Sense-making the Narrative of Pre-hypothesis Reports on the Planning and Appraisal of Mega Transport Projects: The Case of the U.K. Channel Tunnel Rail Link, UK

The OMEGA Centre and its network of nine Academic Partners in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia are seeking to address the key question of 'what constitutes a successful Mega Urban Transport Project Case Study (MUTP) by undertaking some 30 Case Studies using a variety of data collection and analysis techniques. This paper presents an approach to the use of pre-hypothesis research (storytelling) for the investigation of MUTPs. The paper introduces a methodology for the collection of contextually rich anecdotal data from key stakeholders involved in/affected by MUTPs which avoids common pitfalls of more traditional hypothesis led research. The paper then presents an analysis tool set containing a range of analytical and interrogation tools that allow both recall and interpretation of qualitative data. The tools are designed to combine the information processing capability of computers with the pattern based intelligence of humans to identify patterns of knowledge emanating from the stakeholders stories. To conclude, the paper highlights some of the key research findings from the application of the methodology to the analysis of stakeholder decision making for a recently completed high speed rail project in the United Kingdom - the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The study team found the pre-hypothesis research approach represents a valuable means of collecting and analyzing contextually rich data from MUTP stakeholders.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Ward, John
  • Wright, Phil
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2010-1-10 to 2010-1-14
• Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: TRB 89th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Data collection; Decision making; High speed rail; Public transit; Railroad traffic; Railroad transportation; Tunnels; Urban transportation
• Identifier Terms: Channel Tunnel Rail Link
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01156964
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 10-2239
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 24 2010 2:08PM