Time horizon
There is varying guidance around the time horizons and approach to the implementation of NOPs, however they tend to have more of a short-term focus. Establishing a clear purpose when developing a NOP will help to set an appropriate timeframe.
There is little guidance relating to the timeframes and implementation approaches associated with network operation planning.
What is provided tends to recommend a short-term (0–5 years) planning horizon for NOPs, and a longer term planning horizon (more than 10 years) when network improvements with major civil works, such as major infrastructure projects, are involved.
Desired or aspirational future network operations tend to relate to long-term / ultimate network arrangements, so are not typically expected to be achieved through a NOP. Understanding this, and any interdependencies, may help inform the most appropriate implementation approach (or whether higher level strategic / network planning activities are more appropriate to inform how the network should developed).
Setting a clear purpose at the outset of the NOPs development will help resolve this issue. Purpose statements may include:
- sweating the asset and best use of the existing facilities (short-term only interventions)
- working towards a desired network operation in an iterative process
- resolving the current operation gap through a major project and/or staged action plan.
Source material
Source | Time horizon |
|---|---|
Phase 6: Implementation of Network Operation Plans, p27 states:
"Annual programs need to consider the potential longer term impacts of changes in priorities that could result in unintended outcomes where consequential impacts are not countered by implementing planned interventions. This indicates the need for a rolling program of activities to ensure overall improvement in the operational performance of networks." | |
Guide to Traffic Management Part 4: Network Management Strategies (2020) | Section 5 - Network Operation Plan p56 states: "A short-term (i.e. 1–5 years) planning horizon is recommended for a NOP, and the initiatives are generally operational in nature and scale. Longer term planning horizons (i.e. > 10 years) are used when network improvements requiring major civil works would form part of the NOP." |
Source | Time horizon |
|---|---|
Section 3.2 - Corridor and area planning p41 states: "A 15-20 year corridor or area strategy should stipulate a multi-modal approach to achieve objectives and performance targets. As with the network strategy, the corridor or area strategy may contain interim performance targets for equity or operational reasons." | |
Road Network Planning Urban Design ‘Place’ Character Assessment Methodology and Guidance Notes (2019) | Appendix A, Section 1.5 - Road Network Planning p9 states:
"Road Action Plan prepares design options and priorities works within a short-medium-long term time frame." |
Facilitating Network Operations Planning: A Case Study of the VicRoads SmartRoads Framework (2018) | Chapter 2. Model Corridors p47
"The package of TSMO strategies selected for Subarea 1 include:
|
A comparative study of four network operations planning frameworks guidelines (2010) | Phase 4 – Determine travel demand and road-use priorities (current and future) section p22 states:
"This phase involves determining travel demand for the intended planning horizons and establishing road-use priorities for different roads/links in the network within Potential Impact Area (PIA). Given the nature of likely operational interventions, which are predominantly Management & Operations interventions, it is generally considered a 5-10 year planning horizon would be appropriate for the analytical work associated with most Network Operations Plans, unless there are specific reasons to consider longer time horizons such as an impending major new transport infrastructure, which may significantly alter the operating environment and conditions within PIA." |
Source | Time horizon |
|---|---|
The ROPs are intended to inform the development of short-term small-scale improvement schemes under the Pinch Point Program and guide the review objectives of the traffic signal timing reviews undertaken. | |
| |
| |
Warrigal Road Movement and Place – Intersection Operating Principles | These vary based on project scope and complexity, but in terms of the Signal Route Reviews:
More generally, NOP recommendations are implemented on a per project / program basis. |