Proposed framework for sustainability screening of urban transport projects in developing countries: A case study of Accra, Ghana

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Abstract

This paper documents a framework suggested for screening urban transport projects in developing countries to reflect local issues relevant to sustainability. The framework is based on the integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge to reflect the sustainability of candidate projects. This is achieved through a participatory approach to integrate inputs from system users and providers to produce a term defined as the Localized Sustainability Score (LSS). The LSS of the projects are then used to produce a relative ranking of potential projects, for use as a decision support for project screening and selection. Proof-of-concept development of the proposed LSS framework is presented via a preliminary case study in Accra–Ghana and the results indicate that the framework adequately represented local sustainable transport needs, priorities and perceptions. The LSS determined for some selected projects maintained the original relative rankings that were already derived using conventional methods. The LSS also has the added advantage of evaluating projects of different scales, which were not easy to evaluate together by conventional methods.

Highlights

► A framework is proposed for ranking and screening urban transport projects in developing countries. ► It is a participatory approach based on the integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge. ► The proposed method is applied to a case study in Accra, Ghana. ► The framework performed well when compared to project rankings from previous studies.

Introduction

During its early development, transport planning was described as “an exercise in data handling” due to the large amounts of data and information that must be “stored and manipulated” (Schofer and Levin, 1967). The current understanding of transport planning connotes a process based on the Rational Planning Model (RPM) that emphasizes efficient decision-making through a systematic, step-by-step process (Black, 1990, Szyliowicz, 2003, Khisty and Arslan, 2005, Timms, 2008). Such an understanding, while implying considerable precision, may ultimately limit the applicability within certain transport planning contexts (Goetz and Szyliowicz, 1997, Roorda et al., 2006, Handy, 2008, Hatzopoulou and Miller, 2009). Wilson (2001) states that transport planning “assumes that urban transport systems operate in mechanistic, predictable ways – that immutable laws about travel behavior can be discovered and used for prediction.” Indeed, the four-step planning model (based on RPM foundations) is used to develop travel demand forecasts from land use or activity patterns (measured or estimated) on which to base decisions regarding transport infrastructure investments and improvements (i.e., projects) (Black, 1990, Meyer and Miller, 2001, Khisty and Arslan, 2005).

In practice, transport planning is typically used to identify and prioritize transport projects (Schofer and Levin, 1967, Meyer and Miller, 2001, Banister, 2002, Sun et al., 2007). Prioritizing projects can be accomplished at multiple levels. Detailed analyses can be conducted to determine a list of candidate projects to be implemented and to advise their programming (i.e., funding and scheduling). Projects can also be prioritized at a high level, or screened, to determine which best meet a predetermined set of criteria.

This paper documents a framework proposed for screening urban transport projects in developing countries to reflect locally derived sustainability criteria. The framework is based on the integration of indigenous (i.e., local) and scientific knowledge of how specific projects might support sustainable transport development. It is a participatory process that integrates input from system users and providers to produce a Localized Sustainability Score (LSS). The LSS of each candidate project can then be used to produce a relative ranking of potential projects.

The framework is proposed on the basis that resources for conducting detailed project analyses are relatively scarce in developing countries. Also, transport projects in developing countries are often funded by international agencies/partners that require, or at least desire, objectivity and accountability in local decision-making processes. The proposed framework and its results can be used to implement and document a screening process by which candidate projects can be chosen and/or prioritized for further consideration. It is understood that transport planning in developing countries can be a rather subjective, political process. In such cases the LSS, can provide a mechanism to engage system users and document their input as part of the process. Proof-of-concept development of the proposed LSS framework is presented via a preliminary case study carried out in Accra, Ghana (Tefe, 2012).

Section snippets

Background

Myriad definitions of sustainability and sustainable transport have been offered in which a common underlying theme is the desire to balance competing needs among economic, social and environmental issues (Beatley, 1995, Gudmundsson and Hojer, 1996, Deakin, 2001, Jeon and Amekudzi, 2005, Litman and Burwell, 2006, Hatzopoulou and Miller, 2009, Amekudzi et al., 2011). Sustainable transport issues are both common to and vary between developed and developing countries (Amekudzi and Vanegas, 2006).

Urban transport decision-making and knowledge

Issues of rapidly increasing automobile ownership in conjunction with inadequate public transport and neglect for NMT are complex. Such issues and their impacts are difficult to quantify and analyze individually and are particularly complex when viewed together. Further, there are local (i.e., indigenous) aspects of these issues that are not easily quantifiable but may nonetheless affect the transport system. For example, bicycle usage in developing cities may be suppressed due to negative

Development of a Localized Sustainability Score for Accra, Ghana

Accra is the capital of the West-African nation of Ghana. More than half of the population of Ghana is considered urban. Accra and its environs, referred to as the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) had a 2010 population of 1.86 million (Ghana Statistical Service, 2010). With regard to transport, there were some 181,000 cars estimated to be operating in Accra in 2004 while the remainder of urban transport needs are served by a mixture of public buses (Metro Mass Transit), private buses

Conclusions and recommendations

A framework for screening urban transport projects according to a locally specific set of sustainability criteria and sub-criteria was developed and presented in the form of a case study. The results of the limited, proof-of-concept study indicate that the framework adequately represented local sustainable transport needs, priorities and perceptions. Computing an LSS for individual projects allowed a relative comparison among the different types of projects.

Such relative rankings among

Acknowledgements

The authors would very much like to thank the National Science Foundation for its student support, the University of Alabama (IRB certificate 643781) for its support for project-related travel, Associated Consultants, Ltd. of Accra, Ghana for their support in arranging and hosting meetings and interviews with local system providers and all other study participants whose valuable input made the project possible.

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