Proceedings of the 13th Meeting of the
Transport and Communications Working Group
13
process can be compared. In order to support this standardization process, it should be
considered to develop a project appraisal manual(s), including process steps and input
values.
 Apply and use a project appraisal as part of a full project cycle. The appraisal process is now
used as an ex-ante evaluation of a project, mostly for justifying an investment decision. It
could be considered to broaden the use of the appraisal process, not only for justifying an
investment decision but also to prioritize those projects that yield best results. The appraisal
process can then be extended towards prioritizing transport projects.
Case study Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia developments are underway with regard to standardization of methodologies.
The results are expected in the future, as a result of a study currently planned by the Public
Transport Authority on the subject of cost-benefit analysis, cost-risk analysis, and wider
economic benefits.
Practices of knowledge transfer from consultants to public officials are also in place. Despite
these indications of improvement, there are a number of recommendations that can be stated:
 Clearer legal obligations on the scope, content, and methodologies should be envisaged.
In this regard, it is recommended to establish a set of rules at the central level (under the
responsibility of the Ministry of Transport) clearly stating how for which type of projects and
when to perform project appraisals.
 An in-depth review of the approaches currently adopted across different transport
modes and of the software in use could be carried out, serving the following needs: a) having
a detailed overview on current practices across transport sub-sectors; b) exchanging
information on appraisals and possible good practices across transport modes, with the
identification of potential areas of cooperation; c) preparing an operational roadmap
(indicating milestones to be achieved and responsibilities) for a comprehensive
enhancement of transport project appraisals in the country.
 The quality review should clearly identify the responsibilities in project appraisals. Clear
responsibilities should be identified for the quality review of project appraisals conducted
by external consultants. Furthermore, formal quality standards for project appraisals could
be established, facilitating the task of a project reviewing.
 Emphasize the socio-economic dimension of project effects. Emphasis should be put on the
socio-economic dimension of project effects. To this end, a reference document could be
prepared to list the socioeconomic effects that shall be mandatorily considered within
project appraisals (with variations depending on transport mode and project features), and
with indications on how to compute them correctly using state-of-the-art methodologies
based on a benchmarking of international good practices.