Evolution and Current State of Transportation Networks in Spain
Roads
Historical Evolution
The antecedents of Spain’s road network are found in the Roman roads connecting the main cities of the Empire. The current centralized structure took shape in the 18th century under Bourbon rule. Until the 20th century, roads were generally poor, making travel slow and costly. With the widespread use of automobiles, roads steadily improved, and cars became the dominant mode of transport. In the 1960s and 1970s, the increasing prevalence of cars necessitated improvements to the road network, leading to the construction of the first highways. After the democratic transition, significant investments were made in the road network.
The High-Capacity Network
The high-capacity network has evolved significantly in recent decades. The first highways were built, and the total kilometers of roads increased, with many being toll roads. The first-generation highways were not newly designed but rather utilized existing roads, with one direction using the old road and a parallel causeway built for the opposite direction. Second and third-generation highways include transverse and radial roads, forming a dense and interconnected high-capacity network.
Railways
Historical Evolution
The golden age of rail in Spain was during the second half of the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century. The first lines were Mataró and Barcelona-Madrid-Aranjuez. A period of crisis followed, with several lines closing due to low demand. In recent decades, there has been a recovery, largely driven by new high-speed lines.
Characteristics of the Rail Network
- The network has a radial and tree-like structure, similar to that of roads.
- Transverse lines complement the network structure.
- The network is heterogeneous in terms of speed and line delimitation.
The Importance of the High-Speed Network
The first high-speed line in Spain was Madrid-Seville. Today, 16 Spanish cities have high-speed rail stations. Future plans involve extending the network across the country. The Strategic Infrastructure and Transport Plan (PEIT) estimated that by 2020, Spain would have the largest high-speed network in Europe.
Airports
Freight Traffic
Air transport is rarely used for goods due to its high cost. The main products transported by air have characteristics such as low weight and volume, and high value concentration. There is significant trade in goods by air, with Madrid-Barajas Airport handling half of Spain’s total air traffic.
Ports
Spanish Port Network
Spain has 46 commercial ports: 31 on the peninsular coast and 15 in the two archipelagos. These ports are part of the State’s general interest and are managed by port authorities. There are also 28 other ports for sport or fishing, managed by autonomous communities. The ports of general interest are those with special importance for the national economy and maritime navigation. The number of commercial ports is high compared to other countries, leading to a fragmented port system. This has positive consequences for coastal traffic, but for global competitiveness, it is desirable to concentrate traffic in fewer ports capable of accommodating large vessels.
Freight Traffic
Most freight traffic is containerized. Ports specializing in this type of traffic must have a deep draft. The busiest container ports are Valencia, Barcelona, and Algeciras. Liquid bulk traffic, mainly petroleum, is concentrated in ports with refineries. Solid bulk consists primarily of mineral products.
Passenger Traffic
The main passenger routes are: between the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, between the peninsula and North Africa, and within the Canary Islands.
Airport Competences
Spain has a large number of commercial airports managed by AENA, a self-financing public body. AENA manages airport finances through fees and also handles air navigation safety. Several airfields are under the competence of autonomous communities.
The Airport System
- Core Airports: Madrid Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat handle 40% of passenger traffic in Spain, meaning many connections from other airports require a layover in Madrid or Barcelona.
- Island Tourist Airports: These are located in the Balearic and Canary Islands and have a distinct tourist focus.
- Metropolitan Airports: These airports serve the demand generated by metropolitan areas or groups of nearby cities.
- Peninsular Tourist Airports: Located on the Mediterranean coast, these airports experience high seasonality.
- Local and Regional Airports: These airports account for only 10% of total passenger traffic in Spain.