As the Department for Transport consults on its Transport appraisal and modelling strategy: informing future investment decisions document heralding potential changes to the way in which schemes are evaluated, Local Transport Today is pleased to be organising a seminar on the general topic of transport investment appraisal professional activity.

It will explore how the frameworks and principles for assessing and approving different kinds of schemes might be improved to re?ect changing objectives, user behavioural patterns, the relationships with commercial development propositions, (such as new housing schemes), and with wider local economic and social development strategies, and their overall evaluation.

We will be looking at a range of circumstances and types of scheme and exploring alternative ways of capturing relevant costs and bene?ts to meet both public expenditure and private commercial investment objectives, including:

• What outcomes do we want to achieve and how should we be measuring them?
• How do we better align transport and non-transport objectives and impacts?
• Can economic appraisal and commercial investment decision-making approaches be matched up?
• Are modelling and forecasting capabilities constraining outcome assessment?
• Are modal comparison assessments handled equitably?
• How can we ensure that the benefits of small local schemes are given equal weight in funding allocations as big ticket items?
• Are there ways to more fully embrace scheme quality and place values?

The discussion will include the perspectives of National and local agencies and both the public and private sectors, and the delivery of both transport and other policy objectives. The discussion will be led by Professor Peter Jones of University College London and Keith Mitchell, Chairman of Peter Brett Associates.

Programme

Programme

09:30 Registration with tea and coffee served upon arrival

09:55 Welcome
Peter Stonham, Chairman, Landor LINKS Ltd

10:00 Introduction to the day by the morning chair

Peter Jones, Professor of Transport & Sustainable Development, University College London

10:10 A Department for Transport perspective 
Robin Cambery, Chief Transport Modeller and Head of Modelling and Appraisal Methods, Department for Transport

10:25 National Perspectives - How do key national players view the current appraisal processes and the need for change? Chaired by: Peter Jones, UCL

• Sarah Rae, Head of Modelling and Analysis Team, National Infrastructure Commission

• Stephen Elderkin, Chief Analyst, Highways England 

• James Angus, Principal Policy Lead, System Operator, Network Rail

• John Elliot, Communications Officer and Vice Chair, The Local Government Technical Advisors Group

11:45 Refreshment break

12:10 Challenges and Priorities - Panel Discussion: Experts from a variety of backgrounds give their views on the key issues and potential new steps, and invite discussion

• Keith Mitchell, Director, Community Development & Infrastructure,  Peter Brett Associates

• Tom Van-Vuren, Divisional Director, Mott Macdonald

• Keith Buchan, Director for Skills, Transport Planning Society

• Paul Buchanan, Partner, Voltera

• Tom Worsley, Visiting Fellow, ITS Leeds University

13:30 Lunch Break

14:15 Welcome back by afternoon chair
Keith Mitchell, Chairman, Peter Brett Associates

14:25 Challenges faced by Cities and Regions: How well do current appraisal methods align with wider city and regional objectives and business case development?

• Martin Tugwell, Programme Director, England's Economic Heartland

• Ryan Taylor, Business Case Manager, Transport for London

15:00 Embracing wider dimensions

A developer's perspective on the commercial context
Roger Madelin, Head of Canada Water Development, British Land

Economic appraisal issues across modes and geographies

Toby Cuthbertson, Director, SYSTRA Ltd

Making better strategic and business cases by appropriate appraisal of people and places

Derek Halden, Director, DHC Loop Connections

Improving the treatment of social and environment elements in transport appraisal

Helen Bowkett, Senior Technical Director, Arcadis 

16:20 Reflections on the day
Mark Ledbury, Deputy Director, Transport Appraisal and Strategic Modelling, Department for Transport

16:40 Networking drinks reception

Get involved

Opportunities are currently available for partner organisations to work with Local Transport Today in scoping out the final content of the summit, ensuring appropriate contributions are made by relevant experts.

For further information, please contact Jason Conboy on: 020 7091 7895 or email: jason.conboy@landor.co.uk