The Investment Decision-Making Framework (IDMF) is used by the Transport Agency to assess and prioritise investment in land transport.
The Transport Agency uses the framework to identify, assess and prioritise National Land Transport Fund (NLTP) investment proposals.
The NZ Transport Agency and Ministry of Transport are jointly reviewing the framework that guides investment in New Zealand’s land transport system - the Investment Decision Making Framework (IDMF).
The review was prompted by changes in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2018 (GPS), which places more emphasis on social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes in transport planning. We also want to make sure it is easy to use and understand, and supports delivery of a better transport system.
For more information about the GPS, see the Ministry of Transport’s website, or the Minister’s media release.
Ministry of Transport’s GPS webpage(external link)
Media release: Record transport investment to grow the economy and improve safety(external link) (28 June 2018)
The framework is being reviewed to ensure investment in the land transport system delivers on the Government’s social, economic and environmental priorities.
This means a fundamental change for land transport; putting people and place, rather than vehicles and networks, at the centre of our decision making and connecting people to family and friends, employment, and education opportunities.
To reflect this change, the Transport Agency is reviewing the framework and criteria it uses to decide which transport projects will be funded by the National Land Transport Fund.
The IDMF review will take place throughout 2019 and will be implemented in mid-late 2020, in time for development of NLTP 2021-24. Further changes are possible for NLTP periods in the future.
The review is being undertaken by the Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport, and includes Local Government NZ (LGNZ) and Treasury.
The most significant change after the review will be a different approach to assessing and approving projects for funding. This will include;
No. The changes will not impact on available funding for land transport projects. Funding levels are set by the GPS.
However, proposals will need to cover a much wider range of benefits and costs, so that social, environmental and economic outcomes are appropriately considered.
Interim improvements to how the Business Case Approach is applied are underway, but it will also be reviewed as part of this work. This may result in further changes.
The aim is for the results of the review to be available by June 2020, so they can be used in the development of RLTPs, RPTPs and LTPs for the 2021-24 NLTP.
We will maintain communication throughout the programme to provide early advice of changes and are developing a change management plan. This will include providing information, training and ongoing support.
You can email the team on: decisionmaking@nzta.govt.nz
GPS 2018 signalled a significant shift in investment for land transport, and for the expected outcomes from investments. It placed greater emphasis on the impact of land transport planning on social, environmental and economic outcomes.
It also signals a significant change in the way we prioritise safety, and the importance of transport infrastructure in leading growth, responding to social deprivation, and shaping towns and cities that people are proud to live in, work in, and visit.
The Transport Agency decisions must consistent with the GPS.
The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) sets out the government’s priorities for land transport investment over the next 10 years, and is reviewed every three years.
You can find out more about the GPS on the Ministry of Transport’s website(external link).
