis on maximising use of existing infrastructure

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Asian Highway Asian Highway

Network identification (seminars, missions to countries, studies)

Consolidation of data (AH Database)

Awareness raising activities (Public information)

Formalization of network: Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network

Subregional seminars to review draft agreement

Advice from UNECE, UN Office of Legal Affairs

Continuous communication with member governments

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Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network was unanimously adopted by 32 member states in November 2003

Signing ceremony will be held at the 60th session of the ESCAP Commission (April 26 2004)

Obligation of Contracting Parties to promote and improve international transport through AH routes

adopt AH network

bring in conformity with AH design standards

AH Signage

Asian Highway Asian Highway

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Promote and facilitate development of the priority sections of the Asian Highway network and related intermodal connections

Preparation of a subregional overview of investment needs and development priorities

Organization of a subregional seminar/workshop with participation of donors

Review the status of current investment in the road sector

Identify the Asian Highway priority investment projects of common national and subregional importance

Promote the development of identified priority projects

Identifying investment needs and prioritiesIdentifying investment needs and priorities

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South-East Asia – 12,600 km

North-east Asia – 32,500 km

Central Asia and Caucasus – 13,200 km

South-Asia + IR of Iran & Turkey – 22,100 km

Trans-Asian Railway Trans-Asian Railway

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TAR in Central Asia and Caucasus TAR in Central Asia and Caucasus

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To EuropeTo East Asia and beyond

Trans-Asian Railway Northern Corridor

TAR Northern Corridor TAR Northern Corridor

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Steering Committee Meetings

1st SCM: Vladivostok, 3-5 June 2002

2nd SCM: Ulaanbaatar, 6-8 October 2003

- Assessed progress in individual countries as regards the operationalization of container block-trains

- Acknowledged the potential of Asia-Europe containertrade as an opportunity for growth

- Decided on a schedule for Demonstration runs of container block-trains along key segments of TARNC

TAR Northern Corridor TAR Northern Corridor

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Demonstration Runs

- Identify physical / non-physical bottlenecks

- Give particular attention to capability of rail transport to provide access to ports for landlocked countries,

- Raise awareness of freight forwarders on new servicesoffered by railways to develop containers landbridges

- Develop interconnectivity between railways and between railways and other modes

TAR Northern Corridor TAR Northern Corridor

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Zamyn Uud1000 km

Average speed22.4 km/h

Tianjin, 0 km

75 hrs 31 min.

Results – Tianjin to UlaanbaatarResults – Tianjin to Ulaanbaatar

500 km 1000 km 2000 km1500 km

Day 4

Distance

Tim

e

1,691 km33.7 km/h

27.5 km/h

04.18 a.m.

Day 3

Day 2

Day 129 hrs 12 min.

Erenhot, 983 km

02.30 a.m.

05.59 a.m. 20 hrs 31 min.

Ulaanbaatar1700 km

Shunting + train formation:

3 hrs. 35 min.

Transshipment:(3.5 min. per box)3 hrs. 20 min.

4 hrs. 50 min.Mongolia,

China, 3 hrs. 00 min.Customs:

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For more information visit

http://www.unescap.org/ttd

Thank you for your attention