Promoting the economic benefits of walking infrastructure

Action 4.5, Action Plan for Walking 2022–2024

Department/Agency: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Status: Complete

Updating the Department of Transport and Main Roads active transport cost–benefit analysis methodologies and tools to better capture the economic benefits of walking infrastructure as part of transport projects.

Overview

We updated our interactive cost–benefit analysis tool for estimating the economic costs and benefits of investment in active transport infrastructure.

Achievements

In July 2022, we released an updated version of our interactive cost–benefit analysis tool for active travel, which utilised analytical data sourced from the Australian Transport Assessment and Planning Guidelines for Active Travel.

The tool is designed to facilitate cost–benefit analysis for a wide variety of projects, supporting both the planning and implementation of our Active Transport Investment Program and local government initiatives.

In 2023, further updates were made to the tool.

We contributed to updating and expanding the Australian Transport Assessment and Planning Guidelines for Active Travel, which were published in July 2023.

These updated guidelines provide more comprehensive guidance on planning, evaluating, and developing active transport networks throughout Australia.

Next steps

We will use both the Australian Transport Assessment and Planning guidelines and the tool as exemplary methods for planning transport projects.

Moreover, our plans to enhance the tool and the frameworks that underpin investment in active transport.

More information

Learn more about our Active transport economic appraisal tool.