United Kingdom

PPPs, as well as increased use of the private sector in highway operations and maintenance contracts, have contributed to the Highways Agency's transition from a network provider to a network operator-"steering, not rowing." This has allowed the agency to heighten its awareness of its customers and focus on its key performance measures:

Table 10. Schedule performance of highway PPPs in New South Wales.

Project

Opened

Scheduled Opening

Time Savings

M4

May 1992

Feb. 1993

9 months

M5

Aug.1992

Feb. 1994

18 months

Sydney Harbour Tunnel

Aug.1992

Aug. 1992

On time

M2

May 1997

Nov. 1997

6 months

Eastern Distributor

Dec. 1999

Aug.2000

8 months

Cross-City Tunnel

Aug. 2005

Oct. 2005

2 months

Westlink M7

Dec. 2005

Aug. 2006

8 months

Lane Cove Tunnel

Mar. 2007

May 2007

2 months

Total

53 months

Figure 18. Traffic volume versus fatalities in Portugal

Figure 19. Road safety improvement in Portugal: 1995 to 2006.

♦ RELIABILITY-Implement a program of delivery actions that tackle unreliable journeys on the strategic road network.

♦ DELIVERY OF MAJOR PROJECTS-Deliver to time and budget the program of major schemes on the strategic road network.

♦ ROAD SAFETY-Deliver the Highways Agency's agreed-on proportion of the national road casualty reduction target.

♦ MAINTENANCE-Maintain the strategic road network in a safe and reliable condition and deliver value for money.

♦ ENVIRONMENT-Mitigate the potentially adverse impact of strategic roads and take opportunities to enhance the environment, taking into account value for money.

♦ CUSTOMER SATISFACTION-Deliver a high level of road user satisfaction.

♦ EFFICIENCY-Deliver the Highways Agency's contribution to the Department for Transport's efficiency target.