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3.4. Cornerstones of the content
Seen from a distance, the Transport Protocol consists of the Preamble and of 25 Articles
which are grouped together in a structure of five different chapters:
Chapter I on general provisions (Article 1-6)
Chapter II on specific measures (Article 7-16)
Chapter III on coordination, research, education and information (Article 17-
19)
Chapter IV on control and assessment (Article 20-22)
Chapter V on final provisions (Article 23-25)
This paper will first have a closer look at the objectives of the Transport Protocol, then
at its implementing measures. Finally we will discuss briefly what kind of provisions
one may miss in the Transport Protocol.
3.4.1. Objectives
According to Article 1(1) TP, the main objective of the Transport Protocol is the
realisation of a sustainable transport policy by the contracting parties. This policy is
characterised by the fact that it aims at:
reducing the harms and the risks in the sector of intra-Alpine and trans-Alpine
transport to a degree, which is supportable for humans, the fauna and the flora
as well as for their living space and their habitats (Article l(l)(a) TP);
contributing to the sustainable development of the habitats and of the
economic area which constitute the living space for the residents of the Alpine
arc (Article 1 (l)(b) TP);
limiting as far as possible the effects of the traffic which could endanger the
role and the resources of the Alpine space as well as the conservation of its
natural and cultural heritage (Article l(l)(c) TP);
assuring the intra-Alpine and trans-Alpine transport at economically bearable
costs by an increase in efficiency of the transport systems, as well as by the
promotion of means of transport more respective of the environment and more
economic in using natural resources (Article l(l)(d) TP);