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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Application of the four-step principle in the preliminary planning of transport projects

Neliporrasperiaatteen soveltaminen liikennehankkeiden esisuunnittelussa

The four-step principle has been used since the beginning of 2000 as a tool for transport system planning as well as for the preliminary and general planning of transport corridors in Finland. However, there has not been a consistent practice in its use and its application has been project specific. The four-step principle has been applied both as a method for guiding planning and as a planning method. The four-step principle as a guiding method for planning has helped to identify problem areas and functional objectives, and to form an understanding of the targeted service level. The application of the four-step principle has aimed at a comprehensive selection of methods in transparent and interactive co-operation with different actors. Impact assessment has helped to find the most effective measures and their combinations. The four-step principle has been used as a planning method when looking for the methods, which make it possible to proceed by taking small steps towards the targeted service level. Then it has primarily meant analysing the selection of methods. The starting point may also have been an attempt to find a lighter substitute solution for a new transport corridor. The four-step principle has been applied to transport system planning and partly also to the preliminary design and preliminary master plan phases of roads. The principle has not been applied to the rail and waterways projects, although part of the measures connected to them could be processed in accordance with the four-step principle. In addition to examining the starting points, this study has examined how the various measures are located on the steps of the four-step principle. In connection of the methods, attention has been paid on the economic evaluation of the measures implemented in different stages and on the use of impact axels as an evaluation method. In line with the four-step principle it is not the number or contents of the steps that is important in planning, but processing interactively a wide selection of measures. It is suggested that the principle is applied especially to the preliminary planning of the transport projects. The application of the principle is already relatively common in transport system planning. The developed principle has been divided into three main stages: 1) work organisation and target setting, 2) selection of measures, impact assessment and defining the development path, and 3) reporting and further actions. The importance of dividing the process into stages with sub-stages is to bring about a systematic approach to the application of the four-step principle. In the organisation and target setting stage the extent of interaction is determined, a problem analysis made taking into consideration needs and boundary conditions, and the primary impacts and impact specific service level targets are determined. In the contents stage of the work the available measures are determined and a preliminary choice of the most effective of them is made. To support impact assessment impact axels are used, which help to evaluate possible impact potential and the effectiveness of different measures. Consequently, it will be possible to select the most effective measures, determine planning targets and create a development path for the measures. The process is not, however, straightforward and it is recommended to use an iterative method to reach a good end result. A comprehensive impact assessment is also made of the final development path. Reporting and further actions cover principle findings with justification and uncertainties, description of the interactive process and objectives for more detailed planning as well as recommendations for further actions. The initial objective of the four-step principle has been to look for alternative measures with an open mind and interactively making the different actors and interest groups commit themselves. It is this aspect that the new method emphasizes. The details of the method will undoubtedly need to be further developed. The study also gives some recommendations for testing and possible implementation. This report may be found at http://alk.tiehallinto.fi/julkaisut/pdf3/lts_2010-44_neliporrasperiaatteen_soveltaminen_web.pdf

Language

  • Finnish

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01334367
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Finnish Transport Agency
  • ISBN: 978-952-255-046-0
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Mar 28 2011 2:36PM