9 Assessment against Scheme Specific Objectives

9 Assessment against Scheme Specific Objectives

As noted in Section 2.1, eight specific transport planning objectives were defined for the Forth Replacement Crossing. The Managed Crossing Scheme has key features that contribute to the achievement of these objectives as summarised in the table below.

Objective

Contributing Features:

Maintain cross-Forth transport links for all modes to at least the level of service offered in 2006.

  • Improving reliability and journey times for bus travel, by making use of the existing bridge for exclusive use of buses and taxis.
  • Improving journey reliability for general traffic, including freight, with the provision of hard shoulder on the replacement bridge to reduce the impact of incidents.
  • An ITS technology solution to help manage traffic flows and incidents.
  • All weather capability through wind shielding.

Connect to the strategic transport network to aid optimisation of network as a whole.

  • Creating a new public transport facility.
  • Completing the trunk road network between the M9 and M90 – improving connectivity to existing road network.
  • Improving Fife junctions.
  • Providing connection for West Lothian at M9 Junction 1a.
  • Improving response to incidents.
  • Improving management of traffic on the strategic network controls through the use of ITS technology.

Improve reliability of journey times for all modes.

  • Dedicated public transport corridor on the existing bridge.
  • Improved connections to existing road network.
  • Including hard shoulders on the replacement bridge.
  • ITS technology control system.
  • Wind shielding on the replacement bridge.

Increase travel choices and improve integration across modes to encourage modal shift of people and goods.

  • Facilitating new and improved car/bus interchanges.
  • Improving reliability for bus services.
  • Providing scope for additional services and routes.

Improve accessibility and social inclusion.

  • Improving public transport services through enhanced service quality and interchange opportunities.

Minimise impacts of maintenance on the effective operation of the transport network.

  • Introducing new infrastructure designed for reduced maintenance and built in maintenance capability.
  • Introducing technology to help minimise maintenance disruption.

Support sustainable development and economic growth.

  • Encouraging the use of more sustainable travel modes.
  • ITS technology will help traffic move more smoothly and reduce carbon footprint.

Minimise impact on people and the natural and cultural heritage of the Forth area.

  • Reducing the extent and impact of new works.
  • Making best use of existing infrastructure.
  • Reducing impacts on the natural and cultural heritage and on people.