The state is already diligently, thanks to the Surpluses in the public coffers in the past few years, invested more in infrastructure than before. The many construction sites on the streets to make this clear. Construction companies and planning authorities are working at full capacity, as it is not only road construction, but also the other construction activity has greatly increased.

as a result of the constraints the planning and execution of the projects, which in turn keeps the Trouble is delayed. Also, the prices for construction services have increased significantly. Since it is close, to call for an extension of the capacities in the area of planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. Also the increasing volume of traffic and the many traffic jams to speak to modernise the road network as quickly as possible and to expand. About the author

Torsten Schmidt, Deputy head of the research division "macroeconomics and Public Finance" at the RWI – Leibniz Institute for economic research and apl. Professor of empirical macroeconomics at the Ruhr-University of Bochum.

At the same time, mobility in Germany is due to the climate policy decisions of the Federal government before the revolution. The commitments from the Paris agreement to be implemented, the Federal government has decided to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, by 55 percent compared to the 1990 level. So far, the emissions in the transport sector has not declined; it accounts for about a fifth of the CO-emissions in Germany.

That's about to change: in the Future, the transport sector must also make a substantial contribution to Achieving the climate objectives. This could speak of a massive modernization and expansion of the road network. Because of a Expansion of the transport infrastructure and its efficient use generally for more traffic. For example, studies show that an expansion of the lanes on the motorway can also lead to rise to a higher traffic. In addition, the investments provide for the emissions: According to a recent study by the DIW, the state investment in construction are, after all, for around 1.5 percent of German greenhouse gas emissions.

sink, The national platform "future of mobility" commissioned by the Federal government with proposals on how the 2030 climate targets in the transport sector. In a November 2019 published interim report for the six fields of action are identified. An important Element in the promotion of electric mobility. E-cars now have a high degree of efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions significantly. In order to achieve the climate targets would have to be from the year 2025, about half of the new registrations of electric vehicles. In addition, a considerable efficiency potential in the internal combustion engine drives, according to the assessment of the experts.

By this technological change, emissions could be saved. To comply with the climate objectives is not enough, however. According to calculations by the Boston Consulting Group and Prognos, the driving performance of the Cars would have to be a significant increase in electric mobility in the year 2030, below the level of 2015 in order to achieve the climate goals. In addition, it must therefore be a part of the passenger and freight traffic from road to Rail and to inland waterway vessels shifted. As a result, the traffic would be traffic on the road reduce. However, the Expansion of the infrastructure of alternative means of transport is necessary to it.

A factor that is overlooked in the discussion frequently, is the demographic change that will hit in the next ten years in Germany by. On the one hand, with the number of people in employment is also likely to be the transport, because this group puts on the most miles. This decline is likely, especially during the peak traffic time for some relief. On the other hand, the demographic change will reduce the public financing game rooms. The increase in the transport infrastructure according to the current plans, draws a result of costs that are in the future, hardly affordable.

investments in transport infrastructure are very long term: The life span ranges from 15 years ago, when the road surface up to the age of 75 years for bridges and tunnels. Therefore, the modernization and the Expansion of transport networks on the future needs and the necessary reduction of road transport should be adapted: change in mobility habits, the climate policy and demographic change will change the transport sector radically. In this Phase of the realignment, the necessary rehabilitation of existing transport networks, should continue. Planning and construction capacity to expand, without having a more concrete picture of the future of transport, but it is counterproductive.