3.3 Transport Planning Objectives

In developing a transport option it is essential to be clear as to what the study aims to achieve. The term ‘Transport Planning Objectives' is used to describe those objectives adopted for the purposes of the specific study being undertaken ,for which STAG is being used.

The Transport Planning Objectives should express the outcomes sought for the study and will describe (while avoiding indications of potential solutions) how problems will be alleviated. Additionally, the Transport Planning Objectives provide the basis for the appraisal of alternative options and, during Post Appraisal, will be central to Monitoring and Evaluation.

The setting of Transport Planning Objectives is important and offers significant value for a number of reasons. They:

• Provide all stakeholders with a clear indication of what practitioners are trying to accomplish;
• Serve as a basis for directing and guiding the entire study process;
• Can provide motivation, unity and integration;
• Facilitate accountability from the decision maker, from the STAG perspective both during the transport planning, appraisal, implementation process and Post Appraisal (a key concern in light of the need for Monitoring and Evaluation); and
• Introduce clarity where there may exist strong vested interests and entrenched views on priorities.

In the context of STAG, Transport Planning Objectives offer the following additional benefits:

• Transport Planning Objectives allow the proper appraisal of candidate options, allowing the decision maker to make an informed choice;
• They can help the practitioner to develop apposite and creative options by focussing thought; and
• They establish the main purpose for proceeding with a decision thus allowing the option development to be revalidated to avoid project ‘creep'.

The definition of Transport Planning Objectives for a particular exercise is not new to STAG.  The case for the formulation of appropriate Transport Planning Objectives is compelling, most notably through taking into consideration the many unwelcome potential outcomes of proceeding without specific objectives.

Transport Planning Objectives will be specific to each individual study and the specific problems and opportunities to be addressed. Consequently, it is expected that Transport Planning Objectives would differ between individual studies.  It is, therefore, not practical to be prescriptive in STAG about  the formulation of the Transport Planning Objectives. 

In some cases, Transport Planning Objectives may not appear to be directly related to the STAG Criteria.  In many cases, these will be subsidiary objectives, devised to focus on the way in which the STAG Criteria can be achieved.