Webinar #1
Topic: Valuing the Walk Environment
Date: 23rd February 2022
Presenter:
Neil Douglas (Douglas Economics), douglaseconomics@gmail.com
Jason Whatley (EY Sweeney)
Matthew Jones (Transport for NSW)
Abstract:
Douglas Economics with EY-Sweeney was engaged by TfNSW in 2019 to design, analyse, undertaken and report a questionnaire survey to value aspects of the walking and cycling environment for inclusion in their economic Cost Benefit Manual. This study presents values from the pedestrian’s perspective (cycling being deferred due to C-19). The methodology, survey and analysis for the walking environment, plus suggested values for walk location (suburbia, city centre park), night v day (including lighting), weather, pavement smoothness, width, amount of road traffic, street art, security cameras pedestrian crowding and presence of trees are presented. Differences by trip purpose (walk as a means to an end versus walk for its own sake (exercise and dog walking) are taken account of.
Link to the research paper:
(PDF) Valuing the Walk Environment & Demand Effect of Improvements (researchgate.net)
Webinar #2
Topic: Quantifying the benefit of reduced social exclusion by major transport infrastructure investments
Date: 10th May 2022
Presenter:
Lulu Zeng (KPMG Australia)
Abstract:
Social exclusion has been described as the existence of barriers which make it difficult or impossible for people to participate fully in society or to obtain a decent standard of living. Maximum participation in economic, social and community life is a defining characteristic of a well-rounded, sustainable and resilient society. Achieving this outcome for all Australians means preventing social exclusion and delivering policies and programs that support people to strengthen their ability to actively participate in the labour market and in their communities.
Access to transport provides opportunities to participate in the economy, education and training, and cultural and civic activities. Transportation disadvantage and its connection with social exclusion are now one of the main research and policy areas in the UK and the US. However, the majority of transport infrastructure investment proposals in Australia typically focus on the economic benefits relating purely to travel outcomes. This paper aims to fill the gap by providing an approach to quantify the impact of transport investment on reducing social exclusion.
This paper developed a method of quantifying the reduced social exclusion benefit using a calibrated database that leverages a number of key datasets in Australia and Victoria. By using a Melbourne based case study, we found that large scale, city shaping transport investment can play a positive role in enhancing social inclusion and bridging inequality, beyond just conventional transport benefits . We believe this practice is an important step to better align transport investment proposals with their policy objectives, and provide inclusive social and infrastructure service to all members of our society.
Webinar #3
Topic: Land Value Uplift vs. Travel Time Savings: How best to value transport improvements
Date: 3rd August, 2022
Presenter:
Professor David Levinson (The University of Sydney), david.levinson@sydney.edu.au
Webinar #4
Topic: An inexact science: Measurement error in mode and location choice models
Date: 30th November 2022
Presenter:
Stuart Donovan (Executive Consultant, Veitch Lister Consulting), stuart.donovan@veitchlister.com
Abstract:
Using commuting data for Brisbane, Australia, we show that measurement error in travel-times biases the estimated parameters in mode and location choice models towards zero. In our setting, allowing for measurement error arising from uncertainty in the home location of commuters within zones causes the magnitude of estimated parameters to increase substantially. Further analysis points to two sources of systematic bias: First, travel-times for short car commutes are underestimated and, second, travel-times for long PT commutes are overestimated. These results may have implications for a wide-variety of economic models in which travel-times play a central role, especially in complex urban environments that are characterised by spatially heterogeneous geographies, multi-modal transport networks, and congestion.
Link to the presentation:
An inexact science — Measurement error in mode and location choice models
Webinar #5
Topic: Social exclusion and the value of trips
Date: 9th March 2023
Presenter:
Professor John Stanley (Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies , The University of Sydney, john.stanley@sydney.edu.au
Abstract:
Reducing mobility-related social exclusion has been on the transport policy agenda for at least two decades. However, initiatives to reduce this risk have struggled to show their value for money because of the lack of a means of monetising relevant benefits. Current appraisal tools are at great risk of being criticised for biasing resource allocation towards initiatives whose benefits are more readily monetised. The presentation will outline some of the research by John Stanley and colleagues at ITLS and University of Melbourne on monetising the benefits of trips, as they contribute to reducing risk of social exclusion, and also monetisation of a range of other pathways to reduce exclusion (e.g., social capital, sense of community). The potential significance of these benefits will be illustrated and a way of introducing the benefit values into Appraisal Guidelines will be proposed. The research has been widely cited in recent transport literature, its trip values have been used in the evaluation of Victoria’s proposed Suburban Rail Loop and there is also current international interest in application.