NLTP Bulletin

Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS)

• The Minister is expected to release the draft 2021 GPS mid-March. This will provide the direction and focus as we develop the 2021-24 NLTP.
   
• The Ministry of Transport will begin their engagement with local government and other key partners soon after the draft GPS is released.
   
• This will include discussions on the draft NZ Rail Plan and other key strategy plans like Tackling Unsafe Speeds.
   
• We encourage you to read the GPS and think about the opportunities within it when you are making your decisions for project inclusion in the 2021-24 Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs).

Investment Decision-Making Framework (IDMF)

• Consultation on the changes we’re proposing to the IDMF closed on 21 February. These changes relate to the assessment of investment proposals, and the development of business cases and low cost, low risk programmes.
   
• Thanks to all those who attended the information sessions in February – there were lots of interesting questions at each of the sessions which have helped us identify where we can be clearer about what we’re proposing.
   
• Thanks also to those of you who took the time to submit feedback – transport sector feedback is vital in ensuring we get the final design right. We expect to be able to provide a summary of the feedback early April.
   
• We’ll consult separately on the prioritisation approach to the 2021-24 NLTP, once the draft GPS has been released and we’ve had time to consider it fully and ensure our approach is aligned.

Capability

• To give effect to the 2018 GPS, we need to build both our own and sector capability in the Business Case Approach and the assessment and prioritisation of investment proposals.
   
• We know it’s important for you to have the tools, guidance, training and support you need to operate within the new IDMF. These are being scoped and developed between now and July.

Arataki

• Since the release of Arataki V1 for feedback in December, the project team have been focused on engaging with our co-investment partners.
   
• We’ve had some great feedback to date. This will inform our view and future updates which will reflect new evidence and agreed responses.
   
• If you are yet to share feedback on Arataki, we encourage you to do so before the end of this month to ensure your feedback is considered for the first update in April. We expect to release version two in August.
  
  - Arataki is split into sections, designed so you can access the parts that are relevant to you
  - all the evidence used in the development of Arataki is referenced with its source in the document
  - Arataki is our best thinking to date and is designed to be used as an input into other processes
   
• It’s important that we have a shared understanding of the evidence base, its implications and how it can be used in your work. Please send any questions or feedback to us at arataki@nzta.govt.nz. 
  
  View Arataki

Benefit measures data available

• Data helps us and our partners better understand the transport challenges in cities and regions, translating to more robust investment proposals, and it’s really useful if we’re all working from the same data.
   
• We encourage you to use the data we released last October, including additional information on the geospatial mapping of access to social and economic opportunities, noise, CO2 emissions, PM10 emissions, travel time reliability, throughput and temporal availability of public transport. 
   
• Please email investment.benefits@nzta.govt.nz for access to the tool.

Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs)

• The RLTP coordination group is developing guidance on the development of RLTPs and coordinating communication and support to our regional staff as they engage with councils.
   
• We’re closely linked to local government through the Transport Special Interest Group (TSIG) and the Road Efficiency Group (REG Partnership), and are jointly working on key guidance areas across the NLTP programme.
   
• We're interested in your thoughts on what we can do to help you prepare and be more confident in your role in the RLTP process - please contact us at nltp@nzta.govt.nz. 
   
• As a reminder, guidance for developing RLTPs, created by TSIG, with support from the Transport Agency, is available now:
  
  View the best practice guidance

Transport Agency Investment Proposal (TAIP)

• The TAIP is the 10-year programme of activities that we propose to include in the 2021-24 NLTP. Activities in the TAIP should support and align with those that councils put forward through the RLTP process.
   
• Our next steps include:
  - reviewing all proposed state highway activities to ensure alignment with the draft GPS
  - identifying further interdependencies with councils and other investment partners
  - refining the scope of business cases: are they high priority nationally, 'right-sized', and focused to provide certainty and an affordable pipeline.
   
• This month we’re focusing on assessment, partnership interdependencies, and affordability, and then prioritising and moderating projects in the draft TAIP for consideration by the Transport Agency Board in April.