In order to investigate and analyse regional transport in the Western Balkans, the EU commissioned the Regional Transport Study (REBIS) which was completed in 2003. The study prepared cost estimates for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the transport infrastructure.
Additional grant support was provided in 2012 by the WBIF to review and update the Regional Transport Study. The update was required due to significant changes in regional transport flow patterns and the beneficiaries' plans for EU accession. Traffic projections in key transport corridors in SEE have been updated using the existing REBIS forecasting model as a starting point.
The REBIS forecasting model, based on the earlier work, used population and GDP growth assumptions with some correction factors to determine future traffic along key transport corridors; with this information, an investment plan was developed. During the update, other factors were added, including trade flows, in order to ascertain the most important traffic corridors and where investments need to be made. The outcome has been a priority action plan for the SEETO network, identifying measures to reduce physical and non-physical barriers in the transport system in the Western Balkans.
