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# Transport Futures Institute

Helping transport professionals fast track their success

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://transportfutures.institute/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Articles](https://transportfutures.institute/articles/)
- [Mastering the Art of Transport Objectives](https://transportfutures.institute/mastering-the-art-of-transport-objectives/) - If you can’t measure it or move it, it’s not an objective; it’s wishful thinking. The SMART Approach and Beyond Once strategic intents are clear, the next step is to define transport objectives that guide actions, allocate resources, and set the stage for monitoring progress. However, not all objectives are created equal. Poorly written objectives
- [Why We Build "Perfect" Infrastructure That No One Uses](https://transportfutures.institute/why-we-build-perfect-infrastructure-that-no-one-uses/) - We’ve all seen it. The piece of infrastructure that looks perfect on paper, wins design awards, and yet... nobody uses it. In my new book, Set Strategic Direction, I call this the "Ghost Bridge" problem. Consider this scenario: A city council funds a multi-million dollar pedestrian and cycle bridge over a major highway. The engineering
- [Deconstructing Policy Priorities](https://transportfutures.institute/deconstructing-policy-priorities/) - Policy provides the ‘why’ while strategy defines the ‘what.’ Your task is to bridge that gap. Policy statements often use broad, aspirational language. While inspirational, such statements can pose challenges when planning specific actions. Whether you are developing a regional strategy, local transport plan, or business case, your initial task is to align your efforts
- [From Objectives to Logic Model: essential part of an analyst's toolkit](https://transportfutures.institute/from-objectives-to-logic-model-essential-part-of-an-analysts-toolkit/) - A vision without a logic model is just a poster. Logic models help transport professionals and planners visually map the relationships between resources, activities, and results. They are particularly useful for translating strategy into delivery, aligning teams, and clarifying assumptions. 1. What is a Logic Model? A logic model is a structured diagram that links:
- [The Challenge of Adapting Transport Systems to Changing Technology](https://transportfutures.institute/the-challenge-of-adapting-transport-systems-to-changing-technology/) - Transport systems worldwide face a significant challenge: keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. New technologies, such as electric vehicles, smart traffic management systems, and autonomous transport, create opportunities for improving efficiency and sustainability, but also require existing systems to adapt quickly. These adaptations can streamline operations, enhance user experience, and even reduce environmental impacts. To
- [Key Issue: Decarbonisation of Australia’s Transport Network](https://transportfutures.institute/key-issue-decarbonisation-of-australias-transport-network/) - Top Takeaways Transport is now Australia’s third-largest source of emissions (≈18.7 % of the total) . Key barriers: late vehicle-emissions standards (NVES began 1 Jan 2025), patchy EV charging networks, and costly fleet electrification. Strategic levers: tighten regulations + incentives, invest in charging and grid upgrades, electrify public-transport fleets, and re-engineer urban design for modal
- [Wooden Bridges: Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Infrastructure](https://transportfutures.institute/wooden-bridges-balancing-tradition-and-modernity-in-infrastructure/) - Wooden bridges have long been integral to Australia’s transport network, possessing both historical significance and practical utility. The recent ABC News article, “Why wooden bridges still have a place despite upkeep challenges,” highlights the enduring relevance of these structures while acknowledging the maintenance hurdles they present. Advantages of Timber Bridges Sustainability: Timber is a renewable
- [Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: Cure or Curse?](https://transportfutures.institute/low-traffic-neighbourhoods-cure-or-curse/) - A Contrarian Perspective on Urban Planning Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are widely promoted as a solution to urban congestion, pollution, and road safety issues. Proponents argue that they create more walkable, cyclist-friendly communities while reducing car dependency. However, beneath the optimistic narrative lies a growing controversy. From increased congestion on surrounding roads to economic struggles for
- [Will AI Change How We Travel? ](https://transportfutures.institute/will-ai-change-how-we-travel/) - Imagine a world where your daily commute is planned automatically, your car drives itself, and traffic jams are a thing of the past. Or you don’t have to drive to work at all! This is no longer a distant fantasy but an emerging reality driven by artificial intelligence (AI). AI is reshaping transport as we
- [The Drivers of Transport Demand](https://transportfutures.institute/the-drivers-of-transport-demand/) - A Deep Dive into Demographics, Economics, and Technology This discussion explores the key factors driving transport demand, focusing on the interplay between demographic shifts (population growth, aging, urbanisation), economic conditions (growth, employment patterns, globalisation), and technological advancements (electric vehicles, smart solutions, shared mobility). It highlights how these interconnected forces shape travel patterns and proposes strategies for transport planners to adapt to
- [Evaluating and Selecting Transport Solution Options](https://transportfutures.institute/evaluating-and-selecting-transport-solution-options/) - Decisions in Addressing Transport Challenges This is a discussion on Chapter 5 Decisions from Addressing Transport Challenges is a guide to evaluating and selecting transport policy options. This discussion outlines a multi-stage process beginning with a strategic analysis to determine if an option aligns with overarching goals, followed by a rapid analysis to assess its potential for delivering net benefits, and
- [Strategy in Addressing Transport Challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/strategy-in-addressing-transport-challenges/) - The best strategy is worthless without effective execution, and the best execution is directionless without a sound strategy. Strategy Spotlight: The Three Horizons Framework A practical approach to managing transport initiatives across different time frames: Horizon 3: Transformative futures (5+ years) Horizon 1: Improving current systems (0-2 years) Horizon 2: Emerging opportunities (2-5 years) This excerpt
- [Why Transport Planners Should Embrace Uncertainty: Instead of Trying to Predict the Future](https://transportfutures.institute/why-transport-planners-should-embrace-uncertainty-instead-of-trying-to-predict-the-future/) - Predicting future needs and trends has long been considered a cornerstone of effective strategy in transport planning. However, as our world becomes increasingly complex and rapidly changing, the limitations of long-term forecasting are becoming increasingly apparent. It's time for transport planners to shift their approach from attempting to predict the future to embracing uncertainty. The
- [Multimodal Integration: Strategies for Seamless Connectivity Across Transport Modes](https://transportfutures.institute/multimodal-integration-strategies-for-seamless-connectivity-across-transport-modes/) - "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but a seamless journey integrates many modes." - Adapted from Lao Tzu The Power of Seamless Multimodal Integration In an era of increasing urbanisation and environmental concerns, multimodal integration has emerged as a crucial strategy for creating efficient, sustainable transport systems. By seamlessly connecting
- [Sustainable Urban Mobility ](https://transportfutures.institute/sustainable-urban-mobility/) - The measure of a city's greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, the happiness of its people and in the extent of its provision for the needs of all. Jan Gehl, Danish architect and urban design consultant Global Innovations in Sustainable Urban Mobility As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of
- [Driving Change: How Strategic Planning Can Solve Transport Woes](https://transportfutures.institute/driving-change-how-strategic-planning-can-solve-transport-woes/) - "The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker Strategic Planning: The Cornerstone of Transport Solutions In an era of rapid urbanization, climate change, and technological disruption, strategic planning has become the cornerstone of effective transport solutions. Far from being a mere bureaucratic exercise, well-executed strategic planning can be the
- [The Role of Transport in Building Liveable, Sustainable Communities](https://transportfutures.institute/the-role-of-transport-in-building-liveable-sustainable-communities/) - A city should be built to give its inhabitants security and happiness. - Aristotle Transport plays a vital role in shaping the livability and sustainability of our communities. As a transport professional, I’ve seen firsthand how well-designed transport systems can enhance quality of life, improve access to opportunities, and reduce environmental impacts. Whether it’s creating
- [Road User Charging, or Road Pricing](https://transportfutures.institute/road-user-charging-or-road-pricing/) - The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound. - Marshall McLuhan Road user charging is a hot topic in the transport world, and for good reason. As cities grapple with the twin challenges of congestion and sustainable mobility, putting a price on road
- [The Future of Urban Freight](https://transportfutures.institute/the-future-of-urban-freight/) - Rethinking the Rush Toward Urban Freight Innovation As urban centres continue to grow, the clamour for innovations in last-mile delivery and city logistics grows louder. Advocates tout drones, autonomous vehicles, and AI-powered logistics as the future of urban freight, promising faster delivery times, reduced traffic congestion, and lower emissions. However, a deeper analysis may reveal
- [The Debate Over Congestion Pricing in New York City: A Necessary Solution or an Unfair Burden?](https://transportfutures.institute/the-debate-over-congestion-pricing-in-new-york-city/) - New York City has taken a bold step toward addressing its notorious traffic congestion by implementing a congestion pricing scheme. Listen to a discussion on this article produced by NotebookLM: As of January 12, 2025, motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest districts must pay up to $9, a measure designed to ease congestion and generate funding for
- [Innovative Transit Modes - A New Era of Urban Mobility](https://transportfutures.institute/innovative-transit-modes/) - Urban transportation is witnessing a paradigm shift with the emergence of innovative transit modes. On-demand transit services, like ride-sharing and demand-responsive buses, offer flexibility and convenience, reducing wait times and optimising routes. Micro-mobility solutions, such as electric scooters and bicycles, provide last-mile connectivity, alleviating traffic congestion and reducing carbon footprints. Integrated transport systems, which seamlessly
- [How to Enhance City Mobility Through Strategic Transport Planning](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-enhance-city-mobility/) - Urban transport systems are the lifeblood of cities, facilitating the movement of people and goods, connecting communities, and driving economic growth. In the face of burgeoning populations and rising urbanisation, managing these systems efficiently is a daunting task for city planners and policymakers. Without strategic planning, cities can become paralysed by gridlock, where the sheer
- [Charting the Future of Transport Strategy and Urban Mobility](https://transportfutures.institute/charting-the-future-of-transport-strategy/) - Transforming the transport sector encompasses a comprehensive strategy encompassing the evolution of systems, policy frameworks, and innovations in technology. As urban populations grow and environmental concerns take centre stage, the drive for sustainable transport solutions becomes even more critical. This approach aims to increase efficiency and integrate intelligent systems, while simultaneously prioritising community needs. Key
- [Using AI to help analyse transport challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/using-ai-to-help-analyse-transport-challenges/) - As part of addressing transport challenges in a project, such as developing a strategic plan, an infrastructure improvement or a business case, it is useful to identify the issue drivers (pun intended!) as this can help identify root causes and potential solution options or components. To help with this exercise, I prepared a prompt you
- [How to select a solution to solve transport challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-select-a-solution-to-solve-transport-challenges/) - Transport is not just about moving an object from point A to point B; it is a highly complex system that requires careful strategy and planning to ensure efficiency, sustainability, and seamless connectivity. Enhancing Your Strategic Thinking Abilities: Investing in Development for Professional Growth. Being told that you lack strategic thinking can be discouraging, especially when
- [Navigating Transport Challenges: Analysing, Strategising, and Implementing Innovative Solutions.](https://transportfutures.institute/navigating-transport-challenges/) - The journey of a thousand miles begins with a well-planned and efficient transport strategy. Addressing transport challenges is a complex task that requires careful analysis and creative thinking. Professionals in the transport sector face a range of issues, such as safety, congestion, emissions, and accessibility. To address these challenges, gathering data from various sources and
- [Importance of Innovative Thinking in Transport Planning](https://transportfutures.institute/importance-of-innovative-thinking-in-transport-planning/) - Shaping Future Mobility Strategies. Innovative thinking in transport planning is vital to meet the demands of modern urban environments where efficiency, mobility, and accessibility are paramount. As populations grow and the nature of cities evolves, conventional approaches to transport need to be reimagined. Planners are tasked with designing transport systems that are effective today and
- [Unlock the Secrets to Addressing Transport Challenges!](https://transportfutures.institute/addressing-transport-challenges-secrets/) - Identify, develop and evaluate strategies for addressing transport challenges by unlocking the secrets for successful professionals.
- [How to avoid three common transport planning mistakes](https://transportfutures.institute/avoid-transport-mistakes/) - Solving complex policy issues, such as improving travel time reliability, are challenges facing transport professionals. Problem analysis, however, is not a common skill among transport professionals. Transport Problems are Complex Transport problems are complex and dynamic, making them difficult to comprehend fully. They usually don't have a simple solution, and dealing with them may require
- [Challenges in Managing Major Projects](https://transportfutures.institute/challenges-in-managing-major-projects/) - Delivering major transport projects is very challenging – with long planning horizons, complex interfaces, multiple stakeholders and the potential for major scope changes. Poor project management results in overruns and delays, poor quality outputs, and higher costs. There is increasing pressure for well-planned and delivered transport projects that meet agreed time, cost and quality requirements.
- [How to get your business case approved first time](https://transportfutures.institute/business-case-approved/) - Getting a decision is the culmination of the long process of preparing a business case But it isn't just about giving the decision-maker what they want but requires that you accurately read what they need and value, their interests and priorities and then make sure you present your report so that it addresses these critical
- [What are three powerful ways to integrate transport with land use?](https://transportfutures.institute/integrate-transport/) - Our cities are shaped by where people live, work, learn, shop and play and how they travel around. This is important because ABS indicate that 71% of Australians live in major cities. Integrating land use and transport is vital to sustaining the economy, social interaction and minimising the impact on the environment. On the other
- [What does successful transport integration really mean?](https://transportfutures.institute/successful-transport-integration-really-mean/) - A large proportion of Australians live in cities. Our cities are shaped by where people live, work, learn, shop and play and how they travel around. As transport users, we want connected trips. Transport connectivity is key to enabling the best use of resources, with an emphasis on sustainability. Reducing the overall socio-economic cost of transport infrastructure
- [The Future of Professional Development - Mini-courses](https://transportfutures.institute/future-of-professional-development/) - In today's world professionals are busy, yet want to progress their professional practice and their career, while balancing life and work. Professional development opportunities are limited and often difficult to translate what you learn to your day-to-day work. Graduate qualifications for transport professionals are also very limited, especially for those outside the catchment of university
- [The Future of Professional Development - USQ Mini-courses - update](https://transportfutures.institute/usq-transport-mini-courses/) - See previous article. USQ UpSkill background The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has established UpSkill 'Professional learning for the 21st Century' - with practical online mini-courses. Currently, there are business, management, marketing and education courses, and more are being developed. USQ is a recognised leader in online and blended education and has established a reputation
- [How to Use Critical Thinking for Problem Solving](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-use-critical-thinking-for-problem-solving/) - Don’t just accept everything you read or hear – question and discard any biases by critically assessing the information and making up your own mind. When you use critical thinking techniques to solve problems in your personal or professional life, you can be much surer of a better outcome. Here are the recommended steps in
- [What Does It Really Mean to Think Strategically?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-does-it-really-mean-to-think-strategically/) - Have you ever thought about what it means to think strategically? Does it mean to create strategies like in a war? Is it a skill you are born with or something you learn? Strategic thinking seems like a vague buzzword that senior management tosses around to sound important. Actually, strategic thinking is a skill we
- [Why You Need to Know How to Think Critically](https://transportfutures.institute/why-think-critically/) - Do you ever wonder what heights you could rise to in your personal and professional life if you put all of your thinking into focus? So much of our brain capacity is unused and lying dormant. What if you knew the secret of thinking so that your life would improve tenfold and help you achieve
- [Why is Critical Thinking Important for Professionals?](https://transportfutures.institute/why-is-critical-thinking-important-for-professionals/) - The importance of critical thinking in your life is crucial to keep you from losing out on success, being led astray and to develop into an individual rather than a person who goes along with the masses. It’s a skill that many people lack and one that’s more critical in today’s world than ever because
- [What Does It Take to Be A Strategic Thinker?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-does-it-take-to-be-a-strategic-thinker/) - “Curious, Not Judgmental.” – Walt Whitman Strategic thinking is a skill in how we think, assess, view, solve problems, and create our future for ourselves and others. It’s basically knowing what you to achieve and how to achieve it. It’s not always easy to develop a strategic approach, as it’s both mindset and techniques. Strategic
- [What is the difference between tactical and strategic thinking?](https://transportfutures.institute/difference-tactical-strategic-thinking/) - Let’s look at a few obstacles that currently stand in your way. By exposing and eliminating these obstacles or problems, you’ll be able to develop your career and be more satisfied than you ever thought possible. These are the same overriding concepts that successful career builders understand and operate on. The format of this section
- [Critical Thinking for Problem Solving](https://transportfutures.institute/critical-thinking-for-problem-solving/) - When you use critical thinking techniques to solve problems in your personal or business life, you can be much surer of a satisfying outcome. Critical thinking helps you to make sense of and discard biases and beliefs and statements that are hurled at us through media. Here are some ways that you can use critical
- [How to Deal with Uncertainty when Investing in Transport ](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-deal-with-uncertainty-when-investing-in-transport/) - Current practices for investing in transport are flawed, due to forecasts of future travel used to inform important transport investment decisions. Unfortunately, future estimates are uncertain, as forecasts are influenced by some factors that are unexpected, unpredictable, difficult to predict, and outcomes are not easily quantifiable. Forecasting Transport Using Models Transport models are used to
- [How to Strengthen your Strategic Thinking Skills](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-strengthen-your-strategic-thinking-skills/) - Have you been told that you need to be more strategic? Being told that you aren’t strategic enough really stings. Worse is when you try to clarify what more strategic would look like and get few tangible suggestions. Everyone has an opportunity to think more strategically. Being more strategic doesn't just mean making decisions that
- [How to deliver a solution addressing transport challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-deliver-a-solution-addressing-transport-challenges/) - Effective delivery requires carefully designing the approach to deliver a solution to address transport challenges. This includes consultation, coordination, and subsequently evaluating the results achieved. Transport projects fail because they either experience program failure, which means could not be implemented as designed, or theory failure that is executed as designed but did not produce the desired result. The focus
- [How to get resources to address transport challenges?](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-get-resources/) - In previous articles, I outlined the steps in addressing transport challenges: Role of strategy in solving everyday transport challengesA systematic approach to analysing complex transport challengesHow to select a solution to solve transport challenges The next step is getting a decision on resourcing - a systematic approach to evaluating transport proposals and presenting a business
- [How to select a solution to solve transport challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-select-a-solution/) - Selecting the most appropriate intervention or option to address a transport challenge is the next step after defining the problem, determining the strategy and desired outcomes and analysing the challenges. Usually, there is more than one way to address any transport challenge. Different options have unique contributions, key stakeholders, resourcing and risk profiles. A package
- [Emerging fourth ‘E’ in improving road safety](https://transportfutures.institute/fourth-e-road-safety/) - Road safety has successfully applied the 3 E’s: engineering, education and enforcement, preferably in combination, as they have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing the human costs of road crashes. Now as a result of application of technology the potential of fourth ‘E’: encouragement has emerged as a disruptive business model. The 3 E’s in improving
- [How to use a systematic approach to analysing complex transport challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/analysing-complex-transport-challenges/) - Analysis of transport challenges means identifying and describing the specific problem or problems being faced and getting an understanding of the underlying cause-and-effect relationships. Avoid Mistakes The article “How can you avoid transport policy mistakes?” discussed some of the key mistakes that transport professionals experience when solving complex challenges: Problem-Solution Thinking Forgetting key stakeholder perspectivesIll-defined problem
- [Role of strategy in solving everyday transport challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/role-of-strategy/) - Let us start with defining strategy. What is strategy? A strategy is a longer term direction to achieve a particular goal. For example, the vision for road safety is ‘No person should be killed or seriously injured on Australia’s roads’ and the strategy to achieve that includes ‘adopting the safe system approach – safe roads, safe speeds, safe
- [How to Define and Scope a Transport Problem](https://transportfutures.institute/define-a-transport-problem/) - Being able to thoughtfully define a transport problem is key to success. Don’t fall into the trap many professionals do by jumping to a solution, without fully understanding what the problem really is. Before a transport solution can be developed to tackle a pressing issue, the problem must be carefully defined and scoped. Transport problems are seldom
- [What is the value of multimodal integrated transport planning?](https://transportfutures.institute/value-of-multimodal-integrated-transport-planning/) - Click here for “What does transport integration really mean?” Can you name all the key changes that have taken place over the past few years? And explain what those changes mean for you, your organisation, and for the industry as a whole? Do you fully comprehend the relationships between transport, land use and planning studies? Can you thoroughly describe
- [The 4 Disciplines of Execution](https://transportfutures.institute/the-4-disciplines-of-execution/) - Execution requires behavioural change, which is one of the hardest things to generate. The greatest enemy of change is the day-to-day activities just to keep things running. The urgent but not important. Delivery involves translating planning and thinking to execution and involves two levels – ‘what’ has to be achieved and ‘how’ to achieve the
- [Professionals need to Master Strategy](https://transportfutures.institute/master-strategy/) - Most professionals struggle with strategy. They know that strategy is important in order to deliver the results, but consider it is senior management's responsibility. However, all projects and plans should start with strategy – the why. Before getting into the what, how, who and when, you first need to be clear on the why. What is
- [How to understand the 7 motivators of travel demand?](https://transportfutures.institute/understand-7-motivators-of-travel-demand/) - 'Historically, infrastructure planning has sought to project future conditions as an extension of today, then provided infrastructure to meet anticipated demand. In 2021 and beyond, the approach must be more robust.' Infrastructure Australia. 2021. Reforms to meet Australia's future infrastructure needs, p5 Putting the customer first is top priority for transport agencies. This requires improving
- [Why doesn’t smart growth emphasise freight?](https://transportfutures.institute/smart-growth-freight-2/) - While freight transport is vital to regional economies and our everyday lives, smart growth approaches tend to neglect it, or only consider significant negative controls over freight activities. What is smart growth? Smart growth aims to improve the quality of life in communities, with a strong sustainability emphasis, aiming to conserve energy and protect environmental quality. A
- [How to generate the best list of solution options](https://transportfutures.institute/solution-options/) - Most business case fall short when generating a long list of options. Let us consider this issue from three perspectives. Firstly clarify the problem or opportunity. Business Cases are often constrained by what I call ‘in the box’ thinking. The constraints include funding availability, political and community expectations, published strategies or plans, or constrained by
- [Cohort Based Courses - the next phase of online education?](https://transportfutures.institute/cohort-based-courses/) - A cohort based course is an online course where a group (cohort) of students learn at the same time, usually over a fixed period, with a mix of online materials (watch videos, read text etc), live classes with an instructor and peer group collaboration and projects. What have been the phases of online learning? The
- [How to establish the baseline for a business case](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-establish-the-baseline-for-a-business-case/) - Successfully completing a business case requires establishing a robust baseline – there are three elements to consider: the base caseassumptions underlying the demand forecaststreatment of risk and uncertainty The Base Case Project evaluations compare the costs and benefits of doing something, or the project case, with not doing it, or the base case. The base
- [Ten Ways Professionals Can Influence Decisions](https://transportfutures.institute/ten-ways-professionals-can-influence-decisions/) - Today’s professional is expected to work smarter and work harder. But what does working smarter and harder means? Professional practice effects how you are perceived by your peers and management: who you are, what you’ve got to offer, how viable your ideas are, and how well you present them. It is what makes people listen
- [What are the key steps in managing transport outcomes?](https://transportfutures.institute/managing-transport-outcomes/) - In a constrained transport funding context, it is more and more important to be able to manage projects and programs to achieve the greatest impact and make efficient use of limited resources. This requires us to identify and manage transport outcomes, do more with less, and ensure the greatest value for money. At the whole
- [Use DICE to beat the odds in Project Management](https://transportfutures.institute/use-dice/) - Successful project management use DICE factors to beat the odds. Ask four different project managers what are the critical factors of successful delivered projects and you will probably get four different answers. This is because they each would have different lessons learned from their own experience. Extensive research by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found
- [Using a Logical Framework to deliver Outcomes](https://transportfutures.institute/logical-framework/) - How does your project contribute to delivering the strategic outcomes, the desired results? In this short video I explain how to align your project to desired outcomes using a LogFrame or Logical Framework Analysis. In your experience: How often are projects properly aligned with desired outcomes? – post your comments
- [When to create a business case](https://transportfutures.institute/when-to-create-a-business-case/) - Need to solve a problem? Want to take advantage of a new opportunity? Start by building a business case. What is a business case? You may feel pressure to propose a quick solution in order to seize an opportunity or to solve a problem. But recommending an action without considering a range of alternatives is
- [Dealing with Unexpectedness](https://transportfutures.institute/dealing-unexpectedness/) - How should we deal with traffic incidents at critical times and locations, which cause major, unexpected problems for users? Operators of road traffic networks are under increasing pressure to maintain acceptable levels of service, with declining resources and competing priorities. Urban traffic networks are not able to keep pace with the growth in travel,
- [Estimating patronage demand for public transport: optimism or exaggeration?](https://transportfutures.institute/estimating-patronage-demand/) - Large public transport projects require patronage demand estimates for planning and investment purposes. While patronage forecasting has been in use for over 50 years, providing the basis for determining the best option to a transport problem and guide investment decisions, they are more often than not, wrong! Forecasts involve large data collection and analysis exercises
- [What will be the 'new normal' for transport?](https://transportfutures.institute/new-normal/) - Much of the work of transport professionals involves delivering projects. Setting up the foundation is key to success - whether a planning project or business case or a technical or infrastructure delivery project. I’ve been thinking about what transport will look like in the ‘new’ normal – whenever and whatever that looks like. Currently, the traffic
- [Are you a rational or biased professional?](https://transportfutures.institute/are-you-a-rational-or-biased-professional/) - We like to think we are rational decision-making professionals. But the research shows we all have a vast number of biases. Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of behaviour, which means we deviate from making rational judgments. Many of these biases are mental shortcuts, called heuristics, that our brain uses to help us make decisions. Wikipedia
- [How to Write an Executive Summary for your Business Case](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-write-an-executive-summary-for-your-business-case/) - Being asked to write an executive summary for a business case proposal may be a daunting prospect if you’ve never done it before. It is much more straightforward when you keep some simple concepts in mind as outlined below. Intended Audience Firstly, it is very important to know your audience. The intended audience for an
- [Seven success principles for transport business cases](https://transportfutures.institute/success-principles-for-transport-business-cases/) - Investment appraisal is about deciding the option that promises the best return, relative to the risk of failure involved. What are the success principles that help you in developing a robust business case? For a private investor considering an investment, the project option that returns the best profit, relative to the amount invested and the
- [Should Your Business Case Emphasise Qualitative Assessment?](https://transportfutures.institute/should-your-business-case-emphasise-qualitative-assessment/) - Let’s start with quantitative analysis like benefit-cost analysis (BCA) – there is a lot of experience behind this quantitative approach and is supported, mandated even, by central funding agencies, particularly Treasury departments. So, let me start with BCA. This method is only as good as the data behind the analysis, which usually depends on demand
- [Is the Task at Hand Considered a Project?](https://transportfutures.institute/is-the-task-at-hand-considered-a-project/) - Much of a professional’s day-to-day work involves delivering projects. When you think of project management, many people tend to picture teams in large organisations working on large-scale projects. Many of your smaller tasks are actually projects as well. It can be disastrous to mistake a project for regular work. According to the Project Management Institute
- [What are the keys to success in delivering project results?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-are-the-keys-to-success-in-delivering-project-results/) - So, you want to get your projects delivered more efficiently and effectively? Here is the first step toward achieving that goal. Understand the keys to success in delivering results. Most professionals are managing projects covertly – and doing so by the seat of their pants! Between 60-80 per cent of a professional’s time is project
- [How agile a professional are you?](https://transportfutures.institute/agile-professional/) - A previous article referred to the four traits of a ‘super’ professional: resilience, autonomy, agility and clarity. In the previous two articles I described the characteristics of resilience and autonomy. In this article, three of four in the series, let us explore agility. This is the ability to move quickly and easily and changing direction if
- [Seven things professionals can do to improve their focus at work](https://transportfutures.institute/focus-at-work/) - Are you a professional that skips from task to task at work without focus? Or do you spend a significant amount of time without getting to today’s most important task? Keep reading to learn the seven things you could be doing to improve your focus and productivity. 1. Use The ‘Touch It Once’ Rule When
- [Optimism Bias in Project Planning](https://transportfutures.institute/optimism-bias-in-transport-planning/) - Professor Bent Flyvbjerg in his research identified two main causes of misinformation in policy and management: strategic misrepresentation (or lying!) and optimism bias (appraisal optimism). Strategic misrepresentation is the planned, systematic distortion or misstatement of fact in response to incentives in the budget process. Optimism bias is the demonstrated systematic tendency for people to be
- [What is micro-learning and why is it important?](https://transportfutures.institute/micro-learning/) - Micro-learning involves courses with smaller chunks of content, which research showing much better information retention and overall comprehension. [1] There is a common misunderstanding that micro-learning is needed because attention spans are getting shorter. The “Goldfish Myth” states that the average human attention span is now just 8 seconds, which is less than the average
- [What does transport integration really mean?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-does-transport-integration-really-mean/) - Our cities are shaped by where people live, work, learn, shop and play and how they travel around. As transport users, we want connected trips. Transport connectivity is key to enabling the best use of resources, with an emphasis on sustainability. Reducing the overall socio-economic cost of transport infrastructure and services is key to achieving
- [Are there more than 3 E's in Road Safety?](https://transportfutures.institute/more-than-3es-in-road-safety/) - Success in improving road safety is achieved by applying the 'traditional' 3 E’s: Engineering, Education and Enforcement, preferably in combination. 'Engineering' refers to building safer road infrastructure, traffic engineering and vehicle and equipment safety. Road safety 'education' is a combination of driver training, and public education, in the form of promotions or advertisements on radio,
- [What every transport professional should know about road safety](https://transportfutures.institute/what-every-transport-professional-should-know-about-road-safety/) - Road safety refers to the interventions or countermeasures used to reduce or prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Let me outline some of the road safety myths and facts that every transport professional should know. 1. “Road safety is no accident” An accident is defined as ... An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly
- [How to manage transport performance](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-manage-transport-performance/) - The maxim of ‘what gets measured gets done’ is very true. A carefully selected performance measure and target that is regularly reported provides a very real incentive and results focus. The success of any transport program can be measured a number of ways, reflecting the diverse perspectives of the different stakeholders. The primary categories of transport
- [Passenger Transport Performance across Australia](https://transportfutures.institute/passenger-transport-performance-across-australia/) - A collation of articles and websites on passenger transport performance across Australia. Australian Public Transport Barometer The Australian Public Transport Barometer has been developed in partnership between the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) and L.E.K. to provide up-to-date insights about the performance of major metropolitan public transport networks in Australia. As each of the major
- [Freight Transport Strategy and Performance](https://transportfutures.institute/freight-transport-strategy-and-performance/) - A collation of articles and websites on freight transport strategy and performance. National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy Released in August 2019, the Strategy is an agreed national approach to Australia’s freight and supply chains. There are six delivery areas that will be reported in an annual evaluation of performance: Improved efficiency and international competitivenessSafe,
- [Are you missing this key step?](https://transportfutures.institute/missing-key-step/) - To be a successful professional you should follow the Kaizen principle, or continuous improvement. Best practice program and project management methodologies follow the life-cycle of: Initiate or Concept > Plan > Execute or Deliver > Monitor and Review. In my experience the last step often gets missed. To be able to continuously improve means understanding
- [Using program logic to ensure successful transport outcomes](https://transportfutures.institute/program-logic/) - However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. ~ Winston Churchill 1874-1965, UK Prime Minister Monitoring the success of the outcomes of transport programs is not done well, even though transport agencies are accountable for the effective use of public funds. Demonstrating the success of current transport programs, in delivering transport outcomes,
- [A time of unprecedented change in the transport system](https://transportfutures.institute/a-time-of-unprecedented-change-in-the-transport-system/) - The UK Government Foresight report, published in January 2019, reviews emerging trends, challenges and opportunities for the UK transport system out to 2040. Similar challenges and opportunities can be extrapolated for other jurisdictions, including Australia. The report considers four plausible future scenarios to help decision-makers think about the future of transport. Transport users are experiencing
- [Where the Future of Road Safety?](https://transportfutures.institute/future-of-road-safety/) - Road safety at its core has the inherent risks from a combination of the physical vulnerability of the human body and the levels of kinetic energy in crashes - resulting from speed and mass. Looking back, in Australia the peak road safety fatality rate occurred in the early 1970’s - in excess of 30 fatalities
- [Movement + Safety](https://transportfutures.institute/movement-safety/) - In the most basic sense transport is about movement and safety. The safe movement of people and goods. Movement of people by driving or being driven, travelling by bus or train or tram, cycling and walking. There are seven whys of travel. Seven Whys Movement can be considered using the lens of the seven whys: 1
- [Five key problem solving skills for professionals](https://transportfutures.institute/key-problem-solving-skills/) - Problem solving is a key success skill for professionals. It is a skill that is invaluable to protect your future career, whether in the public or private sector, and your personal life. What are the five key skills that are needed to be a good problem solver? Analytical Ability - knowing how to gather data, articulate,
- [Autonomous Shared Vehicles - a good thing?](https://transportfutures.institute/autonomous-shared-vehicles/) - Autonomous shared vehicles are already on the road in a number of cities in the United States. Lyft has provided 50,000 automated rides to paying passengers in Las Vegas, Nevada over the past year, with an average rating of 4.97 out of 5! 92% of passengers said they felt ‘very safe’ or ‘extremely safe’ during
- [Do you focus on your strengths?](https://transportfutures.institute/do-you-focus-on-your-strengths/) - Let me ask you a question … as a professional are you focused on developing and expanding your strengths? The traditional approach, that we have all been told from a young age, is to work on and improve your weaknesses. Many people spend a huge amount of time trying to get better in lots of
- [Trait four of a super-professional: CLARITY](https://transportfutures.institute/clarity/) - Clarity is the fourth in the series of key characteristics of a 'super' professional. In previous articles, I described resilience, autonomy, and agility. Let us explore clarity. Clarity means clearness of purpose and primarily results from simplicity, that is, simple rules, processes and solutions. Complexity may result from well-intentioned, incremental additions to rules and processes,
- [As a professional do you have autonomy?](https://transportfutures.institute/as-a-professional-do-you-have-autonomy/) - In the previous article on resilience I referred to the four traits of a ‘super’ professional: resilience, autonomy, agility and clarity. This article explores what autonomy means for professionals — you want more autonomy and control of your professional practice, your work and your career. Autonomy means being able to make decisions independently, without having to refer to someone else, to
- [Are you a resilient professional?](https://transportfutures.institute/are-you-a-resilient-professional/) - There are four traits of a ‘super’ professional: resilience, autonomy, agility and clarity. So let us start with resilience, which means the capacity to recover quickly from difficulty, or adversity or setbacks – or in one word ‘toughness’. Dean Becker from Adaptiv Learning Systems found that the level of resilience a person exhibits determines their success, far more
- [How to avoid overwhelm and complete projects](https://transportfutures.institute/how-to-avoid-overwhelm-and-complete-projects/) - Whenever you have a deadline, somehow, you're able to get the job done working right up to the deadline. But other projects never seem to get done. We need to complete projects that are urgent, but projects that are very important but not so urgent often get left for tomorrow (and maybe never!). How do
- [Can Vision Zero improve road safety?](https://transportfutures.institute/vision-zero-improve-road-safety/) - In 2018 an estimated 1,143 people died on Australian roads — the lowest road toll since 1929 (when the population was only one quarter of 2018). What can be done to reduce the road toll even further? Sweden legislated Vision Zero way back in 1997 - a philosophy of road safety that aims to achive no
- [Professionals need to use strategic thinking](https://transportfutures.institute/professionals-need-to-use-strategic-thinking/) - When you hear the words strategic thinking what comes to mind?Do you shudder and say to yourself — not for me? Or do you glaze over and just want to get on with the job at hand? Plan your work, work your plan I’ve observed that many professionals only plan their work one day at a time. They get
- [How can you be more certain in getting decisions made?](https://transportfutures.institute/how-can-you-be-more-certain-in-getting-decisions-made/) - A big challenge for technical professionals is how to get decisions such as approval to their proposals. Along the path from technical detailed analysis and design to a strategic proposal, technical professionals can be challenged with the ‘strategic’ bit in selling the ‘story’ why the proposal is value for money and should be approved. Firstly,
- [What can you do about the half-life of your professional knowledge?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-can-you-do-about-the-half-life-of-your-professional-knowledge/) - With the exponential growth in information, professionals face a knowledge half-life dilemma. I love the line in Men in Black where Tommy Lee Jone’s character says: 1,500 years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was the center of the universe. 500 years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago, you
- [What are you doing to progress your career?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-are-you-doing-to-progress-your-career/) - Are you concerned about where your career is heading? Maybe you are unhappy in your job or feel your skill and expertise are not being full use. In reality you are in control. You can control how to progress your career. Technical professionals who are prepared, have enormous opportunities in the next decade. This is because
- [Professional Identity: Who am I?](https://transportfutures.institute/professional-identity-who-am-i/) - Professional identity involves at least partially answering the question ‘who am I?’ For a professional it is how you perceive yourself in relation to your profession and your membership of that profession. Identity is created through beliefs and attitudes, values, motives and experiences through which you define yourself, in your professional life. It is associated
- [Cost of Traffic Incidents](https://transportfutures.institute/cost-of-traffic-incidents/) - Large urban areas are facing an increasing challenge of mobility (congestion), safety and environmental impacts due to traffic incidents. Traffic incidents are estimated to account for about 25% of traffic congestion and bad weather another 15% (FHWA 2007). Hence congestion due to traffic incidents and bad weather can be as much as 40% of the
- [Are we there yet?](https://transportfutures.institute/are-we-there-yet-2/) - Looking back ten years or so, and reflecting on what has transpired over the intervening years, amazing changes have taken place – many we could not have imagined, in terms of changes in society, developments in technology and economic growth ... including the growth in duration and extent of traffic congestion. However, much of what
- [Are you concerned about your future professional career?](https://transportfutures.institute/are-you-concerned-about-your-future-professional-career/) - How to protect your future career Let’s talk about where professional’s careers are heading and what you can do to be more successful. What do you think the world will be like in ten years’ time? If you cast your mind back ten years, you couldn’t have imagined the developments that have occurred in that time. There
- [Get started, don’t put it off](https://transportfutures.institute/get-started-dont-put-it-off/) - The secret of getting ahead is getting started.Mark Twain (1835-1910) You cannot manage time. Time stops for no-one. And you can’t store time. You can control how you use your time, what you do first, what you do second and so on. However, we all procrastinate. A key to high performance is overcoming procrastination by
- [Are you a Hedgehog or a Fox?](https://transportfutures.institute/are-you-a-hedgehog-or-a-fox/) - The first known recording of this observation was a written fragment from Ancient Greek Poet Archilochus around 680 BC: The fox knows many things; the hedgehog one big thing. “The Hedgehog and The Fox” was also the title of an essay by philosopher Isaiah Berlin in the 1950’s. And Jim Collin’s in his book Good
- [How to become a better professional?](https://transportfutures.institute/become-better-professional/) - pro·fes·sion·al /prəˈfɛʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ noun: a person competent or skilled in a particular activity. You are a professional if you are a member of a vocation or occupation that has specialised education, knowledge, skills or experience, usually with tertiary qualifications and industry experience. You are a professional if you are: highly educated in a specific field, with
- [What are some of the challenges in evaluating public transport?](https://transportfutures.institute/challenges-evaluating-public-transport/) - The difficulty in the appraisal of public transport projects is well understood. The main issue relates to accurately identifying and describing the costs and benefits. Any initiative that improves public transport could be expected to increase public transport use. Costs are short term (capital infrastructure and vehicles) and long term (operations and maintenance), and low
- [Fair public transport fares?](https://transportfutures.institute/fair-public-transport-fares/) - Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister, is attributed with the statement: Any man who rides a bus to work after the age of 30 can count himself a failure in life! In early 2014 governments were jacking up public transport fares yet again. Sydney increased rail fares by 3.5% and bus fares by 2.4%, Melbourne
- [What are fair public transport fares?](https://transportfutures.institute/fair-public-transport-fares-2/) - Public transport fare policy is complex and fraught with compromises. Some call for free public transport. Others suggest the cost of car travel in peak periods should be have a congestion charge to provide a more level playing field (like London and Singapore). At the same time, governments are trying to balance budgets, with less
- [Show me the money](https://transportfutures.institute/show-money/) - Our cities are slowing down. Traffic speeds have continued to slow in metropolitan cities over the past 10 years. This affects mobility increases fuel use and vehicle emissions and makes road based public transport slower and more expensive to operate. Professionals are facing significant challenges in the provision of mobility and access - a major
- [Where Next with Public Transport?](https://transportfutures.institute/next-public-transport/) - The Australian Infrastructure Plan released in February 2016 by Infrastructure Australia (IA) has some key findings and recommendations for public transport across Australia. With the project growth in population to 30 million over the next 15 years, and 5.9 million of that growth occurring in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, there will be much greater demands on
- [Are buses really running so late?](https://transportfutures.institute/buses-really-running-late/) - Criticism of the performance of public transport has been in the media, with headlines like: "Brisbane buses late 16 per cent of time". This is as a result of the Queensland Government restarting the publication of performance report called TransLink Tracker, with the second quarter of 2015/16 being published this month. Public transport performance is a
- [How to find time for your professional development](https://transportfutures.institute/find-time/) - You need to make building capability a priority in your life Do you want to become more marketable and be able to win that promotion or new job or get selected for the best projects? Then you have to regularly take time to learn a new skill and develop your knowledge. But do you struggle
- [A Whole New Mind - a whole new world](https://transportfutures.institute/whole-new-mind-whole-new-world/) - A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink describes the dawning of the 'Conceptual Age'. Just as information workers surpassed physical laborers in economic importance, Pink claims, the workplace terrain is changing yet again, and power will inevitably shift to people who possess strong right brain qualities - inventiveness, empathy,
- [Four principles of problem solving](https://transportfutures.institute/four-principles-problem-solving/) - George Pólya in his 1957 book How to Solve It suggests the following steps when solving a problem: First, you have to understand the problem After understanding, then make a plan. Carry out the plan. Look back on your work. How could it be better? If this technique fails, Pólya advises: “If you can't solve a problem, then
- [Why you should be a life-long learner](https://transportfutures.institute/life-long-learner/) - You finish high school, go on to university, and maybe pursue graduate education – all with the plan of preparing yourself for a career. When you are in your early 20’s, school feels like a means to an end – you have been at school for 16 years or more. Once you have a few years in
- [How many productive hours a day do you work?](https://transportfutures.institute/many-productive-hours-day-work/) - So what is productive time? Before I answer the question, how about an exercise. Get a timer (can be on your watch or your computer or a kitchen timer) and set it for 60 minutes and then just work on a priority task during those 60 minutes – nothing else. Let me tell you, at
- [Continuing your education?](https://transportfutures.institute/continuing-education/) - The academic curriculum cannot keep pace with the demands of industry, nor the demands of working professionals. The content of undergraduate education has diminished over the course of the past few decades - primarily in an effort to reduce the cost burden (to government and students), produce more graduates, and maintain the financial outcomes for
- [Art of the Start](https://transportfutures.institute/art-start/) - Art of the Start The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki (2004) Interesting book on what it takes to be an entrepreneur and a lot of these concepts can apply to transport strategy implementation. The Art of the Start gives the essential steps to launch great products and services. It shows
- [Get started, don’t worry about finishing](https://transportfutures.institute/get-started-dont-worry-finishing/) - A common challenge I face is starting the important, but not urgent project, but not finishing. It is easy to get started on the new project. I am motivated, even excited, to start a new and interesting project but somewhere along the way I get diverted or lose enthusiasm and find it difficult to make
- [How to get things done, today!](https://transportfutures.institute/get-things-done-today/) - Some days you begin with the best intentions ... and end with the feeling that you achieved nothing of substance. You sit down at your desk, determined to get things done. Then you answer a dozen emails... take a few phone calls... answer a question from your boss... help a colleague solve a problem... And
- [What is research?](https://transportfutures.institute/research/) - Research is ... the systematic investigation into, and study of materials, sources etc in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. A research project can aim to achieve one, or both, of the following: teach you about how to do research, the research process and how to write a report find an answer to
- [Are you living a charged life?](https://transportfutures.institute/living-charged-life/) - In Brendon Burchard's book The Charge he begins by asking: are you trying to muster up enough energy and enthusiasm to get through your busy, meeting choked day? Are you also just trying to make it to the weekend so you can do the something you really want to do? He identifies three modes of living and we
- [How to avoid being overwhelmed by your work](https://transportfutures.institute/avoid-being-overwhelmed/) - It happens to all of us at some time. You get overwhelmed by your work, by the things than need to get done. You get to the point where you don’t know what to do next. This can have serious consequences. It slows you down, frustrates you, causes you stress and you don’t end up
- [The 80/20 Principle](https://transportfutures.institute/8020-principle/) - Would you like to learn how to get more done with less effort, eliminate wasteful activities? The 80/20 Principle, or Pareto Principle, or the Law of the Critical Few, has been described in all sorts of ways by many different people, but the central idea is the same: a few things are responsible for most
- [How to write your future career script](https://transportfutures.institute/your-future-career/) - Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. ~ Confucius Skilled transport professionals are in high demand and short supply ... you need to write your own future career script. To keep up with the rapid change in the workplace you need to take control of
- [What does success mean for you?](https://transportfutures.institute/success-mean/) - Therefore it is important to stop for a while and think about what success means for us. What is success? the dictionary definitions include: The accomplishment of an aim or purpose. The achievement of something desired, planned or attempted. The attainment of wealth, position or eminence. There are no right or wrong answers, because it depends
- [Eleven Reasons To Be Excited About The Future of Technology](https://transportfutures.institute/eleven-reasons-excited-future-technology/) - “The strongest force propelling human progress has been the swift advance and wide diffusion of technology.” — The Economist There are many exciting new technologies that will continue to transform the world and improve human welfare. Here are eleven of them. see article by Chris Dixon on Medium Self-Driving Cars Clean Energy Virtual and Augmented Reality Drones
- [How to avoid problem-solution thinking](https://transportfutures.institute/problem-solution-thinking/) - Transport challenges are complex and dynamic, and usually don't have agreed solutions. To solve transport challenges or problems, you need to involve a range of key stakeholders who have a keen interest, often with disparate views on what to do. Key stakeholders have a significant interest in the problem or can have a major influence on the approach
- [Semi-autonomous Truck Platoons in Europe](https://transportfutures.institute/semi-autonomous-trucks/) - Is the emerging autonomous vehicle technology suitable for freight vehicles in Australia? A demonstration convoy involving six truck manufacturers drove across Europe in April 2016, sponsored by the Netherlands transport agency. These trucks used autonomous driving technologies to communicate wirelessly and follow in close succession. Semi-autonomous refers to the need for a driver at least in the first truck.
- [Are we ready for disruption in public transport operations?](https://transportfutures.institute/ready-disruption-public-transport-operations/) - In the point-to-point transport sector, ride sharing services like UberX, GoCar and GoCatch have disrupted the industry. And government policy has been struggling to keep up, in the context of a highly regulated taxi industry and their very vocal complaints. The disruption is not over yet! What could this mean for the future of public transport? Autonomous
- [Bus network design: CSO or ROI?](https://transportfutures.institute/bus-network-design-cso-roi/) - Bus network design involves difficult choices, and trade-offs between competing objectives, within funding constraints. At one end of the spectrum, investment in public bus services aims to achieve the strategic community outcome of moving people in an efficient manner. I refer to this as ROI or return on investment, using the commercial definition. Jarrett Walker of Human Transit refers to this
- [Could traffic incident response services help reduce traffic congestion?](https://transportfutures.institute/traffic-incident-response-services-help-reduce-traffic-congestion/) - Public sector road traffic agencies have limited opportunities for a direct relationship with their customers, the users. As the move towards road user charging continues, then providing quality customer service, and building the relationship with their customers will require a significant change in focus. Two of the major challenges currently facing traffic agencies are increasing
- [How to find time for your professional development](https://transportfutures.institute/find-time-professional-development/) - You need to make building capability a priority in your professional life. Do you want to become more marketable and be able to win that promotion or new job or get selected for the best projects? Then you have to take time to develop your knowledge and learn new skills. But do you struggle to
- [Think lattice, not ladder career development](https://transportfutures.institute/think-lattice-ladder-career-development/) - What should be the career development strategy for technical professionals? A major challenge facing transport agencies is being able to readily obtain the required skills and expertise to plan, design, implement, operate and maintain smart transport infrastructure and services. The public sector is still the predominant transport system owner and operator in Australia, although increasingly the private
- [How to ensure the success of smart mobility](https://transportfutures.institute/ensure-success-of-smart-mobility/) - Measuring smart mobility initiatives is critical to success. Transport agencies and companies are accountable for the return on investment funds and it is in their interest to demonstrate the success of past investment in moving towards desired transport outcomes, when seeking funding for future programs. However, post-evaluation of transport projects is rarely conducted. The
- [The next generation public transport](https://transportfutures.institute/next-generation-public-transport/) - Public transport is a key component of addressing the wicked problem of traffic congestion. The question is, how to encourage and sustain patronage by next generation users. Recent research is providing suggested directions, moving forward. A major policy problem facing transport professionals is how to reduce traffic congestion and improve transport productivity - a
- [How do you know that public transport services are performing?](https://transportfutures.institute/know-public-transport-services-performing/) - The performance and reliability of road based public transport services is become an increasing challenge, and priority. Traffic congestion is the dominant challenge in cities across Australia. In the recently released Australian Infrastructure Audit 2015 it was forecast that: The passenger transport task (both road and public transport) across our six largest capital cities is projected
- [The Seven Whys of Travel Demand](https://transportfutures.institute/seven-whys-travel-demand/) - Congestion is the dominant challenge in cities and infrastructure networks [1] Putting the customer first is top priority for most transport agencies. This requires improving the quality of service to users by providing key infrastructure improvements, offering travel choices, managing as one network and providing integrated services. Forecasting means a bottom up approach, projecting from where
- [Your future career](https://transportfutures.institute/future-career/) - A major challenge facing public transport professionals is identifying ongoing opportunities for the development of their knowledge and skills, and obtaining a recognised qualification. Most professionals currently learn ‘on the job’, being mentored by more experienced professionals and gaining experience over time. Related qualifications in engineering, planning, technology and the sciences are the usual areas
- [Next Generation Traffic Management](https://transportfutures.institute/4639-2/) - What are potential next generation road system management innovations to address ever increasing demands on major urban road networks with more and more data becoming available? Australian road owners and operators in major urban areas, both public and private, are facing ever increasing traffic volumes and more pervasive traffic congestion, constrained funding for new
- [Would you like traffic incident response services with that?](https://transportfutures.institute/would-you-like-traffic-incident-response-services-with-that/) - If the trend towards road user charging continues then that relationship and providing quality customer service will require a significant change in focus for these agencies. Highway agencies have limited opportunities for a direct relationship with their customers, the road users. Two of the major challenges facing highway agencies into the next decade will be
- [How can we tame the wicked traffic congestion problem?](https://transportfutures.institute/wicked-traffic-congestion/) - Traffic congestion is a wicked problem. What steps can we take to tame congestion? Wicked problems A wicked problem is difficult, if not impossible to solve. The term ‘wicked problem’ was coined by Rittel and Webber back in 1973 in a social planning context. [1] They observed that a whole realm of wicked problems
- [What do we want from government transport policy in the 21st century?](https://transportfutures.institute/government-transport-policy/) - The prime reason governments intervene in the transport policy domain is often stated at deriving from some form of “market failure”. That is to say, if things were left to individual firms and persons in our society, a sub-optimal, or more likely unacceptable situation would arise. A classic example of transport policy intervention occurs in
- [How better transport results from land use planning](https://transportfutures.institute/better-transport-planning/) - Why is understanding the linkages between land use and transport so important for transport and planning professionals? Transport is a primarily a derived demand, we travel in order to get to a destination, to undertake an activity and to carry goods. Land use is a key determinant of the need, when, how, and where to
- [What are the options for more transport funding?](https://transportfutures.institute/transport-funding-options/) - Transport professionals need to find innovative ways to deliver transport projects in the face of demands for do more for less. These challenges have resulted from: strong passenger and freight transport demand governments at all levels tighten budgets, to get their finances in order costs to provide and maintain services and infrastructure have been rising
- [How to use lean project management for transport projects and programs](https://transportfutures.institute/lean-project-management/) - Smart transport professionals deliver the greatest impact for the resources that they have available, by using a systematic approach to planning and delivering lean transport projects. Lean project management is about delivering more value for less. The key is stripping away everything that does not add value in terms of providing outcomes for the end
- [Do more for less – introduce disruptive innovation in transport](https://transportfutures.institute/disruptive-innovation-in-transport/) - The biggest issue facing transport professionals is how to improve productivity – deliver more in a constrained resource environment. As consumers, we are accustomed to the constant productivity improvements in technology and related services that lead to dramatic price reductions and performance improvements – known as disruptive innovation. Past examples of disruptive innovations include the
- [What is successful transport integration?](https://transportfutures.institute/what-is-successful-transport-integration/) - Understanding the essence of transport integration is the first step to building a successful transport system. What does Transport Integration Really Mean? The term “integration” gets used a lot by transport planners. But what does it really mean? Let us consider the importance of integration from a user’s perspective. It can be distilled down to
- [How to plan for smart growth freight transport](https://transportfutures.institute/smart-growth-freight/) - Smart growth aims to improve the quality of life in communities, with a strong sustainability emphasis, aiming to conserve energy and protect environmental quality. A key smart growth theme is efficiency – reducing the socio-economic cost per-capita of infrastructure and services. This requires transport and planning professionals to plan future land use patterns which
- [How to ‘sweat’ your transport project](https://transportfutures.institute/sweat-your-transport-project/) - High performing transport professionals need to adopt a mindset of squeezing more out of their projects, doing more for less. Using this approach means your project is more likely to be supported (funded), at a time when transport agencies are facing significantly reduced budgets. In 2010 the UK Highways Agency funding levels were reduced from £2.6B
- [Doing more for transport with less money – the new way](https://transportfutures.institute/doing-more-with-less/) - As Australia moves through the first quarter of the 21st century, the need to find new ways to fund essential transport infrastructure and services is becoming increasingly urgent. This is attributable to the collision of several important elements: expectations of a good level of service on both roads and public transport continue to increase, as
- [How to be a better transport professional](https://transportfutures.institute/transport-professional/) - You are a professional if you are a member of a vocation or occupation that has specialised knowledge, skills, education or experience. For example an engineer or planner with a degree and three to five years experience can be considered a professional. You are a professional if you are: highly educated in a specific field,
- [Enhance Your Professional Status with CPD Badges](https://transportfutures.institute/cpd-badges/) - You put in a solid day’s work for a full day’s pay. While that’s something to be proud of, it doesn’t help you stand out much from the crowd. In a field as specialised as transport, it pays to distinguish yourself from the rest. Most everybody in the industry has a university degree under their
- [Reducing transport carbon emissions](https://transportfutures.institute/reducing-transport-carbon-emissions/) - Stern in his 2006 report concluded that the economic, social and environmental cost of doing nothing is much higher than reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide is a hot topic for transport policy professionals. Australia's transport contributes about 14% of all greenhouse gas and can be expected to grow in line
- [Improving Traffic Incident Management: Literature Review](https://transportfutures.institute/improving-traffic-incident-management-literature-review/) - Austroads released a literature review report in January 2007 from its Improving Traffic Incident Management project. The project involves a review of traffic incident management in major urban regions across Australia and New Zealand and is designed to identify innovative practices that may be suitable for wider application, as well as provide a benchmark for
- [Review of Current Traffic Incident Management Practices](https://transportfutures.institute/review-of-current-traffic-incident-management-practices/) - Austroads released the second report from its Improving Traffic Incident Management project. The project involves a review of traffic incident management in major urban regions across Australia and New Zealand and is designed to identify innovative practices that may be suitable for wider application, as well as provide a benchmark for ongoing improvement. This report
- [Improving Traffic Incident Management: Evaluation Framework](https://transportfutures.institute/improving-traffic-incident-management-evaluation-framework/) - The third report of Austroads Project Improving Traffic Incident Management published in January 2007 provides an evaluation framework to assess priorities for new alternatives in traffic incident management (TIM). It involves a literature review of relevant evaluation approaches followed by application to three case studies.It was found that benefit costs analysis (BCA) provides for a
- [Microsimulation as a Planning, Operations and Training Aid for Incident Management](https://transportfutures.institute/microsimulation-as-a-planning-operations-and-training-aid-for-incident-management/) - The methodology for this study includes a literature review and a modelling case study of the West Gate Freeway in Melbourne. A microsimulation model was set up using AIMSUN NG for the study area. It is concluded that significant resources are required in setting up a microsimulation model for incident analysis. Once set up and
- [Active Traffic Management in Europe](https://transportfutures.institute/active-traffic-management-in-europe/) - The combination of continued travel growth and budget constraints makes it difficult for transportation agencies to provide sufficient roadway capacity in major metropolitan areas. The US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study in July 2007 to examine congestion management
- [Traffic Incident Management: Best Practice](https://transportfutures.institute/traffic-incident-management-best-practice/) - The Austroads Improving Traffic Incident Management project involves a review of traffic incident management in major urban regions across Australia and New Zealand. The fifth and final report released in July 2007 provides a brief overview of all aspects of traffic incident management, including planning, institutional issues, evaluation and performance review and capability development, as
- [US Report identifies travel demand modelling shortcomings](https://transportfutures.institute/us-report-identifies-travel-demand-modelling-shortcomings-part-1/) - The US Transportation Research Board has recently conducted a major study into the state-of-practice of travel demand forecasting theory and application in that country. TRB Special Report 288, Metropolitan Travel Forecasting: Current Practice and Future Direction, examines metropolitan travel forecasting models that provide public officials with information to inform decisions on major transportation system investments
- [Tabletop Exercise Instructions for Planned Events and Emergencies](https://transportfutures.institute/tabletop-exercise/) - The US Federal Highway Administration has released a guide designed to help in conducting tabletop exercises to test the effectiveness of transportation management plans associated with planned special events. The guide may also be helpful in the management of unplanned incidents including traffic incidents and responses to emergencies. When planned special events are held, they
- [Quick Clearance Toolkit Website](https://transportfutures.institute/quick-clearance-toolkit-website/) - The I-95 Corridor Coalition has developed a Quick Clearance Toolkit website that includes links to material and videos designed to help jurisdictions initiate or improve quick clearance programs. The material includes a roadmap for developing a traffic incident management program designed to help provide policy makers and practitioners in traffic incident management with ready-to-use tools
- [Best Practices for Traffic Incident Management in Florida](https://transportfutures.institute/best-practices-for-traffic-incident-management-in-florida/) - Florida Department of Transportation released a report in 2005 that examines traffic incident management programs, procedures, and techniques from throughout the US and within Florida; summarises lessons learned and best practices; identifies suitable performance measures for incident management programs; and recommends overall program improvements for application in Florida. The report documents the best practices currently
- [Traffic Incident Response Practices in Europe](https://transportfutures.institute/traffic-incident-response-practices-in-europe/) - The U.S. Federal Highway Administration released a report that includes recommendations to improve traffic incident response in the United States. The recommendations are based on an April 2005 scanning tour on traffic incident response practices, procedures, and technologies of England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden that assessed and evaluated various practices for responding to traffic
- [Benchmarking Traffic Incident Management in Australia](https://transportfutures.institute/benchmarking-traffic-incident-management-in-australia-part-1/) - To identify potential innovative practices that may be suitable for wider application, as well as provide a benchmark for ongoing improvement, a review of current traffic incident management (TIM) practices in major urban regions across Australia was undertaken in 2005-6. The review covered current traffic incident management practices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
- [Virtual Incident Management Training](https://transportfutures.institute/virtual-incident-management-training/) - The University of Maryland's Center for Advanced Transportation Technology Laboratory (CATT Lab) is working with the I-95 Corridor Coalition to create virtual incident management training software program. An intensive training program is being developed that will use three-dimensional, multi-player computer gaming simulation technology and distance-based learning technologies to test, validate, certify, and reinforce the dissemination
- [Congestion ... funding ... congestion ... funding](https://transportfutures.institute/congestion-funding-congestion-funding/) - Debate in the US has focussed on the need to find considerable additional funding to meet the needs for a congested transport system. The National Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission, set up by the Federal Government, published their report Transportation for Tomorrow on 15 January 2008. Interestingly the Commission of 12 ended up with three
- [Freeway Service Patrol returns high benefit](https://transportfutures.institute/freeway-service-patrol-returns-high-benefit/) - A research study found that a Virginia DOT Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) provides a 4.7 to 1 benefit-cost ratio. The Hampton Roads FSP, which consists of 48 vehicles and operates 24/7 on 80 miles of interstate highway, responded to 40,700 incidents during the 12-month period evaluated. The patrols aim to reduce congestion, improve safety and
- [I-95 Corridor Coalition TMC Simulation](https://transportfutures.institute/i-95-corridor-coalition-tmc-simulation/) - The I-95 Corridor Coalition is an alliance of transportation agencies, toll authorities, and related organizations, from the State of Maine in the northeast right down the US to the State of Florida in the south. The I-95 Corridor Coalition offers several web-based courses. In the TMC Simulation Program, you act as a TMC operator. Due
- [Traffic Detector Handbook](https://transportfutures.institute/traffic-detector-handbook-2/) - Managing traffic requires being able to detect a variety of vehicles characteristics in different circumstances, for different purposes: traffic flows, volumes, speeds and vehicle types for planning and design; detecting incidents for emergency response; flows on ramps for metering; vehicle volumes approaching intersections for signal timing and control; and traffic conditions for traveller information are
- [Using Transport Models to Evaluate Energy, Climate Change and Air Quality Impacts](https://transportfutures.institute/using-transport-models-to-evaluate-energy-climate-change-and-air-quality-impacts/) - Energy: Strategic transport models output vehicle flows and average link speeds on road and public transport network links. Flows are usually categorised by vehicle type, typically passenger cars; and commercial vehicles (disaggregated by light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles), as well as bus flows and bus speeds. Average speed and fuel consumption relationships may be
- [RFID tags in the road hold promise for smarter vehicle location systems](https://transportfutures.institute/rfid-tags-in-the-road-hold-promise-for-smarter-vehicle-location-systems/) - What makes intelligent vehicles smart? The ability of a vehicle to ‘know’ where it is at any given moment is one measure of intelligence that enables a host of intelligent transportation systems applications, from basic navigation assistance to automatic collision warning. Many vehicle location and positioning applications are built around Global Positioning System (GPS) technology,
- [Who's on first?](https://transportfutures.institute/who-is-on-first/) - Optimising capacity of a road network through traffic incident management is a key strategy to managing congestion. With the realisation that it is not feasible or affordable to build our way out of congestion has come an interest in finding smarter ways of maintaining a given level of service. However, congestion management may not
- [Motor Mania](https://transportfutures.institute/motor-mania/) - Motor Mania is a cartoon made by the Walt Disney Company in 1950. In this madcap motoring animation, Goofy transforms into a Mr Hyde-type split personality, when he gets behind the wheel. The cartoon shows how the character, as the pleasant, friendly and good-natured 'Mr Walker', undergoes a change in personality to the belligerent 'Mr
- [Signal Timing Under Saturated Conditions](https://transportfutures.institute/signal-timing-under-saturated-conditions/) - A FHWA publication provides guidance to practitioners on effective strategies to mitigate the effects of congestion at signalised intersections. The scope is limited to single intersections and does not address network-level strategies. The strategies are defined in terms of their underlying objective. Under congested conditions, traditional objectives and performance measures shift from progression and minimising
- [Service Patrol Handbook](https://transportfutures.institute/service-patrol-handbook/) - This FHWA Handbook provides an overview of the Full-Function Service Patrol (FFSP) for traffic incident response and management and describes desired program characteristics from the viewpoint of an agency that is responsible for funding, managing, and operating the services. It provides guidelines and rules of thumb for operational characteristics, sponsorship, level of service, number of
- [What is transport demand?](https://transportfutures.institute/transport-demand/) - The demand for transport is a derived demand, an economic term, which refers to demand for one good or service in one sector occurring as a result of demand from another. Users of transport are primarily consuming the service not because of its direct benefits, but because they wish to access other services. Transport demand
- [Smart motorway management: what is happening with traffic in Australia?](https://transportfutures.institute/smart-motorway-management-what-is-happening-with-traffic-in-australia/) - Is management of Australian motorway traffic getting smarter? Over the past five years references to traffic congestion by political and non-transport commentators in Australia has been increasing. The recently released Henry Review of Taxation included the need to ‘increase the efficiency of use and investment in roads by a program of road reforms that includes
- [iTraffic 2.0: the future set of traffic apps for your iMotorway](https://transportfutures.institute/itraffic-2-0-the-future-set-of-traffic-apps-for-your-imotorway/) - There are a number of intelligent traffic applications being progressively developed and introduced to better manage traffic and leading to the new era of smart traffic operations – what I am calling iTraffic 2.0, the next generation. (if Apple can have the iPhone and iPad!) This traffic problem is expressed in the following equation: Increasing
- [Can technology make trips more reliable?](https://transportfutures.institute/can-technology-make-trips-more-reliable/) - Traffic information services have evolved from delivering basic guidance to users (such as the location of specific incidents or major congestion) to offering real-time traffic flow data and now to helping drivers make better decisions by providing real time and predictive information. As car drivers we don’t like everyday traffic congestion, but we become used
- [Optimism Bias in Transport Planning](https://transportfutures.institute/optimism-bias/) - In 2005, Professor Bent Flyvbjerg identified two main causes of misinformation in policy and management: strategic misrepresentation (lying) and optimism bias (appraisal optimism). Strategic misrepresentation is the planned, systematic distortion or misstatement of fact—or lying—in response to incentives in the budget process. Optimism bias or appraisal optimism is the demonstrated systematic tendency for people to
- [Integrated Transport 101: critical success factors](https://transportfutures.institute/integrated-transport-101-critical-success-factors/) - Moving people has often been considered from a mode perspective – by road or rail – rather than taking a whole of transport approach, ie integrated transport. Now with increasing travel demand and resource constraints it is more critical that proper consideration is given to the factors that ensure integration success. A recent report published
- [Multimodal Transport Planning - whats important?](https://transportfutures.institute/multimodal-transport-planning/) - Todd Litman of the Canadian Victoria Transport Policy Institute, in a recent paper (December 2012) describes his view of the basic principles of transport planning. The paper describes 'conventional' transport planning, with a focus on motor vehicle traffic conditions and the 'newer' methods for multi-modal planning and evaluation. This may be the case for North
- [Integrated Transport 101: how to get results](https://transportfutures.institute/integrated-transport-101/) - The six best practice essentials for success Transport planners are facing the competing demands of delivering better mobility vs tightening budgets. How can we as transport professionals meet these challenges? The key is to employ best practice integrated transport planning. This entails using a systematic, sustained and accountable framework, that clearly addresses community (customer) needs. So
- [New Technology to Cut Freeway Congestion](https://transportfutures.institute/new-technology-to-cut-freeway-congestion/) - >As part of Melbourne’s $1.4 billion M1 upgrade project, a new traffic management system is being developed to effectively tackle congestion on the key freeway. Victorian Roads Minister Tim Pallas has announced the $14 million contract to design the software for the new traffic management system has been awarded to Queensland company Transmax. “The system
- [What are the key considerations for public transport station access?](https://transportfutures.institute/station-access/) - Successful urban public transport has to consider all aspects of the journey from origin to destination, from door to door. One component that has been largely neglected is access to, and egress from, rail and bus stations. Access to mass passenger transport services at bus or rail stations (including bus rapid transit and light rail)
- [How can we improve public transport users perceptions?](https://transportfutures.institute/waiting/) - We are in fiscally challenging times with demands for increasing public transport mode share and seriously constrained budgets. It is evident that users perceptions are their reality. So what is important to public transport users? And what are the low cost ways we can address concerns and improve the quality of service provided? Research shows
- [Alternative road funding – developments in Oregon](https://transportfutures.institute/alternative-road-funding/) - The US state of Oregon started consideration of alternative sources of road funding in 2001 when it became obvious that the existing gas tax – the primary source of US transport funding – was not future proof. Modern vehicles were becoming more fuel efficient (and new vehicles required to be more so) and a growing
- [How do we transition to road user charging?](https://transportfutures.institute/transition-to-road-user-charging/) - Two major challenges facing road agencies into the next decade will be dealing with increasing traffic congestion, and securing funding for infrastructure and services – hence the growing interest in road user and congestion charging. As governments look for alternative sources of funding and give serious consideration to road user charging, then providing quality customer
- [Are we managing traffic for results?](https://transportfutures.institute/managing-for-results/) - There are 7 critical success factors Road users, travelling in cars, buses and trucks, are being caught up in bigger traffic jams, with greater, unexpected traffic delays. Governments are crying poor as they dont have the budget for any big fixes. What can we do to help this problem? Lessons from Road Safety Best practice in road
- [Are you looking forward or backward?](https://transportfutures.institute/are-you-looking-forward-or-backward/) - Imagine trying to drive a car where your entire view was a giant rear-view mirror. You have a great view of everything behind you, but you cant see a thing in traffic ahead. What are the odds you will get where you are going? Now while that may sound a little foolish, surprisingly it’s the
- [Should we consider preventing traffic incidents?](https://transportfutures.institute/preventing-traffic-incidents/) - Rising traffic congestion in urban areas has resulted in an increased focus on the economic, financial and travel reliability impacts. Understanding traffic incident causation and then an increased emphasis on prevention, has the potential to significantly reduce the number and impact of traffic incidents. It is instructive to look at the extensive research in the
- [Can quick clearance solve the challenge of congestion gridlock?](https://transportfutures.institute/can-quick-clearance-solve-the-challenge-of-congestion-gridlock/) - Congestion is a major economic, social and environmental issue in most large urban centres around the world. The inability to build sufficient new infrastructure to meet the demand results in recurring congestion. But significant congestion also occurs from temporary reductions in capacity, with an increasing number of major traffic incidents occurring in the high
- [Travel time to major cities: a global map of accessibility](https://transportfutures.institute/travel-time-to-major-cities-a-global-map-of-accessibility/) - [click to go to website] A new map published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre and published in the World Bank’s World Development Report 2009, measures urbanisation from the new perspective of travel time to 8,500 major cities. By using travel-time as a unit of measurement, the map of Travel Time to Major Cities
- [Implementation Issues for Congestion Charging](https://transportfutures.institute/implementation-issues-for-congestion-charging/) - Road user charging, be it in the form of tolled roads, HOT (high occupancy tolled) lanes or congestion pricing, is currently topical, largely as a consequence of traffic congestion and the shortage of funds to provide new capacity, but also in terms of the potential of the tool for generating revenue and managing travel demand.
- [Dealing with Uncertainty in Travel Demand Forecasting](https://transportfutures.institute/dealing-with-uncertainty-in-travel-demand-forecasting-part-1-errors-in-models/) - Sources of error When forecasting for the medium to long term we need to be clear in acknowledging that we are dealing with an uncertain future. There are a number of factors which may contribute to errors and uncertainty in forecasts. Sources of uncertainty when forecasting travel demand include: Demographic and socioeconomic input data: employment
- [The Role of Transport Models in Evaluation](https://transportfutures.institute/the-role-of-transport-models-in-evaluation/) - The use of transport models to estimate demand for travel in urban transport networks is well established. Models simulate travel demand between each each origin and destination zone (the study area is divided into analysis zones) and assigns those trips to the road and transit transport networks. Urban transport models used to predict changes in
- [Why is traffic congestion a problem?](https://transportfutures.institute/why-is-traffic-congestion-a-problem/) - Problems associated with the predicted levels of future traffic congestion and their proposed solutions have been extensively debated. Political parties at State and Local levels, be they in government or in opposition, have laid out their ‘fix it’ proposals. So too have other interested groups such as the motorist associations. Most transport professionals can agree
- [Benefit Cost Analysis of transport projects: 9 No-Nos](https://transportfutures.institute/cost-benefit-analysis-no-nos/) - Failing to state assumptions clearly. Ignoring costs due to disruption during construction Showing ‘optimism bias’ in demand forecasts; project costs; downside risks Not accounting for full costs of base-case (or ‘do-minimum’) option. Double counting benefits, eg increased land values due to better accessibility Ignoring the costs of items simply because they do not have been
- [Is Micro-learning the answer?](https://transportfutures.institute/micro-learning-answer/) - Micro-learning is the process of learning complex skills in short, focused segments less than 10 minutes. Providing training by video, short articles and reflection exercises, on multiple devices through various web technologies. Micro-learning can be undertaken in short bites, so there is less cognitive load on learners and information is easier to absorb, retain, and
- [The Two-Step Process for Getting Smarter](https://transportfutures.institute/two-step-process-getting-smarter/) - Oh no, I could never do that... I'm not smart enough. So you think you need a high IQ? All too frequently, this is the kind of thing you hear from people who have big dreams... but who think they don't have what it takes to make those dreams come true. They not only think
- [How to write a professional bio](https://transportfutures.institute/professional-bio/) - You are a professional if you are a member of a vocation or occupation that has specialised education, knowledge, skills or experience, usually with tertiary qualifications and industry experience. Your bio (or professional branding statement) should communicate the essence of who you are. Your brand reflects your professional reputation, i.e. what you are known for
- [7 Habits that make a successful career](https://transportfutures.institute/7-habits-successful-career/) - You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do. ~ Henry Ford What makes a successful career? The core philosophy that underpins a successful career, which dates back to Aristotle, is causality or the relationship between a set of factors (causes) and a phenomenon (effect). By modelling the causes and effects of what
- [The difference between a Professional and a Novice](https://transportfutures.institute/difference-professional-novice/) - It doesn’t matter what you are trying to do to improve your practice, if you only do the work when you’re motivated, then you’ll never be consistent enough to become a professional. The ability to stick to the task and do the work - especially when you don't feel like it - is key. But
- [Value capture funding – why is Australia missing out?](https://transportfutures.institute/value-capture/) - Value capture funding allows a government to raise additional revenue by identifying the real beneficiaries of an investment, and enforcing a mechanism which recoups some that value to the government investor. For transport investments, some of the primary benefits occur for lands in the project catchment. Benefits include the improved accessibility conferred on a site,
- [Measurement valuation of public transport reliability](https://transportfutures.institute/measurement-valuation-of-public-transport-reliability/) - Land Transport New Zealand has released a report that explores methods of measuring the value placed on public transport reliability in different contexts in New Zealand. Reliability relates to an uncertainty in the time taken to travel from the start to the end of a person’s journey. For a public transport journey, reliability can affect
- [Improve mobility to mitigate congestion?](https://transportfutures.institute/improve-mobility-to-mitigate-congestion/) - Congestion has many potential causes and improving mobility helps mitigate the problem. Reducing congestion means reduced delay, more predictable and lower trip times, lower travel costs and reduced emissions. The first option to be considered is to make better use of existing infrastructure as they are usually most cost-effective, are flexible in being tailored to
- [Why have a quick clearance policy?](https://transportfutures.institute/why-have-a-quick-clearance-policy/) - In high traffic congested areas rapid clearance of incidents results in positive perceptions by road users and engenders support from government, especially in relation to funding traffic operations. Quick clearance is the practice of rapidly and safely removing temporary obstructions from the roadway. To find out more see the Transportation Research Board synthesis in 2003
- [Can advances in intelligent vehicles help?](https://transportfutures.institute/can-advances-in-intelligent-vehicles-help/) - Developments in intelligent transport systems, particularly transmission of real-time information between vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle), and with road network operators (vehicle-to-infrastructure), have led to consideration of further applications to deliver critical road safety and mobility outcomes. Despite the advances made since the 1970’s, communities are demanding further improvements in road safety, reductions in the growing impact of
- [Monitoring and modelling travel time reliability](https://transportfutures.institute/monitoring-and-modelling-travel-time-reliability/) - The use of reliability of trip arrival times does not normally form part of network performance monitoring and modelling. Reasons to monitor and model reliability of trip times include: (a) monitoring the performance of road network; (b) monitoring the performance of public transport networks and services; and (c) evaluating future options. Although some national guidelines

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- [TFi Books](https://transportfutures.institute/tfi-books/) - Addressing Transport Challenges: A Quick Guide Learn more about addressing transport challenges, skills all transport professionals need, and complete a self-assessment scorecard. What you will receive: Quick Guide – a summary of the strategic analysis skills (PDF) Self Assessment Scorecard (fillable PDF) A series of emails providing an outline of the steps in addressing transport
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- [Addressing Transport Challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/tfi-courses/addressing-transport-challenges/) - There is a growing need for transport professionals with specialist strategic analysis skills, expertise in getting results and delivering value for money. Finding solutions for transport problems is a key skill to protect your future career. Addressing Transport Challenges means identifying what is important, where to focus your effort and be able to develop transport
- [Effective Business Cases](https://transportfutures.institute/tfi-courses/business-cases-page/effective-business-cases/) - Governments are demanding more effective use of resources and delivery of desired outcomes, particularly when funding is constrained. Transport professionals therefore need to be able to develop and present robust and compelling business cases for investment proposals. Course Outline Part 1. Strategy has a focus on the first stage of developing a business case -
- [TFi Books and Courses](https://transportfutures.institute/tfi-courses/) - Click here to check out all the current online courses Addressing Transport Challenges How to develop practical solutions to complex transport challenges. A six module online course to complete at your own time and pace. More info Preparing Effective Business Cases Transport professionals therefore need to be able to develop and present robust and compelling
- [Previous courses](https://transportfutures.institute/tfi-courses/previous-courses/) - In person short courses Developing Transport Performance Measures. Describe and measure the impact of transport infrastructure and services projects. Held 24-25 October 2019, Brisbane. Developing Transport Investment Proposals Provides an opportunity to enhance the professional skills required to prepare business cases. Held 12-13 September 2019, Brisbane. Also held in Maroochydore in February 2019, and March
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## Categories

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- [strategy](https://transportfutures.institute/category/strategy/)
- [professional](https://transportfutures.institute/category/professional/)
- [focus](https://transportfutures.institute/category/focus/)
- [challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/category/challenges/)
- [uncertainty](https://transportfutures.institute/category/uncertainty/)
- [critical thinking](https://transportfutures.institute/category/critical-thinking/)
- [AI](https://transportfutures.institute/category/ai/)
- [timber bridges](https://transportfutures.institute/category/timber-bridges/)

## Tags

- [response](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/response/)
- [challenges](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/challenges/)
- [cost-benefit](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/cost-benefit/)
- [models](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/models/)
- [emissions](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/emissions/)
- [traffic](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/traffic/)
- [review](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/review/)
- [uncertainty](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/uncertainty/)
- [report](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/report/)
- [best practice](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/best-practice/)
- [research](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/research/)
- [modelling](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/modelling/)
- [ITS](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/its/)
- [Vision Zero](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/vision-zero/)
- [mobility](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/mobility/)
- [evaluate](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/evaluate/)
- [RFID](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/rfid/)
- [implementation](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/implementation/)
- [accessibility](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/accessibility/)
- [video](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/video/)
- [training](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/training/)
- [simulation](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/simulation/)
- [quick clearance](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/quick-clearance/)
- [cost](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/cost/)
- [roles](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/roles/)
- [demand](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/demand/)
- [technology](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/technology/)
- [prevention](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/prevention/)
- [optimism bias](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/optimism-bias/)
- [rear view](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/rear-view/)
- [London](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/london/)
- [perception](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/perception/)
- [station access](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/station-access/)
- [integration](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/integration/)
- [learning badges](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/learning-badges/)
- [professional](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/professional/)
- [value capture](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/value-capture/)
- [more for less](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/more-for-less/)
- [sweat](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/sweat/)
- [smart growth](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/smart-growth/)
- [fares](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/fares/)
- [funding](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/funding/)
- [win-lose](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/win-lose/)
- [disruptive innovation](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/disruptive-innovation/)
- [landuse](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/landuse/)
- [policy](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/policy/)
- [productivity](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/productivity/)
- [self improvement](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/self-improvement/)
- [procrastination](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/procrastination/)
- [education](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/education/)
- [future of work](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/future-of-work/)
- [expert](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/expert/)
- [ATC](https://transportfutures.institute/tag/atc/)