Inclusion of Social Benefits in Transport Planning - Overview of Thematic Papers and Unresolved Issues

Context The notion of social benefits appears most relevant and easy to distinguish where physical access is difficult – remote areas served by low-volume roads, tracks and paths. It is under these situations that the more basic of needs – secure food supplies, health and education services are arguably most threatened, since they are often associated with low population densities that makes any kind of service provision difficult [Hine, Pankaj Porter]. Social benefits also affect some segments of the population – women, children, the old and infirm – more than others, and their social exclusion is likely to be more severe where access is restricted [Porter]. Conditions of restricted access are also those where the likelihood of significant social benefits may tip the balance between a decision to invest in improved transport or not [De Walle, Gwilliam, Pankaj]. Thus, the provision of improved access is a kind of litmus test of whether, or not, it is sensible to try to identify potential social benefits and bring them into the appraisal process in some way.