This course will provide a comprehensive grounding in the latest business case appraisal approaches for transport projects. It will introduce the five cases that make up a transport business case: the Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial and Management Cases. It will highlight current guidance in WebTAG and HM Treasury’s “Green Book” on Appraisal and Evaluation and provide an understanding of the key concepts used in appraisal.

Following an overview of the entire scheme appraisal process on day one, the second day will focus on the economic case and the principles, tools and techniques used in economic appraisal, including cost-benefit analysis, discounting and presentation of results. The course will be delivered through a combination of presentations and workshops.  

Topics covered

• Links between transport and the economy

• Aspects of economic methodology relevant to the understanding of practical transport problems

• Demand and supply

• Appraisal of transport schemes

• Interventions

• Case studies in transport economics and appraisal

The course is particularly suitable for new recruits to government organisations and private sector companies who require an overview of the current state of the art in scheme appraisal. It will also be of special relevance to more senior practitioners or managers who need to commission, manage or oversee business case appraisal activities.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• understand how contemporary appraisal techniques have emerged from the sustainability discourse

• explain the need for public sector intervention in the transport market, and in particular the justifications for public investment

• recognise and critically debate the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of promoting travel and transport within society

• critically evaluate current approaches for the appraisal and mitigation of transport investment and implementation in the UK

• communicate economic arguments

• be familiar with the techniques and methods of economic and environmental appraisal and their application

• understand WebTAG process at practitioners level