Incomplete cost – incomplete benefit analysis in transport appraisal

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the current application of transport appraisal in the UK, in particular exploring the partiality of cost–benefit analysis (CBA) within the wider multi-criteria analysis (MCA) process. It argues that applying a quantitative assessment of the varied impacts of complex transport projects can only be partial within the CBA. Analysis can overlook social, human life, environmental and built environment impacts, and projects can be inconsistent with the planning strategy for an area. The application of CBA is critically reviewed using two case studies: the proposed upgrade of the South Fylde railway line and the Heysham-M6 Link Road, both from North West England. A participatory MCA process is suggested to help improve the process of transport appraisal, as part of an improved public debate on transport investment priorities.

KEYWORDS:

• CBA
• MCA
• participatory
• transport
• multi-actor

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the anonymous reviewers who gave very useful comments and significantly improved the paper. Thanks to Jamie Quinn for redrawing images 1-4.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The analysis in the paper draws from the Sintropher project (UCL, 2009-16, for the EU INTERREG IVB programme). The Fylde Coast is one of five demonstration case studies in the Sintropher project, the others being North Hesse (Germany); Valenciennes (France); West Flanders (Belgium) and Nijmegen-Kleve (the Netherlands). The South Fylde Line public transport options were considered in Sintropher, whilst the Heysham-M6 Road Link is added as a highway project comparator. The projects are not given as typical projects, but instead to provide illustrations of transport appraisal and the use of CBA in practice.

2. Using currency conversion rates on 16 December 2014.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by EU INTERREG IVB.