A new tool from Austroads is designed to help transport agencies prioritise emission reduction strategies.
The Decarbonisation Decision-Making Guidance and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) Tool was developed with extensive consultation from Austroads members, and aims to provide a structured, evidence-based approach for evaluating and ranking interventions to meet carbon reduction targets.
Austroads Environment and Sustainability Program Manager, Joanne Vanselow, managed delivery of the project.
“Decision-making frameworks, like multi-criteria analysis, offer transport agencies a powerful tool to strategically prioritise emission reduction efforts,” Ms Vanselow said.
“By tailoring these frameworks to meet the specific needs of each agency, they ensure resources are allocated to the most impactful and cost-effective interventions.”
The guidance supports various decision-making exercises, from statewide decarbonisation strategies to specific project assessments, including fleet decarbonisation options.
It outlines methods for evaluating both quantitative and qualitative criteria, enabling a flexible and consistent approach to ranking interventions.
The MCA tool complements established processes like cost-benefit analysis but focuses on integrating decarbonisation objectives into transport agency workflows.
Key advantages of MCA include transparency, efficiency, flexibility and consistency. However, the guidance also addresses challenges such as assessment bias and limitations in comparing diverse interventions, providing strategies to mitigate these risks.
The user guide aligns with best practices, such as the Infrastructure Australia Guide to Multi-Criteria Analysis, ensuring compatibility with national standards.
By embedding decarbonisation considerations into broader decision-making frameworks, Austroads’ guidance is aimed at helping agencies take critical steps toward achieving sustainability goals while addressing the unique challenges of their operational environments.
