Transport Yearbook 2009
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table of contentsTransport sector development in 2009
INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure expenditures
In 2009 total investment funds into transport infrastructure went down by about 6.7 billion CZK compared to previous year, thereby causing interannual decline by 8.0%. These expenditures create 2.1 % of GDP (except expenditures in local roads and other urban public transport infrastructure), which represents an interannual decline of share of total investment expenditures on GDP in 2009. By analogy with preceding years the majority of investment funds was covered by the State Fund of Transport Infrastructure with its share on this amount being increased compared to 2008 and achieving a value of 88.1%.
Investment funds put into road infrastructure have moderately increased in 2009, namely by about 1.6 billion CZK, which represented an increase by 3.1%. Of this the investment expenditures in class II and class III roads, i.e. the roads in the ownership of regions amounted to 18%. On the contrary, investment expenditures in railway infrastructure interannually declined by about 3.4 billion CZK in 2009 which represents 14.6%. As regards other infrastructure investment in 2009, a relatively important interannual decrease took place in the air transport infrastructure (by 69.9 %) and pipeline infrastructure (by 51.1%), and on the other hand the inland waterways expenditures almost trebled compared with 2008.
Unlike investment funds the total expenditures in infrastructure repairs and maintenance went up moderately in 2009 compared to the previous year, namely by about 1.1 billion CZK, which represents an interannual growth by 4.5%. The aforesaid total expenditures showed the greatest increase in the railway infrastructure field where the increase amounted to about one billion CZK (11.7%) compared with 2008. Expenditures in road infrastructure repairs and maintenance also went up interannually in 2009, however rather slightly, namely by 0.3% only (approx. 40 mill. CZK). In 2009 there was also an increase compared to the previous year as regards expenditures in air transport infrastructure repairs and maintenance (by 7.6%) and pipeline infrastructure (by 24.9%), and only as regards repairs and maintenance of inland waterways the expenditures showed moderate interannual decline (by 0.4%).Road infrastructure
As far as the motorway network construction is concerned, another D1 Praha – Brno Lipník nad Bečvou motorway sections was put into operation, namely the project "D1 0134.1/II Mořice - Kojetín 2nd stage". The length of this section amounts to 6.6 km, and it also includes 14 bridge structures (of which three are crossing the water flows), one interchange and Křenovice resting area on both sides. At the beginning of the section at Vrchoslavice, the aforesaid project is linked to the project "D1 0134.1/I Mořice - Kojetín 1st stage", and it terminates behind the Kojetín interchange which is crossing the III/36724 road where it is linked to the project "D1 0134.2 Kojetín - Kroměříž West". In 2009, also the D47 Lipník nad Bečvou - Ostrava – state border CR/Poland was in progress, and the following projects were put into operation: project "D47 4705 Bělotín - Hladké Životice" ( on a half-profile basis) and project "D47 4706 Hladké Životice - Bílovec" linked to the former. The project "D47 4705 Bělotín - Hladké Životice" starts with a link to the project "D47 4704 Lipník - Bělotín", it is 18.1 km long and covers 22 bridge structures and 2 interchange. The project "D47 4706 Hladké Životice - Bílovec" is 11.7 km long and contains 18 bridge structures and 1 interchange and it ends by a link to the project "D47 4707 Bílovec - Ostrava Rudná".
In 2009 also the construction of class I roads was continuing, including expressways. The following are included among most important expressway projects put into operation in 2009: "R35 Hradec Králové (Sedlice) - Opatovice" (without Opatovice flyover) connecting D11 Praha - Hradec Králové motorway with I/37 Trutnov - Jaroměř - Hradec Králové - Pardubice - Chrudim- Žďár nad Sázavou -Velká Bíteš road and "Tisová - Kamenný Dvůr R6 road" (on a half-profile basis) linked to Cheb - Kamenný Dvůr section already in service and substituting the existing two-lane I/6 road communication. Furthermore, in 2009 the following projects within the R7 Praha - Slaný - Louny – Chomutov expressway were put into operation: "R7 MÚK Bítozeves - MÚK Vysočany", "R7 Vysočany MÚK" and "R7 Sulec by-pass" representing an increase in the capacity of the existing two-lane 1/7 road to a four-lane one. As regards the construction of other class I roads, the following projects were implemented, for instance: "I/57 Semetín - Bystřička 1st project" designed as expressway (to class this road with expressways is scheduled after putting other sections in service), "I/47 Northern connection, 1st project" representing part of the city of Ostrava transport system and fulfilling, at the same time, the function of a motorway feeder, "The interconnection of I/11 and I/56 (S1 connection in Opava)" or "I/50 Bučovice thoroughfare". Among other important projects put in operation in 2009 also the projects of the following by-passes may be counted: "I/33 Česká Skalice by-pass", "I/57 Hladké Životice by-pass" and "I/43 Opatov by-pass".
Among important class II and class III road projects implemented in 2009 the following are included, for instance: "II/129 Cetoraz - Jiřičky", "II/351 from II/602 - Třebíč", "II/353 Bohdalov by-pass", "II/410 from I/23 - Želetava" and "II/399 Stropešín bridge No 399-002" in Vysočina region, "II/374 Rájec - Blansko 3rd project" and "II/427 Moravský Písek 2nd and 3rd project" in South-Moravia region or "II/446, III/44629 Šumvald - Břevenec" and "III/37340 Loučany - Náměšť na Hané, road reconstruction " in Olomouc region. Among more important transport investments in the road infrastructure field we may further include projects "II/263 reconstruction Česká Kamenice - Chřibská - Rumburk - Jiříkov" in Ústí region, "II/236 Lány bypass 2nd part" in Central-Bohemia region, "II/497 Březolupy - Bílovice" in Zlín region or "Bridge No 15532-1 Roudné" in South-Bohemia region.
Railway infrastructure
In 2009 construction works consisting of the modernisation of transit railway corridors were continuing. Also the project "Optimization of the Plzeň-Stříbro line" was finished on the 3rd transit railway corridor: state border ČR/SR Dětmarovice - Přerov - Česká Třebová -Praha - Plzeň - Cheb – state border ČR/FRG. At the same time, within the section Plzeň –Cheb, the implementation of projects "Optimization of Stříbro - Planá u Mariánských Lázní line" and "Optimisation of the Planá u Mariánských Lázní – Cheb " were continuing with the completion being envisaged in 2011. Within the section Praha –Plzeň, works were continuing on the project "Optimisation of the Beroun – Zbiroh line" with the completion being envisaged in 2011, and the project "Optimisation of the Zbiroh –Rokycany line" was started with the completion being envisaged in 2012. Further, in the section state border CZ/FRG – Dětmarovice, the implementation of the project "Optimisation of the state border CZ/FRG - Mosty u Jablunkova - Bystřice nad Olší" was under way with the completion being envisaged in 2011 and, at the same time, the project "Optimisation of the Bystřice nad Olší – Česká Těšín line" was started, with the completion being envisaged in 2012.
On the 4th transit railway corridor, state border CZ/Austria - České Budějovice - Tábor - Praha - Ústí nad Labem - Děčín – state border CZ/FRG, the projects "Optimisation of the Horní Dvořiště state border - České Budějovice line" and "Modernisation of the line Veselí nad Lužnicí - Tábor – 1st part of the section Doubí u Tábora – Tábor" were completed in 2009. Moreover, the implementation of the project "Optimisation of the Benešov u Prahy – Strančice line" was continuing and its completion should be finished in 2010, and the project "Modernisation of Votice - Benešov u Prahy line" was started with its completion being envisaged in 2013.
In conjunction with the modernisation of transit railway corridors the modernisation of important railway junctions is proceeding. The purpose of the modernisation of these junctions is to ensure the same technological parameters as with corridor lines linked to these junctions. In 2009, the project "Modernisation of the western part of Prague Main Station, 2nd part of the platforms I-IV"(including service objects and the adjustment of the terrain in the vicinity of platforms), was fully completed and it already serves the passengers since previous year. Further, the implementation of the other projects was continuing, for instance, "Reconstruction of the Břeclav railway junction, 1st project", or "Brno – 1st part of the side station, 1st stage".
Among other investment projects of importance also the electrification of lines is to be counted. For instance, the projects "Electrification of Lysá nad Labem – Mílovice" or "Electrification of line section including PEU Šatov – Znojmo". Continuing attention was being given to the program "Upgrading the safety on railway crossings" and several tens of reconstructions of crossings and block systems on crossings were put into operation. A system of numbering the railway crossings was also introduced at the same time, making possible to identify crossings on an explicit, simple and uniform basis, which creates conditions for halting the railway traffic in the given line section following information given to the public on the emergence of the obstacle. In the interest of increasing the travelling quality also new railway halting stations, shelters and platforms for passengers were also designed and introduced in 2009.
Inland waterway transport infrastructure
In 2009 all the investment activity connected with the development and modernisation of waterways important in terms of transport was ensured by the Directorate of Waterways in the Czech Republic.
Particularly large projects with anticipated completion in subsequent years, like "České Budějovice – Hluboká nad Vltavou waterway", "Hněvkovice - Týn nad Vltavou waterway", "Adjustment of Chvatěruby navigation straits", "Railway bridge Kolín", and "Ústí nad Labem - Vaňov quay and waiting place ".
Out of small structures completed in 2009 we can mention "Nymburk Waterwork" and "Lobkovice Waterwork, modernisation of the navigation lock equipment", which constitutes a series of reconstruction of walls of navigation locks on central Elbe above Mělník. Another examples of such small structures finished in 2009 are the "Uherské Hradiště port facilities" and "Napajedla – Pahrbek port facilities" contributing to the development of travel in the area of Baťa Channel.Air transport infrastructure
As the most important investment in the air transport infrastructure field in 2009 we can quote the buyout of the seat building from the Czech Airlines and buyout of lands predominantly for the construction of a parallel Praha Airport runway. As far as the expenditures in repairs and maintenance are concerned, the most important item was the repair of runways and taxiways on the same airport.
VEHICLE FLEET
As of 1 January 2010, the Central Vehicle Register registered altogether 7 119 323 operated motor vehicles and trailers of all kinds and categories (including veteran vehicles, i.e. vehicles manufactured prior to 1945), which represents an interannual increase by 0.5% only. The rate of increase in 2009 has substantially slackened compared to previous years, which was probably caused also by deregistration of older vehicles towards the end of 2008 (due to the introduction of ecological tax from 1 January 2009). However, this decline has been revealed in the register not until 2009 due to administrative reasons.
The number of registered passenger cars traditionally went up also in 2009, this time however substantially less than in preceding years – by 0.3% only – reaching the number of 4 435 052 as of 1 January 2010. For the first time, after more than ten years of running growth, the number of registered lorries slightly declined in 2009, namely by 0.4%. In 2009, also a decline took place in the number of registered mini busses and busses (by 2.1%), road tractors (by 17,3 %), semi-trailers (by 2.3%) and special vehicles (by 9.9%). On the contrary, an increase was registered in 2009 as regards the number of registered motorcycles (by 1.2%) and trailers (by 8.5%).
In the course of 2009, the average age of passenger cars slightly decreased (by 0.2%) reaching 12.6 years as of 1 January 2010. Likewise a slight improvement could have been observed in the category of mini busses and busses (by 0.1 years), with their average age being 12.2 years as of 1 January 2010. On the contrary, deterioration took place as regards lorries where the average age amounted to 8.2 years with an interannual increase of 0.4 years as of 1 January 2010. The motorcycles continue to be the oldest category of the currently operated vehicles with an average age of 30.9 years. It should however be reminded that the age of vehicles is of a limited explicitness, which is given particularly by the quality of data on vehicles registered longer time ago as well as the fact that also vehicles classified into the category of veterans are included in the above calculation.
TRANSPORT
Total passenger transport performance expressed in passenger kilometres in 2009, continuously growing for more than 10 years, showed a decline compared to 2008, but by 0.01% only. The total number of passengers carried in 2009 also dropped after three years of growth, namely by 1.8% interannually. Identically as in the preceding year, the number of passengers carried by public transport decreased, namely by 2.9%. In the same year, the public transport performance has sustained its several years lasting growing trend and it has again registered a growth, however, by 0.2% only. By analogy with the preceding year also in 2009 the railway transport registered an interannual decline both in the number of persons carried (by 7%) and transport performance expressed in passenger kilometres (by 4.4%). Not following development trend in 2008, the number of passengers carried by public bus transport in 2009 again dropped interanually, namely by 2.5%, but the public bus transport performance increased interannually by 1.3% after the decline in the preceding year. Compared to the preceding year, the inland waterway transport registered in 2009 a relatively importantincrease in the number of passengers carried (by 33.3%) and on the other hand there was quite significant drop in the transport performance (by 39.3%). As far as air transport in 2009 is concerned, the number of passenger carried as well as the transport performance continued in their growing trends and even a moderate increase in the growth pace has been registered in comparison to the preceding year. In 2009, the interannual increase in the number of passenger carried was 2.8% and 5.4% as regards transport performance in passenger kilometres. The number of passengers handled at the Czech airports declined in 2009 on an interannual basis by 8.4%, and it was for the first time after a long-time continuous growth, thereby achieving roughly the 2006 level.
In the freight transport, on an interannual basis, the total transport performance expressed in tonne kilometres substantially dropped (by 12.9%) as well as the total volume of goods carried (by 15.2%) in 2009. Similarly as in the preceding year also in the year 2009 the volume of goods carried by road, rail, inland waterway and air cargo transport declined interannually. At the same time, all these transport modes recorded an interannual decline of the transport performance contrary to 2008 where only the road transport recorded an increase.
Road freight transport performance interannually decreased by 11.6% in 2009, and the volume of goods carried declined by 14.3%. Interannual decline of the railway goods transport in 2009 is to be indicated as substantial because it reached 19.3% in terms of volume of goods carried and 17.1% with respect to transport performance. The methodology of the railway goods transport statistics changed in 2006 and newly also the carriers performing the non-public transport (it also involves commercial transport but on the basis of mutually agreed conditions) were included in the statistical surveys. This resulted in the increase both in the transport performance and volume of goods carried. Consequently, the data for 2005 and 2006 are not fully comparable. However, on a methodological basis, the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 are completely comparable with the year 2006. Volume of goods carried by air cargo as well as air cargo transport performance continued in 2009 in their long-term decline, this decline being however much more significant than in preceding years. Transport performance recorded a slow down by 24.3% compared to 2008 and volume of goods carried even by 30.0%. Also relatively important was the interannual decline in inland waterway transport in 2009 with the transport performance declining by 25.7% and volume of goods carried declining by 13.5%.
ACCIDENTS
In 2009 the Police of the Czech Republic investigated altogether 74 815 traffic accidents, which represents a substantial decline (by 53.4 %) compared to the preceding year. This decline is to be attributed, first of all, to a change in the legislation due to which the "limit" for obligatory notification of the accident increased from original 50 thousand CZK to 100 thousand CZK, starting from 1 January 2009. Also the development of accident consequences was rather favourable in 2009 since an important decline in the number of persons killed (by 16.1%) was recorded as well as in the number of injured persons (by 7.2% as regards seriously injured and by 4.0% as regards slightly injured). Also the estimated material damage was lower (by 21.1%). In total, 832 persons were killed (death within 24 hours after the accident – the EC statistics as well as other international statistics take account of the number of persons dead within 30 days from the time of the accident – this would correspond to 901 killed persons in the same year), 3 536 persons were seriously injured and 23 777 persons slightly injured. The estimated material damage amounted to 4.98 billion CZK.
The number of killed (death within 24 hours after the accident) and seriously injured persons as well as the total number of accidents in 2009 was the lowest since 1990, and the number of slightly injured persons was the 3rd lowest since 1990.
As regards the accident causes, the majority of accidents, namely 89.9%, was caused by motor vehicle drivers, by analogy with preceding years, even if in absolute figures this number was lower by 80 116 on an interannual basis. Altogether 2.7% of accidents were caused by non-motor vehicle drivers, 1.7% by pedestrians, 4.1% by wood and domestic animals, and the rest by technological defect of the vehicle, defect of the roads or by other causes. Compared to 2008, the percentage of accidents caused by motor vehicle drivers and wood and domestic animals slightly declined and by contrast a slight increase of the percentage of accidents caused by non-motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians took place. In absolute figures however all important items recorded a slow down.
Concerning passenger cars, 28.7% of accidents were caused by drivers 25 - 34 years old and roughly to the same extent they participated in the number of killed persons (29.2%). 20.3% of accidents were caused by drivers aged 35 – 44 years, 13.5% by drivers aged 21 – 24 years, and 12.7% by drivers aged 45 – 54 years. The category of drivers aged 55 – 64 is associated with 9.6% accidents, and the category of 18 – 20 years is responsible for 8.9% of accidents. As far as the age of passenger motor vehicles is concerned, the largest share in the number of accidents (30%) and the number of killed persons (39%) was established, as in the preceding year, with drivers of passenger cars manufactured within the interval 1995 – 1999 years. The second most numerous group in terms of the number of accidents (26.1%) is constituted by drivers driving vehicles manufactured within the interval 2005 – 2009 years, and in terms of the number of killed persons (19.7%) by drivers driving vehicles manufactured within the interval 2000 – 2004 years. The number of pedestrians who deceased because of disregarding the right of way on pedestrian crossings, declined from 22 to 16.During last 10 years the Police of the Czech Republic investigated almost 1.8 million of accidents on roads in the Czech Republic, during which 11 433 persons were killed, 46 322 persons heavily injured and another 270 368 persons slightly injured. Estimated damage exceeds 83 billion CZK.