Activities of Thomas RUDNER
Plenary speeches (4)
Industrial Emissions Directive - Industrial Emissions Portal - Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure - Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) - Energy efficiency (recast) (joint debate - Fit for 55 and Industrial Emissions)
Intelligent Road Transport Systems (debate)
Poor sanitary conditions, low levels of security and lack of parking places in rest areas for truck drivers (debate)
Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications (debate)
Written questions (2)
United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Access to in-vehicle data
Amendments (29)
Amendment 68 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) European Modular Systems (EMS) have been used and trialled at length and have proven to be an interesting solution to improve the economic and energy efficiency of transport operations, while ensuring road safety and protection of infrastructure, thanks to their confinement to adequate parts of the road networks. Given national specificities, different economic interests, transportation needs and diverse transport infrastructure capacities in Member States, they are best placed to assess and authorise the circulation of EMS on their territories. At the same time, to enlarge the positive socio-economic and environmental impacts of the use of EMS, it is crucial to remove unnecessary barriers to their use in cross- border operations between neighbouring Member States that allow such vehicle combinations on their territories, without limitation in the number of borders crossed as long as they comply with the maximum authorised weights and dimensions for EMS established by Member States within their respective territories. This is to ensure that EMS used in cross-border operations comply with the common lowest weight and dimension limit for EMS applicable in those Member States. In the interests of safety of operations, transparency and legal clarity, common conditions should be established for the circulation of EMS in national and international traffic, including providing clear information on the weights and dimensions limits for EMS and on parts of the road network compatible with specifications of such vehicles, and monitoring the impacts of the use of EMS on road safety, on the road infrastructure, on modal cooperation, as well as the environmental impacts of European Modular Systems on the transport system, including the impacts on modal share. The clear definition of EMS in this Directive guarantees that EMS are composed of standard vehicle units to ensure compatibility with other transport modes, notably rail.
Amendment 68 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) European Modular Systems (EMS) have been used and trialled at length and have proven to be an interesting solution to improve the economic and energy efficiency of transport operations, while ensuring road safety and protection of infrastructure, thanks to their confinement to adequate parts of the road networks. Given national specificities, different economic interests, transportation needs and diverse transport infrastructure capacities in Member States, they are best placed to assess and authorise the circulation of EMS on their territories. At the same time, to enlarge the positive socio-economic and environmental impacts of the use of EMS, it is crucial to remove unnecessary barriers to their use in cross- border operations between neighbouring Member States that allow such vehicle combinations on their territories, without limitation in the number of borders crossed as long as they comply with the maximum authorised weights and dimensions for EMS established by Member States within their respective territories. This is to ensure that EMS used in cross-border operations comply with the common lowest weight and dimension limit for EMS applicable in those Member States. In the interests of safety of operations, transparency and legal clarity, common conditions should be established for the circulation of EMS in national and international traffic, including providing clear information on the weights and dimensions limits for EMS and on parts of the road network compatible with specifications of such vehicles, and monitoring the impacts of the use of EMS on road safety, on the road infrastructure, on modal cooperation, as well as the environmental impacts of European Modular Systems on the transport system, including the impacts on modal share. The clear definition of EMS in this Directive guarantees that EMS are composed of standard vehicle units to ensure compatibility with other transport modes, notably rail.
Amendment 72 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The transport of indivisible loads carried out by vehicles or vehicle combinations exceeding the maximum weights or dimensions and the use of EMS, given their needs for additional safety features and for suitable infrastructure, require that special attention is given to elements such as transparency of relevant information, legal certainty and harmonisation of the permit processes. It is therefore necessary for Member States to establish a single electronic information and communication system containing all the relevant information regarding the operational and administrative conditions for the transport of indivisible loads and for the use of EMS, in a clear and easily accessible manner. This national system should also enable the operators to obtain the information and submit electronically the application, in an EU standardised format, for special permits for the carriage of indivisible loads in the Member State concerned. These permits should be issued in an electronic format and it should be possible to carry out an abnormal transport using this electronic document. In addition, that national system should provide information on the national maximum authorised dimensions and weights of vehicles and vehicle combinations, information on possible restrictions, in particular on height, as well as on the minimum qualifications requirements for drivers. To ensure that operators and citizens can access all relevant information in one place, a dedicated European web portal connecting the national electronic and communication systems and providing, among others, a clear graphic overview of the roads on which EMS are allowed to circulate in the relevant Member States, should be established by the Commission, at the latest by [6 months after the date of transposition of this Directive].
Amendment 72 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The transport of indivisible loads carried out by vehicles or vehicle combinations exceeding the maximum weights or dimensions and the use of EMS, given their needs for additional safety features and for suitable infrastructure, require that special attention is given to elements such as transparency of relevant information, legal certainty and harmonisation of the permit processes. It is therefore necessary for Member States to establish a single electronic information and communication system containing all the relevant information regarding the operational and administrative conditions for the transport of indivisible loads and for the use of EMS, in a clear and easily accessible manner. This national system should also enable the operators to obtain the information and submit electronically the application, in an EU standardised format, for special permits for the carriage of indivisible loads in the Member State concerned. These permits should be issued in an electronic format and it should be possible to carry out an abnormal transport using this electronic document. In addition, that national system should provide information on the national maximum authorised dimensions and weights of vehicles and vehicle combinations, information on possible restrictions, in particular on height, as well as on the minimum qualifications requirements for drivers. To ensure that operators and citizens can access all relevant information in one place, a dedicated European web portal connecting the national electronic and communication systems and providing, among others, a clear graphic overview of the roads on which EMS are allowed to circulate in the relevant Member States, should be established by the Commission, at the latest by [6 months after the date of transposition of this Directive].
Amendment 94 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Similarly to the need for extra space, current standards are also not suitable to compensate for the extra weight of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, in particular in long distance transport. Additional weight and axle weight are necessary for vehicle combinations including a zero-emission motor vehicle combinations, as well as to the most common passenger vehicles in use in the Union. Lighter technologies and better aerodynamics will render the use of zero- emission propulsion systems more efficient (for example, to allow for longer range travelled and longer battery life) by reducing their energy consumption. To provide additional incentives to the deployment of zero- emission heavy-duty vehicles, to promote technological development, as well as the equipment of vehicles with improved aerodynamics, extra weight allowances should therefore be disconnected from the weight of the zero-emission technology.
Amendment 94 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Similarly to the need for extra space, current standards are also not suitable to compensate for the extra weight of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, in particular in long distance transport. Additional weight and axle weight are necessary for vehicle combinations including a zero-emission motor vehicle combinations, as well as to the most common passenger vehicles in use in the Union. Lighter technologies and better aerodynamics will render the use of zero- emission propulsion systems more efficient (for example, to allow for longer range travelled and longer battery life) by reducing their energy consumption. To provide additional incentives to the deployment of zero- emission heavy-duty vehicles, to promote technological development, as well as the equipment of vehicles with improved aerodynamics, extra weight allowances should therefore be disconnected from the weight of the zero-emission technology.
Amendment 96 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Effective, efficient, and consistent enforcement of the rules is of utmost importance to ensure undistorted competition between operators and eliminate risks to road safety and to road infrastructure posed by vehicles unlawfully exceeding the applicable weights or dimensions. To better target roadside controls at overloaded vehicles, and if they choose to use automatic systems on the road infrastructure, Member States should ensure as a minimum the deployment of such systems in the trans-European road transport network. Moreover, for reliability and consistency of the enforcement across the Union, the mandatory minimum level of controls to be performed by Member States should be established in proportion to the level of traffic on their territories by the vehicles within scope of this Directive, including an appropriate number of controls during night hours. Certified automatic systems should be able to recognise vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum authorised weights and have a derogation based on a special permit or a similar arrangement. This will avoid unjustified penalties and save administrative costs for both operators and Member States.
Amendment 96 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Effective, efficient, and consistent enforcement of the rules is of utmost importance to ensure undistorted competition between operators and eliminate risks to road safety and to road infrastructure posed by vehicles unlawfully exceeding the applicable weights or dimensions. To better target roadside controls at overloaded vehicles, and if they choose to use automatic systems on the road infrastructure, Member States should ensure as a minimum the deployment of such systems in the trans-European road transport network. Moreover, for reliability and consistency of the enforcement across the Union, the mandatory minimum level of controls to be performed by Member States should be established in proportion to the level of traffic on their territories by the vehicles within scope of this Directive, including an appropriate number of controls during night hours. Certified automatic systems should be able to recognise vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum authorised weights and have a derogation based on a special permit or a similar arrangement. This will avoid unjustified penalties and save administrative costs for both operators and Member States.
Amendment 106 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) To promote the growth of multimodal transportation system, in particular in combination with rail transport, containerised transport should be further facilitated by allowing extra height to road vehicles to transport high- cube containers.
Amendment 106 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) To promote the growth of multimodal transportation system, in particular in combination with rail transport, containerised transport should be further facilitated by allowing extra height to road vehicles to transport high- cube containers.
Amendment 112 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to establish an EU common standard application form and harmonise the rules and procedures for the issuing of national permits or similar arrangements for vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum weights and/or dimensions and are intended to carry indivisible loads, to establish a standard reporting format for Member States to comply with their reporting obligations, and to establish temporary exceptions from the application of the weights and dimensions limits used in international traffic between Member States affected by a crisis. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council45 . __________________ 45 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
Amendment 112 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to establish an EU common standard application form and harmonise the rules and procedures for the issuing of national permits or similar arrangements for vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum weights and/or dimensions and are intended to carry indivisible loads, to establish a standard reporting format for Member States to comply with their reporting obligations, and to establish temporary exceptions from the application of the weights and dimensions limits used in international traffic between Member States affected by a crisis. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council45 . __________________ 45 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
Amendment 134 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – second subparagraph
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – second subparagraph
Member States shall ensure that the procedure for obtaining permits or similar arrangements for the transport of indivisible loads is smooth, efficient and non-discriminatory, by providing an EU common standard application form and by minimising administrative burdens and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Amendment 134 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – second subparagraph
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – second subparagraph
Member States shall ensure that the procedure for obtaining permits or similar arrangements for the transport of indivisible loads is smooth, efficient and non-discriminatory, by providing an EU common standard application form and by minimising administrative burdens and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Amendment 136 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – third subparagraph
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – third subparagraph
Member States shall guarantee that the conditions under which the permits or similar arrangements related to the transport of indivisible loads are issued are proportionate and non-discriminatory. In particular, Member States shall cooperate to issue the permits or similar arrangements in an electronic format as well as to avoid the multiplicity of vehicle markings and signalling, and to favour the use of pictograms over text. Member States shall also cooperate to harmonise rules on the prescribed use, markings and signs for escort vehicles. Member States shall not impose language requirements related to the transport of indivisible loads.
Amendment 136 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – third subparagraph
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – third subparagraph
Member States shall guarantee that the conditions under which the permits or similar arrangements related to the transport of indivisible loads are issued are proportionate and non-discriminatory. In particular, Member States shall cooperate to issue the permits or similar arrangements in an electronic format as well as to avoid the multiplicity of vehicle markings and signalling, and to favour the use of pictograms over text. Member States shall also cooperate to harmonise rules on the prescribed use, markings and signs for escort vehicles. Member States shall not impose language requirements related to the transport of indivisible loads.
Amendment 194 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4a – paragraph 2
Article 4a – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts establishing an EU common standard application form and harmonising the rules and procedures for the issuing of national permits or similar arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in Article 4(3). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10i(2).
Amendment 194 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 4a – paragraph 2
Article 4a – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts establishing an EU common standard application form and harmonising the rules and procedures for the issuing of national permits or similar arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in Article 4(3). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10i(2).
Amendment 228 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9a – paragraph 1
Article 9a – paragraph 1
1. Vehicles or vehicle combinations which comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/858 may exceed the maximum lengths laid down in point 1.1 of Annex I to this Directive provided that their cabs deliver improved aerodynamic performance, energy efficiency and, safety performance and driver comfort. Any excess of the maximum lengths allowed under this Article may also be used to install zero-emission technology. Vehicles or vehicle combinations equipped with such cabs shall comply with point 1.5 of Annex I to this Directive and any exceeding of the maximum lengths shall not result in an increase in the load capacity of those vehicles.
Amendment 228 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 9a – paragraph 1
Article 9a – paragraph 1
1. Vehicles or vehicle combinations which comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/858 may exceed the maximum lengths laid down in point 1.1 of Annex I to this Directive provided that their cabs deliver improved aerodynamic performance, energy efficiency and, safety performance and driver comfort. Any excess of the maximum lengths allowed under this Article may also be used to install zero-emission technology. Vehicles or vehicle combinations equipped with such cabs shall comply with point 1.5 of Annex I to this Directive and any exceeding of the maximum lengths shall not result in an increase in the load capacity of those vehicles.
Amendment 238 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point a
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 10d – paragraph 1 – new subparagraph
Article 10d – paragraph 1 – new subparagraph
Certified automatic systems shall be linked to the single national entry point for special permits or similar arrangement set out in Article 4a in order to be able to recognise vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum authorised weights and are in possession of a special permit.
Amendment 238 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point a
Directive 96/53/EC
Article 10d – paragraph 1 – new subparagraph
Article 10d – paragraph 1 – new subparagraph
Certified automatic systems shall be linked to the single national entry point for special permits or similar arrangement set out in Article 4a in order to be able to recognise vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum authorised weights and are in possession of a special permit.
Amendment 261 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by [date-of-adoption+21 years] at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions. When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.
Amendment 261 #
2023/0265(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by [date-of-adoption+21 years] at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions. When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.
Amendment 17 #
2023/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) More flexible rules in the scheduling of the breaks and rest periods of drivers engaged in occasional road passenger transport services should in no way jeopardise the safety of drivers, road safety, increase the level of fatigue of drivers or lead to a deterioration in working conditions. Such flexibility should therefore not alter the current rules on the total minimum breaks, on maximum driving periods per day and per week and, on the maximum fortnightly driving time and on maximum working time.
Amendment 19 #
2023/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) More flexibility in the scheduling of breaks for drivers engaged in occasional road passenger transport services should not prevent those drivers fromcause in any way more fatigue or stress for drivers and should ensure they takinge breaks of the minimum duration necessary to enable them to rest properlyget proper and sufficient rests. Therefore, it is appropriate to set a minimum duration for each break. Therefore, d, which should not prevent drivers from having longer breaks than the minimum required duration. Drivers engaged in occasional road passenger transport services should be allowed to decide to split their obligatory break into three separate breaks of at least 1520 minutes each, in addition to the other possibility of splitting a break.
Amendment 27 #
2023/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) To ensure that greater flexibility in the scheduling of rest periods of drivers engaged in occasional road passenger transport services is not abused, it is essential to clearly delimit the scope of such flexibility and also to provide for appropriate checks by the competent national authorities as well as the European Labour Authority (ELA). Drivers should therefore be able to postpone the start of their daily rest periods for a maximum period of 1 or 2 hours, in cases where the driving period for that day has not exceeded 5 or 7 hours respectively, and should postpone the start only when carrying out journeys of 8 days or longer. Such flexibility should not jeopardise road safety and should be further limited to only one of each derogation during the period of the tour. It should be also possible to counter check such circumstances with a printout from the recording equipment or the duty roster, in addition to the tachograph recordsWith a view to effective and efficient enforcement and in order to counter check such circumstances, a digital journey form should be electronically registered prior to the start of the journey in addition to the tachograph records and the printout from the recording equipment or the duty roster.
Amendment 31 #
2023/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Limiting the possibility to postpone the weekly rest period for up to 12 consecutive 24-hour periods exclusively to occasional international passenger services has a negative impact in terms of equal treatment and undistorted and fair competition between operators, especially small and medium enterprises. Occasional national passenger services might as well provide their services under the same conditions as occasional international passenger services in terms of the distance travelled or the duration or services rendered to passengers. Occasional national passenger services should therefore also benefit from such possibility.
Amendment 32 #
2023/0155(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) In order to ensure effective and efficient enforcement, improved control measures and requirements should be established taking full advantage of digital tools. To allow for checks on the derogation to postpone the daily rest period and the possibility to postpone the weekly rest period for up to 12 consecutive 24 hour periods, a digital journey form should be electronically registered prior to the start of the journey in addition to the tachograph records and the printout from the recording equipment or the duty roster. The digital forms should be accessible in real time during road side checks and be solely used for controls of compliance and enforcement. For this purpose the Commission should develop a multilingual interface on the basis of the IMI system to allow operators to upload their digital journey forms.