Improving Transport Project Appraisals
In the Islamic Countries
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 Automatic Traffic Count (ATC): with the use of Metro Vehicle Classification System device
-MC5600. The MC5600 is a simple axle-based pneumatic counter/classifier which collects
data at a 'Time-Stamping'. The principle of operation of the device is such that every axle hit
by the vehicle moving at least 10km/hr is being recorded at the time of hit by a pneumatic
sensor. The recorded data is then interpreted by specialized computer software to give an
output.
 Axle Load Surveys: The axle load survey has been conducted to determine Vehicle Damage
Factor (VDF) / Equivalent Standard Axles from the axle load spectrum data which gives the
damaging effect on pavements. The design and performance of the pavement is affected by a
number of factors, such as gross load, tyre pressure, number of wheels, wheel configuration
and number of repetitions. The structural damage to the roads is determined by the type of
vehicle expected to make use of the alignment during the life span of the route.
 Origin-Destination (O-D) surveys: The O-D survey has been conducted using 10-15 %
sample size to determine the travel characteristics of freight and passenger along the route
under study. The survey was conducted for 16 hours at two different locations along the
alignment. The method of roadside interview of randomly selected vehicles was adopted in
the study to collect the following information: O-D of trips, trip time and purpose, commodity
type and pay load, and frequency of trips.
 Collection of Willingness to pay information: the analysis of the willingness to pay specific
toll rate as they travel on improved roads has been sampled alongside the O-D surveys.
This thorough approach is also applied in other large road projects. Whenever HDM-4 is applied,
demand analysis is to be carried out to be able to apply the model. It should be noted that this
approach is not representative for all road works in Nigeria, including those at state and local
level. For the larger projects in the other sectors (rail, aviation, waterborne transport) demand
analysis will be included, especially if international funding is included, for which demand
analysis would be a mandatory element of any project appraisal.
8.7 Result of project appraisal
Use of results
The results of project appraisal are used to provide justification for investing in a transport
project and is integrated in the process of project preparation, as presented i aimed
at establishing the feasibility of a project. This process is also used to facilitate the establishment
of PPPs in the transport sector, as established for example in the Compendium Report of the
road sector: Road Infrastructure and related development In Nigeria - an Investor’s Manual
(2013).
For prioritisation purposes, the system in Nigeria relies on an extensive process of stakeholder
consultation, as also presented i