ABSTRACT / The paper, written in the context of the POSSUM project explores how economic prosperity can be maintained while reducing the growth of freight transport. Historically, transport volumes have risen in parallel with GDP, but this trend is environmentally unsustainable. The study argues that the link between transport and economic growth is not inevitable. Four key factors—material intensity, spatial structure of production and consumption, handling requirements, and transport organisation—shape transport demand. Two main strategies are proposed: dematerialising the economy and shortening material flows. Combining lifestyle change, market incentives, and regulation can slow transport growth without harming competitiveness if supported by coherent, sustainability-oriented policies.

Schleicher-Tappeser, R. / Hey, C. / Steen, P. (1998). Policy approaches for decoupling freight transport from economic growth. Proceedings of the Eighth World Conference on Transport Research, Antwerp [July 1998].

Proceedings (PDF)
Extensively quoted by the OECD (OECD Report)