Transport Network Development Projects and Freight Transport

An assessment method for strategic level has been developed in this study. This method aims to evaluate development projects of transport network from the perspective of freight transport. With the help of this tool, projects for different transport modes become comparable by utilizing homogenous criteria describing the needs of freight transport. The method and tool have been tested by rating the main development projects of the transport network in Finland. Basis for the prioritisation is the quantity and quality of the freight transport on the project legs. Qualitative categorisation enables further prioritisation of projects according to whether the primary interest is cost effectiveness, punctuality, or transport of high value added products. Quantity of freight transport has been considered based on the amount of goods and kilometres driven on the project legs. Quantitative evaluation should be expanded later to cover the total value of goods transported and the value of the kilometrage. The generated evaluation method can be considered practicable, provided that the decision-making concerning development of traffic network projects emphasises transport needs of trade and industry. The estimation method clearly highlights the development projects serving considerable and diversified goods flows thus creating wide direct and indirect benefits for business life. At present, investment projects of transport network are evaluated by a so-called YHTALI-method. This analysis of social-economic cost-effectiveness considers direct costs of the project generating mainly from goods transport. Additional direct effects and all indirect effects are typically characterised only qualitatively. The present assessment method can be considered to supplement YHTALI-framework. This method is especially adaptable when two projects with the same social-economic cost-effectiveness are compared. In addition to the needs of goods transport, other focal perspectives in the evaluation of transport network development projects are the needs of passenger transport and the objectives of public administration. Among others, these objectives include cost-effectiveness of transport system maintenance and development, safety and health effects, environmental effects, societal sustainability and development of regions. This report is available at http://www.mintc.fi