The strong economic growth expected in countries which are candidates for entry to the EU will also increase transport flows, in particular, road haulage traffic. In 1998, some of these countries already exported more than twice their 1990 volumes and imported more than five times their 1990 volumes. And although many candidate countries inherited a transport system which encourages rail, the distribution between modes has tipped sharply in favour of road transport since the 1990s. Between 1990 and 1998，（road haulage increased by 19.4%, while during the same period rail haulage decreased by 43.5%）, although – and this could benefit the enlarged EU – it is still on average at a much higher level than in existing member states.

文章（雅思真题10-1-2）背景是说公路运输越来越多不好，需要改变。

it 指欧盟候选国的铁路运输量，高于现有欧盟国家的铁路运输量。我对这句话的理解是although during the same period rail haulage decreased by 43.5%,it is still on average at a much higher level than in existing member states and this could benefit the enlarged EU.

1. this是指road haulage increased by 19.4%, while during the same period rail haulage decreased by 43.5%？

2. 最后半句话的although和破折号想要表达什么意思？