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Previous Courses

Economic Evaluation of Transport Initiatives - 27-28 October 2008
UQ Business School Downtown, Brisbane, Australia

This course outlined principles that underlie economic evaluations and the framework for economic evaluation which gave participants an understanding of the context, objectives, approach and use of economic evaluation.
Click to find out more about the course

Economic Appraisal of Urban Transport Projects - 8-9 August 2007
River Room, Stamford Plaza Brisbane, Corner Edward & Margaret Sts, Brisbane

• Selected aspects of transport and economics theory
• Hands on evaluation of key aspects of simple and complex urban transport projects
• Proper specification of transport model outputs & use for correct benefit estimation
• Theory and practice of discounted cash flow analysis and application of risk analysis
• Interpretation of economic evaluation results
• Introduction to other forms of appraisal
• Comprehensive references, background readings & spreadsheet templates
Click to find out more about the course

Economic Evaluation of Road Infrastructure Projects - 24-25 August 2006
Rydges Hotel, Cnr Grey & Glenelg Sts, South Bank, Brisbane

• features of recently released national evaluation guidelines (AusLink)
• principles that underlie economic evaluations, and the framework for economic evaluation
• briefly address other types of evaluation
• link between transport demand models and cost-benefit studies
Click to find out more about the course

Transit Oriented Development: An Introduction - Friday 16 September 2005

This one day short course provided an introduction to the state of practice in transit oriented development.

Presenter: Alan Hoffman, The Mission Group, San Diego California

Click here for more information on this short course.

Economic Evaluation of Road Infrastructure Projects - 23-24 August 2005
UQ Business School Downtown, Brisbane, Australia

• features of recently released national evaluation guidelines (AusLink)
• principles that underlie economic evaluations, and the framework for economic evaluation
• briefly address other types of evaluation
• link between transport demand models and cost-benefit studies
Click to find out more about the course.

Planning & Evaluation of a Major Public Transport Facility
An Action Learning Course - 29 September - 1 October 2004
UQ Business School Downtown, Brisbane, Australia

• selected aspects of transport and economics theory
• re-create a pre-implementation evaluation of a real major public transport project in South East Queensland
• hands on experience of transport demand analysis, strategic bus operations planning, discounted cash flow analysis & evaluation
• comprehensive references, background readings & spreadsheet templates
Click to find out more about the course.

Marketing Technical Consulting Services in Asia-Pacific
One Day Short Course - 6 October 2003
Customs House, Brisbane, Australia

Despite the recent impact of SARS the Asia – Pacific region’s growth prospects continue to be sound. Cities are the engines of growth in the region and urban infrastructure needs are growing rapidly. Consulting services and technologies are in high demand and are attracting the interest of international consulting organisations and technology providers. Click to find out more about the course.

Marketing Transport Technology Products & Services in Asia-Pacific
One Day Short Course - 24 September 2002
Customs House, Brisbane, Australia

Testimonials

"Some interesting and indeed informative examples.... The lessons
learnt from failed attempts or problems incurred in conducting business
in foreign countries is particularly of interest to someone who, shall I
say, has had a reasonably smooth ride." Tim Jennings, Principal -
Systems & Communications Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia Pty Limited

"Thanks for a useful day." Andre Michau, Manager Marketing Strategy
Queensland Railways, Strategy Unit

"Very comprehensive coverage in a relatively short period."

"A lot of pertinent information and good introduction to Asian marketing
of ITS products."

"Structure appropriate. Speakers knowledgeable & interesting.
Fascinating anecdotes. Content and information included was
comprehensive given the available time."

About the Course

With global economies in turmoil, the present relative stability and modest forecast growth in the Asia–Pacific region is again attracting the attention of international technology companies and consultants. The transport sector is a key component of these economies and there is a high demand for transport infrastructure, technology products and services. Click here to read more about the course.

Our Other Courses

Intelligent Transport Systems - Training & Education
   > Course 1 - ITS Overview and Applications
   > Course 2 – Public–Private Partnerships in ITS
   > Course 3 – Management and Operations of ITS
Evaluation of Multi-modal Transport Infrastructure Projects

Intelligent Transport Systems – Training & Education

Transport Roundtable Australasia has developed a series of three short courses that provide a graduated education on Intelligent Transport Systems. Set out below are the details of each course.

Course 1 – ITS Overview and Applications

Description:

This course introduces the subject of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to transport professionals that have limited previous exposure to new transport technologies. Application of computing, information and telecommunications technologies to transport aims to improve the level of service of all modes of transport, especially through improved travel and traffic management and integrated transport. ITS also aims to improve transport safety, reduce environmental impact and limit the need for new transport infrastructure.

Participants are helped to understand the terminology, applications and issues of ITS so they can look at a broad range of options available in order to solve transport problems and provide the best transport systems.

Course outcomes:

At the end of the course, participants will:
• Understand the key roles of intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• Understand a range of applications of ITS, components and technologies involved
• Describe components of ITS infrastructure
• Identify the benefits provided by integrated, intermodal ITS
• Identify agencies involved in integrating ITS
• Be aware of technical and institutional challenges in successful ITS deployment
• Know where to turn for more information.

Course outline - Day 1

• Session 1. Introduction
Objectives of course; ITS primary objectives and benefits; historical background – ITS timeline; ITS programs around the world; ITS in Australia; importance of telecommunications in ITS; information management; ITS technological elements

• Session 2. Travel and Traffic Management
Driver information; route guidance; traveller services information; variable message signs; traffic control; traffic signals; traffic management centre; CCTV; ramp metering; vehicle detection/transponders; incident management; emissions testing and mitigation; travel demand management.

• Session 3. Public Transportation Operations
Public transportation management; vehicle location/identification; transit/traveller information; personalized public transit; security/surveillance; passenger information systems; vehicle priority.

• Session 4. Electronic Payment and Toll Collection
Electronic fare cards, electronic parking tags, electronic toll collection (ETC), multipurpose smart cards.

Course outline - Day 2

• Session 5. Commercial Vehicle Operation
Commercial vehicle electronic clearance; weigh-in-motion; automated roadside safety inspection; on-board safety monitoring; commercial vehicle administrative processes; vehicle location/ identification; hazardous materials incident response; commercial fleet management.

• Session 6. Advanced Vehicle Control Systems
Collision avoidance; vision enhancement; restraint deployment, emergency notification and personal security; emergency vehicle management.

• Session 7. ITS Architecture & Standards
Systems architecture; ITS standards (international and national).

• Session 8. Emerging and Cross-Cutting ITS Issues
System integration issues; societal issues; institutional issues; legal issues; financial issues

• Summary & discussion

Course 2 – Public–Private Partnerships in ITS

Description:

This course introduces the subject of public-private partnerships to transport professionals involved in planning, deployment and operation of ITS that have little or no previous exposure to partnerships. Participants are helped to understand the terminology, applications and issues of the partnering process so they can look at the options available in order to provide the best transport systems within funding constraints and develop successful commercial relationships. The course describes various types of cooperative public-private partnerships. It presents public-private partnership models for cost sharing, shared deployment, and franchising. It also identifies institutional impediments, discusses risk sharing in ITS partnering. The key point for this course is there is not a typical partnership format.

Course outcomes:

At the end of the course, attendees should have developed an appreciation of:
• the complementary contributions which the public and the private sectors can, and do make to the world of ITS;
• the various forms that public-private sector cooperation in ITS can take and the relative strengths, weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages
• some of the legal, regulatory, financial, procurement, contracting, management, administrative and public policy issues which must be taken into account;
• where to turn for more information and help.

Course outline:

• Session 1. Introduction
Objectives of course; nature of ITS, why PPP are important to ITS; public & private sector roles and responsibilities; potential for cooperation; public sector mandates and concerns; private sector opportunities and imperatives, potential for cooperation.

• Session 2. Technology and Management Context
Technological infrastructure trends & developments; regulatory requirements; typical legal constraints and requirements; management and administrative issues – procurement, competition; proprietary rights and effective oversight. Critical success factors.

• Session 3. Approaches to Public–Private Partnerships
An overall framework – who’s in charge?; Approaches - varying roles, responsibilities and obligations: cooperative agreements; contracted services; outsourcing; formal partnerships; franchises; & value-in-kind.

• Session 4. Identifying Partnership Opportunities
Key elements of partnerships; harnessing motives; potential partnership areas; public sector strategies for partnering.

• Session 5. Partnership Arrangements
What's the deal; issues in partnership models; project partnership models; alternative business models; assessing the different approaches; a simple ‘stakeholder’ framework; broad advantages and disadvantages of each approach; where and when each one tends to be most appropriate.

• Session 6. Decision Factors for Creating Public-Private Business Plans
Business purpose; target market; roles and responsibilities; opportunity and risk analysis; structuring business models; creating a plan including business case for investment, revenue and costs.

• Session 7. Suggested Approach to Cooperation
Suggested approach to mainstreaming collaboration: concept formulation and exploration of interest; stakeholder analysis; selection of approach; offers; assessment, negotiation and establishment of performance criteria; contracting; on-going management and performance monitoring; periodic evaluation and adjustment.

• Session 8. Summary & discussion

Course 3 – Management and Operations of ITS

Description:

This course introduces the subject of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) management and operations to transport professionals. The course provides guidelines on best practices that can be used to assess management and operations needs and practices.

Participants are helped to understand the terminology, applications and issues in ITS management and operations so they can effectively manage their own ITS operations and also contract provision, including risk management of potential issues.

Course outcomes:

At the end of the course, participants will:
• Understand the key roles in managing and operating intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• Understand performance requirements needed to manage and operate systems
• Discuss the issues surrounding management of software design and implementation
• Understand the problems with ITS procurement and critical success factors
• Discuss the importance of developing and maintaining operational plans, manuals and documentation
• Be aware of technical and institutional challenges in successful ITS deployment
• List steps needed to implement strong management and operations plans
• Know where to turn for more information.

Course outline:

• Session 1. Introduction
Objectives of course; define management and operations

• Session 2. System Management Practices
Impacts of ITS management & operations; key objectives; resource sharing, joint operations, integration and coordination.

• Session 3. Planning and Design
Planning, design and funding, mainstreaming planning; strategic ITS plans; innovative funding sources; options for design.

• Session 4. Computer Systems
Software systems practices; documentation standards; acceptance testing; security; long term technology strategy; disaster recovery; in-house or contracted services.

• Session 5. Procurement and Installation
Procurement considerations; options; types of contracts; approaches; shared resources; issues and challenges; installation planning; acceptance testing; phasing installation; documentation.

• Session 6. Staffing and Training
Staffing requirements and needs; experience levels; succession planning; typical staffing positions; classifications; contract staffing; training strategy and program.

• Session 7. Operational Issues
Implementation and operations plans, manuals and documentation; policies and procedures; incident management; response planning

• Session 8. Summary & discussion

Evaluation of Multi-modal Transport Infrastructure Projects

Description:

The course introduces the subject of economic evaluation of transport infrastructure projects in general, and public transport projects in particular. It will be of interest to managers who need to understand the intent, practice and interpretation of such evaluations, and to transport professionals who are involved in undertaking evaluations.

The course outlines principles that underlie economic evaluations, and the framework for the economic evaluation of transport infrastructure proposals, concentrating on public transport projects, so that participants will understand the context, objectives, approach and use of economic evaluation.

Practical experience is gained through the economic evaluation of several public transport projects, including a bus interchange and a busway project. Brief consideration is also given to the economic evaluation of other transport projects, and to other types of evaluation, to give participants a broader perspective of the role and practice of economic evaluation. The course has a strong emphasis on real-life case studies.

Course outcomes:

At the end of the course, participants will:
• have an appreciation of the role, scope and practice of
economic evaluations;
• understand the data needs of an economic evaluation of
public transport projects;
• know the method for evaluating public transport
infrastructure projects;
• have completed an evaluation of a demonstration project;
• be able to interpret the results of economic evaluations;
• appreciate differences between economic evaluations and
other types of evaluation.

Course Leader:

David Bray is the principal of Economic and Policy Services Pty Ltd. He holds degrees in economics and engineering, and has 27 years of professional experience as a consultant and government employee. He has worked mostly in the transport and urban development sectors in Australia, and in eighteen other countries. David has prepared economic evaluations for a wide range of public transport and road projects for Governments in Australia and international agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Who should attend:

The course will be beneficial to staff of government agencies and consultants who are involved in planning and evaluation of transport projects, and for those who manage and use the results of such evaluations.

Course Outline:

• Introduction and Economic Principles
Objectives of the course; structure of an economic evaluation; principles that are relevant to the economic evaluation of projects - the role of markets, community
welfare, opportunity cost, time preference rate, financial and economic values; base case and project case.

• Transport Demand
What transport demand information that is needed; current demand; latent demand; future demand.

• Transport Costs
Infrastructure costs; road transport costs; public transport costs; financial and economic costs.

• Project Benefits
Identifying the effects of a project; estimating the gains and losses that are incurred by government, operators, users and others; valuing gains and losses.

• Project Evaluation
Elements of an economic evaluation; evaluation period; determining costs and benefits; discounting; output parameters - benefit-cost ratio, internal rate of return, present value; sensitivity tests; brief overview of other types of evaluation - financial evaluation, financial statements, multi-criteria evaluation.