Chapter F2 Transport planning

F2.3 W/C 002: Studies and strategies

Definition: work category 002

Studies and strategies

This work category provides for the undertaking of studies and the development of strategies (excluding RLTSs, RPTPs and activity management plans).

The studies and strategies must address land transport issues in an integrated manner, taking into account all relevant issues within a geographic area and the transport modes considered.

Studies under this work category take place prior to the investigation phase of a project, activity or package.

Examples of qualifying activities

Examples of qualifying activities include:

• studies and models that underpin RLTSs and RPTPs
• integrated transport studies and strategies including multi-modal corridor studies and land-use interaction
• transport demand management studies and strategies, including parking studies
• travel behaviour change studies and strategies
• walking and cycling studies and strategies
• studies for high-occupancy vehicle priority
• parking management studies and strategies
• development and update of transport models
• passenger transport studies and strategies
• local/state highway road network transportation studies and strategies
• crash reduction studies
• rail freight studies and strategies
• sea freight studies and strategies.

Exclusions: work category 002

This work category excludes:

• RLTS preparation and management and RPTP preparation and management – these are funded under work category 001: regional land transport planning management
• preparation and management of activity management plans – these are funded under work category 003: activity management plans
• implementation of transport demand management and travel behaviour change activities, including travel planning and neighbourhood accessibility planning:
  • travel planning and neighbourhood accessibility planning are funded under work category 432: community programmes
  • implementation of other travel demand management and travel behaviour change activities is funded under work category 421: travel demand management
• investigation, development and assessment of a project or activity, including use of transport models – these are part of the cost of the project or activity.

Terms of reference for studies and strategies

Applications for funding for studies and strategies must provide the terms of reference for the NZTA to approve. The list below shows the minimum information the terms of reference must cover for the application.

Reason for study or strategy

• Statement of purpose
• Context and scope for the study or strategy
• Area covered (including roads, neighbourhoods or services to be studied, with clear boundaries shown on appropriate plans or maps)
• Background/reference documentation for the study
• Relationships with higher-level policies, strategies and plans (including government and regional strategies and policies)
• How land-use policies and development activities should be adjusted to contribute to New Zealand Transport Strategy (NZTS) objectives and Government Policy Statement (GPS) targets.

How the funding is to be used

• Issues to be addressed
• Modes to be considered, with reasons
• Method used, including modelling, project management and process for political engagement
• Possible alternatives and options to be considered
• A timeframe for the study/strategy development, with realistic allowance for consultation and a clear completion point
• Estimated cost of completing the study or preparing the strategy
• Parties involved with the study or strategy
• How the study or strategy development is to be procured.

Outcomes and deliverables

• Deliverables/outputs and the expected outcomes
• Expected contents of the final study/strategy report
• Process for sign-off by the approved organisation (or the NZTA for state highway activities)
• Process for peer review and the proposed personnel undertaking the peer review, including their qualifications (see Chapter G15 Peer reviews of activities)

Notes:

• Any change of scope must be approved by the NZTA before authority to proceed is issued to the professional services supplier.
• The NZTA will check the coverage and outputs of studies and strategies against their agreed terms of reference.

Report for studies and strategies: general requirements

Upon completion of the study or strategy, provide two copies of the study/strategy report to the NZTA. The list below shows the information required in the completion report for all studies and strategies. Additional information specific to the type of study/strategy is also required.

Reference: For detail about the type of specific information required, see the following pages in this section.

Information required in study/strategy report

• An outline of the method used in the study/strategy
• Parameters used to measure success or progress in relation to the outcomes
• Measurable outcomes and direction
• An evidence-based assessment of issues that came up in the study/strategy and possible future issues
• Alternatives and options, including modal alternatives, of the issues and reasons for rejection
• Identification of preferred strategy
• Identification of interrelated activities and coherent packages of activities
• The implementation package of activities or combinations of activities with costs and phasing
• An assessment of the strategy and its implementation programme
• A preliminary funding plan
• An assessment against the targets of the Government Policy Statement
• Relationship to existing strategies and how the new strategy supports or supersedes these
• Amendments required to existing strategies

Specific requirements for studies and strategies on use of the land transport system

Studies and strategies addressing use of the land transport system should address all components of the purpose of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA). These studies and strategies should identify an appropriate package that includes:

• community coordination
• education
• demand management
• improvement to services
• improvement to infrastructure
• enforcement
• financial incentives (if applicable).

Reference: Studies and strategies addressing use of the land transport system are described in Chapter 2 of the Economic evaluation manual, volume 2.

Specific requirements for integrated transport studies and strategies

Integrated transport studies and strategies must, in addition to the general requirements, take account of the following NZTA guidelines:

• Participation in land-use and transport planning processes
• Regional land transport strategy guidelines.

Specific requirements for crash reduction studies

Crash reduction studies are designed to identify low-cost road improvements, road policing and education activities that improve road safety. The NZTA expects that all road controlling authorities (RCAs) will have a regular (though not necessarily annual) programme of crash reduction studies.

Crash reduction studies must be:

• conducted in accordance with the New Zealand guide to the treatment of crash locations (December 2004) – RCAs can also seek advice from the NZTA’s regional staff
• monitored and reported to the NZTA in accordance with the NZTA’s Crash reduction monitoring system (2005) – this enables the NZTA and the Ministry of Transport to research the effectiveness of remedial treatments
• directed by appropriately trained traffic engineering staff.

Specific requirements for walking and cycling studies and strategies

The NZTA will provide funding assistance for the cost of the preparation (including reviews) of approved strategies to promote walking and/or cycling as viable modes of transport.

Strategies must include:

• a vision outlining community outcomes for transport, and health and wellbeing
• details of policies that support the strategy or will be developed to do so
• targets linked to wider travel behaviour change initiatives that should be monitored
• provision for a review informed by monitoring
• comprehensive integrated walking and/or cycling network detailing the existing network and the proposed new network, and implementation plan
• network supportive activities for pedestrians and/or cyclists, such as promotion and education initiatives.

It is important to work with all interested parties when developing and implementing a strategy and implementation plan. Strategies must be consistent with the relevant RLTS and the national walking and cycling strategy.

References: The following guidelines provide assistance:

• the NZTA’s Walking and cycling strategy guidelines
• Land Transport NZ research report 274, New Zealand walking and cycling strategies – best practice
• Land Transport NZ, Cycle network and route planning guide
• Land Transport NZ, Pedestrian planning and design guide.

Specific requirements for transport modelling projects

The following conditions apply for a transport modelling project to receive funding assistance.

• The work must be confined to the preparation of a strategic model. This includes policy, concept and land-use modelling.
• The terms of reference must demonstrate compliance with section 2.15 of the Economic evaluation manual, volume 1.
• The work must be carried out under the oversight of a technical committee with representatives from the affected approved organisations. The technical committee will:
  • specify the work
  • manage the budget
  • ensure the work is carried out.
• Where significant model building is involved, a nominee from the NZTA must be on the technical committee to ensure that the appropriate standards are being met.
• The responsible approved organisation must keep the model up-to-date for the regular review of strategic plans and the development and analysis of operational plans.
• Completion of the model on schedule is a condition of funding. Unless delays are justified, expenditure beyond the agreed completion date will not be eligible for funding assistance.
• The method and assumptions used in developing the model must be documented and kept up-to-date.
• The model must be peer reviewed by a reviewer approved by the NZTA.

The NZTA reserves the right to obtain copies of the up-to-date model at any time.

Specific requirements for passenger transport studies and strategies

Passenger transport studies (usually using transport models) enable the benefits and costs of potential passenger transport services and infrastructure projects to be predicted. They provide the basis for integrating passenger transport with other sustainable modes of transport.

Strategies must include:

• an evidence-based assessment of existing sustainability and safety issues from a passenger transport network perspective
• an assessment of passenger transport demand
• proposed passenger transport policies and measures
• other supportive policies and strategies, such as:
  • transport demand management strategies
  • related walking and cycling strategies
  • provisions for special groups
  • enforcement and education strategies.

Strategies must take into account the NZTA guidelines for preparation of passenger transport plans.

Specific requirements for road network transportation studies and strategies

Road network transportation studies (usually using transport models) develop strategies for the arterial road network. The strategies may include tidal flow ramp metering and other traffic management schemes. Strategies must demonstrate that non-road issues and modes are adequately quantified and modelled.

Studies must comply with the requirements for transport models (refer above).

Strategies must include:

• an assessment of existing sustainability and safety issues from a transport network perspective
• related land-use issues and mitigation measures
• transport demand management strategies
• planning at a network level (not at an individual route or project level) where road users have the choice of alternative routes
• other transportation policies and strategies, such as:
  • walking and cycling issues
  • provisions for special groups
  • enforcement and education issues.