Strategic fit for sector research

Introduction

For the latest information, please see the Assessment Framework for the 2015-18 NLTP.

This section sets out the guidance on assessing strategic fit for activities within the research programme.

The research programme incorporates:

• Work category 811- Sector research.

Need for research

All research proposals must establish why the research is required, including where relevant:

• the business/strategic plan that the research topic relates to
• literature review
• what previous or current research on this matter has shown
• how the research takes into account previous research
• whether new research is needed, or if research from elsewhere can be adapted
• consequences of delaying the research, and
• anticipated end-use of the research and the benefits it will provide to specific transport decision-makers.

Default strategic fit

By default, the strategic fit rating for sector research activities is low.

Requirements for medium rating

A medium rating for strategic fit may be given if the proposed research addresses the following areas:

• demand management to increase the effective capacity of transport networks
• safety, security and public health in relation to the impact of land transport activities
• environmental impacts on land transport in relation to a secure and resilient A secure and resilient transport network means eliminating the risks of effects of disruption. Network security means the elimination of risks or effects of a disruption. Network resilience The ability of the network to withstand, or recover quickly after a disruption. The availability and restoration of each facility when there is a weather or emergency event, whether there is an alternative route available and the road user information provided.  This can be measured through the number of journeys impacted by unplanned events, or acceptable risk where there is no viable alternative access should it be closed by an unplanned event. means the ability of the network to withstand, or recover quickly after a disruption. Consideration of the effects of risk from natural hazard or other transport operation disruptions, and agreed level of service appropriate to the network. To meet agreed levels of service improvements in network security Network security means the elimination of risks or effects of a disruption. and resilience The ability of the network to withstand, or recover quickly after a disruption. The availability and restoration of each facility when there is a weather or emergency event, whether there is an alternative route available and the road user information provided.  This can be measured through the number of journeys impacted by unplanned events, or acceptable risk where there is no viable alternative access should it be closed by an unplanned event. requires that there is no alternative, and the network or route is demonstratively susceptible to disruption. transport network

Requirements for high rating

A high rating for strategic fit must only be given if the proposed research is in the key areas of:

• valuation of the economic growth Economic growth and productivity is defined in the GPS A Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding issued under section 86 of the LTMA , research is required to determine and value the GPS impacts to the delivery of economic growth. and productivity benefits The benefits derived from improvements in productivity impacts of the GPS (being a net increase in outputs Goods or services delivered by an activity or combination of activities. of production over inputs). of land transport activities and their management
• integrated planning For the NZTA, integrated planning means leading and working with central, regional and local government, private developers and other partners such as Kiwi Rail and port companies, to bring land use planning, and transport planning and investment together, to deliver an affordable Demonstrates that adequate funding to deliver the activity, or combination of activities, is available from identified sources, e.g. a funding plan has been identified. transport system that supports a growing economy, safe and vibrant communities and a healthy environment, now and in the future. It is an approach we follow to deliver on the outcomes we seek.
• network optimisation See Optimise levels of service, Optimised transport solution and Optimising public transport services and infrastructure. Network optimisation considers any changing transport demand, all network components including the contribution across modes and existing infrastructure and services. It aims to make better use of existing networks and services towards a outcome or impact and may require relatively small improvements to achieve this. and extracting maximum value Extracting maximum value from existing services and infrastructure includes optimising services and the use of existing infrastructure to realise the full potential capacity and benefits. from services and infrastructure
• aiding understanding of a Safer Journeys area of high concern The high priority areas identified in Safer Journeys action plan A action plan to develop and implement initiatives over a specified period for Safer Journeys The government's strategy to guide improvements in road safety over the period 2010–2020. http://www.transport.govt.nz/saferjourneys/Pages/default.aspx . http://www.transport.govt.nz/saferjourneys/Pages/default.aspx where the greatest improvements could be made over the period covered by the Safer Journeys The government's strategy to guide improvements in road safety over the period 2010–2020. http://www.transport.govt.nz/saferjourneys/Pages/default.aspx strategy. These include: - Reducing alcohol/drug impaired driving - Increasing the safety of young drivers - Safe roads and roadsides - Safe speeds - Increasing the safety of motorcycling or the implementation of the government’s Safer Journeys action plan A action plan to develop and implement initiatives over a specified period for Safer Journeys The government's strategy to guide improvements in road safety over the period 2010–2020. http://www.transport.govt.nz/saferjourneys/Pages/default.aspx . http://www.transport.govt.nz/saferjourneys/Pages/default.aspx (s)
• improving journey time reliability The reliability of trips on the network, as defined in section A4.5 of the NZTA's Economic evaluation manual. Improvements in journey time reliability Journey time reliability is the reliability of trips on the network, as defined in section 3.5 of the NZTA's Economic evaluation manual, volume 1. Improvements in journey time reliability will reduce the level of unpredictable variations in journey times, which are experienced for a journey undertaken at broadly the same time every day. will reduce the level of unpredictable variations in journey times, which are experienced for a journey undertaken at broadly the same time every day. and easing of severe congestion Severe congestion congestion is where the volume to capacity ratio exceeds 80% for 5 days per week over at least a 1 hour time period that affects at least 1.5 km of a route.  For information on the volume to capacity ratio, see Appendix A3 of the NZTA's Economic Evaluation Manual is where the volume to capacity ratio exceeds 100% for 5 days per week over at least 1 hour in a time period on at least 3 km of a route and the average annual daily traffic (AADT) is greater than 20,000 vehicles per day.
  For information on the volume to capacity ratio, refer to Appendix A3 of the NZTA's Economic Evaluation Manual in urban areas An area within a permanent speed limit of less than or equal to 70 km/h.