ABSTRACT
The transformation of former planning market economies into free market economies intensifies the exchange of goods and services. Omitting customs formalities and border waiting times will affect freight and passenger traffic. Residents of the border region expect negative consequences to result from the increased level of passenger and freight traffic volumes. Likewise, they will also expect politicians to respond promptly to these threats. Appropriate measures have to be put into place beforehand. A prerequisite to be efficient is the knowledge of the system reactions. Predictions of effects have to be made. Transport models can be used as a support tool for this purpose. If overall effects are the subject, the 'sketch planning model' concept is suitable to forecast transport demand in the context of Eastern European countries accession to the European Union. A strategic transport should be used to give a first quantitative assessment of changes in transport caused by the accession to the European Union.
