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What's New? July 2008: New Release Process and Schedule of Future Releases Following responses to the NATA Refresh consultation, the Department has established a new release process for NATA guidance. We will only release new and updated definitive guidance (available under 'Guidance Documents' on WebTAG) once a year, in April. We will release new and updated guidance 'in draft' (under 'In Draft Guidance' on WebTAG) at least three months before it becomes definitive. 'In draft' guidance will not be changed significantly before it becomes definitive. Users can, therefore, use 'in draft' guidance for sensitivity tests or to plan future work with confidence. We will continue to release guidance and other documents for consultation (under 'Consultation Documents' on WebTAG). These documents may change substantially before being released as 'in draft' guidance. We welcome your involvement in developing these areas of work and your comments on the new release process. In accordance with the above, all of the guidance Units released now are 'in draft'. We expect them to become definitive guidance in April 2009. We expect to release a number of other guidance Units later in the year. These will be released 'in draft' or for consultation. Those released 'in draft' will become definitive in April 2009. The schedule of releases planned for the rest of 2008 is as follows:
Pleae note that we may add to this list, or remove items from it. July 2008: Draft TAG Guidance Units on Forecasting Five new draft TAG Units on forecasting using transport models have been prepared:
TAG Unit 3.15.1 brings together existing guidance on forecasting from other parts of WebTAG. The Unit provides an overview of the principles of forecasting, model design considerations and the development of the base year, and forecast year reference cases and test scenarios with and without the interventions to be assessed. TAG Unit 3.15.2 replaces the TEMPRO guidance note that users previously were required to obtain from the TEMPRO download site. This gives guidance on how to use data from the National Trip End Model in transport models of varying degrees of complexity and in cases where an assessment is required without the use of a model. TAG Unit 3.15.3 replaces the previous TAG Unit 3.11.4 on the specification, development and use of models for major public transport schemes. This Unit gives guidance on the factors pertaining specifically to the supply and demand of public transport schemes, the required forecasting inputs for scenario development and sensitivity testing and dealing with the associated uncertainty. TAG Unit 3.15.4 replaces the previous Rail Demand Forecasting Methodology provided as an annex to the DfT Value for Money of Franchises Guidance. This unit describes the approach to demand forecasting required by the Department for Transport (DfT) for estimating future rail patronage, and should be applied to all DfT Rail and National Networks Group demand forecasting applications. TAG Unit 3.15.5 is a new Unit that explores in depth how the modeller may deal with uncertain aspects of transport models in order to present robust results. This particularly involves developing sensitivity tests through assessing the likelihood of land use developments in forecast years. July 2008: Draft TAG Guidance Unit on Appraisal of Walking and Cycling Schemes Walking and cycling schemes potentially offer large benefits to users and the local economy. These include increased fitness through physical activity, safety and environmental benefits that add to journey ambience and the numerous benefits that arise through decongestion such as time savings, reduction in accidents and reduced carbon emissions. Walking and cycling schemes offer a unique challenge to analysts to appraise in a consistent and comprehensive fashion. This TAG Unit follows the guidance consistent with other Units in order to accomplish this, providing reasoned cost-benefit ratios in order to compare potential schemes against one another. This is the release of the draft guidance on the appraisal of walking and cycling schemes. Consultation for this Unit was completed last year and subsequent developments have been made to the methodology. A primary area of development has been in the appraisal of physical fitness benefits. Adopting the Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) from the World Health Organisation, these benefits are calculated by using a dose-response method for increased activity that reduces the relative risk of frequent users of active modes to all-cause mortality and hence providing a monetary benefit to the economy.
E-Community on Modelling of Smarter Choices Meeting our commitment to support innovative solutions for tackling climate change, we have launched an internet-based document-sharing system and forum that will allow us to work collaboratively with the modelling and appraisal community to develop new techniques for modelling smarter travel choice initiatives. Also included in this e-community is the development of the appraisal of walking and cycling schemes. Users of the e-community are encouraged to upload research articles and material that will increase the knowledge pool of the community and benefit the development of guidance on modelling and appraisal within WebTAG. This forum is open to all registered WebTAG users. The e-community web site can be found here: www.dft.gov.uk/ecommunities/smarterchoices/. If you wish to register to become a member of this e-community, please contact the administrator: robin.cambery@dft.gsi.gov.uk. Release of TEMPRO 5.4 Data Sets TEMPRO v5.4 data sets are available from the TEMPRO download site at www.tempro.org.uk. This data set is an update that incorporates:
This release incorporates the GAD 2006-based population projections, which indicate a much higher level of population in forecast years. It is anticipated that a subsequent release will be made towards the end of 2008 in order to incorporate updated sub-regional projections of population, households and employment when these become available. Before downloading the data set, please refer to the Important Information area of the web site. This details the changes made to this data set relative to TEMPRO 5.3 and the status of this data set relative to previous releases and in the context of the new NATA Refresh release schedule. Please also refer to the updated FAQ section of the site if you require assistance with the software or how to use the data, as well as the updated guidance notes. July 2008: Greenhouse Gases Sub-Objective - revised TAG Unit 3.3.5 (The Greenhouse Gases Sub-Objective) has been revised to reflect new Defra advice on the valuation of carbon emissions. In transport appraisals, the new Shadow Price of Carbon method replaces the existing Social Cost of Carbon approach.
July 2008: Values of Time and Operating Costs - revised TAG Unit 3.5.6 (Values of Time and Operating Costs) has been revised to incorporate BERR's central fuel price forecasts. (These are being kept under review and a further edition of 3.5.6 may be released later in 2008). The opportunity has also been taken to include BERR's actual annual average fuel prices rather than the existing April based figures. Also, Table 15 and accompanying text has been redrafted to clarify the treatment of vehicle operating costs for non-work purposes.
July 2008: The Reliability Sub-Objective - revised TAG Unit 3.5.7 (The Reliability Sub-Objective) has been released as a new 'in draft' guidance Unit on this topic. This Unit builds on the 'consultation' text released in July 2007. This new Unit will become definitive in April 2009. The new Unit provides guidance on the estimation of monetised estimates of reliability for motorway and dual carriageway schemes and for public transport schemes. This Unit represents the current state of knowledge. This is a rapidly developing area where we are likely to learn from further research, so further revisions to the guidance are likely.
October 2007: NATA Refresh consultation document The Department has published a NATA Refresh consultation document alongside, and as part of, its overall transport strategy 'Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting Economic Growth in a Low Carbon World', responding to the recommendations made in Sir Rod Eddington's Transport Study. The NATA Refresh consultation document seeks views by 31 March 2008 on how NATA should be developed. Both documents can be found on the DfT website:
August 2007: MSA: Road Decongestion Benefits - revised TAG Unit 3.9.5 (Major Scheme Appraisal - Road Decongestion Benefits) has been revised. It provides new guidance on the use of estimates of the marginal external costs of adding car traffic to a road in the estimation of decongestion benefits.
August 2007: Unit 3.13.1, Guidance on Rail Appraisal Some revisions have been made to the text following feedback. Any further comments should be passed to the contact address given at the end of this Unit.
July 2007: Consultation on Travel Time Reliability Advice in WebTAG The Department has released for consultation draft guidance on the appraisal of travel time reliability. In the guidance, the impact of a proposal on improving journey time reliability for transport users is assessed, including both passengers and freight. This Unit represents the current state of knowledge. This is a rapidly developing area where we are likely to learn from further research. The recommendations on reliability set out in the Unit are made within the context of what is achievable using the existing knowledge base. We shall be pleased to receive any comments or suggestions you may have on the material in this unit. Comments received before 26 October 2007 will be taken into consideration when preparing formal guidance on this topic.
June 2007: Consultation on Amending Variable Demand Modelling Advice in WebTAG The Department released guidance on variable demand modelling as WebTAG 2.9 and 3.10 (June 2006) which indicates, among other things, that simple elasticity models should not be used to estimate variable demand modelling responses. However, it suggests that simple elasticity models may be used to narrow down scheme options before a full variable demand model (VDM) is used to establish more detailed effects of the schemes (WebTAG 3.10.3, Paragraph 1.2.4). Work was commissioned by the Department in March 2006 to look into the validity of this advice in the context of option sifting. The study investigated whether simple elasticity models could be used as a proxy model when the fully-specified VDM model would take a long time to run and a large number of exploratory option tests are required. The research concluded that elasticity models may be used to help rank options to assist in scheme selection, with the proviso that sufficient model convergence is achievable. The report also went on to make a number of recommendations in amending the current guidance. This consultation invites you to comment (before 21 September 2007) on the recommendations proposed and the Department's response.
May 2007: Refresh of the New Approach to Appraisal Over the last 40 years the Department has developed a comprehensive approach to the appraisal of transport proposals, such as major road and public transport schemes, based largely on cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment techniques. In 1998 the New Approach to Appraisal was introduced as part of the 1998 Integrated Transport White Paper. This, together with subsequent amendments to NATA over the last few years, is located at the WebTAG web site www.webtag.org.uk. Although parts of the guidance are updated on a fairly regular basis, the Secretary of State has approved a more strategic refresh of the whole NATA guidance being carried out in anticipation of NATA's 10th anniversary in 2008. The Refresh will form part of the analytical work being taken forward to implement the recommendations made by Sir Rod Eddington and Sir Nicholas Stern in their recent Reviews. The Refresh will focus on the following areas:
The current guidance represents the best advice for scheme promoters undertaking appraisals in order for the Department to make its decisions while the refresh is underway: its conclusions cannot be anticipated. Timetable July - September 2007: proactive discussions with stakeholders, including non-government organisations, academics, scheme promoters, other government Departments and local authorities. Autumn 2007: a paper, possibly alongside Eddington Response document, on the reasons for, and the main areas covered by, a NATA refresh and initiating a consultative change process. Winter 2007: review of which changes to the guidance can be implemented as 'quick wins' within refreshed guidance by March 2008 and which changes require a longer term programme of work. Spring 2008: delivery of 'quick wins' within refreshed guidance for immediate use in detailed appraisals and development of strategic proposals for the 2014-19 period and initiation of longer term programme of work on the guidance. April 2007: Unit 3.13.2, Guidance on Rail Appraisal - External Costs of Rail Use Unit 3.13.2, Guidance on Rail Appraisal - External Costs of Rail Use, has moved from Consultation into Guidance. This Unit has been revised to reflect comments received during the consultation period.
March 2007: Guidance on the Appraisal of Walking and Cycling Schemes: Unit 3.14.1 The Department has released for consultation draft guidance on the appraisal of walking and cycling schemes. Walking and cycling schemes potentially offer large benefits to users and the local economy. These include increased fitness through physical activity, safety and environmental benefits that add to journey ambience and the numerous benefits that arise through decongestion such as time savings, reduction in accidents and reduced carbon emissions. Walking and cycling schemes offer a unique challenge to analysts to appraise in a consistent and comprehensive fashion. This TAG Unit follows the guidance consistent with other Units in order to accomplish this, providing reasoned cost-benefit ratios in order to compare potential schemes against one another. We shall be pleased to receive any comments or suggestions you may have on the material in this unit. Comments received before 8 June 2007 will be taken into consideration when preparing formal guidance on this topic.
Any questions or comments should be directed to: Integrated Transport Economics and Appraisal Division March 2007: Speed/Flow Relationships in Traffic Models The Department has published on the DfT website (at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/economics/rdg/speedflowrelationships (Adobe Acrobat)) a report prepared by Denvil Coombe that discusses the following issues:
The overall conclusion from his report is that, were the Department to require the use of separate speed/flow relationships for light and heavy vehicles of the DMRB form, modellers could accommodate such a requirement. The need for additional DfT guidance on these topics will be kept under review. February 2007: Unit 3.13.1, Guidance on Rail Appraisal Unit 3.13.1, Guidance on Rail Appraisal, has moved from Consultation into Guidance. This Unit has been revised to reflect comments received during the consultation period.
February 2007: Unit 3.5.6, Values of Time and Operating Costs Minor amendments have been made to Unit 3.5.6, Values of Time and Operating Costs.
February 2007: Update of Unit 3.6.1: The Option Values and Non-Use Values Sub-Objective The Department has released for consultation draft updated and expanded guidance on Option Values and Non-Use Values which will supersede the unit published in June 2003. This updates the Strategic Rail Authority appraisal criteria to bring it into line with the current Department for Transport Appraisal Guidance. Option and non-use values are often associated with rail services but in principle are equally applicable to other public transport modes (bus, coach, LRT, underground, air), road infrastructure and to freight facilities (if option values exist for car ownership, they are already internalised in the car ownership decision). Within scheme appraisal, it will be particularly important to consider option and non-use values if the strategies or plans which are being appraised include measures which will substantially change the availability of transport services within the study area (e.g. the opening or closure of a rail service, or the introduction or withdrawal of buses serving a particular rural area).. We shall be pleased to receive any comments or suggestions you may have on the material in this unit. Comments received before the 1 May 2007 will be taken into consideration when preparing formal guidance on this topic.
Any questions or comments should be directed to: Integrated Transport Economics and Appraisal Division February 2007: Guidance on Modelling and Appraisal for Road Pricing - Units 2.12, 3.12.1, 3.12.2, 3.12.3, 3.12.4 We have revised the Road Pricing guidance (TAG Units 2.12, 3.12.1, 3.12.2, 3.12.3. and 3.12.4) to reflect the comments we received during the consultation period. Of the five guidance documents, two are unchanged or only marginally altered. In the others, there are changes for clarification, some simplification and improvements to the structure of content. It is clear that the more advanced parts of the guidance have not yet been used by scheme promoters designing road pricing schemes. Because the draft guidance has not been fully tested, it remains in the Consultation section of the website. The Department welcomes comments on these revised drafts for consideration when the guidance is next revised. October 2006: The Greenhouse Gases Sub-Objective (Unit 3.3.5); Values of Time and Operating Costs (Unit 3.5.6); The Estimation and Treatment of Scheme Costs (Unit 3.5.9) The Department has officially released three revised units of guidance:
The Greenhouse Gases Sub-Objective (TAG Unit 3.3.5) has been revised to incorporate the use of money values in assessing greenhouse gas impacts. The revised guidance requires scheme promoters to estimate the changes in carbon emissions in each year over the life of the scheme and to use these estimates alongside estimates of the money values of reducing emissions in each year to calculate the net present value of the scheme's impact on carbon emissions over the life of the project. The monetary value of the change in emissions over the appraisal period will be reported alongside the existing quantitative assessment as part of the overall assessment of the impact on greenhouse gases. To facilitate this assessment the appraisal software issued by the Department (COBA and TUBA) have been developed to be capable of calculating the money value of the change in carbon emissions and to report it as part of their standard output. The revised guidance describes the calculations included in the appraisal software and explains how the outputs should be reported to the Department. Values of Time and Operating Cost (TAG Unit 3.5.6) has been revised to reflect the latest evidence and forecasts relating to the calculation of vehicle operating costs. In revising the guidance a cubic expression has been introduced to describe the relationship between fuel consumption and average speeds rather than a quadratic expression, as in the current guidance. The use of a cubic expression is consistent with the best available evidence. The Estimation and Treatment of Scheme Costs (TAG Unit 3.5.9) has been revised in light of the Department's recent review of its published guidance on cost estimation. This review was prompted by a number of recent high-profile cases of scheme cost over-runs. The review led to a number of important revisions to the existing guidance that should help to make it clearer to promoters how the Department expects costs to be estimated for use in appraisal and what evidence should be included in the appraisal documentation. More specifically the revised guidance represents an improvement to the Department's guidance in the following ways:
The revisions to The Estimation and Treatment of Scheme Costs (TAG Unit 3.5.9) have caused the Department to make a number of other changes to its existing guidance in order to eliminate duplication and maintain consistency. The key changes are:
Scheme developers are advised that these three units of guidance should be used to appraise all new options and that the Department will expect all schemes submitted for funding after the 1st January 2007 to be consistent with this new guidance. Existing registered users of the COBA and TUBA appraisal software will automatically be sent revised versions of these programs along with revised user manuals by the Department's consultants. The new programs will incorporate the revisions mentioned in TAG Units 3.3.5, 3.5.6 and 3.5.9 above. September 2006: Guidance on Rail Appraisal: Unit 3.13.1 The Department has released for consultation draft guidance on rail appraisal. Unit 3.13.1 updates the Strategic Rail Authority Appraisal Criteria to bring it in line with current Department for Transport Appraisal Guidance. It is also intended to support those conducting rail appraisals by providing a set of recommended values and assumptions. We would like to invite views on whether the advice is clear and appropriate for the circumstances in which it is to be used. It is currently in draft and does not represent formal guidance. We will be pleased to receive any comments or suggestions you may have on the material in this Unit. Comments received before 1 November will be considered in preparing formal guidance on this topic.
Any questions or comments should be directed to: Rail Network Analysis and Modelling (RNAM) Division July 2006: Guidance on Rail Appraisal: External Costs of Car Use - Unit 3.13.2 The Department has released for consultation draft guidance on estimating external costs of car use in appraisal of rail schemes. TAG Unit 3.13.2 introduces a new method for estimating the external costs of car use, for general use in rail scheme appraisals. Estimates of the marginal congestion costs of car use have been derived from the Department's National Transport Model and other external costs from the methods developed in 'Surface Transport Costs and Charges' (Sansom, Nash, Mackie, Shires & Watkiss, 2001). We would like to invite views on whether the advice is clear and appropriate for the circumstances in which it is to be used. We anticipate releasing for consultation during September a unit explaining the derivation of these values. This unit will be followed later in August by a Guidance on Rail Appraisal unit that will bring Rail appraisal into line with the Department's wider appraisal methodology (TAG Unit 3.13.1).
It is currently in draft and does not represent formal guidance. We will be pleased to receive any comments or suggestions you may have on the material in this Unit. Comments received before 1 October will be considered in preparing formal guidance on this topic. Any questions or comments should be directed to: Rail Network Analysis and Modelling (RNAM) Division July 2006: Guidance on Modelling and Appraisal for Road Pricing - Units 2.12, 3.12.1, 3.12.2, 3.12.3, 3.12.4 The Department has released for consultation draft new guidance on modelling and appraisal for road pricing. Introduction to Modelling and Appraisal for Road Pricing (TAG Unit 2.12) provides an overview of the modelling and appraisal issues, including scheme design and social and distributional issues, arising in the analysis of road pricing schemes. It also provides an outline of the approaches required to address those issues. More detailed guidance for analysts is provided in TAG Units 3.12.1, 3.12.2, 3.12.3 and 3.12.4:
They are currently in draft and do not represent formal guidance. We will be pleased to receive any comments or suggestions you may have on the material in these Units. Comments received before 1 October will be considered in preparing formal guidance on this topic. June 2006: Guidance on Variable Demand Modelling The Department has officially released new guidance on variable demand modelling. This incorporates minor changes following the consultation exercise between September and December 2005. The one important change made is to the assessment of the need for variable demand modelling. This advice has replaced existing Departmental guidance on Induced Traffic Appraisal (in DMRB 12.2.2) and extends the types of scheme for which the effects of variable demand on scheme benefits and the level of induced traffic has to be estimated quantitatively. The DIADEM software which enables variable demand models to be set up easily has also been released. This can be obtained from Mott MacDonald. Any questions on the software should be directed to DIADEM@mottmac.com. The advice should be used forthwith on all trunk road schemes unless a stage has been reached at which in the opinion of the overseeing organisation, its use would result in an unacceptable delay to progress. It is recommended for use for other types of scheme, and will be required for these schemes where public finance is sought and the application will be considered after 1 June 2007. An overview of the variable demand modelling advice and a description of the underlying principles are set out in Variable Demand - Overview (TAG Unit 2.9.1) and An Introduction to Variable Demand Modelling (TAG Unit 2.9.2). This material is aimed at project managers and provides useful background information. The detailed advice for analysts is provided as four TAG units: VDM Preliminary Assessment Procedures (TAG Unit 3.10.1) that defines criteria to enable analysts to decide whether the effects of variable demand seriously undermine the justification for their scheme; VDM Scope of the Model (TAG Unit 3.10.2) gives the guidance required to specify the scope of a variable demand model; the form of variable demand mechanisms and the circumstances when they are suitable to be used are described in VDM Key Processes (TAG Unit 3.10.3); VDM Convergence Realism and Sensitivity (TAG Unit 3.10.4) sets out appropriate convergence standards together with the required realism and sensitivity tests needed to provide evidence about the robustness of the model. A further TAG unit of technical appendices will be released at a later date. February 2006: Guidance on Transport Related Noise The Department has officially released new guidance on transport-related noise impacts. This now includes a method for valuing changes in the noise levels experienced at residential locations in urban areas between the hours of 6am and midnight from road and rail noise. The guidance also includes a noise calculation spreadsheet which automates the calculation of the net present value of noise of the proposed scheme, as well as the estimated change in the number of people annoyed. The guidance takes forward the research the Department commissioned on the "Valuation of Transport-Related Noise in Birmingham", undertaken by the University of East Anglia, which analysed the differences in the market prices of houses exposed to changing levels of road and rail traffic noise. This study was a part of the Department's wider research programme to broaden the range of monetised impacts within transport appraisal to aid the decision-making process. Work in this area currently includes the study of attitudes to noise from aviation sources, results of which will be reflected in this TAG unit in due course. Scheme developers are advised that this new guidance should be used to appraise all new options, whilst schemes already being appraised should continue to use the existing guidance. The Department will expect all schemes submitted for funding after the 1st January 2007 to be consistent with this new guidance. The Department is currently working on updating other areas. We would appreciate your views as to whether you would prefer receiving each update as and when it is available or would rather we waited until a number of updates were available and send them to you as one. Feedback on this issue would be greatly appreciated. January 2006: Release of Guidance on Public Transport Modelling and Forecasting The Department has released new guidance on Public Transport Modelling and Forecasting. This guidance will replace the Major Scheme Appraisal in Local Transport Plans: Part 3 . An overview of the advice and a description of the underlying principles are set out in the Introduction to Forecasting Models for Public Transport Schemes (TAG Unit 2.10.1) and the Introduction to Model Structures for Public Transport Schemes (TAG Unit 2.10.2). This material is aimed at project managers and provides useful background information. The detailed advice for analysts is provided as four TAG units:
An overview of the advice and a description of the underlying principles are set out in the Introduction to Forecasting Models for Public Transport Schemes (TAG Unit 2.10.1) and the Introduction to Model Structures for Public Transport Schemes (TAG Unit 2.10.2). This material is aimed at project managers and provides useful background information. The detailed advice for analysts is provided as four TAG units:
The Department has also taken this opportunity to make minor amendments to the following TAG Units; 1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.4.1 and 3.5.6. September 2005: Consultation on Guidance on Variable Demand Modelling and "Public Transport Modelling and Forecasting" The Department has released draft new guidance on variable demand modelling for consultation. The advice will replace existing Departmental guidance on Induced Traffic Appraisal (in DMRB 12.2.2) and extends the types of scheme for which the effects of variable demand on scheme benefits and the level of induced traffic has to be estimated quantitatively. An overview of the advice and a description of the underlying principles are set out in Variable Demand - Overview (TAG Unit 2.9.1) and An Introduction to Variable Demand Modelling (TAG Unit 2.9.2). This material is aimed at project managers and provides useful background information. The detailed advice for analysts is provided as four TAG units: VDM Preliminary Assessment Procedures (TAG Unit 3.10.1) that defines criteria to enable analysts to decide whether the effects of variable demand seriously undermine the justification for their scheme; VDM Scope of the Model (TAG Unit 3.10.2) gives the guidance required to specify the scope of a variable demand model; the form of variable demand mechanisms and the circumstances when they are suitable to be used are described in VDM Key Processes (TAG Unit 3.10.3); VDM Convergence Realism and Sensitivity (TAG Unit 3.10.4) sets out appropriate convergence standards together with the required realism and sensitivity tests needed to provide evidence about the robustness of the model. A further TAG unit of technical appendices will be released at a later date. The Department has also released draft new guidance on Public Transport Modelling and Forecasting for consultation. This guidance will replace the Major Scheme Appraisal in Local Transport Plans: Part 3 . An overview of the advice and a description of the underlying principles are set out in the Introduction to Forecasting Models for Public Transport Schemes (TAG Unit 2.10.1) and the Introduction to Model Structures for Public Transport Schemes (TAG Unit 2.10.2). This material is aimed at project managers and provides useful background information. The detailed advice for analysts is provided as four TAG units:
The consultation period for both the variable demand modelling and public transport guidance finishes on December 31. Any comments should be sent via email to itea@dft.gsi.gov.uk. The Department has also taken this opportunity to make minor amendments to the following TAG Units; 1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.4.1 and 3.5.6. December 2004: Release of Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance The EU Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive came into force on 21 July 2004 and applies to plans and programmes, and modifications to them, whose formal preparation began after 21 July 2004. It also applies to plans and programmes whose formal preparation began before that date, if they have not been adopted (or submitted to a legislative procedure leading to adoption) by 21 July 2006. Following consultation Strategic Environmental Assessment for Transport Plans and Programmes (TAG Unit 2.11) has now been formally released providing guidance on how to carry out the assessment. Minor changes have also been made to the following TAG units (1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 3.3.1, 3.3.5, 3.3.7, 3.3.8, 3.3.10, 3.4.1, 3.5.1, 3.5.6) and to some text on the site. June 2004: Minor Changes to Value of Time Guidance The Values of Time and Operating Cost (TAG Unit 3.5.6) has been revised to remove some inconsistencies in the data used to derive market price values of time per vehicle. May 2004: Incorporation of Transport Economics Note, Revision of Guidance on Major Scheme Appraisal and Release of Draft SEA Guidance for consultation TAG has been revised to incorporate and update guidance previously provided by the Transport Economics Note. The major changes can be found in Cost Benefit Analysis (Unit 3.5.4) and Values of Time and Operating Costs (Unit 3.5.6). The new guidance provides up to date values for use in appraisals as well as important new advice on appraisal period and the Department's standard base year. MSA: Cost Benefit Analysis (Unit 3.9.2) has also been updated to reflect these changes. The other major change to TAG has been the revision of some aspects of major scheme appraisal guidance for local transport schemes. The main changes here include a revised major scheme check list and further guidance on evaluation and monitoring both to be found in Major Schemes in Local Transport Plans (Unit 1.4). Guidance on risk analysis and optimism bias has also been updated, these changes are to be found in MSA: Risk Analysis (Unit 3.9.3) and MSA: Optimism Bias (Unit 3.9.4). Specific regeneration advice, MSA: Regeneration (Unit 3.9.7) has been withdrawn to avoid overlap with advice in The Wider Economic Impacts Sub-Objective (Unit 3.5.8). The guidance has also been amended slightly to clarify how the impact of schemes on non-UK residents and firms should be treated in appraisals. In cases where such impacts are material to the overall value for money of the scheme, the guidance highlights the need to separate out the impact on non-UK residents from those on UK residents as part of the supporting analysis on Distribution and Equity (See Unit 2.5 and Unit 2.7.1). The Department has also released draft guidance on strategic environmental assessments as Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance for Transport Plans and Programmes (Unit 2.11) that can be found on the site in the consultation documents drop down menu. This document presents draft guidance on how to carry out strategic environmental assessment (SEA) within the framework of the New Approach to Appraisal for transport. It applies to transport plans and programmes including Local Transport Plans (LTPs). The guidance addresses the requirements of European Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, also known as the SEA Directive. The Department has also taken this opportunity to make minor amendments to the following units; 1.1, 3.3.3, 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3, 3.5.9, 3.5.11, 3.8.1, 3.9.1 and 3.9.6. February 2004: Revised Local Air Quality Guidance The local air quality assessment procedure for input to the Appraisal Summary Table has been updated. The Local Air Quality Sub-objective (TAG Unit 3.3.3) has been revised to reflect this. An MS Excel spreadsheet is available to carry out the required calculations. Minor changes have also occurred to other TAG units (2.5, 2.6, 2.7.2, 3.1.2, 3.2, 3.3.4, 3.3.5, 3.3.10 and 3.5.11) and to some text on the site. September 2003: Guidance on preparing an Economic Impact Report The Department published Steer Davies Gleave's final report Guidance on preparing an Economic Impact Report in August, 2003. As planned, the guidance set out in that report has now been added to the Transport Analysis Guidance website. An introduction for Project Managers is provided in Guidance on preparing an Economic Impact Report (TAG Unit 2.8), with guidance for the Expert User being given in The Wider Economic Impacts Sub-Objective (TAG Unit 3.5.8). |
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