Evaluation methods for urban transportation plans

A conceptual picture of traffic and its partial factors is formulated as a starting point for an evaluation method for urban transportation plans. The accuracy of the calculation methods is clarified and the properties of the different evaluation methods are studied. With regard to the planning process the development of the evaluation method is limited thus that we start from a situation where the plans to be compared already exist. Thus it is not necessary to examine problem setting, formulation of alternatives and goal setting. The consequences of traffic can he split up into five groups: freedom of movement, safety, environmental effects, money and energy. The consequences can further be studied at local, national and global level from various viewpoints. The examination can be made on the basis of measured or calculated values, or from the examiner's subjective viewpoint. In addition to these direct consequences traffic has also indirect influences on other systems. Cost-benefit analysis contains theoretical weaknesses in the evaluation of the consequences in monetary terms. In multicriteria analysis the corresponding weaknesses are due to the artificiality of the formulation of goals and weights. Consequence analysis does not have the same weaknesses. In consequence analysis the impacts of traffic are presented from the viewpoint of different groups. The influences of the plan on other systems are also studied. A summary of the analysis is drafted for decision-making. The summary compares the gains obtained with the losses. The report includes instructions for and an example of the use of consequence analysis.