O

ur national target to reach Net Zero means we need to reassess how we design, deliver and manage our road networks.  

Choosing my words carefully, we need to understand that “roads” in the more generic sense – and as opposed to “highways” – are a force for good. Providing the vital connections which move people and freight around, they are at their most efficient when used for public transport, cycling or walking. 

Net Zero will mean we will need to do better in how we plan, design and deliver new schemes. They will need to be resilient and future-proofed as we can no longer afford poorly planned highways which end up decimating towns, creating congestion in the wrong places, or becoming rapidly overwhelmed, if we are to meet our Net Zero ambitions by 2050. 

We can no longer afford poorly planned highways [...] if we are to meet our Net Zero ambitions by 2050 Tim Chapman, chair ACE transport group

To my mind there are five requirements that all new road projects and programmes should follow, vital if they are to become “good schemes” in the broadest sense.

These are: 

1. Value for money – Does it meet financial objectives in the traditional way?
2. Value for whole-life carbon – Does it assess capital, embodied and user carbon – with carbon as a distinct scarce currency?
3. Social value impact – How can roads help nurture a sense of place and community?
4. Nature and biodiversity – Is it net positive? Does it align with the UN’s SDGs?
5. Resilience – for transport, climate, and to new vulnerabilities such as cyber threats.

Using this as a framework for projects at Arup has ensured that we maintain a holistic view on road schemes and infrastructure construction. However, for this to really work, we need the Government to embed a similar approach through the Green Book and its other procurement processes. With this we can ensure that future road projects help to meet our Net Zero ambitions and beyond. 

The transport group inputted into the creation of ACE’s latest guide, and we’re delighted to be able to share it with members. Alongside Arup’s approach, which I outlined above, we’ve case studies and a review of the current policy situation in different parts of the UK. Pulled together it’s a handy starting point for anyone working on roads in the current climate. 

It’s clear to me there is a huge opportunity for members and our sector. Our expertise across transport planning/strategy, project appraisal, engineering design, placemaking, highway adaption for zero emission vehicles, for walking and cycling, and carbon management and measurement, means our industry is uniquely placed to deliver streets and roads that will also positively contribute to our Net Zero goals. 

Tim Chapman (Arup) is chair of the ACE Transport group.

Members can download the guide below once they are registered or logged into our site with their work email address.