The following 8 tables represent so called fact-sheets in which all important impacts of external factors (Part A of the fact-sheet, selection based on allocation of external factors – Assessment of impact and uncertainty on logistic strategies and trends (B) are reported, assuming to be relevant in the long term (2030). This is followed by the impact assessment (C) of the logistic strategy / trend on the economy (C1), society (C2) and environment (C3). Each section of scope (C1 – C3) consists of areas of activities (e.g. competition, safety, transport activity etc.), which are assessed. There might be direct impacts (primary level), as well as indirect impacts. At the end of the fact-sheet (D), the main sources used for the assessment are quoted, followed by a short description of the main and most relevant remaining problems expected to be tackled by the EU transport policy. Additionally, the last section will, wherever possible, describe the most relevant logistic strategies and trends by means of adequate indicators and data, which have been provided in task 1. However, in some cases the analysis reveals substantial weaknesses in fundamental availability of logistic indicators and data significance, due to a lacking availability of data concerning its temporal (missing years) or spatial (reporting countries) coverage. Furthermore, it becomes obvious that, due to the fact that the data is mostly provided for the period 2005 – 2012, the financial and economic crisis in 2009 is of significant influence for the freight transport and logistic sector development.
The subsequent assessments provide information and findings, which are almost exclusively qualitative. This is due to the fact that the impacts of external factors on logistics strategies cannot be quantified, as the latter are not mono-causal and are dependent on external developments. In fact, logistic strategies react on various external factors, which are partly driven by microeconomic decisions. Accordingly, the subsequent economic, social and environmental effects – as a reaction on logistic strategies and trends - can be deduced qualitatively, but not quantitatively.