Evaluation of street works permit schemes

This document describes an evaluation of permit schemes for managing street and road works in the UK, aimed at reducing congestion costs and improving coordination of works. The evaluation, conducted by Ecorys and Open Road Associates for the Department for Transport, employed a counterfactual impact evaluation, reviews of works data, cost-benefit analysis, online surveys, and qualitative research. Results show that permit schemes shorten the duration of works and improve coordination, but also increase costs for promoters and local highway authorities. Recommendations include revising guidance, increasing transparency, and establishing oversight to enhance consistency and effectiveness. The evaluation also calls for further research on incentives, fines, and the impact of permit schemes on work techniques, noting that permit schemes have not significantly altered promoter behavior in this area. Despite challenges such as resistance from promoters and data capture issues, permit schemes have been found to reduce road user delays and provide LHAs with more control, with some LHAs achieving cost-neutral or surplus operations. The document suggests greater collaboration and clear guidance to improve scheme design and operation. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Transport (DfT)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Value for money evaluation; Impact evaluation; Process evaluation
• Impact methods: Quasi-experimental method
• Quasi-experimental methods: Matching
• Process methods: Case studies; Individual interviews; Surveys and polling
• Value for money methods: Cost-benefit analysis
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: June 2018

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes