Road maintenance shortfall in Belgium

A lack of sufficient road maintenance poses future problems for Belgium’s road network, according to the country’s planning office. Unless investment is made, the Belgium Planning Office (BPO) believes the nation’s road network will become overcrowded and dilapidated by 2020. BPO says that this could result in travel speeds falling 29% from 2008 to 2030 due to congestion and with a corresponding rise in journey times. Belgium's roads are amongst those with the heaviest traffic volumes in Europe. The BPO bel
November 28, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

A lack of sufficient road maintenance poses future problems for Belgium’s road network, according to the country’s planning office.

Unless investment is made, the Belgium Planning Office (BPO) believes the nation’s road network will become overcrowded and dilapidated by 2020. BPO says that this could result in travel speeds falling 29% from 2008 to 2030 due to congestion and with a corresponding rise in journey times.

Belgium's roads are amongst those with the heaviest traffic volumes in Europe. The BPO believes that a journey that took one hour and 18 minutes in 2008 will take one hour and 51 minutes in 2030.

Meanwhile, traffic at off-peak times could have speeds cut by 16%. The report produced by the BPO claims that cars will still be the most used form of transport in 2030, accounting for 80% of passenger km travelled. Goods transport by road will also increase, accounting for 71% of km tonnes in 2030. But if transport policy remains unaltered then greenhouse gas emissions will increase by 12% between 2008 and 2030, despite energy efficiency improvements in vehicles.

Related Content

  • Moscow to invest $20 billion in massive road-building by 2015
    March 28, 2014
    A huge investment in road building will expand Moscow’s network – Eugene Gerden reports The government of Moscow plans to invest more than RUB 640 billion (US$20 billion) during the period of 2014-2015 .in a massive investment of road building in the city. This is expected to be part of Moscow city’s Master Plan, which is designed until 2025. Building of new roads is crucial for Moscow and should help the city to solve the problem of traffic jams. Despite all the efforts made by the city’s authorities in re
    Read More
  • 2+1 type roads – a chance to be better in road safety for Lithuania?
    January 14, 2016
    Lithuania is one of the 28 European Union countries which is seeking to have good results in road safety. However, such as wish does not looks like easy achievable. Moreover, to get away from the worst Top 6 countries in EU could not be achieved since 1991 (by the EU road accidents database - CARE).
    Read More
  • Busy bridge in Beijing replaced quickly
    March 31, 2016
    The replacement of a very busy road bridge in China’s capital Beijing has been carried out successfully. Due to the volume of traffic using the bridge during week days, the work had to be carried out quickly so as to minimise traffic disruption. But despite being carried out in the centre of Beijing, the replacement work for the Sanyuan Bridge just took 43 hours from start to completion.
    Read More
  • Tackling congestion – with tough decisions
    July 8, 2016
    As editor of World Highways, information is provided on a great deal of revolutionary new traffic technology. Some of these new innovations offer major advantages in cutting congestion; smart systems that can regulate traffic flow or reduce risks for commuters. But it is worth remembering too that some of the solutions to urban transportation, as well as cutting urban pollution, have been around for a very long time. The humble bicycle is a highly efficient machine for transportation over comparatively shor
    Read More

Highlighted Content