Newcastle University

Economic and Environmental Appraisal of Transport Activities

[ Book online ]

Upon completion of the course delegates will:

• Be familiar with the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) linked to the sustainability principles of economy, environment and society
• Have an understanding of the principles required for the economic assessment of transport activities as outlined in the NATA Economic Objective and its assessment
• Learn the procedure to compare and rank alternatives using multi-criteria assessment (MCA)

This course will introduce the concept of the economic and environmental appraisal of transport activities following the transport appraisal guidance outlined in the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA). On completion of the course, participants will have a better understanding of the purposes of transport appraisal keeping sustainability principles in mind; economic principles behind the economic assessment of transport activities and environmental concerns behind the environmental assessment of transport activities. Central to this environmental and economic assessment is NATA and the Transport Appraisal Guidance (TAG). The participants will also learn the procedure to compare and rank alternatives using multi-criteria assessment (MCA).

Upon completion of the course, delegates will:

• be familiar with the techniques and methods of economic and environmental appraisal, and their application;
• have an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of the methods for assessment of transport activity;
• understand and demonstrate the application of transport appraisal techniques;
• be able to critically assess the application of methods of transport appraisal.

Course Outline

Subject to confirmation

• Introduction to sustainability; economy, environment and social objectives.
• Purpose of appraisal.
• Introduction to the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) process.
• Economic Principles in Transport Appraisal.
• Principles of Discounted Cash Flow, Present Value and Net Present value.
• Techniques of cost-benefit analysis.
• Valuation of intangibles.
• Socio-economic benefit-cost analysis.
• Economic Objective in NATA:
  • Transport Economic Efficiency;
  • Valuation of time, vehicle operating cost, accidents;
  • COBA Software;
  • TUBA (Transport User Benefit Assessment) Software.
• Environment Objectives in NATA:
  • Local air quality; problems and solutions; assessment for NATA;
  • Greenhouse gases; problems and solutions; assessment for NATA;
  • Noise; problems and solutions; assessment for NATA;
  • Landscape/Townscape/Biodiversity/Water and other objectives in NATA and their assessment.
• Multi-criteria assessment (MCA) and comparison and ranking of alternatives.

Presenters

School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

• Dr Anil Namdeo (Course Leader)
• Mr Roger Bird
• Dr Paul Goodman
• Dr Lionel Hubbard

[ Book online ]

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