South East Europe (SEE) is a particular region of Europe regarding transport infrastructure development and international transport operations, due to the fact that the region includes an interrupting zone of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), namely the Western Balkans (WB) countries. Concerning strategic transport infrastructures development, substantial investments have been made during the last decades or are underway. In the current period of economic recession, the TEN-T programme and the programme for the development of the SEE Comprehensive Transport Network still promote large infrastructure projects, but seek to ensure maximum return of investments. Major obstacle for the maximisation of the benefits and return of investments, but also for increased accessibility and mobility, is the existence of borders along the main international routes crossing SEE. In mid-2013 Croatia accessed European Union and the same is foreseen for the rest of the WB countries, but with it is unknown when this will be realised. Therefore, borders will remain for long time ahead and continue to impede international transport. In the framework of “Accessibility improved at border CROSsings for the integration of SEE” project (ACROSSEE) a large survey campaign has been performed, in order to register the current situation at several Border Crossing Points (BCPs) of the region. Specifically, questionnaire-based and field surveys have been performed at 30 Road and 29 Rail BCPs, which comprised observations of border procedures, registration of waiting and procedural times, interviews of BCPs authorities and truck drivers, etc. This paper presents the surveys’ methodology and preliminary results, targeting at defining
short term measures and recommendations for the facilitation of trade and transport in SEE.

transport infrastructure; border crossings; international transport and trade facilitation; South East Europe; ACROSSEE