A Framework for the Appraisal of Sustainability in Transport

Executive Summary This report describes the first stage of a project seeking to develop an improved methodology for capturing and assessing the sustainability of decisions about, or decisions that impact on, the transport system. The report sets out why a new approach to assessing sustainability is necessary, how it might work and why it differs from current procedures. The approach could help to fulfil one of the commitments from the 2004 Transport White Paper " …an important underlying objective of our strategy is balancing the need to travel with the need to improve quality of life. This means seeking solutions that meet long-term economic, social and environmental goals. Achieving this objective will clearly contribute to the objectives of the UK sustainable development strategy….we will ensure that the wider impacts of future developments are reflected in appropriate appraisal methodologies. " A key aspect of providing information to support policy relevant sustainable development decision-making is the need to understand fully the position and direction of change of indicators relative to a current or forecast future benchmark position. This requires a different approach to that typically adopted in transport appraisal where a scheme or strategy (represented by the grey dot at the assessment year in the diagram below) is compared with a hypothetical 'do-minimum' scenario as shown in Figure A. We have examined the principles of sustainability and the lists of indicators in use in transport and planning today. Through an evidence-led process of 3 elimination we have produced a suite of 17 indicators that we believe cover the full range of sustainability concerns cutting across transport and land-use planning. We have also developed an appraisal framework within which decisions on the relative sustainability of different policy options can be made. We believe that the approach is comprehensive but also light-touch and could (should!) be applied at scheme and strategy design level rather than simply being seen as a hurdle to be leapt. It would perhaps be seen as a retrograde step if all we were to propose was one further level of appraisal burden on the transport profession. However, we believe that the approach proposed can work with, refine and replace parts of the existing process. The approach could immediately be adopted as part of the SEA requirement assessment process for Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Transport Plan assessment. 9 99 99 Yes Local Transport Plan 9 9 99 Yes 99 Requirement …