Cost Benefit Analysis Tool for Transport

NineSquared has undertaken economic analyses for dozens of transport projects across Australia. These range from relatively minor works all the way to region defining changes. The foundation of each of these projects is similar. Road users benefit from improved conditions, the environment is benefited where there is a shift away from private transport, and the community benefits where placemaking opportunities are captured appropriately.  

Our deep expertise in transport economics and the range of guidelines available led us to develop a specific transport infrastructure cost benefit analysis model that allows relevant projects to be analysed faster, and more cost effectively and consistently than bespoke models. This spreadsheet-based model provides decision makers with insights into projects or programs of work to help decide on investments, option designs and priorities. 

The NineSquared Transport Cost Benefit Analysis Model is fully consistent with state based and national Cost Benefit Guidelines. It uses parameters from Australian Transportation Assessment and Planning (ATAP), Austroads, Transport for New South Wales and other authorities where necessary. The model is constantly updated as new guidelines and parameters are released and as economic data becomes available.   

The Tool includes impacts not only to road users, but to other key stakeholders as well. Importantly, impacts to the environment, both positive and negative, are able to be captured. Allowances have been made to capture ongoing environmental impacts, such as changes in tailpipe emissions, as well as the upfront impacts associated with embodied carbon.  

Impacts to the community more broadly are also captured. This includes considerations such as the impact of place or on journey amenity. Active transport modes such as cycling are also captured, which often have a completely different set of benefits and costs.  

While the Tool is developed to efficiently and effectively capture the typical impacts of a transport project, we take a bespoke approach to every engagement. This means that we can make adjustments to the tool to suit the specific needs of your project or program. In our experience, this maximises accuracy and specificity while delivering an efficient outcome.  

Utilising the NineSquared framework provides you with a range of benefits: 

• Straight forward: The outputs of the model are able to be explained in a straight-forward manner. Unique insights are able to be extracted from the Tool to help inform your decision making. 

• Reliable: The model has a demonstrated track record, with the framework being used on dozens of projects. 

• Time saving: Beginning the project with a detailed understanding of the data requirements makes the calculation process efficient and allows discussions on the specifics of projects to begin without delay. 

• Flexible: While the tool has been developed to allow calculations to be undertaken quickly, we regularly make adjustments to the Tool to suit the requirements of the project.  

An overview of the key elements of the framework is presented in the figure below or click to DOWNLOAD.