Lead agencies

BITRE, state and territory transport departments (through ATDAN)

Enduring question 3.1

How well are infrastructure projects assessed in Australia before they are built?

Gap addressed

Information on best-practice modelling assumptions

Background

Estimates of the potential benefits and costs associated with infrastructure investments are often based on model outputs, such as those from traffic forecasting models. These models often use inconsistent modelling assumptions, making it difficult to compare models and assess infrastructure project proposals and planning documents.

There is a need to develop and promote national best practice and consistent modelling assumptions to improve infrastructure planning and investment.

Objective

Develop best practice and consistent modelling assumptions to improve infrastructure planning and investment

Project update

The preparation of Common Planning Assumptions is a New South Wales initiative to collect and document fundamental assumptions to underpin the development of key government strategies. This cross-agency initiative is aimed at ensuring the alignment and consistency of assumptions in strategies and plans prepared by different NSW government agencies and departments. It was established to minimise the risk of some agencies using different assumptions and projections for service and infrastructure planning–a situation which could contribute to sub-optimal decision making.

There is a potential for other state and territory governments to also develop and promote common planning assumptions to improve infrastructure planning.