Transport networks concentrated around economic hubs

The evolution of the transport network is closely linked to the general development of the economy. This is particularly true for goods transport and, to a smaller extent, for passenger transport. The EU has one of the densest transport networks in the world. This reflects a number of factors, including population density and transport demand. Transport demand is especially high in urban, industrial and other densely populated areas.

The highest motorway density is found in the regions of the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium. The motorway network is especially concentrated in regions with urbanised areas. Eight out of the nine regions showing the most significant motorway expansion between 1990 and 2009 are located in Spain. This reflects the strong development of the motorway network in this country over the last decades.

Railway network density is especially high in the regions of the Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The highest rail density ratios are often observed in capital regions, such as Berlin, Prague, Bucharest and Madrid. Regional rail density is especially driven by the presence of economic activities such as heavy industries or seaport infrastructures.