Background and recap
In 2017, we talked with our local government partners about the draft Long Term Strategic View (LTSV). It was part of developing a shared view of the transport system, and its challenges and opportunities out to a 30 year horizon.
The LTSV has been superseded by Arataki which has a 10-year focus. Work is currently underway to develop the 30-Year Plan which is due for release in 2021.
Arataki - Impacts of Covid-19 on the land transport system
What we heard from you
In March this year, we shared with you our 2018-21 draft Investment Assessment Framework. This framework is the Transport Agency’s tool to give effect to the 2018 draft GPS(external link), and to assist with prioritising activities to be included in the 2018-21 NLTP.
We’ve had feedback on this, and will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Transport to ensure our final IAF reflects the final 2018 GPS. It’s important to note that the IAF will remain a draft until the final GPS is published.
We have listened to our investment partners, and provided clarity on the link between the LTSV and the Results Alignment assessment in the IAF. The LTSV is a tool that assists the Results Alignment assessment and it is not intended that all transport issues are identified exclusively in the LTSV.
There were a number of things you liked, including changing from a three factor to a two factor assessment approach, and the decision to streamline investment decision-making for low cost/low risk activities with a higher threshold of $1 million for the 2018-21 NLTP. The higher threshold of $1 million has also been advanced on a trial basis for 2017/18 for the 2015-18 NLTP minor improvements programme.
There is a range of IAF-related learning materials(external link) available on Learning Zone, please see the training and guidance section for details on how to register yourself to access them.
The Business Case Approach is a precursor to the Investment Assessment Framework and the assessment of the business case is a formal step before devoting any additional effort on applying the Investment Assessment Framework. Business cases are assessed to ensure they are fit for purpose and consistent with the principles of the business case approach, before they are assessed against the Investment Assessment Framework. Guidance on the assessment of business cases has been released and is available on the new Planning and Investment Knowledge Base.
Information and guidance on the Business Case Approach (BCA) to developing programme and project proposals is available online.
A major benefit of the BCA is that it can be applied flexibly – we’re keen to ensure the level of effort is proportionate to the levels of risk, complexity and cost.
The pathway to be followed depends on the project context, and can be applied on a case-by-case basis based on discussions with your local NZ Transport Agency representative.
The diagram below represents a range of typical pathways for developing business cases.
The majority of investments are likely to follow the pathway towards the bottom of the diagram. For example, where investments are indicated by a comprehensive Activity Management Plan that incorporates the BCA principles, a separate programme business case will not be needed in most cases.
However, where risk and/or complexity of an investment means greater effort is required, including a stronger focus on managing investment risk, then other pathways will be considered.
Watch the following video to see how activities identified in a previous phase of the BCA can be advanced.
Please talk to your Transport Agency representative to discuss options that would be best suited for you.
Over the last few months, we have released a number of online modules relating to aspects of the NLTP, such as the BCA and Transport Information Online (TIO) on Learning Zone(external link). All releases have been supported by leader guides, information sheets and FAQs, also available on Learning Zone.
We launched the Strategic Case and Programme Business Case learning modules and related guidance during August and September. We will be releasing the Single Stage Business Case learning modules and guidance later this year. In addition we have just launched two new quick reference guides that will assist when loading strategic cases and programme business cases into TIO.
TIO has been reviewed to align key improvements with the BCA and IAF, and to improve the quality of information TIO contains. The TIO modules in Learning Zone will assist people in understanding how to use the upgraded system. Interactive user guides on core functionality and the type of information we need from you to support our decision-making are also available.
We encourage you to access these free resources if you haven’t already. If access to Learning Zone is needed, the process is simple - just contact us requesting a login for Learning Zone.
NLTP-related guidance update
The Planning & Investment Knowledge Base has been updated to make it easier to navigate. From the homepage, users can access the following sections:
In August 2017, we released an update to our regional public transport guidelines [PDF, 364 KB]. These should be read in conjunction with our guidelines for regional public transport plans when developing the business case for continuous public transport programmes.
Over the last few months, we have been engaging with approved organisations via regional advisory groups, technical advisory groups, and through individual conversations with councils as the draft State Highway Investment Proposal has been developed. We have also worked with approved organisations as we have developed corridor management plans to assist with planning for maintenance, renewals and operations on our state highways.
We are now underway with engagement with regional transport committees via the RLTP review process.
The draft State Highway Investment Proposal is a programme of state highway activities proposed for inclusion in the Regional Land Transport Plans over a 10-year period. The key drivers of the proposal are:
The proposal outlines proposed expenditure for maintenance, operations, renewals and improvement activities (including essential improvements), funded via four GPS activity classes – state highway improvements, state highway maintenance, regional improvements, and walking and cycling.
It’s structured according to the contributions that will be delivered against key outcomes:
The emphasis is on balancing the economic growth and productivity (including resilience) and safety in the context of the current performance of the state highway across the transport system.
It’s not a fixed programme as it has been developed in the context of the draft GPS and our draft IAF.
