Transport Agency Planning and Investment Strategic Direction - Overview

Introduction

The Transport Agency's planning and investment strategic direction is regularly updated in response to:

• new and amended legislation,
• reviews of the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS A Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding issued under section 86 of the LTMA ),
• any government direction,
• stakeholder submissions, and
• changes in technology, the economy and in transport policies.

This section introduces the process for updating the Investment Assessment Framework (IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. ) and the generic processes for any other policy or procedural changes.

Transport Agency strategy and goals

The Transport Agency's strategy and goals that underlie its planning and investment strategic direction are set out in the current NZ Transport Agency Statement of Intent (SOI ).

The SOI sets out the Transport Agency's approach and course of action for the next four years that will contribute to the delivery of the government's land transport objectives and wider transport vision.

Investment Assessment Framework (IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. )

The IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. is the key investment assessment and prioritisation tool that the Transport Agency employs to give effect to the GPS A Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding issued under section 86 of the LTMA and achieve the results wanted by the government.

A high level view of the IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. has been provided as part of the investment signals for developing the 2015-18 National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. , describing the structure and principles of the framework. The following link is to the 'Planning for the 2015-18 National Land Transport Programme' page - scroll down to 'Related documents and information' and locate the 'Investment assessment framework (IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. )' document in the menu.

When the Transport Agency makes changes to the framework it generally follows the process set out in the Review Investment Assessment Framework page.

Detailed information is provided in the Assessment Framework section on the application of the IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. , including assessment criteria, forming an assessment profile The three-part rating for an activity, rated as high, medium or low e.g. HMM, and representing the assessment for Strategic Fit, Effectiveness, and Benefit and Cost Appraisal respectively. and prioritisation of activities.

Other policy changes

Other Transport Agency investment policies and procedures may change as a result of:

• issuing of a new or updated IAF The NZTA framework which identifies the investment priorities and expectations for project assessment. The IAF interprets the strategic priorities and impacts of the government identified in the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. ,
• issuing of a directive or policy change, or
• improvement or clarification of policy following operational experience with existing policies.

 Depending on the significance of the change, this may require:

• a simple change to the procedures which will be documented in the P&I Knowledge Base, or;
• engagement or consultation with organisations affected by the change.